#but it freaking boiling today and only a little rains saves it

[cat-brrr]

.

[rosy-cheekx]

Aesthetic prompt- song: "in hell i'll be in good company" by the dead south; vibe: steam off a warm drink, heavy rain on windows; color: cool gray, bronze, red :)

Took me long enough! This fic is months in the making, but I am so excited to finally be able to answer this prompt. This is chapter 1 of probably 3!

A Phoenix Razed

Chapter 1- Rebirth

---

3 days since Great Yarmouth

Tim’s hands encircled the paper cup in his lap. The cup was small, he noted; he could clasp his fingers together easily. Or maybe his hands were just big. The tea was dark, way over-steeped, and the herbal scent bloomed out in waves alongside the rising steam. There was no sugar, no milk, none of the usual accoutrement Tim used to take tea. Just harsh, bitter, black.

It’s what you deserve.

Tim rolled his eyes at his internal monologue, drama queen, and sipped the beverage. Agh, still hot? He sucked in air through his teeth, startling Martin, who he’d forgotten was beside him.

“Tim?” He snapped his eyes up from where they had been resting on the book, lips moving to form words Tim hadn’t been listening to. “You alright?”

“Hmm? Oh. Yeah, burnt my tongue.” Tim’s words sounded like a shrug, slumped and uninterested, now out of his reverie.

Silence stretched between him and Martin. Or, Tim wished it was silence. The only sound was the low static of the EEG, a rainbow of wires between the machine and Jonathan Sims’ scalp, shaved to accommodate the electrodes. What Tim wouldn’t give for any level of sound other than what they experienced right now. Any less, and there would be an answer to the question, “Will Jon ever wake up?”, and more would mean his heart was working, or lungs, or any other number of body parts to which machines were attached, waiting for any sign of response.

It’s your fault he’s like this.

It should have been you.

Tim exhaled and sipped the tea again, more careful this time. It was still hot—he was pretty sure the burn on his tongue made it feel even hotter—but he tempered his expectations and swallowed a sip of the bitter liquid, letting the raw flavor coat his throat.

“-there’s not much point to this, huh?” Martin asked, slipping a tattered bookmark between the pages of the book he had been reading—he was hoping to annoy Jon with poetry into waking up with Tennyson’s Ulysses—and letting it slip from his lap to the bed, green cover stark against the yellowish-white of the thin blanket.

“I don’t know, Marto, doctors said he might be able to hear us. Maybe dear Alfie will bore Jon back to life,” but Tim’s words lacked the bite and humor that was meant to be there.

“Don’t-” Martin warned softly, shaking his head and pushing his reading glasses through his fringe of curls. “He’s not…he’s still alive. He’s just lost.”

“You’re right,” Tim nodded, placing a hand on Martin’s shoulder lightly before pulling it away as he felt the round of Martin’s shoulder twinge under his touch. “You know what I mean.” He rubbed at the bandages that wound around his abdomen, letting himself indulge in the ache of raw skin and muscle and fat, the hiss of pain atonement for his sins.

Martin sighed, a slow, burdensome sound. “Yeah, I do.” At his words, Martin’s phone rang, and he looked at the caller ID before shoving the phone deep in his pocket, ignoring the call as he did so. “Listen, Tim, you know I’d stay longer if I could-”

“No, I get it, Martin.” Tim stood as Martin did, grabbing the IV bag by his chair for support. “Duty calls. I must away, my love.”

Martin scoffed, the pale sound muffled and diminished by the emptiness of the room. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Try to go on without me.” His voice dropped the light in it as he placed a hand on Tim’s. His hands were freezing, Jesus. “Seriously, Tim, if you need me…”

“I’ll call.” Tim waggled the phone in the pockets of the linen pants the hospital had provided. “Promise.”

--

“I hear the Great Grimaldi’s in town.”

“That’s not funny.”

“I know.”

He wished the moments after were fuzzy. He wished he could chalk his memories up to delirium or carbon monoxide poisoning. There was the detonator, small and squat in his hands. There was Grimaldi, or Nikola, or whatever that thing was. And there was Jon, kneeling, eyes piercing him in a way he had never experienced before. A moment of true lucidity amongst the madness of the Unknowing.

Tim had pressed the button, resigning this to be his final image, his final memory. The things in the world he hated most, all splayed out in front of him, with the promise of all the things he loved waiting for him. A win-win, really. Go out with a bang, leave a mark on the Stranger, cause some errant destruction, and finally see Danny again. The Stranger would never forget the Stoker brothers, that would have been for sure.

But the combustion and the flames had swept over him like a hot wind. He felt the flames lick the sides of his face, felt smoke choke his lungs, felt impossibly hot ash and air swirl around him in a tango. The building had crumbled around him and Tim had been unable to move, forced to witness every last nanosecond of the chaos he had caused.

And he reveled in it. He had won; he had beaten the Stranger. To know he had avenged the deaths of Danny and Sasha was prize enough.

None of it made any sense. He shouldn’t have survived.

How had he survived?

-

5 Days After Great Yarmouth

“Tim.”

Basira was in Tim’s room, wheelchair parked in the corner and sitting in a visitor’s chair. Her body was tense and still, reminiscent of a panther in some documentary he had watched with Jon. Ready to strike? Or run?

“Basira.” Tim’s voice was careful. “Martin said you weren’t up for visitors today. Glad to see you’re okay.”

“Save it.” Basira’s hands were fisted in her robe, the white and yellow one matching Tim’s, declaring them both as patients under observation. Tim frowned, pulling his IV behind him to sit on his bed, wincing as he bent and adjusted himself. “Daisy’s gone, Jon is…whatever he is. I survived because I was smart.”

Her voice was low and sharp, accusing him of…something. Tim felt blood boiling under his skin, as he waffled somewhere between furious and confused. “Excuse me?” He said pointedly, voice measured, squeezing tight the paper cup of tea in his hand.

“Tim, how are you not dead?” Basira gestured with her hand. “Your burns were all superficial. You broke your arm in the collapse, but you managed to survive the fire.” She shook her head and smoothed the fabric that lay there with her hand. “You and I both know you shouldn’t be alive right now.”

Tim took a steadying breath, though it did little to conceal his frustration. “So what, you think I’m fucking magical or something?” He could feel the heat and pitch rise in his voice. “You think I’m like...like those freaks we read about in the statements? Like-like Jon or Elias or like fucking Nikola?”

Basira opened her mouth to speak but Tim cut her off. “You know why I was there, Basira. For Danny. For Sasha. You bloody well know none of this was supposed to happen.” He gestured in the general direction of where Jon lay, dead to the world. “The audacity to assume I-”

“Tim!” Basira cut in, interrupting his increasingly desperate tone. “Look!” She pointed down. Following her gaze, Tim saw the paper cup he was holding. The cup of tea was steaming. No, it was boiling. He could hear the roil of the water, see the bubbles blossoming on the surface. On instinct, he yelped, tossing the cup of bitter black tea across the room, hitting the sink on the far side of the wall squarely. He winced as the liquid splashed across the mirror, the cup rolling to a stop in the basin.

“What the fuck?” He wiped his hands on his robe. “How the hell did that happen?”

“Did it burn you?” Basira asked, eyes passing over him studiously.

“Ah…” Tim turned his right hand over, checking for any splash marks or blisters on his palm. “No.”

“Are you sure?” Basira asked, raising her eyebrow. At Tim’s irritated roll of his eyes, she folded her fingers together.

“You know that’s not normal, right?” It wasn’t a question.

Tim nodded, voice stolen from him as he processed her words. “Are you trying to say I’m fireproof or something?”

Basira shrugged. “I dunno. Sounds weird enough to be right. I’d say ask Jon about it, but obviously…that’s not happening quite yet.”

“This is so fucked,” Tim mumbled, scrubbing a hand down his face in exhaustion. “I hate this job.”

--

Tim was walking in a black room. Kind of. It wasn’t black, really, nor a room—just the concept of space, devoid of color or light.

Tim was somewhere and it was dark.

He picked a direction and walked. The space he was in was hot, a dry stale heat pressing in on him from all sides. It was like that prickling heat from being too close to a campfire, where the heat should singe your leg hairs. It should have been painful. He should have been sweating. But he felt…good. Great, even. He felt alive and awake and ready.

He walked for what felt like hours in this dreamscape, not knowing where he was going. He had realized he was dreaming around the point where he noticed he was more floating than walking, being guided like a character in a low-res video game. There was something in the back of his mind nudging him forward, coaxing him along some predetermined route.

Suddenly, he stopped. There was something in front of him, maybe four meters away. He couldn’t see it, but he could sense it. This spot in space was the source of all the heat in this room, the warmth surrounding him that was more accosting than comforting. The feeling surrounding him was all-consuming and it made him feel…all sorts of things. Righteousness, anger, betrayal, pain. They were all the emotions he had been feeling at Great Yarmouth, built up upon each other, each idolized in their own way. They were the feelings he had chosen to worship when Jon had stopped being his friend and started being his enemy, when Sasha had been discovered to have never been, when he had looked Nikola in its eyeless face and pressed the detonator. It all felt good to feel.

All of a sudden Tim was struck with a sudden knowledge. If he accepted this heat, this painful destruction, he would never need to worry about being hurt again. He could protect himself, the loved ones he had left (if he still had any), and burn the hearts out of anyone who dared hurt him or his ilk. No one would ever leave him again except on his terms. He understood what the Lightless Flame meant, what it promised, what it could give him in return. He would be able to live on the destruction of those he deemed unworthy of the love of the pyre, those who had so much to lose. Like he had had, once. Like Danny had had. Like Sasha. They had had the world before them, and it was stripped away. The Stranger had the potential to take over the world and he had destroyed every last bit of success it had. And it felt good. He could chase that feeling again and again and again with a family that knew what it was like to love and lose and destroy.

All he had to do was take it in.

-

7 Days After Great Yarmouth

Tim woke up gasping for air. He could feel an icy hand on the back of his neck, colder than anything he knew, dragging him back into reality. He opened his eyes, wincing at the harsh light of his hospital room and yes, he was in his hospital room, not a great expanse of nothing nothing nothing, searching for answers. He reached a hand to the back of his head and felt a frozen rag, dripping icy water down the back of his neck, down his spine.

A nurse was at his bedside, a thin woman with dark blonde hair, checking his vitals with a delicate hand. “Welcome back, Mr. Stoker. You gave us a scare, there.”

“Wha-”

“Your monitor was beeping like mad last night. Said you had a fever of 42, but the machine was probably broken. Thermometer put you more at 40, but still, concerningly high. Gave you some fever reducers and a cool rag, kept an eye on you. Are you feeling any better?”

Tim rolled his neck, hearing his joints crack as he did so. “Uh-” He took stock of his faculties. He felt great, actually. No pain, no stiffness, just a tingling warmth spread throughout his body. Something about that felt...right. But he wasn’t sure why. “Yeah, fine.” He pulled the rag out from under his neck and noticed, for the first time, he was naked.

“Sorry,” she smiled apologetically at the flush that spread across his face and neck. “First rule of fevers: tight clothing comes off. It seemed to have done its job though. You were out for a whole day. According to our thermometers, your temperature’s gone back to normal, but we’d like to keep an eye on you a bit longer, especially with your injuries. They don't seem to be infected, so the fever might have been a latent trauma response to the explosion.” The woman shrugged, her smile light. “Our bodies do crazy things to keep us safe. Even when it hurts.”

“A-apparently so,” Tim nodded softly, squeezing his hands into fists, feeling the nails dig into his palms. At least this wasn’t a dream. He rested his head against the pillows propped behind him and sighed heavily.

The nurse left eventually, when there were no more monitors to check and Tim had promised eight ways to Sunday to press his call button if he needed anything. He settled back into his pillow, listening to the steady beep of his heart amplified on the monitor. The TV droned low in the background, newscasters revisiting today’s tragedies. Had they been on the news when it happened? Tim huffed and shook his head. Not if Elias had a say in it. Probably chalked it up to a gas main.

He grabbed the remote strapped to his bed, and flipped through the channels aimlessly, looking for something interesting…or at least to lull him back to sleep. Kids programming, soap operas, more news, interior design—wait. Tim flipped back to the news channel. Demolition of an old primary school. The reporter spoke to a heated young woman, round cheeks framed by wild curls, who spoke to the camera about the memories and traditions the school represented, how unfair it was to lose such an important monument to the history of her town.

“A shame, isn’t it?”

Tim started at the voice, whipping his head to the door, gripping the remote tight in his hand. The woman standing in the doorway of his room was short and wide, hair cropped close. She wore a grey tank top and black shorts, revealing tattoos of flames licking up the backs and sides of her calves. Something about her face was odd. A little too smooth? The grin on her face seemed wider than normal smiles were meant to be, drooping a little too low.

“Pardon?” Tim managed, grip on the call button tight, even if there was…something keeping him from pressing it.

“About the school.” She pointed to the television as she crossed the threshold, crossing her legs as she sat in the cushy visitor’s chair next to his bed. “So many childhood memories, so many job opportunities, so many opportunities for self-improvement-” She spat the word with malice. “Truly some of my favorite forms of destruction.”

Tim stared at her dumbly. “Do…am I supposed to know who you are?” Her returned chuckle burned him from the inside.

“Oh,” she crooned, more to herself than to Tim. “For keepers of the Eye, you are all so stupid. I am Jude Perry and I serve the Lightless Flame. And, if I’m right, you do too.”

[anika-ann]

The Troubles Are Lurking in Queens - Pt.2

Of  Not So Funny Billionaires and Terrified Husbands

Pairing: Matt Murdock x reader        Word count: 2960

Type: Two-shot, reader insert

Summary: When an arrogant lawyer demands his paperwork right now or better yet this very moment, you’re a good wife to Matt and decide to deliver the documents yourself – for your husband’s mental health sake (and for the sake of the meeting he’s running to).

The catch is the said lawyer has his office in Queens – and whoever said Hell’s Kitchen was the least safe place in NYC was clearly lying. Also, Tony Stark is... Tony Stark.

Warnings: swearing, mention of attempted assault, mention of past torture, some blood, Tony being a jerk

Part 1

◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦

Spiderman apparently didn’t take no for an answer.

The office wasn’t on the way, but Spiderman delivered the papers anyway; you thought Davidson’s secretary’s face was priceless at least as Spiderman with a woman in his arms knocked on the window of her office, but anyway. Your way included a lot of not exactly secure flying around in the vigilante’s thin and somehow strong arms (enhanced strength?), only holding onto buildings via some sort of a web fibre and it was a fucking wonder you hadn’t either ended up smashed on a side of some building or hadn’t puked by the time you magically landed on the roof of the Avengers Tower.

Also, you were pretty sure some of your blood had rained down on someone and it was an awful idea you couldn’t shake off.

You were clutching your chest trying to catch your breath as the kid let go of you slowly, gentlemanly making sure you wouldn’t faint. Well. Now he was concerned about that?

