#but soft joshua called to me like he was a siren and i was but a hapless sailor ^_^

[chugging-antiseptic-dye]

•°. *࿐ joshua

◦ words: noble, appear, soap ( <500 words)

◦ trigger warning: inappropriate and excessive use of italics

playlist : 711 by toneejay || she wants me (to be loved) by the happy fits || romcom by rob deniel || lihim by arthur miguel || ngayong gabi by hey it's je

.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜

The chandelier loomed over your table and you couldn’t help but take a huge gulp from your wine glass. Was it really your fault for being nervous when it was only your third date with the man of your dreams?

Speaking of said man, he was sitting across from you in a black v-neck formal shirt and pants. His glittering gold necklace had the same sparkle as the chandelier and you didn’t know how to look at him. Half-convinced this was a disaster, you wanted to bolt from the face of the earth.

Thank god your inner turmoil couldn’t be felt by Joshua. He was calmly working his way through the sirloin steak (thoughtfully paired with a 2020 'Duemani' Cabernet Franc). Holding down the panic, you try to copy his demeanor. The small talk between the both of you was automatic as it was taking all your concentration to make sure you were perfect. But as the minutes passed, you appeared to notice an anomaly: a grimacing Joshua Hong. Surely you were losing your mind. Since when does someone like Joshua grimace? Even if it was for a second?  Never.

But it was true. Whenever he had a bite of the mashed potatoes, he steeled his face for a bit. In a flash, your mind went into overdrive and you blurted out,

“Oh my god, do you have a carb allergy?”

Pin. Drop. Silence.

Perplexed, Joshua replied, “No, I don't. Um, why did you think so?”

Feeling like you already dug your grave, you decide to dig deeper since you were already dead to yourself.

“Well, you looked like you wanted to spit out the mashed potatoes so I thought you had an allergy. I am so sorry!”

“Oh.” Joshua’s face started to turn beetroot red. He mumbled, “It tastes like soap.”

Leaning forwards to catch his words, you reply, “Huh?”

You didn’t know someone’s face could turn that red. He blurted out his confession in a slightly louder voice.

“The potatoes had parsley in it and it tasted like soap to me.”

You deadpanned, “And why were you eating soap, Joshua Hong?”

He sputtered out in embarrassment, “I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of someone like you.”

A smirk formed on your lips. “Like what?”

“Beautiful and too good to be true.”

Now, two people were blushing into their plates. But as the irony of the statement dawned on you, giggles slowly burst out until your whole body was shaking. Wheezing, you asked, looking right in his eyes,

“Joshua, Joshua, please tell me you didn’t eat soap just to appear noble?”

One beat later, both of you erupted into uncontrollable laughter. To the rest of the people in this swanky french place, you two might look like madmen but, in this moment, the two of you became human to each other.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜

if anyone wants me to write about a specific member, please send me an ask with the member name + three words from this word generator)

[miabebe]

Where you're convenient (I)

Scenario - Yes it was circumstances that forced these arrangements but why was it that at the breaking point of this relationship, all you want to do is hold on to it? 

Pairing - Husband! Joshua × reader

Genre - smut with plot, mild angst in the form of pining, fluff to top it all off in the end haha

Word Count - 6.5K (These are getting ridiculously long now, apologies)

Warnings - Fingering, protected sex, oral (male receiving), cum swallowing

A/n -  This was supposed to have all 3 stories but clearly I went overboard with just 1. There other 2 will be released as part 2 (Dk) and 3(Woozi)!

When Joshua brought a girl home tonight, he wasn't expecting you to be there. When their tongues clashed in a frenzy as she clambered into his lap on the couch, he wasn't expecting to hear your soft sobs from the kitchen. And when she began stripping out of her little black dress, he definitely wasn't expecting you to walk out, dressed in just his shirt, with a tub of ice cream in your hand.

The situation concluded with 3 sets of screaming - first was yours in utter surprise, next was the other woman's in anger and the third was his own, in pain. I mean, what else was he expecting the reaction to be when he introduced you as his wife. Of course the other woman went ballistic and threw whatever was in her arms reach straight at him. Thank god the whole ordeal finished in about 15 minutes with minimal damage.

When Joshua turned to you however, your tear stained cheeks were flushed red. As he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, unable to hold it in anymore, you burst out laughing. Even if it was at the expense of his embarrassment, at least you weren't crying anymore and for Joshua, that was a win.

As he picked up the scattered things around the house, he watched the smile slowly fade off your face. Not wanting to see you slip back into your misery, Joshua decided to drag you into his own with a recount of what actually happened today. He was supposed to go on a date, to meet a friend of a friend who had expressed her interest in him for a long time now, despite knowing the unusual arrangement between you two. He had finally decided to put behind his series of meaningless hook ups and give serious dating a shot, so he dressed up, chose a restaurant, set a time and was waiting for her at the bar.

But apparently, though he was willing to leave behind his philandering days, they weren't willing to let him go. Barely minutes after he got there, he was approached by another woman (aka the one who just nearly took his head off) and she began asking him a few questions. Now, maybe Joshua should have answered her briefly sent her on her way, or at least told her the seat next to him was reserved for someone, or at most, removed her hand from his thigh a fraction of a second earlier, so his sweet date of the night would not have walked into the restaurant to see another woman cozying up to him.

And that was the end of his date before it even started - no matter how much he tried, she wouldn't pick his calls or even answer his texts. Giving up on his original plan of the night, Joshua had decided to go home when the lady before him offered just the same - a dinner and a conversation. Honestly, Joshua didn't see the harm - either ways he had to eat and the woman before him seemed capable of a decent discussion.

That was until she decided to let her actions do the talking instead, her foot slowly running up and down his legs, the neckline of her dress somehow slipping lower and lower, and her doe like eyes slowly morphing into sirens. When she excused herself to the bathroom, with a not so subtle follow me gesture, Joshua panicked and pulled her out of the restaurant instead, straight into his car. Cardinal mistake number two - maybe at that point, since it was evident they were headed to his house, he should have told her about you, but there was not a lot much talking he could do, even though it was not his mouth that was busy-

At this point, you covered your ears, loudly refusing to hear any further, as you walked back into the kitchen, missing the amused smile on Joshua's face. He leaned against the entrance, watching you scouring the cupboards for something, his guess was chocolate syrup because you liked pouring it all over your ice cream, especially if it was vanilla. That must mean the pint of strawberry is over because there was no way you'd pick vanilla if the strawberry was right there. Joshua made a mental note to buy another pint the next time he went to the super mart.

As he predicted, he watched you drizzle the chocolate excessively and throw in a bunch of m&ms too. Okay, things were definitely a lot worse than they seemed. When you finally sat, sliding yourself onto the kitchen island, Joshua asked you what you're doing at home. You confessed your date stood you up. You had been talking to this guy for almost a month now and you really did like him - enough to be excited for the date, to buy a new dress, spend hours getting ready, only for him to not turn up to pick you up.

Joshua shook his head annoyed, just as a fat tear dropped down your cheek. You looked so much like the first time he saw you and that was almost a year ago. A year, 3 months and 14 days to be precise, when he found sitting outside the lawyers office, eyes filled with tears, head hung low, sobs echoing in the silence.

Being the gentleman he was, he handed you a packet of tissues and asked if you were okay. You seemed guarded initially, nodding your head at first, then slowly shaking it. You were new to the city - a runaway from home because your family didn't approve of your relationship with your long distance boyfriend. After months of planning, you found a great job here, waited for the perfect moment to escape home, flew across the seven seas only to find your skunk of a boyfriend cheating on you. Now neither could you go back to the home you left behind, nor could you stay in this country without a visa, which you were supposed to acquire after marrying him.

Though Joshua hated his job, he knew that being in human resources and dealing with employment contacts day in and day out, he could perhaps help you get a work visa instead. Maybe if he did you this favour, the universe would do him one too and God knew he badly needed one, so he offered to take you out for lunch, promising to go through your contract and see what he could do. Sadly, as lunch progressed it became more and more evident that there was nothing he or you could do. The clauses clearly stated that the job was only for a long term resident or a citizen since the company was at it's limit to sponsor a work permit.

He watched as your face fell, and you spoke about how much you loved that job and how this was your dream. Sympathising, Joshua told you how he too was so close to losing his dream. He always wanted to quit his pathetic corporate job and start his own business but despite having the most excellent ideas and strategies, he never managed to accumulate the necessary capital.

When his grandfather passed away recently and left him an inheritance, he thought maybe he had finally gotten a way out but apparently there was a roadblock even there. The will clearly stated that he was only eligible to receive his share a whole year after his legal and certified marriage - one last ploy by his grandfather to make sure his only grandson got married and continued the family lineage.

Laughing, you noted it was funny how on a random Tuesday, two people who desperately needed to be married ended up meeting over a pair of tissues and a lunch, like the universe had played a brilliant cosmic joke.

No sooner than the words had been spoken, the both of you shared a very obvious look of realisation. This wasn't a joke, it was a solution, right there, clear as day.

It took about 5 minutes of silence, 50 different emotions and 500 various possibilities running in both heads before Joshua finally spoke up, leading to the fastest known proposal in the history of mankind. And surprisingly, and thankfully, an even faster acceptance. Joshua wasn't sure why you trusted him enough to say yes or even why he trusted you enough to ask but I guess that's just how desperation works.

Within a week, standing outside a courthouse, the two of you got married and by that evening you were moving into his house. While you needed to be married for just a few weeks to get through all the visa formalities, Joshua needed you to be his wife for a whole year so you asked for something else in exchange - to be his roommate, free of rent, for as long as he needed you to be married to him. Though Joshua thoroughly hated the idea of sharing his space with someone, a stranger moreover, he agreed if it meant he could get his hands on that money.

Living with you wasn't really that hard. You were at work for much longer hours than him and even if you were at home, you mostly kept to your room. You were neat when you used common spaces, chipped in for groceries and utilities and were agreeable for the most part. Of course there were some habits of yours that did bothered him, like the 500 alarms you kept to wake up every morning, the fact that you never washed your coffee cup and that for some reason, you never put your shoes on the shoe rack.

Eventually, with time, Joshua got used to both your habits and your presence. Though you weren't friends yet, the two of you went from being courteous and polite to being friendly, getting take out together from time to time, watching movies on rainy days when you were stuck in the house together. It was a symbiotic bond - he'd help you out sometimes, picking you up after work on days when it was too late to catch the train and you'd help him out sometimes, accompanying him to his family gatherings to appease his many many nosy relatives.

Joshua liked to think of the specific moment that the both you became friends as the night he came home to you crying. He knew you weren't back with your ex but as much as he disapproved of it, you had been meeting him frequently. He watched you, over the last many months, some days happy as a lark, and on some whisking away a tub of ice cream into your room followed by the sounds of sobbing. Joshua wanted to tell you to break out of this unhealthy cycle but it wasn't really his place to say anything so he did all he could from the sidelines - making sure you ate on time, that you had enough coffee after your sleepless nights (in a clean, washed cup) and that you were not always wallowing away in your sorrows.

That night when Joshua saw you sitting in crying on the couch, he thought something was wrong but it turned out, for the first time, everything went right. You had finally ended things - you had finally removed that horrible man from your life and had decided to move on. As the two of you sat and brutally cut up a the pictures of your ex together, somehow a friendship was born.

After that, things were awfully comfortable in the house. Not like they weren't before but it was different now. The two of you regularly cooked together, hit the arcades on the weekends, went shopping - just started spending time not out of need or obligation but simply because you enjoyed each others company. Not only were you a source of comfort for him, Joshua began seeing you as in inspiration - the zeal with which you worked for your dream, the way you always managed to pick up the pieces and move on, Joshua was in awe of it all.

Even though it had been years, Joshua hadn't managed to move on. He hadn't managed to heal from his college girlfriend cheating on him with his best friend and instead resorted to the life of a loner who seeked occasional hookups, nothing lasting, nothing meaningful. Until you changed his mind. You told him although you were cheated on too, love was the most beautiful feeling you had ever experienced and one had to be truly lucky to find that. You assured him he was a great guy and that there was a woman out there who would see that and that he shouldn't close himself to the possibility.

It took a while to convince himself but eventually, Joshua decided to put himself out there. No, not because you had begun talking to other men on dating sites. Also not because he hated that you would grab dinners with other people instead of making them at home with him. And definitely not because after tomorrow, you'd be gone - the two of you would finally be divorced.

Joshua looked at you perched on the island top, wiping away your tears. Funny how he always found you crying like this whenever your lives were about to take a drastic turn. He sighed, walking up to you, wiping away ice cream at the corner of your mouth with his thumb and thoughtlessly slipping it into his own mouth as he turned to the fridge to grab a pint for himself. You gripped your spoon a little harder than you intended to as you glanced at his back, looking away only when he turned to you.

Sure, over the year, you had gotten used to such acts of his - holding your waist as he moved you out of his way, tucking your hair behind your ear when your hands were busy washing dishes, grabbing the glasses on the shelf above from behind you, his chest pressed into your back. He'd just do all this and move on, normally, like nothing happened, like your heart wasn't racing in its cage.

Joshua sat across you on the kitchen counter, leaning against the wall behind, stuffing his own face with a large spoon of the ice cream. You tried to brush away your thoughts and tears and continue eating but you couldn’t. You couldn't take away that one thought that had been plaguing you all day - that all of this was coming to an end soon.

You lied when you said your date had stood you up today. After you had dressed up, waited for a whole hour and then called your date to leave him a terrible message with a whole lot of profanity, he reminded you that your date was in fact scheduled 2 days later. As usual, you couldn't get one thing right. Of course you messed up, of course you were a klutz, you always were one but this time was different. This time, somehow you were more distracted than usual, mind all over the place. Perhaps because you knew what was coming tomorrow. Perhaps because you didn't want tomorrow to come.

You stared at the calendar on the fridge, at the red circle around tomorrow's date sitting like a dark reminder that time waited for no one. Tomorrow would come no matter how much you wish it didn't. No matter how many tears unwillingly rolled down your cheeks and how many tubs of dessert you emptied or how much you wished you could hold onto this moment forever.

Joshua who was ranting off about how it was all your dates fault, that you had no reason to cry and that there was someone better out there, him, faltered when he saw what your eyes are fixed on. He felt a pang in his chest, right where his heart sat.

He cleared his throat, bringing your attention back to him, asking if you'd contacted any movers to shift your things - you were leaving by the end of this week to live with a bunch of girl friends you'd made at work. You smacked your forehead, forgetting yet again to do just that despite setting a whole bunch of reminders over the week. Joshua laughed and offered to call them for you instead, but you shook your head. You couldn't depend on him anymore, you needed to learn to live without him.

He admitted that he was so used to you, it was going to be hard for him to live without you too - how was he ever going to find a housemate as good as you? You agreed that he couldn't, you were the best fit for him. He laughed, claiming you needed him as a housemate more than he needed you, who else would wash your coffee cup every morning? You stared at him for a bit before nodding, agreeing. How could you possibly find someone as good as him?

It was like history was repeating once more, the two of you looking at each other with the evidently the same thought running your minds, unsure who should voice it first.

After a long time, yet again Joshua took the lead, asking what you thought about continuing to live here. He did still need a roommate to share rent (he did not) and it would be a hassle for you to move so many things and besides, his house was closer to your workplace. You admitted that if he was okay with it, you didn't mind, you hated dealing with packing and moving anyways. The brightest smile Joshua gave you in response confirmed that you made the right decision, despite the other concerns were brewing at the back of your mind.

You then asked him what this meant for both of you and this marriage. He shrugged saying he didn't think it would make a big difference if the divorce happened or not - after all what was marriage but getting a roommate for a lifetime. You wanted to tell him that its a lot more than that but chose to be content with developments so far. At least for now, you still had him by your side. You could think about the future later.

Silence, one that was heavy with thoughts and emotions, took over again, before Joshua decided to lighten things up.

"We should renew our vows."

"You wanna get remarried??"

"No, I mean we should base this new beginning on a new set of promises. Like..... you could promise to buy a bigger shoe stand for the house and I don't know, maybe finally start putting all your shoes on it?"

"Oh really? Then I guess you could promise to stop lying down on the couch cushions and flattening them?"

"What? I don't- Fine, then you can promise to start putting 2 alarms instead of 20?"

"......"

"I can hear it all the way till my room."

"Why didn't you ever tell me you idiot?"

"Just... didn't want to be someone who keeps complaining."

"Maybe you should promise me you'll start discussing things that bother you with me more."

"Then promise me that you'll never again let me come home to you crying and eating on the couch whose cushions I promise not to flatten."

"Alright, then promise me you'll let me pay rent now."

"Okay, that no, absolutely not. You don't have to-"

"Hey these are my vows-"

"Then I promise to never let you pay rent-"

"Shua-"

"Nope."

"But I can't just stay here without-"

"This remarriage is over."

"Shua please-"

"By the powers vested in me by ordained at home dot com-"

"By what?-"

"-I once again pronounce us husband and wife."

"Okay fine but-"

"I may now kiss my bride."

You didn't even realise when he had slid off the counter, walked up and slotted himself between your dangling legs, hands pressed onto the granite on either side of you. He looked at you, matching your equally amused expression, lips curling into a soft smile.

Many days later he swore he wasn't actually going to kiss and you were the one who kissed him first while you adamantly insisted he iniated it, he was the one who leaned in. Either ways, the fact remained the same - you kissed. Yes you were both basically laughing against each others mouths and both tongues ans all four hands were polite, but it was a kiss nevertheless, stirring something that you didn't even know existed between the two of you.

You pulled back, letting your eyes roam over his features, as his eyes drifted back to your lips, like a moth to a flame. Running your finger along your bottom lip, he stared at it, wondering why the taste of vanilla and your strawberry chapstick was so strangely addictive. When he met your eyes again it was like every nerve ending on your body had been lit on fire and his touch was the only thing that could calm it down.

This time, neither of you were really sure who went for it first but once again, his mouth was on yours, a lot longer, a lot more desperate. When his hands ran up your thighs and pulled you closer, wrapping your legs around his waist, you practically moaned into his mouth, making his lips curl into a satisfied smile. That was all he needed.

"Y/n....." He moved down to your jaw then your neck, groaning as your legs tightened around him, pressing his length against you. "I'm trying to be a gentleman, I want to be a gentleman but you're making it really hard."

Running your fingers into his hair, you pulled him off you, catching your breath. "And what I want is you..." His eyes flashed the same desperation as yours. Fuck it. It was now or never. "What I want is you in me. Gentle or not, I don't care-"

Before you were even done he's unbuttoning his shirt you've donned, beyond pleased that you're not wearing a bra, his ministrations continuing on your neck making you choke on your words.

"Wait, Shua, here?" You stuttered as his fingers grazed over the swell of your breast, mouth close behind.

"My kitchen, my wife. Who's to stop me?" His fingers ran down and along the seam of your underwear, taking an unecesary step away from you. "Do you want me to stop?"

Grabbing a fist full of fabric under his collar you shook your head. "Don't you dare."

And from there there was truly no stopping. In a flash he had stripped you of your panties and you had unbuttoned his pants, making him quickly step out of it, kicking it away. With his hands wrapped around your thighs, once again, he pulled you towards him.

"Here's what we're gonna do." His mouth littered kisses along your jaw. "I'm gonna prep you real quick and fuck you first. Then I'll take you to my room and treat you right. Is that okay?"

God you didn't know he had a mouth like this on him. It made you clench with desire as you nodded hurriedly, wrapping your arms around his neck. Joshua smiled at your desperation as he slipped his hand between your bodies, fingers finding your clit. Having been untouched for so long, just his touch sent electricity jolting through your body making you moan into his mouth as he captured it in a kiss, sighing at how it felt like music to his ears. Fucking hell, you were going to be the end of him.

He let his fingers graze down between your folds groaning at how easily they slipped between your wetness.

"All for me?" You nodded again, bringing a hand down to circle around his wrist, compelling him to move faster. "Patience sweetheart, I'll give you what you want."

And with that he easily slipped a finger into you, pumping it slow at first, before slipping another one, groaning at how tight you were. You fell forward, burying your face into the curvature of his neck, pointlessly hiding how desperate you were for him. But Joshua knew - he could feel your arousal drip down his hand as he moved his fingers, scissoring you open.

"Faster." You raised your head and whispered, sending delightful chills down his spine. "Hurry up and fuck me Shua."

"I will, I'm sorry sweetheart." He cooed back into your ear, "but two won't be enough for you to take me."

You could feel yourself literally drool at his words. You knew he was big. Perhaps he didn't realise but all those days he walked about commando in those grey sweatpants of his, you had seen the faint outline and understood he was a well endowed man. Now the thought of having that inside you was nearly driving you insane.

"Shua please..." You pleaded as his third finger began working you. "Let me see you."

Joshua nodded, pistoning his fingers a few more times before pulling out, making you clench around a strange emptiness. With a swift motion he pulled down and stepped out of his boxers, smiling slightly at the way your eyes were focused between his legs.

God you wanted that dick inside you. In your mouth, in your hands, in that little hole that was currently throbbing like crazy.

Getting yourself together, you finally managed to peel your eyes from his length and focus on what had to be done next. "Do you have a condom around here? I don't....."

You trailed off watching the very momentary disappointment flashing in his eyes. Joshua knew it was unreasonable to be upset over this yet he couldn't help but sigh when he realised what he envisioned could not come true. Yes Joshua was neat and well organised man but sex was something he preferred messy. The moment he felt how wet you were he knew what he wanted to do - pump you full of his cum, watch it drip down your pretty pink folds as he slowly fucked it back into you with his fingers, till you begged him to come. He really wanted to take his time calculatedly ruining you.

"I'll get on the pill from tomorrow." You continued, unable to decipher what was going on in that pretty head of his. "Then you can fill me up how much ever you want."

It was the promise of this happening another time that finally made Joshua move as he placed a quick kiss on your cheek and jogged out of the kitchen into his room.

In his absence somehow suddenly, the countertop felt a lot colder under you and your brain finally decided to start working. Sure you were attracted to this man and clearly he was into you too, but what did this mean for the both of you? Were you two people casually living and sleeping together or was there something deep and genuine that was worth holding on to? The way he said my wife was still ringing in your ear.....

Joshua walked back to you, waving a silver foil square with a grin on his face. As he stood before you and ripped it open you let your eyes run down his body. He was built so exquisitely and you've craved this man for so long and even though now, he was seconds away from fucking you stupid, you realised that was not enough. You needed more. You needed him entirely.

You stripped your unbuttoned shirt away as Joshua raised an eyebrow at you, rolling on the piece of latex. "I liked seeing you in my shirt-"

Pulling him to you, you captured his mouth in yet another long kiss as your hands on his shoulders pushed his shirt away too. "I don't want anything between us."

Joshua broke away from you, staring at your confused face intently. Your words made that little organ in his chest clench because he truly had no idea what they meant. He had no idea if this was just a result of two poorly executed dates or if you felt anything deeper for him. He knew what he felt though - he didn't want just this night or just nights like this. He wanted you entirely. He wanted to tell the world you were his wife, that you were his and that he was yours. God he was so in love with you.

Grabbing your hips he pulled you off the counter and turned you around, ignoring your little whines.

"But I want to see you."

"You have all night for that sweetheart." He ran his hand down the soft skin of your back, tightly gripping an ass cheek. If he saw your face as he fucked you he was afraid he could never again touch someone who wasn't you. He would never be able to get the way you would look as you come out of his mind. "I'm all yours."

Palms fixed on the cold granite helping you stay up, you looked over your shoulder and kissed your lover fervently. He kissed you back, hand snaking around your waist, slipping to your core, sliding his fingers between your folds again. Feeling your legs shake around his hand he smirked and brought his digits coated in your arousal up to your mouth, feeling you eagerly suck on them as he aligned his tip at your entrance, trying his best to not burying himself deeply into you.

"Do you taste that good sweetheart?" Hand moving to grip your jaw he turns your head, slipping his tongue into your mouth. "Fuck, I have to go down on you tonight. You're delectable."

Whining, you pushed your hips back against him, hoping he'll sink deeper into you, fill you up just right. Maybe because it had been so long since you've been intimate with anyone or maybe because you're finally in the hands of the man you were desperate for, but the moment Joshua gave in and pushed all the way in, you could already feel yourself throbbing around his length.

"You're so big...." You whispered, hands failing to grab anything on the smooth surface. Yes you had realised he was big but you didn’t think his girth would feel like this. "Fuck Shua, you fill me up so nice."

"Yeah?" He smiled against your shoulder, dropping a quick kiss on it as he started slowly moving his hips. "You feel incredible too sweetheart. Fuck, I lo-"

Your eyes widened as Joshua came to a complete halt, the grip of his hands on your hips loosening. You couldn't see but he was looking at you with a mix of confusion, desperation, fear and love that would have made you say those three words to him in an instant. You'll tell him. When the times right you'll tell him. But right now, you needed him to continue.

"Shua please." You brought your hand down to your clit, drawing furious circles. "Please move, please-"

And your begging turned into moans when he gave you just what you wanted, pulling back entirely before pushing all the way in, picking up the pace.

