#but just like back then I know now that it won’t be like this forever

[maybefae]

Week Ahead: 11/11-11/17/2024

Pile 1 - Pile 2 - Pile 3

Remember, this is a general reading and it may not resonate for everyone or completely. Tarot is a tool to help guide but you are responsible for your actions and life, you choose your path.

Tips!

Pile 1

Tarot: The Hanged Man (Sacrifice), The Star (The Veil), Eight of Swords, Queen of Pentacles, The Fool (Death), Three of Cups, The Hermit (The Cosmic Tree), Strength (The Orbs)

Oracle: The Pathless, The Priest

Hello, my loves. Has the past week been a little tiring? Overwhelming? This week probably won’t be as crazy but there is a feeling of numbness. Maybe just lost. It feels as if you are just floating through time and space at the moment because of uncertainty towards the future. You’ve been thrust into a whole new chapter without any preparation and without any knowledge of it happening. And now, it feels like you have to sacrifice the past in someway, or it was sacrificed for you. You were grabbed by the arms and yanked away from the past. 

I believe that your only symbol of hope at the moment are your friends. The ones closest to you or at least a community. They are the only ones grounding you to reality. 

If you need to stay to yourself, enter hermit mode, for a little but until there’s a little clarity, it’s okay to do so. Just don’t let yourself be a hermit forever because that will cause more isolation and a feeling of being lost than you already have. 

You’re working very hard and I think you can only trust yourself with that at the moment. Maybe it’s for a distraction for a little bit, maybe it’s for future comfort. But you’re persevering. You’re being very strong despite the uncertainty. And maybe this is just what you have to do right now to navigate a lack of direction. Follow your instincts because they will never lead you astray. I think you’re doing the right thing at the moment, if you needed that comfort. 

Take things slow, one step at a time. And divulge in something you love to do. Self-care in any form will be good.

Pile 2

Tarot: Page of Swords, Three of Pentacles, Ace of Swords, Ten of Cups, Six of Cups, Page of Wands, Four of Wands, Ace of Pentacles, Six of Swords, Eight of Pentacles 

Oracle: The Champion, The Adventurer, The Spymaster

Before I pulled any cards, I heard, “It’s gonna be okay.” It was in a very warm and comforting female voice. It’s like a mother, in her purest form, comforting you. 

There is a lot of messages happening at once but I was being very organized when getting the cards out. I heard “keep your cards close” and “ducks in a row.” There could be a level of secrecy with something you’re organizing. And I think you are organizing this project with others/friends.

Now I heard, “loudmouth.” You’re being vocal about something and it feels like you feel an obligation to lead something. And this could be revolving around taking care of others in a time of need. I’m getting the sense of building a strong foundation and community. A safe haven. This could be people with a like-mindedness to you. I’m getting a vision of Woodstock ‘69 where people were taking care of each other and there was a kitchen where people from outside brought food to help when things got a little dire at the festival. You could be the one at the beginning saying it’s gonna be okay.

Back to the project you’re organizing. You could be getting a bunch of friends together so you all can live under one roof, save money. I don’t know there’s a big focus on help and community and minimizing a struggle here. You’re working really hard at it and trying anything you can to make things work. 

Pile 3

Tarot: Ace of Swords, Six of Wands, Two of Pentacles, Five of Wands, Knight of Pentacles, Queen of Cups, Ace of Pentacles, Seven of Pentacles, Four of Wands (reversed), King of Swords(back of deck)

Oracle: The Wise One, The Sentinel, The Assassin

I just want to say that your pile confused me the most. I also Wanna say that you are gonna be going at something really aggressively and quickly. The deck kept digging into my fingers, pinching me, and the cards would shoot out and hit something on my desk to the point of making a noise.

I had to pull for cards twice but the King of Swords remained here.

You could be going after something very passionately/aggressively. But I think it’s out of pure desperation and greed. Maybe even jealousy and pride. 