“Welcome, sweetheart!” Stark’s voice sounded behind you as the billionaire walked in your direction with his arms wide open.

You on the other hand looked at him murderously. Was this really necessary?

“You know Mr. Stark?” the kid asked in awe.

You swallowed the ‘unfortunately’ line and pressed your lips together.

“Tony. What a wonderful surprise. How are you these days?” you wondered with a fake smile and he grinned wider, enveloping you in a hug. You didn’t reciprocate the gesture too happily, but you… tried.

“On a first name basis with Mr. Stark and hugging him? Holy hell!”

You rolled her eyes and spent a precious second thinking what the kid would say to what was coming next. The moment Tony withdrew, you slapped him, because you really needed to slap someone today. Tony was lucky your dominant hand was cut and you used your weaker one.

He tried to set his jaw right as if it really hurt anyway. The Spiderkid fell into shocked silence.

“That’s for using a poor kid for dragging me where I don’t want to go just for your fun or whatever,” you hissed and Tony licked his lips.

“Yeah, okay, I deserved this one.”

“Glad you acknowledge that.”

You tried not to think too hard about that you slapped a man who had once saved your husband’s life. You sighed, coming for another, this time gentler, hug, still wary of not staining his t-shirt with your blood. You probably failed.

“Sorry I couldn’t make it to the wedding.”

“We were hoping you wouldn’t,” you teased, feeling a bit guilty for a) slapping him and b) being cranky. Tony was a bit of a dick, but a good guy. That was why you had decided to send him an invitation along with the other Avengers, who had saved Matt’s life one of the times he had got over his head and you walked into the Avengers Tower begging for help.

“I bet it was boring without me.”

“Totally,” you laughed, letting go of him.

“So… I understand this is some sort of a reunion, but a) I’m not a kid,” the teenage vigilante defended himself and you bit your cheek to stop yourself from protesting. “And b) shouldn’t her hand be handled? I mean, that’s why I brought her here?”

You smiled at the kid. He was cute. “Yeah, Tony. Shouldn’t my hand be handled?”

It was handled, by doctor Cho, who was usually taking care of bullet wounds, knife-in-liver wounds and stuff like that. She was incredibly nice, especially when you considered the shit she was dealing with.

The doc was just finishing your bandage – you only needed two stiches – when your ringtone cut the air and all four present – you, Doctor Cho, Tony and Spiderman – jumped a little.

“Hand me the phone someone, please?”

“FRIDAY, who’s calling?” Stark called out and you were kinda hoping it was just for show. They wouldn’t know that without looking, right?

“Contact saved as Matt, sir.”

How the fuck the AI could tell that? Also… ah-oh.

“That’s a little boring  I was expecting something more original. Sugar-bear. Bumblebee. FRIDAY, put it on speaker.”

You just gaped. How?! And was he serious?

“Oh, and mute her voice.”

“What?!”

“Are you okay?” Matt’s panicked voice demanded from the speakers in the corners of the room and you breathed in to calm his fright – wherever it came from. “Davidson called there was blood on the papers and-“

Oh crap, learning that must have been terrible. Also, you were sure Davidson had been a dick about it as well, probably complaining about dangerous biological material in his office.

“I’m fine, Matt,” you reassured him.

His terrified voice called out your name. “Are you there? Can you hear me?”

You opened your mouth uselessly. Was this for real? Could he really not hear you somehow? What the fuck?! Why would-

“Hey, buddy!” Tony chipped enthusiastically and your blood ran cold. Oh no. No, no, no, no…

Even through the phone, you could hear your husband’s breath hitch. “Who are you? How did you get this phone?”

You could only imagine Matt’s sightless eyes flickering wildly as he was trying to figure out the worst possible bloody scenario.

“I’m-“ you started, but Tony rolled his eyes at your attempts.

“Relax. I’m just having a little fun-“

Spiderman rose to his feet as he apparently wanted to protest too, but Tony shushed him.

“Who are you? What did you do? What do you want?” Matt’s voice changed dangerously, switching to the Daredevil persona and demanding answers. “I swear if you touch one hair on her head, I’m going to tear your limbs off one after another-“

Spiderman shrieked at the cruel threat and the way it was delivered. You gently pushed away Doctor Cho, standing up and making your way to the billionaire with your blood boiling.

“Tony, stop this right now,” you growled, your voice resembling the one speaking through the phone. He was scaring Matt out of his mind. Couldn’t he see that this wasn’t fun?

“Come on! Light up! I’m just gonna-”

“Don’t you dare to hurt her!” Matt thundered and Tony actually jumped at the sound of Matt’s teeth grinding.

“Alright, alright! Jeez, can’t you recognize an old pal? Jesus, DD,” Tony complained and the room was suddenly very quiet.  

“Tony, let me to talk to him.”

“Let her talk to him, Mr. Stark,” the kid supported you and you were sure he made some sort of puppy eyes behind his mask.

Matt didn’t react to learning the name of your ‘captor’. Which meant he was probably really pissed or too shocked. Or that Stark somehow blocked his voice too.

“Tony-“ you pressed and he sighed in defeat.

“Yeah, yeah, FRIDAY-“

There was a beep.

“Matt, it’s me. Are you there?” you asked softly, hearing his sharp inhale. “I’m okay-“

“She’s injured-“

“Shut up!” you shouted Tony down, spinning to him with your hand raised in warning. He had already said enough.

“Well, you are,” Spiderkid noted carefully and you gritted your teeth.

“I’m okay, Matt. I’m in the Avengers tower-“

“Medical wing,” Tony supplied helpfully and you grabbed the nearest thing – which happened to be a metal platter – and lashed it his direction. He shielded his face, silent ‘ow’ escaping him as the improvised weapon hit his hands.

“I’m on my way,” Matt exclaimed.

“Wait-“

There was only a dialling tone and you whined. You measured to Tony with fire in your eyes.

“I’m sorry?” he offered, shrugging with his palms up.

“You are such a dick! Complete and utter dick! You scared the shit out of him!” you yelled at the man who wore almost genuinely apologetic expression. But you didn’t care if he was sorry. He almost gave Matt a freaking heart attack! He had no idea what had-- you squatted for the platter, fully intending to use it again as the idiot was in your reach. “You fucker, you dickhead! You careless fuck-up!”

Each of the insults was accompanied by a hit with the platter. No one stopped you. Tony wisely covered his head. You were sure you it hurt as hell anyway, but somehow it didn’t sooth your nerves.

“I’m sorry, okay?”

“The last fucking time someone had my phone and talked to Matt was when I was kidnapped by Wilson. Fucking. Fisk! He threatened to break my spine to paralyse me, you. Selfish. Arrogant. Bastard!”

Fuck, you were crying and your hands were shaking, suddenly feeling too weak.

You let go of the platter, overwhelmed by the memory yourself; the knife cutting through your skin when the huge man hadn’t liked your answers to his questions, his threats, Matt’s terrified voice on the other end of the line-

The clatter of the platter on the floor snapped you back into reality, but the images didn’t disappear. You brought your hands to your mouth to muffle the scream that drew to your lips.

“Madam?” sounded hesitantly behind you and you tried to blink away the freaking tears and chase away the nasty memory, unable to respond to the kid. It’s gone now, it’s in the past, I’m okay, I’m okay, Matt’s okay— just give me a fucking minute dammit. “Madam, can I hug you?”

You burst out laughing at the request; hysterical laugh during an emotionally heavy situation, the first sign of insanity.

“Oh my god. Yeah, yeah, you can, kid.”

The vigilante obediently wrapped his strong but toothpicks-like arms around your shoulders, embracing you tightly yet gently. He avoided applying a pressure against your belly with surprising grace. He didn’t even call you out on the ‘kid’ addressing. You were really starting to like him.

Maybe it was the costume – the armour – but it was kinda soothing. Maybe it was the knowledge he had to deal with Tony too often, so it felt like he was an ally of yours. You leaned into the hug gratefully and he caressed your back.

“You’re good at this,” you mumbled into the strange material of his suit.

“Thanks, madam.”

You chuckled at the addressing and asked him to call you your first name.

◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦

Tony bullied you into a check-up; like the periodical check-up all pregnant women had to attend.

“Tony, I was at doctor’s three days ago-“

“But I upset you and stressed you big time. Don’t you think you should have another examination? Just to be sure?” he pressed, trying to make puppy eyes. Vainly – you had enough training at resisting the puppy eyes master Matt Murdock himself, Tony’s attempts were nothing compared to that.

“Tony, honestly, I just want to get the hell out of here ASAP,” you cooled him down. You were still pissed at him. A lot.

“FRIDAY! Call Doctor Cho back!”

And just like that, the poor doc who had silently disappeared during the fight had to come back and examine you again. With USG and everything. You didn’t have the strength to argue anymore and you didn’t want to make Doctor Cho’s job harder than it already was by working for Tony Stark in the first place.

You didn’t expect anything being wrong – yet, you couldn’t supress the relief washing through your body as the doctor told you both you and your baby were fine.

Also, the check-up filled the time, so you didn’t get the opportunity to pace nervously. You were getting dressed again when Matt’s voice entered the room.

“(Y/N)!” he called out and you wordlessly asked the doctor to get rid of the curtain separating your and the rest of the world. Not that it made a difference to Matt – it did to you.

“Matt, hey!” you greeted him, rising from the bed so he could see you were perfectly healthy. The impression was ruined a bit by your head spinning and the need to support yourself onto the bed, but hey, you tried.

Matt was crossing the distance between you two in rapid pace, his cane folded in his hand, his glasses covering too little of his worried expression.

“What happened? Are you okay? I mean, of course you’re not-“

“I’m okay, Matt,” you assured his softly as he threw the cane away carelessly and enclosed you in a bone-crushing hug. He nuzzled his nose in your hair, breathing in deeply. You kissed the side of his neck. “I’m fine, Matt, I swear.”

“I smell blood,” he protested, wounded by the lie. “When I heard someone else on the phone, I— I-“

You wrapped your arms around him gently, one of your hands interweaving in his hair, stroking comfortingly. He squeezed a little tighter.

“Tony is a dick. I’m so sorry he scared you. And… I’m sorry if Davidson was being an asshole about the papers-“

“Do you really think I care about some arrogant self-important asshole right now?” he asked hoarsely and you sighed, your lips caressing his skin again.

“No. But I’m still sorry.”

“ ‘kay. Noted. God, I’m glad you’re okay, sweetheart. I shouldn’t have let you-“

“Don’t even finish that thought,” you warned him, smacking his back a little. He caressed your lower back in return as an apology for trying to make a guilt trip. You knew he would be still blaming himself even when not saying it out loud, but you could work with that better. And later. In private.

“So… this is the guy who threatened to tear your limbs off, Mr. Stark?” the kid asked slowly and you bit your lip, loosening the hug just slightly in favour to glance his direction over Matt’s shoulder.

Yeah, you could see how this was confusing. After all, Matt was blind and right now looking like a cuddly teddy bear. God, you loved him for how caring and loving he was.

“This is the guy who saved me from getting mugged… potentially shot,” you whispered, feeling Matt’s body going tense at the reminder of the danger you had been in. His hand clutched at your shirt before letting go of you, turning in the direction of the young man’s voice.

“Thank you,” Matt said in earnest, extending his hand for the Spiderkid to shake. The vigilante squeaked, but lost his glove and accepted Matt’s hand.

“You’re— you’re welcome, sir. She… she was a great help actually, it was pleasure to save her, though she almost saved herself on her own-” he babbled nervously and Matt covered the back of kid’s hand with his left palm.

“I’m still grateful. And it’s Matt.”

The younger vigilante let out a surprised sound. “No prob, sir— Matt, sir.” The corners of your lips twitched. “I’m Spiderman. But you probably know that… or not. ‘cause you haven’t seen me in the news— oh god, oh frack, I’m really putting my foot in my mouth-“

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Spiderman. Thank you again for saving my wife’s life.”

The two men finally released each other’s hands and Matt immediately turned back to you as you approached him. He wrapped his arm around your waist, kissing your temple lovingly, his thumb stroking your hip.

“So…” Stark started, making you both spun in his direction involuntarily. You couldn’t help but shot him an annoyed and angry look. Matt was significantly better seeing you were okay, but make no mistake, you were still incredibly pissed.

“Mr. Stark-“

“Alright! I’m really sorry, okay? Really, really sorry. It was a dick move!” Tony admitted and you were almost surprised at him acknowledging his mistake so openly. He turned rather to Matt then. “But you don’t need to worry, Murdock, I got her checked up and both of your girls are fine.”

Your heart stopped. Matt froze in the middle of his soothing periodical motions. The room fell into silence. You were afraid to even breathe in.

Did he just… did he-

“Both— both of my girls?” Matt choked out at your side and your slow brain was still processing the information you were just given. Oh my god.

“Yeah, Cho managed to check them up both.”

“Both… my— my-- girls,” Matt stuttered and his posture shifted slightly so he could face you without stopping touching you. “We’re-“

You and Matt had never asked your doctor whether you were having a boy or a girl. You had refused to know when the doctor had offered, because you didn’t want to know before Matt would and then you had talked to Matt, learning he wouldn’t want to know either.

Well.

Hell.

You were… having a girl. You didn’t know which option you had wanted until this moment, you just knew you somehow felt you were having a boy. Apparently, you were wrong.

And it was beautiful. So beautiful you felt tears in your eyes. You were having a girl.

You gulped, reaching out to uncover Matt’s eyes, putting his glasses away before squeezing his hand on you lightly. You raised your face to his; his brown eyes were… shining with gold threads and twinkling with tears just like yours.  

You couldn’t let out a single word. It turned out you didn’t have to.

Matt’s free hand reached for your cheek, cupping it tenderly and his lips met yours in a careful light touch. And another one, And one more.

“…they didn’t know the sex and I just told them, didn’t I?” Tony’s voice sounded from an awfully huge distance and you smiled into the kisses you kept receiving, curling your fingers in Matt’s hair, returning his affection.

“I think so, Mr. Stark. I don’t think they mind too much though,” Spiderman hummed, sounding a bit amused and absolutely moved by the scene in front of him.

“Cover your eyes kid, the adults are having a moment.”  

“Cover your eyes yourself… this is way better than a movie,” the teenage vigilante mumbled and they all pretended they didn’t hear it. You just secretly decided you adored the kid.

But you could never love the kid more than your own; your own babygirl.

◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦

M.M. masterlist

◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦◦

So… this happened? Somehow? Oh no, I made it fluffy… :D

Thank you for reading!

[sevenchan-translation]

Earthworm Jim Animated EP3 Assault and Battery

アースワームジム第3話　襲撃と���ッテリー

Special Thanks:teddyroo12

Narration:Earthworm Jim and his fur bearing sidekick, Peter Puppy,are about to be destroyed by the insidious Professor Monkey for a Head.

アースワームジムと、毛皮を纏った相棒のピーターパピーは、狡猾なモンキーフォーアヘッド教授に破壊されようとしていました。

Professor: Ow! Will you stop that, It is time to be evil!