"So beautiful," He muttered, fingers surely leaving bruises on your hips. "You're so beautiful sweetheart. You feel like heaven."

"You- fuck." You couldn't possibly make a cohesive sentence with the way he felt inside you. "Shua I- oh god."

He chuckled against your ear at your inability. "Continue baby, what are you saying?"

"That....shit." You faltered as he purposely hit that exact spot with his tip again and again. "You... I..."

"My name sweetheart, that's all you need to say."

And that's all you gave him, mumbling his name over and over again as he removed your hand working on your clit and replaced it with his own. In an instant you felt yourself come around him, letting out what Joshua thought was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard. Oh he could make you come just around his dick at least another two times tonight - he was no where close to finishing.

As he let you come down from your high, his hand played with your breasts, only giving you slow languid strokes, ready to get rougher whenever you were.

"I need a minute." You muttered. "It's been a while, I'm sensitive and my legs hurt...I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Joshua slowly pulled himself out and wrapped his arms around tightly, pulling you against his chest. You could feel his racing heart behind you as he peppered small kisses along your shoulder, keeping you encircled in his arms. As much as his embrace felt like heaven, his hard length against your ass felt like yet another invitation to sin.

"Do you have more condoms?"

"Yeah." Joshua's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "In the drawer of my nightstand."

"Good." You smiled, turning to him, placing a kiss on his lips. "You'll need them."

Watching you push him back and sinking down to your knees was probably the hottest thing Joshua had ever seen in his life.

Wrong.

Pulling the condom off him, tossing it aside and wrapping your hand around his bare cock was so much better.

He groaned, throwing his head back as you teasingly licked the tip, working your hands on him.

"I'm not going to last much longer like this."

You smiled before taking him fully into your mouth, Joshua's hands on their own running through your hair, making your moan around his length. Sure, like any other guy Joshua did enjoy a good oral session but the way you looked up at him from between his legs might be his most favourite thing about tonight. Especially with that mischievous glint in your eyes.

"Easy sweetheart." He growled as you took him in so far he felt the back of your throat. He didn't want to go as far as fucking your throat tonight - it was supposed to be all about you. Besides, with the way your mouth worked, its not like he was going to last long enough anyways.

And sure enough, with a few more bobs of your head and strokes of your hand at the base of his length, he felt himself close.

"Fuck, I'm gonna-"

Nodding, you pulled yourself off him with a pop and opened your mouth and that's all it took for him to finally feel all that build up crash as he stroked himself hard and fast, coating your tongue with his cum.

You watched him struggle to catch his breath as you swallowed his bittersweet release, opening up to show him it was all gone. Joshua ran his thumb along the edges of your mouth wiping away the spit running down the corners.

"What a good girl." Aaaaand you were soaked yet again, core throbbing. "Who knew you had a mouth like this on you."

You grinned. "There's so much you don't know about me."

"Yeah?" He helped you up to your feet, and with an arm under your knees quickly lifted you into his arms. "Then let's find out."

And the kitchen was only left with the echo of your happy laughter as his room got ready to witness the rest of the very, very long night's events.

Joshua barely remembered what exactly happened last night. All that was branded in the frontal lobe of his brain was the image of your face when came over and over again on his fingers and mouth and dick. Your pretty sounds, the way you gripped his hair, the way your nails raked his back - it was all constantly running in his mind since he had woken up.

It had been about half an hour since the sunlight streaming in the room awakened him. Of all the amazing things that went down last night, the sight of your half naked body curled up against his chest in his bed was the most memorable. He had no idea your lips parted like that while you slept or that you frequently whined in your sleep. He wanted to know these small things about you. He wanted to know everything about you but he wondered if you would give him the chance to do that.

Just as he tucked your loose hairs behind your ear, his phone on the night stand began ringing loudly making him curse under his breath. As Joshua turned to pick up the phone, he felt you stir beside him. It was his divorce lawyer.

"Mr. Choi, morning." Joshua sat up rubbing his temples. He didn't even have the chance to talk to you about the future of this relationship and he was already getting a reminder to end it.

"Afternoon, Mr. Hong. Just called to let you know I've got all the paperwork ready."

"Right."

"Make sure you reach on time. Earlier would be better. I'd say at 2."

"Okay."

"Bring all the legal documents regarding your inheritance and finances, we need to talk about alimony and..."

Mr. Choi's words which Joshua had already heard a 1000 times faded away as he felt you slowly stretch awake and clamber into his lap.

Good morning, he mouthed to which you smiled sleepily. God, he wanted this everyday.

You raised an eyebrow in question. Who is it?

Mr. Choi.

"....and I think that's all." Joshua turned his attention to the call again, missing the way your sweet smile faded. "You are getting ready to leave right? It will take you nearly an hour to reach in this traffic..."

Both of you turned and looked at the watch strike 1.

"Yeah we're..." He cleared his throat looking at you, unable to say the words. "We are...."

You wrapped your arms around his neck, recalling the way he was with you last night. Fuck, I lo-

This was love. This had to be love. And if he loved you and you loved him.....

And finally you took the lead this time, pressing your forehead against his, shutting your eyes tight and softly shaking your head.

Never in his life did Joshua feel the sense of relief he did as his heart flipped in his chest and he grinned. You didn't want this. You didn't want this which meant you wanted him.

"We're not coming today Mr. Choi. My wife and I don't want to get divorced."

With that he cut the call and threw his phone aside, wrapping his arms around your waist.

"Is that what you want?"

You opened your eyes to see the beautiful man in front of you looking at you like nothing other than you mattered.

"You are what I want."

Joshua captured your mouth in a long, deep kiss, swallowing his words, showing how much he wanted you too. He'll tell you those 3 words some day, when the time is right. And you'll tell him too - what was the hurry when you had your whole life with him ahead of you. Right now, you could show him instead so you pushed him back onto the bed, leaning over him as your hips began grinding against his hardening length. Joshua smiled at you lazily.

"You're insatiable Mrs. Hong."

"Only for you Mr. Hong."

[kabira]

03 | a little nighttime swinging

pairing — spider-man!vernon x ofc

featuring — joshua, yeji (itzy), felix (skz), yangyang (nct)

word count — 2.8k

genres — spider-man au, marvel au, fluff, action, angst, humor

warnings — violence

note — you know the drill—send me an ask or dm to be added to the taglist! first appearance of the amazing aunt may, so cheers to that. don’t really have much to add except for the fact that i woke up dead tired before morning classes to finish this...but it was fun so i guess it was worth it.

go to fic masterlist | main masterlist

Vernon almost jumped out of his seat when his phone buzzed.

And while he managed to keep his butt firmly planted, he did accidentally swipe half the stuff off his table, phone included. Granted, he should have been paying more attention—usually, he’d be alert and ready for the pestering texts about the day’s homework, but today he had been too tired to keep his eyes open for long.

He wiped the drool gathered at one corner of his mouth and swiped his phone up off the ground, his fingers going on autopilot as they entered the passcode and clicked open the messenger app.

LUCE:

page 25

wtf is a fitting reaction

nvm it’s fittig

VERNON:

reminds of the time you found a milf in the history textbook

LUCE:

the past is in the past

let it gooo

anyway send me the answers to q 11 through 13 and i’ll buy u whatever u want from larry’s on friday

Vernon snorted a laugh, then clicked off without answering. Bold of her to assume I don’t already have someone else to pay for my order. Somehow, though, the text from her had been almost relieving. After all the new changes, he had almost expected her not to text him. It was stupid, he knew, but he couldn’t help being a little apprehensive about the new superhero stuff taking over his regular routine.

He glanced back at the ground, where an old notebook with plans for web shooter mods lay open on the ground, loose pages spilling out. It was already dark out, but the streetlights hadn’t been switched on yet—a good time to sneak out in his suit without being seen; he didn’t want Mrs. Jones next door wondering why Spider-Man was swinging out of Vernon Parker’s bedroom window when she went out for her evening walk.

He exhaled through his teeth, blinking hard to push back any remaining sleepiness. Most of his homework remained yet to be done, but in his defense, he’d had a lot on his mind, not to mention his running on less sleep and more leftover Rhino-induced adrenaline.

He was tired. His was the kind of exhaustion that seeped into his bones and trickled into the empty corners of his mind, making him want move instead of lie down and rest for a while. It was the kind of tiredness you could only wash away by doing, and as long as he was Spider-Man, there was always something to do.

He clicked off the reading light, dousing the room in darkness. His senses were awake, as if straining for the stimulus of the city, and he needed a good nighttime swing to clear his mind anyway. I deserve a break.

Changing into the costume took all of forty-five seconds, picking up the fallen books three seconds. After sticking a pillow under the bedcovers, Vernon perched on the window pane, looking out into the chilly backyard below. Somehow, changing into his suit and swinging out from his actual neighborhood seemed even more thrilling than swinging in.

Maybe if I go out this way, those three won’t be able to follow.

“Vernon, are you in there?”

His heart almost leaped out of his throat at the voice. Vernon turned, eyes wide, eyes zooming in on the shadow lurking at the bottom of his bedroom door, where a little light seeped in from outside. The lock clicked as Aunt May’s hand pressed down on the handle, and the door opened a crack.

“Don’t come in, I’m naked!” he yelled in a fit of panic, backflipping from the window onto the mattress, making the bedsprings squeak tellingly under his weight. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He was so sleep-deprived he’d forgotten about locking the door.

Rule number one of hiding your secret identity from your all-seeing aunt: never leave the bedroom door open.

“Oh,” his aunt’s voice came from outside. The light spilling in from the crack in the door receded as she pulled the door shut again. “I just wanted to ask, dear, aren’t you going to eat anything? You haven’t had a bite since you came back from school.”

Crap, that’s true, he thought, the muscles of his stomach tightening at the thought. I’ll swing by the candy store downtown. “Uh, I don’t think I will,” he said. “I’m not hungry, er—think I might be coming down with something.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” May’s worried voice sounded, the door beginning to open again. “I could have whipped you up a—”

“No!” he yelled, instinctively pulling the covers up to his chest. “Naked, remember?”

The door closed again. “Well, put something on,” she replied. “And I’ll make you some soup.”

“You do that,” he muttered loudly, already feeling guilt pool in the pit of his stomach at making her so something for him. But what else was he supposed to do? “Actually, no, don’t bother. I can feel a headache coming on already. I’ll turn in for the night and have a big breakfast tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to anything?”

“Yeah,” he said. “And don’t come in! Because—you know—germs and stuff. Really nasty bug going around in school, one of the kids in my class had it. Don’t wanna infect you too.”

He heard her sigh, but it was an accepting sigh, albeit a little reluctant. “All right,” she said, and the shadow under the door pulled back a little. “Good night, Vernon.”

“Night, Aunt May,” he said, watching the slit of light under the door until the shadow receded completely. As soon as he was in the clear, he breathed a sigh of relief, slipping off the covers.

Those S.H.I.E.L.D. guys had it easy.

Although he couldn’t feel the night air on his bare skin, swinging through the city at night always left him feeling refreshed. It was a little ironic, sure, physical exertion energizing him, but Vernon suspected it was more of a psychological thing. Being out here in the open reminded him of who he actually was supposed to be—not just Vernon Parker, the tired highschooler with leftover chemistry homework, but crime-fighting, wall-crawling, not-homework-doing Spider-Man.

He landed on the roof of a high building, hitting the concrete with a satisfying plunk. Everything seemed more alive at night. Even from up here, he could hear the sounds of humanity on the street below, loud voices running into each other over the noise of traffic. The Daily Bugle billboard on the high building opposite him was lit up—Jameson probably dragging him like always—but Vernon tuned it out. The last thing he needed right now was more negativity.

He was about to leap off the side again when his ears picked up a soft sound behind him. Bad guys, he thought reflexively, before realizing there was a much better explanation.

His jaw clenched, shoulders tightening before he forced them to relax. “You can come out now,” he called without turning, upset rippling through his body despite him desperately trying not to show it. “There’s no point in hiding if you can’t even do it properly.”

Their hesitation was almost audible, but then she stepped out from behind the small roof door. Tiger’s white suit was stark against the dark sky, her mask’s cat ears perked like Daredevil’s horns. He had to admit it was pretty impressive that she’d managed to stay unnoticed that long.

Nova floated up from the side of the building next, carrying a disgruntled-looking Felix. Seeing the latter out of his X-Men costume felt strange, like seeing Fury without his eyepatch. There was definitely something up with him, but Vernon didn’t want to pry, so he stored the suspicion away for later perusal.

“You can sense non-threatening presences with your spider sense?” Nova asked, looking both annoyed and awed. “Your file didn’t say that.”

Vernon was tempted to lie just to spite him, but stopped himself. If these guys were going to be his teammates, lying about his abilities probably wasn’t the best way to go. “No, you’re just bad at stealth,” he replied, deadpan. “How did you even find me? No, wait, let me guess—camera outside my house?”

“Tracker on your suit, actually,” Tiger said. Despite the mask covering her face, he could sense her guilt, which didn’t help his case. “We can’t learn to work together if you keep running away from us.”

“Running? I wasn’t running,” he said defensively. “And if you want us to work together, the best place to start is to tell me your name.”

“You already know my name.”

“Your other name.”

“Ah.” Her head tilted up. The high ponytail coming out the back of her head flicked to the side as nodded. “White Tiger.”

“A bit simplistic, but to the point.” He nodded in mock-approval. “Makes me think I should’ve just named myself Radioactive Spider.”

She didn’t take the bait, which was probably for the better. “So, what?” Nova asked, and Vernon was suddenly reminded of how infuriating his voice was. “Are you just going to stand around all night?”

“Swing around, actually,” he said. “It’s a big place. Sooner or later, I’m bound to find a crime happening. Sometimes it even happens to me.”

As if on cue, sirens sounded in the distance, loud and piercing. He shrugged at the three, before turning around and balancing himself on the edge. “If you want to get some real-world experience, there’s nothing better than stopping a petty robbery,” he said. “I hope you can keep up—because I’m not going to slow down.”

And he dived.

There was that feeling again, the air pressure against his body as he fell headfirst like a comet towards the busy street. A couple of people looked up as he pulled up at the last moment, shooting webs at an overhead lamppost and swinging in a circle around it before letting go, launching his body into the air again.

He looked over the rooftops as he swung, half-curious about how the others were going to follow. A small, white-clad figure leaped from building to building with surprising grace and strength, able to match him in speed. Nova flew alongside him, carrying Iceman again, who still wasn’t using his powers. Vernon knew it wasn’t a case of loss of powers either, because then he wouldn’t be here, and plus, he’d seen the guy in action this morning. Was he trying to remain inconspicuous?

The less people know Iceman’s in town, the better, he thought, though he knew it was a futile effort. The Rhino fight in the morning hadn’t had any live coverage, but he knew for all its lectures, S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn’t going to bother with hiding its tracks either. School next day was probably going to be buzzing with talk about the new superheroes.

He gritted his teeth. All this in a day. He could imagine how bad everything was going to get in the coming days.

Mid-swing, he saw the crime happening up ahead, a group of masked men trying to break into a store through the back door in a poorly-lit area. Vernon balanced on a high lamppost without alerting them, taking a moment to assess the situation. There were about eight men in balaclavas—a lot for a simple robbery. Maybe they were first-timers. Easy enough to take down.

“A record store?” he wondered aloud, and one of the guys whirled around, looking up at him with wide eyes. “What are you guys doing stealing from record stores?”

“Spider-Man!” one of them yelled, though he didn’t really see the point, since anyone who hadn’t noticed him yet probably deserved whatever was coming.

The man who had noticed him first fumbled for something along his hip before pulling out a gun and pointing it at him. “Don’t move, or I’ll shoot!”

“Oh, no, don’t shoot!” he called out, and the man’s taut shoulders relaxed somewhat before Vernon shot a web straight at the gun, jerking it right out of his hand. “Can’t believe you fell for that.”

He jumped, landing on the ground in a crouch. The leader of the little group, the one who had been trying to bust open the door with a crowbar, stepped forward, swinging said crowbar in what Vernon guessed was supposed to be a menacing way. “Step aside,” he said to his men, his eyes narrowed on Vernon. “I’ll take care of the Spider.”

Vernon was so amused he let the guy attempt to swing at him, dodging the crowbar at the last moment. “Okay, not gonna lie,” he said. “When you called me the Spider, it made me feel kind of sexy.”

He kicked the robber in the side, sending him flying into a trashcan. The rest of the group hesitated only a moment before closing in again. Vernon webbed the lid of the trashcan, swinging it around like a shot-put player and knocking back some of them, before he let go, sending it crashing into one.

Nova dropped Felix in the midst of the group, and his skin slowly solidified into ice. “Okay, playtime’s over now,” he said. “If you just give up, I won’t have to bash your heads in.”

“Where did you come from?” one of the men asked, clearly surprised, right before Iceman froze him into a life-sized ice sculpture.

Vernon knocked out another man with a good old punch to the face. His spider sense buzzed. The crowbar guy, he thought as he whirled around, hands spread in shooting position, but White Tiger was already there, slicing through his crowbar with her claws. “Thanks,” he murmured, as she put him out of commission with a well-placed roundhouse.

She inclined her head. “Don’t get distracted.”

He turned, seeing Nova’s fists start to glow as he aimed at the guy who was attempting to sneak away. Vernon’s eyes landed behind him, where an unsuspecting civilian car was coming down the street. “No!” he yelled, webbing a surprised Nova to the wall.

“Hey, man, what the heck?!” Nova yelled back, struggling against the webs. Vernon shot web fluid at the guy who had been trying to escape, wrapping him up like a cocoon. There was the muffled sound of something heavy falling as Tiger drop-kicked the last one, cleanly finishing what he admitted would otherwise have taken longer. She leaped across the street, slicing through the webs covering Nova, who dropped to the sidewalk.

“What the hell was that for?” he asked, stalking up to Vernon with his fists clenched. “I had that guy!”

“No, you almost sent him crashing into that car,” Vernon said, gesturing at the vehicle behind him that now passed unharmed. “When in a fight, civilians are always first priority. They can’t defend themselves like us.”

Nova scowled, but turned on his heel and marched away, muttering something about him stealing the glory. Vernon watched him go with a frown, then turned around.

One of the robbers lay webbed-up, two quite literally frozen in place, five knocked out. The fight had taken a total of about two minutes—not a record, but considering the number they were going against, surprisingly efficient. He wasn’t even sure if this classified as a fight or simply a one-sided beatdown.

Overkill, he thought, then sighed. “You people have a lot to learn.”

“Oh, come on,” Iceman said. He seemed energized after the fight as his skin melted back to normal, a lively glint in his eye where there hadn’t been one a few minutes ago. “That was so much fun.”

“Yeah, but you have to learn to care about collateral damage,” he snapped, trying and failing to hide his annoyance. Now that he wasn’t swinging alone, crime-fighting wasn’t half as fun, even if it was twice as fast. Having someone watch his back was safe, sure, but it could lead to him letting his guard down. And what if he ended up somewhere alone? “You’re fast, but we’re not fighting in a vacuum. We’re not fighting a war, we’re protecting people. That’s supposed to be the most important thing—making sure no one gets hurt.”

“Even these guys?” Nova asked, toeing one of the unconscious robbers.

“Yeah, even these guys,” Vernon said. “Well, they can be hurt a little bit, but that’s only because there’s no other way to stop them. Next time, make sure you’re not letting any innocent people get in the way of your fun.”

The group fell silent. He almost felt bad about killing their enthusiasm, but Nova’s recklessness had managed to give him a scare. One more second and he might have had a death on his conscience.

The sirens were closer now. He’d completely forgotten about the cops; web-slinging was a much faster method of travel than cars, and he almost always left them behind. “Come on,” he told the others, casting one last glance around the scene. Something felt off, but he guessed it was just the novelty of working in a team. Fun day. “The police will find them. Let’s go.”

[huihuiheart]

Goretober Schedule:

PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING ON: May contain stories that are triggering to some people! These are horror fanfics, if they seem like they will all trigger you/ you don’t want to risk it they are all #goretober so that you can avoid that. I will have other works coming out while these do, so you should have plenty of content even if you’re avoiding this content. That being said, every work and this schedule will include EXTENSIVE trigger warnings. Please, please, don’t make a big deal about this. If you have an issue with something or think I have not properly put the right trigger warnings then please come into my asks or dms and POLITELY have a conversation with me, so I can understand why and how to fix it! In addition each work will have a read more marker after the warnings so that you won’t accidentally have to see anything. You have been warned about the following. If you’d still like to see some horror fanfics, go on ahead.

Subject to change, but there will be something everyday.

They will drop at 10:00pm EST each day, except for first piece which will drop sooner to kick off goretober.

Below is the schedule w/ a title/au description and some of the trigger warnings (Note: not all of them are written yet, so I cannot fully put all the trigger warnings in the schedule, however I will attempt to do my best and FULL trigger warnings will be at the top of each piece followed by a keep reading button for safety!)

Pieces should all be mostly gender neutral or w/out reference to a reader. A few exceptions may exist, but likely not many. For all gender neutral pieces, I tried to proof read to make sure they were good for sure, but sometimes I do miss something.If you spot something just dm me where it was please. Thank you!

Continuations can be requested as many end in cliffhangers! 

D1. Lost Hope - Childhood friend & Ghost au! Hoseok (BTS)- Warnings: Ghosts, murder (including children), avenging, blood, gore, death, graves?,mentions of abuse, mentions of bullying, mentions of suicide, bones. - Words: 2,317 - GN

D2. Long Story Short - Jeonghan - Warnings:Killer themes, stalker themes, murder, blood, stabbing, mild cursing. - Words: 1,279 - GN

D3. Alone Together - Yeosang -  Warnings: Dead bodies, murder, stalker themes, buried alive, confined spaces, drugging, death, mentions of and attempt of suicide, abduction. death threats. (Honestly, I straight up sobbed writing the one part of this.) - Words: 1,273 - GN

D4. Abandoned - Monster au! Woozi - Warnings: Abandonment, monster themes, voices, a little bit of blood, cursing.  - Words: 947 (I know it’s short, but I’m actually really proud and excited about this one.) - GN

D5. Dark Web - Serial Killer au! + Dark net/web au! Stray Kids -  Warnings: Serial killers, dark web, stalker themes, murder (there are serial killers), blood, gore, bombs, shooting, guns, stabbing, knifes, drowning, beating, poisoning, arson, bondage, kidnapping, strangulation, mutilation, bodies, car accident, run over, mentions of police(investigating the murders no actually scenes w/ them at all), mentions of pepper spray. - Words: 3,971 - GN

D6. Cursed - Treasure Hunter! Felix -  Warnings: Tombs, curses, booby traps, skeletons, mentions of blood. - Words: 1,545 - GN

D7. Secret Passage - Childhood friends! Chanyeol -  Warnings: Stalker themes, mentions of bullying. - Words: 795 - GN

D8. Evil Angel - Kai -  Warnings: Kidnapping kinda(he kinda draws you in like a siren), mildly suggestive?. - Words: 848 - GN

D9. Dance With the Devil - Devil!Jun(Svt) -  Warnings: Bar, alcohol, mentions of prostitution/stripping/whatever you choose to consider it, devil it’s literally a devil au he’s gonna be in it , mentions of hell, mentions of death. - Words: 1,278 - GN

D10. Blackout - Jongho -  Warnings: Apocalyptical/Dystopian society, mentions of war, violence, gore, global blackout, lawless society, death, stealing, bodies, burning, somewhat happy ending? - Words: 1,602 - GN

D11. Behind These Bars - DK -  Warnings: Stalker themes, kidnapper themes, criminal themes, abandoned jail setting, mentions of arrest/trespassing, flirting. - Words: 950 - GN

D12. No Way Home - Ateez -  Warnings: Serial killer themes, stalker themes, murder, death, suicide, poison, explosion, heights, falling, beating, fights, guns, mauling, gore, blood, drowning, mentions of police and police reports, threats, mention of poison gas, hospitals, mentions of drugging. - Words: 5,221 - GN

D13. Bitten - Vampire Prince! Hongjoong (Very fluffy actually.)-  Warnings: Vampires, biting, blood, betrayal? (Hongjoong is your bf and he lied to you), mentions of sex and breeding, mentions of mates, mentions of rituals. - Words: 1,322 - F 

D14. Lure - Siren! Mingyu -  Warnings: Siren themes, kidnapping themes, cursing, implied drowning? kinda you don’t necessarily have to take it that way, cursing, nudity.  - Words: 1,421 - GN

D15. Depths - Demon! Seungmin -  Warnings: Sinkhole, demons, hell, implied death? kinda, a little cursing, threats. - Words: 1,053 - GN

D16. Nightmares - S.Coups -  Warnings: Night terrors, sleep paralysis, killer themes, stalker themes, knife. - Words: 468 - GN

D17. Trapped - Yandere! Jimin -  Warnings: Yandere themes, blood, degradation, injury, aggression, mildly suggestive themes, violence, passing out.  - Words: 1,674  - GN

D18. I Plead Insanity - Hyunjin -  Warnings: Insane asylums, stalker themes, kidnapping, Hyunjin calls reader pretty because it seems like what he’d do regardless of gender (lets face it anyone can be pretty), cursing.  - Words: 760 - GN

D19. Alive - Seungkwan - Warnings: Things coming to life, killer themes, mentions of bullying, mentions of loneliness, murder, death, blood, knife, serial killer themes, kinda Seungkwan x Soonyoung if you wanna view it that way, but you don’t have to. - Words: 945 - GN

D20.Snowed In - Monsta X -  Warnings: Ghost themes, abandoned asylum setting, trapped, haunted themes, actually kinda soft though, themes of abandonment. - Words: 916 - GN

D21. Home Alone -  Yanan - Warnings: Themes of abandonment? kinda, mentions of death. - Words: 598 - Technical Difficulties please stand by while I fix this one.