Now, I don’t like doing general love readings but I do get a sense that this could be a person. And I don’t think it's out of pure intentions. This feels like someone you just wanna lay claim over so no one else can have them. There is very prideful and jealous energy. This endeavour will be fruitless. The person you want does not have the same feelings for you and may honestly see you as a “mean girl/person.” Or maybe you were just very certain they had feelings for you and you gained a lot of courage to say something only to be let down.

For those of you who actually like this person and have just been working the courage up to say something, I think it’s more of a teaching in courage. I think you will have success when it comes to your confidence because you had the courage to say something. This person probably won’t have the same feelings but they do recognize your courage and respect you for that. They won’t be mean about turning your advances down, they will be respectful and nice. But there won’t be anything that comes to fruition between the both of you.

Decks Used: White Numen Tarot: A Sacred Animal Tarot Deck by AlbaBG, Cosma Visions Oracle by James R. Eads, Ophida Rosa Tarot by Leila and Olive, The Citadel: A Fantasy Oracle by Fez Inkwright Dividers: @inklore

[itslovelyamari]

I'm Here

Ellie x Reader

TW: violence, mentions of wounds

Switch POVs alot 😓

ELLIE'S POV:

The storm clouds that had threatened all morning now loomed heavy over Jackson as Dina came stumbling through the gates, panic etched across her face.

"I lost her!" Dina's voice cracked as she tried to explain, her breaths coming in gasps. "We were on patrol, everything was fine, and then... I don't know. I lost contact with her. I've been searching, but I can't find Y/N!"

Ellie froze mid-step, her blood turning cold at Dina's words. The rest of the group—Joel, Maria, Jesse—gathered quickly, concern rippling through the air like a lightning strike.

"Where?" Ellie demanded, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

"An old warehouse, a couple miles east," Dina said, guilt written all over her face. "We split up to check different sections, and when I called out, she didn’t answer.”

Ellie didn’t wait for more details. Her boots hit the ground hard as she sprinted toward the stables, her mind racing.

---

Y/N'S POV:

Meanwhile, Y/N crouched low behind a metal shelf in the dimly lit warehouse. Her breaths came shallow and quick as she clutched a jagged piece of glass in her trembling hands.

David's footsteps echoed ominously through the building, his cruel voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

"You're a tough one, aren't you?" he taunted, his tone sickly sweet. "But you can’t hide forever, sweetheart. Come out, and I might go easy on you."

Y/N bit her lip to stifle a sob, her heart pounding in her chest. She refused to give him the satisfaction of her fear. She tightened her grip on the glass, determined to make him regret ever laying a hand on her.

Title: I’m Here

The air in the abandoned warehouse was stifling, thick with dust and the stench of decay. Y/N crouched low behind a rusted shelf, her breath hitching as David’s footsteps echoed closer. Her hand trembled as she clutched a jagged piece of broken glass she’d found on the floor.

She had been lucky to escape his initial grab, twisting out of his grasp when he lunged at her in the dark. Now, she was running out of options—and energy.

“Come on now, don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” David called out, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. “You’re only making me more excited. I like a little fight.”

Y/N clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to silence her shallow, panicked breathing. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat a countdown to when he would find her.

“Think about it,” he continued, his boots crunching over broken debris as he prowled closer. ���No one’s coming for you. It’s just you and me, sweetheart. We could have some real fun…”

She clenched her jaw, fury momentarily overtaking her fear. She wouldn’t let him win. Not like this.

David suddenly kicked over a stack of crates, the loud crash making her flinch. “Hiding won’t save you!” he snarled, his voice shifting from playful to menacing. “You think I don’t know where you are?”

Y/N’s grip on the glass tightened, her palm slick with sweat. The faint shuffle of her movement betrayed her, and David’s head snapped in her direction.

“There you are,” he said, his lips curling into a predatory grin.

Y/N bolted, sprinting out from behind the shelf and darting toward the far end of the room. David gave chase, his longer strides closing the distance quickly. He grabbed her arm, yanking her back with brutal force.