やめなさい！今は悪い人になる時間なんだから！

Now, I will fry your puny worm body, and the super suit will once again be mine!

さあ、そのちっぽけなミミズの身体をフライにしてやる、そしてスーパースーツは再び私の物になるのだ！

Ook! Fine fine fine, once again be ours, satisfied hm? Now I have lost my train of thought.

おぉよしよし…もう一度「私たち」の物になるのだ、これで満足したかいお猿ちゃん？もう、私は何を考えていたのか思い出せなくなってしまった。

Jim: MUST. BREAK. FREE.

壊して自由にならなければ。

Whoopsy-Daisy, Steady, Steady.

あ〜らら、危ない、危ない

Professor: Ready, AIM, Huh?

狙いを定めてと…Huh?

Jim: GUHROOVY!! and oh, would you believe I meant to do that.

グルーヴィー！信じてもらえないかもしれないが、こうするつもりだったのさ。

Peter: Not a chance big fella.

そんなわけないでしょ、イケてる君。

Jim: Come on little buddy, I got some pliers in the garage.

行くぞ坊や、ガレージにペンチがあるんだ。

Professor: Fire!

(Theme song)

Narration: Morning in the sleepy town of Terlawk, flowers bloom, birds sing.

花が咲き、鳥がさえずる、寝静まった町テルロークの朝。

Bird: Ba ba ba boo ba bo, when I woke up this morning, hoo-hoo, I was just to late to catch no Worm!

今朝起きた時にはホーホー、ミミズを捕まえるには遅過ぎたようだ！

Narration: And Terlawks most unusual resident greets the new day.

そしてテルロークで最も変わ��た住人が新しい1日を迎えます。

Jim: Morning neighbor!

おはよう、お隣さん！

Neighbor: Morning, hideous freak of nature.

おはよう、醜い奇形種。

Narration: Unaware that disaster awaits.

災難が待ち受けているとも知らずに。

Jim: By the Great Worm Spirit, whose borrows dwarf the meager works of man!

偉大なるミミズ魂がお粗末な仕事をする小男の理論を借用した。

The paperboy's been missing the porch again!

また新聞配達人が玄関を見落としたようだ！

HARK! The paperboy is nigh, my invincible might will help him hit the porch this Mañana!

聞こえる！新聞配達人が近づいている、俺の無敵の力で彼が玄関に命中させるのを助けられるかもしれない今朝

I got it, I got it!

捕るぞ、捕るぞ！

It was up to me now, after the hours of sweat and practice, the weeks of training, the long nights at the diner tossing waffles, it all came down to this one catch.

それは私にかかっていた、終業後の汗と練習、何週間ものトレーニング、食堂でワッフルを放り投げた長い夜、全てはこの一回のキャッチに集約された。

At last I was a player the big game of life, too bad I haven't read the rules at the top of the box.

遂に私は人生という大きなゲームのプレイヤーになった。箱の上部にあるルールを読んでいなかったのが残念だ。

Peter: Ooh, the funnies! Why are you moving in slow motion?

おっと、調子が悪いのかい？何故そんなにゆっくり動いているの？

Jim: (Stutters in embarrassment) Just messing with the law of gravity as I can.

(恥ずかしくて吃る)重力の法則をめちゃめちゃにしていただけさ。

Ghhk! HEAVENS TO BETSY!! Don't know... whats wrong... suddenly feel... so weak...

げっ！なんてこった！！う〜ん、どうしたんだろう…急に力が入らなくなってしまった……

Peter: You've been lifting so much heavy stuff. Mountains, houses, maybe you drained the suits power.

君はとても重い物を持ち上げていたからね。山とか、家とか。もしかして、スーツのパワーが無くなったんじゃ。

Neighbors: Oh dear, it looks like rain.. Oomph!

やれやれ、雨が降ってきたようだな…おっと！

Narration: Yes it is rain, a reign of terror from beyond the stars!

そうです、雨です。星の彼方から恐怖の支配者が降ってきました。

Queen Pulsating, Bloated, Festering, Sweaty, Puss filled, Malformed, Slug for a Butt has come in search of Jim's super Suit!

女王プラスティング、ブローテッド、フェスタリング、スウェッティ、パスフィルド、モルフォームド、スラッグフォーアバットがジムのスーパースーツを求めてやって来ました！

Queen: Back off, talk boy!

下がれ、トークボーイ！

Narration: Right, sorry.

了解、すみません。

Queen: Find Earthworm Jim, or I shall feast on your entrails at dawn!

夜明けまでにアースワームジムを見つけなさい、さもないとお前たちの内臓をごちそうにする！

Uhh... Make that around 10:30, I usually sleep in on Wednesdays.

うーん、朝10時半頃にしておくれ、毎週水曜日は遅くまで寝ているの。

Narration: Jim is suddenly enthralled in a desperate battle with some zurb warriors!

But he is just too weak to prevail!

突如ジムは、ザーブの戦士たちとの絶望的な戦いにさらされてしまいます!

しかし彼はとても弱っていて打ち勝てそうにありません。

Jim: HEY! I never flee from danger!

ヘイ！俺は決して危機から逃げないぞ！

Peter: You can be macho later Jim!

Right now, we need a safe place to hide, while you figure out whats wrong with the suit.

男らしくするのは後にしてよジム。

今は安全な場所に隠れた方が良い、その間に君はスーツの不具合を見つけ出すんだ。

Jim: Lets see, wheres a place no one ever goes?

ええーっと…誰も行きそうにない場所はどこだ？

Peter: Hey, this haggis stuff is great! How come no one ever comes here?

ねえ、このハギスっていうもの、最高だね！どうして誰もここに来ないんだろう？

Jim: Because haggis is made out the heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep boiled in its own stomach.

どうしてって、ハギスは羊の心臓、肺、肝臓を、羊自身の胃袋に入れ、煮込んで作られているからな。

I've been reading the suit's users manual, there’s only one way to find out what's wrong.

スーツの取扱説明書を読んでいるが…やってみるしかないな。

I've got to go inside this bad boy, I mean REALLY inside.

この悪い子の中に入って行かなければならない、つまり本当に中に入るんだ。

Peter, you keep a look out while Snott and I journey to the center of the suit!

ピーター、スノットと俺がスーツの中心部へ小旅行している間、見張っていてくれ！

I don't know Snott, who's Jules Verne?

ジュールヴェルヌって誰だ？スノット。

Peter: Heart... Lungs... and Liver?

心臓…肺…肝臓も？

Jim: Gah.. They just put these up to keep out the tourists!

ふーむ、観光客を立ち入らせないためにこんな物を設置したんだな！

Curiouser and curiouser, what do we do now?

ますます不思議だ、奇妙だ。俺たちはどうすればいい？

Good suggestion Snott! But I don't think my mouth will hold that much marmalade.

良い提案だスノット！しかし、俺の口にそんなにたくさんのマーマレードが入るとは思えないな。

AHA! Ok I'll bite.

よし、やってやろう。

AAH!

Jim&Snott:AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim: You're right! This is a violation of the laws of physics! I'll notify physics police at once!

君の言う通り！これは物理学の法則を冒涜している！直ちに物理学警察に通報しなければならない！

Come on, my uncanny worm senses tell me our answer lies this way!

さあ行こう！俺のミミズの勘が働いている、こっちに答えがあると。

Guardian: Destroy intruders, destroy intruders.

侵入者を破壊せよ、侵入者を破壊せよ。

Jim: Yeah, go get them. Oh, you mean us.

そうだ！奴らを捕まえろ！あー、俺たちのことかぁ。

Guardian: Destroy intruders.

侵入者を破壊せよ。

Jim: Hiss hiss, Hello I am a steam pipe, the intruders went that way, Hiss hiss, Steam.

シューシュー、こんにちは、僕はスチームパイプだよ。侵入者はあっちへ行ったよ。シューシュー、湯気だよ。

Guardian: Thanks, pal.

ありがとう、親友。

Jim: AHA! We found control central!

コントロールセンターを見つけたぞ！

But how can we decipher these incredibly complicated readings?

しかし、こんな物凄く複雑な物をどうやって解読すればいいんだ？

The battery's low!

バッテリーの残量が少ない！

The Zurbs could strike at any second. GAH!

ザーブたちがいつ何時襲ってくるかもわからない！

Narration: Is this the end for Peter and Jim?Will they be grounded to paste?

Will they be torn to bits? Will their bones be-

これがピーターとジムの終わりなのでしょうか？彼らはペースト状にされてしまうのでしょうか？

刃でバラバラにされてしまうのでしょうか？彼らの骨は…

Peter: Oh give it a rest, will ya?

もう、いい加減にしてくれる？

Narration: Right. Stay tuned to find out!

了解、乞うご期待！

Psy-crow: Hehe, Hello. Are you bored with life? Yearning for excitement?

こんにちは。あなたは人生に退屈していませんか？刺激を求めていませんか？

Well come on down to Psycrow's School of Nefarious Space Villainy.

I'll train you all aspects of evil.

さっさとサイクロウの宇宙悪行学校へ行くべきです。

あなたの悪い面全てを教育致します。

You'll learn the secrets of maniacal laughter.

狂気の笑いの秘訣を学べます。

Students: (Bored) Ah ha ha ha ha

(退屈そうに)

Psy-crow: You'll amaze your friends with your fiendish vocabulary!

あなたの残酷な語彙で友達を驚かせましょう！

Cat: Face my awry... uh, awesome wrath, vile do gooder.

I shall da.. destroy you. A minor backset, uh setback.

私の顔…間違えた…あー、凄まじい怒り、不快な行いをする善人。

私はお前をは、破壊する。大した尻尾…、失敗じゃない。

Psy-crow: And you'll attend a special space villain support group.

そして特別な場所、悪党のサポートグループに参加するべきです。

Teacher: You're bad. You're so bad that's good, but in a bad way.

あなた達は悪い人だ。あなた達は良い意味で悪い人だ、しかし、悪い意味でもだ。

Psy-crow: Because if you don't respect yourself, no one will tremble at your feet in abject terror.

何故なら、もしあなたが自分自身を尊重しなければ、誰もあなたの足元で惨めたらしく恐怖に震えてくれないからです。

Professor: Before I took Psycrow's course, I was a simple dairy farmer.

サイクロウの講座を受講する前、私はただの酪農家でした。

NOW DIG ME! I've got a monkey graphed into my head!

でも今の私をご覧あれ！私は頭に移植手術をし、お猿さんを手に入れました！

I was NOT making eyes at the gorilla! I'm a happily graphed man.

違う、私はあのゴリラの方が良かったなんて思ってないよ！進んで君を移植したんだ。

Jim: Psycrow's students are the most capable villains I battled.

Psycrow, you're number one... on the galactitc's most wanted list that is. Hehe.

サイクロウの教え子たちは、俺が戦った悪党の中でも最も有能揃いだった。

サイクロウ、お前がナンバーワンだ…この銀河の最重要指名手配者だ。ハハ。

Psy-crow: Hahahaha! You said it, accursed dog-ooder!

ははは、おっしゃる通りだ、やっかいな犬畜生め！

Dogooder!

おせっかいをどうも！

You know what I'm saying! Call today, and remember our motto.

The wages of sin is death, but the hours are good.

ご理解いただけましたでしょうか？すぐにお電話をください。そして私たちのモットーを思い出してください。

罪の報いは死ですが、その時間も良いものですよ。

Narration: And now, back to Earthworm Jim!

When we left our heroes, Peter was hiding from the evil Zurb warriors as they searched for Jim's suit.

そして、アースワームジムのお話に戻りましょう！

我らがヒーローたちと別れた時、ジムのスーツを探している邪悪なザーブの戦士たちからピーターは身を隠していました。

Jim: What's going on?

どうした？

Peter: So... Scared... Going to... Going to...

すごく怖い、このままじゃ、このままじゃ…

Jim: NO! Bad time, Bad time!

ダメだ！今は都合が悪い！

Zurb: Let's try next door, grab some of that haggis for later.

他の部屋へ行ってみるか、後でハギスを買おう。

Jim: Down boy, DOWN BOY!

落ち着け坊や！

Zurb: The suit, get it!

おい、スーツだ！取り上げろ！

Jim: Ungroovy.

AHAHAHA!

Johnnydactl:Foolish Villains, cower before evil's mysterious foe, Johnnydactl! HAHA!

愚かな悪党どもよ、ミステリアスな悪の敵、ジョニーダクトの前に屈服せよ！ハハ！

Zurb:AAAH!!

Jim: Johnnydactl, you old sweater girl, you saved our bacon!

ジョニーダクト、君は古いセーターの女性、俺たちのベーコンを救ってくれた！

Johnnydactl: At the fall of night I come, and silent as a cloud I go, let any trouble come to me, BEFORE THE WRATH OF-

陽が落ちた頃に私は来る、そして雲のように静かに去る、どんな災難も私の元へ来い、怒りに満ちる前に…

Stupid CD player, I was almost done with my mysterious speech!

もう、バカなCDプレーヤーめ、もう少しで私のミステリアスなスピーチが終わるところだったのに！

Peter: Oh, I thought you were very mysterious!

ああ、僕はあなたをとてもミステリアスだと思いました！

Johnnydactl: No it's ruined, IT'S ALL RUINED!!

いや、台無しだよ、全部台無しだ！！

Jim: Touchy....

神経質だなぁ…

Growing weaker by the moment... must get my strength back...

刻々と弱っていく…力を取り戻さなければ…

Queen: Earthworm Jim, you have until sunset to bring me your suit, or I will destroy this pitiful TOWN!

アースワームジム、日没までにスーツを持って来なければ、この哀れな町を破壊する！

Thank you, and have a nice day, this message will repeat.

ありがとう、そしてごきげんよう。もう一度繰り返します。

Jim: Destroys? Only one chance, we must go to the secret headquarters and consult my super advanced Wormputer!Grrk!

破壊する？一度だけチャンスがある、秘密基地へ戻って超高度なミミズコンピューターに相談するんだ！ぐえ！

Luckily I have a secret entrance, hidden in this restroom stall!

幸いなことに、このトイレの個室に隠された入口があるんだ！

Peter: Uh Jim? I think it's this stall...

あ、ジム、こっちの個室だと思うんだけど…

Jim:Ew...

おえ…

Narration: The super advanced Wormputer, miracle of modern technology, does it's usual brilliant job.

現代のテクノロジーの奇跡、超高度なミミズコンピューターがいつものように素晴らしい仕事をこなします。

Jim: WHAT DO YOU MEAN INVALID PARAMETERS?!

9000 gigs of RAM and it cant answer a simple question!

無効なパラメーターってどういう意味だ？！

9000ギガのメインメモリを搭載してもこんな簡単な質問に答えられないのか！

Dang.

Peter: Why don't we just look and see what kind of battery is in there? Then we can get a new one.

中にどんな電池が入っているか、一緒に見てみようよ。そうすれば新しいものが手に入れられるよ。

Jim: GOOD THINKING LITTLE BUDDY!

