#but i saw a lot of joking/discussion about it in the late 00s

[businesstiramisu]

I think you may be mentally conflating High Church with Catholic. Anglicans, Lutherans, and maybe Methodists (? I don't know much about Methodists) are all High Church - venerate the saints, follow a liturgical calendar, receive sacraments, conduct formal and structured services. Think JS Bach (who was Lutheran). By contrast a lot of prominent American protestantism is Low Church: Baptists, Presbyterians, all the various Evangelical churches. If you're mostly familiar with Low Church Protestantism, High Church Protestantism can look very Catholic until you scratch the theology

Nah the CS Lewis thing was because I mostly hear Catholics talk about him online. My social circle is like the Supreme Court but with Asians,* and I've been to a few catholic masses but have very little personal experience with the actual religious practice of any sort of Protestantism.

Incidentally I *do* know a little bit about Methodists but only from reading the 1632 series -- Virginia DeMarce's take on the religious landscape of Grantville is one of my favorite parts of the series :P

[fallingforunrealisticromance]

Just So I Could Call You Mine - Aaron Hotchner x fem!reader part 3

A/N: It's finally here!! I'm sorry the wait was so long but I'm hoping it'll be worth it. I'd just like to thank @ya-boi-is-dead for the inspiration for this fic. Please enjoy:)

Warnings: Swearing

*** = time skip

Word Count: 2744

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Things with Aaron had been going great. After the incident at Rossi’s, we decided to take things slow but, us being who we were, fell right back into the pattern of things. Most weekends were spent with each other whether it was going for coffee, a stroll in the park, or (more often than not) we just stayed home enjoying each other’s company once again. We tried to hold off from telling the team to start with as we didn’t want the pressure of them knowing to somehow hinder things but trying to hide a relationship from a group of profilers is like trying to hide from an unsub behind a glass door. Impossible. When they all inevitably found out, Aaron got an earful from the lot of them considering how things went last time, but I can honestly say, he’s not going to hurt me. The one person we’ve decided it’s absolutely essential not to tell is the mega bitch herself – Haley. I can’t risk Aaron losing Jack for being in a relationship with me, I’d never forgive myself. So, while Haley knows me and Aaron are back on good terms, everything else is hidden from her.

I jolted upright as an alarm sounded right next to my head. I fumbled around beside me trying to find my phone to shut it off. As I pulled my phone towards me, JJ’s name flashed in my face.

“Oh my god finally, where the hell are you? Is Hotch with you?” She said sounding frustrated.

“What do you mean?” I replied, my voice heavy with sleep. As I was talking, I felt an arm snake around my waist pulling me backwards. Aaron buried his head in the crook of my neck, sighing happily. In that moment I wanted nothing more than to hang up the phone, cuddle up to him and just stay there forever. However, this being my life – that was not going to happen.

“You were meant to be here half an hour ago. Hotch has a meeting this morning that starts in 20 minutes and neither of you are anywhere to be seen.” JJ explained. That woke me up. I looked at the clock. 10:00. Shit.

“Aaron.” I jabbed him with my elbow causing him to groan while pulling me closer to him. “Aaron, seriously wake up. We’re so late. You have a meeting today.” I hissed. He shot up right.

“What?” He looked at the clock. “Fuck. What happened to the alarm?” He asked, rushing to get out of bed.

“I don’t know, we must have forgotten to set it.” I replied. “Okay Jayje we’re on our way, we’ll be there asap. See you soon.” I said hanging up the phone. Aaron tumbled into the bathroom, pulling his trousers on before grabbing his toothbrush. I pulled my shirt over my head whilst frantically trying to find my hairbrush.

“I can’t believe we let this happen.” I called out, trying not to laugh.

“I know, I could’ve sworn I set the alarm.” He replied.

“I mean we were a bit, well – preoccupied – last night.” I joked. He shot me a smirk before his face dropped.

“Fuck.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I was meant to take jack to school today. He has a late start and Haley said she couldn’t make it. But I’ve got to the get to this meeting.” He dropped his head in his hands.

“Where is he now?” I questioned.

“He should still be at Jess’s, he stayed over last night.” He replied, doing his tie up.

“Well, I can grab him if you want. I can afford to be a few more minutes late to the office.” I offered. He shot me an uncertain look.

“Won’t that look a bit strange? If you turn up they might think somethings going on” he said. I stepped closer to him.

“I can just say I’m doing a favour for a friend. I’ll even throw in there that the rest of the team were busy, so I was a last resort if you want.” I suggested. He chuckled at my words but still looked hesitant.

“What’s on your mind Aaron?” I placed my arms round his neck as his gravitated towards my waist. He sighed.

“I just don’t want to risk things going wrong again. I don’t think I could handle losing you again.” He confessed. My heart melted. It gave me comfort to know he was serious about us this time.

“I get it. But I can promise you this. You are not going to lose me again, okay? I’m in this for the long haul. Not even the queen of manipulation herself can take me away from you.” I said, cupping his face in my hands. A smile graced his lips, one that I only ever saw at home. One that made me feel safe.

“But if you want me to call Emily and ask her to pick him up, I will.” I continued.

“No. I want you to go. Jack loves you anyway.” He replied before pulling me into a kiss. It was a whirlwind, one that I never wanted to break from. But considering neither of us had left the house yet – I was forced to.

“Okay, come on we need to leave.” I said grabbing my coat and heading outside. I gave him a quick kiss before jumping in my car and heading to Jess’ place.

*****************************************************************

The ride there was relatively quick considering I’d stayed at Aarons, and she only lived about 15 minuets away. I knew Jess quite well, and we got along. She’d never had an issue with me unlike her sister. But I couldn’t help from feeling slightly anxious as I knocked on the door. However, the last thing I expected was to see was the person I’d been trying my best to avoid.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” Haley questioned, raising her brow at me. I swallowed nervously. Don’t get me wrong, she didn’t intimidate me. I mean she’s the human equivalent to a chihuahua – mouthy as fuck but tiny. I just didn’t want to say anything that might jeopardise Aaron.

“Hey Haley, I’m here to take Jack to school. Hotch was running late for a meeting and didn’t think you were available. The rest of the team were busy, so he called me.” I said calmly. She looked me up and down, judging me heavily.

“A likely story. You’re not his mum you know, just because your suddenly all friendly with Aaron.” She said applying as much emphasis as she could onto his name. “It means nothing outside of work.” I could tell she was trying to provoke some type of reaction out of me, but me being the stubborn bitch I am, wasn’t about to give her what she wanted. Instead, I opted for a more entertaining route.

“Oh my god I’m so sorry.” I gushed. “If you ever thought I was overstepping I’m apologise, that was never my intent.” I said my voice oozing with as much fake soppiness I could handle. She rolled her eyes before walking away.

“I can’t believe he still tolerates you” She muttered. I’m assuming she was referring to Hotch. Before I could think on it any longer, Jack can bounding towards me.

“Y/N” He called happily.

“Hey little man” I replied bending down to wrap my arms around him. The happiness this kid brought me was insane.

“You ready for school?” I asked standing back up.

“Yep. We’re making decorations for the class today. We’re having a party on Friday” He replied, beaming up at me.

“That’s amazing buddy. Let’s get you there right away then shall we?” I replied.

“Okay. Bye mum.” He called before grabbing my hand and tugging me towards the car. I didn’t get a chance to see Haley’s face as we left but I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head. Well, that was fun.

***********************************************************************

The rest of the day went fine, despite the rushed start. Luckily Hotch had made it in time for his meeting. We didn’t have a case today, so it was a pretty lazy day. I spent most of it either pestering Emily or gossiping with Garcia. I guess, technically, there was some paperwork I could’ve been doing but my ideas were so much more fun.

“I’m telling you now Garcia, I swore we’d set an alarm.” I said between laughter.

“Well, it’s nice to know he’s satisfying you this time round.” She quipped.

“Hey, satisfaction was never an issue” I replied. Her eyes widened mischievously.

“So” She begun. “He’s good in bed then?” She asked, twirling her fluffy pen in between her fingers as she leant back in her chair.

“Pen, I love you, but I’m not discussing this with you right now. We’re in a professional workspace.” I said, a fake authoritative tone laced in my voice. She shot me a look of pretend annoyance but before she could say anything Emily burst through the door.

“You alright there Em?” I asked turning to face her.

“You guys might wanna come and see this” she said before turning and walking back out the way she came. I swapped a confused look with Garcia before getting up and following Emily. The team was stood in the bullpen, not-so-subtly starring into Hotch’s office.

“What’s going on?” I asked Spencer. He just gestured at the window. I looked up and saw a very pissed off looking Haley standing in front of an equally pissed off Aaron. They were having a rather heated debated (argument) by the looks of things.

“Why is she here?” Garcia piped up. “We don’t know. She just showed up and barged in.” Derek replied. I felt my face flush red as my heart sunk.

“Hey.” Spencer nudged me with his elbow. “What’s wrong?” He questioned.

“I think it’s my fault.” I muttered. This caught the team’s attention, but before anyone could ask me about it, Haley stormed out of his office.

“No, I’m not having this Aaron. This isn’t fair” She yelled.

“You’re being unreasonable. I was running late, and you said you were busy. What did you expect me to do?” He replied, aggravated. Fuck, this was about me.

“You could have called anyone else. Not the woman who’s been trying to squeeze her way into my son’s life. She’s trying to replace me god dam it.” I felt the team’s eyes on me, but I refused to look at them. Aaron glanced at me before replying to Haley.

“You need to quit the bullshit Haley. Y/N knows full well that you are Jack’s mother, and she would never do anything to undermine or replace you. Stop trying to pin this all on her when she’s been nothing but nice to you.” He’d finally had enough of her and I’m not ashamed to admit that I was glad. It made my heart swell with pride to hear how he was defending me. That feeling didn’t last long as Haley’s shrill voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Nice to me?? Aaron have you lost your mind?” She stepped towards him, placing her hands on his chest. This pissed me off. I went to go forward but JJ grabbed my arm.

“Do you not remember what she did? The phone call? She told everyone about you Aaron. I wouldn’t do that to you.” She blinked up at him, clearly trying to win him over. That was enough.

“No, you’d just shag some other guys behind his back wouldn’t you Haley” I called, shaking JJ’s hand from me. I walked up the stairs and stood next to Aaron, who’d pushed her hands away at this point.

“I would never do that. Aaron, listen to her spinning these lies about me.” She protested.

“Seriously Haley? Come off it. You’re making yourself look like a right twat. We all know you cheated, and we all know your just trying to ruin everything good in Aaron’s life because your bitter that he has a life outside of you. So just accept that he’s moved on and leave.” I said, trying my hardest not to yell at her.

“Honestly.” She scoffed. “At least I didn’t expose his secrets to the whole team. You might want to work on keeping your mouth shut. As well as your legs, it’s not attractive to sleep around the office you know honey.” She shot. It took everything inside of me not to smack the bitch right there.

“First of all, stop with the fucking lies okay. I told Aaron what really happened with that phone call. The fact that you tried to turn my own boyfriend against me purely to satisfy your own crazy, possessive fantasies is the most delusional fucked up thing you could have possibly done. He doesn’t love you anymore. When will you get that into your thick skull” I yelled. Safe to say I’d lost it. Haley just starred back at me, unable to talk. “Nobody wants you here. Grab your shit and get out.” I spat. This seemed to snap her back into reality. She shifted her eyes from me to Aaron.

“You are never going to see Jack again.” She hissed. She turned to walk away but I stepped in front of her.

“What was that?”

“I said he’s never going see jack again. I’m taking him to court and making sure I get full custody. If he’s choosing to side with you, there’s no way in hell I’m letting my son be in his life.” She explained, her tone was viscous.

“On what grounds are you going to take him to court for?” I pressed. This caught her off guard. “No please do tell me. Because as far as I’m aware, you don’t have a leg to stand on. Aaron has done nothing to prove he’s a bad father or should be denied custody. He has a house, a clean background, a stable career – I mean hell, he probably earns more than you. So, think about it, do you really want to kick up a big fuss for something you probably wont even win?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to string a sentence together but her words fell short. “Exactly. Now, Aaron will be picking Jack up later and we will bring him home tomorrow. Now, leave.” I concluded, a satisfied smile on my face. Haley glanced from me to Aaron, dumbfounded, before grabbing her bag and storming out. As soon as she left, I heard clapping coming from down below. I looked down and saw Derek grinning proudly as he applauded me.

“WHOOOH!” He called.

“Look at you go girl” Penelope jeered joining in. Soon enough the whole team were clapping and cheering up at me. I laughed at them, suddenly becoming shy. All Of a Sudden, I felt an arm snake around my waist, turning me around. Before I could process anything, Aaron had cupped my face in his hands and crashed his lips to mine passionately. My head was spinning. As cliché as it sounds, the rest of the world melted away as I allowed myself to get lost in the heat of the kiss. It was laced with nothing but love. Eventually, we pulled away from each other, but he pressed his forehead to mine. He wore a boyish, heart-warming smile on his lips.

“I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you.” He whispered. The sincerity in his voice shocked me.

“I-I love you too. I’m sorry to have caused a scene I just couldn’t stand to see her all over you like that and she was-“ I rambled but he cut me off by placing a finger to my lips.

“Shh. You did nothing wrong. Thank you. For everything.” He replied. I pulled away slightly and grinned up at him.

“Anytime love, anytime.” We starred into each other’s eyes for a moment longer. His arms round my waist, mine around his neck – just basking in our love for each other for a brief moment.

“Um guys, this is cute and all, but could you just get a room or something?” Rossi called, causing us all to laugh.

“Come on.” Aaron said, lacing his fingers in mine. “Let’s go home.” I’d never felt happier than I did it that moment. The moment I knew I’d be with him forever.

[thesunshinebunny]

Hi, first of all happy new year (or upcoming I don't know when you will be seeing this). Can I request headcanons for Floyd, Jade, and Leona spending new years with their S/O, preferably alone. Feel free to ignore this if you want and/or if I broke any rules.

I'm so sorry the delay, I hope you had a great start to the year and spent the holidays with your loved ones. I send you a kiss from the afterlife.

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Floyd

We know the tweels don't come home ‘cause of the cold at the sea, so Floyd stayed at the school with his brother, Azul, and the majority of Octavinelle's students.

Although Mostro Lounge was closed to the public, our trio continued to work administratively, and every day, without fail, you accompanied them at 'closing' time.

Floyd spent his winter break days impatient to see you at sunset.

The bar was always at a neutral temperature and allowed for placid moments take place late at night.

Don't expect to have a snowball battle outside on campus, if eels can't stand the cold in the water, what makes you think they can on land?

With Floyd there is no winter as long as you’re inside his bedroom or in the Monstro Lounge.

What do I mean by that? Well, let's say that more than one occasion, Azul found Floyd swimming in the Monstro Lounge’s aquarium, and you watching him from outside.

If you dare to enter the water together with Floyd, he assured you he will give you a good squeeze under the water ... if you can no longer breathe normally when Floyd gives his hugs, imagine underwater.

When the clock struck midnight and the start of the new year, Floyd was the one who picked you up around the bar to give you a dramatic turn, lean down and steal a sweet but hard kiss.

"Happy new year shrimpy"

Jade

Like his brother, the place where you were going to be able to find Jade the most was in Monstro Longue.

Most of the time both of you spent the time talking about the occasional scandalous of Azul’s contracts and drinking tea at one of the more secluded tables in the bar.

Speaking of tea, Jade showed you a couple of special recipes from the menu when the days got a lot colder.

If you are one of those people who cope well with low temperatures, I recommend you go outside the campus to find small mushrooms that only grow in winter.

Jade would greatly appreciate that gesture… he would be one step away from completing his collection and putting together a new terrarium.

On more than one occasion you fell asleep in his room setting up a terrarium and gazing at the little mushrooms that so fascinated him.

Every night you slept in his room, out of discussion.

You had to move quite a few things from your dorm to Octavinelle, apart from bringing Grimm who was a little scared to be so close to the eel twins

Some nights Jade would take you outside of his room to see the marine environment around the dorm and show you rare species of creatures, those that glow in the dark.

He may have put together that little show for New Years Eve.

When it’s midnight, some sea creatures began to have a more striking glow which left you in awe.

Jade looked at you with a calm demeanor, a real one, without any hint of malice.

"Happy New Year dear"

Leona

He received a letter from Cheka asking him when he would be coming home for the holidays. Actually, Leona wasn't in the mood to put up with his family.

That's where you come in.

You saw him wagging his tail because of the annoyance and you had the decency to approach him in the botanical garden, a place where it was no longer surprising to find him when something bothered him.

"You don’t want to come home for the holidays?"

Although your footsteps didn’t go unnoticed by him, the fact that you took the time to read his correspondence without his permission was what caught his attention; but he didn't say anything.

You noticed his  irritated face and you took the courage to propose something crazy.

"Do you want to stay with me for winter break? I know it's not much, but we can stay in my bedroom, sleep as long as we want... "

You bought him with sleeping.

Leona sent a letter to his brother telling he wouldn’t be back for the holidays, that he was going to stay at school with someone ... he was prepared to receive many letters from his nephew complaining and from his brother asking the most uncomfortable questions about his accompaniment.

Now to the good stuff.

Spending the holidays with Leona is nothing out of the other world. You both slept the vast majority of the time, sleeping was no joke

When you weren't in bed (don't think bad, pigs) you spent your time by the fire in the school kitchen or playing magift at the Savanaclaw training ground.

Depending on the day and what you were doing, you’d spend the night in your bedroom or in Leona's, although the lion here preferred his room as it’s much warmer than the bloody winter that hit the outskirts of campus.

Let's say that spending a time with you, alone with Grimm and the ghosts ... it was quite an experience for Leona, more than anything when your three companions appeared out of nowhere to scare him.

When the clock struck 00:00, you gave him a little kiss on the cheek when he was distracted.