“No!” Y/N screamed, twisting and thrashing with everything she had. She drove her elbow into his stomach, earning a grunt of pain, but his grip didn’t falter.

“Feisty,” he sneered, slamming her into a nearby wall. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and the glass shard slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.

David leaned in, his face inches from hers. “It’s over, sweetheart. Just stop fighting—”

Y/N brought her knee up hard, striking him in the groin. David howled, doubling over as he released her. She scrambled away, her hands frantically searching for the shard of glass.

“You little bitch!” David roared, recovering quickly. He lunged at her again, and this time she managed to roll out of the way, grabbing the shard as she did.

“Stay back!” Y/N shouted, her voice trembling but defiant.

David laughed, his eyes gleaming with sadistic glee. “Or what? You’re gonna cut me? Go ahead, try.”

He moved toward her again, and Y/N slashed wildly with the glass, grazing his arm. Blood seeped through the tear in his jacket, but he barely flinched.

“Better than I thought,” he muttered, his tone almost admiring. “But you’re still mine.”

Desperate, Y/N threw a nearby metal pipe in his direction, creating a loud crash that distracted him just long enough for her to dart behind another set of shelves. She crouched low, her body shaking as she tried to calm her breathing.

“You can’t run forever,” David taunted, his voice echoing through the room. “I’ve got all night, sweetheart. And when I find you, I’ll make you pay for that little stunt.”

Y/N’s vision blurred with tears as she tried to steady herself. She didn’t want to die here. She didn’t want to let this monster win.

Suddenly, a voice pierced the tense silence.

“Y/N!”

Ellie.

---

ELLIE'S POV:

Ellie rode hard, her heart a storm of worry and anger. By the time she reached the warehouse, Joel, Jesse, and Dina were not far behind her, but Ellie didn’t wait for backup. She crept through the front doors, her pistol drawn, adrenaline making her senses razor-sharp.

“Y/N!” Ellie called out, her voice echoing through the cavernous space.

The sound of movement caught her attention, and she turned just as David emerged from the shadows. Before she could react, he was on her, a gun pressing into her back as he wrenched her arm behind her.

"Drop it," David hissed in her ear, his breath hot and rancid.

Ellie growled in frustration but complied, her gun clattering to the ground.

"Ellie!" Y/N’s voice rang out, high and panicked. She watched from her hiding spot, horror coursing through her veins.

David smirked, tightening his hold on Ellie. "Looks like she cares about you. Maybe I’ll have some fun with both of you."

David let out a strangled cry, his grip loosening on Ellie as he stumbled forward, blood spurting from the wound. He collapsed to the ground, choking on his last breaths.

Ellie turned, wide-eyed, as she saw Y/N standing there, the bloodied shard still in her hand. Y/N’s chest heaved, her knees buckling as the reality of what she had done crashed over her.

She fell to the floor, gasping for air.

Y/N'S POV:

Hope surged through her, but it was short-lived as David’s predatory grin returned.

“Well, well,” he murmured. “Your girlfriend’s here to join the party.”

David moved toward the sound of Ellie’s voice, leaving Y/N just enough space to collect herself. Her survival instinct kicked in. She gripped the shard tightly and began to creep after him, her steps silent.

When she saw him grab Ellie and hold her at gunpoint, fury overtook her fear.

“Drop it,” David growled at Ellie, shoving the barrel of his gun against her back.

Ellie hesitated, her green eyes locking briefly with Y/N’s over David’s shoulder.

That split second was all Y/N needed. Fueled by adrenaline, she charged forward and drove the shard into David’s neck with all her strength.

His body jerked as the glass sliced through flesh. Blood sprayed out, painting the walls and floor in violent streaks.

David gurgled, his hands flailing as he dropped his gun. He stumbled forward before collapsing, choking on his own blood as life drained from him.

Y/N stared at his body, her chest heaving as the weight of what she’d done settled in. Her hands were covered in blood—his blood—and her vision swam.

“Y/N!” Ellie was at her side in an instant, grabbing her shoulders.