良い考えだ坊や！

Dang.

Have a look!

見てくれ！

Peter: Gods...

神の…

Jim: What does it say on the battery?

バッテリーには何て書いてあるんだ？

[solastia]

Say You Won’t Let Go | 4

Pairing: Jimin x Namjoon X Seokjin

Word Count: 3K

Notes: Shortish, but I decided to split up what I was working on since the smut I have planned is taking a while and I wanted to get something out to you guys. Anyway, I think it's pretty obvious where I'm taking this lmao. Lemme know what you think and oh yeah, we're still missing someone, huh? ;)

A gloomy cluster of clouds had settled over the small village, reflecting the moods of those who lived there. Jimin stared up at the sky, hoping the rains would hold off for a few days until after this crisis was past. The last thing he needed was the added worry of his mate trying to battle in the middle of a storm. Namjoon could handle himself in a fight just fine, but his beloved was surprisingly clumsy and him slipping to his death was a real possibility. 

They’d decided the best course of action was to set up a camp halfway between the village and where the possible hostile party was spotted. There the warriors would train day and night, as well as keep up a patrol of the surrounding areas so that no one could get past them to the village. Halfway was a two-day journey, so it had been a while since Jimin had gotten to see his mate. Three whole days without him. Two long and lonely nights. 

He sighs morosely and turns back to watch the villagers bustling back and forth as they prepare to evacuate. Everyone had been working day and night since they learned of the looming threat. The caves were now mostly liveable and the animals were sealed away. Those that couldn’t work - such as the elderly and young children - were already in them along with a few guards just in case. Their main concern at the moment was gathering and securing as much of their food supply as possible. Homes could be built quickly if they got destroyed, but the crops that took so long to grow and preserve were much more precious. 

Surprisingly enough, it was Seokjin that was his biggest help at the moment. Jimin supposed that without Namjoon around to be jealous over it was easier for him to make an effort to be kind and include the other omega, and so far it had proven to be a great decision. Seokjin threw himself into the work right alongside everyone else. He carried grain, herded animals, and best of all was amazingly good with numbers and actually liked making lists. He had lists of everything from livestock numbers down to every speck of seed they had. The moment he finished a task, he went right back to Jimin asking what else he could do to help him, as well as making sure that he’d taken time to eat. He was loath to admit it, but Jimin had a feeling this whole ordeal would have been much more difficult without Seokjin around. 

They were now all starting to gravitate towards the big bonfire in the middle of the village as many took the chance to prepare their suppers and fight off the crisp evening airs. Jimin observed quietly as Seokjin and Taehyung giggled together over something the elder omega had said, his ridiculous laugh enough to even make Jimin quirk a small smile in amusement. 

Seokjin was quickly winning the people over with his easygoing and good-humored personality. Even Taehyung, who was firmly on “Jimin’s Side,” couldn’t help being drawn in by the man who had taken to treating him like a younger brother. Seokjin was currently teaching Taehyung how to make the lamb that Jungkook went crazy over, so he’d be able to surprise his mate when the warriors all came back from their camp. 

Thinking of the warriors so far away makes Jimin shiver as he was wracked with more worried thoughts of his mate. He hoped Namjoon was eating and keeping warm. That he hadn’t stabbed himself or anyone else with a dagger yet. That Yoongi was able to talk him down when the burdens of his position got to be too much. 

He shivered again, drawing his fur wrap closer to himself. It was strange how he couldn’t stop shivering despite the fact that his body actually felt too hot. He supposed stress was making him get sick. Wouldn’t that just be perfect timing - to fall ill in the middle of a tribe war. Well, if there was anything he was good at it was making things worse. 

He clenched his teeth as he felt another chill, gripping his fur with a tight squeeze. The heat it added was making it worse, he was sure, but Namjoon’s scent was so strong on this one that he was unwilling to give up the comfort it brought him. 

But it was so hot. 

He missed his mate so much.

Had he already checked their healing supplies? 

He needed Namjoon. 

Head hurts so much. 

Did they stack enough wood for fires? 

“Here, drink this.” 

Jimin startled and looked up at Seokjin smiling down at him gently, holding a mug of something steaming. He took a quick sniff, scenting chamomile, ginger, and honey. 

Not that he needed the heat the drink would add, but as he’d studied with Healer Lily he knew the calming effects of Chamomile and accepted the cup eagerly. He would need extra assistance to get some sleep later. 

“Thank you,” he responded softly before taking a large sip. 

Seokjin settled into the spot next to him on the elaborately carved bench, sighing as he got comfortable. Jimin tried not to breathe in too deeply of the rich caramel scent, trying to focus on the more neutral calming ones from his tea instead. He supposed whatever was making him ill was affecting all of his senses, because he could barely stand anyone’s scent all day. Seokjin’s though...he smelled amazing. Like the sugary sweet sauce that his grandmother used on her baked apples. It was everything he could do not to nestle against the other omega and beg to be scented and cuddled. He didn’t want to freak him out, however. Seokjin wasn’t familiar yet with Jimin’s tendency to be overly touchy. 

Seokjin cracks his neck with a tired sigh, glancing down at Jimin with concern. 

“I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but you’ve been looking a little out of sorts today. Is there anything you need help with?” 

Jimin waves off his concern, sending him a friendly albeit strained smile. 

“No. Might be getting sick is all. I’ll get some herbs from Healer Lily later.” 

Seokjin nods in understanding. “A combination of stress and changing weather can do that. We’ll probably be dealing with lots of people falling ill soon.” 

He reaches out a hand to Jimin’s forehead, frowning at the temperature and light sheen of sweat building there. 

“You do feel really hot like you have a fever,” He observes Jimin thoughtfully, his eyes growing larger with concern. He leans in and sniffs Jimin’s neck. The omega shudders as Seokjin’s hot breath hit his throat, and the thought of baring it to the other wasn’t entirely unpleasant. 

Seokjin’s breathing hitches and he grasps Jimin’s shoulder. “I think you might be nearing your time.” 

Jimin growls, refusing to acknowledge the conclusion that even he himself had secretly come to. 

“That’s two months away. I’m fine. Just a little sick. I’ll go to sleep and it will be fine.” 

“Should I send a message to Namjoon, just in case?” 

Jimin shot up from the bench quickly, suddenly eager to run from Seokjin’s constant questioning. 

“No! He’s busy. We’re busy. Everything is fine.” 

And like a coward he ran away from him, escaping into the Healer’s hut. 

Lily was already in there, still packing away her supplies. She looks up when Jimin enters, her welcoming smile dimming as she takes in his scent. 

“Jimin…” 

“I know. Now is not the time, though. I have people counting on me to save them. Namjoon’s counting on me. I don’t have time for this.” 

“If it was anyone else I’d be able to give you a pouch of herbs and guarantee it would hold things off until you’re ready, but your body has often been a difficult one for me to figure out. I’ll give you the herbs, but I can’t promise they will even work the way they are supposed to.” 

Jimin growls in frustration, running his fingers through his hair. “So what am I supposed to do? Why is this even happening? I’m two months early!” 

“I imagine the stress affected your cycle. It’s very common, dear. I will give you the herbs and we can hope for the best.” She ruffled around in a large sack, pulling out a couple of smaller packages and handing them to him with a shrug. 

“If you want my honest opinion, I think you should just head to the caves and ride it out without them until your mate arrives. We have everything well in hand here and everything is prepared to be stored in the caves. You’ve done all you can, Jimin.” She grasps his shoulder softly to comfort him as he groans, planting his face in his palms. 

“Just stay close to your people, just in case.” 

He sighs in defeat and clutches the bags of herbs close to his chest, murmuring a distracted goodbye to the old healer. He hurries back to his nearly empty dwelling, glad that he’d at least had the foresight (or honestly, Seokjin had) to leave a few dishes behind. 

He sets a kettle of water to boil over the small contraption that Yoongi had made them last year when he’d started tinkering around with their blacksmith - a portable cooking surface that only needed a bit of tinder to get going. Jimin loved it because he didn’t have to deal with the firepit or go to the cooking lodge to make something. He could fire it up right there in his house and have a lovely cup of tea without worry. 

He shoved some twigs and birch bark into the opening and struck his fire-steel a few times in front of it, blowing when a spark finally took. The simple act of starting a fire was familiar and calming enough to get him out of his head for a moment. 

He hummed to himself as he grabbed his kettle and filled it with water he had collected from the cooking lodge earlier. He opens the leather bags and sniffs at the herbs, nodding as he recognizes them. He figures one cup will do for now and pinches about two spoonfuls of herbs into the water. He sets the kettle to boil and sits down at his little table, ignoring the twinge of longing when he spots his furs. He would love nothing more than to just wrap himself up in his nest and have Namjoon make love to him for the next few days. He’d feel safe and loved, nestled in those familiar strong arms. 

Instead, he was here, alone, trying to save their village. 

The wooden door opened as Seokjin shuffled inside, smiling when he spots Jimin. 

Perhaps not completely alone, he guesses. 

“You saw Lily?” 

Jimin nods, waving towards the kettle. “This should stop it. I at least need to make it long enough to get to the caves tomorrow. After that...I guess we’ll see.” 

“Well, if you need anything in the meantime just let me know. I’m here to help,” Seokjin says brightly, but Jimin can see he’s merely trying to cheer him up. He was so nice. 

“Why were you unmated so long?” 

He gasps and covers his mouth, but the damage has been done.

Thankfully, Seokjin just chuckles. “ You know, that’s been everyone else’s first question. I was starting to wonder when you would ask.” 

“I’m sorry, you don’t need to answer.” 

He shrugs and grabs a mug from a shelf, pouring Jimin’s now boiling tea. His eyebrows crinkle as though he’s lost in thought, even as he shuffles around and pulls out the small crock of honey and adds some to the mug. He pushes it towards Jimin with a flat smile. 

“I suppose if anyone around here deserves the full story, it’s you.” 

Jimin takes a sip, watching the other omega curiously. 

“To put it bluntly, I’ve never been attracted to alphas.”

Jimin nearly spits his mouthful of tea, swallowing it with a cough at the last moment instead. 

“What? But you...and he...you have…” he stutters, trying to understand. 

Seokjin nods, “Don’t get me wrong, as far as alphas go, Namjoon is very handsome. My body instinctively recognizes him as Pack Alpha and my bonded mate, allowing me to do...what we do. Perhaps in time, I can see that he could easily become one of my dearest friends and potentially a wonderful father for my pups.” 

“But…” Jimin prompts, leaning over his cup curiously. 

“But, “ Seokjin shrugs, “I just have never been romantically attracted to alphas.” 

“So, that means…”

Seokjin quirks an eyebrow in amusement. “That means I am romantically and sexually attracted to omegas, yes.” 

“Oh,” Jimin took another sip of his tea, staring at the quietly laughing Seokjin in shock. 

“Indeed. Don’t you have intersex couples here?” 

Jimin thought about it, shrugging. 

“If we do, I don’t really know. I’m not saying it bothers me, I just wasn’t expecting it.” 

Seokjin nods, leaning in his chair as he observes Jimin. 

“What about betas?” 

Seokjin shrugs, “Never really met anyone that intrigued me enough to wonder.” 

“Have you ever…” 

“Yes. That’s why I was unmated for such a long time.” 

“Oh, I see.” 

Seokjin sighs and props his chin in his hand, looking at the wall beyond Jimin. 

“His name was Jaehwan. We’ve known each other since we were kids, much like you and Namjoon. Things progressed over the years and I fell in love. I thought that was it. I was going to grow old with him, give up mating and pups. I was fine as long as I had him.” 

“So what happened?” Jimin asked, thoroughly enthralled in the story, his heart already hurting for the man since he knew the ending. 

“A neighboring small pack petitioned Jaehwan’s father, wanting to court him and make him Pack Omega. And Jae...he was thrilled. Said Hakyeon was beautiful and he was so happy that an alpha wanted to make him Pack Omega at his age. He couldn’t stop talking about pups and mates and…” 

Seokjin sniffled and Jimin flew into action, crawling around the table to stroke the omega’s arm in comfort. 

“He didn’t think anything was wrong with the way he was acting. When I finally got enough courage to ask what he was going to do about me he said that we both knew we couldn’t stay together forever because that’s not how omegas work.” 

“I hope he...falls into the ocean and gets eaten by a whale,” Jimin spits. 

Seokjin chuckles softly, wiping his eyes of the couple tears that had escaped. 

“So fierce for someone so small.” 

“Hey!” 

Seokjin truly laughed that time, loud and obnoxious like the ones he always shared with Taehyung. Jimin didn’t know why making him laugh like that made him feel proud. 

“He didn’t fall into the ocean. That was a few years ago now. I hear their pack is doing well and he already has a pup and another on the way. I’m...happy for him. I think I loved him too long to really hate him,” Seokjin sighs.

“Anyway, everyone in my pack knew of my...preferences, so no one pressured me to move on after that. When we heard of this packs need...I don’t know. I wasn’t trying to escape or anything. My father was perfectly fine with me staying there and being who I am. He already has a dozen grandkids from each of my siblings. I just...I heard Jungkook and Yoongi talking about the situation and I could see how their hearts were hurting even having to make such a request. They told everyone how much the two of you were in love and what a sacrifice you were making for your pack. I couldn’t stand by and let someone take advantage of what the two of you had. I really am here just to help. Not to hurt you or Namjoon or this pack.” 

“Thank you,” Jimin finally responded quietly after a few moments. 

Seokjin nods, leaning over to place his hand on his forehead. 

“Still feels hot, but not much worse than it was earlier. How long does the tea take to kick in?” 

“Depends on my body, which usually is the worst. Maybe an hour.” 

“Hm. It’s late anyway, let's go to bed and see how you feel in the morning.” 

Suddenly, the thought of sleeping alone yet again was more than he could bear. 

“Can you…nevermind. It’s stupid. Sorry.” 

Jimin flushed, cursing his pre-heat brain. He scrambled to his furs and crawled inside.

“What do you need, Jimin.” 

The way that Seokjin was hovering over his furs and speaking so forcefully had Jimin shivering with something he didn’t want to acknowledge. 

“I just...when I’m in heat I need...to cuddle. A lot. It’s really annoying and I’m sorry for even asking. It’s probably really awkward.” 

“I’d love to if it’s really alright. I sometimes get extra touchy during my heat too, so I understand.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, scoot over. Just don’t hog the furs, it’s fucking freezing out there.” 

Jimin laughs as Seokjin slides under the furs with him, hearing the ‘perfect’ omega cussing somehow extra funny to him. 

“Aren’t you from some place where it snows all the time?” 

“Doesn’t mean I liked it! Maybe that's the real reason I left. I was sick of having to set my dick out to thaw every spring.” 

Jimin curled up as laughter wracked his entire body until his belly hurt. Finally, Seokjin pat his head and yawned loudly. 

“Night, Jimin.” 

“Goodnight.” 

Jimin smiled to himself as he drifted off, warm and not alone for the first time in days. 