"Happy New Year Leona"

"Happy New Year herbivore"

[raspberryranpo]

hey!!!!!! idk if request r open rn but!!!!!!! if they are, can i suggest first date hcs with the blue lion boys?? since theyre the only house you havent done?

their first dates with you

fire emblem three houses: blue lion boys

DUDE i have no idea what happened overnight but i woke up with like 60 notifications lmao

& thank you so much!! yes requests are open lolol

DIMITRI

not only would this be yours & dimitri’s first date.... but it would probably be dimitri’s first date EVER

he had no clue what you’d even do on a date so he had to resort to asking sylvain (but that didn’t go so well)

luckily he had mercedes and annette to turn to, and they just told him to be himself

which he didn’t quite understand but he just went with it

anyway..... he’d probably show up to your dorm with a boquet of flowers (lavender ones) but they’d probably be a bit crushed at the stems due to how nervous he was

but he’d hold them out to you anyway & apologise for his nervousness

dimitri’s face is definitely red for the whole day too

he was very desperate to hold your hand (since he’d seen sylvain doing it) but was afraid that he’d crush you

so he resorted to offering you his arm instead

he probably took you on a walk through the forest near the monastery

he wanted to use that opportunity to learn more about you, but it instead ended up being him telling you all about the different types of trees you could see

i bet he knows literally everything about trees and plants ok (thank dedue)

annette and mercedes gave him a little picnic to have with you & dimitri was very excited to show you the cute little sandwiches they made

he’d talk to you about something you’re very interested in (he did a lot of research) and then watch as you rambled on about something he has no idea about

he has the cutest look in his eyes, too full of love

throughout the entire day all he did was make sure you were smiling too, and he was constantly trying to make you laugh

he told a few jokes (probably about something actually really sad) but they didn’t go too well. you laughed anyway though

either way you had a really fun time, mostly because of how cute dimitri was being

DEDUE

dedue has also never been on a date

but he has more common sense than dimitri so obviously he doesn’t go to sylvain for advice

dates with dedue probably don’t go how dates are supposed to go - you guys just hang out together, maybe you kiss, maybe you just hold hands

you quietly sit in the greenhouse together, tending to dedue’s flowers

you’re probably one of the only people he lets touch his flowers, seeing as though he loves you a lot

it would be peaceful & quiet, and the only times either of you would speak would be when you’d ask about a certain flower, or when dedue would tell you about the plant he was looking after at the time

maybe after you both finish watering & weeding all the plants, you’d just sit there in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s presence

i’m sure chef deddles (love chef deddles) would bring you a small sized version of whatever dish he was working on at the moment

or he’d bring you something he’d made up himself for you to try first

anything he makes or does, the first person he’d show is you

dedue brings a blanket or something to wrap around the two of you as you sit later on into the night

he worries that doing this is too boring, or it’s not a good enough first date

but you just have to reassure him that it’s nice & that you enjoy it :(:( he’s too anxious bless

as he’s walking you back to your dorm, he’ll gently take your hand & tell you that he’s had a very nice time

maybe he’ll just gently kiss your cheek, or if he’s not feeling that confident, he’ll just squeeze your hand & give you the gentlest smile

SYLVAIN

sylvain has been on many a date so he knows EXACTLY what he’s doing

he takes you to a cute little cafe in town

he wanted to take you to a restaurant at the start, but decided against it since he had no idea if you’d like that or not

but everyone likes a little cafe date... right?

since he’s actually bothered to formally ask you on a date & is serious about you, he’d probably bring you one or two of his favourite books

because we all know he’s actually a smarty pants

he’d hold your hand or have an arm wrapped around your waist on the way there, & he’d point out all the places he’s been kicked out of for flirting with the waitresses (or even the owner) because he knows you won’t judge him for that

anyway. when you get there, he insists on sitting on one of the couch chairs (or whatever they had in the 12th century) and at first you sit opposite each other

he likes it that way since you can both talk to each other face to face (and he can playfully tap your feet under the table)

the day is full of jokes & weird stories that sylvain has

somehow he’s met literally everyone and anyone and always has the most wack story for any situation

he also playfully flirts with you - it’s not serious (even though he means it) but it’s so cheesy it’s funny

after a while, when the cafe is quieter, sylvain comes and sits with you on your side of the table

he just wraps an arm around your shoulders using the old yawn & stretch trick

leaning over, you feel his lips on your cheek & he just whispers a little “thank you” for allowing him to have a real date

FELIX

felix is born different. he’s a different breed

he does not have any experience since he’s NEVER HAD A CRUSH. or so he says

and he’s too stubborn to ask anyone for help so he just does whatever he feels like

by that, i mean you guys definitely stay in the training hall for the entire day

if you accepted felix’s feelings you knew exactly what you were getting into, so deal with it

he forces you to spar with him for most of the day but he cares about you too much to overexert you

when you both take a break he sits really close to you for no particular reason other than to sit close to you

this is felix’s romance. sharing sweat (aw)

he also goes easy on you when you’re fencing

not that he thinks you’re incapable of fighting at his level, but that he just doesn’t want to accidentally stab you

sometimes he lets you win & really sarcastically says something like “aw, damn! you’ve won again...!” with this really soft smile on his face

only on the premise that nobody else is around

on the way back he won’t hold your hand or anything but he’ll constantly look back at you with the fondest look in his eyes

he probably looks down at your hands wishing he has the courage to actually hold them too

at the end of the day when he’s walked you all the way back to your dorm, he’ll very spontaneously kiss you right on the lips

he’ll have a very firm hold of your face but all of a sudden he’ll just let go & run off with his face bright red

sylvain probably saw and that’s why he left so suddenly looool

ASHE

i was going to say something stupid like ghost hunting but ashe would probably rather die

he’d probably just sit in the library with you and discuss books with you for a few hours, nothing too major

but ashe has a way with words & can tell old tales as though he was there (even if i’m remembering his character wrong, let’s just pretend)

you’d ask him about the book he’s currently reading & he’d tell you the plot of it (without spoiling it obviously) and the way he’d word it would make you want to pick it up immediately

the both of you just sit in the library quietly for hours, reading a book each

the only time either of you would talk would be when either one of you would laugh at something in your book & you’d have to explain the joke to the other

obviously ashe won’t allow either of you to stay up really late (no later than like 7) because the monastery gets dark at that point

and you know what comes out when the monastery gets dark?

absolutely nothing. but it’s funny seeing ashe scream at shadows so don’t say anything

i imagine that your first date goes so well, ashe forgets about the time & you both come out of the library at like 11:00

it’s a wonder seteth hasn’t found the two of you

anyway. your date actually turns out to be a ghost hunting trip (alternate title: ashe runs away from the ghosts while you laugh at him, and neither of you can see where your dorms are)

it’s fun anyway. well, not in ashe’s opinion

at some point you see this really big shadow that’s moving towards you and you both scream thinking it’s a really evil ghost

suddenly a torch is lit on the wall & turns out its seteth

“i knew i intimidate many students, but surely i don’t elicit a scream that loud!”

seteth quietly escorts the two of you back to the dorms and it’s really awkward

he eventually leaves you both alone & ashe sighs the biggest sigh of relief you’ve ever heard

he quietly thanks you and, with the most courage he’s ever had, he pecks your cheek & runs off

my first ask 🤪🤪 thank you so much!!! ah this was fun to write

requests are still open by the way!! for any of the fandoms on my rules page lolol

[impala666]

The One With The Stoned Guy Part 4 (Still Do)

Here it is! Finally the ending to another episode. I know it took me like forever to finish this episode, but hey at least it it finished! It may take a while, but I am determined to finish this show!!! I am so excited for the next two episodes since it’s a two part episode and it is going to have so much drama!!!

Last Part (Part 3), Series Masterlist

You were standing outside of Joey and your brother’s apartment about to knock, but you honestly had to take a minute even though you felt like a thirteen year old girl who was afraid to face her crush, well you were. You shook your head at yourself, you were starting to wander into what you wanted to think but Joey wasn’t letting you. Letting out a long breath you raised your hand about to knock on your old apartment to announce your arrival, but a voice caught you off guard. “Hey, Y/N,” Phoebe’s voice rang from behind you in the hallway. 

“Hey, Pheebs,” you turned to look at her but noticed the man walking next to her. “Hey, man with Pheebs.”

“Y/N, this is Steve my massage client; the one with the restaurant, and Steve this is Y/N my friend.” You smiled and went to shake his hand as Phoebe introduced the both of you, but your pleasure to meet him was gone. 

“Woaaah,” Steve’s jaw dropped and his eyes shone like he saw the treasure he had been looking for all along when he looked at you. So naturally, you took your hand back and rose a brow at Phoebe.

“What can I say, he’s high as a kite, I’m sorry.” Phoebe shrugged nonchalantly.

“Oh, well that makes sense,” you brushed it off as you noticed how red the man’s eyes were. “Well, good luck with that.” You smiled at Phoebe who stuck her tongue out at you playfully without Steve seeing. 

“Yeah, well good luck with that.” Phoebe sounded like she was joking when she motioned toward Joey’s door. “No seriously, he totally trapped you into this.” With that Phoebe and her guest turned around to knock on Rachel and Monica’s as you turned and forced yourself to knock on Joey’s. 

“Hey,” you greeted the man shyly as you nibbled on your bottom lip out of nervousness. 

“Hey,” Joey greeted with a small smile and shine in his brown eyes. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

“Didn’t really give me a choice,” you shrugged. Still standing in the hallway, “sorry, that was bitchy.”

“Well, if you don’t want to you don’t have to come in. I don’t want you to feel like you were forced.” You could tell that Joey was being sincere, plus you were always the one person that Joey couldn’t lie to. You rolled your eyes at how awkward the both of you were being and put one foot in front of the other and walked past Joey and into his apartment. Now it was just the two of you standing in the kitchen, looking at each other trying to think of something to say. 

“Well, this isn’t awkward at all,” you joked under your breath as you felt sexual tension starting to build ever so slightly. “How was your day?” Asking as you set your purse down and sat down on the stool that was by the kitchen counter. 

“It was good, I had an audition,”

“Oh, that’s great!” You cheered, not knowing you were jumping to conclusions.

“But I didn’t get it.” Joey finished, smiling slightly at your automatic response.

“Oh,” you blushed which was probably obvious. “I’m sorry, but remember what I always told you that just means it just wasn’t right for you and you’ll get something better.”

“You were always my number one fan,” Joey smiled thinking about all the times the both of you would be laying in bed after he didn’t get an acting job that he really wanted and you cuddled him and made him feel better while telling him what you just said word for word.

“Hey,” you reached over and placed your hand on his, “and I always will.” You smiled sweetly. “Now, give me some wine.”

“Got it. I ordered some pizza too. I figured it would be okay since I know you love pizza as much as I do.” Joey talked as he filled a glass for you, grabbed a beer for himself, and walked over and sat on the couch.

“Yeah, that’s great,” you smiled as you got up to sit next to him. Close enough that it’s okay to as friends, but not close enough that it would be wrong since the both of you were broken up and you had a boyfriend. Bryan, who you liked a lot. But you couldn’t help it if your mind wandered to Joey every now and then, like now, when your eyes kept looking down at the man’s lips. 

“So,” Joey shook his own thought of it out of his mind as he looked back up at your eyes. “How’s school?” You immediately lit up in excitement, you couldn’t wait to tell him. Because then maybe the two of you could get back together after he heard the news that you only had a few months left of your program (it was a 6.5 month program, and you had 3 months left). But wait a minute you had a boyfriend that you really liked and whom really liked you, Bryan. 

*******

“What a tool,” Joey scoffed after Monica told him, you, and Ross was Phoebe’s massage-restaurant owning client did to Monica. Apparently since the man was high he kept trying to grab things and eat things without even waiting to eat the food the Monica spent hours making. 

“You don’t wanna work for a guy like that.” Rachel sympathized with her friend, you nodded in agreement from your spot on the armchair as the others nodded along with you.

“I know. I just thought that was, you know...it.” Monica explained what you all understood.

“Hey, you’ll get there. You’re an amazing chef.” Ross told her as he rubbed her shoulder.

“Yeah,” Phoebe chimed in. “You know all those yummy noises? I wasn’t faking.” Phoebe told Monica, helping to make the woman feel better. Once that was done Ross made his way to the counter for a refill and Joey followed him to obviously talk about something, so Rachel, Phoebe, and Monica took their opportunity to ask you about your night.

“So, how’d it go with Joey? Was it weird?” Rachel asked as all of the women turned their attention to you. 

“It was really weird at first, there was so much sexual tension,” you sat forward in your seat.

“Are you kidding there’s always sexual tension between the two of you.” Monica said.

“Well I know,” you smirked at that fact. “But this time it was like we wanted to do something, but we knew we couldn’t. But the whole time I was over there he was so nice to me, the man wasn’t even trying anything.” You pouted as you spoke solemnly. 

“And you didn’t like that?” Phoebe asked confused and a little sarcastically seeing as that was what you said you had been wanting from him; to just be friends with Joey again.

“No,” you sighed disappointed in yourself. “I still love Joey.”

“Nooooooo,” all three of the women let out sarcastically.

“Oh come on,” you looked at them to get serious. “But it doesn’t even matter because he doesn’t want to be with me, plus I have Bryan. So even if I wanted to do something, and I do. I really do, but I can’t so that’s that.” Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe all sat there blinking at you like they didn’t believe a word that you were saying. “Oh, whatever.” You quickly waved off, just so this discussion could be done and you weren’t torturing yourself over things you could not have. 

“You guys want to catch a late movie, or something?” Phoebe asked loud enough for you ladies and Ross and Joey to hear, to which everyone agreed. 

“Woah, shouldn’t we wait for Chandler?” Rachel asked, making all of you realise that your brother wasn’t there with you all. 

“Woah. It’s late, where the hell is he?” Joey asked as he checked the time on his watch to see that it was about 9:00.

But it turned out Chandler was exactly where he didn’t want to be. In his office, late at night, yelling at someone in his office that he wasn’t pleased or happy with the W.E.N.U.S. (Weekly Estimated Net Usage Statistics) which everyone knew was Chandler Bing’s worse nightmare.

Taglist:

@vampiregirl1797

@kellysimagines​

@shizzybarnaclee

@bi-lmg​

[quarantined-with-bucky]

I Was Good To You

Bucky x Reader

Words: ~ 4,000 (lol sorry)

Summary: You were good to Bucky

Warnings: Angst

A/N: I really love the song “you were good to me” by Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler (actually they have a lot of good songs, together and separately). But I felt like this song needs to be read from the opposite perspective literally every time I hear it, hence this fic. It’s a little different than what I have written so far, so I hope you still enjoy it! I put some of the original lyrics in the fic as quote-block format; it’s mostly in the reader’s POV and I’m sorry in advance for having to do Bucky like this – it just fits the song.

...

It was a fairly new relationship. And while you and he were both equally cautious about taking said new relationship too fast, it couldn’t be helped that the two of you were inseparable. From the day you met, he had been invested in you – your life. He claims it was because he was frozen for so long; because he didn’t know how to live “normally” in the twenty-first century. He went from World War II to Hydra to today. While that made perfect sense to you, a part of you always wondered if it was something more. Sure, Bucky had never had the chance to (and likely will never the chance to) live mundanely. He won’t ever work a 9 to 5 job, he won’t spend nights cooking and washing dishes, he won’t be doing lawn maintenance, working on a dingey car, or grocery shopping (and then forgetting your grocery list at home). You thought that he may have attached himself so quickly to you so he could partly experience the normalcy of civilian life. Not that you were complaining.

He often spent nights at your house, sleeping in your too-small bed, sitting on your countertop, and lounging on your loveseat. Waking up next to him was heaven. If you weren’t securely wrapped in his arms, head laying on his bulky torso, then he was using your chest as a pillow, the weight of him almost making it impossible to breathe. But that extra weight was calming; he may have even been the weighted blanket that has been sitting in your Amazon cart for well over four months. You’d wake up from an uninterrupted night of bliss, fingers running through his long hair, Bucky refusing to get up until you promised pancakes.

But then, three months into it, he left. Its not like he had a choice, you reminded yourself, its his job. And you were well aware of it – he made you aware of it. He told you he would be gone for three weeks. And that’s fine; you could spare less than a month of your life for the good of the rest of the world? It felt almost selfish to think that way. He wasn’t yours; he had to save the world, he belonged to the world – to himself.

So, you tried to keep yourself busy to distract yourself. But there really wasn’t much to do; hobbies you once enjoyed felt exhaustive and boring. The issue is you used to do everything with him: eat, work, eat, shower, sleep. Now it’s eat alone, work alone, eat alone, shower alone, sleep alone; each task a glaring reminder how desolate it was.

Floating, but I feel like I’m dying

Your routine felt like nothing – it just felt empty, the way that it lacked conversation, playfulness, fun, it lacked him. Nothing, in fact, felt real. You walked around the neighborhood and it felt like a fever dream, like you were gliding along the sidewalks. Not a single thought roamed through your mind, just the absence of what used to be. The days always went by painstakingly slow, but every Friday night you wondered how the week had gone by so quickly.

Your friends invited you out on the weekend, and while you mostly said no, they made sure to drag you out a couple times. The company was honestly welcome, it just felt like an empty effort to get dressed up and go to the bar when you really would rather be there (or home – in bed) with someone else. But by the time your friends got you in a routine to go out, Bucky came back home to you.

Months went by while the two of you were attached at the hip, smiles never leaving either of your mouths.

You woke up one morning to a heavy figure sprawled across half of your naked body. Yawning and trying your best to inhale a breath with his chest laying directly on top of yours, you flexed your arms and legs straight out, cracking a few joints that had been overused just a few hours ago. Bucky’s eyes popped open, his blue iris’s peering into your own. He rubbed an eye-booger away with the palm of his hand and started off the morning with “I have to leave tonight.”

You were confused and you knew he could read it on your face. “No good morning?” You joked haphazardly, trying your best not to blurt out every thought racing across your mind at that moment – the main one being what the fuck?

“’M sorry, baby,” he mumbled, still half asleep, pushing his face into the corner of your neck, planting a wet kiss to your shoulder, then your collarbone, then your jaw.

“How long do you think you’ll be gone for?” Your fingers traced up and down his back, nicking on the scratches you left last night; nearly healed but you knew they were there.

He hummed and lifted his head to press a kiss to your lips. “Couple weeks.” Another kiss. “I’m not sure.” That being said, you didn’t bring it up again. It was better to spend the day binging pancakes and watching movies in bed than discussing it any further.

I know it’s easier to run

After everything I’ve done

It was finally time for him to leave. After all your distraction kisses didn’t work. As soon as the clock hit 8:00 pm, he stood, despite you feigning sleep beside him. He leaned over you on the bed and held a head to your cheek, then pushed the hair from your face. You opened your eyes, holding his hand in yours. He stood there for a moment that felt like an eternity, just watching each other with sad eyes. “I wish I could stay,” he murmured.

You nodded, unable to find your voice. As he straightened back up, you stood next to him, pulling a shirt on and following him to the door. After opening the door, he cupped your face with both his hands and pulled you close to him. “See you soon, okay, doll?” If this was his best reassurance tactic, it wasn’t very good. You met his mouth in an open-mouthed kiss, tongues swiping over each other, exchanging the words you couldn’t find earlier. Slowly, he kissed you back, releasing a long breath as he pulled away.

And then you did it.

“I love you.”

And then you regretted it.

He stared back at you, eyes scanning over the whole of your face: faltering smile, eyebrows drawn together, eyes suddenly glazed with worry.

“Goodbye, (Y/N).”

He turned and shut the door without looking back or saying another word. He really left. He really ran away.

Tears welled up into your eyes. Like that morning, the only thought you could process: what the fuck? albeit, this time, it was a little angrier than before. What did that mean? You immediately assumed he was done with you. But the more you laid on your bed, sobbing your eyes out into your pillow, the more that didn’t make sense. There’s no way he wanted to breakup with you – he was so happy before he left. Maybe he just didn’t love you? Maybe he loved you but he just wasn’t ready to say it? And honestly, knowing Bucky, it was most likely the last option. He enjoyed spending every waking moment with you doing the most absolute boring tasks; you don’t just suffer like that if you don’t love that person.

Then again, despite agreeing to take this relationship slow, he surely did not have a problem basically moving into your house and sleeping with you (which you would’ve assumed to be a much greater step than saying “I love you,” considering he was from 1917 where usually the order is reversed).

All that worrying seemed to be in vain. He returned to you no later than 13 days after.

You pulled open to your front door only to find a sheepish-looking Bucky on the other side. His hands were tucked into his pockets, shoulders shrugged unusually high as he stared directly at the ground. But as soon as that door swung open and he saw you standing bewildered on the other side, he grabbed you by the waist and pulled you off the ground against his chest. He hummed softly into your collarbone, “I missed you.”

And suddenly your heart began beating out of your chest. You hands found his hair and you gently untangled the knots, while you shut your eyes and breathed in his earthy scent. So, you’d been right: Bucky was just weird. You didn’t want to relive that scene from two weeks ago, instead opting to relax in his arms. “I missed you, too.”

Growing, but I’m just growing tired

Now I’m worried for my soul

And I’m still scared of growing old

As time went on, him leaving became more frequent. You couldn’t help the fact that they were getting a lot of new leads. Honestly, you couldn’t be more grateful to have Bucky. Not only is he the light of your life, but invariantly the same for everyone else in the world. His job was to protect people and you couldn’t imagine the world if he wasn’t off doing what he did so well. But they became more frequent and longer. Lately, it had felt like the two of you had spent more time apart than together.

Laying on the couch, his cheek resting atop of your chest, his torso and hips nestled between your legs, you broke the calm silence. “So next Friday’s my birthday,” you mumbled.

He chuckles in response, tilting his head up to meet your gaze. “Is this your way of reminding me to get you a gift? Because don’t worry, doll, I already got you something.” He winked and set his cheek back to his original position, softly shutting his eyes as you curled a lock of his hair around your finger.

“No,” you giggle back, rolling your eyes to yourself. “I want to take a trip. I think we should get away for the weekend.” You released the strand of hair, instead running your hand over the back of his neck. “What do you think?”

He sits up immediately, no disregard for your hands, and shakes his head. “(Y/N), you know that I can’t. What if they need me and I’m not here?”

You bite your lip, quickly searching for something to say. And what you blurt out actually happens to be the dumbest thing you’ve ever said. “Aren’t there like a million Avengers? I think you can take one weekend off.”

Now he rolls his eyes and scoffs. “(Y/N), you can’t be serious. You know it doesn’t work like that.” And at this point, you’re not sure if he’s talking about the Avengers not working like that or if your relationship doesn’t work like that – after all, he still never said “I love you” back. Not when he came home that time, not when he left for the next mission, not for your one-year anniversary, and not after the fact he realized that date occurred while he was away on work.

“I know, but – ”

“I’m sorry,” he interrupts, his tone harsh. “But no.” The way his jaw sets and eyes narrow at you doesn’t make you think he’s very sorry.

Staring back at him, you nod, getting up from the couch before he can see the tears well up in your eyes (for the record, he saw them). “I’m tired, Buck. Goodnight.” And with that, you scurried off to your bedroom. You locked the door and fell onto the bed, silently letting the tears fall down your cheeks. You buried your face into your pillow, throwing his against the wall, the smell of your bed – that smelled like him – pissing you off beyond belief.

Was this going to be your life? Constantly leaving, never saying “I love you” when everything he does clearly shows that he’s in love with you. There as a point in your life when you thought men were confusing. But, damn, James Barnes is a whole new story.