The touch startled Y/N, and she flinched, backing away. Her body shook violently, and her breaths came in

“Hey, hey, you’re okay, babe,” Ellie murmured, pulling Y/N into her arms. “It’s over. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Tears spilled from Y/N’s eyes as she clung to Ellie, her head buried in her chest.

Ellie stroked her hair gently, whispering soft reassurances. “You’re so brave. It’s over now. I’m never letting anything happen to you again.”

Joel and the others burst through the door moments later, their eyes scanning the scene. Joel’s gaze softened as he took in Ellie holding Y/N, both of them shaken but alive.

“We’ll take it from here,” Joel said quietly, signaling Jesse and Dina to check the area.

Ellie helped Y/N to her feet, her arm wrapped protectively around her waist. Y/N leaned heavily on her, still trembling, but Ellie held her steady.

“We’re going home,” Ellie promised, her voice firm. “And I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

As they stepped into the cold night air, Y/N clung to Ellie, finding solace in her warmth. The storm had passed, and for the first time in hours, she felt safe.

[honeyjars-sims]

3.37 Soulmates

Today I’m spending some time with Pops. While I was camping, he found out that the LGBT center where he’s been working forever will be closing in just a couple weeks and he’ll be out of a job. It wasn’t unexpected–they’ve been having funding issues for a while–but it still sucks. Unfortunately, Dad is in San My for a gig this weekend, so I figure Pops could use some company.

“I’m really sorry about your job,” I tell him as he finishes washing the dishes. “Are you guys gonna be okay?”

“We have a good amount in savings, and I’ve already been in contact with someone at the LGBT center in Del Sol. They’ve all but offered me a position there that pays more and has more flexibility.”

“Wow, that’s great! So I guess you won’t have much of a reason to stay in Evergreen Harbor, then.”

“Not really. We could probably find a smaller place closer to the LGBT center.”

I know what that means. There’s no reason my parents should have to pay for another 3 bedroom house when their kids are grown. “I guess it’s time for me to find a place, too.”

“I’m sorry to spring it on you like this, but I think you’re ready for it.”

“Yeah, I am. I really appreciate you guys taking me in for as long as you did.”

“You’ve come a long way, Johnny. You’ll be just fine.”

“What about you? You’ll be all alone when Dad is traveling.”

“That’s the good thing about this job. I’ll be able to work remotely some, so I can travel with Dad sometimes.”

“Oh, that’s good then. I know it’s not easy for you two to be away from each other.” I pause. There’s something that’s been on my mind since I came back from my camping trip, and Pops seems like the perfect person to help me figure it out. “Do you think you and Dad are soulmates?”

“Soulmates? Hmm.” He stops for a moment to consider. “No, I don’t think we are,” he finishes.

“Really? Why not?” I'm taken aback by his answer. What does he mean, they're not soulmates?

“Well, you remember how Dad and I met, right?”

“Yeah, you saw each other at a protest and sparks flew or something cheesy like that.”

“Mm-hmm. But I don’t think I’ve ever told you the full story of what happened that night. Before I ended up at the protest, I was at your mom’s apartment–she told me she needed to talk to me about something. Instead, I told her I was gay and couldn’t be in a relationship with her anymore, and I left–without finding out that she was pregnant.”

“Oh. She was going to tell you that night?”

“Yes, until she decided that I wasn’t the kind of man that should raise children. If things had been different–if she had told me she was pregnant before I came out to her–I would have stayed.”

“You would’ve kept pretending to be straight?” I can't imagine what his life would have been like but it sounds pretty terrible. And to think he would have chosen that because of me and Chantal?

“For a while at least. And who knows, maybe eventually I would have found someone else to love and I’d still be happy. But I wouldn’t have met your dad that night.”

“Ok, but that didn’t happen. What does that have to do with being soulmates?”