D22.  Haunted - Changkyun -  Warnings: Haunting themes kind of, bats, Vampire themes, pretty fluffy. - Words: 747 - F Roommate mentioned

D23. Eclipse - Wonwoo -  Warnings: Unexplained phenomenon, doomsday themes?, themes of kidnapping. - Words: 679 - GN

D24. Red Handed - Jungkook -  Warnings: Serial killer themes, body transfer themes, blood, death, gore. - Words: 485 - GN

D25.  Horror Hotel - BTS -  Warnings: Kidnapping themes, murder themes, serial killer themes, death, dead bodies, suggestive themes, nudity, poker, alcohol, crematorium themes.  - Words: 3,291 - F Reader

D26. Reflection - Joshua -  Warnings: Multiverse style au, threats, blood, mentions of death. - Words: 500 - GN

D27. Treasure - Seventeen -  Warnings: Shipwreck themes, pirate themes, teleportation/time travel themes, mentions of curses, mentions of death, mild language/a little cursing, treats, mentions of blood, swords. - Words: 1,422 - GN

D28. Changed - Kino -  Warnings: Pandemic, cure, side effects, body transformations, blood, gore, dystopian. - Words: 800 - GN

D29. Surprise - Werewolf! Shownu -  Warnings: Werewolf themes, some violence, attempt at sexual assault kinda (some guys try to get a little handsy in an alleyway), spiked drinks, club themes, alcohol, cursing, somewhat suggestive. - Words: 787 - GN

D30. Gone - Pentagon -  Warnings: Disappearing themes (somewhat explained, not really), stalker themes, forgotten/abandonment themes, yandere themes? at the end kinda. - Words: 1,536 - GN

D31. Halloween House of Horrors- nct 2020 -Warnings: sirens, werewolves, hybrids, vampires, fallen angels, ghosts, zombies, demons, devil, creepy doctors, mad scientists, serial killers, fangs, mildly suggestive themes. - Word Count: 4,651 - GN

[bangcrizpychan]

Blood Is Not Always Thicker Than Water

☆Pairing: Mafia underboss!S.Coups x Reader

☆Genre: heart-sickening angst, mafia!au, pregnant!Reader au

☆Requested:Yes

☆Word count: 2.2k

⚠WARNINGS: suggestive themes, blood, violence, drug usage, death, swear words, and A MASSIVE EXPLOSION OF ANGST FROM ANGSTVILLE, *read at your own risk*

☆Summary: You were the city Mayor’s daughter, he was a Mafia underboss, a relationship that never should’ve started in the first place. Will you be able to go against all odds?

☞Note: since the request didn’t really specify whether the fic is going to be an angst or fluff, I went full blown ANGST. THIS IS 100% ANGST (╥_╥), so grab a tissue and have an angsty reading♡

You fixed your skin-tight dress and dark red lipstick then looked at your boyfriend, Seungcheol, who smirked at you and eyed you hungrily. You seductively walked towards him, every step making your heart pound with excitement. You have been dating for a year now, but the thrill of having a mafia underboss as a lover when you’re supposed to be an angel to your father’s eyes, who was the city Mayor, still exhilarates you.

You straddled Seungcheol’s lap and attacked his neck, he sighed at your touch and let his hands roam your figure. You grazed your teeth against his soft spot and it earned you a beautiful moan coming from him, oh how you loved the noises he make and you knew that you were the only one that can weaken him like this. You started to unbutton his shirt when a sharp knock interrupted your session.

Seungcheol let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his temples, “come in,” Jeonghan, a capo, went inside and gave a letter to Seungcheol. “It’s a VIP invitation to Congressman Han Seongsu’s 50th birthday,” Seungcheol rolled his eyes. “Why do I need to go to that old scum’s birthday?” “He is one of our loyal customer, and there will be a transaction on that day to send more of our package to Jeju.” You almost felt bad for Jeonghan, Seungcheol seems to be mean towards him like every time.

“And your it was your father’s orders to you send there,” you rubbed circles on your boyfriend’s chest to soothe him. Seungcheol’s father is the current Mafia boss and Seungcheol is his successor since he’s an only child. “Also, you need a date before going there.” Jeonghan added and shot you a look, He ‘tsked’ and sent Jeonghan away with his hand, who left without saying another word. He took a deep breath and looked at you, a smirk back on his lips.

“So, where were we?” you giggled and wrapped your arms around his neck, “we were starting this part,” you smashed your lips against his and quickly unbuttoned his shirt. His chest rumbled with laughter, “you seem so eager baby, don’t worry, we’ll get there.”

Your tongues played together as you discarded each other’s clothing, ending the night with passion and pleasure filling the air.

—–

You let out a shaky breath when you saw the pregnancy test; two visible lines that seemed to taunt you. You were pregnant, “No, i-it can’t be,” you were sure that you were on pill, so why was this happening?!

When you finished crying in the bathroom, you decided to call your best friend, Seungkwan, to ask for guidance. He agreed to meet you at his apartment so you got ready and headed there as quickly as you could.

When you arrived at his place, you completely broke down in his arms, he whispered comforting things and your ears and soothed your back.

“y/n, what happened?” he asked and handed you a glass of water, you took a sip and explained yourself, “I-I don’t know Seungkwan, we were careful!” you sobbed, Seungkwan knew you had a boyfriend, but he didn’t know what kind of person Seungcheol is. What would he do to you if he finds out?!

“You have to tell your boyfriend, y/n, and your family,” “I know, but I-I’m just scared.” that was a lie, you were completely terrified, you were allegedly a good girl in your family’s eyes, to them, you finished University without any boys bothering you. But most of all, you were terrified of Seungcheol, he loved you, you knew that, but you’ve seen what he was capable of. He had ended someone’s life in front of you before, what if the next person that will stand at the end of his gun is you?

Seungkwan babied you the whole time you were at his place, you watched your favorite shows together and ate a lot of sweets. Your phone beeped in the middle of the show and your blood ran cold when you saw the text.

“come home. Now,” it was from your brother, Joshua. You bid Seungkwan goodbye and went home anxiously. When you arrived at your place, you saw your brother, who was still in his uniform, and your mother sitting in the living room. “What’s going on y/n? Why did your brother drag me here and called for a ‘family meeting’” your mother asked, twirling his diamond ring, almost looking bored.

“I want to know what’s going on as well,” your brother reached out from his pocket and pulled out a plastic, “care to explain what the fuck this is, y/n?!” you flinched at your brother’s voice. He handed the plastic to your mother who then screamed when she pulled out what was inside. Your maids rushed to the living room to see what the commotion was but you stood there still, staring at the pregnancy test that was dropped on the floor.

“How could this happen, y/n??!” your mother cried, the maids brought her tea to calm her nerves but she refused and continued to sob. “what the fuck were you doing in my room?!” you demanded to your brother, tears streaming down your face.

“You think I wouldn’t notice you looking sick and barely eating anything?! You think I wouldn’t see the signs?!” he yelled at you, “Who the fuck is the asshole?!” No, he couldn’t know, he should never know. “Oppa! Please don’t, don’t tell Dad, I beg you” you dropped to your knees and begged your brother. Your mother was stopped sobbing for a second, and thought about rushing to your side but she was too weak to do so.

“Just tell me his fucking name, I can charge him with rape and I’ll cuff that motherfucker myself,” you chanted a series of nos and I’m sorrys. If you weren’t that terrified before, you are now. Your brother is a police officer and if he knew that the father of your unborn child was a mafia underboss, he would definitely kill him.

In the middle of the chaos, you decided to run away, you heard your mother call out your name but you didn’t care, you got into your car and drove as fast as you can. You called Seungcheol and he decided to meet you at the Hangang Bridge.

He lit up your cigarette that was hanging in your lips a little too long. “What happened, sweetheart?” “I got into a fight with my brother,” you sucked some smoke in and slowly blew it out. “Do you want me to take him out?” Seungcheol suggested, which you would’ve laughed at if you didn’t know he was serious, but you knew he could definitely kill your brother. You just scoffed and let the silence took over you.

“Do you love me, Seungcheol?” you asked out of the blue, Seungcheol disposed of his cigarette and took yours off from your mouth. “Of course I do baby, I love you so much,” “Well, what do you think about babies?”

He chuckled and smoked the rest of your cigar, “I mean babies are adorable, but they’re so fucking annoying to look after.” you lowered your head and muttered a single ’oh’. “why? Do you want to make little Seungcheol or little y/n to pester us?” he laughed and cupped your face.

“Because I’m definitely down with the baby-making process,” he said and crashed his lips to yours, you tasted the minty flavor of the cigar and the scene alone made you feel hot. Maybe you could tell him after tomorrow’s event.

—-

You turned a lot of heads when you entered the congressman’s manor, you were wearing a silver long gown that barely covered your breasts, and Seungcheol loved the fact that he can show off your beautiful body and let them know that you were his.

“y/n??” you stopped your conversation with the congressman’s wife and whipped your head to the direction of the voice. Your eyes widened when you saw your father together with your mother. “M-Mom, Dad? What are you doing here?” “What the hell are you doing here?! You ran away from home and now you’re attending a party?!” your father scolded.

“Guys? What’s going on?” Joshua appeared behind them and then looked at you, “y/n? What are you doing here?” he quickly shooed your parents away to talk to you. As you and your brother started to talk, Seungcheol suddenly appeared at your side.

“Hey baby, who’s this?” You couldn’t believe it, it was the most unfortunate coincidence you’ve ever experienced, your brother had to meet your lover like this. “I’m her brother and you are?” “I’m her boyfriend, it’s nice to meet you bro,” Seungcheol reached his hand out to offer a handshake but your brother only stared at him.

“I know you from somewhere,” your brother’s eyes widened with realization. He pulled you from Seungcheol’s grasp and dragged you across the room. You struggled to remove yourself from him, yelling at him to let you go.

“What the fuck, y/n?! You’re fucking dating a mafia?!” your eyes widened with fear, this cannot be happening right now. “Is he the father of your fucking child?!” he grabbed a fistful of his hair and pressed his earpiece, “I need backup right now, I caught sight of a mafia at Congressman Han’s mansion. I need backup. Now!!”

You ran off as he was yelling orders and went to find Seungcheol. You found him conversing with Congressman Han, “Seungcheol! You need to leave! Now!” you yelled and tugged at his arm, he excused himself and turned to you, “What’s going on, y/n?” “My brother, he knew you were gonna have a transaction here. He recognized you and called for backup-”

“Wait, your brother is a fucking police officer?! What the actual fuck y/n?!” he cut you off but you dragged him behind with you. “There’s no time to explain, we need to go, you’re not safe here!” you heard the police sirens and both of you made a run for it. His goons took out their guns and chaos erupted inside the mansion. A couple of officers tailed you but Seungcheol’s goons came and fought them off. However you were both caught in a crossfire and barely managed to reach the abandoned warehouse near the manor.

You helped Seungcheol drag himself to the warehouse, he got hit in so many places just to cover for you. You fell down next to the sacks and groaned in pain, blood seeped through your once silver gown but you ignored your pain and focused on Seungcheol’s wounds.

“Baby, don’t close your eyes, please. Help is on its way, I managed to contact Jeonghan before we got to this warehouse, you just have to stay with me,” you cried and applied pressure to some of his wounds.

Seungcheol coughed up blood and reached up to hold your face, “w-when you were talking a-about babies yesterday, w-were you s-saying that you were pregnant?” you cried and held his hand that was cupping your face. “Yes, I was baby. You’re going to be a Dad, so stay with us. Okay?”

“I’m g-going to be a Dad? I don’t k-know if I’m going to b-be a good one though,” he chuckled. “You are going to be the best Dad in the world, baby.” you cried and let out a small smile.

You didn’t want any of these to happen. You never wanted to be a sister of a policeman and Seungcheol never wished to be an heir to a Mafia boss. All you ever wanted was to be a normal couple that was going to be a family soon.

Seungcheol coughed and grunted in pain, he looked at you straight in the eyes, “I love you y/n, so fucking much. More than my fucking life.” “I love you too, more than anything in this world.” You cried, and pressed your lips against his.

Seungcheol nodded and smiled, then his hand went limp. Silence, aside from the sirens you hear at the distance, it was all just silence. You screamed at the top of your lungs and embraced your lover, you held him like you were holding onto life, he can’t be gone. He can’t leave you behind.

You started to feel pain so you looked down and saw a lot of blood seeping out of you. It turned out that you were hit by more than one bullet and you felt yourself cough up your own blood. Seungcheol was not going to leave you, you were going with him.

You rubbed your belly and sobbed, “I’m sorry, my baby, you didn’t even get the chance to see this world, I didn’t even get the chance to see you.” you groaned in pain as you lied down next to the corpse of your once lover.

You stared at the ceiling of the warehouse, smiling widely and scooting closer to Seungcheol. You felt your eyelids go heavy and you couldn’t hear nor feel anything, anymore. You mentally scoffed, you never thought you were going to die at a horrible place like this; but you were glad of your imminent death, because at least you died in the arms of your one true love.

☞Note: I may or may not have imagined the request too deep and created this chaotic monstrosity. Sorry, I was just feeling too angsty (╥﹏╥)

[mayal0pez]

Newsies Live Masterlist

Not everyone can be a god like @bencookisagod and know every character and cast member so I’m using a list she made and adding stuff to help all the others that need it too!

This list literally includes everyone in the show, I don’t know how she did it. I also included some things I’ve seen in other posts so some parts might not be canon!

and i may or may not have put it in alphabetical order

Albert Dasilva

played by: Schuyler Flaherty

notable trait: dark but natural red hair

age: 16

notable line: a leg of lamb!

Anthony Higgins - “Race”

played by: Ben Tyler Cook

notable trait: cigar

age: 15

notable line: The woild is yer ester!

Bart/Willie

played by: Andrew Wilson

notable trait: What I call an “rbrbf”, or “resting but raging bitch face”.

age: 17-18

notable line:

Benjamin Davenport - “Buttons”

played by: Chaz Wolcott

notable trait: He has a broomstick in the beginning of act two.

age: 13

notable line: He traded her for a box of cigars! or I won’t be last in line for the tub tonight!

Bill Hearst

played by: Nick Masson

notable trait: nicely dressed

age: 18-19

notable line: And proud to be part of your revolution!

Bowery Beauties

played by: Kaitlyn Frank and Beth Stafford Laird

Bunsen or Stage Manager for Medda

played by: Bill Bateman

Cop or Patron or Guard

played by: Eric Jon Mahlum

Crutchie Morris

played by: Andrew Keenan-Bolger

notable trait: crutch and limp

age: 15

notable line: Your friend...your best friend...your brother, Crutchie.

Darcy Greeley

played by: Jack Sippel

notable trait: goldish suit

age: 18-19

notable line: I can see why they tossed this old girl down in the cellar, but I think she’ll do the job.

David Jacobs - Davey

played by: Ben Fankhauser

notable traits: He is, for the most part, better dressed compared to the other boys, and is very intelligent. He assists Jack with the strike.

age: 17

notable line: Go and look it up. The poor guy’s head is spinning.

Don Seitz

played by: Mark Aldrich

Elmer Kasprzak (+ Brooklyn Newsie)

played by: Anthony Zas

notable trait: 

age: 13

notable line: How bout a crooked politician? or I don’t know, sister, but it’s bound to rain sooner or later.

Hannah

played by: Meredith Inglesby

notable trait: She likes pointing out the absurdity in things, and also has an accent that is so funny you’ll never forget.

Henry

played by: Michael Rios

notable trait: He has a bandage around his head at the beginning of act two.

age: 15

notable line: ...pastrami on rye with a sour pickle...

Hot Shot

played by: J.P. Ferreri

notable trait: he’s just adorable okay

age:

notable line:

Ike

played by: David Guzman

notable trait: one of the twins

age: 14

notable line: They’re always doing dance moves and tumbling together, so just look for that.

Jack Kelly

played by: Jeremy Jordan

notable trait: He really likes Santa Fe and Katherine.

age: 17

notable line: Santaaa Feeee

Jorgelino Josephino de La Guerra - “Jojo”

played by: Joshua Michael Burrage

notable trait: He is the last one to get into the photo and gets into it by doing an exceptional tumbling pass. He also always has the biggest and cutest smile while tapping (I’m slightly biased).

age: 16

notable line: You already sleep on the streets... or ... a solid gold watch and a chain to twirl it

Joseph Pulitizer

played by: Steve Blanchard

notable trait: he’s a mean old man 

age:

notable line: That’s the bottom line

Katherine Ethel Pulitzer - Katherine Plumber

played by: Kara Lindsay

notable trait: She has nervous comebacks that are amazing!

age: 16

notable line: This would be a good time to shut up!

Kenny

played by: Jack Sippel

notable trait: He’s just too soft and cute to be intimidating.

age: 15

Kid Blink (+ Scab)

played by: Andy Richardson

notable trait: 

age: 14-16

notable line:

Les Jacobs

played by: Ethan Steiner

notable trait: Sassy af

age: 9

notable line: You can tell Pulitzer that a few days into the strike, he's gonna be beggin' for an appointment to see me! You got that!...He got it

Mayor

played by: Michael Gorman

Medda Larkin

played by: Aisha de Haas

notable trait: She supports the newstrike and lets them use her theatre for a meeting.

Mike

played by: Jacob Guzman

notable trait: one of the twins

age: 14

notable line: They’re always doing dance moves and tumbling together, so just look for that.

Mr. Jacobi or Weisel

played by: John E. Brady

notable line:  Drink up, boys. And don't ever say I don't give you nothin'. And before you say water is nothing, just ask a fish. In the desert.

Mush Meyers

played by: Nick Masson

age: 14

notable line: Sirens are like lullabies to me: the louder they wail the better the headline, the better the headline, the better the I eat, the better I eat...

Myron or Vince

played by: Stephen Hernandez

Nuns

played by: Beth Stafford Laird, Kaitlyn Frank, Meredith Inglesby

Nunzio and Theodore Roosevelt

played by: Kevin Carolan

Oscar and Morris Delancey

played by: Anthony Norman and Devin Lewis

Patrick Cortez - Finch

played by: Iain Young

notable trait: He has a slingshot!

age: 17

notable line: I ain’t scared of no turf! But that Spot Conlon...gets me a little jittery.

Romeo

played by: Nico DeJesus

notable trait: He’s a huge flirt but also so adorable and tiny!!

age: 13

notable line: Methinks the lady needs to be handled by a real man!

Scabs

played by: Andy Richardson, Daniel Switzer, and Michael Dameski

Smalls

played by: Julian DeGuzman

notable trait: Well yknow he’s small

age: 12

notable line:

Sniper

played by: Daniel Switzer

Snyder

played by: James Judy

Specs

played by: Jordan Samuels

notable trait: He wears glasses!

age: 17

notable line: And I lost my shoe!

Spot Conlon

played by: Tommy Bracco

notable trait: He’s the famous Brooklyn newsie leader who’s hella short but tough. His pinky could probably strangle you.

age: 15

notable line: let’s see what pulitzer’s gotta say to ya now

Tommy Boy

played by: Michael Dameski

notable trait: he has really good brows

age: 15

notable line: I got my shirt on!

[parf-fan]

Ask and ye shall fucking receive, bitches!!!

Oh yeah, that’s right, the cast lists have been posted!  Moreover, posted IN FULL!  Actors, character names, character professions, and chARACTER DESCRIPTIONS HOLY SHIT!!!!1!!

Once again, I have done my best to sort the Bacchanalians by track.  It was much more challenging than last year (and took a good deal longer), where I only mixed up two.  The music track is easy, of course, but combat and improv are another matter.  In the end, I simply could not decide for a fair number, and these are listed in a separate section.

A small note, I had to copyedit the FUCK out of these descriptions.  Man, I dunno, I think their apostrophe key was maybe busted? and there were loads of misspellings, a few missing spaces, and occasionally just the wrong word entirely.  If anyone with any sort of influence on the Faire’s website happens to see this, PLEASE go back and fix these errors.

As always, check the Faire’s website for headshots.  And also for the scenario, I guess, because I just realized I never got around to making a post about that.

Leads

Mary Huff :  Queen Elizabeth I – Queen of England

Young and full of hope for the future of her country, Queen Elizabeth I is eager to take part in the day’s festivities and to learn more about the people she is meant to rule. Though she is youthful in appearance, she should not be underestimated. Queen Elizabeth I is intelligent, quick-witted and does not suffer fools lightly.

Joshua Kachnycz :  Robert Dudley – Master of Horse

Wealthy and benevolent, this Englishman seeks to ensure everything is perfect for the Queen’s coronation day. Though he is a strong, independently wealthy, and capable man, he is not afraid to listen to and heed a woman’s opinion, which quickly makes him one of Queen Elizabeth I most trusted advisors and friends.  [Listen I am so glad this man is returning, he is such a joy to watch act.]  [Zis is pleasink to me!]

Alex Stompoly :  Henry Carry – Nobleman

Cousin to Elizabeth I, Henry Carey has a claim to the English throne and is not likely to let you forget it. While he ultimately wants what is best for the country, he doesn't always have the hearts of the ordinary citizens he represents at the forefront of his political strategy. It may take him a while to believe that such a young Queen can be a strong leader.  [OH FUCK YEAH ALEX IS THE VILLAIN THIS IS EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED]

Combat

Sunny Vinsavich :  Bev Tanningrove – Tanningrove Family Muscle

When carousing with friends, she is playful and carefree; but this cousin to Jack Tanningrove is quick to anger if she suspects you of disrespecting the Tanningrove name. Bold and hot-blooded, it doesn't take much to convince her to enter into a brawl to defend her house.

Emily Wirthwein :  Sylvia Forel – Sword Mistress

As lethal as she is lovely, this German Master Swordswoman is renowned throughout Europe. If you are lucky enough to have her in your employ, you can expect her complete loyalty and services as a sellsword – as long as you aren't outbid by a wealthier party.  [Oh good, the German mercenaries are back.]

Mel Angelo :  Mary McBride – Dance Mistress of the Shire

Best friend to Rose Hopfield, this dancing mistress makes a loyal, dependable, and energetic companion. Shire folk beware: don't call her a coward or insult the Hopfields, else you might find yourself face to face with the pointy end of her sword.

Ilana Lo :  Fan Liu – Pirate

Running away from home at the age of thirteen, Fan Liu spent her formative years as a member of pirate crews in many different countries. Because of these varied experiences and her own innate charm, Fan Liu is a brilliant negotiator, easily able to talk people into doing just about anything she asks. And if they make the mistake of not doing as she asks, they will soon face her steel.

Leigh Loureiro :  Bonnie Buchanna – Pirate

A formidable opponent who can fight, curse, and drink just as well if not better than her male counterparts. Nicknamed ‘Bloody Bonnie’ for her reputation of leaving no survivors, many would be surprised to learn that she secretly has a soft spot for soft and cuddly critters. But,please, don't tell her we told you!

Amanda Darrigo :  Mistress Quickley – Tavern Keeper

Thrilled at finally fulfilling her dream of opening her own tavern, this little lady isn’t shy about inviting people in or delegating responsibilities to her subordinates. In fact, she loves being a boss so much she might try to hire you to manage the day-to-day operations so she can focus on big-picture items: like how to spend her hard earned ducats.

Sean Besecker :  Captain James Thatch – Captain of The Queen's Vengeance

Thatch grew up on pirate ships watching and learning from the best sea-robbers in the business, so it is no surprise that he is one of the most ruthless and cutthroat pirates to sail the seven seas. While polite society would consider him uncivilized, he does live his life adhering closely to a very important set of rules: the Piratical Code.  [pyrate ship count: 1]

Matthew Glen Clark :  Bartholomew Wainwright – Yeoman

Dark and brooding, the mysterious Bartholomew Wainwright is often mistaken as cynical when a better term for him would be logical. He makes decisions using his brain and not his heard – the same cannot be said for some of his fellow Yeoman.

Austin James :  Edward Mawson – First Mate

With knowledge of the civilized world, Edward Mawson, sometimes referred to as Maw, is the perfect First Mate to his unruly Captain. He is easily able to represent the Captain at important affairs and likes to mingle with the upper crust of society. In fact, he likes it so much that he dreams of bettering his own position so that he might one day join them.