[memfys23]

The Sound

“C’mon, girl. Smell the nice fishy? Hmm? Nice and fresh.”

There’s a small splash as the fish hit the water, but the sea lions took no notice of it and continued to stare impassively at Sam where he stood on the ship deck. Just after sunrise they had been swimming in long arcs parallel to the shore of the nearby island, but as the First Green had drifted in closer, more and more of them had shortened their sweeps until there was an audience of several floating off starboard, watching with eerie quiet.

The fish rocked gently black and forth as it slowly sank and the sleek animals made no move to follow it.

Dean whistled. “That is some damn impressive training. Also…” He gave a quick whack to the back of his brother’s head. “The fuck you think you’re gonna keep one of those things?”

“Ow!” Sam pushed the hair out of his face on the way to rubbing the back of his head. “I wasn’t trying to catch one. I just thought I’d make friends.”

“Sure, Sammy.”

“Seriously, Dean. We live in a two bedroom walk-up. Even if we moved, renting a place with a pool would seriously stretch our budget… at least at my old job’s wages…”

“No, Sammy”

“And my car’s too small to transport for vet visits. I’d have to stick it in the backseat of – “

“Don’t even think of finishing that sentence.”

Sam grinned at the finger pointed in his face.

“You’re too easy.”

Dean huffed and returned to counting the alcohol swabs in the first aid kit while Sam continued watching the sea lions watch him.

Satisfied that the kit was still fully stocked, Dean returned it to the case on the wall and joined Sam at the railing just in time for a series of low whistles to come across the water. The sea lions attention was grabbed and they began ducking beneath the water and swimming away towards the island in the distance.

From here in the pall of the northwest, the settlement that they knew was there was a smudge on the shoreline; the small windmill floating off shore was lost in the gray.

Dean raised his binoculars and watched as the sea lions were greeted by other figures in the crashing surf. The sea lions nosed at hands and showed a playfulness that had absolutely been absent the rest of the day.

“I wish we could talk to them,” Sam said, lowering his own binoculars to push the hair out of his eyes. “Think about what we could learn about each other if we could just talk.”

“Yeah. Maybe if I throw you overboard one of them will mistake you with your girly hair as a damsel in need of rescue and sweep you back to their shack for a little ‘cultural exchange’.”

Sam punched him in the arm, hard and then went back to his binoculars.

Meeting a selkie would definitely be a highlight to this trip. In addition to all the safety discussions and the legal walk throughs (how close were they allowed to get to the actual oil pipeline, what could they take pictures of, etc.), Dean and the rest of the Green Peace expedition had been forced to sit through a seminar on interacting with any selkie that they encountered on this trip. It boiled down to don’t.

To call the selkie standoffish was an understatement. For most of history the relations between human and Selkie had been cold at best and hostile at worst. Selkie who intruded to much into human fishing waters were often chased off their settlements, forced to rocky islands that Humans found utterly inhospitable. History was also littered with the tales of ships run aground, or worse sunk with all hands after straying too close to Selkie waters.

Of course history was more complicated. There were good stories too. Drowned sailors thought lost forever returned to their home shores, lost selkie saved from circling sharks and given a lift to the nearest rookery. Careful exchanges of technology and culture over the centuries. A handful of documented cases of friendship and, even rarer, romance. Hell, the jacket Dean’s father had left him was Selkie made, passed on to John from who knows where. Decades old as it was, it still kept the rain out like nothing else.

It would be pretty cool to meet selkie. Would definitely be worth several free beers over the course of his life. But it was better not to get their hopes up. The First Green was here to observe the local oil pipeline and its impacts on the non-human and non-selkie ecology. Cultural exchange was not in their mission statement and the local selkie population had made no overtures during their week here so far. They had kept distant from the ship and the divers, shifting their fishing patterns and their herds to the other side of their island presumably to wait out the expedition.

Dean and Sam watched the selkie and their sea lions splashing through the surf a little while longer and moved on when the expedition’s volunteer photographer wandered over. He left Sam to point out different parts of the landscape and the selkie rookery to Sarah while she peered through her camera.

*             *             *

With the exception of the mornings, the weather in Lopez Bay had been beautiful. The sun had sparkled over the deep green waters and warm breezes had moved the air just enough to keep it from being stifling without providing any chill.

Even the selkie had seemed to loosen up. Early in the third week the crew had woken up one morning to find the sea cows back in their original cove and while the raft of sea lions continued to watch the ship warily and ignore the occasional fish a crewperson tried to tempt them with, they were now joined by a gaggle of motley pelted seals who responded with much less stoicism. The seals eagerly leapt, dove, an spun and they received a rain of fish as their reward.

It had been far more comfortable than Dean had been led to believe the Pacific Northwest to be.

Today was a whole other kettle of fish. Overnight it seemed the region had finally decided to show her true colors. Rain slapped against the windows and the floor of the mess was slick with water tracked in every time someone came from outside. Rain slickers dripped water down the walls where they were hung and every glass surface fogged with the collected breaths of the crew and the steam rising from their mugs.

Sam blew on his hot chocolate and took a small sip before putting it down again.

“You want me to get you some marshmallows to go with that?” Dean asked as he slid on to the bench.

“You have marshmallows?”

Dean shook his head and cradled his own mug close to his frozen nose.

“Seriously, Dean. If you’re hoarding marshmallows, share the goddamn wealth.”

Dean sipped his coffee. Too hot, but he wasn’t gonna be a goddamn girl about it like Sam. “Shaddup. How are your talks going with the fishing company? Are they still threatening to sue our asses to hell and back?”

“They won’t give any ground, but we’re not actively interfering with any of their transports and they can’t object to any of the observations we’re taking. No activities they undertake in public waters can be considered proprietary so we’re fully within our rights to take pictures and videos and the scientists have their own permits for testing and observing in the wildlife reserve so they can’t keep our people out of the water and away from their equipment as long as we’re not actually interfering with any of it.”

“They are damn lucky you were able to get such a good stretch of time off between your old firm and the new one.”

“I’m not the only one who’s managed to impress on this trip. I was talking with Doctor Karam earlier. His wife is a physician with Doctors Without Borders and they’re apparently looking for supply logisticians. Experienced people who understand medical needs and can get shit done. I think Doctor Karam thinks you’d be a great fit. It would be a great step up in your career.”

“C’mon, Sammy. I’ve had enough of parachuting into crappy places all over the world. I’m ready to stay put for a while. Not to mention we’re gonna be in the same place at the same time for the first time in a long time. You and me raising hell and looking fabulous doing it. Just like old times.”

Sam hesitated, dropped his eyes to his mug and Dean’s heart dropped to his stomach.

“About that, Dean.” Sam took a deep breath. “The firm has an opening in the DC office. It’s better pay and it would open up some really cool opportunities for me.”

“So that’s why you’re so eager to get rid of me.” He lifted his leg and pivoted off the bench. “I need some fresh air.”

“Dean, c’mon, man, that’s not fair,” he heard Sam start but Dean was already walking away. He drained the last of the coffee in his cup, dropped it in the bin strapped to the compost bin (of course these freaking hippies had a compost bin) and wrenched open the mess door. He made his way to the end of the hall and then out under the awning. Small blessing there wasn’t a lot of wind.

He pulled a cigarette out of the pack in his pocket and leaned against the bulkhead while he held the tip to his zippo flame. He’d promised Sam and Uncle Bobby he’d quit, but quitting was a process and the other coping option of a beer would mean heading back into the galley and Sam’s disapproval.

Goddamn genius brothers. Kid couldn’t leave well enough alone. Couldn’t be happy with what he had which was already lightyears more than any Winchester had ever had before. Couldn’t resist one more rung on the ladder. The chance to get away from Dean again probably made the opportunity all the sweeter. He’d probably been spending the last few weeks looking for any bone he could throw to Dean to make it seem like it wasn’t all just about avoiding his broken loser older brother.

The glow of the cigarette was a mocking reminder of the cold outside. Dean took a long drag, held the smoke in his lungs, and then let it out in a long slow stream. He scrubbed his hand over his face and tried not to feel the dual cold of the weather and the steel bulkhead behind him leaching through his clothes. He lifted the cigarette to his mouth again and repeated the earlier drag. He could at least be grateful there wasn’t any wind.

Dean continued to smoke, listening to the raindrops clatter off the awning when he something stole his attention. He stilled, suddenly hyper aware, not sure what had interrupted his pity party when deep jingle and clank sounded over a gap in the rain. The clank came again from around the corner followed by a thud, a grunt, and then a splash. Dean pushed away from the wall bulkhead behind him and headed around the corner to the sound. As he made his way there was another clank and then a thud again, followed by another.

Dean stopped at the top of the stairs leading down to the stern deck, feeling the cigarette drop from his suddenly gaping mouth.

There, in the pouring rain, slumped on the deck, a smaller form clasped in his arms, blue eyes boring into Dean’s soul, was a selkie.

[sincerelybluevase]

Didn't think all questions from 'Asks' could be proposed, so there you go: all the questions (1 to 96) or as much as you can!

Well thank you, nonny! I shall put these under a cut. 

(1) Do You Sleep With Your Closet Doors Open Or Closed? Closed, because you never know what might be in there!

(2) Do You Have Freckles? I wish I did, but alas! My sisters do have them so jealous much. 

(3) Can You Whistle? I can, but I can’t carry a tune I’m afraid. 

(4) Last Song You Listened To. Almost by Hozier. 

(5) What Is Your Favourite Colour? It’s a tie between blue and red. 

(6) Relationship Status. Taken, and happily so!

(7) What Is The Temperature Right Now? 16 degrees Celsius, so that’s about 61 F.

(8) Did You Wake Up Cranky? I woke up from a nightmare, so it wasn’t really the best sort of waking. That said, I’m not cranky per se, just a bit sleepy still.

(9) How Many Followers? 438

(10) Zodiac Sign. Aquarius

(11) What Is Your Eye Colour? Blue!

(12) Take A Vitamin Daily? Not daily; I take vitamin D tablets you have to take every few days. Before I used to take a different vitamin D tablet daily, though!

(13) Do You Sing In The Shower? No but I do talk to myself haha. 

(14) What Books Are You Reading? The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien for a course at university, and Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel for fun. 

(15) Grab The Book Nearest To You, Turn To Page 64, Give Me Line 14. I don’t think you have to worry about Bilbo. 

(16) Favourite Anime? Hm, probably Howl’s Moving Castle. 

(17) Last Person You Cried In Front Of? I’m trying to remember when I last cried. Either in front of my gf, or in front of my sisters. 

(18) Do You Collect Anything? Books and crystal skulls!

(19) What Did You Have For Lunch? Nothing yet, because it is still morning. 

(20) Do You Dance In The Car? Our car isn’t big enough for that haha. 

(21) Favourite Animal? I think I would have to choose otters. 

(22) Do You Watch The Olympics? I watch parts of it.

(23) What Time Do You Usually Go To Bed? Well, I usually go up at 9.30, but that doesn’t mean I’m actually aiming for sleep at that point, haha. 

(24) Are You Wearing Makeup Right Now? I’m allergic to make up, so no.

(25) Do You Prefer To Swim In A Pool Or The Ocean? Neither, because I hate swimming. 

(26) Favourite Tumblr Blog? How could I ever choose?

(27) Bottled Water Or Tap Water? I live in the Netherlands, which has the cleanest tap water in the world. Therefore, drinking bottled water is almost criminal. 

(28) What Makes You Happy? Many things! My gf, my sisters, my dog, good books, writing, playing the piano, petrichor, warmth, hot tea...

(29) Post A Gif Of What You’re Currently Feeling Right Now.

(30) Do You Study Better With Or Without Music? It depends on what I am studying, truth be told. I do both, though I always use instrumental music. 

(31) Dogs Or Cats? Both. 

(32) If You Were A Crayon What Colour Would You Be? I don’t know. Probably a pastel blue, maybe orange?

(33) PlayStation Or Xbox. Sadly, I have had neither. 

(34) Would You Swim In The Lake Or Ocean? Not if I can help it. 

(35) Do You Believe In Magic? Define magic. 

(36) What Colour Shirt Are You Wearing? I’m wearing a dress. It’s denim, therefore blue. 

(37) Can You Curl Your Tongue? I can!

(38) Do You Save Money Or Spend It? I’d like to say both, but I mainly spend it. 

(39) Is There Anything Pink Within 10 Feet Of You? Yes; my phone case. 

(40) Do You Have Any Obsessions Right Now? I wouldn’t call it an obsession, but I have been listening to Lana Del Rey’s new album on repeat, and I’ve found myself craving gothic books.

(41) Have You Ever Caught A Butterfly? I haven’t. 

(42) Are You Easily Influenced By Other People? No. 

(43) Do You Have Strange Dreams? All the freaking time!

(44) Do You Like Going On Airplanes? No; the air is super dry, the seats are cramped and uncomfortable, the food too little and not very good. I do like I’m going somewhere, though. 

(45) Name One Movie That Made You Cry. The only thing that comes to mind right now is Shrek the Fourth, which is somewhat embarrassing, but really I cry easily with films.

(46) Peanuts Or Sunflower Seeds? Sunflower seeds, though both are lovely when salted. 

(47) If I Handed You A Concert Ticket Right Now, Who Would You Want The Performer To Be? Hozier. 

(48) Are You A Picky Eater? I can’t eat gluten and I’m also lactose intolerant, so in that sense I am picky. If it boils down to what I actually like, I’m not. 

(49) Are You A Heavy Sleeper? Not at all. 

(50) Do You Fear Thunder / Lightning? Nope!

(51) Do You Like To Read / Write? Yes and yes!

(52) Do You Like Your Music Loud? No because I am perpetually afraid I will damage my ears and go deaf. 

(53) Would You Rather Carve Pumpkins Or Wrap Presents? I have only ever carved a pumpkin once, so I am going to go with that because it is so new. 

(54) Put Your Music On Shuffle, What Is The First Song That Came Up? Mrs de Winter bin ich! From the German musical adaption of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

(55) What Season Are You In Right Now? (Weather) Transitioning from summer to autumn. 

(56)What Are You Craving Right Now? Some free time so I can finish my first draft and finish the book I’m reading. 

(57) Post A Screenshot Of Your Tumblr Feed. No.

(58) What Is Your Gender? Female.

(59) Coffee Or Tea? Tea.

(60) Do You Have Any Homework Right Now? If So, What Is It About? I’m doing an English literature master, so I have homework all the time! I have to write a little essay about the letters of Margaret Cavendish, read LOTR, and choose a topic for an essay for my course on British and Irish fantasy novels.

(61) What Is Your Sexuality? Lesbian.

(62) Do You Make Your Bed In The Morning? Yes.

(63) Favourite Pokemon? Bulbosaur.

(64) Favourite Social Media? Tumblr.

(65) What’s Your Opinion On Instagram Stories? They can be fun!

(66) Do You Get Homesick? As a rule, no, but it depends on where I am and most of all with whom.

(67) Are You A Virgin? What a personal question!