“Because, Johnny, if I’d stayed with her a little longer then the things that happened to you and Chantal at your mom’s house wouldn’t have happened. I would have been there to keep you safe and well cared for. I just can’t believe that your Dad and I were meant to be together when the circumstances that led to us meeting were also the circumstances that led to my children being hurt and neglected.”

“Well, maybe it’s fate and you would��ve met a different way.” I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around what Pops is saying. A world where he and Dad aren't together just doesn't make sense.

“Maybe. But I don’t think any of these hypotheticals really matter. Like you said, that’s not what happened. What matters is that today, in the here and now, I can’t imagine my life without him. Any reason in particular why you’re thinking about soulmates?” He raises his eyebrows knowingly.

“I guess it’s more that I’m wondering how you know if someone is the right person for you, but it kind of sounds like it’s not that simple.”

“Well, a sign isn’t going to drop down from the heavens that says ‘This person is the one,’ but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Find the person you can’t imagine your life without. I don’t know if that’s what you were wanting to hear, but I hope it answers your question.”

Find the person you can’t live without. Maybe there aren’t signs falling from the sky, but those words are about as close as I’ll get. “It does," I tell him. "It may not be the answer I was expecting, but I think it cleared something up for me.”

“I see. Do you want to talk about it?"

Normally I would jump at the chance to get some input, but now I don't feel like I need it. I shake my head. “No, I think I can handle it from here.” The thought makes me nervous, but I can’t avoid this. I need to talk to Lacey.

Previous | Beginning of story | Beginning of chapter | Next

[meteortrails]

forever thinking about nami and luffy…. they just. their relationship is so perfectly, consistently, and beautifully written?? (read more bc I care WAY too much about them).

like it would be so easy to slot them into the typical dynamic of her being a buzzkill and him being a reckless dick but that’s not them at all. she’s the first person he meets out on the sea who really, deeply understands what freedom means to him, how vital and important it is - it’s why she’s the one he lets hold and fix his hat, it’s why he waits until she asks him to help with arlong, it’s why he never begrudges her any of her actions in arlong park. he knows her autonomy is just as important to her as his is to him, that she fucking Gets It. she has the same joy and whimsy and protective instinct in her heart, and like recognizes like!!! so luffy lets nami run the day to day of the ship, order him around, hold his greatest treasure in her hands, bc he trusts that when the chips come down she will never abuse that power. she’ll have his back and follow through on whatever insane orders he has his heart set on bc she knows the weight of what she’s been entrusted with.

and like, in return, nami gets exactly as much responsibility as she wants for the first time in her life! she doesn’t have to be alone, doesn’t have to protect everything that matters all on her own - she has luffy and the crew for that now. she gets to be part of a crew, a family, while still remaining in charge of her own life. and in response to all that trust and love, nami is just as protective of luffy and this new home as she ever was of cocoyashi. he gave her back her freedom and put his dream in her hands without a second thought, and she will keep it safe come hell or high fucking water. like I don’t know how to express how emphatically I feel about this but she won’t betray him even to save her own life, even when he would never fucking know!!! nami often ends up being luffy’s primary pillar of emotional support bc she’s just such a consistently steady, faithful presence at his back; even when they disagree on important shit her trust in his judgement and ability to get them through the storm is unshakeable, and vice versa.

idk man I just really do not know how to express how much it matters to me that nami is canonically a ruthless, conniving, deathly stubborn, control freak bitch and that’s like. lowkey WHY luffy+the crew love her so much. idk how to explain how batshit insane the symbolism of her being his navigator and him being her captain makes me.

[chaesonghwas]

justi. jus. jus babe. justi.

the one with the flowers. i need that ficlet.

HI BABE!!! FLOWERS!!!!!

y'all mentioned sunflowers being charles' fav flower on anna's bday fic and now that will be my headcanon forever, so have this little ficlet in return 💖💖 i hope u like itttt

"i brought you flowers." "for what?" "there has to be a reason?"

It all starts with a stupid interview - one of those TikTok things for the F1 page, asking unconventional interview questions.

“What’s your favorite flower?”