Music

The Sirens

Sarah Bartley :  Captain Sheena Daley O'Connell – Captain of The Unyeilding Tempest

The Leader. She is bold, brave, fearless and knows the world of piracy like the back of her well-worn hands. Sheena actively attempts to keep the peace in ORC but enjoys looting and pillaging as much as her fellow captains. Her deeds are heroic, but often tall in nature! Ask her to tell you all about when she saved her entire crew with a single plank of wood. She will regale you.  [pyrate ship count: 2]

Leigh Anne Hamlin :  Captain Scarlett Seymour – Captain of The Shadow of Prophecy

The Joker. She is laid back, extremely confident but relentlessly lazy. Scarlett always cracks jokes and makes light of difficult situations. She has been a pirate all her life and she is damn good at it! She is fond of long naps, drinking and gambling. Whats her secret? Good luck and tons of it!  [Four things.  First, pyrate ship count: 3.  Second, presuming she named he ship herself, I guarantee that this character is queer, because that’s the most Extra ship name ever, and only us queer folk are that overdramatic.  Three, prophesy? seymour? see-more? r u kidding me?  Four: if you go look at her headshot, this actor bears an uncanny resemblance to Vanessa Sterling.]

Megan Jones :  Captain Ruth "The Blade" Gibson – Captain of The Jolly Walrus

The Wild Card. She is tough, blunt, and has a wee bit of a rage problem. Although she loves piracy and has the scars to prove it, she melts at the sight of children and cuddly animals, who have the ability to soften her strong demeanor. Do not dare question her about the name of her ship! Shes sensitive about it.  [Oh hell yeah, Megan Jones is a pyrate! I am very pleased about this.  Also, pyrate ship count: 4.]

Sarah Williams :  Captain Elanor Keetly – Captain of The Malevolence

The newly appointed Captain of The Malevolence. The innocent. She has inherited her newfound position of Captain after all the members of her crew mysteriously perished in a tragic maritime accident. She has a thirst for knowledge and craves to be the very best in her new career! Elanor is extremely enthusiastic, but a bit frightened of the weight of her new position. She has a malicious alter ego named Cookie.  [Well, that certainly took at turn at the last line!  Pyrate ship count: 5, and whomever named this vessel was definitely queer, too.]

The Irish Revels

Autumn Sheffy :  Siobhán O'Sullivan – Royal Music Tutor

Having left the rest of her family behind to seek her fortune, this maestro has ascended to the ranks of the English court! Surely she wouldn't lord this success over the rest of her siblings...

Jordan Bell :  Gilda O'Sullivan – Musician

Gilda is an optimistic and charismatic leader. She hasn't the time for negativity or ill will amongst her siblings, so she simply pushes through it with a bright smile. She is a perfectionist and an overachiever. She adores music and her siblings, despite their failings, and will do anything to make sure the festival day goes off without a hitch. She has the color-coded scrolls to prove it! because what are we, animals?

Morgan Harwood :  Alannah O'Sullivan – Musician

Alannah is kind, carefree, and a bit odd. She is the youngest of the quintuplets and the most connected to the universe. She has the ability to see magic creatures and is often overtaken by her imagination. Her magic touch can calm her siblings when the time arises. The music she performs grounds her back in reality. She doesn’t walk, she floats.  [Whelp, this character obviously has a connection to the fae, so she’s definitely Autistic.]

Jared Haverdink :  Keagan O'Sullivan – Musician

Keagan is a realist, has an excellent sense of humor, and is endlessly sarcastic. He has a bit of the ol’ Irish temper that is easily set off by small things. The most talented musically of the O’Sullivan siblings, he was always very skilled, but has recently improved dramatically, almost overnight. His siblings are suspicious he has made a deal with a sea witch for his newfound shredding skills.  [I’m so glad that last sentence exists.]

Joey Mudd :  Deklyn O'Sullivan – Musician

Deklyn, like his sister Gilda, is a very friendly and charismatic young musician. He is full of life, energy, joy and is extremely earnest. However, he does tend to worry, and his imagination takes hold, extrapolating the smallest misstep that could lead to the doom of his family. Frequently stares into the middle distance, right between the crucial and the trivial, between existential dread and I’ll take the dressing on the side.  [The Millennial™]

The Rakish Rogues

Christopher Burch :  Sterling Armstrong – Highwayman, Leader of Group

The leader of this merry band of misfits. He is bold, ambitious, but a tad arrogant. Sterling fancies himself as a ladies’ man, but when approached by a woman, he can’t always follow through. His leadership style is that of blind intuition. His British dialect is very put-on and manly, but he often slips into Cockney, his real voice, when angered. Sterling doesn't walk, he glides. Is that his real name or did he make it up?  [FUCK YEAH THEY DID THE THING THEY PUT HIM ON THE MUSIC TRACK YESSSSSS!]

Chase Brackett :  Tucker Abbot – Highwayman, Sterling's Protégé

A former homeless orphan who was adopted by Sterling Armstrong as his younger brother and protégé . He absolutely worships the ground his brother walks on. Tucker is very bright, optimistic, and somewhat naïve. He is completely unaware when he says filthy and inappropriate things. Sterling said it so it must be fine! He loves the life of crime, but mostly he just wants to find a beautiful lady and sing songs to her pretty face forever.  [This character description has newsie energy.]

Pete Hedberg :  Jeremiah Slight – Highwayman, Sterling's Right-Hand Man

He is the muscle of the group, but secretly the brains. Jeremiah is the only person keeping this group afloat, but he would rather stick to the shadows than be in the limelight. He is excellent at thievery and a master of disguise. If you get close enough to find out how many accents he can do, you may not live to tell the tale!  [*laughs in a decade of faire accents*]  [also slight is the right hand man? slight of hand? fuck you.]

Ian Agnew :  William "Bill" Crimson – Highwayman, former Benadictine Monk

A former Benedictine monk who was living a pious life in an abbey. He one day was hit in the head with a bible, decided to leave the cloth and turn to a more exciting life of crime. He adores his new lifestyle and lives it with absolutely no restraint or regret. Bill has a newfound love of drinking, women, and gambling. He may have a few loose screws, but he’s never been happier.  [So there’s a good bit to unpack there.  Kind of like a reverse Cadfael.]

Improv

Sheila Barton :  Lady Delores Anne Penburthy – Lady Mayor of Mount Hope

Effervescent and vivacious, the Lady Mayor is sure to give Queen Elizabeth I the warm and generous welcome deserving a ruler of England. Having earned the love of the townspeople, the Lady Mayor could teach the young Queen a thing or two about earning the trust and loyalty of her people.

Adam Shepley :  William Cecil – Advisor to the Queen

Her Majesty’s most stalwart advisor, and head of her privy council. Usually the smartest man in the room, and well aware of it, Cecil knows Elizabeth will be a good queen. Honestly after her sister Mary, things can only go up.

Joe Penn :  Jacob Perry – Sheriff of Mount Hope

He loves putting away bad guys and solving mysteries. The only mystery he cant solve: how to grow up.  [Oh. Hell. Yeah.]

Jonathan Handley :  Sir William Pickering – Nobleman

Well educated, well bred, well connected. William Pickering has studied at the best schools, spent time among the French court, and is a good friend of Queen Elizabeth; but surely he would never let those things go to his head. He is still a man of the people, with his finger on the gilded pulse of the court.

Rob Condas :  William Shakespeare – Apprentice Glover

Everyone needs gloves, and serving all levels of society has made young Bill a keen observer of the human condition. He has heard many stories, and feels that he has many stories to tell. He’d like to try his hand at playwrighting – maybe he can wrangle up some actors to try out a new play or two.  [This is absolutely genius, because if we remain in the same universe for a couple years, we’ll get to see his transition to fully-fledged playwright!]

Adam Kampouris :  Christopher "Kit" Marlowe – Playwright

Full of charm and swagger, this playwright can woo a hundred paramours without running out of pickup lines; finish several thousand tankards of ale without retiring for bed; and accomplish almost any task without exerting too much effort; but he cannot seem to finish a play. He is hoping Mount Hope Shire will provide him the inspiration he needs to pen his next masterpiece.

Kelsey Jefferies :  Gretchen Froman – Heir to the Sausage Throne

Her parents have newly acquired a fortune from their successful Sausage empire, and they like to flaunt it! Fortunately for them, their daughter is responsible enough for both of them and makes sure they don’t blow it all in a single shopping trip. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t enjoy some of the perks – just that she is the only one of the three with some class about it.  [For context, see the Blackfryars’ descriptions.]

Noelani Stevenson :  Eskarina Nutter – Wise Woman

This cunning woman knows that there are things in this world that cannot be explained, and their solutions must be equally inexplicable. A mistress of folk medicine, herbal lore, and charms, she will heal you up quick or dispel the evil eye. Just remember that what she can cure, she can just as easily give back if you cross her.  [hell yeah my pagan girl!  Also if you look at her headshot, her design is literally Sabrina but a little paler and with blond hair, which is most amusing to me.]   [but like,,, why is her last name nutter.]

Kira Gaudynski :  Stella Hopfield – Bottler

Wife of John Hopfield. Though her title is Bottler, she does so much more – marketing, distribution, HR, pretty much everything that isn’t the actual brewing of the beer...and girl, is she good at it! She thrives under pressure, and fortunately for her, there is always pressure abounding.

Ryan Perry :  John Hopfield – Brew Master

Patriarch of the Hopfield family. His brews are best. His ales are awesome. His stouts are stellar. His lagers are...really good too. Hes proud of the name he has made for his family, and knows that beer is the true heart of Mount Hope.

Katelyn Shreiner :  Sherry Tanningrove – Mistress of the Cellars

Sister of Horice Tanningrove and his partner in the winery. Her mind is like the aging process of wine: calculating, patient, and meticulous. She has an eye for detail and rarely jumps to conclusions. She knows that trends come and go, but wine will be forever.

Michael Stahler :  Horace Tanningrove – Vinter

Patriarch of the Tanningrove Family. Wine is what put the shire of Mount Hope on the map, and Horace is proud of that family tradition. He knows Queen Elizabeth will have a more refined palate than her late father and sister, and will help bring Mount Hope’s wines back to the top no matter what those uppity Hopfields say.  [yeah okay so there’s definitely a family rivalry here]

Alright, You Stumped Me

Katie Burch :  Theresa Ratchet – Rat Catcher

Sickness has begun blanketing the world. Some people blame it on bad smells, some people believe it to be God’s wrath due to the sinful ways of today’s culture. Theresa, however, believes it to be because of the rats. She can’t prove it, and no one else believes her, but she will do whatever it takes to rid Mount Hope of these verminous infestations and save the populous in the process.  [Heck yeah, my science-based girl, go get it!]

George Hamilton :  Douglas Johnson – Master Thief

He’s been arrested so many times by Sheriff Perry, they know practically everything about each other. One might even suspect they’ve become friends, but Douglas Johnson would never take advantage of his friendship....in any way that would be obvious to Sheriff Jacob.  [I’m always a slut for this sort of dynamic!]

Shannon Holder :  Rose Hopfield – Brew Master's Daughter

Impulsive, independent, and passionate, this young woman is exploring the world on her own and beginning to see things in a new light, not solely from the perspective of her brewmaster father. By the end of the festival day, she may even sip her first glass of wine!

Jesse Kortus :  Jack Tanningrove – Vinter's Son

Idealistic, intelligent, and inquisitive, this young man is coming into his own and beginning to question the things he has grown up with as facts. For example: contrary to his father’s opinion, there seem to be a great deal of people upon the shire who prefer beer to wine. He intends to spend the day finding out just why that is.  [....oh great we’re gonna have friggin’ het star-crossed lovers up in here, aren’t we.]

John Surgener :  Charles Kent – Yeoman

Fiercely loyal to the Queen, Charles Kent is every bit the ideal hero. With a strong moral compass and an idyllic spirit, Kent is fast, powerful, and has quickly leapt to the top of the list of the Queens favorite Yeomen.

Haley Ward :  Amy Cooper – Cooper

Who would have thought a business person could suffer from TOO MUCH demand? With the ongoing conflict between the Tanningroves and the Hopfields, Amy has been profiting, but at the cost of much sleep. Maybe today she’ll finally be able to enjoy a day off.  [*sleep-deprived fistbump*]

My Reasoning

A section I include purely because I don’t like feeling stupid: therefore when I’m wrong, I prefer people to at least see the logic I followed to arrive at my conclusion.

Leads

Robert Dudley and Henry Carry are both mentioned by name in the scenario, so they’re obviously leads, and Queen Elizabeth is sort of, well, Queen Elizabeth.

Combat

Bev Tanningrove – Tanningrove Family Muscle: character description puts her pretty firmly in the combat territory; Sunny Vinsavich’s resume backs this up with necessary training/abilities.

Sylvia Forel – Sword Mistress: character description puts her pretty firmly in the combat territory; Emily Wirthwein’s resume backs this up with necessary training/abilities.

Mary McBride – Dance Mistress of the Shire: character description puts her pretty firmly in the combat territory; Mel Angelo’s resume seems to back this up with necessary training/abilities.

Fan Liu – Pirate: character description indicates combat as a definite possibility; Ilana Lo‘s resume backs this up with SO MUCH necessary training/abilities; character seems to fit better into the pattern of the combat track than the pattern of the improv track.

Bonnie Buchanna – Pirate: character description indicates combat as a definite possibility; Leigh Loureiro‘s resume indicates potential necessary physicality; character seems to fit better into the pattern of the combat track than the pattern of the improv track

Mistress Quickley – Tavern Keeper: can’t freaking find a resume for Amanda Darrigo, but in my PARF experience, tavern-keepers tend to be involved in brawls and melees, thus indicating combat track.

Captain James Thatch – Captain of The Queen's Vengeance: character description indicates combat as a definite option; can’t find a resume for Sean Besecker, but did find a facebook post mentioning his participation in leading a stage-combat workshop alongside Sam Little, thus implying the necessary training/abilities; character seems to fit better into the pattern of the combat track than the pattern of the improv track.

Bartholomew Wainwright – Yeoman: though character description does not necessarily indicate active combat role, one would imagine a yoeman to be involved in combat, and I know past casts have included combat-track yeomen; Matthew Glen Clark‘s resume backs this up with necessary training and physicality.

Edward Mawson – First Mate: character description does not necessarily indicate active combat role, and I was completely unable to find any sort of resume for Austin James, but the character seems to fit into the pattern of the combat track well enough, so it’s my best guess.

Music (hardly challenging, as I mentioned, yet shall display my reasoning anyway)

Captain Sheena Daley O'Connell – Captain of The Unyeilding Tempest: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’.

Captain Scarlett Seymour – Captain of The Shadow of Prophecy: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’.

Captain Ruth "The Blade" Gibson – Captain of The Jolly Walrus: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’, plus we already know Megan Jones is music-track certified, so to speak.

Captain Elanor Keetly – Captain of The Malevolence: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’, plus we already know Sarah Williams is both music-track certified and Siren certified.

Siobhán O'Sullivan – Royal Music Tutor: surname matches that of the four Irish characters listed as “musician”.

Gilda O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar; Jordan Bell is already both music-track certified and Revel certified.

Alannah O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar; Morgan Harwood is already music-track certified.

Keagan O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar; Jared Haverdink is already music-track certified.

Deklyn O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar.

Sterling Armstrong – Highwayman, Leader of Group: highwayman; we already knew Christoper Burch is music-track capable.

Tucker Abbot – Highwayman, Sterling's Protégé: highwayman; singing is specifically mentioned in description.

Jeremiah Slight – Highwayman, Sterling's Right-Hand Man: highwayman; we already knew Pete Hedberg is very very music-track certified and Rogue certified.

William "Bill" Crimson – Highwayman, former Benadictine Monk: highwayman; we already knew Ian Agnew is both music-track certified and Rogue certified.

Improv

Lady Delores Anne Penburthy – Lady Mayor of Mount Hope: Duh.

William Cecil – Advisor to the Queen: Adam Shepley is historically improv track.

Jacob Perry – Sheriff of Mount Hope: Joe Penn is historically improv track.

Sir William Pickering – Nobleman: Jonathan Handley is historically improv track.

William Shakespeare – Apprentice Glover: character description gives no indication of combat; Rob Condas‘s website extols his improv ability and love of the same.

Christopher "Kit" Marlowe – Playwright: if Shakespeare be improv track, it follows that Marlowe is, too; character description gives no indication of combat.

Gretchen Froman – Heir to the Sausage Throne: one parent is a Blackfryar and the other an improv director, so the statistical likelihood lies with improv;  character description gives no indication of combat.

Eskarina Nutter – Wise Woman: character description gives no indication of combat; it makes more sense for a healer-witch-type character to not be combat-focused anyway (though that would make for a really cool character); I could not find any resume for Noelani Stevenson to verify anything one way or another, but I’m relatively confident in my verdict nonetheless.

Stella Hopfield – Bottler: character description gives no indication of combat; Kira Gaudynski’ resume seems to indicate greater improv strength than combat strength.

John Hopfield – Brew Master: character description gives no indication of combat; if the Hopfield matriarch indeed be on improv, it seems to heighten the likelyhood of the Hopfield patriarch being on the same; could not find Ryan Perry’s resume to check training/abilities one way or another.

Sherry Tanningrove – Mistress of the Cellars: character description gives no indication of combat; Katelyn Shreiner‘s resume seems to indicate stronger improv skills than combat skills; following my previous path of reason, if the head Hopfields be on the improv track, likely the head Tanningroves will, too.

Horace Tanningrove – Vinter: character description gives no indication of combat; Michael Stahler‘s resume seems to indicate average stage-combat abilities; once more following my path of reasoning through to the logical conclusion, this other head Tanningrove will likely be on the improv track.

Alright, you stumped me

Theresa Ratchet – Rat Catcher: while Katie Burch has historically been combat-track, the character description gives no indication of combat; moreover, her participation in Theatre in the Mansion indicates to me that she has the necessary abilities for the improv track; neither her website nor twitter reveals anything one way or another; finally, I have a unproven gut instinct that one is more likely to remain on cast more years running if one switches tracks.  Verdict? could go either way.

Douglas Johnson – Master Thief: George Hamilton has been on both the music track and the combat track (though music is here ruled out), and his participation in Theatre in the Mansion indicates to me that he has the necessary abilities for the improv track; thieves of various sorts are often on the combat track, but it seems his main acting partner this year is on improv; I cannot find a website for further information, and his social media reveals nothing.  Verdict? six of one, half-a-dozen of the other.

Rose Hopfield – Brewmaster's Daughter: character description indicates a divergence from her parents’ worldview, so while I have her parents under improv, it would make some degree of sense for her to be on a different track; only some degree, though, and character description does not indicate combat; Shannon Holder‘s resume seems to indicate possibility in either track.  Verdict? honestly probably improv but there is wiggle-room.

Jack Tanningrove – Vinter's Son: character description indicates a divergence from his parents’ worldview, so while I have his parents under improv, it would make some degree of sense for him to be on a different track; only some degree, though, and character description does not indicate combat; I could not find a resume for Jesse Kortus to check training/abilities either way.  Verdict? yeah prolly improv but who knows.

Charles Kent – Yeoman: though character description does not necessarily indicate active combat role, one would imagine a yoeman to be involved in combat, and I know past casts have included combat-track yeomen; however, John Surgener’s resume seems to me to lean more toward improv than combat, though he has some degree of experience in both.  Verdict? heck if I know.

Amy Cooper – Cooper: character description does not indicate combat; Haley Ward’s resume indicates the necessary training/ability for combat; the character description gives me improv-track vibes somehow.  Verdict? yeah at this point your guess is as good as mine.

Phew!  That’s more than long enough for one day, so the Blackfryars shall get their own post on the morrow (maybe this evening if I’m responsible... haha...).

To the newcomers, welcome!  To those returning, welcome back!

[renee-writer]

Call Me Josh Chapter 13

There is no warning. One moment he was working at his draft table. The next he is on the floor. Jude finds him.

“Papa!” he drops the paper he needed signed and falls down beside him. “Papa, what’s wrong?” They all have taken a CPR class and Jude feels for a pulse. Finding none, his mind tries to scatter away from the problem, running around in the maze of panic.

“No!” he orders himself, “Start CPR and call for help.” He lays him flat and carefully tilts his head. Rescue breath and chest compressions. He does two rounds before taken his phone and calling his mama.

Mary is at a parent teacher conference when her phone rings. “Apologies, it is my son, I need to take this.” The parent nods in understanding and she answers.

“Hello Jude. Honey I am at…”

“Mama, it’s papa. I found him in his office, on the floor. He isn’t breathing. I started CPR. Help!”. Mary turns bone white and the phone almost slips from her hand. The mother sitting across from her starts to say something. She pulls the phone back up.

“Call 911. I am on the way.”

“Mrs.”

“My husband he… I must go. I am sorry.”

“It is alright just…” But she is already gone.

Jude calls 911 while doing chest compressions. “911, what is the location of your emergency?”

He gives his address. “My papa, I found him. He isn’t breathing!” He pauses to give another rescue breath.

“How long has he been down?”

“I don’t know. I just found him, on the floor.”

“Okay. The paramedics are on the way. Just stay with me. Do you know how to do CPR?”

“Yes I am doing it now.”

“Good, very good. Any change? Can you feel for a pulse for me?”

“I can just…” He touches his father’s neck. “nothing!”

“Okay keep up the CPR. They are just a minute away.”

“Jude what?” Joshua walks in with James and Rebecca.

“Josh, I found him like this. I am doing CPR but…”

“Breath for him. I have the chest compressions.” He is outwardly calm because he must be. But inside… He hears his sister sobbing, hears the dispatcher talking, James trying to reassure Rebecca, the sirens approach. But deep inside, where the Spirit lives, he is talking to his Father.

“Why? They need him, mama does, I do. I am not ready for him to go yet. Please.”

“We got it guys.” He comes back to himself with the touch of the paramedic‘s hand on his back. Moving aside, he watches as monitors are placed on his papa’s chest, as shocks are delivered, medicine is ordered. Jude comes over to him and he stands, arms around as many siblings as they can hold. They stand together and watch as the paramedics treat him.

“Is he dead?” Mary arrives, shutting off the car but not bothering to shut the door. The beep of the car’s warning adds to the noise.

“Are you his wife?”

“Yes. Is he?”

“He is in bad shape. Critical. But no, not dead. Is he on any medications?” She is frozen, staring at her husband, her heart, so still on the stretcher. The paramedic repeats the question.

“No no. He is healthy. What happened?”

“We are taken him to the hospital. Do you want to ride along?”

“Go mama. I have them and we will follow the ambulance.”

She blinks and nods. “Thank you Joshua.” They load him up and help Mary in.

“Come on guys. Let’s go.”

They file into their parents car. She left the keys in. A shaken Rebecca gets in the back with James. Jude rides shotgun by Josh. “Is papa going to die?” Rebecca whispers as the drive out, right behind the ambulance.

“The doctor’s are good. They will work on him.” James answers.

“I have never seen him so still before. He was just lying there.” Jude mutters, his voice robotic in the shock.

“You started CPR, that was good.” Joshua says. The ambulance is running lights and sirens. He has to focus to keep up. His sister ‘s sobs, Jude’s whimpers, and James soft whispers to her, are the only sounds in the car. In his own mind, a prayer is constantly going.

They pull up behind the ambulance. Mary comes out first looking pale and wan. Their papa follows, on the stretcher. The paramedics whisk him in. Their mama follows slowly behind. Joshua leads his siblings in, following her.

They are placed in a waiting room. Her children gather around her. Joshua only leaves to move the car. They all wait. Mary and Rebecca are crying with the young men trying not to.

“I don’t know how to do this without him.” She says.

“Mama, you have us. We will be here.” Joshua declares. She nods patting absently at him. Her eyes are trained at the door as she holds her weeping daughter against her. The door that the doctor will come back through, to tell us he is stable and we can see him. Please God.

When the doctor walks back in, they know it is bad. Joshua grabs her hand and Jude’s, who already already has James hand. They hold tight to each other as they wait the words that will change their lives.

“I’m sorry. Joe suffered a massive coronary. We did all we could but, he didn’t survive it. I am so sorry.”

Their eyes fill as Rebecca yells out, “Papa! No! Not my papa!”

“Can we see him?” Mary is composed. She will break down later.

“Yes.” He leads them to his bedside. Rebecca clings to her mama’s side.

“My Joe. My heart.” She kneels down and kisses him. “Wait for me up there. I will miss you every second until we meet again.”

“Papa! Oh my Papa!” Rebecca weeps against him as her brothers stand helpless and heartbroken behind her.

One by one, they say goodbye until only Joshua is left. He kneels by his papa. “Thank you for choosing to be my papa. For seeing to mama. I will do my best to take care of them in your absence. My papa, I love you.” He kisses him and stands. A man now.

The funeral is scheduled for that day. Members of their synagogue go to the house to prepare for Shiva, covering the mirrors and pictures. He is buried quickly. Joshua recites the Kaddish

“Exalted and hallowed be His Great Name.”