(68) What Shampoo And Conditioner Are You Using Right Now? I don’t use conditioner, but I am using a shampoo bar by Lush which I don’t remember the name of, but it is for blondes and has chamomille and smells like lemon. 

(69) If You Were Far From Home And Needed To Sleep For The Night, Would You Choose To Rent A Crappy Motel Room For $60 Or Sleep In Your Car For Free? What an American question! It is not really something I will have to deal with, living in the Netherlands. Still, if it came to it I suppose my car is less dirty than a crappy motel room.

(70) Are Both Of Your Blood Parents Still In Your Life? Yes.

(71)  Whats The Next Movie You Want To See In Theaters? Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

(72) Do You Miss Your Ex? I don’t have one. 

(73) What Is Your Favourite Quote Right Now? I don’t really have one. 

(74) What Eye Colour Do You Find Sexiest? That fully depends on the person those eyes belong to. As a general rule, brown eyes.

(75) Did You Like Swinging As A Child? Do You Still Get Excited When You See A Swing Set? I do, and yes!

(76) What Was The Last Thing You Ate? I’m eating a sandwich as we eat. 

(77) What Games Do You Have On Your Phone? Microsoft’s solitaire collection. 

(78) Would You Give A Homeless Person CPR If They Were Dying? Why Or Why Not? I can’t give CPR, but if i could, I would, because I damn well hope someone would give me CPR if I was in that situation. 

(79) Been On The Computer For 5 Hours Straight? Yes.

(80) Stalked Someone On A Social Network? No.

(81) Do You Like Meeting New People? Again, depends on the context. 

(82) Do You Wear Rings? If You Do, Take A Picture Of Them. I wear one on each thumb and one on my right middle finger. Can’t take a picture ATM

(83) Do You Sleep With Your Bedroom Door Open Or Closed? Closed.

(84) What Are Three Things You Did Today? Brushed my teeth, made breakfast, talked to my gf. It’s 7.45 in the morning, guys.

(85) What Do You Wear To Bed? Nothing. 

(86) List All Of Your Different Beauty Products You Have Right Now. I have face moisturiser and that is it guys.

(87) Are You A Day Or Night Person? A day person.

(88) List All Of Your Video Games On Your Phone, Console Etc. Candy crush friends, and Microsoft solitaire collection.

(89) Tell Me About A Dream That You Had And When It Happened. Well this morning I had a nightmare where I had to perform an exorcism on a loved one, and it didn’t work. Come to think of it, I did try to bless them with ‘the father, the mother, and the holy ghost,’ so that may have had something to do with it not working. 

(90) Favourite Soda Drink? Fanta or 7-up.

(91) What Sounds Are Your Favourite? My gf laughing, rain on leaves (I am not that much of a rain person though), birds. 

(92) Do You Wear Jeans Or Sweats More? Sweats are more comfy, Jeans look better. 

(93) How Do You Look Right Now? Tired. 

(94) Name Something That Relaxes You. Music. 

(95) What Tattoo Do You Want? I don’t want one. I am too fickle; I’d grow bored of it after a while.

(96) Favourite YouTuber? I don’t have one favourite since I use youtube for different things. 

[dandelion-girl]

I hate you, I love you - Simbar

So here is the next part! I don’t know how many it will have but I am enjoying writing this... Anyways, I don’t know what you will think about this one.... Let’s see what you think!

Note: Now proofread!

Plus: Simón’s, Ámbar’s or both POV? Any suggestions? Feel free to comment here or send privately! Feedback is my drug! Thank you! <3

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5

Part 4

Simón’s POV

Ámbar still wasn’t back home when it started raining. First it was just a few drops, you could barely hear them, but it quickly escalated to heavy rain. Luna was never one to enjoy bad weather. She would get afraid and almost every time would call me to check on me. Now she was worried about her parents because they hadn’t arrived yet.

She is pacing back and forth, rambling about why they wouldn’t pick up the phone when the front door was opened. My eyes turn to the door, hope filling my heart, but only Luna’s worries were calmed.

“Mom, dad! You are back!” She exclaims running to them. They drop their bags to hug their daughter. “We were only away for a few hours… Did you miss us this much or are afraid of the rain?” Miguel asks and they all laughed.

I get up from the couch and approach them.

“Well, now that you know your parents are safe and sound, and they are here, I should probably get going as well, Luna. You know, before my own parents start freaking out…”

“Oh… Okay then… I had a great time today!” She says letting go of her parents to hug me. “Be careful driving home!” She warns me, a serious look on her face.

“Always!” I promise and she smiles. We say our goodbyes and in no time I am sitting on my car. I hope they didn’t notice I was on a rush, but if they did, they probably assumed it was because I wanted to get home faster.

I star the engine running and drive out of the mansion. I did want to get home soon; I knew my parents would get worried as well because they weren’t the biggest fans of me driving while raining. Especially when I only got my driver’s licence a month ago. However, my heart is thigh, thinking about where on Earth was the owner of the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.

I know it is stupid, what are the odds of coming across Ámbar on the big city of Cancún. That is assuming that Ámbar is even here in Cancún. No one really knows where she goes after leaving in the morning. But Luna says her father has seen her a couple of times on the same spot.

It doesn’t hurt trying, so I drive there and take two turns around the place and then decide to make the path back to the mansion. No sign of Ámbar and the rain is getting worse, making it harder to see anything more than two feet away.

Stopping on a red light, I sigh and decide it’s better to give up. I am being a foll even worrying about her. She is probably well, sitting somewhere with a drink she changed 4 times, making a plan on how to make someone’s life miserable. I shake my head at how stupid I am sometimes.

Just when the light turns green and I am about to take a right turn, I spot a black figure a few meters away. I continue going straight, frowning to make sense of what I am seeing. I brake the car, making someone behind me beep. But I don’t care.

Just as quickly as I stopped the car, I am out of it, running to the person I just confirmed is Ámbar.

She is soaking wet, her jacket barely covering anything. She tries to use her bag as a shield to protect her from the rain, but by the way she is looking, it is little to no help.

“Ámbar!” I exclaim when I am near her. She stops walking and turns to me. She is a total mess of wet clothes, smudged makeup and dropping hair.

“Simón… What do you want?” She askes confused looking around her.

I grab her arm and pull her slightly. “Come with me. You have to get out of the rain.”

“What?! No! I am not going anywhere with you! Let go of me!” She pulls her arm away and crosses her arms. I mimic her.

“Ámbar! In case you haven’t noticed it is raining a lot. And unless you want to get sick you should come to the car with me!” I have to shout now, the sound of the rain making it hard to talk. She is shivering, but by her body language I can sense she isn’t giving up.

“No way I am getting in that car with you. I don’t need your pity! I don’t need anything from you, Simón! Just go away!” She shouts back and resumes walking, this time on a faster pace. I roll my eyes and follow her.

In two second I am by her side, and in two seconds she is in my arms.

“What do you think you are doing? Put me down, Simón!” She debates in my arms as I run to the car. I put her down to open the door for her and pull her inside, giving her no time to complain about it.

When I am inside as well, she turns to me, anger all over her face. “Are you insaneee? Who do think you are to grab meeee off the streets and drag meee to your car? Serious..slyyy, Simón there is something wrong with yo..uuu!” She mumbles, shivering a lot, while rubbing her arms. I turn on the heat and she covers the air with her hands.

“Are you finished?” I ask, shaking my head to get rid of some of the water. ”Please, Ámbar, what were you thinking, walking on the streets with that stupid outfit in this ugly rain? You are so getting sick and you know what? You deserve it! I can’t imagine what was in your mind when you thought it was better to walk then to call a taxi or whatever to take you home. It’s not like you can’t afford it. Actually, if you were in the house with us, like normal people, you probably wouldn’t be in this situation for starters…”

“Did you just call my outfit stupid?” She asks, her voice firmer now that she isn’t so cold anymore.

I have to laugh at that. In return she raises her eyebrow. “Seriously, Ámbar, that was the only thing you caught from my whole sentence…” I roll my eyes and start the engine running.

“It was the only truth in your whole sentence…” She whispers.

“I can’t believe you just said that…”

“What, you want me to believe that you are worried about me? That you all of a sudden started caring about how Ámbar Smith is? Please, Simón, spare me…”

“Not everyone is like you, Ámbar. Some people actually care about others and are genuinely concerned about them, not doing that to gain their trusts for stupid evil plans…” I reply, my voice sounding meaner than I wanted, but nicer than she deserved.

“What? Now you have nothing to say?”

“You are right, Simón. Now I am just planning how I am going to escape this car…” She states, her face showing clear signs that she is boiling inside.

I lock the doors, getting a shocked look in return.

“Did you just lock the doors?”

“That is correct Ms. Ámbar. Now please stop complaining and let me take you home. Your clothes are soaking wet and you need a bath. You are so getting sick, but at least I saved you a few minutes on the rain.”

“Home… what home…” She mumbles under her breath and hugs her clothes, trying to get warmer. I take a look at her, her lips are a strange ton of purple.

“Ámbar, you are not looking too good…”

“Thanks for stating the obvious, Álvarez…”

I roll my eyes and chuckle, taking advantage of the stop sign to grab my other jacket from the back seat. “Put this on, please. Your lips are purple, and my heat doesn’t get any better than this. Plus, that ridiculous jacket of yours is of no help.”

“Why do keep insulting my clothes? Did watching Jazmin’s channel turn you into an expert? And I don’t want YOUR ridiculous jacket. Nor do I want you to take me anywhere!”

“I can’t believe you… I am trying to help you and the only thing that you keep doing is complaining! Seriously, Ámbar…”

“You didn’t help me when I needed, when I begged you… Now, you want to help… Thanks a lot but no!” She shoots, her arms crossed and her face turned to the window. Her words hit me for a bit, only making me get angry as well. 

“You can’t be helped Ámbar! You are mean and you like to hurt others. God knows how you hurt ME! After everything you did you seriously thought I could stay with you?” I am shouting as well now, things are escalating fast.

“You weren’t the only one who got hurt! I also thought you were something different from what you are! Which makes me want want to spend zero time with you, especially not in your car! Let me out!” She cries out, trying to force the door open.

“You want to leave? Then, leave! I don’t want you here as well!” I yell, stopping the car and unlocking the doors.

She stares at me for a second, her face a mix of shock and something close to sadness, probably surprised with my attitude, but then opens the doors and jumps outside, taking her bag with her.

When she closes the door, or better slams it, I notice just how cold it is outside and guilt consumes me. What was I thinking? She just gets on my nerves and then I make this stupid decisions… She was clearly provoking me… I could let things like this and make her taste her own venom but we are still far from the mansion and I wouldn’t sleep at night knowing what I did.

So I start following her, driving slowly. She is walking faster than she probably should, the floor is slippery, ignoring me on purpose. I open the window.

“Ámbar, get back in the car!” I shout and she pretends she didn’t listen. The has eased, so its obvious she is ignoring me.

“Ámbar, seriously stop acting like that! Get back inside!”

“No! I already told you I am fine! Go back to your happy life!”

“Ámbar, please… I am sorry for throwing you out it was stupid! Come on…”

She finally looks at me, her face softer, like she is about to give up.

“Don’t make me pick you up again!”

Seems like this threat is enough to convince her because in seconds she is back inside, resting against the seat.

I continue driving, and we are both quiet. My thoughts are just as messy as she looks. Only her heavy breathing and her teeth shaking are heard.

“Can you please turn on the heat, please?”

“I am sorry I forgot!”

“Thank you…” She whispers and slides in her seat, probably trying to find a more comfortable position.

It looks like she is calmer now, so I decide to try something again.

“Please, Ámbar. I do think that jacket is ridiculous. There is no way it provides any heat… No one should go outside with something like that on… So, please. Can you put on my jacket?”

“Firstly, this is a leather jacket, I don’t know why you find it ridiculous… I like it, I think it suits me… And secondly, why?”

I am not sure what she meant exactly with her “why”, it could be so much, it could be something so simple, I go with what my intuition says.

“I never said it didn’t look good on you, it does, but its not proper clothes for this kind of weather… On the other side, my very cosy coat is. It might not be expensive, nor from a famous brand or whatever, but I am giving it to you, so you can have a little more comfort until we arrive. Okay?”

She looks down for a bit and then nods, taking of her jacket and replacing it with mine. It looks so big on her petite figure, but on the good side it covers and warms her more. She cuddles to it and leans her head to the window.

I take a look at her. And she looks at me as well. Just a second, but our eyes meet and it makes my heart skip a beat for the love I feel for this girl and another beat for the hate.

[mysticsparklewings]

NaPoWriMo 2020 Day 25: Hymn to Life

I'm not laughing you're not joking under black sky with pure white stars the moonlight dances on the blue grass I want to ask "tell me, how are you?" but the rain inside is loud and gray so instead I simply say "I love you present tense" and drift into the silver after

____

Oh, I should have known that the last week wouldn't be safe from treachery! T_T

Today my poetic archnemesis from Day 5 returns in the form of another long list of nonsense for a prompt. Technically, this prompt (stemming from James Schuyler's Hymn to Life wasn't quite so bad, but Jesus Christ the poem it comes from is easily the longest poem I've ever encountered that was not proceeded by the word "epic."

Also, if I may complain freely for a moment, the phrase used on napowrimo.net to introduce this prompt makes my blood boil: "Because it’s a Saturday, I have an (optional) prompt for you that takes a little time to work through..." Because as far as I'm concerned, NO. Absolutely not. Saturday is supposed to be the easy day, the day off! Not the hard day, the day that "takes a little time to work through!"

*Huffs* I'll put the lid on that for now, though, lest this becomes the long list of reasons I'm highly considering either not doing NaPoWriMo next year, or at least not following the prompts from napowrimo.net. That's a discussion for another time, perhaps an end-of-NaPo journal reflecting on the whole month.

As a bit of an aside, don't get me wrong, long-form poetry does have a place in this world. I've read some pretty great longer-ish (but not nearly as long as this Schuyler guy's) poems right here on dA. But I am firm believer that prompts/a prompt list should be relatively short themselves, and then it's up to the person using the prompts to make them as long, short, complex, or simple as they like. So I was pretty darn irritated to see that yet again we'd been given a long list of, essentially, individual prompts wearing a "one prompt" trenchcoat.

Regardless, I tried my best to incorporate the "requirements" listed on the first page the link takes you to, which goes like this:

• Bring your perspective and verbs back to the present tense, even when addressing memory 

• Seek the “unforced flow of words”

• Introduce all of the things that you might ordinarily deem incidental or too small for consideration

• Include quoted speech (overheard, announced, in dialogue, as song lyrics)

• Build your lines with associative accumulation (parataxis), move with your attentions

• Introduce a swerve or observation that serves as interjection, non-sequitur

• Include at least four colors

• Animate the landscape or nearby object, imbue it with the expressiveness of action or address

• Include perceptions of the weather without, perceptions of weather within

• Use a noun as verb that is typically not used that way (anthimeria): “white freaked with red”

• Introduce the occasional 3- and 4-word sentence.