“Huh.” Charles had looked deep in thought, brows furrowed and lips pursed. Utterly adorable, like always. The backdrop of the bright pink flowers in the Singapore paddock made his green eyes pop. “Sunflowers, I think.”

And it made Pierre pause because -

Even after so many years, he doesn’t know everything about Charles. This silly video that Ilies had sent him with many laughing emojis - mostly because it also contains a diss at Pierre’s football skills - has revealed a truth about his boyfriend he never knew and, most importantly, that he never even bothered to ask. A twinge of guilt twists a way in his stomach because Charles deserves the best - he deserves someone that cares about what his favorite flower is and someone who won’t give him generic flower bouquets.

That’s why he ends up at Charles’ doorstep in Monaco carrying a sunflower bouquet he can barely fit in his arms, when he most definitely should be in Milan preparing to train with Ben. Pierre might have gotten a little carried away, he’ll admit.

“Hello?” Charles asks over the intercom after Pierre rings the doorbell, a little confused. Maybe he should’ve texted ahead, Pierre thinks. 

Pierre puts on his deepest voice as he answers. “Special delivery for Charles Leclerc.”

He doesn’t expect that to work, but Charles buzzes him in so Pierre rides the elevator up to his apartment. A wave of doubt washes over Pierre, but he trudges ahead and knocks on Charles’ apartment door. “Delivery!” he repeats in that deep voice.

When the door flies open, Pierre hears Charles gasp of surprise and he just about melts into the floor in a pile of goo. He loves him - he loves him so much. “Oh my god, Pierre.”

“Hi, calamar.” He tries to poke his head out from between the stems, but he’s mostly unsuccessful. “I brought you flowers.”

“For what? Shouldn’t you be in Milan right now?” His words are formatted like a reprimand, but his tone is more emotional than anything.

“Does there have to be a reason? Can’t I just be a good boyfriend?” 

Can’t it just be because I love you and you deserve good things?

Pierre thinks that but he doesn’t say it because this thing between them is still fairly new and raw and growing - they haven’t said I love you as a couple yet but Pierre can reel it in and wait, because he wants to give this time and he has known Charles is the big love of his life since he was about thirteen, so he’s not worried. He hopes that for now the sunflowers will be enough to communicate to Charles how he feels - I love you, I care about you, you’re my sun.

“You are the best boyfriend,” Charles answers, a little choked up. “It’s beautiful, thank you Pear. Now come in and set the flowers down so I can kiss you stupid, yeah?”

“Nothing would make me happier.” Charles giggles at Pierre’s words and grabs his wrist to lead him inside, sending sparks flying up his arm. When he finally manages to set the flowers down on the table, Charles kisses him and walks them backwards into his bedroom. 

“Sunflowers are my favorite, you know?” Charles muses after, in a post orgasm haze. Charles has a hand splayed across Pierre’s chest and his head tucked in his boyfriend’s neck, content and relaxed.

“I know.”

Charles doesn’t give a verbal answer, he just lifts his head and squints at Pierre. When Pierre chuckles guiltily, knowing he has probably clocked on to him listening to the interview, Charles just lets his head fall and cuddles back into Pierre with a quiet hum.

[mx-metronome]

[alexturner2005]

yesterday my parents brought home a new dog without telling me first, knowing that i’m not ready for another dog yet after the death of my last one 🙃

[lionblaze03-2]

sometimes I think about writing and singing music not because I’m an incredible singer but because no one has my fucking voice, especially in popular music, and its disheartening to be born a girl, told you’ll only get girl roles or try to voice match other girls, or ‘sing with the girls’ and then only be able to match male voices because you’re a fuckin tenor and not anything higher. I can’t think of any girl Broadway roles I can hit all the notes on. Most songs I love I have to pitch down for myself or use falsetto for singing along to. It bothers me a lot less now because I’m an adult who’s more secure in myself but as a teen in kids musical theatre it FUCKED with me, BAD style. And I know for a fact that even now when I hear people with a voice like mine singing I get excited and immediately invested in their work because they’re like ME, finally, for once. A brother in this world of being afab and having the voice of a recently pubescent boy forever. Maybe I should be that brother too.