His brothers and the other men reply, “Amen.”

“Throughout the world which He has created according to His Will. May He establish His Kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach.”

“Amen.”

“In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel speedily and soon, and say, Amen.”

“Amen, May His Great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity blessed.”

“May His Great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored and adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He.”

“Amen.”

“Beyond all blessings, hymns, praises, and consolations that are uttered in the world, and say, Amen.”

“Amen.”

“May there be abundant peace from heaven, and a good life for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.”

“Amen.”

“He Who makes peace in His heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel, and say, Amen.”

“Amen.”

They return home in torn clothing to begin to sit Shiva. Cushions are removed from the couch and chairs and they are positioned facing east, towards Jerusalem. The memorial candles are lit. Their neighbors have prepared a meal. No one really feels like eating but they do out of respect.

Rebecca rets against her mama, staring off into space. They all grief, mourning for seven days, the men not shaving and just bathing enough to keep clean, neither Mary or Rebecca wearing makeup or any other jewelry outside Mary’s wedding band. Yes they all grief but Joshua is most concerned with his sister. She barely speaks or eats, just sits on the low chair, listening to the prayers, constant tears running down her eyes.

[dustedmagazine]

Dust Vol. 4, Number 11

Blink and 2018 is just about over, at least in terms of music releases, at least if you don’t follow best ofs, mainstream hip hop or holiday music. As we close in on another year of amazing music—but what year isn’t, really?— Dusted takes a moment to dig through the piles and write some short, mostly positive reviews of albums that might have gotten slept on. As usual, writers follow their interests through expansive drone, transcendental folk, incendiary free-jazz, metal, punk and gospel-tinged Americana. Contributors this time included Ethan Covey, Justin Cober-Lake, Jennifer Kelly, Bill Meyer and Jonathan Shaw.

Bitchin Bajas — Rebajas (Drag City)

Bitchin Bajas are a band made for deep exploration. Their hallucinatory, drone-based excursions are like an old couch — sink in, stretch out and stay a while. Rebajas, released this fall by Drag City, makes that task simple. The seven CD set features most everything the band has released since their debut in 2010: eight full albums and their contribution to various split albums. If you’re dipped into Bitchin Bajas previously, you’ll know what you’re getting. (And if you haven’t there’s little chance this package, or this review of it, is where you’d start.) That said, for those with a long drive, or a monk-like attention span, settling in and tracking the territory of the band’s evolution is rewarding. While the themes — of drone, calm, repeating bass and synth figures — remain constant, the band isn’t a one trick (or one note?) pony. Deep listening uncovers the variety between shorter, bloop-and-hum pieces from Tones/Zones (Disc 1) and the meditative, cycling layers of “2303” from last year’s Bajas Fresh (Disc 7). And there are moments that peek up from the soup: “Bajas Ragas” adds hand percussion and a loping bass line for one of their most engaging concoctions—fit for a slow-motion dance floor in a submerged city of the future. Missing, unfortunately, is their 2016 collaborative album with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, the excellently-titled Epic Jammers And Fortunate Little Ditties. As is this intriguing gem of Rolling Stones covers. Yet, with just shy of seven hours of music, I doubt many will sweat their absence. There’s more than enough to disappear into. And, if this review hasn’t spelled it simply enough, this is quite possibly the trippiest music out there. So, set your intentions and bon voyage.  

Ethan Covey

 Nathan Bowles—Plainly Mistaken (Paradise of Bachelors)

Plainly Mistaken by Nathan Bowles

Nathan Bowles, banjoist, percussionist and citizen of New Weird America, departs from his plain-spoken directness in this fourth album and makes a welcome detour into open-ended psychedelia. Right from the dreamy, drifty “Now If You Remember,” you sense a soft-focus open-ness to otherworldly experience. The cut, written by the seven-year-old Jessica Constable and included on Julie Tippett’s 1976 Sunset Glow, shifts and shimmers in ways that Bowles percussive banjo ditties have rarely done. Yet the album’s transcendental heart comes in “The Road Reversed,” where a pounding, dancing rhythm kicks among long, velvety bowed tones, and banjo notes bend into raga-like half-tones. Folk Americana frolics amid deep-toned Eastern meditation, and where one begins and the other ends is hard to say and, also, beside the point. There are, for sure, some traditional touchpoints—“Elk River Blues” (a tune by Ernie Carpenter that Bowles revisits here), “Fresh and Fairly So” and “Stump Sprout” will all satisfy fans of the twang and the twitch. Yet what lingers, for me, are the ones that stray from past experience, the slow, solo ambiguities of “Umbra,” the shadowy flurries and shifting dissonances of “Girih Tiles.” What Bowles’ well-turned work has lacked till now is mystery, and here it is at last.

Jennifer Kelly

 Mike Farris — Silver & Stone (Compass)

Mike Farris's long, strange career flamed briefly with the alt-rockers Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies in the 1990s. After that, Farris rejected his rock 'n' roll lifestyle and grungy sound in a move toward gospel and soul. The surprise of the transition wasn't the partier-to-Christian story but the discovery of how strong Farris's vocals are. On Silver & Stone, he has less of a gospel focus, but down in some swampy soul music (with bits of brighter pop), he shows off that voice. He's willing to take on Bill Withers (“Hope She'll Be Happier”) and Sam Cooke (“I'll Coming Running Back to You”) — not tasks usually recommended — and he comes out of it just fine.

The album fits a sort of arc for his solo career. It lacks the new-convert punch and joy of Salvation in Lights, but it shifts into more thoughtful reflection. Where he had been celebrating, now he's considering how to live. The explicit religion has mostly disappeared, but Farris's songs still run on hope and a big heart. The sorts of ideas at work on Silver & Stone synthesize on “When Mavis Sings,” a tribute to Mavis Staples and serves as a sort of musical and personal model. Farris, whether in rock or soul, the church or the club, presents a focused vision with enough groove to carry it through.

Justin Cober-Lake

 Tim Feeney — Burrow (Marginal Frequency)

MFCS K | Tim Feeney - Burrow by Marginal Frequency

Burrow can be read as both an explanation and an instruction. Percussionist Tim Feeney begins each of this tape’s four pieces (two per side, and if you purchase a download you’ll get a file of each side, not each piece) in similar fashion, beating out a pattern with minimal variation. As the performance progresses monotony gives way to fascination as Feeney slowly reveals a beat’s potential variations. At a certain point things change. Are you hearing more because he threw something on the drum skin, or because your concentration is unlocking that drum-strike’s secrets, or maybe both? Treat this tape like a meditation guide, one that helps you to dig into the sound and see what treasures you find.

Bill Meyer 

 Forever House — Eaves (Infrequent Seams)

Eaves by Forever House

Forever House makes wildly complicated songs whose improvisatory flights and furies are held together, barely, by Meaghan Burke’s keening, swooping melodies. A lurid aura hangs over these difficult, jarring compositions, witchy incantations invoking freaks, body doubles and spiders. Burke’s voice is velvety dark, draping over odd-shaped rhythms, jutting stabs of violent sound. The drumming is particularly good in an off-putting, against-expectations manner; along with throbs of cello and throes of feedbacked dissonance, it constructs a weird fun house architecture where everything tips and distorts and unsettles.

Forever House’s oddities work because they’re powered by formidable skills – this is a band with a serious NY downtown pedigree. Burke, a cellist and composer, commutes between classical orchestra work and solo material that skitters along the boundary between archaic pop and free-wheeling art song. Both guitarist James Moore and bassist James Illgenfritz have played with John Zorn, as well as other downtown luminaries (in Illgenfritz’s case Anthony Braxton, John Zorn, Elliott Sharp and Pauline Oliveros and others, in Moore’s with the electric guitar quartet Dither). Drummer Pete Wise has left less of an internet trail but seems to have Bang on a Can connections. You get the sense that Forever House is their spooky busman’s holiday, a chance to play against type and raise some unruly ghosts. Boo!

Jennifer Kelly  

 German Army — Kowloon Walled City = (Null Zone)

Kowloon Walled City by German Army

German Army is neither an established military entity nor some reenactment clique, but a low-flying, California-based combo that (according to their Facebook page) “uses art to document disappearing cultures and wildlife while critiquing imperialism in all forms.” Kowloon Walled City certainly qualifies as a disappearing culture, since most of the semi-autonomous, mob-run neighborhood that sat at the edge of Hong Kong’s airport has been cleaned up or knocked down. Since there’s nothing particularly Chinese-sounding about this tape’s perky synth/drum jams and the rare spoken vocals are in distinctly American-accented English, the proclaimed mission may be a failure or just a red herring. But if you need some catchy tunes limned with coded mystery to jam in your old jalopy (if you have tried to get a car stereo with a tape deck in the last ten years, you know what I’m talking about), German Army is at your service.

Bill Meyer

  Gong Gong Gong—Siren (Wharf Cat)

Siren 追逐劇 by Gong Gong Gong 工工工

Two songs from the duo of Joshua Frank and Tom Ng make a case for an intriguing Beijing punk-noise underground. The a-side, “Siren” abstracts the electric blues into a single clattering guitar riff, a zooming, looming roar of bass and a searing call (no response) vocal from Ng, in sing-song-y Chinese. “Something’s Happening” is meatier and more conventionally rock, still built on sharp, stinging guitar clamor, but buzzing with Hendrix-y solo-ry (if Hendrix played the bass). Both tracks employ the minimum number of parts to maximal impact, the construction loose enough for friction, sparks and gnashing aggression.

Jennifer Kelly

 Gerrit Hatcher / Peter Maunu / Julian Kirschner — The Raven and the Dove (JAKI)

The Raven and the Dove by Hatcher/Maunu/Kirshner

Chicago’s built on drained swampland, so when the next wave of free jazz rolls up, it can travel. Certainly this trio, which comprises two younger musicians and one more who seems to be doing exactly what he wants with his retirement, covers a lot of ground. Gerrit Hatcher is an extroverted tenor saxophonist with a raw tone and a willingness to depart from his default setting of muscular tune-grinding into passages of tentative flutter and delicate counterpoint. Good drummers never lack for work, so it’s saying something that you can find Julian Kirschner on a Chicago stage pretty much every week of the year. He comes from a post-free jazz conception of his instrument that favors color, space and movement over pulse or swing. Joining these youngsters is Peter Maunu, whose past life playing fusion and new age music seems quite irrelevant to the unpredictable stream of savage scraping, subliminal humming, and acidic rocking that issues from his guitar, violin and mandolin. This group is brand new, but it won’t be for long; they’ve been touring around the Midwest this fall, so you can expect them to add seasoned rapport to band new promises before long. Catch them if you can, and catch this promising debut if you can’t.

Bill Meyer

 Kidd Jordan / Alvin Fielder / Joel Futterman / Steve Swell — Masters of Improvisation (Valid Records)

Masters of Improvisation by Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder, Joel Futterman & Steve Swell

It takes a particular orneriness to be a musician in a musical city and stake your claim to a style that the city has never embraced. You can say a lot of things about New Orleans, but it’s never really been a free jazz town. But that hasn’t stopped tenor saxophonist Kidd Jordan, who has made his crust playing and teaching every style that a jobbing musician must play, from playing a particularly uncompromising variety of free jazz. Two of his accompanists here are long-time partners. Drummer Alvin Fielder, who like Jordan is in his 80s, has likewise carried the free jazz torch in southern environs where the muggy air of indifference would douse a fainter spirit. Pianist Joel Futterman is a decade younger and his darting technique and forays inside the piano imply that his roots are sunk in different turf than his mates, but he’s been playing with them long enough to be able to bring empathy as well as energy to the table. New York-based trombonist Steve Swell is the newcomer, and his ability to shift effortlessly between sere exhalations and brash attacks allows him to complicate the combo’s late-Coltrane vibe without betraying it, and then be equally persuasive when they turn around and wring the last blue drops out of Doc Pomus’ “Lonely Avenue.” This concert recording lingers long on the stormy side; go on, stick your face into the wind, you won’t be sorry.

Bill Meyer

 No Love — Choke on It (Sorry State)

Choke On It by No Love

No Love, from Raleigh, NC, play punk rock that conjures the ragged toughness of the mid-1970s NYC downtown scene and the pace of early-1980s Southern Cali hardcore. It’s a potent mix, and when guitarists Seth Beard and Daniel Lupton make a bit of space for vocalist Elizabeth Lynch, the record really kills it. The record’s title track and “Dogs//Wolves” — released back in 2015 as the A-side of a terrific single — are frantic punk burners that scrap and sizzle, teetering on the brink of perilous chaos. The band manages to channel the energy without disciplining it, like the Heartbreakers in those magical months in 1975. “Back Taxes & Anaphylaxis” is even better, mostly because Lynch takes an aggressive lead on the song, showing what she can do. On “Drama Fever,” she manages to keep pace with the guitars’ slashing intensity, but on some of the other tracks, she’s drowned out by all the frenzied riffage. The raw sound of the record gives it a low-grade charm, but the noise sometimes obscures the tunes, which are pretty great. Still, the band’s vigor and verve are undeniable. More, please.  

Jonathan Shaw

 One Tail, One Head — Worlds Open, Worlds Collide (Terratur Possessions) 

Worlds Open, Worlds Collide by One Tail, One Head

Norway’s One Tail, One Head have been playing black metal since 2006, but this year’s Worlds Open, Worlds Collide is the first full-length record the band has ever released. They’ve made a career on their reputation as a live act, pairing their orthodox blackened sound and songs with a stage show only slightly less theatrical than Watain’s (that’s all stage blood, right guys?). It seems that this first LP will be their last, as One Tail, One Head have announced their intent to call it quits after a tour supporting the record. That sense of finality may have prompted the band to round the stylistic bases, pairing truculent, muscular songs reminiscent of the early demos (“Firebirds” is a good example) with more chaotic, swirling work typical of the recent EPs. Songs in the former mode are more successful here, especially the record’s title track, which thunders and crackles with convincing menace. But One Tail, One Head could have given themselves a better sendoff. Few of these tunes feel fully realized, and none is near the equal of the band’s intense performing presence. It’s too bad — but a wise (or wise-ass) kid from Chicago once observed that “breaking up is an idea that has occurred to far too few groups, sometimes the wrong ones.” Via con Satàn, fellas.  

Jonathan Shaw

 Vanessa Peters — Foxhole Prayers (Idol)

Foxhole Prayers by Vanessa Peters

Singer-songwriter Vanessa Peters could have settled for the smart folk-rock she’s been doing for almost two decades, but on Foxhole Prayers she stretches herself, looking at the cultural landscape without relinquishing her personal lyrics. “Carnival Barker” offers her most direct political track, but “Trolls” is more effective, capturing the patience and perseverance needed to defeat the title characters. The song has personal and political resonances, and it's that dual thinking that drives much of the album. “Fight” takes on extra meaning in the context of the album. Peters unveils her own fears and her own need to press on, but with enough space in the lyrics that she could be speaking to herself, a young artist, or someone afraid of venturing into the public eye in any sense; calls to bravery aren't limited to those on stage and Peters situates her song as someone who knows that.  

As her view expands, so does her music, particularly as she incorporates electronic elements into her sound. The dance-pop influences of “Before it Falls Apart” surprise, but Peters' tasteful use of the new sounds allows everything to fit in naturally with what she does. The album, inspired in part by comparing the world of The Greaty Gatsby with today's political climate, has its roots in crisis, hence the title track, and Peters uses her art to search for something better. 

Justin Cober-Lake

 Shells—Shells 2 (Gingko)

Shells 2 by Shells

The evidence suggests that Shelley Salant is not a loner. She’s been booking shows in Southeast Michigan for a decade. She’s the sort of record store clerk who greets you with a recommendation that you’d best consider. She’s played guitar in Tyvek and Swimsuit. She’s the sort of person who makes communities happen by doing what she does.

But she also has pretty strong instincts about what makes a guitar worth hearing — liquid tone, phrases that are concise unless they need to wander, pithy hooks, gritty noise and reverb for days. She’s got some things to say on her own, and that’s where Shells comes in. Shells 2 contains 14 tracks, each a brief and lucid lesson about one or more of the aforementioned virtues. Some of them comprise layers of loops, some follow a single snaking line, and a couple have been overdubbed into an approximation of a band. Similarity spotters may point out the bits that sound like Link Wray or Roy Montgomery or the Feelies, but that would require looking past all the bits that sound like Shelley Salant rocking essentially.

Bill Meyer

 Various Artists — Chebran Volume 2: French Boogie 1979-1982 (Born Bad)

This superlative collection of funk, disco and proto-rap documents the cross-hybridization of bootleg tapes of Grandmaster Flash, Eurovision-style dance music and sounds from the African and Arabic colonies that bubbled up in working class neighborhoods at the dawn of the 1980s all over France. Here on cuts like Ethnie’s “De Chagrin En Chagrin” synths take up the serpentine non-western melodies, while Bootsy-style funksters slap and pop out the boogie. Likewise, the ponderous stomp of bass and percussion anchors Ganawa’s “Yamna” in present day disco, but its wheeling woodwinds and haunting call and response transport you to sand swept deserts in North Africa. Ettika, both the track name and the artist name for a one-hitter from the early 1980s, nudges a disco synth into twisty arabesques and flits from French to Arabic in its emphatic, female-powered raps. Forget the melting pot, these cuts bubble like sour dough starter, when errant spores of yeast find a home in a dull white flour soup and create something marvelous.

Jennifer Kelly

 Otomo Yoshihide / Paal Nilssen-Love — 19th of May 2016 (PNL)

19th of May 2016 by Otomo Yoshihide & Paal Nilssen-Love

Conventional wisdom holds that when Paal Nilssen-Love gets on stage with an electric guitarist, fillings will loosen. That certainly holds true when he pairs up with Terrie Ex, his preferred six-string slinger of recent years, and there are parts of this encounter with Japanese guitarist Otomo Yoshihide that could be cited as supporting evidence. Otomo brings plenty of volume, distortion and ferocity; there are passages where it sounds like he’s demolishing some metallic structure while Nilssen-Love erects an impregnable surrounding whirlwind. But neither man stays in one gear, and some of the most involving moments come when they drop to a scrape and a shimmer.

Bill Meyer

[songs-of-owly]

My meeting U2 Experience

Guys! I did it! I met Bono and The Edge!

I'm still can't get over it, it feels like aa dream...but regardless I promised the story behind it, so here we are!

Around 2:30 yesterday, my mom turned to me and suggested we go to TD Garden and try to see the band arrive. I agreed with her and so we went! Because traffic sucked so much and there were no signs whatsoever on where to go, we got to the crowd at three. We were in the back, but regardless, I was excited.

The crowd was super fun! There was so much good energy and the people were amazing to talk to. Me and my mom met this lady and her 72 year old mother who had been fans since the original Joshua Tree, so that was fun.

But around 4, the band hadn't arrived yet. Someone next to me told me that on Thursday they just waved from the cars and drove straight it. And no one had put up any sort of barricade. If thier bodyguards had seen this giant crowd without any barricade, there was no way they were letting the band come out.

I think around 4:30, there was this siren and it turned out to be a police escort! So we all start cheering and getting excited, and it turned out later, that it was Larry! He didn't get out the car or roll the windows down (I understood why) but still! IT WAS LARRY MULLEN JR.!

Around 4:50, it starts getting late and we all start worrying again. And someone, finally, had put up some rope as a form of a barricade.

Then at 5:00, the police escort arrives again, and in the first black SUV, with the windows rolled down and smiling at us, IS BONO VOX.

We start to lose it.

They pull up next to us, and then there's a point in time where nothing happens. I'm guessing something was happening in the car, because 30 seconds later, BONO GETS OUT THE CAR.

I have never yelled for someone that loud ever before.

Bono starts walking down the rope and everyone pushes forward. My mom makes a mad dash to follow Bono and I stay where I am. I end up at the front of the rope and coming down the rope, is Edge. I start shaking like a leaf. They both weren't signing things, but they were doing selfies and waving to people. Without thinking, as soon as Edge comes close to me, I stick my hand out and call out super softly, "Edge." With tears in my eyes

He turns.

He looks at me

He smiles and his eyes do that crinkly thing I love.

He said hello in his cute Irish accent

AND REACHED OVER AND SHOOK MY HAND.

THE EDGE SHOOK MY HAND.

(Just wanted to put this out there, his hands are super soft.)

The tears start coming and I am trying to comprehend what happened. Me and my mom reunite together, front and center on the rope, just as Bono and Edge meet in the middle.

AND THEN THEY HUG.

I can't describe that hug. It was beautiful, that's all I can say.

They both continued down the line and when Bono got to me, I called his name and he looked at me. He then proceeded to play flirt with me, by putting his hand through his his shirt like he was going to take it off and giving me this smirk. I burst into laughter and when I looked up he was still there. He waved and said hi and gave me the cutest smile, and all I did was stand there like a grinning idiot.

After me, Bono went down the line quickly and then left, but Edge took his time. After a while, he too left. My mom got a look from Edge and a handshake from Bono, which I thought was cool.

And yea! That's my story! If you haven't met the band already, please don't give up hope! Keep dreaming! Because I learned yesterday, dreams do come true. It's an amazing experience of you meet them. They are so kind and so humble and so down to earth and so happy!

Pictures!

This was right before my handshake with Edge. I can't get over his smile. My mom has a better picture with the look she gave him.

The hug! ^-^ the lady next to us took this, because me and my mom were too shocked and excited. It's now my wallpaper on my phone and will be for a very. Very. Very. Long time.

This was taken right when Bono got out of the car. Sorry about the lady blocking his face, but it was the best I could do.

Other pictures (My mom took these)

MY MOM GOT A LOOK FROM EDGE AND IT'S JUST THE CUTEST. EDGE AND BONO ARE JUST LITTLE CINNAMON ROLLS.

(If you're wondering about Adam, I did not see him. He did not come out, so I don't have any knowledge about what he did)

BUT YEAH, THAT'S PROBABLY THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE SO FAR :D

[multifandom-kpop-scenarios]

I really enjoy the Seventeen scenarios you write! Is there any way I can ask for a scenario where you are a hunter of supernatural creatures and on one job, you are asked to hunt a werewolf who is actually Mingyu? I would like if it's made known they like each other, please, and if there's anyway, could you add a part where he protects you? Thak you, and great work!

Hello, friends! Thank you for your request, anon! This was a lot of fun to write! I hope you all enjoy it. As usual, please excuse any mistakes. 

Admin Rex

It was a cold autumn evening when you were walking and weaving your way through groups of people, a specific place in mind. Seungcheol, your close friend and co-worker, was walking alongside you. He was looking down at his phone, neutral expression on his face. Your eyes traveled from him to in front of you, immediately spotting a grand building, towering and glamorous in comparison to the dwarfed business centers surrounding it. The Ritz-Carlton, known on the surface as a five-star hotel with exquisite design and staff. That we your current destination. You entered and instantly began to head to the receptionist desk.

“How can I help you?” A man with black hair - Soonyoung, you’re pretty close - greeted you with a smile. Seungcheol stepped up and leaned close to the receptionist.

“We’re here to meet The Chef.” Soonyoung blinks at Seungcheol then says, “Oh… Lobster?”

You shake your head with a laugh, Seungcheol sighs softly, “No, Chef.” Soonyoung grins in understanding with a small “Ah!” and turns to grab a keycard. “He’s in the suite on the top floor.”

You and your friend each nod to Hoshi and make a beeline to the elevator. Aside from the view offered by the elevator, the ride was pretty boring. Seungcheol was busy with the work he had on his phone, no doubt researching what job you’d be doing next. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, the elevator reached the top floor and you moved to open the only door in the hall with the keycard Hoshi had given to you. The door swung open with little resistance and you held it open for your friend.

“He better be in here.” Seungcheol said as you shut the door behind yourself. There have been multiple times when you had to wait for clients and contractors alike, so you understood Seungcheol’s mood. You rounded the corner and came upon a wide living room, more luxurious than the lobby. There was a brown haired man sitting on the couch, polite in all mannerisms.

“Hey, Joshua!” You greeted the man. He looked up and smiled a small smile, and stood up to take your hand in his in a firm handshake.

“(Y/N), Seungcheol! It’s good to see you both again.” He smiled to both of you with a slight bow. “So, it’s good to be working together. Again.”

“Yes, it is nice. So, what’s the job this time?” You and your subordinate sat on the couch opposite to Joshua. Seungcheol was pretty much always straight to the point, and it’s helped you as much as it’s troubled you. Joshua nodded in understanding and picked up a manila folder from the couch next to where he’d been sitting. He set it on the mahogany coffee table in front of you.

“Werewolves.” Joshua’s voice seemed to resonate in the fanciful room.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel was not just a hotel. In fact, like most places, it had its secrets. The world was full of many wonders, one of which being the supernatural that crept in the shadows. Humans, as was expected, were often the prey of these creatures that used to be just mysteries of the moonlight. In the society you lived in now, humans and the supernatural had begun to associate and integrate. But that didn’t mean there was total peace. There were still creatures that attacked both humans and other races, and that lead to the enforcers: the hunters.