He clearly got the message that he’d be sleeping on the couch that night. He didn’t disturb you for the rest of the night – he didn’t even try. Could he hear you sobbing in your room? You could only assume yes. But that clearly didn’t make a difference to him.

But that’s okay. You’ve learned how to console yourself, how to calm yourself down during a panic attack, how to make the tears stop on your own.

That would become your reality. Would that be your future? Bucky talked about the future – quite a lot, actually, especially for being the one who won’t say “I love you.” He wanted to settle down, he wanted the future that was taken away from him years ago: to eventually settle down, raise little babies, grow old with you. He surely liked to talk about it, but never show it. There had to be some way he could ask Steve to take a weekend off. If he was reluctant to do it now, would he ever? Or would you just live in the shadows of his life, tying down the house alone, raising babies alone, growing old alone.

The next morning, you woke up to Bucky next to you in bed. He stroked your hair until you opened your eyes (that you could only assumed were swollen and red). He had apologized for the night before, pleaded for you to understand, and even gave you your birthday gift early. While you decided to forgive him, for the sake of the universe, you still couldn’t bury the hatchet completely. You weren’t going to show it, but what you were thinking about was important, and dammit you were justified in asking yourself those questions. (Even more justified to ask him those questions, but it was just never the right time).

And I’m so used to letting go

But I don’t want to be alone

One day, months later, your grandfather had passed away. It came as quite a shock, and it took you a few hours to even process the fact that he was gone. You’d been through countless calls with other family members and friends checking in on you. And while everyone meant well, every call resulted with you in a rush to hang-up, falling into a fit of sobs as you ended each call.

He had basically raised you since you were born and the fact that he had been ripped away from you so suddenly had burned you even more. Despite how sad you were, however, you had to be glad that you were able to fall apart in Bucky’s arms. Holding you tightly, reassuring you yet never telling you you’re overreacting. As someone who had been around loss his whole life, he definitely understood and thought it best to let you express your feelings earnestly.

That’s why, when Steve Rogers called his phone later that night, you couldn’t help but express your feelings very earnestly.

“Bucky, no, you’re not going.” You were sitting up in bed, in the middle of the night, darkness swallowing the room as Bucky stood to dress, not even bothering to turn on the lamp beside him.

“(Y/N), I have to. Please, don’t make this hard, baby.” His hand reached out to touch your cheek if only for a moment before he continued to dress and gather his things.

Tears fell down your cheeks freely, your voice coming out cracked as you begged him once more. It might have been pitiful, from his eyes, you’d assume. You were only one step away from looking like a sobbing toddler making grabby hands at her favorite toy. “Please, Bucky. You can’t leave me alone right now.” A sob rips through your throat and you nearly scream. “I’m always alone. I don’t want to be alone right now.”

You’d done the research: there were at least 12 Avengers nowadays. You didn’t know who was in what galaxy, but you were positive that one of them could take his place. Its not like he even really had superpowers. He was basically an enhanced man – plus they already had one of those? Surely, he could be spared this time around.

He shakes his head but sits down to pull you in his arms. “Baby, please. You can’t do this to me.”

And it takes everything in your whole being to not scoff. Do this to him? What exactly are you doing to him? Oh, just something he does to you on the weekly basis. You swallow your tears and shove him away. You don’t know what made you pull a complete 180, but it did finally feel good to get some things off your chest that had been plaguing your mind recently. “You always leave. I’m used to it.”

He opens his mouth to speak. Nothing comes out. He watches you pull the covers over yourself and turn away from him. He closes his mouth and leaves the room.

God only knows where our fears go

Hearts I’ve broke, now my tears flow

You’ll see that I’m sorry

Cause you were good to me

It was the post-mission jitters. The remnants of the adrenaline from earlier that day still coursed through his veins as he paced back and forth around the jet, eagerly anticipating his return to you.

“What’s up yours?” Sam asks, eyes narrowed at Bucky, clearly in confusion but also in annoyance.

Bucky stops in his tracks, eyes wide, feeling as though he had been invisible for the whole plane ride. He shrugs, and as Sam raises an eyebrow, he offers an explanation: “I’ve gotta see (Y/N).”

A grin breaks out on Sam’s face. He falls back in his chair, throws a hand over his heart and pretends to faint. “Oh, you have to see your lover. I’m Bucky, I’m so in love,” he mimics in a high-pitched voice.

Where Bucky normally would threaten to beat Sam to within an inch of his life, he couldn’t bring himself to do anything. He stood, staring at Sam’s hideous imitation of himself – he swears his heart stopped beating. “Yes, exactly.”

Sam chokes and stutters a “what?” before Steve interrupts them from the cockpit.

“We’re landing, guys. Buck, grab a seat.” So, Bucky does exactly what he’s told, plopping himself into the seat across from Sam, ignoring all the questions and comments from the man across from him.

God, he mentally kicks himself. It’s been almost two years. Two years you let him treat you like that. Now, while Bucky doesn’t think he’s done anything outwardly wrong and had obviously never purposely tried to hurt you, maybe he could’ve been a little better regarding work. Maybe he could’ve taken that weekend off with you.

You really consumed his whole life. His thoughts were constantly about you (mostly sweet and innocent, sometimes dirty), he constantly wanted to be by you, talking, laughing, touching.

He made up his mind before the plane even lands. The last mission is over, and new – personal – one begins.

He leaves the complex, stopping by the florist to buy the biggest bouquet of roses he can get his hands on. A grin is itching at his mouth as he anticipates your reaction during the rest of his drive. His heart is racing – in a good way. In a way he hasn’t felt in, well, forever. His confidence is at an all-time high as he’s never felt surer of himself in his life.

He’s already planned it out. You’ll open the door and he’ll scoop you up in his arms, hand you the flowers, and finally say “I love you.” He doesn’t know what took him so long anyway.

And now I’m closing every door

Cause I’m sick of wanting more

You know he didn’t get to decide when he left and for how long he’d be gone.

But he did get to decide his priorities. And honestly, you weren’t even sure if you were one of them anymore.

You were torn because you know how much his work means to him. Not only was it his calling, but it was something he thought was important to use his good work as a means to make up for all the bad things he’s done in the past. And while you’ve told him multiple times that that’s definitely not how it works, nothing will change his logic. So, you’ve stood by him; if it was important to him, it was important to you. Of course, you wanted to see your boyfriend exceed, feel fulfilled.

Now, you were just tired of seeing Bucky like that when it cost you everything. He was your everything. You had a job, yes, a home, a family. But the one person you were supposed to be with – actually be with – didn’t value you the same as his job. And thinking that to yourself just has to be the worst, most necessary wake-up call you need.

That was all you needed. You sat at your desk with a pen and a piece of paper. You couldn’t even think of an opening line for about two hours. Sitting there, chewing the inside of your cheek, you wrote countless paragraphs, scrapping some, keeping others, adjusting sentences, trying not to sound too mean – then having to start over because your teardrops fell onto the paper and smudged the ink.

All in all, it took you two days to write him the note – note turned letter. You folded it in three, left it on his pillow. As you placed it down, you broke out in tears. Falling to your knees, you shoved your face into the mattress, wailing into the sheets one last time. It remarkably still smelled of Bucky’s soap; probably just god handing you one more gut-wrenching blow.

You’d spent the night on the couch, unable to bear the sight of that letter or the smell of those blankets. The next morning, you tried to keep your head as clear as possible. No breakfast (no more pancakes with Bucky), no music (no reminders of your song), no phone (no messages from Bucky). It was time to leave. Time to leave this house, this life, this relationship. You’d quickly shoved a few bags full of clothes and necessities and threw them in the back of your car, not looking back. Just like he did after you’d told him you loved him.

Swear I’m different than before

I won’t hurt you anymore

Cause you were good to me

He practically skips up the steps. Knocking first, he rocks up and down on his tip-toes unable to contain his excitement anymore. Not getting an immediate response, he knocks again.

It would make sense that you weren’t home if it was work hours, but it was 7:00 pm. Bucky was thrown-off; you’d be at home eating dinner right now. Chalking it off to maybe you were in the bathtub, he digs around in his pocket for the key. Pushing the door open, he cautiously looks around the kitchen, then the dining room and living room, unable to find you. The bathroom was empty, and you hadn’t responded to him calling your name, echoing throughout the house.

He pulled out his phone while carefully kicking the bedroom door open with his foot. Straight to voicemail. Voicemailbox full. He tosses the roses beside him on the bed and sits on the edge, nearly ready to go searching again before a piece of paper catches his eye.

His heart drops.

It sinks.

There’s not a time in his whole one-hundred-year existence that he’d felt this much anticipation and fear.

He grabs the letter with shaking hands, carefully unfolding it and his eyes are fixated on the date you’d scribbled at the top of the page. Two months ago.

[bisluthq]

I don't want to do another discussion or drag Joe, but I think Joe was a little homophobic, like it felt like he and his friends thought being gay is a joke, lots of facebook comments, lots of pictures between them faking a gay couple and dragging it along, it was a big circus, at the time I saw it (a "klue"), I thought he was gay, now I see it was ridiculous, lots of straight guys making jokes about being gay, this is not a cool thing and I consider it as a homophobic thing.

I mean yeah obviously he was a bit homophobic as a teenager in the late 00s dude lmao - that was just the culture tbh we’ve talked about this before and he was an athlete at an all boys’ school to boot (to the point where he didn’t feel comfy talking about the acting or anything at school) so there was like no chance for him not to be tbh - but by like theatre school he wasn’t and still apparently had absolutely no range for like experimentation at all.

[lia-jones]

Growing Together - Chapter Fourteen - Learning to Fly

6:00 AM

When I wake up in the morning, love

And the sunlight hurts my eyes

And something without warning, love

Bears heavy on my mind

Then I look at you

And the world's alright with me

Just one look at you

And I know it's gonna be

A lovely day-

My hand flew blindly to my phone, shutting up Bill Withers for good. Victor stirred beside me.

“Why do you have your alarm set for so early?” He asked sleepily as he pulled me closer.

“It’s time to get up.” I kissed his closed eyelids. “Chop-chop, Mr. Lee!”

Victor turned to grab his phone.

“It’s six AM.” He squinted at his screen.

“Exactly. Time for your morning run.” I beamed at him, uncharacteristically full of energy. “I’ll get things ready, you don’t need to worry.”

“I’m not running today.” He grabbed my waist, trapping me in bed. “Sleep a little longer, we’ll get ready together.”

“No, I woke up early so you could run, and you are going to run.” I squirmed in his arms. “It’s something you like and it’s good for you, you shouldn’t give up on that just because you are a father now. Besides…” I pinched his stomach. “I don’t want a chubby hubby.”

“Ouch, quit it!” He grabbed both my wrists, trying to keep me still. “I’m not chubby!”

“You will be if you don’t run!” I started pushing him out of bed with my body. “Come on, Victor, it’s sunny outside, we’re both up, there is no excuse for you not to go-”

I heard my husband suddenly leave the bed with a thump. I looked over the edge of the bed, finding him lying on the floor, an annoyed expression on his face.

“Happy now?”

7:30 AM

“We’re ready for breakfast!” I announced as I entered the kitchen with a fully dressed Owen, who was giggling with my shenanigans. “What’s for the menu, chef?”

“French toast for the beautiful lady and the short gentleman.” Victor played along, ceremoniously presenting a large plate with golden steamy french toast. “Let me get the syrup and the sliced fruit.”

“What are you having?” I grabbed the plate from his hands.

“Egg whites and fruit.” He got his plate of egg whites and sat on the table to eat. “My wife says I’m gaining weight.”

“I was joking! Have some french toast with us.” I motioned to serve him some.

“Absolutely not!” He frowned, covering his plate. “My wife is unsatisfied, I need to please her.”

“Fine, have it your way then.” I started eating, feeling somewhat guilty about my joke.

“How is your breakfast, Owen?” Victor asked. “Do you want more strawberries? Or syrup?”

“No, Sir.” Owen blushed. “It’s good. Thank you, Sir.”

“You don’t have to call me Sir, Owen.” Victor spoke gently. “Just Victor. Or Vic, like Andy does.”

“I’m sorry, Sir.” Owen looked down, uncomfortable. “I mean, I’m sorry, Victor.”

Victor pursed his lips, letting out a heavy sigh. I held his hand under the table. It was clearly still hard for Owen to be comfortable with him.

8:30 AM

“Do you have everything you need?” I asked Owen as we stood by the school door. “Your lunch? Your sculpture?”

“Yes, I do.” Owen beamed at me, his red curls bouncing as he looked up. “I put my playdoh ant in the plastic box you gave me, so it won’t break.”

“Well done.” I brushed his curls slightly. “Have a good day at school. Don’t forget to eat your snack.”

“I will!” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Have a good day at work, Andy!” He turned to leave.

I noticed Victor fidget slightly by my side.

“Hey, what about Victor?” I teased. “Doesn’t he deserve a good day at work too?”

“Yes.” Owen slowly came back, extending his small hand for Victor to shake. “Have a good day.” He looked down. The look on Victor’s face at that moment broke my heart.

“You too, Owen.” Victor hesitated for a moment, wondering if he could hug his son. He touched his shoulder instead. “I’m sure your teacher will love your ant sculpture.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

The car ride to work was a silent one, as I watched my husband lost in thought, his jaw clenching occasionally.

“Vic-”

“I don’t know how to get through to him.” Victor blurted out. “It’s been a month, and he still doesn't like me. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

“Hey, you know what Miss Dillon said.” I caressed his shoulder. “It’s normal for adopted kids to be suspicious, especially if they had a negative experience before. Give him time, he will see the wonderful man you are, I’m sure.”

“Maybe you’re right.” He sighed. “I just need to be patient.”

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No, I will do this.” He shook his head. “I am his father, it’s my job to build a connection. I will find a way.”

10:40 AM

“Ok, guys, what else do we have today?” I asked my management team.

“I got the new report from Parker Company today.” Diane handed me a file. “I still have to check those numbers, but the profit is way below expected.”

I opened the file, reading it carefully. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“No, this is significantly below the stipulated in the contract. They are going to lose the investment.” I flipped through the pages of the report. “They invested in new machinery last month, they have clients, they should have made a lot more than what’s in here!”

“I’ll call them today, inquiring about these values.” Diane offered.

“No.” I got up from my chair, closing my laptop. “I’ll call Mr. Stone right away. They need to file a correct report in two days, LFG will reevaluate the contract by then. Last month was already terrible for them. I need to set this straight.” I walked to the door, addressing my team again. “You guys take a break. We’ll talk later. Kenny, bring me some coffee to my office. I need all the caffeine I can have.”

The call to Parker Company took longer than expected. Mr Stone was away on business and would only return the following day, so he left his wife taking care of the company affairs. She knew very little about the investment, let alone the software we were using to report the results. His assistant was even worse, taking forever to get me simple pieces of information. Twenty minutes later, and after a lot of time on hold, my patience was wearing thin. Something wasn’t right. I hoped it wasn’t what I thought it was.

I heard a knock. It was Kenny, my assistant.

“Mr. Lee just called to see if you were ready for the Cooper meeting.” He announced, nervously.

“Crap!” I jumped in my chair. “Tell him I need five minutes more, just finishing a call.”

With this new ordeal, I had totally forgotten about the meeting with Cooper and Sons at LFG. Yet again, despite whatever progress Goldman had made before, the negotiations were at an impasse. Jason Cooper was a very traditional man, and saw these new fancy robotic companies, as he called them, as the enemy. So naturally, when Victor told him what he had to do to secure the investment, Cooper backed away. The CEO then asked me if I could present the investment project myself, to see if I could get through the old man.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Lee, I can’t find the file you asked for…” Stone’s assistant came on the phone again.

“It’s alright, I’ll call later.” I hung up, checking the notification on my phone. A text from my dear husband saying You’re 10 minutes late .

I bolted to the elevator. Ten minutes was enough to have one of those grumpy men fuming and leaving the room. If I wanted to even have a chance of discussing the investment, I’d have to be quick.

The elevator opened with a ding. Goldman was already waiting for me.

“You are-”

“Late!” I interrupted as I ran to the conference room door, Goldman following me. “I know, I know. Plug this into the screen, will you?” I handed him my laptop as I knocked briefly, opening the door. My husband threw me a deadly stare.

“Mr. Cooper!” I extended my hand for him to shake. “I’m sorry for the delay, I was caught up in a meeting. I’m Andrea Lee, pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise. Jason Cooper, ma’am.” He shook my hand with a smile. “Let’s hear what you have to say, your husband says you’ll explain things better. Although I have to say I’m not senile, I understood it correctly the first time.” He gave Victor a sour look.

I turned on my laptop and began a more interactive presentation, allowing Mr. Cooper to pose questions as I spoke, keeping an open and amicable attitude. It seemed to work, as the old man lost the frown on his face, and started speaking more openly as well, even daring to ask how someone like Victor had nailed a sweet girl like me. Victor kept his poker face the entire time, only a wife’s trained eye like mine could see he was outraged.

“You know, my sons are the ones insisting on this, telling me this is an opportunity for growth. But I built this company with my own two hands, and the final say is mine. This is a family company, some people have been working with us for decades. I will say yes if you come and visit us, feel the spirit, see if your indications are really appropriate for us.”

“Andrea is a very busy woman, she-” Victor chimed in.

“I would love to.” I interrupted Victor. “I will check my schedule and make room to visit you this week.”

Pleased, Mr. Cooper shook my hand.

“Then it looks like we may have a deal. Bring the contract with you. I will sign it on the day of your visit.”

12:30 PM

“Mr. Lee asked for you to go to his office.” Kenny announced, panicked.

I was up to my neck in files. Not only did I have to study strategies for the incoming companies, I also had the Parker ordeal to figure out.

“Did he tell you what he wanted?” I asked, my eyes still glued to the file in front of me.

“No, I didn’t dare ask him.” He confessed. “Could you just call him? If you don't, he’ll call again and get angry at me.”

“Why are you so scared of him? He’s not that bad.” I took my phone, noticing I had several missed calls from Victor. “Damn it, I forgot to unmute it.”

“I know he is your husband, but he is scary.” Kenny gasped, suddenly realizing how honest he had been. “I’m sorry, this was out of line, please don’t tell him I said that.”

“It’s ok, Kenny, relax.” I chuckled as I pressed call on my phone. “Go have lunch.”

Victor answered on the first ring.

“I have lunch for you. Come up.”

“It’s ok, I’ll have something later, I’m really busy.” I took another file, opening it. “Thanks anyway.”

“You’ll forget to eat, I know. Fifteen minutes, that’s all I ask. Then you’ll resume work with fresher eyes.”

1:00 PM

“You need to go easy on Kenny. I think you scare him.” I mentioned, poking a piece of steak with my fork.

“I merely told him to do his job. What’s so scary about that?” Victor didn’t even look up from his salad.

“Maybe try not to sound so… Imperative.” I pointed the piece of steak towards my husband’s mouth. “Do you want to try it?”

“I can’t.” He moved away from my fork. “I’m on a diet.”

“Still with that?” I gave him an annoyed look. “I was only joking! You look fine!”

“If it was me telling you to lose some weight, even jokingly, how would you react?” He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on his lap.

Damn. He got me there.

“I would have your head.” I admitted. “I’m sorry.”

“Since your head is still very much intact, can we agree that I am nicer than you?” He smiled mischievously.

“No, we can’t.” I closed the box containing my food and put it aside. “Because, despite my poor choice of words, all I wanted was for my husband to resume an old habit he enjoys. My intentions were good.”

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” He teased, setting his salad box aside as well.

“I said I’m sorry already. I didn’t mean it, you are still very attractive to me.” I got up from my chair, sitting on his lap. His arms immediately circled around me.

“Is that so?” His tone lowered, reading my expression.

“You know, sometimes it’s difficult for me to focus on meetings, looking at you in this impeccable suit, knowing exactly what’s underneath it.” My hands roamed his chest and abs through his shirt. He took a sharp breath, his grey eyes darkening. “Makes me want to do things.”

“And what things would you like to do?” He pulled me closer, his nose touching my neck as he breathed in my perfume.

“Right now?” I used my bedroom voice.

“Mhm.” His lips were already on my skin, making me shiver in delight.

“Nothing. I only have 15 minutes for lunch and I already spared thirty.” I suddenly got up from his lap, leaving him disoriented for a moment. “Thanks for lunch, handsome.” I pecked a very confused Victor on the lips.

“You are evil.” He smiled, even more enticed. “I’ll make you pay for that later.”

“Stop being petty with the diet thing and I’ll pay you double.” I winked as I left.

6:40 PM

“So there’s no explanation for the low profit?” I skimmed through the files again.