[queenkevindays]

*

[pepprs]

misery despair suffering etc etc

[sophiewagentje]

.

[pepsimaxolotl]

Even though I know I’m making the right choice deferring next year to try uni again later, god I do I feel fucking awful about it and I’m dreading every moment going forward

[milo-is-rambling]

I am so high I love you dabs I love you big bong rips I love you huge heavy bong I love you only having 20 dollars to my name and no plans but getting high and ignoring it I love you oh no I’m thinking about it

[saltinesinsoup]

going to go eat dinner and see how i feel about my roommate after

[maskedbyghost]

arranged marriage with simon. yes i am talking about this again.

simon doesn’t talk much about the marriage at first, but his actions say it all. he insists on carrying your bags, walking on the outside of the sidewalk, and making sure you eat enough during missions. you don't ask him why, but it's clear he's claiming the role of protector, even if this was supposed to be temporary.

he won’t admit it, but simon begins to get used to the little domestic routines. you cooking dinner, him taking care of repairs around the house. it feels too natural, and although he never says anything, he’s already mentally putting the two of you into that “forever” category.

the first time you mention needing space or wanting to stay in a separate room, simon just gives you a look. "what do you mean, separate? we’re married." he’s not joking either. to him, this isn’t a temporary arrangement anymore. if you try to argue, he’ll just pull you close and mutter in your ear, "ring’s on your finger. means you’re mine." and that’s the end of the conversation.

he starts doing small things for you that a husband would—restocking your favorite snacks, making sure your gun is cleaned before missions, and slipping extra blankets on your side of the bed when it’s cold.

after some time, he’s not shy about touching you anymore—brushing a hand against your arm, holding you a little too close when you’re out in public. the more time passes, the more his touches become possessive, like he’s reminding you who you belong to now.

simon is up early, always. you’ll wake up to the smell of coffee, and he’ll have a cup ready for you without asking. if you take your time getting out of bed, he’ll mutter, "c’mon, mrs. riley. don’t make me drag you out." but there’s always a smile on his face.

when you share a bed, simon always pulls you into him at night. no matter how much space you take up at first, by morning, you’re wrapped up in his arms. if you stir in your sleep or seem restless, he’ll murmur, "got you, lovie," without fully waking up, his grip tightening as if to remind you he’s there, keeping you safe.

simon doesn’t open up easily, but after a particularly intense moment, he’ll lean in close, his forehead resting against yours, and he’ll whisper, "don’t care if it was for a mission or not. you’re the only one for me now." it’s not a grand declaration, but the sincerity in his voice makes your heart race.

simon will leave subtle marks of possession on you—his dog tags hanging around your neck, his scent clinging to your clothes, and his bite marks on your skin after an especially heated night. "need everyone to know who you belong to," he’ll growl against your skin, his lips trailing kisses down your neck.

he also has an odd obsession with your wedding ring. he’ll turn it on your finger, kissing it softly whenever you’re close. if you ever take it off for some reason, his brow furrows, and he’ll slip it back on. "keep it on, yeah?" his voice is low, almost pleading. "means something to me."

after a particularly dangerous mission where you were almost hurt, simon corners you in the hallway, eyes filled with emotion. "you’re not leaving me," he growls, pinning you against the wall. "ever. understand?" it’s a statement, a vow, and in that moment, you know you’re his forever, and he’s yours.

when you’re lying in bed together, his arms wrapped around you, simon will sometimes whisper, "mine," into your hair. it’s soft, almost inaudible, but you feel it in your bones. he needs the reminder just as much as you do��that you’re his, and he’s never letting you go.