You reached for the folder and flipped it open. Inside were a few photos, most of which were of the crime scenes. The bodies - or what’s left of them - were mangled and bloodied, just a husk of what used to be. You flipped through them, this wasn’t the first set of grotesque pictures you’d seen.

“There has been an increase in people who reported being attacked by a werewolf.” Joshua pointed at a sticky note on the inside of the front cover, “These two, here, have been patrolling the area, but haven’t come across much. Until last night.” You and Seungcheol looked up at the contractor - he didn’t hunt, only set the hunters up with jobs - he reached towards some of the photos, “They caught a rather large wolf in town, and it attacked the two of them.”

The photo Joshua held out to you was grainy and poorly lit, but you could see the light reflection in its eyes. You could tell it was far gone, too in touch with its wolf.

“I’ve set up an appointment time for you to meet my associates.” Joshua handed you a card with a time and location.

“Why is it at 10:10pm?” Seungcheol looked at Joshua, who was in the middle of putting his coat back on. The other only shrugged with a smile before turning to leave. He turned to look at you and Seungcheol, “Feel free to stay here until the specified time.”

The door shut with an almost inaudible click. You reclined yourself comfortably on the couch before opening the folder again. “These attacks are pretty gruesome.”

“Yeah. It’s been awhile since the last time we hunted a werewolf.” Seungcheol nodded at you, then continued, “They’re usually really in control. It’s surprising.”

Eventually the sun set, and it was about 9:45 in the evening when you decided to leave. The cold air was now nipping at your face and fingers. The air around you, you noticed, was rather still, aside from you and Seungcheol walking side by side. You kept looking behind you, you almost felt like you were being watched. The alleys you were in made it close to impossible to see anything lurking in the darkness.

“-’re late? I don’t wanna be waiting out here in the cold.” You could suddenly hear voices, and a gentle breeze set in. Seungcheol cautiously rounded the corner and his demeanor changed. “I honestly should’ve known Joshua would send us to you guys.”

You stepped out from behind him and looked at the two people in front of you. Boo Seungkwan and Wen Junhui are two of the stealthiest people you know, which is surprising, considering they’re so…unique, your mind supplies. Seungkwan instantly puts his hands on his hips, “I glad you finally showed. I’m cold! Right, Junhui?” He begins rubbing his hands together to gather warmth.

“It is pretty cold.” Jun nods, his dark hair slightly covering one of his eyes.

“Honestly, you know as well as I do that vampires do not get cold.” Seungcheol said as he rummaged through the folder Joshua left with you. He pulled some of the photos out. “You’re the ones who took these?”

“Yeah, we did.” Junhui pulls a camera out from under his coat. Seungcheol nod to him before turning to Seungkwan. “Where were you attacked?”

“Here, follow me. I’ll show you.” Seungkwan walked back the way you and Seungcheol came from. It was times like these when he and Jun were guiding you through the darkness that you remembered they aren’t human. They act so normal, it’s easy to forget. You’re so lost in your thoughts, you basically ran right into Jun’s back. You peek over his shoulder at a familiar voice. “What’re you doing here?”

“Hey, Vernon, we’re just looking into this case. Are you on it, too?” Seungcheol greets the younger casually.

“Kind of. But not officially.” Vernon looks over to his partner, “Minghao wants to look into it.”

“I just want to find whoever is killing. They’re giving werewolves a bad image.” Minghao looks thoroughly upset. To see someone sullying the image your species has worked hard to put together is quite frustrating. You put your hand on Minghao‘s shoulder and smile reassuringly at him, “Don’t worry, Hao, we’ll get them.” He nods in response.

“Did you guys find anything?” Jun speaks up from next to you. He looks around the area, he seems kind of tense.

“We barely got here ourselves. Had to wait for the officials to leave.” Vernon shrugs. Minghao lifts his head, “It definitely does smell like another werewolf was here, but… not just one, I think.” This has everyone pause for a few seconds.

“Is it a pack?” Seungkwan asks. Minghao shakes his head, “They were fighting. I can’t track them.”

You and Seungcheol glance at each other, your minds both seemingly made up. Eventually you part ways with the vampires, the human and his werewolf partner. You quickly walked to a small, inconspicuous café. The door bell jingles lightly, and you’re greeted with the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans. You can hear soft singing, and if you weren’t used to it at this point, you’d be mesmerized. Behind the counter brewing a beverage was a small, blond siren. He turned to look at you, frown replaced with the barest hint of a smile.

“I should’ve guessed you guys would be here soon, what with those attacks going on.” He said as he wiped his hands off on a towel. “Need anything?”

“Jihoon, is Jeonghan here?” You asked. He nods and points to the door behind the counter, signaling for you to enter. The door squeaks harshly, as metal scratches against metal. There is a slight fog cast over the room, which is normal for this room, despite also being part of a small café.

“Jeonghan? Are you back there?” This room always looked eerie, the lights cast a green hue through the fog, and the room was slightly dim. A sudden shadow moving caught your attention, and you moved towards it. Sure enough, Jeonghan was stretching away from his desk.

“Oh, Joshua said you’d be here!” Jeonghan looked surprised to see you. Despite having been warned beforehand. “I assume you need supplies?”

“Yeah, we’re gonna need some quicksilver.” Seungcheol says while picking one of Jeonghan’s projects up. He sets it down after the blonde hisses “set it down!” Jeonghan glares at Seungcheol before moving further back into the… at this point, it could only be called a lab. An alchemy lab, to be more precise. Jeonghan was the best alchemist you’ve ever worked with. He pulled a drawer out on one cabinet and pulled out a paper.

“I’m going to need you to write what you need.” Jeonghan passed the paper into your hands. You instantly wrote down what you’d need; some quicksilver bullets, a few blades, and some antiseptics. After handing the sheet back to Jeonghan, he hurried to get the requested items. He carefully put them into a bag before handing it off to Seungcheol. “Now, for your payment…” Jeonghan didn’t normally require money as a payment. He requested other things. “Go buy some drinks or dessert from Jihoon. He’s been bored because we didn’t get many customers today.” This was easily one of the best payments you’ve ever had to make.

After lounging around in the café, you left with Seungcheol. Your phone said it was 12:57am. You were walking quietly before you heard a howl. It was quiet, but you could tell it was close. You didn’t hesitate to run in the direction it came from, you had your pistols loaded and knife brandished. You ran until you met the edge of the forest, Seungcheol right behind you. A few moments of silence as you caught your breath allowed you to hear a second howl, much closer, and you ran right into the brush. On the other side, it was dark, only the moon keeping the surroundings lit. Seungcheol said he’d go a different way, not through the brush just in case you needed an ambush.

Your eyes surveyed the trees around, until they landed on a rather large mass. It was heaving, clearly catching its breath. You slowly moved towards it, eyes straining to see in the darkness. Whatever was on the floor stirred and let out a low growl. Instantly, your vision zeroed in on its eyes, they were dark and reflected the moonlight, causing its irises to appear milky white. Then, you smelled the blood, and noticed the darker stains smeared across the dirt. Slowly, you put your knife down, then your gun. If Seungcheol saw you doing this, he’d flip out. To show you weren’t going to hurt it, you raised both hands in the air and approached the large wolf. It growled again before huffing, seeming to realize it’s forced threats would not make you stand down. You were searching for the source of the blood, a large wound judging by the amount of blood it had lost. Your eyes found it, a large gash on its chest and right arm. Quickly, you pulled off your scarf and reached out. You narrowly dodged the snapping jaws, before you decided to set the cloth on the floor. Slowly, you reached your right hand out, carefully, this time, before you felt impossibly soft fur. It was obsidian and reflected a lot of the light around you. This close, and you could tell that the werewolf easily was up to your shoulders.

Suddenly, the brush to your left bristled and you pulled your attention away from the werewolf in front of you. Just in time, too, to dodge another set of jaws aiming for your arm. You rolled backwards and took a fighting stance, only to realize you set your only weapons down a few meters back. This wolf was brown, and big, but not as big as the black one. It snarled at you, growling increasing in sound. It only stopped after the black one got up and shook itself off stiffly. It looked at you before gingerly picking the scarf up and slowly turning away. The brown wolf snarled at you once again before quickly following the other. You quickly rang up your partner, “Seungcheol? I found a wolf. He got away, but I don’t think this is the one we’re looking for.”

Seungcheol ordered you to meet him back where you’d split up. You wrestled yourself through the bushes before you came face to face with him. You both decided to take the rest of the night off. When you laid down, your eyes quickly began to slide shut before you entered the dream realm.

It was bright when you woke up, the soon was high in the sky when you roused. You could hear movement outside of your room, and assumed it was Seungcheol. You were surprised to see you had missed texts on your phone, and quickly, you unlocked it.

‘I’m heading out to gather more info and to listen to rumors.’ Seungcheol’s text read, ‘lock up and be careful, we’ll get back into the field tonight.’ You smiled at his thoughtfulness before instantly noticing that Seungcheol was most definitely not in the hotel suite, despite there being noise. You calmed yourself and grabbed one of your smallest blades before slowly opening the door to your room. You were shocked to see a tall man seated in the center of the main room, he was flipping through a magazine, from what you could tell. You tightened your grip on the dagger before taking a deep breath.

“Excuse me, but this suite is rented out, right now. There must be a mistake.” You called out quietly. He perked up and shut the magazine with a quick movement of his wrist. He stood up and turned to you.

“I know, and this isn’t a mistake.” His smile was wide, canines prominent. He looked at you expectantly. “Can I ask why you’re here? In the room I rented?” You shuffled your feet.

“Soonyoung let me in.” He said, a shrug in his shoulders. You paused. Soonyoung? Your face must have showed confusion because he spoke up again, “Oh, you didn't… know that he’s a werewolf, did you?”

You shook your head. He just came off as normal and held his job for as long as you’d been coming to the Ritz-Carlton. You shook your head to clear out your thoughts, trying to focus  on the stranger in front of you. “Who are you?”

The question seemed to surprise him. He looked unsure if he should answer before nodding, to himself mostly. “As far as I know, you’re supposed to introduce yourself before asking for someone’s name, but my name is Mingyu.” He looked at you like that was an answer enough. Then he pulled the scarf around his neck off. Instantly, you instantly recognized it was the one you almost always wore. You pause.

“You’re that werewolf. The one who was hurt last night.” He nods with a grin when you finally recognize him. He then speaks, “I came for two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to give this back. Secondly, I want to help you with your hunt.”

“Huh? You wanna help…why?” You looked at him with one eyebrow raised incredulously. He mirrored the look you were giving him, “Is it that weird to want to catch someone who’s practically a criminal? I mean, they are going around killing humans, they give us werewolves a bad image, and I have my own reasons.”

You studied him for a few seconds longer before he looked at the door, trepidation overcoming his expression. He looked around frantically, “I’ve definitely overstayed. I should’ve left earlier.”

You looked at him in confusion, but before you could ask what he meant, the door swung open and Seungcheol was standing in the opening with his left arm full of groceries. He looked up from pocketing the keycard, eyes quickly swapping between looking at you and looking at Mingyu.

In a motion almost too quick to follow, Seungcheol pulled out his quicksilver pistol and pointed it at the werewolf. Before anything else could happen, you jumped between the two with your arms out towards Seungcheol, “Wait, wait! Put your gun away!”

Seungcheol looked at you, but didn’t lower the weapon pointed at Mingyu,“(Y/N), who’s this?”

You really didn’t know how to answer without alarming Seungcheol even a little bit. “This is the werewolf I was telling you about last night.” Your partner’s eyes narrowed at Mingyu. Then he shrugged, “As long as you don’t try to kill us, I guess we’re fine.” He held the gun in place a few seconds longer than what was comfortable for both you and Mingyu.

The rest of the day passed awkwardly with a tense atmosphere. You took it upon yourself to actually introduce yourself properly to Mingyu. It was hard to focus on something when you had someone you really didn’t know in your temporary living quarters. You really only had to wait until nightfall before you could head out. Eventually, it was time to head out, and you could tell Seungcheol was still very wary of your new werewolf friend. Mingyu most certainly could tell and tried to distance himself from him, but he did stick close to you. When you exited the lobby of the hotel, Mingyu instantly took the lead. He headed into a mostly uninhabited outskirts of the city. It looked a little bit like a shanty town, and was quite unnerving on its own.

“I was following the werewolf. He frequently visits this area. And, he hardly moves around in his human form, almost always in his wolf form.” Mingyu motioned to a small building. Through the window, you could see it was empty, much like most of the surrounding homes. You did notice spots where the walls orfloor had claw shaped indentations, likely from your hunt. You stopped around in the small house before concluding that there wasn’t anything of use here. Seungcheol was waiting outside while you and Mingyu looked around, so you turned to the tall werewolf, “You weren’t joking around, right?”

He looked up from where he was crouched looking at papers, most of which had been blank. He set the stack of papers down to stand up at his full height, “I really don’t have a reason to lie.” His expression was now that of a slight pout, and you couldn’t help but find it a bit cute.

“Well, all right. I believe you.” You decided to say to him. His smile at you was a huge grin. He held your gaze for a few seconds before turning slightly to the door, “We should probably leave. It’s kind of uncomfortable here.”

You, Mingyu, and Seungcheol left the shanty town and returned to the suite you and your partner were stationed in. Mingyu made it clear he didn’t want to leave, but ultimately decided it was better than having Seungcheol stare down the barrel of his pistol at him. He left through the elevator with a wave, and you instantly felt drained. Mingyu had boundless energy, and you had to keep up with him. You were out like a light as soon as you settled down to sleep.

A week or so passed very similarly to this. Mingyu led you and Seungcheol around to different locations relevant to the werewolf you were hunting. He took you to a den in the forest, which seemed like it’s actual home, a few areas where the attack was not reported, how there were people missing when nobody noticed was beyond you.

Seungcheol, after the third day, began to show trust in Mingyu and decided to do his own research for a while. He was most likely going back to talk to Joshua, Jun, and Seungkwan. You convinced Seungcheol to let Mingyu take you somewhere for that day, and he surprisingly agreed. You were lost in thoughts, both about the hunt and the tall werewolf in front of you. He was pretty mysterious to you, having not shared much of his story, like you did yours. You were trying to figure him out and were shocked when you ran straight into his back.

“Oh, Mingyu, I was wondering where you’ve been going, isn’t that right, Chan!” A loud voice exclaimed in front you. A quieter voice insisted, “Seokmin, you’re being loud!”

“It’s good to see you, Seokmin, Chan.” Mingyu nodded, stance very relaxed. When you peeked over his shoulder, you saw three people in front of you. As soon as you looked at them, three pairs of eyes stared back. Mingyu’s shoulders deflated as one of them grew very excited looking.

“Before you ask, Seokmin, no, this is not my date.” Mingyu waved his hand like he was dismissing the idea. Seokmin, a man with dark hair and a pointy nose, looked visibly disappointed.

“Then, who…?” The youngest of the bunch - who you presumed was Chan - asked looking up at Mingyu. Mingyu looked back at you with a smile, “This is (Y/N). A… friend who’s going to be in town for a bit.”

Hearing him call you a friend was surprising and very gratifying. You smiled at them slightly, offering a small wave. The last one, the one who hadn’t spoke yet, studied you with an intense gaze. Then he looked to Seokmin and Chan, “You two head home.”

They both looked at him questioningly before nodding. Chan slightly led Seokmin with a slight shove. As they walked away, you could tell something happened.

“Not a friend.” Was all the other said. You looked at him in confusion. His eyes narrowed more than they were, “You’re that Hunter from the other night.”

You felt Mingyu stiffen up, “Wonwoo, look, I know you said to not get involved. But, (Y/N) is a good person.” Mingyu stepped to block your view of Wonwoo. He looked at you, a low growl under his words, “Do you know, then?”

Mingyu sighed and answered in your place, “Yes, I am a werewolf, Wonwoo. It’s pretty obvious.” Wonwoo looked at Mingyu, then at you. “Just be careful.” Something must have convinced Wonwoo enough to let you off the hook. Mingyu nodded at him before moving past him, you in tow. Wonwoo nodded at you before hurrying in the direction Chan and Seokmin headed.

“Wonwoo is just looking out for us. You know how us werewolves are treated.” He sadly smiled. You did know. Werewolves are used to concealing who they really are, they were once hunted for fear they would overcome humans and take over as the dominant species. They were looked at as uncontrollable monsters and that view was still extremely common in today’s society. “They see us as monsters.”

“Mingyu, trust me, I’ve seen monsters. You are nothing like them. I know that werewolves are actually some of the nicest people around.” He is looking at you in shock. You smile, “You definitely have nothing to worry about.”

Mingyu laughed softly, “Thanks, (Y/N).”

You and Mingyu decided to take a break from the chase and decided to just relax. You took a short walk before grabbing something to eat. He parted with you as soon as you were in the lobby of the hotel. You smiled as you recalled your day, and the elevator ride felt incredibly short. Before you could even touch the doorknob, it swung open and hit the wall behind it with a crack.

“Oh, good, there you are. C'mon, we gotta go.” Seungcheol rushed passed you, and you quickly followed. He continuously jabbed at the button for the ground floor until the doors closed. He turned to you, a fierce look in his eyes, “The wolf was spotted. Jihoon called and reported it moving south passed the café. Seungkwan texted me the same thing. I think it’s headed to the building your werewolf warned us about.”

You nodded, and mentally prepared yourself. It could get pretty crazy, especially if it was going berserk. You hoped that wasn’t the case. The elevator stopped and you ran with your partner to the street. You stopped a cab and told the driver the address of Jihoon and Jeonghan’s establishment. The ride was quiet and tense, only shuffling being heard from you and Seungcheol preparing all defense and weapons you had. After about half an hour, you arrived and hurried down the southbound road, moving as quietly as you were quickly.

The sun had set long before you and Seungcheol even reached the little shacks of the shanty town. You glanced around, attention split between trying to see in the dark and trying to move quietly enough to hear any sounds. As you stepped forward, a large trash can came crashing out from one of the side roads. Feet with claws could be heard moving along the cement of the alley. The steps were uneven and had a strange pace. Your breath caught in your throat when you saw the shaggy werewolf, it was large, clearly not any humanity remaining. It was on two legs, tail matted and dragging along behind it, it’s face was in a snarl. Instantly, its eyes landed on you and Seungcheol. You moved without thinking, Seungcheol doing the same. He shot two of the quicksilver bullets and rolled to the side as it slammed its fist where he’d been standing. You didn’t waste any time, and did the same. It roared in anger and turned to you, the bloodshot eyes were scarlet with anger. Its jaws opened in a loud growl, the surrounding fur a permanent reminder of the crimson blood it consumed from its victims. You froze up, you’d never fought a berserk werewolf. Its clawed hand shot out to grab you, and you quickly tried to shoot at it, to stop it. Seungcheol was yelling your name, and you expected to feel pain, but it didn’t make it to you.

The wolf let out a horrendous shriek as a big black wolf bit into its dense forearm. It swung its arm out and the wolf was flung from its arm. Mingyu landed with a dull thud and a whine. He got up and shook off, reminiscent of the first time you found him. He huffed at you, eyes full of tease. You rolled your eyes and focused your efforts on trying to shoot the lumbering monster without hitting Mingyu and Seungcheol. Surprisingly, it was much faster than you anticipated. You were barely able to dodge its attacks. It was obvious that the thing had a lot of energy and was more evident with how you and Seungcheol were beginning to slow down.

You dodged one arm, only to be hit with its other. You disgracefully tumbled a few feet. Seungcheol fired a few more shots and Mingyu snarled louder than before. You sat up, ignoring the ringing in your ears in favor of standing up. The beast look overwhelmed as it dealt attacks that didn’t land. It was extremely frustrated when you joined the fight again, it’s eyes landed on Seungcheol who was in the middle of reloading his gun. It snatched him up into the air, and roared at you - a dare. You fired a few shots and almost tripped when you went to take a step. The werewolf saw the moment of your weakness and discarded Seungcheol behind it in a swift toss. He landed in a roll and whipped around to help you, wincing at the pain that shot through him. The wolf charged at you, jaws open for the kill.

Mingyu joined the fray again, grabbing the wolf at the neck with a wicked snarl. He dragged it to the ground, it retaliated with a precise swipe at his chest. Mingyu growled in pain as he released it. Quickly, it was back up on its feet.

It halted all movements. That response threw you and Seungcheol for a loop. Mingyu didn’t waste time and sprinted to you and tugged harshly at your clothes, causing you to tumble backwards. Seungcheol got the idea and hopped a few steps back and dove into a ditch caused by the hunt’s massive fists.

All you saw a flurry of motions right above you and Mingyu before everything settled. The werewolf howled in misery before collapsing. The clouds covered the moon, the whole area only being touched by shadows. When the moonlight touched the earth, it lit up an old lady where the werewolf had been. In your shock, you hadn’t heard the sound of Mingyu transforming until he grunted from next to you.

“Mingyu, are you okay?” He grunted and pressed his hand to his chest. The wound wasn’t deep, but it still hurt him. He nodded and reached out for you. His hand hovered near your face before settling on your shoulder. “You took some hits, too, (Y/N). Are you okay?”

“Aside from a few bruises and scratches, I’m okay. ” Mingyu nodded and continued looking at you, he was trying to hide his smile by biting his lip. From the corner of your eye, you could see Seungcheol helping the frail lady. Your attention snaps back to Mingyu when he huffs in laughter. He smiles fondly at you, “You should help your friend.” You looked down and nodded. You walked a few steps before you turned to thank Mingyu. You felt disappointment shoot through your nerves when he wasn’t there. You hid your frown when you turned to face Seungcheol.

The little old lady you rescued thanked you profusely for helping her. She said she knew she was doing terrible things, but couldn’t grasp her control. She had been a prisoner in her own body. She said she doesn’t know what brought it on, and that just left a bigger, unsolved mystery. She was reported as missing by her husband, and when they were reunited, she shed tears of sorrow and tears of happiness.

Most people are afraid of werewolves, but they are just like every one of us. They can feel love, sadness, joy, and can communicate their feelings just as easily as any other species. You pondered that train of thought before there was a knock at the door. Seungcheol called from the other room, “Could you get that, (Y/N)?”

You opened the door to a very exuberant looking Mingyu. He looked anxious when you opened the door. “Hey, (Y/N)!” You were wholly surprised. He continues, “I know you’re probably busy, but would you like to get some dinner? With me?” He held out a small bouquet of colorful flowers.

“I thought you were gone for good.” You said, a bit exasperated. “But I’m glad you came back. Really glad.”

Mingyu knew what you actually meant. Anything between a supernatural and human was seen as weird, but certainly as weird as a werewolf and a hunter.

Mingyu looked sheepish before holding his hand out to you, laughing freely, “I’m pretty sure there’s a saying out there that goes ‘love makes you do crazy things’.” He laughed happily as you pulled him into a hug.

[ashleighxx]

There's a time and place to die, but this ain't it.

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well... Im gonna get around to finish reading all your lovely drabbles and klaroline art very soon, but I have been very rushed off my feet by demanding little kiddies... Here is my gift for the amazing ABBY! @3tinkgemini 

Klaus held yet another monthly faction meeting since he came to New Orleans over a year ago. He had come to seek powerful witches to raise his brother Kol, who had died back in Mystic Falls at the hands of the Gilbert hunter, and to reacquaint himself as King of New Orleans after leaving the city in safe hands in Marcel’s care. The witches were a bit wary and cautious of his demands but nonetheless, his baby brother was brought back to the family, causing carnage in his wake.  

Klaus suddenly stopped talking mid speech, mid pace, and dropped to the floor, the echo of his knees colliding with concrete filling the silence of the room. His right hand came to his chest, clutching at his grey henley, panting hard, gasping for breath. Trying to fill his burning lungs with the very air he didn't even need to survive anymore. He felt every ounce of life, of light, of love leave him in the piercing cold darkness.

The blood rushing in his ears drowned the concerned voices of his siblings, so much so that he only managed to see blurry figures flash over to him, Rebekah holding on to his shoulders, mouth opening and closing but he couldn't grasp on reality enough to hear what she said.

The room was growing heavy and dark, and the little he could see was a swirling spiral of colours.

As quick as it came over him, the darkness left him, bringing his hearing and life back into a dull existence. The light in the room was the same but his long life and artistic attention to details told him that the tone of colour he once knew was a few subtle shades more bland.

Klaus finally heard his sister’s and brother’s calls of concern, the ‘what’s going on?’, ‘what’s happening to him?’, ‘help him’ finally reaching him, calling him fully out of whatever had overcome him.

He went to stand up, to tell them he was okay, to demand to know what witch dared try to cast a spell on him, to kill them in retaliation, when his femur cracked under pressure.

Crashing back to the floor, he looked up at his sister in confusion, who stared back at him in horror. His other leg broke into pieces before his shoulders arched in pain, his answering howl bouncing around his home.

He was transforming into his wolf.