“Not one that I can find.” Diane sat across from me, looking tired. “And Stone is only returning tomorrow, his assistant-”

“Is useless, I know.” I threw the files on the table. “That’s it, I’m going over tomorrow to check it out myself. Kenny, book a flight to Creekwood for first thing in the morning.”

“What do you think is happening?” Diane questioned. “Embezzlement?”

“Or some debt they didn’t report and are trying to pay off with LFG money.” I sighed. “I don’t know. I’ll find out tomorrow.”

Someone knocked on the conference room door.

“Sorry to interrupt, Andrea. Mr. Lee is outside, waiting for you.”

“Go home, I’ll stay behind and try to make sense of this for a little longer.” I got up from my chair. “I just need to tell my husband I’ll be home late. See you tomorrow.”

8:20 PM

No matter how many times I looked at those files, I couldn’t find the mistake. In the meantime, Mr. Stone had returned my many calls, and I informed him I would be at his company first thing in the morning. Despite his confusion, he agreed. Giving up on the problem momentarily, I took an Uber home.

I found Victor in the kitchen cooking  as Owen set the table.

“Andy!” Owen came to hug me, looking relieved to see me.

“Hello, my little bug, how was your day?” I hugged him back. “Did your teacher like your sculpture?”

“She loved it! She said it was the best presentation she’s ever seen! I even got a smiley face!” Owen answered enthusiastically. “I’ll show you, it’s in my room! I’ll go get it!”

I chuckled, seeing him so excited. Victor left the pots and plates and came to me, hugging me from behind.

“Don’t I get a kiss?” He whispered in my ear.

“I’m sorry.” I turned to him. “Yes, you get a kiss.” Our lips touched for a moment. “How was it with Owen?”

“He spent the rest of the afternoon in his room, playing.” Victor frowned. “I got him to come out to set the table.”

“Give it time, you’ll grow on him.” I caressed his chest over the black apron he was wearing. “You grew on me.”

“It took me months to grow on you.” Victor returned to plating the food. “So, did you find what’s happening with the Parker Company?”

“Yes, about that.” I grimaced, knowing Victor wouldn’t like what I had to say one bit. “I need to fly to Creekwood tomorrow, first thing in the morning. I need to figure out what’s happening exactly. And I’ll take the chance and drive to Ferriston the very next day, to visit the Cooper’s.”

“You’re travelling to Creekwood?” He tensed. “We need you here, send someone else.”

“The only person I trust to do the job is Diane, and I can’t ask that of her. She has a newborn.” I filled the glasses on the table with water. “I have to go myself.”

“You just adopted a child.” Victor retorted. “They need you at the company. Besides, I don’t like you travelling by yourself, there has to be a better way.”

“It’s only for two days, I’ll be back the day after tomorrow in time for dinner.” I looked my husband in the eyes, only to find concern in them.

“At least get that teenager assistant of yours to go with you. You shouldn’t travel alone.”

“He’s twenty-five.” I shot him a flat face.

“Yet he gets all flustered whenever I call him.” He shook his head. “No, Andrea, find another way. I don't want you to go.”

“I don’t remember asking you.” Victor’s disapproval was starting to annoy me. He flew on business every time. Why couldn’t I do the same? “It’s my job, it’s what needs to be done.”

“You’ll still go, knowing that I don’t want you to?” Victor’s disbelief couldn’t conceal the hurt in his eyes.

“I wish you were on board with this, but yes.” I said in a firm voice. “When you hired me as your CEO, it wasn’t for me to act like it only when it’s convenient to you. This is my job, my responsibility, and I think it’s the right thing to do. I’m going.”

10 PM

“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Owen shyly asked as I put his clothes for the next day on the dresser.

“Yes, and coming back the day after tomorrow before dinner.” I explained, refolding a sweater, and placing it in the drawer. “Victor will be with you.”

“For two whole days?” He seemed to panic, clearly displeased with this new turn of events.

“Come on, Bug.” I sat on his bed, ruffling his curls as he sat beside me. “Victor is not that bad. He’s a good guy.”

“I don’t know.” Owen looked down. “He looks angry all the time. He was angry at you at dinner, I could tell.”

“That’s grownup stuff you don’t need to worry about. Trust me, he will get over it soon. He’s very nice, really. Now, time to go to sleep.”

Owen climbed into bed, careful not to untuck his comforter.

“Do you want a bedtime story?” I asked.

“I can read one myself.” He made a face at me, his cute dimples showing.

“This story is not in any books we own.” I spoke theatrically. “Two years ago, I met this girl, she was roughly your age, her name was Molly. She was the one that told me this very special story about an ogre.”

“An ogre?” Owen was suddenly interested. “How big was he?”

“He was huge!” I played along, happy that I caught his interest. “He was so big he couldn’t walk straight, he always had to mind the houses and the trees beneath him, or else he would crush them all with a single step. And he had this deep voice that sounded through the entire valley and scared the animals, making birds fly off in a frenzy and bunnies return to their holes. The villagers were also terrified of him, and they would scurry into their homes as they felt the earth shake with the ogre’s footsteps. Sometimes the ogre would go to the village’s school and scare the children.”

“He liked to eat children?” The little boy’s eyes went wide.

“He never ate any of them, but they were really afraid of him!” I opened my eyes wide for dramatic effect. “Until one day, when the ogre showed up at the school’s playground. His deep voice scared every child there, except for one. A four-year-old red-haired boy, named Owen.”

“What did he do?” Owen gasped.

“Well, all the children went back inside crying, but Owen stood strong. He said, ‘An ogre will not bully me! I will show him I am not afraid, and then he will see that it’s useless to scare us with his heavy footsteps and deep voice!’ The boy stood in the playground, facing the ogre with incredible bravery. Then something amazing happened.”

“What happened?” Owen jumped in his bed, completely engrossed in my story. “Did he fight the ogre with his sword?”

“No, he didn't need to.” I shrugged. “The ogre kneeled before the boy, and puddles of water appeared by the boy’s feet. The ogre was crying.”

“He was sad?” Owen’s face fell, sadness taking over.

“Well, although the ogre was scary, he wasn’t mean at all.” I spoke in a sad voice as well. “Every time he would leave his gigantic cave, it was hoping to make a new friend. But he could never do it, because everyone would run away from him. The boy understood the gigantic creature and offered to be his friend. They played together, and the ogre taught him the secrets of the world, how to tame dragons and how the world looked beautiful and small from above. They remained friends, and when the boy grew up to be a man, the ogre followed him in many adventures, defeating evil creatures, and finding hidden treasures.”

Owen stared at me with wide eyes, the story sinking into him.

“Victor is like that ogre, isn’t he?” He looked down. “I’m that little boy, all I need to do is give him a chance to show that he’s nice.”

“Such a smart young man we have here!” I tickled his tummy, making him laugh. “Ok, make yourself comfortable, I’m going to tell Victor you are ready for bed.”

10:45 PM

The silence filled our bedroom as I packed the bag for my impromptu two-day trip. My husband was in bed, reading his book, obviously still upset with me, not dignifying my presence with a single word.

“Are you going to give me the silent treatment until I leave?” I leaned on the doorframe leading to the closet. “I don’t want to leave you in the middle of a fight.”

Victor placed his book on the nightstand with a sigh.

“I’m not giving you the silent treatment.”

“I don’t understand, you travel on business all the time.” I sat beside him, pushing the glasses up on his nose. “Why is it so bad that I do the same?”

“I don’t like to have you this far from me.” He sighed. “I’ll reschedule my appointments and go with you.” He grabbed his phone, ready to call Goldman.

“ You can’t go, who will take care of Owen?” I held his hand lovingly. “Besides, when I send you the signed contract, you need to make sure everything is in order and put it in motion before Cooper decides otherwise. Not to mention it’s investment revaluation week. Goldman can’t do it all on his own. I know it and you know it.”

“What if something happens? What if you have some kind of setback and I’m not there to help?” He squeezed my hands tight, pulling me closer. “I’ll worry.”

“There’s nothing to worry about!” I looked into his eyes, pleading. “It’s just for two days. What could possibly go wrong?”

Victor pulled me into a tight hug.

“Two days, not a second more.” He spoke firmly into my year. “In two days, I have you back in my arms.”

“You have my word.” I kissed his chest. “Two days.”

[jaehyunspeachparty]

About Chichi’s Mum

part of: iii.xxvi. (daddy jaehyun)

"And you will spend the day with Y/N, Jaehyun, Sunoh and Miga. Okay?" Yuta crouched in front of his daughter and put her jacket on. She looked at him with her dark eyes and nodded understandably. "And you have to be good. Y/N has two babies in her belly and is therefore very tired." He tried to explain everything to her, but in reality, it hurts him more than leaving Chichi behind for the day. She liked to be with the Jung's family and had also someone of the same age to play with. "Okay, daddy." She nods and her big eyes find his. Every time he looked into Chichi's eyes, he could see his ex-girlfriend. Because it was something that caught his eye right away.

It all started with a photoshoot for a famous fashion magazine. At first, it was just her cute smile, her elegance and when he spoke to her he was thrilled with her eloquence. He couldn't believe this woman was real. She embodied everything he was looking for because she was like a fairy tale. When he gathered all his courage and asked if they wanted to go on a date, he couldn't believe at first that she agreed. Shiori was her name and he couldn't think of anything else but her. When they first met, it was perfect. He looked into her big eyes and almost got lost in it. He never found a person so exciting, so beautiful. He was under her spell and she seemed to like him as well. It was like he was dreaming all the time. And it got better with the first time he slept with her. It was just perfect. Their bodies fit together perfectly and Yuta couldn't believe how lucky he was. When he was in bed with her, exhausted from all the activities, the good sex, he loved nothing more than to be with her and talk to her about everything. "My flight leaves at 9:00 am. I have a photo shooting in Tokyo this time." Shiori was a successful model in Japan and her orders often went to Korea, so she was constantly in Seoul too, sometimes also for a few weeks. "I'll make us a good breakfast." Yuta smiled and kissed her cheek gently. "You don't have to do that. Rest, you have so much work to do." She stroked his chest and was very fascinated by it. "I want it. Besides, I have to get up anyway. I promised Jaehyun to help him with the nursery renovation. His wife is very pregnant and the birth is about to start soon." Yuta had promised to help set everything up and it would distract him anyway, otherwise, he would miss Shiori all the time. "Is he the first to become a father?" She smiled and looked up at him now. "Yes. He's having a girl. That suits Jaehyun pretty well." He laughed and pulled his girlfriend closer to him. "A girl ... that sounds nice ..." She slowly closed her eyes and both simply enjoyed being together.

"Great. Thank you for taking Chichi. I'll be back tonight." Yuta took off his daughter's jacket and looked sadly at her. It was difficult for him to leave his daughter behind for the day. They had now become a team. Only the two against the world. "No problem. We love to have Chichi with us." You smile and lean over to her. "Mummy." With her big eyes, she looked at you. She's been saying that to you a lot lately, and you and Yuta are always trying to explain to her that you're not her mother. But you were the only woman she had a good relationship with. And since Miga and Sunoh, with whom she spent a lot of time, also call you Mummy, reflects this Chichi. "Oh honey, I'm not your mummy. Come on, let's see what Miga and Sunoh are doing." You take the little girl by the hand and you go to your children. Yuta looked after her sadly and handed Jaehyun his bag with Chichi’s stuff. "Do you know what Shiori wants from you?" Jaehyun looked at his friend with concern. She had called Yuta two days ago and was eager to talk to him. He should meet her in Tokyo, but he should come without Chichi. After a long discussion, Yuta agreed to meet her because, in the end, he had so many questions.  Yuta found it difficult to get back in the taxi and leave his daughter behind. It was funny because Yuta hadn't imagined himself as a father in such a near future and now his little girl would be 2 years old in a few weeks. He hates leaving Chichi alone and even though he was thinking of sending her to kindergarten now because he has to work slowly again, he was already getting a stomach ache. He knew that she and Jaehyun were in good hands. You were the only ones he trusted with his daughter. Ironically white, he first thought with Shiori that she would be the woman he wanted to be with Jaehyun and you.

"I'm a little bit nervous. I don't know any of your friends." Shiori took a deep breath and clutched the present. "Everything will be fine. Jaehyun and Y/N will definitely like you." Yuta grinned and kissed his girlfriend before knocking on the door. Jaehyun opened the door and greeted the two. He looked tired, but you could still see that he was happy. It was an interesting combination. "Hey, daddy." Yuta joked and hugged his friend. "This is Shiori," he then introduced his girlfriend and smiled. "Glad to meet you. Y/N is coming soon, she is still breastfeeding Miga." Jaehyun greeted Shiori and they went into the kitchen together. Jaehyun made coffee and they sat in the living room. "And how ist he new life with a baby? Can you still sleep?" Yuta grinned and sipped his coffee. "Sleep doesn't really exist right now. She wakes up all the time and we're trying to find a rhythm, but it's just perfect." Jaehyun smiled and looked up as he saw you come into the living room with his daughter. "Ahh, there she is." Yuta smiled, looked at you and put her arm around his girlfriend. "Hi, sorry that I couldn't come right away, Miga was still hungry." You smile and introduce yourself to Shiori. "Do you want to hold her?" You ask and Yuta stretched out his arms. Shiori leaned on his shoulder and stroked the girl's little hands. "How old is she now?" Shiori looked up at you and smiled. "10 days." Jaehyun smiled and pulled you onto his lap. He put his hand on your thigh and slowly stroked it. Meanwhile, Shiori also took Miga in her arms and cradled the little girl. When Yuta saw her sitting and cradling the baby, he decided that she would be - the one. Maybe he was blind with love, but at that moment he decided that with Shiori he wanted all of that too.

It was strange for Yuta to go to Tokyo just to have a coffee with his ex-girlfriend. But everything was no longer normal, because why didn't she want to see her daughter? The city gave him a feeling of fear this time. Everything seemed to overwhelm him and he hoped that soon he would only find answers once. Everything was crazy with Shiori, everything was always full of questions. Even when she left him at that time, he didn't know if she broke up or just wanted some distance and free space.

It was what felt like the 100th call Yuta made. Shiori hadn't answered for weeks. On her social media accounts, he could see that she was fine. But why didn't she get in touch with him anymore? Why did she ignore him. They were together for so long and then that? "Still nothing?" Taeil asked and Yuta nodded. "I just don't understand it. Why suddenly? It was all good and then suddenly she doesn't answer." Yuta was angry, more angry than she had in a long time. His heart was broken and this experience is so strange to him. He doesn't remember when he last had such a heartache.

When Yuta was sitting in the cafe, he swiped over the pictures of Chichi and he had to smile. She was so cute, so pretty, and so intelligent. But she was incredibly shy. But he thinks that's the reason of the circumstances because she spent most of her time with him and then every now and then with the Jung family. Shiori was late. At first, it was only 5 minutes, then 10, then 20. He didn't trust her and he was already so angry that he preferred to just go. He felt humiliated that he only traveled to Tokyo for her, that he left Chichi alone. But he didn't do it for himself, he did it for his daughter. After 35 minutes she was there. She only wore black and a mask, but still, she was elegant. It was difficult to recognize for strangers, but he knew immediately that it was her. Especially when he looked into her eyes because they were the same as Chichi. "I'm sorry for being late. I was delayed." She sat down at the table with him and took off her mask. "How are you?" She looked at Yuta and tried to smile. "Don't you want to know how your ... our daughter is doing?" Yuta was mad. Really mad. He didn't feel like small talk. Shiori sighed and just didn't say anything. "Why can't you be a mother to her?" Yuta looked at her and could only feel disgusted. "I can't be a mother to her." She shook her head and grabbed her forehead. "She calls Y/N Mummy because she is the only woman in her life at the moment. But Y/N cannot be a mother substitute for her because she has children herself." All his anger came out and he was so hurt that all he could do was hate. But Shiori just sat staring into the void. "Don't you even want to meet your daughter?" He sighed, as much as he hated her now, he didn't want his daughter not to know her mother. "I don't think that would be a good thing." She shook her head and tears ran down her face. "Don't you want to see how pretty she got? Chichi is so brave but so shy at the same time. She is totally fascinated by horses and she likes the color pink. She sings, dances and laughs a lot. And when she ..." "STOP IT!" Shiori screamed and people looked at you briefly. She fell silent and waited for her eyes to turn away from her. "I don't want to know anything about her. I don't want her to see me later." Suddenly she took her bag and pulled out a few documents. "Why? Why don't you want to meet such a wonderful and perfect person like Chichi?" He still didn't understand. Why didn't a mother want her child. "Because I know I'm going to love her and I just can't." She sighed and wiped away her last tears. "Why? Shiori tell me what's going on. Why don't you want to love Chichi?" He never thought that this conversation would go in this direction. "Because I got engaged. To someone big, rich and powerful. If he knew that I had a child, I'm no longer worth anything to him. We'll get married in two weeks and until then I want to clear everything up. No one from his people was able to find out that I gave birth to Chichi because I gave birth to her at home and therefore she doesn’t appear in hospital files. Yuta, I'm going to start a new life and I don't want you or Chichi in it anymore. That's why I wanted to speak to you." She sighed and tried to collect herself. She pushed a folder of documents over to him and took a deep breath. "Everything is in here. Chichi was never registered in Japan, you have to apply for a birth certificate afterward. But since you have already been to Japan with her, I assume that she already has a passport and that you have taken care of everything. I've set up a trust fund for Chichi. I regularly send money to my mother and she pays it into the fund, which is in the name of Chichi, when she is the age of 18 she gets the money. It’s more than enough money. If she is old enough she should never look for me and if you have a new wife it is okay that she accepts her as a mother. You can read everything in the documents, they are all real, you can check it." She put her hands away from the folder and took her wallet out of her pocket. "I just found out that I am pregnant again from my fiancé. When we are married, our relationship will be published in the press and we will announce my pregnancy. That is why confidentiality is particularly important to me. You must therefore sign this declaration of confidentiality." When Yuta opened the folder, the document was right at the beginning. He read it through and continued to wrestle for words. "What if I don't sign it?" He looked up at her and couldn't believe it, because it also said that he shouldn't tell Chichi about her. "Do you want to mess with one of the most powerful families in all of Japan, maybe Asia?" She looked at him seriously and Yuta knew that this shit was serious, and he had to sign it, if only to protect his daughter. So he took the document and signed it. Shiori took the document and put it in her pocket. "Thank you. It's for your and Chichi's safety." She smiled wrongly and put money on the table. Then she got up and packed her things. "I hope that's what you want." Yuta looked after her ironically and she stopped again and looked desperately at her ex-boyfriend. "It's all I wanted. I live powerful and rich now." Only then could Yuta laugh with contempt and Shiori looked at him one last time and then understood. Forever.

It was summer and everything seemed to be perfect. The light shone brightly in the room and made everything white. He lay on his back and took a deep breath, she was lying on his chest and had her eyes closed because the light dazzled her. It was warm, but still, they didn't want to separate their bodies. Yuta loved her so much, holding her in her arms was the best in a long time. He hadn't known when he had loved someone like this for a long time. Holding her in his arms was the highlight of his day. "Are you happy?" She asked him and turned her head to him. Yuta stroked her hair and smiled. "Yes. I'm the richest man with you." He kissed her gently and long and enjoyed the moment. "And you?" He stroked her chin with his thumb and he smiled. "With you always." She smiled and closed her eyes again. It was the last time it was between them until she left him.

When Yuta was finally back in Seoul, he went straight to the Jung's to pick up his daughter. It was already in the evening and Chichi would probably be asleep by now. But he still couldn't wait to hold her in his arms. Jaehyun didn't ask him many questions and he was happy because it just made him sad. He was not sad about himself, but about Chichi. She will never have a mother. He still couldn't understand why Shiori was like that, why she was suddenly so heartless. When he came into the living room, he saw Chichi slept in your arms. His little head rested on your pregnant stomach and she slept so peacefully. On the one hand, Yuta was sad because Chichi will never have a mother like you, but on the other hand, he was glad that you were there for her. "Hello, my sweetheart." He picked up Chichi to put her on his chest. The little girl opened her eyes briefly, saw her father, put her arms around him, and fell asleep again on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" You ask Yuta and you could see that he was pretty exhausted. "Shiori will never be able to be a mother. It is even official." He sighed and stroked his daughter's back. Jaehyun and you look at him but don't say anything. "I thought to myself ..." Yuta suddenly turned to you and looked at you seriously. "I know your household will soon grow by two more. But I wanted to ask if you might become Chichi's godmother. I think maybe it is good that she has a female person to confide her to. And Sunoh and she are almost the same age and I think they will go to school together and ... " Yuta took a deep breath, but you are already smiling. "It's not a problem. I like to take care of Chichi." You were even honored that Yuta asked you. And he was relieved that his little girl doesn't have to be alone.

daddy jaehyun masterlist

[ruddcatha]

Chapter 2 of The Guardian has been posted, find it now at Ao3 and FFN

Kagome stirred, trying to rouse herself from her dreams and the golden eyes that seemed to see into her very soul.  The sound of her alarm barely broke through her daze, she had never felt so exhausted before.  She looked at the offending object, grumbling when she realized that it really was 7 a.m. already, and they had to leave for the site at 8:30.  She stumbled into the kitchenette of her dorm, muttering to Sango who laughed and handed her a cup of coffee, knowing Kagome was NOT a morning person.  Kagome shot her a glance, her chocolate eyes full of worship and thankfulness as she took her first sip of the life sustaining liquid.  Two and half cups of coffee and a piece of toast with orange marmalade later, she felt human enough to shower and prepare for the day.