• “Let’s make a list”: include a list of things you love

• Did you remember to ask questions?

• Include a hemistich line: a line made-up of two halves, of equivalent beats, hinged on a silent beat (caesura): “The world is all cut-outs then—and slip or step steadily down”

And yet, some of them got left out because I was hopelessly confused by some of the terms and was running out of both ideas and space. I looked up all the ones I didn't understand, and I tried my best, because that's all I could do. (Seriously though, is it just me or do poets that dare to make prompts like to phrase regular speech as confusingly as possible? Do you want people to understand what you want them to do or not? Because from where I'm standing it's looking like not.)

Here's the thing; any 1-2 of these "rules" would be interesting to play with by themselves. But for a mini-magnet poem, trying to shove them all together in a way that makes sense becomes tedious and starts to stretch one or the other idea too thin. For example, the whole list to me kind of flies in the face of the idea of the "unforced flow of words," because with a laundry list like that you're going to have to start forcing something somewhere to hold on to anything sensical.

In fact, this "prompt" almost tricked me into thinking I'd enjoy it because it started with the thing about the present tense, a concept which is touched on in some of my favorite books by John Green and I'm rather attracted to.

From the John Green bit, I ended up trying to incorporate each impossible request around that, and the results create something of a story/image that for me goes as so: Person A is lying out under the stars, reflecting on their time doing such a thing before with Person B, who is no longer there for one reason or another (most likely death, but not necessarily). And if you know anything about John Green books, this idea is pretty in line with how they usually operate. I can't say much more than that though without drifting into spoiler-y territory, though.

I also decided the moment I say what a monstrosity of prompt this was that I'd be using one of the remaining mandalas I'd made before NaPo started, which I've more or less been saving in case of a "poetic emergency" where I didn't have time to make a new one, much like how for Day 5's equally ridiculous prompt I did the same thing. Thus, it doesn't pair super neatly with the poem, but I think it works to a certain extent.

And that's really all I have to say. I think I've more than made my point that I did not like this prompt and I really just want to put it squarely behind me and move on.

Please, person that comes up with the NaPoWriMo prompts, please don't use any more of these long, arduous lists for prompts. There are only five days to go, I beg of you to stick to middling-to-easy prompts for my and the mini-magnets' sanity's sake.

(As if they're actually going to read this...)

____

Artwork/Poem © me, MysticSparkleWings

Inspired by FridgePoetProject

____

Where to find me & my artwork: My Website | Commission Info + Prices | Ko-Fi | dA Print Shop | RedBubble | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram

[floralmarsupial]

It’s going to be a good day, I saw it so in my dreams!

Side A -

Inaugural Pop Music for Jane Margaret Bryne (Sufjan Stevens) // Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (The Beatles) // Dance Apocalyptic (Janelle Monae) //  Strange Charm (Hank Green) // Galaxy Song (Monty Python) // My Girl (The Temptations) // Dream Land (Bunny Wailer) // Green Garden (Laura Mvula) // Cheer Up! (A Great Big World)

Side B -

20 Years of Snow (Regina Spektor) // Atomic Number (Neko Case) // Talking Bird (Death Cab for a Cutie) // Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)((Arcade Fire)) // Walking The Dog (fun) // How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep (Bombay Bicycle Club) // Lullaby (Sia) // Wake Up (Arcade Fire) // Today Will Be Better, I Swear! (Stars)

Spotify Link // Youtbe Link

Lyrics notes under readmore-

Inaugural Pop Music for Jane Margaret Bryne-

 Instrumental

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds -

Picture yourself on a train in a station With Plasticine porters with looking-glass ties Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile The girl with kaleidoscope eyes Lucy in the sky with diamonds Lucy in the sky with diamonds Lucy in the sky with diamonds Aaaaahhhhh...

Dance Apocalyptic -

But I really, really wanna thank you For dancing 'til the end You found a way to break out You're not afraid to break out But I need to know If the world says it's time to go Tell me, will you freak out? Smash, smash, bang, bang Don't stop Chalangalangalang But I need to know If the world says it's time to go Tell me, will you break out? Smash, smash, bang, bang Don't stop Chalangalangalang Smash, smash, bang, bang Don't stop Chalangalangalang

Strange Charm -

These tiny bits of matter are a part of almost everything And there is no unified theory to make it less confusing. But the fact that we've identified that they exist at all Is so god damn remarkable that I just sit in awe.

Galaxy Song -

Whenever life gets you down, Mrs. Brown, And things seem hard or tough, And people are stupid, obnoxious or daft,

And you feel that you've had quite eno-o-o-o-o-ough,

Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving And revolving at 900 miles an hour.

My Girl - (A song from Grandpa Harley)

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day With my girl. I've even got the month of May With my girl Talkin' 'bout Talkin' 'bout Talkin' 'bout My girl Ooooh My girl As long as I can talk about my girl... 

Dream Land -

And we'll live together on that dreamland And have so much fun (repeat) Oh, what a time that will be Oh yes, we'll wait, wait, wait and see We'll count the stars up in the sky... ...And surely we'll never die

Green Garden -

Take me outside, sit in the green garden nobody out there, but it's okay now, bath in the sunlight, don't mind if rain falls, take me out, seat in the green garden

Cheer Up! - 

Every night I wish upon a star so bright, Waiting for the others to arrive.

20 Years of Snow -

His daughter is twenty years of snow falling She's twenty years of strangers looking into each other's eyes She's twenty years of clean She never truly hated anyone or anything She's a dying breed

Atomic Number -

I'm not the freckled maid I'm not the fair-haired girl I'm not a pail of milk for you to spoil

Talking Bird -

Oh, my talking bird Though you know so few words They're on infinite repeat Like your brain can't keep up with your beak. And you're kept in an open cage So you're free to leave or stay. Sometimes you get confused Like there's a hint I am trying to give you.

Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) -

All the neighbors are startin' up a fire, burning all the old folks the witches and the liars. My eyes are covered by the hands of my unborn kids, but my heart keeps watchin' through the skin of my eyelids.

They say a watched pot won't ever boil, well I closed my eyes and nothin' changed, just some water getting hotter in the flames.

Walking The Dog -

Now I'm walking alone 'cause the night is dead. My feet don't glide like they did back then, When I called you up so we could shoot the moon. These days I'm left to howl in tune. Hearts do break And I must admit I've got a better set of chords, So I might have been faking it. Think I really only cried just once.

How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep -

Can I wake you up? Can I wake you up? Is it late enough? Is it late enough? There's a story in which my eyes shut

Lullaby -

Send a wish upon a star Do the work and you'll go far Send a wish upon a star Make a map and there you are Send a hope upon a wave A dying wish before the grave Send a hope upon a wave For all the souls you failed to save And you stood tall Now you will fall Don't break the spell Of a life spent trying to do well And you stood tall Now you will fall Don't break the spell Of a life spent trying to do well

Wake Up -

If the children don’t grow up, our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up. We’re just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turnin’ every good thing to rust. I guess we’ll just have to adjust.

Today Will Be Better, I Swear! - 

Today is going to be a better one There's nothing more to take in That's going wrong Today keep your head and drop the gun There's nothing more to battle when you're gone Walk on

[themarginalartist]

A very old fic to prove a point

So here's it is. This wasn't written during high school so uhhhhh... yeah. A cringy self insert fic coming your way, prepare for: A Hetalia Unit Tale

“Thank you so much for watching the house for us dear, we will text you from the airport when we arrive there and when we land to tell you that we’re all right, I hope that this isn’t a bother for you.” My mom said placing the last piece of luggage into the car.

“I told you that it’s fine and I really don’t mind. Have a safe and fun trip okay.” I smiled at her reassuringly.

“Are you sure. I know that you have that graphic artist job that can be pretty demanding.” She looked me with concern.

“Mom, I already told you that I can work from just about anywhere. I just need to have my things. And my deadlines are not too terribly soon except for the few that I have most of the work done on. I’ll be fine.” I put a hand on her shoulder.

“Honey say goodbye to Kari, we need to go.” My dad called from the driver’s seat chuckling at the fuss my mom was making.

“Alright, here are the keys, I hope that the boys remember that we won’t be home and don’t try to bother you. You know they like to pop up unexpectedly sometimes.” She smiled at me and laughed. Yeah they do, don’t they. “Oh! Before I forget, I ordered you something that I think you will really like, it is probably going to be here this afternoon okay.” And with that she hugged me and got into the car.

“Bye, don’t have too much fun.” I laughed as I waved them off. Once the car had made it to the top of the street I turned around and entered the house. Seeing that I still had to unpack my things I set about pulling in my few boxes of clothes and other things out of my own car. By the time that I was done putting my things in the master bedroom, which my parents had allowed me to claim while they went on vacation, it had just turned one in the afternoon.

“I guess that lunch is in order.” I said to myself, something I normally did when there was no one around to talk to. Just as I reached the last step of the stairs the doorbell rang out. “Coming!” I called out. Opening the door I found a man in a ghastly shade of mint green with a ridiculously large package stationed behind him.

“Are you Karina Anderson?” The delivery man asked. Did mom really get me something that big?

“Yes.” I managed to breathe out after looking at the package for another minute.

“I’ll need you to sign here please miss.” He passed me the signature pad and I quickly scrawled my signature on the line. “There’s one more box, let me grab that real quick and then I’ll help you bring them inside.” He turned back to his truck and got out a significantly smaller box from the back of the truck.

Why didn’t he pull that out before he rang the doorbell? I questioned watching him roll the box up and into the front hall and helped him get the much larger box over the edge of the door. “Is that everything?” I asked looking at the two boxes and then back to him hoping there wasn’t anything else.

“Yep that’s everything today.” He laughed. “Good luck getting the boxes open and have a good day.” He walked out the front door and onto the porch.

“Thanks, you too.” I watched him climb into the truck and take off before shutting the door and locking it again. Turning to the boxes, I was trying to figure out the best way to open the larger one without the contents spilling out everywhere, when I noticed a manila envelope on top of the smaller box that I hadn’t noticed when I had helped the delivery man get the boxes in. “What’s this?” I asked no one in particular as I grabbed the envelope and walked into the kitchen and quickly made a peanut butter sandwich. After sitting down at the table I opened the envelope to find a manual of sorts.

“Ludwig Beilschmidt/ Germany Unit Manual.” I stared blankly at the cover. “What on Earth is a Unit?” 

Insert unit information here.

Setting the manual down I rubbed my face with my hands and stared at the two boxes in the front room. This had to be some sort of mistake, so I decided that I should call the company and tell them to take the unit back, I grabbed the telephone and dialed the number. While it would be interesting to see what he's like I just don't want to deal with an extra mouth to feed and take care of. Especially since it seems there will be more units just by what the manual says.

“Hello, this is Flying Mint Bunny and Co., how may I help you?” A woman’s voice came out of the speaker.

“Hello, my name is Karina Anderson and I just received a Ludwig Beilschimdt/ Germany unit and I didn’t order one.” I put a hand against my forehead.

“One moment please.” I heard some typing on a keyboard in the background as I waited. “Yes, Karina Anderson, you’re a pretty strange case. The units are supposed to come to you, but it was your mother that ordered them for you.”

“What?” I was dumbfounded.

“Yes that is what pretty much everyone who has seen your information page has said.” She sounded like she was on the verge of laughter. I sighed internally. Why would you do this mom? Are you trying to kill me or something? “It seems that there is a note on your file from your mother. Would you like me to read it to you?”

“Yes please.”

“Kari, I was looking online and I found these units things. I knew that we were going on vacation soon so I thought these would be something fun for you to look forward to.” She read off. “That is the end of the message. Unfortunately since you are not the actual person who purchased the units you are unable to return them and you are unable to see the units that are selected to be delivered. Is there anything else that I can do for you?”

“No that will be all for today.”

“Alright, I do have one more thing that I need you to do.” She again seemed to be stifling a chuckle. “Because you have called the customer service line you are eligible to get a free additional unit of your choice from a selection. The choices that are available to you are: Prussia, Austria, Romano, and Hungary.”

I was about ready to reach through the phone and bash the lady's head in when she spewed that line out of her mouth. "And what if I would not like to get another unit?" I tried to sound like I wasn't about to commit murder.

"I'm afraid that you are not allowed to refuse the unit selection ma'am. Do you need me to tell you the selection again?" She seemed a little irritated that I would try to refuse. Who wouldn't want to refuse? It's a pretty big deal to handle taking care of additional people, let alone yourself.

Grinding my teeth a bit out of frustration. I semi-hissed that I did not need her to repeat the list and that I would take Hungary as the unit I would receive. After she confirmed the address and order I hung up the phone and moved the plate that my sandwich had been on over to the counter by the sink. I then proceeded to head-desk multiple times. Over the past thirty minutes my easy house sitting gig had turned into a babysitting gig. Sitting at the table with my head on it for another minute I figured that I should just get it over with, but since I was annoyed with the whole situation I went with option three from the manual. Running over to the crate I quickly opened the lid after setting it on it's side as gently as I could and ran upstairs and hid in Zach’s, my youngest brother, closet which was the furthest from the front room where the crate was sitting. I practiced a few sentences in an Italian accent until I hit on Italy’s voice and shouted out.

“GERMANY HELP ME! SAVE ME GERMANY!” I yelled as loud as I could while still retaining the accent. Just as I started to congratulate myself about still being able to do the voice I heard the sound of wood breaking. Crap I hope there isn’t any damage from him breaking open the crate. I sat there listening to the pounding of feet throughout the downstairs of the house. Sitting the closet trying my best to stifle my humor I suddenly heard a voice call out that could only be Germany.

“Italy where are you?” I heard the unit say in the main hallway. Wow, it really sounds like Germany, a panicked Germany, don’t hear that every day. As the unit’s footsteps grew closer to my hiding spot I decided to scare the crap out of the unit. I waited until it was just about to open the closet door before jumping up.

“BOO!” I yelled out causing the unit, actually I should say guy, well, more like poor guy from what I'd just done, to jump up a good foot in the air and two feet back.

Staring at me for a minute in surprise and shock his face melted into confusion, hey I’d be confused too if a full grown woman jumped out of the closet and yelled ‘boo’ at me, and started to boil into anger. “Was that you who called out?” He seethed switching to a lower voice. Taking in his face I realized that I played a prank on the wrong kind of person. I'm going to get it aren't I? That was so stupid. I bet he's going to hate me and think I'm really weird.

“Yeah, sorry, I am Karina Anderson, but I go by Kari. I am taking care of this house for my parents while they are gone. I was expecting a small package because my mom said that she got me something and then a delivery guy comes with your crate and I called the company and I was forced to get another unit so I took out my frustration at the situation by freaking you out sorry about that.” I rubbed the back of my head after speed talking about the situation to him.

He stared at me for a minute which sort of unnerved me. Thinking that I was most likely doomed he finally spoke up. “Whatever, just don’t mimic Italy again like that, I thought you were actually him. Where are we anyways?” He asked looking around to take in his surroundings.