Determined not to go through the agonizing change, he tried to will his bones to change back, to stay in his human form. He was in a battle within himself, his mind demanding to stave off the change, but his wolf was stubborn and wanted to protect him.

To protect his heart.

His soul.

He finally put the pieces together, he understood what was going on.

She was gone.

Dead.

His wolf was turning from the death of his mate and he managed to croak out her name to Rebekah before letting go, growling in torment. His clothes tore into pieces, claws elongated from his fingertips and soft, grey fur covered his bare skin, his eyes becoming golden as his wolf was finally set free.

-

There wasn't much that had scared Rebekah throughout her long existence, her immortality ensuring she was the bigger threat. But watching her brother collapse without warning, no stench of magic in the air, had her own heart clutch in fear for him. She watched helplessly as his pain-filled eyes dimmed of all life, much worse than if he were turning the ever-elusive switch off that young vampires liked to pretend they had. She stood back as soon as she saw her brother change into his wolf, enough to be there for him but far enough to flash away if she needed to, not sure if he would recognise her. Nik surprised her though, looking at her sorrowfully before fleeing, Elijah hot on his heels like the ever dutiful brother. He would clean up after their brother while she would hold the fort here. "Well I take it the meeting is postponed. Off you go." She dismissed the witches, needing the seclusion to phone for information. She had no idea why her brother would mention her now - after all, they had left that awful, cursed town a year ago and to her knowledge he’d had no contact with the residents. The witches started to leave but Marcel and the wolf girl, Hayley, held back. She knew Marcel was just as curious as he was concerned for her brother but Rebekah had no idea why the wolf would stay. "I think I know what may be going on with Klaus." "Tell me," Rebekah demanded. She needed to know what was going on, and if the little wolf pup could shed some light, she could be more help to her brother. "It's rare-" Hayley started. "What is?" Rebekah butted in, her impatience showing. She had no time for stories. "Mates. Wolves are gifted with mates. Alphas mainly, but some betas and omegas are lucky enough to have them." "What does that have to do with Nik?" "If you let me finish," she paused, "whoever she is, he just felt his mate die." Rebekah was shocked. How had she never been aware that her brother could not only be susceptible to having a mate but to have one too. Could the blonde, baby vampire be his mate? She needed to find out if she had indeed died before she could have her proper answers. "Thank you for your information, but if you..." "I would never. No matter how many wrongdoings he has done, wolves would never go after mates or sell them out. We are as protective to other packs as we are to our own. Like I said, they are rare and we don't take them for granted. No matter the sins of the wolf who had one." She stood defiantly, her words ringing with truth. "Clear off then, I have a brother to help." Hayley nodded and walked out of the house, leaving Rebekah, Kol and Marcel alone. Rebekah swirled in Marcel's direction ready to dismiss him, threaten him, or both - she hadn't decided yet - but he beat her to it. "I'm here to help. I've told Joshua to keep the vampires at bay, not to attack any wolves and that if they see him, to let me know of his whereabouts. Hayley knows to do the same for the wolves. It's just the witches you need to be careful of, but I'm sure your very own witch siren could play his part," the vampire said. "Very well." She was grateful for his quick thinking while she had Hayley talk her ear off. "Kol, you know what to do. And should you kill anyone, you’re dealing with both Elijah and Nik. If whatever that wolf said was true, Nik will need as much power to bring her back as he can. Be careful." "I'm always careful, dear sister." Kol flashed off, ready to seduce his way to find any signs of betrayal and uprisings. Rebekah bent down towards the pile of tattered fabric that was once on her brother to find his phone, hoping he didn't have a passcode on it, and luckily enough, as she turned the device on it was unlocked. She flicked through his contacts to see a number under CF. Clicking the contact, the phone rang and rang before reaching voicemail. Hanging up, she scrolled through to find Stefan’s contact details and she thought she could chance reaching out to him. "Not now Klaus, we have too much going on here to deal with you too," he answered. She could tell he had been crying by the tone of voice he was using. "Well aren't you lucky it’s me then. I need to speak with Caroline." "You can't at the moment." "Why not?" She pressed. "Um, she's kind of not here right now." He tried to avoid the question. He knew she could detect lies and she knew he was trying to avoid the reality of the situation. "No worries, I can wait for her to return." "You may be waiting a while." His voice quieted a few notches, thick with sadness. "I know. I just needed confirmation. You’re going to have to bring her down to New Orleans as soon as possible. We have covens upon covens that can band together and bring her back. The sooner the better, Stefan." "How?" "Nik and his little spies everywhere. Don't make him tear your tiny pathetic town to pieces to get her." "But we have a lot going on here.." "No excuses. We don't need the whole rag team. You'll do just fine. I'm sure your brother can hold the fort for a little while," she mocked, hanging up on the younger Salvatore, not giving him a chance to argue. Her and Marcel worked around each other in silence. He had gone to set up some fresh clothing and some much needed alcohol for when Klaus changed back into his human form. She needed to prepare the guest room for her brother’s arrival. And his mate’s. -

Elijah had followed Niklaus to the Bayou. He kept his distance as the wolf hunted deer, rabbit and some fox; thankfully no humans were about for them to become target of his brother’s callousness.

After a few hours of hunting, his brother’s hunger dissipating, the wolf settled down and began to whine at the rising moon. A few bobcats and coyotes responded in kind, not that most humans nor vampires would be able to hear. Elijah’s hearing had been tuned in to detect anyone coming near.

Elijah waited patiently as the sun began to rise again when his phone rang, disturbing both the peaceful nature and Niklaus. Rebekah  was calling to let him know the Bennett witch was nearby and he needed to get the wolf to change back into their brother.

Upon hearing some kind of news, Klaus, still in his wolf form sprinted his way back to their home, Elijah in pursuit. He was met by his siblings and Marcel in the family room, trying not to listen to the cracking of bones, and growls turning into human whimpers of pain. He poured himself and his brother a glass of bourbon in time for said brother, clothed, to receive his glass.

Downing the drink, he reached for his phone from Rebekah and dialed a contact, reaching the voicemail of Stefan Salvatore. Pacing, the whole room was eerily quiet except the echo of Niklaus’ footsteps and the phone ringing.

Calling Stefan, yet again with no answer, a knock sounded through the Mikaelson’s home, revealing Bonnie as Klaus eagerly opened it.

“Where is she?” Niklaus demanded.

“Right here mate. Thought it be best not to draw attention our way.” A British, male, voice spoke up instead of the Bennett witch. He stepped into their home cradling a body close to him, wrapped up in a soft blanket, blonde hair covering her face. To anyone it looked as if she was cradled in a lover’s embrace, sleeping.

Niklaus instantly took her body away from the dark-haired vampire and stepped back further into the house in order to let the two new guests enter. He flashed off up stairs for a brief moment, reappearing without the girl.

“Now explain who you are and what took you so long to get here.”

“Name’s Enzo,” the male introduced himself, bowing ever so slightly with some semblance of respect.

“I needed to prepare her body for the spell. I needed to make a healing salve for her heart to heal in preparation for the spell to bring her back,” Bonnie explained.

“And you couldn't do that here?”

“And make you wait longer for her return?” she bit back. “I thought with the long journey ahead of us to get here, the healing would nearly be complete. It only took us an extra hour. Was it wrong of me to give us the head start?” The witch raised her eyebrow in question, stopping his brother from replying. Obviously he was in agreement with her methods.

Miss Bennett proceeded to send the male vampire, Enzo, to grab her items from their car and was led into the family room. There she explained what transpired to lead to Miss Forbes’ untimely death and a few options she had in mind for her resurrection.

“My magic won't allow me to bring her back as she is, of course, a vampire. If she were human, I could have done it with some consequences like with Jeremy. Also, if the Other Side was still there and I were still the anchor, then I could have had someone else do the ritual and open the rift enough to let her pass back,” the witch carefully explained, trying not to set off Niklaus’ temper. “That limits the already limited options. So if you have any idea of a powerful object to tie her spirit, her life to then we can use that.”

“How powerful?” Kol questioned her. He knew the most elaborate spells and types of magic out of the family.

His knowledge would be helpful indeed, Elijah thought to himself. “Extremely, and very stable too. Her life would be tied to it. If that powerful object is destroyed, then so shall she.”

“Me.” Niklaus whispered. “I'm the most powerful creature to roam the Earth, immortal at that. Even more so if you find a way to destroy the spell my mother cast on that stake.”

“You have a lot of enemies though. You die and she’ll go right with you,” Bonnie said, her voice raised at Klaus’ idea.

“Do you not forget she’d die anyway? What with sirelines and all.”

“But if I tie her life to yours, she can’t die until you die. Or the object is destroyed,” Bonnie voiced her concerns.

“Not even a stake to the heart, head chopped off?” Kol enquired, a curious glint in his eyes.

Bonnie nodded her confirmation.

“Even better then. Tie, her life, to mine.” He demanded.

“I need a place of power to do the ritual, a graveyard, or a site where there's been a massacre?”

“Lafayette Cemetery. I can ask D to let us in,” Marcel chimed in with his suggestion, taking his phone out of his back pocket after Niklaus nodded.

-

Before Bonnie headed over to do the ceremony, she needed to check to see if Caroline’s heart had healed fully. The other flesh could heal once she’d returned and blood was in her system. Bonnie had asked for Rebekah's assistance, surprising them both, but she needed the vampire strength to turn the body over. She had been right to wait the extra hour to start on the healing balm, the journey had given them the head start they needed and the organ was now healed. Rebekah had brought some fresh clothing and suggested they change her outfit, one more fitting to be seen in front of others. Bonnie thought it was more for her brother’s emotional state than anything, but she didn't mind. She was actually glad she didn't have to see any evidence of her best friend’s death, so she helped tug on the white, flowy dress over the grey, ashen skin. There hadn't been enough time to register what had happened before Stefan had a phone call from the original sister demanding Caroline's body. Damon didn’t want to risk leaving Elena alone with the heretics around town and Stefan needed to stay to keep his mother distracted. Stefan had asked Enzo to take her to New Orleans, not that Bonnie minded, having grown closer to the vampire. He had really been a good friend to Caroline lately in her absence in the prison world, so she knew he wanted to be there for whatever Klaus wanted to do. Knowing the power that Louisiana drew, the amount of covens that lived in the state, and the fact of Klaus' obsession with her friend when he had been in town, Bonnie deduced that he wanted to bring her back to life. So on the drive, she studied her grimoire for any ways to revive Caroline. It wouldn't be easy, but she didn't want any other witch to do this job, someone she didn't know, didn't trust. As much has she hated Klaus and the Original family, other witches could loathe him more, enough to destroy any sort of happiness he could have, and if messing with brining Caroline back could hurt him, they probably would intervene. Knowing she would have a long, draining night ahead of her, Bonnie, under Enzo's orders, had made sure she caught a few hours sleep on the way. Gathering her strength to prepare for the long day ahead of her.

She made her way downstairs where the dark-skinned vampire, Marcel, escorted her and Enzo, her box of supplies and grimoire in hand, to the cemetery. He mentioned there would be a witch there to help her set up the ritual site for tonight and to invite Enzo inside.

As soon as she stepped onto the site after introductions were made, she was instantly hit with a wave of power. The young witch, Marcel’s friend - Davina - eyed Bonnie.

“Can you feel the ancestors?” She asked, curious.

“No. The tragic deaths that has happened on the grounds.”

Even though it was a cemetery that held mainly witches, it was the raw power of devastating deaths that had happened on the grounds itself that she was more consumed with. She knew this was a great place to bring her friend back, just as long as the local covens didn't interrupt or interfere.

Davina implied that they would be left alone tonight, only her and another warlock, Vincent, who was also the regent of all the covens to observe. Obviously not trusting the Mikaelsons, but not wanting to stop a fellow witch, even if it would help Klaus in the process.

The four of them found a large enough space to draw a salt circle and pentagram that would hold both Caroline and Klaus inside. Candles had been placed around the circle on the floor and scattered on tombs ready for her to light when everyone was gathered.

Just as she opened the box she brought down with her to get her grimoire out to check over the spell the Mikaelsons found them. Klaus cradled Caroline in his arms. Bonnie hadn't noticed the sun had set, the cemetery encased in darkness, as she had been too busy focusing on preparations.

She gestured now to Klaus, steering him and Caroline into the circle and she told him to lay beside her. Stepping into the circle, she walked over to Caroline’s body first, moving one of the hands placed over her chest and bringing it down to the floor, close to Klaus. Bonnie then took Klaus’ hand and placed it next to Caroline’s.

The Bennett witch took out the blade from her witch’s chest and explained to Klaus that she would have to cut Caroline's palm, then his, to join them as one. That if the spell was working, his blood would be drawn into Caroline, leaving him dessicated and that Caroline would be brought back. Explaining the last detail would be the consequence. If Caroline didn’t feed Klaus the blood that ran through her veins, then her spirit would wither away. If she did feed him her blood in return, the ritual would be complete and she would be bound to the hybrid.

Stepping back outside, Bonnie lit the remaining candles around the circle, the ones on the tombstones already lit.

She took a deep breath and started to chant lowly, absorbing the power around her more and more the louder she got.

Spiritus venti,

Spiritus sub pedibus nostris,

Spiritus animari!

Caroline’s body was slowly obtaining its pinky colour, Klaus’ turning grey in turn. The spell was working, taking its time, and Bonnie started to feel the power wear out. Her hand stretched in front of her, palms up and shaking under the strain of the spell. She knew the two bystanders wouldn't help her out, but a hand being placed inside hers firmly drew her attention up to hazel eyes.

“Channel me, darling.” Kol prompted as she stood there staring at him.

With new vigor and added power, she continued to chant.

Spiritus venti,

Spiritus sub pedibus nostris,

Spiritus animari!

With a startled gasp followed by a strangled scream, Caroline was brought back to life.

-

She woke up screaming, eyes scrunched closed, clawing at her own skin before she could vaguely hear chanting. Hear the crackling of fire, felt its heat around her. Sense his presence next to her. Taking a few calming breaths, Caroline opened her eyes to a strange and terrifying sight. Klaus was dead, or as dead as the original hybrid could be. He had no blood, marks or holes in his chest after a quick glance over, but it seemed he was desiccated. Instinctively, she pulled her wrist towards her mouth and tore into her pale flesh. She shuffled the small distance to his body and pushed her bloody wound into his mouth, feeling his tongue respond to her taste. His grey skin turned pink as his veins filled anew with her blood. The top half of her body collapsed over his body, her hair covering her face from prying eyes as she tried to tame her inner turmoil. She had no idea where she was. No idea what had happened to Klaus. All she could manage right now was to feel his tongue against her torn flesh, pulling mouthfuls of blood until he was satisfied. His trembling hand brushed through her blonde waves, parting them so he could touch her skin, see her eyes. "It worked. You’re alive," she heard him whisper in awe, drawing her eyes to his in shock. What did he mean by alive? She thought. When did I die? No sooner had the thought rushed into her mind when she remembered what had happened.

The gang had finally defeated Kai, a little setback with Elena being in a magical coma, but she had every confidence that the Salvatores and Bonnie would defeat the odds, as usual, and find the loophole to nature's balance.

They thought that they could concentrate on the spell, but the very next day, Mama Salvatore decided to wage war on Mystic Falls with her band of Heretics.

The town square was littered in dead bodies, blood staining the concrete under the victims she had grown up with. Had welcomed to the community. Had waved hello to in many of the town events.

She wasn’t too concerned with all the Salvatore family drama, she was heart broken for her childhood town and she wanted the heretics gone, dead or alive, she did not mind at all.

That’s what led Caroline to side with Damon, of all people, to help kill his mother, but like all plans the elder Salvatore concocted, it all went down hill.

Fast.

An unexpected stake to the heart and Caroline had watched the life fade away from her and descended into the cold.

The fiery heat that she first awoke to had faded at some point, and Caroline knew there were others around her. But all she knew, all she wanted, all she needed was to be wrapped up in Klaus. She brought her face closer to his, and his lips met hers as she tried to convey how sorry she was. Sorry she was terrified. Sorry she hadn’t come to him sooner. Sorry she’d died. Thankful he had somehow brought her back. Thankful that they could have that opportunity of being each other's last loves. Caroline didn't realise she had started to cry until his thumb wiped away a tear that escaped. They had stopped kissing and she leant her forehead against his, still determined not to leave his warmth for fear she’d return to the piercing, cold, dark otherworld she’d ended up in, now that the Other Side was gone. 

REVIEW HERE :) 

[btsruinedme]

Miracle

Pairing: Joshua x You Genre: Angst Word count: 1k

A/N: haven’t posted a fic in a while, sorry for that. Been busy with some…other things (irl things). So yeah, here’s a cold one for yah *wink wink* sorry. Also, this bit might’ve been an inspiration to annoy my friend so, hi @junegrayson xD

You were driving on your way to work on a snowy night. Your boss had called you out on your day off and asked if you could tap in, there were a lot of customers streaming in and your colleagues did not have enough manpower to handle it. The snowfall was raining hard that your windshield was practically covered in white every 2 minutes. You could feel the gravel road frozen over against the rubber as your car constantly swerved but it was manageable.

You could see the warm air as you took a breath, but it soon dissipates into the cold. The car heater was set to lowest medium, you couldn’t risk losing battery in the middle of this blizzard and so you fought against the freezing weather. As you drove on down the road into town, you could see other vehicles pass by yours as they made their way to their own destinations. Your eyes focused on the road ahead until you felt soft vibrations from the seat beside you. Glancing over, your phone was ringing and you could make out the word, ‘Joshua’, your boyfriend’s name with hearts on each end, flashing across the screen. Connecting your phone to Bluetooth, you answered the call with a smile, “Hello”.

-

It was just after recording his lines in the new song that he decided to call you. Leaning back in his chair, the phone rang once, twice, three times before you finally picked up, “Hello”. “Hey babe” hearing your voice made him smile, but soon disappeared when he heard the faint sounds of car horns and tires against gravel in the background, “Are you driving? In this weather?!” his voice was full of worry. “Yeah, my boss called and he needed me at work, full house apparently”, he could make out a low laugh from the other line. “Is that so, then maybe I should call later, when you’re finished driving”, “No, its fine, and besides, I wanted to hear your voice, it calms me.” you put it so bluntly that he couldn’t help but feel flustered.

“Well, if you put it like that” he tried acting cooly but his cheeks were heating up and his insides were filled with butterflies. The both of you just had idle chit chat, how his new song was coming along and how you were doing at your own work. Whilst this was happening, he pulled his coat tighter around him as he started to feel the weather from within his studio, “Are you warm? I hope you’re not getting cold out there”, he said and he heard your hum in reply, “I’m fine, its quite warm”. “Good, wouldn’t want you getting sick now” he said, a smile playing on his lips, “Aww, but if I get sick, you’re there to take care of me, right?” he could make out the playfullness from your voice, “Of course.” he chuckled.

“By the way, where are you right now?” he asked, “I’m near my workplace now, just a couple more bloc- oh my god!”. your voice sounded shocked and hysteric. He was taken aback when you didn’t say anything more.

The last thing he had heard was a loud crash at the other end of the line before the call ended.

The moment the end call had registered in his mind he dropped everything he was doing and bolted. He didn’t bother to change his clothes, he just grabbed his keys and ran for his car. The sound of the keys jingled as he looked for the right one, finally he got in. But the car took a while to start, Joshua was panicking by now, his hands were shaking as he desperately tried to remain calm. His teeth chattered while he silently prayed you were fine. He practically screamed for joy when the car finally roared to life.

He stepped on the gas as he veered onto the road and sped towards the highway, just one thing repeatedly playing on his mind, 'Please, don’t be dead.’

He was nearing your workplace and he could spot flashes of red and blue. Cars were blocked off from passing as police rounded the area with safety cones. The blood drained from his face as he recklessly stomped on the brakes and got out of his car, not bothering to close the door behind him. “Please don’t be dead.” he was frantic.

Joshua ran for the place where the police stood, he didn’t care about the loud car horns honking at him as he ran past the streets and busy roads, barely stopping himself from slipping due to the frozen roads. He didn’t even give a single glance when someone called out his name. All he wanted to know is that you were okay, he didn’t care about anything else.

He was near, he could make out police talking in jargon as their backs were turned. 'Almost there’ he thought, but he was stopped when a car suddenly drove past right in front of him, his mind buffered when he noticed a lot of oncoming cars. He had no choice but to wait until the cars had passed. But as he stood on the sidewalk he surveyed ahead across the road, frantically looking left and right, looking for you. Then his eyes landed on your figure in the distance. You were standing with your back facing him, he could make out a blanket over your shoulders as he tried to catch his breath.

He called out your name but the car horns blocked him out. He called again and you reacted. He screamed once more and you finally turned around. There, his eyes met yours and the entirety of his body relaxed when he saw you were fine. The road opened and he didn’t waste a second to run to you as you did the same. He felt happy when he saw your smile. He couldn’t wait to feel you in his embrace, he couldn’t wait to tell you that everything was going to be okay.

Though he wondered, why you had suddenly stopped. Why your smile was gone. Why you were crying. Why you were screaming.

It was then he felt a shot of pain from his side. His eyes looked down and he questioned why he was lying on the ground. His right cheek grazed against the hard pavement as he saw you make your way towards him. Seeing you made him want to hug you, but he couldn’t get up, it was as if his whole body has fallen asleep.

Then he spotted a car in the middle of the street, a very obvious dent right on its front. He added one and two together then-

’Oh.’ he thought to himself and mentally chuckled to himself.

“I- I, my legs- I can’t..” his throat clogged as he tried to speak and soon after, he had started coughing. Coughing out blood. You were beside him now and he couldn’t be any happier. “Why-why’re you cryi-” he couldn’t finish as he went into another coughing fit. He stared at you as he tried to stop coughing until his vision had gotten blurry and he couldn’t keep his eyes open. “No, no, no. Don’t please. Stay with me.” he heard you and he tried his best to look at you but it was getting difficult as time went by. Then he felt hands lift him up and placed him down again, he saw the night sky change to a white ceiling of a van as he was pulled into the ambulance. It relaxed him when he felt your hand in his.

The loud sirens of the ambulance were flushed out as he focused on you, and only you. He felt your warm hands tightly holding onto his and he felt secure, safe.

-

“I’m glad you’re okay.” his voice was low and weak, there was red on his teeth. He was bathed in sweat and he looked like he was in anguish but he smiled nonetheless.

“Yes, I’m fine.” you tried to make him stop talking but your tears couldn’t stop overflowing.

“Really, I’m glad.” his hand felt cold as you squeezed it.

“Don’t die on me- Please.” you whispered as you kissed his hand before letting him go, watching the doctor and some nurses rush him into the ER. You were sobbing alone in a waiting room, it was quiet. Your cries echoed, slowly and slowly you felt like you were being strangled.

Your tears continued to flow no matter how much you wanted to stop crying.

Praying to god for him to be okay, but you know deep inside that it didn’t look good. You knew, yet you kept on believing, believing a miracle will happen.

But it never did.

[monstabaebae]

Bullet For the Night

Requested by @sapphirebluemt​, who asked for Minhyuk x Monsta X’s OI! I hope you like this love, and I hope you enjoy the way he tells his story in this fic! :D Characters: Minhyuk, Hyungwon + Seventeen Song: OI by Monsta X Genre: Gang AU, slight violence and language. Plot: Minhyuk does everything he can to support his little sister, even if that means becoming the scum of the street. Word Count: 2k

Credits to the gif maker! :D

The sun was beginning to set on the Seoul skyline, basking the busy streets and dark alleyways in a golden pink light. Everyone was coming home from either work or school, the stresses of the day melting with the growing twilight.

Dressed in a black hoodie and tattered jeans, a teenage boy ran along a dark alleyway with a weak amount of light. His face was red and his breathing is heavy, streaks of sweat coating his brow as he turned the corner into a small tavern.

Once inside, he tugged his hood off, trying to catch his breath. Inside the store, the staff looked up in alarm before dropping their guard with a grin. The boy laughed breathlessly as a tall boy with plump lips clapped his shoulder.

“Didn’t think you’d make it back in one piece, Minhyuk.” The tall boy smiled lightly, nudging the boy with his shoulder.

Laughing boyishly, Minhyuk rolled his eyes. “You have no faith in me, Hyungwon. I honestly wonder how I can still call you my best friend.”

“Because I take care of your sorry ass and make sure nothing happens to you when you’re out on jobs. You should be thankful for me.” Hyungwon boasted, his eyebrows wiggling playfully.

Minhyuk stuck his tongue out before stepping away from his friend to go to the counter of the bar, where the boss was waiting. Emptying his pockets, the raven-haired boy set large stacks of bills onto the wooden surface, along with a bloodied piece of denim on top.

“I got the payment from Jeonghan and his weak gang. Made sure to teach them a lesson too. They won’t be bothering you anytime soon.” Minhyuk stated, his voice low and his eyes dark, a drastic change from his expression only moments ago.

The boss smirked, his handsome face curled into one of bad intentions. “Well done, Minhyuk. For someone so small and fragile looking, I’m surprised you’ve lasted in this gang as long as you have.”