Kagome caught Sango’s attention and nodded towards the bathroom.  “Go ahead, I’m already done in there…. Unlike SOME people I don’t need an injection of caffeine in the morning” was the teasing response. Kagome gave a joking growl, shaking her head at Sango as she entered the bathroom.  Sango was her best friend from High School, they had been in the same class. Sometimes Kagome wished she had followed Sango’s footsteps and gone straight into Grad School after graduating from university, but she had taken two years to travel to various shrines and museums, learning on her own about different cultures.  She had almost wiped out her savings traveling from Japan to Australia and China to broaden her own knowledge base before applying and joining the archeology program with Sango.  Sango was the sister Kagome never had, and Kagome would gladly trade her younger brother Souta to officially claim Sango as kin.  

Kagome sighed blissfully as the hot water from the shower cascaded over her body.  Her muscles were still sore from the previous day, and she knew it was important to get the knots worked out before going back.  She turned the temperature up even more as she relaxed, lathering, and rinsing her long hair.  She reluctantly turned off the shower, she had not realized that the bathroom had filled with steam.  She frowned and thought ‘I didn’t think the temperature was that hot.’ The bathroom had disappeared in the white haze, she was not able to make out any of the fixtures, it was as if she had entered a dream state, separated out from the rest of the world.  She bent down, trying to find anything to help her get her bearings, for some reason she was desperate to find her towel.  Even though she knew she was by herself, she felt exposed.  She tried to call out for Sango, but the mist around her seemed to absorb the sound. She closed her eyes in both pain and relief as her right hand connected soundly with a solid surface.  She quickly moved towards the surface, reaching out to trace the edges to identify the counter and catch her bearings.  As she moved closer, she began to see her outline in the mirror, distorted through the haze.  She stopped dead, feeling as if all the blood in her body had turned to ice as she looked at her reflection… and the glowing red eyes that seemed to be behind her.  Keeping her hand on the counter, afraid that if she let go, she would be lost in the mist, she quickly looked to see who… or what… was there.

“HEY KAGOME” Sango yanked open the bathroom door “we have to get going or we’ll be late.  What’s keeping you?”  Kagome’s vision instantly cleared, the mist vanishing, the red eyes no more than a figment of her imagination.  “hey you ok?” Sango asked, seeing her friend’s death grip on the counter. Kagome shook her head, trying to ease the fear and tension “yea San, just lost track of time.  Give me a minute and I’ll be ready.”  She dashed to her bedroom, the tension in her easing as she covered herself with a pair of cargo pants and a black tank top. Remembering the chill the day before, and still feeling chills from earlier, she grabbed an old army jacket that she had found in a thrift store.  As she left the bedroom, she grabbed a stack of papers off her printer to bring with her.  Sango raised an eyebrow at the ensemble, Kagome just shrugged, lifted the corner of her mouth “the pockets will come in handy.”  Sango laughed, agreeing with her, heading towards the door of their apartment.  As they made their way to the parking lot, Sango tossed Kagome a bag with two slices of bacon and a sausage link “toast is not enough for today, who knows when Totosai will let us break for lunch.”  Kagome gratefully ate the offering, climbing into the back of the first jeep with Sango, Jaken had already claimed shotgun with Totosai driving.

As they drove to the shrine, Kagome began to review the limited information she had been able to pull from google and obscure legend sites, looking to learn more about the Inu Yokai.  She tuned out the conversation around her as she scoured the pages, frustrated with the limited information she had available.  She wanted actual useful information, damnit, but none of the information she had found seemed in any way credible or explained the statues in the shrine.  She allowed herself to listen to the conversation around her, Sango teasing Jaken over his fascination with frogs and toads.  “I will have you know, there is a very big dist….” Jaken said, about to go into a lecture when Sango leaned over and smacked his forehead “WE KNOW WE KNOW; YOU HAVE TOLD US A THOUSAND TIMES!” Kagome and Dr. Totosai laughed, used to the banter from classes.  Kagome felt the tension from the morning easing with the familiar routine with her friends and classmates.  A sense of calm came over her as they drew closer to the shrine, a smile teasing her lips as the last vestiges of fear faded from her memory, forgotten in her excitement.

The two jeeps made their way carefully through the forest, the modern world disappearing around the team. Soon the two flags that marked the entrance to the underground shrine were visible, and Totosai brought his vehicle to a halt.  The air around the shrine smelled cleaner somehow as Kagome took in a deep breath, the smells of the forest barely detectable.  Sango and Kagome collected their gear from the back of their vehicle before walking to the entrance, waiting to receive their locations for the day.  “Alright” Dr. Totosai exclaimed, looking over his notes “Jaken and Hojo, I want you two in the first room on the left, you made good progress there in identifying the markings and offerings that were found.  Sango, I would like you and Akitoki to take the second room on the right. That room has not been touched yet, and I want you to begin your survey, marking off any artifacts you find and noting them in the logs before you begin recovery.  Kagome, you will be with me again in the main room, I want to see if we can continue to translate the text we found.” Totosai looked at his watch “it is now 9:00, let’s reconvene at 12:30 for lunch and to discuss the afternoons assignments.”  He looked around at his five assistants and saw everyone nod before turning on their lanterns and descending into the entrance.

As the sound of footsteps entering the hallway echoed, a pair of golden eyes snapped open, the owner’s attention drawn towards the stone doors that separated the intruders from his resting place.  In a blur of movement, the figure leapt off the ground, landing with ease in an alcove that had been carved into the upper walls of the room, hidden from view by clever carving, allowing a perfect vantage point.  The light from the lanterns did not reach the alcove, but the individual did not need any additional light to view the two figures as they entered the room. A young man moved silently, hidden in shadows.  He turned his head, listening to the voices below, trying to make out any recognizable words, as the figure looked over the edge, curious but cautious. He knew that they were speaking Japanese from the few words he could make out, but it was a dialect that he was unfamiliar with, and while words seemed familiar, they were also strange, as if the language had changed.  He saw them approach the tallest statue in the front of the room, his eyes narrowed, waiting for any sign of aggression.  He relaxed when the two seemed focused on the legend inscribed on the wall, growling in disgust at their attempts to pronounce the words.  

The man had no idea how long he had been sealed, or who these people were.  He knew his mission, but until he knew that they could be trusted, he would keep out of sight, trying to learn more about them and why they were there.  His eyes were drawn to the young woman below him, and he felt his breath catch as her face was caught in the light.  Despite the distance between them, he could see her features as clearly as if he had been standing next to her, the tilt of her nose, the shade of her eyes.  He was entranced by her, the light dancing off her reflection as she moved, concealing then revealing her features as if choreographed.  Her voice was soft, and he felt his ears move to try and catch more of the sounds.

“Professor over here!” Kagome exclaimed softly.  When Totosai looked around, she had moved to the back corner of the room.  As he made his way to her, she tilted her head, looking at the empty pedestal before her.  “This is the only open pedestal in this room” she whispered as Totosai came near “and look here.”  Totosai leaned down to the base of the pedestal, looking where Kagome pointed. None of the pedestals in the room held any characters or names, but this one was different.  At the base of the pedestal was a stylized carving of a dog, surrounded by a circle.  While a dog carving was not unusual in Japanese art, this carving was designed like the ancient depiction of a demon dog, with a lightning bolt marking on each side of its face.  Kagome tilted her head in curiosity, recognizing the markings.  She looked back to the singe statue in the front of the room then back to the pedestal, confirming to herself that they did, indeed, look almost identical.  She wondered it this was the demon form of the Inu no Taisho.  Looking around the room, it seemed strange that only one pedestal had the marking, while the others were plain.  Lost in her own thoughts and musings, she did not notice her professor going still, his right hand moving to rub his left forearm as he stared at the image.

Kagome reached out an arm to touch the symbol, yet a sound made her pause.  A low growl seemed to echo through the room, so faint she almost thought she was imagining it.  She turned, looking to see where it was coming from, but the sound faded as if it had never been.  She turned to Totosai, about to ask if he had heard it as well, but was interrupted “Kagome, it is 12:30, let’s go get lunch with the others, we can come back after.” She sighed then nodded, grabbing her lantern as she left the room to join Sango.  Totosai watched her leave, then moved to the center of the room, rolling back the long sleeve that covered his left arm. He held his arm up above his head and lifted his lantern with his right hand.  A mark on his arm began to glow silver in the light, the image of a demon dog surrounded by a circle.  He looked up towards the top of the walls, his soft voice echoing in the chamber.

 “Yōkoso hogo-sha, Welcome Guardian.”

A soft sound from behind him made Totosai turn around.  He watched as a figure of a man unfolded, his red kimono a striking contrast to long silver hair that flowed over his shoulders.  Two ears stood atop his head, flicking at the sound of footsteps retreating from the shrine.  His golden eyes stared straight into Totosai’s before turning to look at the mark. Totosai lowered his arms, tilting his head towards the figure in reverence.

 “Welcome back...Lord Inuysha.”

@heavenin--hell​, thank you again for the inspiration!

[xiumin-on-this-shit]

Take Care of You Pt 7

Thank yuh guys for dealing with my confusion on this💕

And thank you @heechuls-hair for being the true MVP💕

———

I feel him staring at me before I see him. My mind races as fast as it can to figure out who is sitting at the end of the bed, Minseok comes to mind first but then as last night comes into mind, so does the possibility of it being some one else. Without much option I slowly shift, sitting up with my eyes going to find what is causing the bed to dip.

It’s Chanyeol.

He turns slightly, greeting me with a small smile, and a small pastry bag. I accept the treat and find a doughnut inside. “I was going to wake you up as soon as I got here but I had Hyung’s voice in the back of my head scolding me. So instead I went and grabbed some breakfast, I know it’s not Soo’s food but I didn’t have many options.”

“How did you find me?” I wonder even though it is obvious Min has some sort of security system to let him know.

He chuckles as he munched on his own treat, “I know you pretty well, you were going to go some place you felt safe, this place is basically a massive panic room dressed up as an apartment.”

“Why are you here? Why didn’t Oppa come?”

“That’s actually why I’m here. Hyung got stupid last night and snuck out for revenge on the brats that attacked us in a fit of rage after you got away. Even injured, he managed to wipe most of them out without too much of a problem but he was clumsy. Someone spotted him fleeing the scene covered in blood, the police figured it out pretty fast and grabbed Jongdae and Hyung on their way here.”

“How is all of that possible?” I curse as I scramble out of bed, grimacing at the pain in my thigh, “I was only a sleep for a few hours!”

“Soo, it’s nearly 9:00 PM, you slept for 16 hours.”

My jaw almost hits the floor as I grab the clock on the bed side table, “What the fuck? Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“All of this has happened in the last few hours so unless you were going to bust into a shoot out, there is nothing you could have done.”

“What about now? What should we do now?”

He sighs as he rubs his face, “Grab your stuff and let’s go.”

“Right now we have two options. You can tell me that you are scared and want to runaway and I will hand over every penny in Minseok’s study so I you can leave and have a happy life. Or you can put on some pants and follow me down to the police station to lie to the cops so Minseok won’t even have to call his lawyers. It’s up to you.”

“What?”

“I was sent here to get you out of town and keep you under the polices’ radar for awhile before letting you go to live your own life, far away from Minseok.”

I panic, suddenly regretting my decision to run from the compound. Minseok was on his way to send me off, he must not want me any more. Tears prick my eyes, I do my best to fight them off and keep my pride, “If that’s what he wants. I’ll leave.”

“He doesn’t want you to leave, you fucking idiot!” Chanyeol comes around the bed and crouches down to gets into my space. “He thought you wanted to leave him after you found out. I tried to tell him that you still loved him but he wouldn’t hear it.” We both actually chuckle.

“He never wants to listen, does he?”

“Nope, as hard headed as ever.”

I stare at my hands for a moment, my fingers anxiously picking at my nails. Even so close to me, his eyes staring up at me I know he isn’t pressuring me towards leaving. He waits patiently for me think everything over, a kind smile on his face as always. “So, what if I said I didn’t want to leave? What do I have to do to help?” I wonder.

“Hyung needs an alibi, he doesn’t want to use any of our names cause they could just connect us to the crime and make things worse. You have no criminal record and aren’t in the system at all, you won’t raise any red flags. All you would have to do is walk in there and tell them he was with you all last night. You weren’t at the club, never even been to it. Easy as pie. A witness is always the easiest kind of evidence to fix.”

I wring my hands nervously, “but what if his story disagrees with his?”

“Not possible, Hyung doesn’t talk to the police, ever.” Yeol sighs, “Look Soo, I’m going against orders right now by offering you more than one option but you deserve to make your own decision on your future. Or you don’t have to decide anything! You could lay back in bed wait for Hyung to come back, I don’t know how long that could be but he would come back. Or I could take you to the airport right now so you never have to see any of our ugly mugs again.”

“Or?”

“Or you could put on some pants and go lie to the police.”

“How long would he be in police custody without me going down there?”

He shrugs, “He would hopefully be out by tomorrow but the police here have been gunning for him for awhile. They could stall him with other charges and get him on remand since he is such a flight risk for such a serious crime. He would be in jail and I know for damn sure you wouldn’t be on the visitor list. He would not want you to see him like that.”

I run my hands through my hair with a long sigh leaving my lips. I should just let him be. “How mad is he going to be at us?”

“Fucking furious. You’ve never seen him mad and I’m letting you know now it is going to be terrifying. Do you think he will hate me?”

“Never.”

“Okay, fine, let me put on some pants.”

He can’t hide the grin on his face, “Thank you.”

I climb out of bed, doing my best to hide my limp and from the way Chanyeol is staring I’m going with I’m not doing too well. In the closet I find a simple black t-shirt dress, an army green bomber jacket that belongs to Minseok, and a pair of converse. Chanyeol gets a phone call and steps out to the hallway as I step into the bathroom to apply a small amount of makeup.

“Okay, you look great, they are trying to take Hyung into booking before his lawyers get there and Luhan can only stall them for so long.” We rush out of the building to his magically fixed car down on the street. The police station is only five minutes away in the late night traffic, Chanyeol whips into the parking lot with ease and ushers me out just as quickly. The officer at the desk greets us politely, Chanyeol automatically demands a specific detective, I’m assuming the man who dared to arrest my Minseok.

We are asked to wait in the entryway until the detective is free. I’m shaking, only slightly, but enough for Chanyeol to notice. He places a large hand on my back for a small amount of comfort. I’m not nervous to talk to the police, this isn’t my first rodeo. I’m nervous to see how Minseok will react to seeing me here. He’s going to be so mad.

“Mr. Park,” An older man swaggers up to us confidently.

From Chanyeol’s cold reaction it’s easy to figure out who this is, “Detective.”

“Your boss really messed up this time,” The man taunts. “All it takes is one mistake to get caught. He let someone see him,” The detective laughs, “Rookie mistake!”

“We are actually here to fix the mistake you made once again,” Yeol snaps back with a growl.

The man raises his brows, “We?”

“Yes,” I stand, hand on my hip and my face set in a very pissed scowl, “We are here because you apparently have some person who saw my boyfriend Minseok leaving a murder scene? This is a joke right?”

“Your boyfriend?” He takes a step back, either surprised by my presence or attitude. “He hasn’t mentioned a girlfriend before.”

“Does he give you regular updates on his life in between you harassing him about ridiculous crimes?” I snap back.

“Last time I checked, nine young men dead is not a ridiculous crime.”

“No you are right, it’s a tragedy. It’s ridiculous that you think my Minseok could have done it. He was with me last night and most of today until I went to run some errands.”

His brows are in his hairline, “Really? We have a witness who saw a man that fits Kim Minseok’s description leaving the scene of the crime.”

I scoff, “And who would have a better idea of where Minseok was? Me, his girlfriend of three months or some random stranger that you probably convinced to describe him?”

“Are you accusing me of something?”

“That depends, are you accusing me of lying?” I step put to him, chin raised high. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to lie to police and I highly doubt this will be my last. With things like this it is all about attitude, if he can tell I’m not confident in my answers he will just keep asking more questions that I might not be able to answer. Which means I cant leave him any room to question me.

He gulps, his eyes moving to Chanyeol behind me, who I am sure is backing me up with his own terrifying glare, “Of course I’m not. I just wanted to make sure I heard you right. We have Mr. Kim in an interrogation room, we were about to bring him down to book him. I just need to hear confirm this story with him before I can do anything else, but as I am sure you know, he doesn’t speak to anyone without his lawyers present.”

“This is ridiculous. Just go in there and ask him what I made him for dinner last night. We were celebrating our 100 day anniversary, I made him pancakes.” I’m sweating slightly but I don’t think he notices. I know Minseok well enough that he would have demanded word for word from Baekhyun what we discussed, pancakes must have come up.

“Chanyeol,” Luhan’s voice echos from down the hall, “What are you doing here?” And then the pretty man’s eyes find me, toe to toe with the detective, his eyes turn to stone. He approaches us with his mouth set in a firm line, first he glares at the detective who quickly takes a few steps back. Chanyeol is the next victim of his hostility, “Chanyeol, I told you to keep an eye on Eunsoo, Hyung wouldn’t want her here. What are you two doing here?”

“She is bailing your friend out of trouble,” The detective answers, attempting to gain his confidence back. “I will be right back, I have to check in with Mr. Kim and the information Ms. Eunsoo gave me.” He turns away and rushes down the hall, sensing the killer vibes the smaller man is giving off.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” Luhan snarls under his breath.

“Lying to the police, what does it look like?” I snap back quietly, checking over my shoulder to make sure it’s clear.

He sighs, “Not you dear. I’m talking to the dumb fucking giant who has a death wish. Minseok is going to kill you! You are in enough trouble for putting this whole going out thing in her head and getting into a car accident with the most important person in your fucking car! Now you want to add putting her on the polices’ radar?”

“Hyung, I didn’t make her,” The giant points out. “I am sorry about the other stuff but Hyung was going to go to jail, I figured she had the right to know and help if she wanted to.”

The smaller man surprises both of us by punching the nearby wall, leaving a clear dent in the in plaster, “It doesn’t fucking matter what you thought. You had orders! You don’t go against orders!” Chanyeol does nothing but hangs his head and takes the verbal beating.

“What about what I wanted?” I jump to my friend’s aide, knowing most of this is actually my fault.

“Look Eunsoo, I hate to act like this in front of you when we’ve only met one other time but it does not matter what you wanted. He had orders.”

“Fuck his orders!” Both men step back surprised, “Minseok Oppa may have been keeping secrets about this stuff but he has never forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do. Chanyeol gave me the options so he could follow his orders but I wanted to come down here, he followed the orders I gave him and I might not be his boss but I’m pretty damn scary myself when I am forced to do things I don’t want to.”

“That she is.”

All three of us follow the familiar voice down the same hall Luhan had come from. Minseok is standing there with Kris and Jongdae, in dress pants and a black button up, just like Luhan, he looks none to happy to see me there but I don’t care. Without thinking I rush down the hall and into his arms, his grip around me is so tight I can’t breath but it just feels so right I can’t get myself to say anything.

“I just have one more question for you two,” The detective hums from behind Minseok. My love turns us both slightly to face the man, “If you two were just having dinner at home, why are both of you walking with a bit of a limp?”

I respond before Minseok has the chance to, “What we do in our bedroom is none of your business Detective.”

All four of my love’s friends struggle to hold back their laughs. Minseok and I give the blushing man curt smiles before Minseok turns to lead us down the hall to the exit. The others follow behind quickly, no one dare saying a word. We step out into the parking lot and he suddenly lets me go, taking a few measures steps away to look at me then to Chanyeol.

With his eyes narrowed on the giant he sighs, “Jongdae, will you please take Eunsoo back to my place? Take Chanyeol’s car.” Everyone tenses, knowing exactly what this means. I stare at Minseok dumb struck for a minute, he’s kidding right? He isn’t going to hurt Chanyeol after we saved him from going to jail, he can’t just expect me to let him.