[caterpillarinacave]

You wake in the morning your mind made up, there's no point in rushing headlong into these things, you'll stick around where there are free accommodations, at least for a little while, in the meantime you can search the area more and develop a better understanding of your situation, you head to the bathroom to clean up, when you go to untangle your hair you notice the blue from before has disappeared, you pick up the brush from the store and separate out a small amount of hair and run the brush through, it turns blue, you see that the brush is still clean but if you want to brush with it you will end up with a head of colorful hair, interesting, you set aside the brush and go back to cleaning yourself up before heading out to the main place to find the others and let them know of your decision to stay for a while, the older one seems pleased, they get you some spare clothes and finish setting up your space with things to fulfill your basic needs.

Your decision to stay turns from days to weeks to months, at this point you've learned the basics of the language around you, some simple words can be read, and a lot of the mannerisms have become much more familiar, the chirps, you've come to find, are verbal punctuation marks, depending on the chirp they literally vocalize "!!!" or "?", it's pretty cool. Additionally you've developed a deeper and friendlier relationship with both of the homes occupants, the younger one becomes more amicable as you take on some of the chores around the farm, which is what you have come to understand their home is, though the crops and animals are different and the farm methods aren't what you remember from your world, in any case, you help where you can, sometimes you go into town with the others and help with the shopping or other errands, the town is friendly, the area is nice, you've noticed the seasons do change similar to how they would in your world and the autumn turns to winter and leads to spring, though the people here split their seasons into seven distinct sections and their separation of time, like years and months or even days, are confusing, so you don't pay it too much mind, you find that despite wrapping yourself in the clothes and culture of these people you continue to remain yourself, no alterations afflict you, though it has only been some time, you don't think the world changing you physically is a huge thing to worry over anymore, you still check the number of fingers and toes you have each morning anyway, better safe than sorry or at least caught unawares.

You've kept an eye out for any sign of the mentioned key or any other way home, but nothing comes up, even when you manage to ask the older person what they meant before, they admit they really only know what the person who passed through told them, in order to go back to a world when the door closed you needed a key that opened the other side of the door, the person before you had searched this world a long time for that key, but when nothing ever came of it they moved on, before that though they had stayed here which is where the older one had learned some of your language and of your situation.

It's some time in the Spring like season several months in that you are hit with a cleaning bug, the other two went into town earlier so you get to work, while you had already searched the house before for anything that might hint at how you should proceed, you never found anything and the inhabitants themselves had been more useful and you quit looking eventually, imagine your surprise then when you stumble across a journal under a bookcase written in a language you can read, you pause your cleaning immediately and as you consume the book you learn that this was left behind by the person who had come before you, the journal is dated ten years ago and has entries detailing the events of their journey here as well as long discussions on their theories and observations of it all, from the book you learn several valuable pieces of information: there are multiple doorways on this world but they all seem to lead to the same next world although not the exact same place as far as they can tell, the next world is largely unknown but from what they can tell is safe enough in that you can breathe the air, in this world there is a secret organization, or perhaps cult, that studies these doorways but the author is not particularly impressed with them for some unspecified reason, the doors close automatically and cannot be kept open by any means, no going back without the Backwards Key or more specifically the black side key unless someone else opens the door from the other side, interestingly anything that passes through the door has a chance of developing a magic of its own which the writer is confused by (they brought over a bottle that now never runs out of water and a bag that replicates whatever gets put in it, the science behind this is discussed in depth for many pages but just gets chalked up to magic), they think that the doors open to alternate universes rather than across space to other planets but they aren't sure, the plan they chose to follow was to start going forwards through the doors and hunting for one of the keys to the black side then head back and go home, you don't think the plan panned out, this journal has given you more information to work with and much to think about but ultimately still leaves you with not much in the way of choices.

This set up is peaceful, the longer you stay the more parallels you find with your own world and despite missing loved ones from your old life the stability of this new one has begun to lull you into a sense of security, going forward could mean starting over, seeking out the secret organization could spell trouble, just travelling further than this town on your own would certainly be a hassle, staying here and continuing to learn about this world offers an opportunity of safety but you definitely don't see a future in which you reach home this way, do you choose to continue living as you have been?

No