“Well we are in Washington State in the US. We are on the west side, it rains a lot more here and it's usually grey most of the time.” I replied. I was glad that my Italy impression did sound pretty realistic, I had cosplayed him back in college, and the uniform is in one of the boxes I brought with me. Suddenly I heard his stomach growl causing him to blush slightly out of embarrassment. “Here, for letting me freak you out I’ll make you some lunch.” I offered to get on the better side of the unit that I would be living with from now on.

“Thank you. Do you have any wurst?” He took up my offer.

“I think so. Let me check. If I don’t do you have something else you want?” I replied as we walked back downstairs.

“Whatever you have will do, as long as it isn’t something Alfred would eat.” He frowned.

‘Geez, I shouldn’t have made him freak out like that.’ I thought to myself, I had already managed to piss off someone that was going to live with me for a really long time. “Hey, while I’m thinking about it, do you prefer your country name or your human name?” I asked. He did refer to America as Alfred, but I thought I’d stay on the safe side and ask.

“You can use Germany or Ludwig if you wish, though if we are in public only use Ludwig.” He curtly answered.

“Alright Ludwig it is. That way if we are out and about I’ll already be used to that name.” I smiled at him as we entered the kitchen. I see no damage to anything which is good. I thought to myself after a quick glance into the front room. I walked over to the fridge and shuffled through the meat drawer. Luckily since I was watching the house my parents had stocked up on some of the necessities. I found a package of sausage at the very bottom of the drawer. 

“Victory! I’ll just make the whole package so we have some leftovers.” I exclaimed. I pulled out a tray to the Advantium microwave oven (If you don’t know what that is, it basically is a really awesome microwave that can also cook things like frozen pizzas.) and put the sausages on the tray.

“Do you have any family?” Ludwig asked trying to make a bit of conversation. I guess that he wasn’t as pissed off with my antics as I thought he was. Or Italy has put him through worse. At least he doesn't seem to totally hate me.

“Yes, my parents are travelling together right now and I’m not positive where my brothers are. My parents told the two of them that they were going on a vacation, they should be in college right now, but they might unexpectedly show up sometime in the near future.” I laughed a bit. “Liam is in Oregon and Zach is down in California. They tend to go on radio silence for a bit, during which they make plans for a surprise visit, then randomly pop up when you least expect it.” I said pulling the now cooked sausage out of the microwave. I put one on a plate for Ludwig and sat down with him at the table as I had already eaten lunch.

“I see. When will your parents be back, and if they do show up, when your brothers will come?” He asked.

“My parents are gone for however long they feel like, they always wanted to travel around the world so they will be trying to go to every country they want to, they have a boat that they will be using for a some destinations and airplane for the rest, which is probably why my mom decided that getting you and a bunch of other units was a good idea so that I wouldn’t be lonely. My brothers, it probably will be two to four months before they come, though more like two knowing them.”

“Your mom got you us?” He looked really confused by the possibility that a mother would get units for their daughter. “I’m sorry if that was a bit rude, but normally it is a pop up ad, random selection, or a direct purchase that gets people units.”

“No you’re good. Though it was my mom surprisingly, I had never heard of Hetalia units until today. Apparently she was doing some online shopping and remembered that I liked Hetalia and as a bonus found the website.” I sighed. 

“Also, apparently every time you call the company you get another unit, so Hungary is going to come. Before you ask, I was told that the information about who and when is only available to my mom.”

“What were the other units that they offered you?”

“Romano, Austria, and Prussia. There was no way I was going to pick those three willingly, plus I wanted at least one other girl knowing that the probability of getting some female company was rather low.” I remembered more about the show now that I had been talking with Ludwig for a while and recalled that there were only about five girl characters from the anime. ‘I really need to rewatch the series and catch up on the manga if I’m going to be getting more of these units.’ I thought to myself. ‘Besides, the more girls I get early on probably the saner everything will be, except Belarus, yeah, except Belarus.’

“I see. Good choice, I didn’t want to deal with Romano or my bruder yet. I don’t think Austria would be at all happy here either.” He sighed. I noticed that he’d finished up lunch, probably a while ago as we'd been talking for some time, and so I got up to put his plate by the sink. ‘Why wouldn’t Austria be happy here? Oh, right I don’t have a grand piano, well there is the electric one, if it isn’t gone, and there is more music than I know what to do with on the media server my dad set up… Geez, focus Karina, priorities.’

“Well, I guess a room would be in order for you.” I walked towards the stairs. “Will this do?” I led him to Zach’s old room, the same one he found me in earlier.

“Yes, Danke.” He’d grabbed what was in his crate and the smaller box and brought it to his room. I remembered the warranty statement in the manual suddenly for some reason so I walked downstairs and marked what day it was on the manual not realizing that Ludwig had followed me downstairs.

“What did you write down?” Ludwig came up behind me.

“I was just marking the date on your manual so that we can get the warranty extension when it expires.” I looked up from the manual. Placing it on a box that I hadn’t taken upstairs I went back into the kitchen. Looking at the clock I realized that it was a good time to break for dinner. “Do you want leftovers or would you like to order something?” I asked him.

“Leftovers will be fine.” He replied. I nodded and went to heat up the sausages from lunch.

“Do you want to watch a movie after dinner?” I asked pulling the sausages out.

“Yeah that sounds nice.” We sat and ate. After I pulled the dishes into the dishwasher I went over to the PS3 that my parents kept.

“What would you like to watch?” I asked pulling up the movie list on the PS3. He looked a bit overwhelmed by all of the titles that I was scrolling through.

“I don’t mind if you want to pick.” He shrugged leaning back. I smiled and scrolled down to Singing in the Rain my all-time favorite musical. Hitting the play button we sat in a comfortable silence throughout the movie. When we hit the credits I looked at the clock noticing that it was already nine.

“I know it is a bit early, but I have to set up my equipment tomorrow, so I’m going to head upstairs and get ready for bed.” I got up from the couch. He nodded and got up to. Upon reaching the top of the stairs I turned back to him. 

“Good night, Ludwig.” I said moving to my room and shutting the door behind myself.

“Gut Nacht, Karina.”

[jiji-infires]

APRICITY (pt.3)

OC X JUNGKOOK

GENRE: FLUFF, ANGST

WORD COUNT: 1.9K

SYNOPSIS: When his roommate moves out to live with his girlfriend, Jungkook is faced with a new reality, one that includes a 5′3′’ sac of bones that is too nerdy and curious for his liking.

CHAPTER 3

Jisoo wakes up disoriented, her left eye half open and the right one glued shut. She throws herself on her bed again in a huge and loud yawn when her hand lands on something soft and furry. She turns to see Juno nuzzling her palm.

“Hey there little guy” she smiles and turns on her tummy to stand up, hair flying in different directions looking like a bird nest.

She sighs and heads to the bathroom, barely holding herself. The doorknob is stuck, or more like someone is occupying it.

“Open up!” She yells while pounding her fist on the wooden door. “Open up dude I need to get in!”

“What the fuck?!” She hears muffled cussing with the sound of the faucet running. He’s showering. But she doesn’t care; it’s either her bladder blows or she does her things, either inside or on the door mat, just like Juno.

She hears muttering and loud wrestling before the door is swung open, revealing a gloriously naked young man with only a towel hanging down his hips.

That’s what you call a toned body. Not overly muscular but it had it where it matters, and the sheen of water from the shower is the cherry on top. In her mind, she has already kicked herself at least a thousand times.

“Why the hell are you naked?” Her tone is appalled, unconscious of the redness creeping up her face. Well damn, there goes my innocence.

“What do you mean? I just came out the shower! Why are you trying to break the freaking door?!”

She ignores his words and pushes past him, locking him outside as she hurries before she lets everything go.

Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore.

His body is a sin. She shakes her head and goes to the sink. What a mess !

After cleaning up, she hurries to her room, putting on a pair of denim ankle pants with a white sweatshirt and a pair of puma. Throwing a beige scarf around her neck, she grabs her overcoat and keys and storms out, ignoring Jungkook’s call from the kitchen.

“What a moron” she says to herself as she reaches her locker, setting books she’ll need at the end of the day and taking those she has to use in her next lecture. Even she can’t understand why she’s still mad at him; people like him don’t affect her in the slightest, but something about him makes her blood boil. Just when she whirls around, she is faced with the sight of a scowling Jungkook walking majestically with his black leather jacket, ripped jeans, timberlands and a red beanie. The guy is annoying as hell, but equally good-looking.

She doesn’t realise how she’s glaring at him until a random girl gives her a look.

“If only looks could kill…” a tall blonde trails off and Jisoo looks at her bluntly. She can’t help but imagine herself ripping his head off and watch him run around headless like an injured chicken.

“Yeah”

“I didn’t see you at the initiation class” the girl remarks

“I wasn’t here for the first ten days” she replies sheepishly and the girl grins at her.

“I’m Hanbyul! Let’s be friends” Jisoo forces a smile at Hanbyul’s somewhat fake cheerfulness and she lets her drag her to class, the blond one telling her how she’ll give her notes of what she has missed.

Not even half an hour into the lecture and Jisoo is already half asleep, only Hanbyul’s constant babbling keeping her barely awake. Philosophy is not her most enjoyable class; in fact, she barely remembers last years’ doctrines, let alone their authors.

The professor turns around suddenly, repositioning his glasses over the ridge of his hooked nose, looking like Lord Farquaad with his big head centered atop his short physic.

“Students, we have a surprise test today” he says in mock interest, passing through rows and distributing the quiz amongst us. Jisoo sighs quietly and takes out her pencils just when Hanbyul nudges her.

“Check this out” the blond one passes her phone over to Jisoo, displaying a Instagram video of three pugs helping each other up and then tumbling down the stairs. Jisoo covers her mouth as snickers quietly and that’s when she notices a polished leather shoe tapping on the floor next to her desk. She looks up to find the professor staring at her with a brow raised suspiciously.

“Trying to cheat before the test has even started? This isn’t even an official exam and you’re already displaying intolerable practices!”

Jisoo looks at him and then at Hanbyul who’s now acting as f she doesn’t even know her. “But the phone isn’t mine! It doesn’t have anything to do with the test” she protests, her tone unbelievable.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s yours or not. This is a high profile university, you can’t ruin it–”

“I didn’t do anything wrong! It’s her phone” she points at the girl who’s looking at her like she doesn’t even know what she’s talking about. It’s not about the test anymore, her dignity is at stake for something trivial she has no hands in and someone she barely knows.

“Save it, whatever your name is. You may leave my class” he says, his voice final, allowing no room for discussion. Her head spins at his words as her heartbeat is getting irregular and she has an overwhelming urge to stomp over and drag that bitch by her hair. From the side on her eye she can see a male stand up. It’s Jungkook with his poker face.

“Although it’s not my place to step in, I’m gonna let myself speak just for the sake of my own peace of mind and how badly I want this test to be over” he says, all eyes on him now. What are you doing? “The other girl is the one who pushed her phone over this girl’s desk, who clearly wasn’t interested in its content, whatever it was.”

The professor seems to be listening carefully to what Jungkook is saying as he nodded in agreement.

“But I didn’t-” Hanbyul’s failed attempt to defend herself is stopped by a simple hand hovering in the air, signaling her to stop talking.

“After what Jungkook said, I think that if I’m going to kick someone out of my class, it’s going to be both of you. But for the sake of your future academic records I’m going to let this one pass” he says, eyeing both girls; Hanbyul’s mouth forming in an ugly scowl while Jisoo is fighting back the tears that brimmed at her eyes. She casts a final glance at the boy who has regained his position and is now facing away from her. What kind of power does he hold on the teacher?!

The class continues with heaviness in the air as Jisoo’s mind is elsewhere; why would she do this to her when she barely knows her? It’s not high school for god’s sake. And why the hell would someone like Jung Jungkook stand up for her? She makes a mental note of thanking him properly later, whatever was his motive.

She steals a quick glance at him; he’s led back in his seat, hand ceaselessly scribbling down as he looks concentrated. After a few minutes, he stands and hands his copy before leaving her in awe. Well that was fast.

She doesn’t take much time either; while philosophy isn’t something she thoroughly takes pleasure in, she has enough knowledge about some references, enabling her to pass her quiz as easily as she used to in high school.

As soon as she’s out, she tries to find him, but there’s no trace of him, it’s like he has vanished. With a sigh, she heads to library, wrapping her arms around herself as if they could shield her from the cold, although she’s pretty much sure it’s coming from her heart condition.

The moment she sets foot in the fantasy section, she can’t help but remember those compelling onyx eyes. She sighs and walks to retrieve the book she wanted to get the first time, Beautiful Creatures.

A piece of folded parchment paper falls from between the pages and she bends to pick it up.

‘The soul that can speak through the eyes can also kiss with a gaze.’

Her heart palpitates and a faint dust of rose colours her cheeks. Yes, she’s a helpless romantic and easily falls for words, or let’s just say old fashioned romance with sweet notes and hand-written love letters. Her lips break into a face splitting grin as she tucks the note in her pocket and heads home under the soft drizzle of the rain.

Jungkook is finally on his bed, texting his friend and swiping away the incoming call from his mom that has been bothering him for the past few minutes. His relationship with his parents isn’t very pleasant, one that is full of violent arguments that often end up with him saying something cruel; he regrets none of his words.

Moments pass and his mother doesn’t call him, but he is bothered with a soft knocking on his door. It must be her. With a huff, he stands and yanks the door open, revealing a dump Jisoo with her hair stuck to her face and red nose and cheeks from the bite of cold.

“Um…” she trails off, lightly bouncing on her heels and looking at the floor, “Thank you, for what you did earlier”

He looks at her for a long minute, her eyes looking everywhere but never meeting his. She’s somehow unusual and something about her puts him out of character; the fact that he can’t put his hand on it is what makes annoyed, not her directly. He’s on the verge of sending her away with ‘It’s not for you, I did it for myself’ phrase, but she decides to look up out of the blue, her eyes meeting his for a moment, making him swallow back whatever he was going to say.

Her eyes are so familiar to him, giving him a feeling of nostalgia, or more like a déjà vu.

“It’s nothing… she was clearly targeting you for some reason” he doesn’t know why he’s explaining himself; a simple ‘you’re welcome’ would’ve been sufficient. What are you doing you fool?!

The silence is extended and the atmosphere is getting awkward. Jisoo gives a tight smile with quick bow before retreating to her room, thanking him once again before closing her door.

“Yeah…” he murmurs, closing his door and shaking unnecessary thoughts from his head. His mind goes back to what he did earlier this morning when he went to library. What a silly idea! The girl won’t probably come back there and there’s a very small chance that she’d pick the same book upon which both of them stumbled. He imagined himself to be Cyrano de Bergerac this morning but romance is dead. He’s silently hoping that whoever she is will eventually read that note he wrote in a very Harry Potter way.

Call it cliché, but behind that cold façade of his there’s a young romantic who just waits for the right one, he just doesn’t know that only a wall separates them.