“Excuse me?” I question with a scoff, “You aren’t just handing me off.”

“Eunsoo, I have to take care of a few things first.”

“Last time I checked you promised to take care of me, that I was your top priority.”

He is looking at anything other than me, “ You are. You always are. I have to do this for you.”

“This thing you are about to do for me, isn’t for me, it’s for your fucking pride. You’re just pissed that Chanyeol didn’t listen to you!” I know I shouldn’t yell, that I’m poking a bear but Chanyeol is the first friend I’ve had in a long time and I know how much it would hurt Minseok if he did this to his own friend, even if it’s because of me. I step into his space, my skin buzzing with anxiety, “I’m not letting you do this.”

He steps away, “This isn’t up for discussion, now go with Jongdae.”

Jongdae steps up, he attempts to grab my arm but I pull away, “Jongdae, I like you but don’t fucking touch me. I’m not going anywhere without both you and Chanyeol.” I run my fingers through my hair and take a deep breath before I loose my shit. Against my better judgement I step into his face again, I just need him to look at me. He be as cold and hostile as he wants when he isn’t looking at me, I’d be an idiot to not know I’m his soft spot. “If you really love me, you could at least fucking look at me!”

And he does. His eyes are no longer cold, angry yes, but never cold when they are on me. “Don’t you ever question how much I love you,” He warns as harsh as he can when speaking to me. “This is not the place to talk about this.”

“Then lets go somewhere else and fucking talk.”

“Fine.”

He gives all of his men a sharp look as he leads me into the parking lot to a car I don’t know. I turn on my heel the moment I notice Chanyeol heading a different direction with Kris, “No. Chanyeol is with us.” Minseok raised a brow at me but I don’t falter, “With us.”

Both Chanyeol and Kris let out a relived sigh as Chanyeol is permitted to ride with us while Kris is given his keys to meet us where ever we are going. Minseok sets me in the back with the giant while him and Luhan sit up front, I am quick to assume that my love is hijacking the others car because of the accident. Next to me Chanyeol gently elbows me, drawing my attention to him. He gives me a thankful look while offering me a sly fist bump.

From the direction we are headed I can assume we are headed back to the clubhouse I escaped from earlier, I wish things weren’t so hostile so I could talk to Chanyeol about how I finally met Baekhyun but now doesn’t seem like a great time to mention it. The whole car ride is in silence, the only sound is from outside the car, the faint sound of rain on the windows and other cars passing by. I find myself staring into the same darkness as the night before. The same lights come into view but unlike last night I am able to fully appreciate the compound in front of me without running into it. Chanyeol seems to read my mind next to me, giving me an apologetic smile.

The compound consist of 4 large warehouses, a 12 foot electric fence, and the same guard station I rolled through last night. The guard bows at the sight of Minseok through the window, allowing us in immediately. Minseok parks the car out of one of the warehouses, once he is out of the car he is at my door helping me out. I signal for Chanyeol to keep on my heels as we head inside through another armed guard and two security door until we find ourselves in the same living area as last night.

“If I let you go, do you promise not to escape?” Minseok half teases.

I shrug, “We’ll see how this conversation goes.”

His jaw clenches as he releases me to turn to the giant right behind us, “Chanyeol.”

As if on command, the tall man drops to his knees and bows deeply, his forehead pressed against the ground, rambling off apologies, “I am so sorry to both you and Eunsoo. I would have never thought those kids would have done what they did but that is no excuse. I know you wanted me to take Eunsoo away but I just couldn’t. Eunsoo deserved the right to decide what she did.”

“Stop talking for once Chanyeol,” Minseok cuts him off. “Sit up.”

Chanyeol obeys.

Minseok sighs as he stares down at him. He walks into the kitchen and opens a random drawer, pulling out a sliver hand gun. My eyes go wide as both him and Chanyeol act so calmly about it. “Chanyeol, do you understand what rules you have broken?”

With his head hung, Chanyeol nods, “Yes.”

“Woah, woah, woah, hold the fuck up!” I step in between the two, not caring about the gun in Minseok’s hands.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you cuss this much.”

I scoff, “I’ve never had to talk you out of killing someone. What happened to talking about this?”

“Disobedience is punishable by death,” Minseok informs me. “This is how I run my business. Just like those boys who hurt you, they disobeyed, they died. Now the same goes for Chanyeol.”

“Shooting a group of down and going against orders to bring me to the police station are two very different things!”

“You don’t understand, my love.”

“Than explain it to me because unless someone is holding me down kicking and screaming, I am not letting you hurt him.”

For the first time since I’ve met him, Minseok looks frustrated, “He put you in the spotlight. The police know about you now. They are going to watch you like a freaking hawk from now, they will try to use you against me or even try to turn you against me. And who knows who will find out about you after that, other gangs, our enemies, anyone and everyone who is not on my side will try to come after you. Because of him!”

I step closer to him, “Than you’ll protect me. I’m not scared of the police. I am afraid of loosing you. And of loosing Chanyeol, and Kyungsoo and the other friends I made because of you.”

“Since I did a great job of protecting you last time. You have a hole in your leg.”

“I mean, I’m still here, aren’t I? I would say you did a pretty good job.” I give him a hopeful smile.

He sighs, “But he didn’t listen to me. He had orders.”

“As I said before, fuck his orders! Do you think his orders could have stopped me from doing whatever I wanted to do? No! He offered me all the money in your office and ride to the airport because that’s what you ordered him to do. He followed his orders as far as I’m concerned. That is unless you were expecting him to take me there kicking and screaming?”

“No, of course not.”

“Than I don’t see what the problem is,” With one last step we are standing toe to toe.

His hand comes up and cups my face, his thump gently caressing my cheek, “The problem is I’m scared. I haven’t been afraid of anything since I was a child and now I have this overbearing fear that something is going to happen to you or you are going to leave me. I can’t handle that. You ran away from me and I just felt so much emotion that I lashed out. I was heartbroken. And I understand why you left, I don’t blame you, but I do blame him for bring you back into it.”

“I didn’t runaway, well not really, I just needed time to think everything over. If I wanted to leave, I wouldn’t be here now, I wouldn’t have gone to our home and crawled in our bed, I would have ran with just the clothes on my back. But I didn’t because I love you.”

As if a giant weight has been lifted off his shoulders, he lets out a sigh and smiles, “I love you too.” He drops the gun and fully takes me in his embrace, his one hand guides my face to his into a much needed kiss. All of my anxiety disappears as our bodies press together, fitting like jigsaw pieces.

Someone clearing their throat brings us back to reality and the crowd that has gathered around the room. I glance around to realize all 10 of Minseok’s other friends have joined us, I bury my face in my love’s neck to hide my blush, laughing awkwardly.

“So from the look on Hyung’s face I take it she talked him out of killing you,” Baekhyun screeches cheerfully from behind me. I pull away to look at him and Chanyeol, both staring up at us hopefully.

I look back at Minseok with my brows raised, “Yes.”

“Yes,” Minseok agrees with a sigh. “But only because you made the decision. If he ever tries to pull the same shit with the club again, I won’t be as forgiving, everyone understand?”

“Yes, sir!” The room responds before rushing over to Chanyeol to hug him tightly. I pull away from Minseok to join the line, excited when it is my turn to hug the giant.

He beams at me, “Thanks Soo.”

“I figured it’s the least I could do, I mean without me, how would you survive?”

“I wouldn’t. Now, as much as I would love to give you a big hug, I just barely escaped death row. Lets not test Hyung’s patience,” The whole group looks over at Minseok who is eyeing the lot of us suspiciously.

“Good call.”

……….

Six months later

“This is a joke right?” Minseok snickers over us, glaring down at the half a dozen of us sitting around the living room table. We all freeze, our eyes wide both surprised and doing our best to look innocent. “I believe there is meeting in ten minutes with the group from Japan at our building ten minutes away. Why are you all in my home?”

“I believe the real question is, why are you home?” Kris is the only one brave enough to point out. And he earns a solid kick in the ass from the smaller man for opening his mouth.

“Because I am the boss and can delegate my work to my underlings, which is why Luhan, Yixing, and Suho are there. You are all supposed to be there as well for back up, not playing games in my house with my fiancée.”

Baekhyun does his best to suppress a smile as he mumbles, “He’s just mad cause he wanted to come home and play with her.”

“Fucking out!”

I sit down on the couch, dying of laughter as Minseok pulls a gun on the lot of them to shoo them out of our home. They all throw their cards in their rush, Kyungsoo almost in tears, I’m sure he had a good hand for once. Sehun and Kai’s long limbs are stumbling over one another’s but they finally make it out the door with Kris, Jongdae, and Kyungsoo on their tails.

“See you late Soo!” Chanyeol yells over his shoulder as he also makes it out the door.

“Baekhyun!” I call as the man reaches the threshold. A small black pistol is lying where he sat moments ago, I pick the hunk of metal up with my long shirt sleeve and rush it to him.

“I don’t have germs,” He teases.

“I don’t need my finger prints on that thing for as often as you loose it. Who knows what kinds of crimes it could be linked to.”

“Even I don’t know how much blood is on that gun, lets keep it that way,” Minseok interrupts us by slamming the door in the others face. He sighs, “Just one day, I would like just one day to not see those assholes. If they aren’t bothering you, they are bothering me. They need lives.”

I chuckle as I drag him back into the living room, “You love those assholes.”

“I do, but I would rather come home to just you, hopefully you’d be wearing something sexier than your work uniform, not that you don’t look beautiful,” He looks down, giving me an appreciative grin.

“Well, since I picked up that lunch shift today I have all of tomorrow off. So how about we redo this? You go pretend to come home again and I’ll put something a bit more comfortable on?”

His grin widens, “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

[nikki-fucking-sixx]

Together Without You: Chapter Five

You sigh as you stare at yourself in the mirror. The girl staring back at you resembles your facial features, but the body has changed. You turn so you’re facing it head-on so that your bump doesn’t seem visible at all. You look like the old you. You turn to the right and see the bump. It is slight, you have only been pregnant for a short time but it is definitely there. You put your hands on it, hoping maybe you’ll feel something, any kind of reference to the fact that there is a life inside of you. You wait. You know it is illogical as the baby is a sack of cells right now, but you want something to happen. As you thought, nothing happened. 

You turn away from the mirror and throw on a black shirt. It used to fit you perfectly, but now there was a tightness around the stomach that looked like you ate a bit too much at breakfast. Now it was time for the true test, the pants. You stare at the pair of jeans on your bed, ready to play this cruel game. You take them in your hands and examine them, like you had never seen such material before. You put one foot in the first leg and the second in the other before pulling up the jeans. They slid on like normal. You felt yourself smile. You face the mirror again to see that you still have not zippered and buttoned them. 

Shit.

You take a deep breath in and pull in your stomach. The button clasps. You then quickly pull up the zipper. You managed to get dressed for work. It only took you twenty minutes rather than the two minutes it usually took you. You grab your keys as you walk out of your apartment and make your way to the car. As you get in, you look at yourself in the rearview mirror to see a makeup-free face. You scowl and turn away. Today was the day you were supposed to have your doctors appointment with Nikki and you wanted to at least look presentable. Now you just looked like some fat zombie. Great. You grab your jean jacket from the back and throw it on, hoping it will hide some of the exposed bump.

You make it to work a few minutes late, something rare for you. Then again, it is a Saturday at 8:00 am, so it should be pretty empty. You walk in to see Gus, the line cook, and Ron, the dishwasher, looking absentmindedly at the small TV in the corner playing some news show. You smile at Gus before grabbing your apron and walking into the dining room. There were two parties there and an empty parking lot, perfect. 

“Hey, where have you been?” You turn around to see the only other waitress working this shift, Lisa. 

“I’m so sorry I’m late, my alarm didn’t go off.” That’s a lie.

“Ok,” She didn’t care, “It’s been empty so far,” And at that she wanders over to the bar. You grab your apron from the host stand before following her. She grabs the whiskey from the bar and pops it open before pouring herself a glass.

“Starting early today?” You joke, cracking a smile.

“I’m here, I have to if I want to get through this shift.” She pours a large glass and takes a big swig. “Do you want a sip?” 

You immediately shake your head, “No, I don’t like whiskey,” That was also a lie.

“Whatever,” And at that, she has her lips back on the glass. “So, I heard some gossip the other day.” 

“What gossip?”

“That you slept with a rockstar,” You feel your bones freeze under your skin.

“Excuse me?” You wanted to keep some composure.

“Gus told me,” She takes another sip, “You and Nikki fucking Sixx were yelling at each other about some shit. He said it sounded intense.” 

“That doesn’t mean we slept together.” 

“Then why would you be yelling at each other?” She stares you down.

“There are plenty of reasons why we would be yelling at each other,” You refute, “He’s an asshole anyway.” 

“Well, it just sounds-” And at that you saw Gus stick his head out the door.

“(Y/N), could I see you in the back?” You don’t mean to but you speed into the kitchen. Gus is back behind the grill, hiding, as he can see the anger in your eyes.

“What the fuck Gus!” You storm over to him.

“What?” He plays dumb.

“Why’d you tell Lisa about Nikki?” You feel your voice rising, “I told you that in confidence.”

He looks flustered, “She was badgering me about it. She saw him and the band walk in and heard you two screaming at each other and she knows we’re friends so-”

“What did you tell her!” You shout. 

“Nothing.” He says meekly, “Believe me, I said nothing.”

“You know what,” You lower your voice, “It’s fine, if you didn’ give her any details, we’re fine.” At that, you turn to what is cooking on the stove. It was probably one of the least inspired looking eggs you have ever seen. Gus could tell what you were thinking.

“They said they wanted an omelet if you want to talk to the reigns.” He smiles at you and you smile back. This was his apology and you gladly accepted. He knew that cooking brought you joy. Being able to eat something that you made that was also delicious was a great feeling. You brought the eggs out to the table and watched from afar as the older woman looked pleased with her meal. You felt much better, maybe even ready for the doctor’s appointment. 

Before long, it was 3:00 and your shift was done. Your appointment was at 3:30 and at the doctor’s office down the street. You get there at 3:15 and sit in the waiting room, watching all the other women in the room stare at you. Well, not just the women, but the women and their husbands. Every woman came accompanied by a man with a ring on his finger. And here you were, an unwed mother without her rockstar one-night stand. You looked at your watch, 3:20, he still had time. The next ten minutes went by quickly and still no Nikki. You feel your legs shaking as the nurse comes in and calls out your name. You get up and follow her to the examination room. You lay down on the cot and the nurse asks you routine questions, name, birthday etc. You answer her questions lazily, staring at the clock. 3:37, where the fuck was he? The nurse noticed your anticipation and gave you a warm smile.

“Expecting someone?” You give her a light smile.

“Yeah,” She gets up and grabs her clipboard. 

“You know how men are, they wait until the last minute to leave and expect the show to wait for them,” She pushes a strand of grey hair behind her ear, “He’ll be here soon honey, don’t worry.” Her words soothed you and she left. Now it was just you, wondering when he would get there. When you hear the door open five minutes later, you expect to see the big-haired rocker walkthrough but instead, it was just your doctor. 

“Nice to see you Mrs. (Y/L/N)-”

“It’s actually just Ms.” You can’t help but interrupt.

“Sorry, Ms. (Y/L/N). Are you here alone?” You give a tight-lipped smile, about to answer when you see Nikki finally run into the room. 

“No, she’s here with me.” He looks flustered, his face losing the sense of mystery that it tends to have. You maintain your composure although it is taking every muscle in your body not to punch him.

“Ok, and what’s your name, sir?”

“Nikki,” The doctor looks down at his clipboard and writes it down. 

“And you’re the presumed father?” You did not like his wording.

“Yes.” He steps over to your side. You can’t even look at him. 

“Well, you’re just in time Nikki because we’re going to check up on your baby.” You felt your nerves begin to set in again. This was your first time seeing your child. The child you don’t really want but the child you will have. You feel Nikki staring at you but you don’t look at him. You hear the doctor saying medical jargon as he spreads some goo on your abdomen. Everything he says goes over your head. All you can think about was how late Nikki was. What the fuck was he even doing? Is this going to be a trend? Will he miss the baby’s birth? Your mind was racing, thinking of every terrible way Nikki could wrong you when suddenly you heard a beat. It was strong and steady and it rang throughout the room. You look up, confused.

“What is that?”

“Your baby’s heartbeat.” And in that moment, everything faded away. It was your baby. And they had a heartbeat. No sound had ever sounded so beautiful before. You finally look at Nikki and he is staring at you. You cannot help but stare back up at him. You didn’t look at him with anger, but rather with something you couldn’t quite distinguish. You then feel his fingertips touch the palm of your hand. You don’t pull away but instead let his fingers travel to where yours are and let him entwine them together. It was so simple but it was perfect. In that moment it was just the three of you. You felt peace. This did not last too long as the doctor lets out a cough. You look over at him.

“Would you like to see the sonogram?” You nod and at that, the screen to the right of you turns on to reveal a black mass. It really did not look like anything to you until the image focused on a small pea. Or a bean. Or maybe it was a dust bunny. Regardless, there they were. “The baby appears to be healthy. You appear to be eight weeks along so still in your first trimester.”

“Is it a boy or a girl?” Nikki uncharacteristically blurts out. 

“It’s too soon to tell. That’s for the 16-week appointment.” Nikki nods, you catch something on his face, disappointment maybe. You all discuss the future appointment before the doctor leaves and it is just you and Nikki. As the door closes, you remember what he did.

“Where the hell were you?” 

“Rehearsal ran longer than I thought it would and-” 

“That’s not an excuse.” You say curtly, and he knows you’re right.

“I know.” And at that, the conversation was over. Something about him feels different today and you could not help but stare. When he looked back at you, you looked away. 

“You could come to a rehearsal at some point if you want to hear what’s going on.” You pause. Maybe it was good to see what your baby daddy was doing.

“Ok.” He smirks.

“We’re meeting tomorrow around 4:00, I’ll pick you up.”

“I can’t wait.” You let it slip out before you can block the words. You flush and begin to readjust yourself. 

“I won’t be late this time,” You look up, “I promise.”

[joemuggs]

Pirate Material: Still Original

Saw some discussion of The Streets’s early work, and went to see if this article was still online - it’s not because the Vice brand partnership vertical (I’m sorry) that it was originally written for is gone. So here you go again!

I don't hold with the insidious theory that making brilliant art is a young man's game – or, in the words of Sickboy in Trainspotting, that “you have it, then you lose it”. It's a trope that's been with us since the beginning of rock'n'roll, dammit since the romantic poets, that idea that inspiration is intrinsically tied up with the energy of youth, that great works come like a bolt from the blue and artists are best off dying young1 rather than chasing round in ever-decreasing circles trying to relight your creative fire the rest of your sorry life. But it's clearly rubbish, a denial of craft and labour, put about by fantasists and advertisers and used as justification by those with a vested interest in keeping us emotionally immature and by the worst kind of poseurs for their ghastly Peter Pan antics.

Every so often, though, something I see or hear will make me think again – will make me have a flickering moment of belief in the essential white light of youthful creativity. And 'Original Pirate Material' is one of those things. I mean, have you heard it recently? Really heard it? Played it loud from the beginning, given it your full attention, let that utterly insane opening salvo of 'Turn the Page', 'Has it Come to This' and 'Let's Push Things Forward' work their magic on you? It's arm-hair raising stuff, it really is. The false hierarchies and dreary consensus of best-ever lists is another of those things I don't hold with, but yeah this really, really deserved to be on all those best-of-the-2000s lists, and I will gladly fight its corner against the Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee, Radiohead, Outkast, whatever you care to bring in fact.

Like almost all the best music, I didn't really get it at first. It was tinny-sounding and clattery, where I was used to dance music's oomph; I couldn't work out what Skinner's roaming accent was getting at as he slipped and slid across the rhythms, in and out of ordinary conversational cadence, lurching from sublime to ridiculous within single phrases. It was intriguing right enough, but it was impossible to shake the idea that it was all a bit contrived, an indie-weakened version of soundsystem/MC culture, or even more naggingly the idea that it was a wind-up, that this music was taking the piss out of all of us. Lines nicked from 'Gladiator' and talk about his Reeboks? Be serious. And then I had the epiphany.

The scene couldn't have been set better, really. I was out in Amsterdam for eight days on my first ever magazine feature assignment – to cover a conference on Amazon shamanic practice AND a High Times convention. I'd been hanging out with psychonauts, ravers, witch doctors2 and Dutch farmers, and experienced the best that ancient cultures and modern science had to offer; I was in a terrific mood as I was finally doing the job I'd always wanted to, and had been able to utter the immortal phrase “can I claim my ritual on expenses3, please?” on the phone to the Face magazine office. So when someone mentioned “that new band The Streets are playing the Melkweg” I was pretty much up for it.

The DJ beforehand, a Dutchman called Big Head, was playing what was generally known as “breakstep”, a kind of funky uncle to dubstep, and I liked it so much I bought his mix CD4. The Streets were very late coming on, but the crowd were raving and so was I, so who cared? When they did crash onto the stage, though, Skinner immediately and repeatedly asking the crowd if anyone had any cocaine, it was a glorious disruption of the groove, their sound spiky and awkward, and from the beginning I loved it. I don't remember a lot about the band except there was an ex-member of the Senseless Things5 on bass, and that Skinner and his co-vocalist spent a lot of the set pushing, shoving and trying to trip one another up.

And that's when it clicked into place: yes, this was a piss-take, but it was a deadly serious piss-take. This child-like 24-year-old was not just meandering between voices, themes and levels of seriousness, he was embodying every single one of them. He was a shaman too6. What was chaos and what was control became impossible to discern7. The only time I could remember seeing elemental clowning like this before on a stage was the Happy Mondays back in 1990, but I also recognised the spirit of so many loony rave urchins I'd been bamboozled and bantered at and had lighters stolen by over the years8, the never-ending babble of these Shakespearean monkeys, possessed by the endless power of the English language to spin out shaggy dog stories, to make jokes of the most serious matters and suddenly turn jokes deathly serious. The films that were projected as back stories to each of the tracks matched the quotidian urban subject matter of those songs – but they, like the lyrics and the music, revealed something so much more primal beneath. And still you could dance, laugh, drink and carouse to it.

Which is why, when I listen to 'Original Pirate Material' now, I don't hear “bloke poetry” or grittiness or mundanity or social realism any of those other things that are inevitably reeled out. I hear constant windows in to the most profound and abstracted of human instincts and experiences: vertigo, jealousy, transition, glory, loss, innocence and so much more. Just listen to the sudden swerves from domestic detail to dizzying generality in 'It's Too Late' or the affirmation and melancholy in 'Weak Become Heroes': these are about so, so much more than losing a girl or doing a pill9. They're about being human. Only years later did I start realising that Skinner was writing in a great English language tradition going a millennium back to Beowulf and taking in Sterne, Carroll, Lear, Pound, Spike Milligan, Ivor Cutler, Mark E Smith and Roots Manuva10, gibbering gobshites and bullshit artists, holy fools who could skip wildly into parts of our psyches where angels fear to tread.

He could never top this, could he? None of this is to dismiss Skinner's later work – he has on occasion made some glorious music and told some great tales since, and especially on 'Computers and Blues' when he turned full circle back to some of his early themes and freeform lyricism he showed he was tapped into the same wellspring – but 'Original Pirate Material' had it all. Everything afterwards, whether it's his narratives of modern life and celebrity, or his more philosophical turns, couldn't help but be self-conscious, trying to impose more structure onto what he had already expressed so perfectly in its rants, sketches, jokes and asides. This isn't about drugs, it's not about  “authenticity”11, and it's not really about youth as such – others have tapped into this very British, very mongrel method of accessing the ways of the human mind from very different places and perspectives – but for Skinner it was all tied into a particular openness to everything that comes with being a hungry young man with his eyes (very) wide open.

--

1 See the infamous “27 Club”, much discussed when Amy Winehouse carked it, and so called because it's the number of times anyone who takes it seriously deserves to have their face walloped with a cricket bat.

2 To be precise, a shaman from the Shuar tribe of Ecuador who played the Jew's harp.

3 Yes, bloggers, these were the days when journalists got paid expenses. They were decadent times, the early 00s.

4 In fact it is sitting on my desk right now, and it still sounds good.

5 You think nonsense genre names like “Post Dubstep” or indeed “Breakstep” are silly? Back in the 90s, The Senseless things were lumped, along with Mega City 4 and Silverfish into a genre called Fraggle Rock. Seriously.

6 No Jew's harp though, just a microphone.

7 You want to know how giddy with the brilliance of it all I was feeling at that moment? My brain flashed up the image of Stockard Channing going “chaos... control... chaos... control... you like?” to Will Smith as Donald Sutherland spun a double-sided Kandinsky in 'Six Degress of Separation'. And what? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjwiachXkjc

8 One routine about fake vs real Nike caps that managed to weave in and out of between-song patter for almost the entire set was such archetypal rave bollocks that you'd swear you'd heard it before from someone who was about to do you out of a tenner at some party on a hillside.

9 They're about those things too, though.

10 Peter Ackroyd's 'Albion: the Origins of the English Imagination' is the book you need on this topic, although admittedly he doesn't get right the way through to Roots Manuva.

11 There's no such thing.

[publiusvirgilius]

Guilt by association - Chapter 3: Chilling Developments

Aaron Hotchner x OC

warnings: stressed-out oc

word count: 2.5K

summary: the end of term is near, but it seems Ida will have more to worry about than just turning in papers.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

December arrived without fanfare, bringing chilly gusts and freezing rain that slowly overwhelmed the once sunny days.

I had gotten through most of the parent conferences, fully accepting the chaotic schedule that now ruled my life. I only had a couple of conferences left, and with winter break just a little over a week away, I was more than ready to step away from my kindergarteners for a while and focus on my own classes.

As I sat in the classroom at the end of the school day—Brad left before me these days since the study was coming to a close—I opened my overfilled online planner again. I checked it and updated it obsessively. I knew myself too well to allow myself to lose track of appointments, and I couldn't afford to miss any advisor meetings or grant proposal hearings, much less be late to them.

I had my second-to-last parent conference in half an hour:

Wednesday, 12/8  3:30 p.m. Meeting with Anna's parents — Marc Orly and Fiona Orly

And then the next day:

Thursday, 12/9  7:00 p.m. Meeting with Jack's parent — Aaron Hotchner

We were supposed to have met a week ago, but unsurprisingly, Hotchner had rescheduled.

I decided to call him to make sure that he still knew about the conference. Not because I hadn't seen him in three weeks and wanted hear his voice.

"Hello?" His tone was impatient, as if I had just interrupted something.

"Hi, Mr. Hotchner," I spoke in what I hoped was a friendly but efficient tone. "I wanted to call to confirm our conference for tomorrow at seven p.m."

"I'm going to have to reschedule, Ms. Nott," he said without missing a beat.

Again? Should've figured.

"Mr. Hotchner, the end of the term is next week, and we really would like to—"

"I will contact you tomorrow to confirm when I will be available, but right now I have urgent matters to attend to." His voice sounded strained, as if he were under duress. Then he hung up, without even a good-bye.

Is he serious? In the three months I had known Jack's dad, I had never known him to be rude.

By eleven p.m. the next day, I still hadn't heard from Hotchner. Brad would be furious. Parent-teacher conferences were not just for updating the parents about their children's educational development, but they were an opportunity to gauge the relationship between the child and parent by evaluating how they responded to hearing about their children's progress.

On my way to school the next morning, I decided to call him myself. The first time, the line rang until I got to voicemail. The second time, however, he picked up after the first ring.

But no sound came out of the other end.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

Still no answer.

"Hello? Mr. Hotchner?"

What game is he playing?

"Mr. Hotchner, are you there?"

Finally, someone spoke. However, it was not Hotchner's voice on the other line. It was the voice of a younger man, and his tone was cold, laced with a raspy edge that made me shiver.

"Agent Hotchner is unable to come to the phone. And you'll never talk to him again, unless you give me what I want," said the chilling voice.

I froze in the middle of the street. Who is this? Is Hotchner in trouble?

Before I could respond, the speaker hung up, and I remained glued to my spot, unable to move.

What is going on? Is this a joke?

The entire day, I was on edge. I couldn't get that cold voice out of my head.

During recess, I was on duty, and I took the time to gather my thoughts. Jack was at school today, so whatever had happened to Hotchner, his son was safe.

But who had gotten him ready for school? He had been on time today, like always, and nothing had seemed out of the ordinary about his behavior. If I hadn't called Hotchner that morning, I never would have known that anything was out of the ordinary.

The playground looked the same as always. The ground was slightly blanched and damp from the remnants of morning frost. The kids, their noses pink from the chilly air, ran and ducked under the slides and around the bare bushes. From my usual spot under the tree near the building I had a view of the whole playground and the parking lot beyond it, and my gaze fell into the familiar pattern of tracing the students' movements across the yard.

Then, something appeared in the corner of my vision. Something out of place. A large black SUV pulled into the parking lot and skidded to a jolting halt just behind the playground fence, and a large man exited the car as soon as he had parked haphazardly across the asphalt.

Parents generally signed in at the front office before visiting during the school day. This back parking lot was for buses and pick-up only. I called to the other teacher on recess duty to let her know I would go talk to the man.

Huh. I don't recognize him. He must be the parent of a student in another class.

At least, I hoped he was a parent. The man was intimidating to say the least. His biceps bulged out from under his dark gray shirt with the edge of a large tattoo peeking out from under his left sleeve, and his shaved head emphasized his dark, menacing brows.

"Hi, can I help you?"

The man flashed me a badge. "Ida Nott? I'm Derek Morgan with the FBI. I need you and Jack to come with me."

"What's going on? Is Mr. Hotchner okay?" My head started to spin. The handle of the man's gun glinted even in the scarce sunlight.

"We'll explain everything later. But right now, I need you and Jack to get in the car."

Still not quite processing, I handed over my shift to the other teacher and called Jack. He bounded over with his usual quiet cheerfulness.

"Hi Derek!" the boy said.

"Hey little man," Derek smiled. "We're gonna take you and Ms. Nott to your dad's office, alright?"

"Okay."

Jack was calm as ever during the ride to Quantico. He must be used to it.

About half an hour later, I found myself sitting in what felt like a conference room with a cup of coffee warming my hands. A few minutes later, a tall man in a sweater vest came in to lead Jack out of the room, giving me a tentative wave. Derek came in shortly after, seating himself directly across from me.

"Ida, we think you're the last person who spoke to our unit chief Aaron Hotchner."

The blood drained from my face. "What do you mean? What's happened to Jack's dad?"

"We traced his cell phone activity, and it looks like the last time his phone was active, he was on a call with you."

Oh no. I should have known something was wrong when he didn't pick up. My skin prickled, anxiety crawling up the back of my neck.

"What's wrong, Ida?"

"I—," I stammered, then gulped down a sip of coffee to ground myself. "When I called Mr. Hotchner this morning, he didn't pick up, which I thought was just him being rude, considering how he hung up on me last night—we've been trying to find a time for a parent conference before the end of the term. But when I tried him again right after, someone else picked up."

I shivered, remembering the strange man's voice. "It wasn't anyone I recognized. His voice was... cold," I said, for lack of a better adjective.

"You're sure it was a man?"

I nodded.

"Do you remember what he said?" he asked.

So it wasn't a joke. "Um," I started, my voice beginning to shake. "He said I'd never talk to Hotchner again unless he got what he wanted."

This was bad. I felt sick at the thought of Hotchner in danger. What would happen to Jack? Was he safe? Was I safe?

"Ida, I need you right here," Derek said firmly, gripping my arm to steady my nervousness. His hands were strong, and I caught a faint whiff of patchouli and orange spice, and suddenly I found myself longing for the more familiar scent of nutmeg and pine—Aaron Hotchner.

When I had imagined myself at the FBI headquarters—and I had imagined it, more times than I'd like to admit—it was always with Hotchner. But today, when I finally found myself at the Bureau, it was under hardly favorable circumstances. For all I knew, Hotchner was missing, or worse, dead, and the last thoughts I had associated with him were only negative ones.

Derek's grip on my arm tightened, bringing me back to the present.

"Think back to the call. Could you hear anything to identify where he might have been calling from?"

"I don't know," I said meekly.

The tall, weedy-looking boy peeked his head into the room again.

"We got the recording," he said. Then turning to me, he added, "You can come with us, if you'd like."

I was led down the hall and into an open work area filled with desks and monitors. where I saw several agents gathered around one monitor—seated in front of the computer was an oddly dressed blonde woman. She wore a brightly patterned dress with a matching pink satin headband, her hair teased out in an '80s style pouf, with sky-high pink stilettos with what I could only describe as furry pom-poms attached at the heel.

"Oh, hello! You look young for a teacher," she said in a bright, friendly voice.

Derek pointed out each of the agents who were now staring up at me with piercing eyes that looked as if they were taking apart each microexpression on my face.

"Ida, these are Agents Garcia, Prentiss, Jareau, and Dr. Reid, who I think you've already met," he said.

Garcia pressed play on the recording, and for some reason I hadn't expected to hear my own voice as well.

"Hello? Hello, Mr. Hotchner? Mr. Hotchner, are you there?

Agent Hotchner is unable to come to the phone. And you'll never talk to him again, unless you give me what I want."

I hadn't realized I sounded so... timid. Had I known something was wrong before even hearing the man on the other line? Or was I just that afraid of provoking Hotchner? Through the recording I was able to hear the sharp intake of my breath in response to the man's words, which I didn't even know I had made in that moment.

The agents began to discuss the implications of the man's message, taking apart the lexical nuances and unconscious stress syllables, but I hardly heard any of it. It was hard to think of Aaron Hotchner as missing. He was so solid, immutable, not just physically, but in all aspects. I suddenly remembered our conversation from two nights ago.

"I spoke to him two days ago," I spoke up. "I didn't notice it then, but he sounded sort of strange."

The agents thought this worth tracing as well, and soon they pulled up the recording of what was possibly the last conversation I had ever had with Hotchner.

Something about my face must have given away the fact that I was on the verge of hyperventilating, because one of the agents—Jareau? I think?—came to my side with a concerned expression.

"Ida? Would you like some more coffee?" she asked.

I nodded, grateful for the offer of escape. "That would be great, thank you."

Once she led me back to the conference room, I could somewhat relax. This agent seemed to be the only one who wasn't trying to peer into my mind each time I caught her gaze.

"Agent Jareau, was it?"

"You can call me JJ," she smiled.

"Can you tell me what's going on? What's happened to Hotchner?"

Her large blue eyes looked troubled. "We can't really say. Right now, we know just about as much as you do, which is why we were hoping to get your help. What I can tell you is, we're doing everything we can to bring him back."

"What about Jack? What are we supposed to tell him?" I asked.

"Jack's a tough kid. This isn't the first time his dad has been in danger. He'll be just fine."

Look at me, less emotionally stable than a five year old.

When JJ spoke again, there was that look of searching in her eyes that I had noticed in the other agents. "Ida, can you tell me the relationship between you and Aaron Hotchner?"

"We don't really have a— a relationship," I stammered. "I mean, he's visited my apartment but that's not what it sounds like... I might have had a crush on him at some point, but..."

The agent smiled, a charming, genuine smile. "I just meant professionally," she said. "If you could tell me more about your job and your role in Jack's life."

"Oh," I said, embarrassed, then began to explain quickly. "I'm a graduate student at the School of Education and Human Development at George Washington University. A part of my research is studying the behavioral development of children aged five to seven, so my advisor thought the best place for me to do that would be as an elementary school teacher."

"And what is your relationship with your students' parents like?"

"They know that they're a part of the study, and they also know that their kids' education will always come first, and that the study is secondary. We do keep files of all the parents in addition to the kids because we have to take all variables into account."

JJ seemed troubled by this, but quickly hid her frown. "You've already helped us a lot, Ida. Agent Prentiss and Agent Reid are going to head to your school to interview some of the other teachers, but we think it best that you stay here for now."

"Agent, it's still the middle of the school day. I need to get back." Brad was on my back as it was, and I couldn't afford to miss a day of school, especially with my research grant on the line.

"Seeing as you've had contact with a potential suspect, we believe it would be safest for you to stay away from your usually frequented locations, including your home."

"I can't even go home?"

JJ's tone was sympathetic but firm. "If we want to find out where Agent Hotchner is, we can't have you becoming the next victim."

So Hotchner really was missing. I couldn't help but feel that it was my fault. If I had just called him sooner, or if I had been mature enough to go talk to him after the apartment fiasco... It was hard to imagine Hotchner, the big, strong agent, Jack's superhero, losing control, or even, losing at all.

Does he know where he is? Is he in pain? Is he unconscious? Or awake, thinking of his son?

And even though I had no right to, my heart ached for Aaron Hotchner.

[f4liveblogarchives]

Fantastic Four Vol 1 #236

Mon May 04 2020 [08:31 PM] Wack'd: IT'S A MILESTONE!

[08:32 PM] maxwellelvis: A triple-sized issue, eh? [08:33 PM] Wack'd: All your favorite Fantastic Four characters are here! Wyatt! Norrin! Agatha! Franklin! Namor! Willie! Impy! T'Challa! And, uh. I guess some other folks? [08:33 PM] maxwellelvis: I'm going to guess that's a double-sized Byrne story and then a regular-sized one by Stan and Jack. [08:33 PM] Bocaj: Ah yes captain america and reed richards in one place at one time in a time and place that isn't the ill received special avengers 300 roster [08:33 PM] maxwellelvis: That's the rest of the Marvel Universe heroes here to party. [08:33 PM] Wack'd: Yes. [08:33 PM] Wack'd: Why isn't Alicia on this cover. [08:34 PM] Wack'd: Or, like, any number of Fantastic Four repository players. [08:34 PM] maxwellelvis: Had to make room for Stan Lee. [08:34 PM] Wack'd: Also who's that guy in the suit? Is that...Collins, maybe? [08:35 PM] maxwellelvis: I just told you. [08:35 PM] Wack'd: Oh [08:35 PM] Wack'd: ...where's Jack? [08:35 PM] maxwellelvis: Either he's on the back or John Byrne knows which side his bread is buttered on. [08:36 PM] Bocaj: maybe he's behind the special triple sized sticker [08:36 PM] Bocaj: Like he got Mike Wachowski'd [08:36 PM] Wack'd:

Clint: I can't believe it... Wanda: Oh, Clint, I'm so sorry... Clint: I'M ON THE COVER OF *FANTASTIC FOUR*!

[08:36 PM] maxwellelvis: 🤣 [08:37 PM] Wack'd: Can't believe Bocaj beat me to essentially this same joke [08:37 PM] Bocaj: My secret is that I didn't bother putting in extra effort [08:39 PM] Wack'd: Anyway, let's start our first story, shall we? [08:39 PM] maxwellelvis: Indeed. [08:40 PM] Wack'd: Oh good, we're doin this

[08:40 PM] Wack'd: I think this is our first real, proper origin retelling. We got one in the late 70s but it was less a retcon and more "this is a recap issue, please don't kill us if we fudged some details" [08:40 PM] Umbramatic: welp [08:42 PM] Wack'd: I guess instead of "first to the moon" it was "make it further into space than anyone else"

[08:42 PM] Bocaj: Time keeps on slipping, slipping into the future [08:42 PM] Umbramatic: what is time [08:42 PM] Bocaj: I know that the Slott FF has the idea instead that the rocket was FTL and they were trying to get to a specific planet, which turns out to be full of assholes [08:44 PM] Wack'd: So here's egg on my face [08:44 PM] Wack'd: The dialogue from this scene is taken note-for-not from #1 [08:44 PM] Wack'd: This isn't actually retconning anything at all, except for that one narrative caption [08:45 PM] Wack'd: Oh, and the addition of some jargon

[08:47 PM] Umbramatic: CAPTAIN SPACE ICEBERG AHEAD [08:47 PM] Wack'd:

[08:49 PM] Umbramatic: this is intense [08:49 PM] maxwellelvis: Both version are pretty intense. [08:49 PM] maxwellelvis: I'm noticing the dialogue's been slightly rewritten on the new version. [08:50 PM] Wack'd: Very slightly, mostly just to add technical terms you'd expect a rocket crew to be using [08:50 PM] Umbramatic: aha [08:50 PM] Wack'd: All of the original lines are still there, though [08:50 PM] maxwellelvis: And to keep Ben's manner of speech more consistent [08:51 PM] Wack'd: Punctuation is a bit different [08:52 PM] Wack'd: OH SHIT, WE'RE DOIN' THIS

[08:53 PM] Umbramatic: oh. OH [08:55 PM] Wack'd: In this reality, Reed's a college professor, Sue's a housewife, and Ben and Alicia are married and running a tavern. All in a little town creatively named Liddleville. [08:55 PM] Bocaj: Our Town Founders made a decision there [08:55 PM] Wack'd: Our Town Founder is Josiah Liddle [08:56 PM] Bocaj: Lets cut the head off his statue [08:56 PM] Bocaj: Like in the Jetsons [08:56 PM] Wack'd: Oh, also, Alicia can see in this reality. Alicia offhandedly mentioning she saw something makes Ben real happy and he has no idea why [08:57 PM] Bocaj: Hmm. [08:57 PM] Wack'd: But I do! It's this creepy fucker

[08:57 PM] Umbramatic: oh boy! oh BOY! [08:58 PM] maxwellelvis: We're actually doing the "Perchance to Dream" thing, aren't we? [08:58 PM] maxwellelvis: Is THIS where B:TAS got that idea from? [08:59 PM] Wack'd: Pretty sure they stole it from For the Man Who Has Everything [08:59 PM] Wack'd: Which incidentally won't exist for another three or four years [08:59 PM] maxwellelvis: Wild how time works [09:00 PM] Wack'd: Another dream sequence, this time for Sue! And with much more dramatic changes [09:01 PM] Wack'd: This time, Ben's complaints about safety concerns are much more substantial, and Sue's accusation that Ben is a coward is more to do with time and money running out to do this experiment and less to do with, uh [09:01 PM] Wack'd: Commies [09:03 PM] Umbramatic: "I'm going to the one place free from capitalism... SPACE" [09:03 PM] Wack'd: Also this happens

[09:03 PM] Umbramatic: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH [09:04 PM] maxwellelvis: It's a nice touch that in those first two panels, the Thing is more leathery, like he was in the early comics, and it's only when Reed starts stretching that he looks more rock-like [09:04 PM] Wack'd: Yeah, I liked that too [09:05 PM] Umbramatic: oooh [09:05 PM] Wack'd: So Reed, Johnny, and Ben meet up at Ben's tavern to discuss these dreams, and whaddayknow, they've all been having them [09:06 PM] Wack'd: Tragically, Ben's dreams give him super-strength, but no rock skin. Dream!Ben is scared to ask Alicia to marry him--but he doesn't know why. [09:08 PM] Wack'd: Reed then goes to work, where he's having problems with his dickhead boss.

[09:09 PM] Wack'd: Reed decides to try and work out what's up with these dreams, dozes off, bonks his head, and realizes when he wakes up that he is actually a superhero, and the Puppet Master is responsible for all this. [09:10 PM] Umbramatic: wha [09:11 PM] Wack'd: Reed, trying to figure out why he doesn't have stretching powers, makes the very smart and scientifically motivated decision to stab himself in a vein and bleed out in his office. [09:12 PM] Umbramatic: oh [09:12 PM] Umbramatic: i diagnose you with dead [09:13 PM] Wack'd: It's okay though! Turns out he's a robot and the blood is all fake. So are the bodies of Ben, Sue, Johnny, Alicia and Franklin. [09:13 PM] Umbramatic: ...IS DOOM IN ON THIS TOO?! [09:13 PM] Wack'd: It takes Reed no time at all to convince his friends and family of this and go confront Phillip. [09:14 PM] Wack'd: Wow, uh, you're ahead of me here, Umbra [09:14 PM] maxwellelvis: Lucky guess [09:14 PM] Umbramatic: damn this is the second thing i've predicted tonight [09:14 PM] Wack'd: Phillip apparently just wanted to give Alicia the life he thought she wanted, but Reed points out he doesn't have the tech to do this all on his own. [09:15 PM] Wack'd: Phillip, it turns out, has made the very smart and not-at-all-suicidal decision to mind control Doctor Doom [09:15 PM] Umbramatic: oh this is gonna be goooooooooooooooooooooood [09:15 PM] Bocaj: Oh geeeeeeeeeeeez [09:16 PM] maxwellelvis: This should be good. [09:17 PM] Wack'd: Of course this is Doom we're talking about. He doesn't make mistakes, he just lets people figure things out for stupid ego reasons.

[09:18 PM] Wack'd: God, the fact that this isn't an illusion, the Four, Franklin and Alicia are trapped in tiny robots, is a lovely extra layer of bonkers. [09:18 PM] Bocaj: Amazing [09:19 PM] Wack'd: ALSO "LIDDLEVILLE" ISN'T A SMALL TOWN JOKE, IT'S LITERALLY LITTLE [09:19 PM] Wack'd: INCREDIBLE [09:20 PM] Wack'd: Anyway, Reed asks Doom what his next move is, and Doom...doesn't have one [09:20 PM] Wack'd: He's just gonna leave them like this [09:20 PM] Wack'd: Forever [09:21 PM] Umbramatic: DOOM: "I don't know, I never thought I'd get this far.” [09:21 PM] maxwellelvis: The fact that he's resisted the urge to play Godzilla now that they know he's the one who orchestrated this shows he has way more willpower than I [09:22 PM] maxwellelvis: Assuming the shock of dying in robot bodies wouldn't wake them up. [09:23 PM] Wack'd: They do have one ace in the hole--Phillip! After all, Phillip's in this mess because he mind-controlled Doom, but he's not an idiot, surely he has an escape hatch. [09:23 PM] Wack'd: Well turns out he did. Doom turned it off. [09:23 PM] Umbramatic: oh [09:23 PM] maxwellelvis: Womp womp [09:23 PM] Wack'd: Reed examines it through and tries to see if he can get it to work anyway. [09:24 PM] Wack'd: Ben, meanwhile, is taking all this really hard. [09:25 PM] Umbramatic: aw... [09:26 PM] Wack'd: He's also decided to stay in Liddleville. The world has other superheroes now, and he's earned a normal, idyllic life. [09:26 PM] Wack'd: (The fact that Doom turned off all the fake villagers does not seem to be something he's noticed.) [09:27 PM] Umbramatic: Ben: The Last Man On Fake Earth [09:28 PM] Wack'd: So! Here's the plan. Turns out Doom built a real miniature particle accelerator at Reed's fake miniature college because Reed would spot a fake. [09:28 PM] Wack'd: So all they have to do is get it to spit out some cosmic rays. Easy. [09:28 PM] Umbramatic: excuse me what [09:29 PM] Wack'd: To which part? [09:29 PM] Umbramatic: the first bit mainly [09:29 PM] Wack'd: Yeah uh [09:30 PM] Wack'd: Doom wanted to taunt Reed with some cool science he couldn't play with to make Reed miserable [09:30 PM] Umbramatic: omg [09:30 PM] Wack'd: But he also knew Reed would know if it was a fake cool science [09:30 PM] Umbramatic: that's deliciously petty [09:30 PM] Wack'd: It issssssss [09:30 PM] Wack'd: So, as they're debating who gets a power up first, Ben has a change of heart and demands to go first. [09:31 PM] Umbramatic: Ben: This is insane. ...I’m in. [09:33 PM] Bocaj: Hahah [09:33 PM] Wack'd:

Alicia: ben you dingus i literally sculpt real people with pinpoint accuracy, you've seen my work, and also we've touched each other...a lot... Ben: Yeah I know but I got that danged body dysmorphia

[09:33 PM] Bocaj: Aww [09:34 PM] Umbramatic: awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww [09:34 PM] Wack'd: I joke because I love [09:35 PM] Wack'd: Ben/Alicia 4ever [09:35 PM] Umbramatic: ye [09:35 PM] Umbramatic: (though i felt the body dysmorphia part) [09:37 PM] Wack'd: With their powers restored, all they have to do is fight a bunch of miniature robots, scale the walls of their fake city, climb up to Doom's workstation... [09:37 PM] Wack'd: Aaaaaaand he took the battery out. [09:37 PM] Wack'd: Now the workstation can only turn left 😛 [09:38 PM] Umbramatic: -gasp- [09:39 PM] Wack'd: So! New plan. Use the Liddleville river to flood Doom's office, stick some live electrical wires in there, and hope the alarm goes off. [09:39 PM] Wack'd: No dice. [09:39 PM] Wack'd: They're gonna have to find Doom and bring him to them. [09:40 PM] Wack'd: And since Reed and Ben have fairly limited top speeds, and Johnny's flame can run out without rest, this task falls to Sue. [09:41 PM] Wack'd:

Reed: No! I can't permit you to go against Doom alone! Sue: Please, Reed! Must we go through this every time a dangerous task falls to me? I've proven time and time again that I can handle myself in an emergency situation. I'm the only one who can go. And you know it.

[09:42 PM] Wack'd: Sue puts up a good fight against Doom, pelting him with force fields, but she's still as big as a fingernail, and all he really has to do is put a cup on her like she's a bug he's found. [09:43 PM] Wack'd: But the goal is accomplished. Doom is going to check and make sure the other three aren't making any trouble. [09:43 PM] Wack'd: Just like they wanted. [09:43 PM] Bocaj: Good job Sue [09:43 PM] maxwellelvis: Was this inspired by the 1967 Fantastic Four cartoon intro?  [09:45 PM] Wack'd: ...hahahaha it coulda been! [09:45 PM] Wack'd: Oh hey, that's where this meme comes from

[09:46 PM] Umbramatic: this was a meme? [09:49 PM] Wack'd: 106k notes on Tumblr [09:51 PM] Wack'd: AND SO! Doom does not blindly stride into this childish trap, and then electrocute himself. [09:51 PM] Wack'd: He angerly fires some energy beams at the childish trap because he feels insulted. [09:51 PM] Wack'd: And then Reed, Johnny, and Ben use their powers to trip him into the childish trap. Which electrocutes him. [09:52 PM] Bocaj: Wow [09:52 PM] Bocaj: bad show doom, good show reed, ben, johnny [09:52 PM] Wack'd: This somehow instantaneously shunts everyone back into their real bodies. [09:53 PM] Umbramatic: welp [09:54 PM] Wack'd: Also, Doom is now in a stasis coma in his suit. [09:54 PM] Wack'd: To ensure he stays that way, the Four decide, well... [09:55 PM] Wack'd:

[09:57 PM] maxwellelvis: I must admit I am curious to see how he gets out of this one eventually [09:59 PM] Bocaj: If you die in Liddletown you die in real life [09:59 PM] Wack'd: Anyway, the quote-unquote "brand new story by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby" is a rejected script for the 1978 animated series, adapting Doctor Doom's first appearance. [09:59 PM] Wack'd: It is also not available here. So I am going to write it off as no big loss and move on. [10:02 PM] Wack'd: I did like this story, though! I think it coulda stood to spend a little less time on the mechanics and a little more time on how everyone felt about this situation, but overall it's really good.

[preston-logan]

I Want Your Love (To Surround Me) | Olicity, High School AU

Summary: Senior year at Starling Academy brings about changes that students, Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak, never saw coming. 

Tutoring sessions lead to an unlikely friendship; at odds from the beginning by the pressure of the high school hierarchy and opinionated partners. Will they be able to make it through the year as friends or could it turn into something more? Or will the pressure from their peers destroy it all?

(read on AO3)

______

Chapter One:

“Mr. Queen, I think it’s time you get a tutor.”

Out of all the ways the day could’ve gone, this wasn’t one Oliver saw coming. He got caught cheating on a test. Twice. In one week. So, of course he’d be sent to the principal’s office. That was expected. What Oliver wasn’t expecting was to be alone with Principal Wilson. His parents were usually already there waiting for him, putting an end to the issue before he even stepped foot into the office. Oliver rarely said a word to Principal Wilson. He honestly thought he’d never have to. That was until now.

“I’m sorry, what?” Oliver laughed. “You’re joking.”

“I’m being serious, Mr. Queen.” 

“Where are my parents? They should’ve been here by now. Should’ve fixed this already.” 

“I’ve already spoken to them. We’ve come to an understanding that it is time you take some responsibility for your actions. You’re almost an adult after all,” Principal Wilson sighed, shifting in his chair to grab a folder near his desk. “What better way to show your responsibility than passing your classes. We agreed the best way to help you get on track was with a tutor.”

Principal Wilson slid the folder towards Oliver. He picked it up and scanned the page inside, brows furrowed as he read. In the corner of the page there’s a photo of a girl who looks around his age. Blonde hair. Glasses. Bright lips. She’s kind of cute. Kind of familiar too. Next to the photo was, what Oliver could guess, her name.

“Felicity Smoak?”

Principal Wilson nodded.

“Yes. Ms. Smoak is one of the best and brightest students here at Starling Academy. Seeing as your parents wanted the best of the best for you, she will be your tutor,” Principal Wilson smiled, standing and gesturing for Oliver to stand as well. “We expect you to start meeting with Ms. Smoak as soon as possible.”

“But I don’t even have her number.”

“Everything you need to know, including her number, is in the file,” Principal Wilson walks Oliver over to the door. “Now you have a good day, Mr. Queen.”

Oliver doesn’t bother with a response. Sighing, he walked out the door and straight to his locker, gathering his things so he could leave. He knew he should’ve put up more of a fight with Principal Wilson, found some type of excuse. But if his parents really did agree to this, there wasn’t a likely way out of the situation. 

He knew they were right. He was almost an adult, he should start being more responsible. Stop being the disappointment his parents were used to. Besides, this Felicity girl was kind of cute. Maybe tutoring wouldn’t be so bad. 

Oliver found Felicity’s number in the file and put it into his phone. He texted Felicity later that night.

*

7:58 PM 

Oliver Queen: Hey is this felicity smoak

8:01 PM 

Felicity Smoak: Yes. This is Felicity. Who are you?

8:02 PM

Oliver Queen: It’s oliver queen. I guess ur my new tutor

8:06 PM

Felicity Smoak: Oh, right! I was told to expect a message from you. So, what subjects do you need help with?

8:08 PM

Oliver Queen:  Uhh all of them

8:08 PM

Felicity Smoak: Oh.

8:09 PM

Felicity Smoak: Well, we should probably get started right away then. Does meeting at the library tomorrow at 11:00 work?

8:12 PM

Oliver Queen: But tomorrow’s a Saturday

8:13 PM

Felicity Smoak: And we have a lot of work to do. So, I’ll see you tomorrow?

8:15 PM

Oliver Queen: Tomorrow it is

*

By 10:40 the next morning, Felicity was already settled into her seat at the library. Felicity picked a table in the far corner, hidden from the majority of the people in the building. Not because she purposely wanted to spend time in a hidden corner with Oliver Queen. Definitely not. It’s because she didn’t want anyone to see her and Oliver in said corner. Her nerves had been going crazy ever since Principal Wilson told her she’d be tutoring Oliver Queen. Sure, she’d tutored popular kids before, but Oliver was different. Oliver Queen was THE popular kid of Starling Academy. Felicity Smoak was the complete opposite. If anyone caught sight of them together, there’d be endless gossip neither of them would want to face. Even if them spending time together was for purely professional reasons. 

Fifteen minutes after 11:00, Oliver still hadn’t arrived yet. Felicity reached for her phone, debating whether or not to call him when she finally saw him walking towards her. The closer he got to their table, the slower he walked. It was almost as if he wasn’t sure Felicity was the right person he was supposed to be meeting. So, she waved at him just to be sure.

“Felicity?”

“Oliver,” She smiled. “Oh, I mean- I’m- Oliver’s not my name. It’s you. I mean yours. You’re Oliver. I’m Felicity. Obviously.” Felicity shoved her face in her hands, hoping to ease her embarrassment. Great, what a lovely first impression. She knew she shouldn’t have underestimated her nerves. Look where that got her. 

“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” Oliver laughed, sitting down in the chair next to her. “Sorry, I’m late. I forgot to set an alarm.”

“Right,” Felicity raised a brow. Forgot? He probably didn’t set an alarm in the first place. Whatever, she could let it go for now. “Well, now that you’re here we can get started.”

“Business already?” Oliver whined, leaning back in his chair and stretching his arms. “Can’t a guy get to know you first.” Felicity’s eyes zeroed in on his arms. He was trying to be charming. Everyone knew about Oliver’s flirty antics, she just thought he wouldn’t try so soon. Or at all. 

Felicity knew better and doing her job was more important than useless flirting with Mr. Popular. She crossed her arms, raised her chin and gave him a look to convey her business only attitude, “You can get to know me after we come up with a plan on how this tutoring gig will go.”

Oliver got her message, nodding along as Felicity began to list ideas for a potential study plan.

They decided on meeting twice a week; Tuesdays and Thursdays. Seniors only have four classes a day. So, Tuesdays they’d focus on Oliver’s History and English classes. Thursday’s would be for Calculus and Anatomy. After they came up with the basics of their sessions, Felicity thought best she set some ground rules before they left.

“Okay, I only have two rules,” Felicity paused, waiting till Oliver’s full attention was on her. “The first is that the only public place we meet is here, at the library. Other than that, our sessions will be at either my house or yours.”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” Oliver smirked, nudging her with his shoulder. A beat passed until Felicity’s brain finally realized how he could’ve taken her words.

“Oh ew,” Felicity groans, smacking Oliver in the chest. “Not like that. It’s just that I don’t want anyone seeing us together.”

“What?” Oliver asks, the smirk dropping, being replaced with a look of utter confusion. “What’s wrong with people seeing us together?”

“It’s just,” She paused, trying to pick her words carefully to not hurt his feelings. “People like me and people like you don’t mix well together. We’re complete opposites of the social hierarchy. You’re the top and I'm the bottom.” 

She froze. Noticing her unintentional innuendo, she let out a frustrated sigh bracing for Oliver’s reaction. Thankfully, he brushed over her mishap, focusing on what she said just before.

“Social hierarchy?” Oliver laughed, squeezing her shoulder. In a way to comfort or tease, Felicity wasn’t sure.  “C’mon Felicity, that’s not a thing. And even if it is, you shouldn’t care about what other people think. I just met you and I can tell you’re better than most of them anyways.”

Felicity’s eyes widened at his statement. That came out of nowhere. They just met, why was he being sweet? That didn’t match with everything she knew about Oliver Queen in her head. She shook her head. Focus Smoak! No matter how sweet that last part was, Oliver still couldn’t change her mind. 

“It is most definitely a thing! And I know the second people see us together, there’ll be tons of gossip that I don’t want to be a part of. I can’t risk any chance of being involved in that,” Felicity crossed her arms, trying yet again to show more authority.  “So, we meet in private. End of discussion.”

“Oh, alright,” Oliver raised his hands in defeat. It was clear being seen with him was the last thing Felicity wanted to worry about. “Have it your way. Now, what was the second rule?”

Now it was Felicity’s turn to be smug. Arms still crossed, she smirked. She looked almost like a kid taking candy from a baby. In Oliver’s case, he was the baby and she most certainly was taking his candy away.

“Absolutely no flirting.”

 “Well, you know how to suck the fun out of everything.”

He was joking. Or at least she hoped he was joking. Felicity watched Oliver for a second. Eyes narrowed, testing to see if he would add any objections. When he doesn't, she smiles, glad to know he’ll respect her rules. Knowing Oliver won’t take these sessions as an opportunity to practice his charm eased some of Felicity’s nerves. But just to be certain, she reiterates her point one more time before they leave.

“I’m here to help you pass your classes, not to mess around,” Felicity began to stand, gathering her stuff she brought to the library. “I’ll see you back here on Tuesday, Oliver.”

*

Oliver watched Felicity as she left the library. He waited a few minutes before exiting too, finding his driver already waiting for him outside the building. As he settled into the backseat, he thought back over his meeting with Felicity. It was safe to say Felicity wasn’t at all like he expected her to be. He thought he could’ve gotten lucky with a tutor he could’ve charmed or paid into doing his work, but he was wrong. He guessed that’s what happened when you got the best of the best. Oliver couldn’t really complain though. Felicity was cute and quirky and absolutely unlike any girl he’s ever met before. 

There’s just something, maybe everything, about her that caught his attention. He liked the short time he had with Felicity. How she set him straight and cut off his charm. How her tutoring plan made him feel like she was actually determined in helping him succeed. How it seemed like the more nervous she got the more she babbled. Oliver wanted to know more about her as a person, not just his tutor. But now he’d have to go a couple more days until he spoke to her again. 

Oliver could just text her. He was serious in wanting to know more about her and he had a feeling her tutoring sessions wouldn’t leave room for a lot of chit chat. Felicity did say he could get to know her after they came up with a plan, but she left before he had a chance to ask her anything. There was still a good amount of time left until they arrived at the mansion, might as well pass the time? 

*

1:14 PM

Oliver Queen: So we came up with a plan. Can I get to know u now

1:15 PM

Felicity Smoak: Oh, I didn’t think you were being serious haha.

1:16 PM

Oliver Queen: Of course I was being serious :P If we’re gonna be friends I've got to know some things about you

1:18 PM

Felicity Smoak: Woah, friends? Who said anything about friends? I’m just your tutor.

1:18 PM

Felicity Smoak: No offense, though!

1:20 PM

Felicity Smoak: Gah, there’s nothing wrong with people being friends. It’s just that-- I’m gonna be your tutor. Who’s friends with their tutor, right? Haha.

1:21 PM

Oliver Queen: Felicity chill out. With all the time we’re gonna be spending together I don’t think there’s a way we WON’T end up being friends

1:23 PM

Felicity Smoak: Hmm, I guess you’re right. So, what do you want to know?