“Whatever it takes to pay the bills.” Minhyuk hummed, his eyes expressionless as he flipped his hair from his eyes. “Speaking of which, I haven’t gotten paid.”

“Ah, of course.” The man reached into his pocket, pulling out a small stack of money and handing it to the younger. When Minhyuk opened his mouth to protest, the boss cut him off. “You need to learn how to steal more. I shouldn’t be giving this to you if you can’t be a proper thief.”

Not saying a word, Minhyuk took the money and walked out of the bar without a word. Behind him, Hyungwon was grinning.

“Man, Jeonghan must be so pissed that you jumped him. Was he easy to take down?” The taller boy laughed, slinging an arm around Minhyuk’s shoulders.

The smaller man fell silent, his eyes on his shoes as he shrugged. “He was scared shitless. I just took the money and knocked him with a bottle on his back. Then I ran.”

Hyungwon paused, his smile fading as he looked over his best friend with a blank gaze. “Minhyuk…”

Minhyuk usually didn’t talk about his missions. You never knew who could be eavesdropping, or who wanted revenge. Also, the gang already didn’t like Minhyuk and found him weak. He couldn’t let the way he handled his jobs be exposed, they would cut him faster than he could blink.

Hyungwon had tried multiple times to get Minhyuk to quit, but each member had done a blood pact when entering. You had to do whatever the boss said, and do it before the sun went down that evening. Minhyuk never failed a mission, not once, and although it should be a good thing, his friend was worried.

“I have to do this… You know that.” Minhyuk murmured, throwing his hands into his pockets. With a frustrated sigh, he looked up at the clouds above. “I have to take care of Minah…”

Minhyuk came from a tough family, but it wasn’t the worst-case scenario. Most of the gang members were either runaways or lived on the streets. Minhyuk lived with his single mother and his six-year-old sister, and was attending college. He was hardly ever home because of his gang activities, and his mother always called him a deadbeat like his dad, but he continued to do his best to make as much money as possible, for his little sister’s sake.

“She’ll be fine! You can’t keep doing this, Minhyuk. You’re going to get yourself killed! You can’t even fight properly without feeling bad…” Hyungwon hissed through gritted teeth, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He wanted to scream, but the rest of the gang might overhear.

Taking a deep breath, Minhyuk forced out a soft laugh, although it sounded like a weak croak. “I’ll be fine. I always am.” Glancing at his phone, he avoided his friends’ gaze. “I have to get going. The convenience store calls.”

Hyungwon sighed, knowing he lost this battle yet again. “Want me to walk you there?”

“I’m okay.” Minhyuk hummed, giving his friend a hug on the arm. He put on his cutest smile and winked. “I’ll be back later. Get home safe.” Hiding his face under his hood, he ran out of the alleyway and back into the main part of the city.

Most of the traffic that was present only an hour before, had dispersed and gone home for the night. Minhyuk hummed lightly, making sure to take note of his surroundings as he made his way to his part-time job.

Once he made it safely inside, he bowed to his manager and ran into the bathroom to change into his uniform. The job was very quiet, and he hardly ever saw anyone he knew from his gang or any rivaling gangs. He was safe, but always cautious, having always been the type to hate surprises.

He walked over to his place behind the register, signing into the POS and pulling out his math textbook. He had a test coming up in a few days and he had to be ready.

A few hours went by, only a few customers coming in and out with small purchases and some lottery tickets. Minhyuk was relaxed, the events from earlier left his heart shaking in fear. He thought he had almost killed Jeonghan, having known the boy for so many years. He never thought he would’ve had to steal from the younger and hurt him, he felt sick to his stomach at what he had done.

He gripped the collar of his shirt, trying to control his breathing. It was only going to get worse from here. He was going to go from stealing, to selling drugs, to eventually killing people. He didn’t want this, but he was already in too deep. And Minah… He had to be strong for her, he could do this, as long as she was okay.

His thoughts were suddenly put to a halt, as the doors to the store shot open. A group of boys, their faces covered in black masks, approached Minhyuk with knives. He instantly grabbed the bat from beside the register, holding it in a defensive position.

“What the hell do you’re doing?!” He yelled, trying to make out a distinct face from their eyes alone. They all had to be around 18, much younger than him. What sort of business did he have with a bunch of kids?

“You beat up Jeonghan. So, we’re here to get even.” One of them laughed, stepping closer to lunge at Minhyuk with the knife.

The elder quickly evaded, trying to block the other with the bat to avoid getting hit and attempt to push the boy off. “Get even? If you have trouble with me kicking his ass, think long and hard about why I did it. You stole that money, I was taking what belonged to my boss.”

“I don’t care about that. I just want to mess you up for hurting my boyfriend.” The boy sneered, pulling his mask down to reveal his face.

Minhyuk nearly choked in surprise, letting his defense down for a moment and earning a swipe to the cheek with his knife. “Letting your defenses down? That’s not very intelligent, Minhyuk hyung. You’re gonna get yourself killed, making mistakes like that.”

Minhyuk wiped his face, his heart shaking in his chest, He recognized the boy as his classmate and old friend, Joshua. He had forgotten that the boy was even in Jeonghan’s gang, let alone dating the said boy. What a stupid mistake he had made, going after Jeonghan.

“Is… Is Jeonghan oaky?” Minhyuk whispered, holding that bat up once more. He wished Hyungwon was with him, this would’ve ended as quickly as it had started.

“Since when do you care, jackass?” Joshua snapped, taking a swing at Minhyuk once more. Getting frustrated, he growled. “Come out here and fight me!”

Minhyuk shook his head, wondering where the hell his manager was. “I have no reason to fight you…”

“Yeah, well, I have every reason to fight you. So, do me the honor of coming out here so I can beat the shit out of you properly!” Joshua shouted, suddenly grabbing Minhyuk by the neck.

It all happened in slow motion. Joshua had raised his hand to punch Minhyuk, while the elder saw a memory fly passed his vision. All he saw was blood, a blur, and his little sister, smiling up at him.

He blinked, and he found himself running down the street, bat in hand with the gang hot on his trail. He dodged every grab and rock that grazed is body, finding himself laughing at the situation.

He must’ve looked crazy, as he finally got away long enough to be undetected, the boys screaming after him in frustration. He was still holding the bat, the wood having the smallest hint of blood on it as he shook off the adrenaline.

He had no idea how long he hid for, but by the time he sat up, the moon was high in the sky. Heading home, he snuck into the window of his bedroom, knowing his mother would lose her mind if he walked in through the front door.

He knew he couldn’t run forever, he knew it would only be a matter of time before he would get caught. He could hear police sirens in the distance, a faint reminder of what his future would hold if he continued this path.

But as he went into the neighboring room to check on his sister, the small girl sleeping peacefully in her bed, Minhyuk knew he had to continue this life. It was the only way she was going to live happily, the only way she could grow up smiling without any financial worries or needs.

He was willing to put his life on the line for his sister, no matter what it took.

He went back into his room after washing up, texting Hyungwon that he got home safely. He read the male’s response.

Heard something happened at the convenience store. Hope you didn’t do anything stupid.

Minhyuk found himself smiling, his face oddly serene as he looked at a picture on his wall. It was a picture of himself and Hyungwon, along with a few other boys from the gang. They were all smiling, the picture having been taken on the night of the summer festival. There was no gang activity, no robberies, no crime at all. Just peace.

He knew he was a stupid kid, and he shouldn’t be doing this. But it was because of that reasoning, that he was doing this. He was young, and he wanted to do something important before he left this world. He may go to a different path, but for now, he was living his life the way he wanted to. No gang pact could change his ever-curious mind and will to become something greater.

Being a thug was his job for the time being. And he wondered what danger tomorrow would bring, when it came time for his next mission.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed it! Feel free to leave requests in my inbox!

[shirtlesssammy]

Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell: Savor it because we won’t see Cas for over a month Recap

Then:

In which writer, Davey Perez, continues to ascend to the Fan Throne of Goodness vacated by the much missed Robbie Thompson.

Now:

On a camping excursion in the wilds of Nebraska, a young woman, Gwen, attempts to split firewood against the grain, her boyfriend, Marcus, is busy watching nature on his iPad, and the audience realizes -with or without monsters- this cute city couple is DOOMED. Before their imminent demise, they talk about her acceptance to a veterinary school out-of-state, and the ability to make a long-distance relationship work. On the premise of getting more firewood, the boyfriend wanders away to practice his proposal speech. Gwen stumbles upon the ring. And unfortunately for Marcus, a hellhound stumbles upon him! He just makes it back to camp before getting shredding to pieces. Gwen stands paralyzed but eventually gets the wherewithal to slash the invisible beast with the ax (also against the grain --the hellhound lived, even if Gwen escaped.)

RIP Marcus.

At the bunker, Sam and Dean and Lucille are just getting back from an epic hunting trip. (Fun Fact: Boris had to stop watching The Walking Dead just when Papa Winchester showed up. Too many sads.) It seems Sam keeps finding new jobs through a new computer program, aka, Frodo, aka, Mick Davies. So I see Sam hasn’t told his brother of his little allegiance yet. Dean’s ready to go, after all he has baby wipes in the car to remove any residual siren gunk, but Sam insists he shower first.

Dean acquiesces but insists he’s going to use Sam’s fancy shampoo in retaliation. (Boris is willing to hand-wave Dean’s lack of cleanliness for himself due to his overwhelming need to hunt and forget about his mom issues, but getting monster gunk in Baby? That cannot stand.)

The boys make it to the scene of Marcus’s demise, finishing phone calls as they exit Baby. Sam (talking to his mom): “Let us know.” Dean (talking to Cas): “Love you too.” Oh wait, scratch that, reverse it. Sam fills Dean in on their mom’s recent hunt with the Brits. Dean fills Sam in on more angel killings (like, doesn’t that warrant a drop-everything-and-help-Cas situation? Finding the nephilim seems WAY more time sensitive than bear attacks, but don’t mind me, I’m just a bitter Cas girl.) (Natasha: raises hand in solidarity.)

Speaking of Cas, or Agent Solange...

He’s at a diner, investigating the death of a waitress. Herb, the diner’s manager, believes she was killed by a Reptilian alien, you know, like the Queen of England. Cas is dismissive but Herb has proof and pulls out a tape! Man, this whole scene played like a goofier episode of The X-Files. It gave me happy feels. It also reminded me of Ronald Reznick and Mandroids. (And I love the silly reference to Misha Collin’s weird thing with the Queen.) In any event, they watch the video, which consists of Kelly Kline’s confrontation with angels and her rescue by Dagon, and her yellow eyes. “Like I said, reptilian,” Herb confirms. Cas takes the tape and leaves.

At the campsite, Sam and Dean hear about Gwen’s strange account of the attack. They were attacked by an invisible wolf. “Invisible dog. Sounds like a hellhound to me,” Dean concludes, and Sam agrees, as they head out to interview Gwen.

Once at Gwen’s house, the brothers disagree on how they should explain the situation. The much handsomer brother spitballs telling her the whole disturbing and unbelievable truth, but Sam says they just need to lie, a lot.

Of course, by letting in Agents Clapton and Baker, Gwen unknowingly lets in the hellhound. They tell her that a bear killed her boyfriend. She is not in danger, but Gwen doesn’t believe them, and tells them to leave. And the hellhound attacks! Sam and Dean burst in and shoot the hound, but it escapes out the window.

Crowley. Oh Crowley, what are you doing with Lucifer? You’re a smart demon, Fergus. But this seems...ill-advised. Yet he continues to hold Lucifer prisoner and taunt him. Lucifer isn’t too concerned. “I’m still gonna peel off your skin and eat your soul.” Lucifer makes it clear that they both know that the chains that hold him are just a temporary situation. “I’m already 10 steps ahead,” Crowley reassures the audience. He then meets with Demon #1 and #2. There’s a lot of Hell business to handle.

Back at Gwen’s, Sam and Dean tell her the whole disturbing and unbelievable truth --a hellhound just attacked her. Dean’s admission that they’ve tangled with hellhounds in the past is an understatement. *crying in corner over sad season 3 feels* The boys tell her that hellhounds only go after people who have sold their soul to a demon. They ask her to recall anything in her past or Marcus’s that they might have done unknowingly. Her answer is a firm “No.” The brothers call in the big guns for a conundrum like this: Crowley.

Summary: Dean calls Crowley “Peaches”, and Crowley is still pissed about the whole Gavin thing. Dean asks about the hellhounds and Demon #1 and #2 admit that Ramsey escaped. Crowley pops over to the brothers without hesitation.

Outside the diner a new angel, Kelvin, confronts Castiel. He’s looking for Kelly Kline as well and suggests that they partner up.

Back at Gwen’s house, Crowley unhelpfully introduces the hellhound as “THE Hellhound.” Sam squints inquisitively. Well, God created posies, koalas...

...and hellhounds! He wanted to make God’s best friend but ended up with a vicious beast instead. Rather than killing all the hounds, Lucifer rescued Ramsey, a pregnant hellhound. Loyal to her first master, she’s the one hound Crowley has never been able to control. As to why this wayward hound is after Gwen? Well, she did whack it with an axe. You could say that hound has an “axe to grind.” (Shows myself out.) Everybody looks exasperated at Gwen when instead, IMO, they should be high fiving Gwen’s bad ass self for sticking an axe in a hellhound and surviving the encounter. Anyway, everybody - even Crowley - is ready to saddle up and put an end to Ramsey.

“That mutt’s head, mounted on my wall - good for the brand,” Crowley says, explaining his participation.

“A hellhound gunning for revenge,” Dean snarks. “Just when I thought this gig couldn’t get any weirder.”

“It can always get weirder,” Crowley tells him, weirdly. (I APPROVE of this message and also your weirdly significant look, Crowley...and by extension Andrew Dabb / Davy Perez?? That is a damn fine motto right there.)

Back in Crowley’s palace, two demons open up Lucifer’s cell with a key they purloined from Crowley’s pocket. They walk in to find Lucifer trussed up and mouth gagged. 

(At this point there was a commercial break during the broadcast. I feel compelled to tell you that I spent the whole commercial break cursing Crowley’s stupidity for locking Lucifer up with simple chains that open with a key. Crowley! Who is always so clever when it comes to self-preservation. Anyway.)

The two minions immediately begin fawning over Lucifer - and complaining about Crowley. He killed everyone involved in “the cage project.”. Minions 1 and 2 set Ramsey free as a distraction so they could bust Lucifer out.

Back in the woods Dean pulls out two holy-fire-treated pairs of eyeglasses. Dean and Crowley will patrol the woods for Ramsey while Sam drives around with Gwen in the Impala.

Dean settles a soulful look on Sammy. “Take care of her,” he implores. Oh Dean, you big soft package of cotton candy! Don’t worry! The Winchesters always find a way to save the day! While we’re all clutching at our hearts, Sam realizes that Dean was referring to Baby - not scared little axe-swinging, hellhound mauling Gwen. “Imagine she’s a beautiful woman,” Dean tells him. (The rest of us: side eye.) Okay, great talk, Dean. He heads off into the woods with Crowley as Sam drives away.

Boomeranging back to Castiel, he’s parked in a bar with Kelvin sipping waters. (Bartenders must HATE angels.) Heaven’s running along in an orderly fashion but the angels want him back to help with their nephilim problem. Castiel has the most field experience, after all. 

“I think you overestimate me,” Cas says, profoundly underestimating himself (as is his way lately).

Kelvin begs to differ and suggests that having Heaven waiting in the wings when the wee human Winchesters fail is just smart strategy. Plus, as a bonus, if Cas does Heaven a solid then he can go back to coming and going as he pleases. Cas doubts Kelvin’s ability to actually follow through on any of the promises he’s spinning, so Kelvin drops his power card. Kelvin is just a messenger from Heaven - Joshua can restore Cas to his rightful place in Heaven. Go on, emotes Cas, turning towards Kelvin.

“Imagine it, Castiel. For you to come and go as you please. Part of your family - your true family again.” Cas looks at him in consideration. (Me: Noooooooo Cas!)

Back in the palace, Lucifer is suffering through the worst Hell-torture of all: irritating minions. They finally finish outlining their list of demands. Well, one of them has a long list of demands. All that Minion #2 cares about is “Making Hell great again.” (Me: laugh cries)

At last they unlock Lucifer. Stupid STUPID minions. Minion 1 disintegrates in a puff of fire and ash. Minion 2 offers himself up. “My life is yours to devour!”

Lucifer: “See, now you just made it weird.” POOF.

In the woods on the hellhound hunt, Crowley flirts with Dean. He’s all “those glasses bring out your eyes” and “remember that fivesome we had when you were a demon?”

Dean and Crowley marvel at a Winchester and the King of Hell working together yet again. “You saved Cas,” Dean says, at last thanking Crowley for saving the day a few episodes ago.

“Just to spare myself the Winchester man pain,” Crowley snarks.

Dean sees something in the woods - it’s Gwen’s boyfriend’s body, dragged back to Ramsey’s den. The hellhound’s den is empty!

For Science

And back to the Impala, where Sam drives along merrily with Gwen who succumbs to the Impala’s magical confession and introspection powers. “This is all my fault,” she mourns. She asks Sam to pull over so she can vomit. When she returns she confesses that she wanted to break up with her boyfriend, but she still acted like everything was perfect between them. “Why couldn’t I just tell him the truth? I lied to make things easier.”

Sam weeps along with her (internally) and reflects upon his own lying lies with Dean. He finally pulls himself out of his miserable slump and looks up to see Ramsey snarling in front of them. (Me: Hit it with the car, Sam! Wouldn’t be the first dog, amirite?)

Ramsey busts up Baby a bit, then Sam grabs an angel blade and heads out to kill the dog. The glasses get knocked off of his face during a scuffle and things look bad for our hero. Then Gwen comes out and knocks the hellhound off of Sam like a fucking bad ass.

This gives Sam just the distraction needed to climb to his feet. When the hound rushes him again, he stabs her with the blade, killing her.

When the four regroup, Dean castigates Sam for his damaged car. A relieved Gwen gives Crowley a giant happy bunny hug. Sam thanks Crowley with actual words and feelings and Crowley zaps out. “He seems nice,” Gwen says, chirpily.

Crowley heads straight for the palace where Lucifer’s torture chair is empty! He finds Luci in his throne room. I’m yelling ZAP OUTTA THERE CROWLEY WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU when Crowley snaps his fingers and Lucifer’s magical archangel wings fizzle out.

“I’m always ten steps ahead,” Crowley reminds Lucifer. He had his vessel fixed up and heavily warded. Lucifer’s meatsuit is his prison! (Me: punches air in joy at this development) Just as Crowley learned not to underestimate the Winchesters, Lucifer really has to learn not to underestimate the MacLeods.

Crowley dusts off his hands, steps over a whimpering Lucifer, and settles onto his throne. Crowley’s going to rip apart Lucifer’s child in front of him, and then he’s going to continue his revenge. (I’m guessing with more torture-by-irritating-minion.)

Elsewhere, the boys are just making it back to the bunker when Cas calls. He has a lead on Kelly Kline. (Hooray!) Cut to Cas, getting out of his truck and walking into...fuuuuuuuck...a playground. While I’m freaking out, Cas tells the boys about Dagon.

They hang up and Dean frowns at the phone. “He sound weird to you?” Dean, your worried husband rader is SPOT ON.

There’s no time to reflect on that, however. Sam gets an alert from the Men of Letters about another case. He decides to come clean to Dean, telling him that instead of a computer program feeding him cases, he’s been getting jobs from the BMoL. Sam tries to explain his position and apologizes for lying to Dean.

Dean hates it, but he agrees that they work with people they don’t trust all the time. Hell, they just worked with Crowley. So he’ll work with them on one condition: the second something feels off they both bail.

The phone rings again. “It’s Mick,” Sam says, holding up his phone.

“Pick it up,” Dean says, not radiating any kind of deep man pain at all.

Boris: Overall, on the surface, I felt like things were a bit off this episode. Dean seems to be taking all these lies and deceptions really well. What’s he thinking? Is he going along with Sam and Mary because he doesn’t want to lose them? Suddenly Sam has another family member to choose--and in a way he picked a side. Dean’s gut instinct is usually right --so it hurts to see him cave so easily to Sam and Mary.  And Cas? I want to believe that he went to heaven for one final goodbye. Can he find a way to use the angels to TFW’s advantage? So much hasn’t been said after his big confession. He’s said and done SO much for the Winchesters this season, but there’s been very little given to him in return. And, I’m totally on board for cleaning up the ridiculous Lucifer Meatsuit improbability. I just thought it was such a stupid reason for it, but to have Crowley be 10 steps ahead of Lucifer is satisfying to watch. And Sam saved the flipping day again! And started the trials again? He killed a hellhound. I realize it’s nbd for them these days, but it’s, uh, really not.

Natasha: Sam didn’t do the incantation, so no trials. I thought Dean was shocked about Sam’s news - bitter and worried, but also respecting Sam’s right to make his own choices. He’s probably going to angry fix his car the first chance he gets. I agree that Cas trying to get back into Heaven’s good graces is a tired storyline by this point. What I’m hoping is that Cas appears to agree because he sees the tactical advantage of using Heaven’s resources. After all, he just saw two angels confront Kelly Kline...they must have some resource that’s beyond him to find her. Furthermore, he seems intrigued by Joshua’s involvement. I think Cas wants to know who’s on the game board. I’m hoping that Cas gathers intel and heads down to the Winchesters when he’s put together a solid plan. However, there are definitely parallels between the Winchesters/BMoL and Cas/Heaven in terms of our heroes working with people they don’t trust, but that might help them achieve their goals in an efficient manner. Given that Cas is gone for the next 3 episodes leaves us with a ton of questions about what could explain his absence. And the fact that he isn’t telling the Winchesters a thing is breaking my fuckin’ heart.

Who’s a good Quote?

It’s two and two. Doesn't count if you flip ‘em inside out.

Computers. Monsters? Porn? Is there anything they can’t do?

Most sheeple can’t handle the truth. But not me. I’m woke.

Who ya gonna call? Douchebusters.

The FBI, the Man in Black. Well, you know, Beige.

[thiskulife2-blog]

I am a Light skin Colombian from Jersey

From Rahway to Linden, to Elizabeth.. These are all cities in New Jersey that my family called home. People refer to these cities as the slums or “hood” of Jersey, and they are mostly made up of Colombian families that fled from Pablo Escobar in the mid 80’s and early 90’s. That is why my family moved here in 1989, and where my family started their first generation of American born Colombians. I never “fit in” with the other families living in my cities, nobody believed that a “white yankee” could be from Medellin.

Saturday’s we would often visit Mattano park to go for a walk on the nature trails, or just sit on the bench and enjoy the landscape. Mattano park is located right on the side of a busy street, but after walking a couple hundred feet from the road, I was able to completely forget I was in Jersey. The busy noise of the city dies down to a soft whisper, the birds and squirrels overcome the sound of distant police sirens and yelling, flowers and grass replace the graffiti filled sidewalks. The park trails were my one escape I had, but all good things must come to an end, because in the middle of one of the trails, the trees turn to chain link fence, and the grass turns to blacktop with four basketball hoops surrounding the metal cage. I would have to walk by the man made interruption to continue a peaceful walk. I loved this park, but it was not always a happy place for me. I was never able to play basketball in the park with the other kids my age, they would yell at me in spanish from inside the cage and call me names like: Gringo, Uncle Sam, Whitey, or their favorite, Yankee. I never understood why they looked at me differently because we came from the same country, my parents were friends with their parents back in Medellin.

We also all ate at the same restaurant, “Mi Colombia”, when you walk through the front door you are greeted with a sweet aroma of fresh baked bread, cakes, pastries and other baked goods. “Mi Colombia” is in the heart of Elizabeth, and it was always packed full with people watching the soccer games on one of their many T.V.’s, waiting on delicious pastries or bread from their in-house bakery, or sitting at tables enjoying authentic Colombian cuisine and conversation. “Mi Colombia” was probably my favorite place in all of Jersey, because it was the one place where no one seemed to judge me, I was just a kid with his parents enjoying delicious food and watching soccer, and I will never forget those Sunday afternoon meals.

Eventually my parents realized we did not belong in New Jersey, so we moved to Effort Pennsylvania in 2005 just before I started Kindergarten. After we got to Pennsylvania, I thought things would be different, I did not see any Latinos. All the people that lived in this new place looked like me, I was so excited to finally “fit in” with my community.

I can remember the first time I realized this new place would be the same as Jersey. I was grocery shopping with my mom at Kinsley’s ShopRite in Brodheadsville. My mom was on the phone with my grandmother talking in spanish, and I noticed everyone else in the store was staring at us as if they had never heard Spanish. The looks that they were giving my mother I will never forget, it was the look of disgust. After that day, I realized why my mom never taught me Espanol, she was trying to protect me from being judged by people. Although I did not like the fact that these people did not seem to like Spanish, it did not bother me at first for all I knew these people might not have been making faces at my mother, but could have just been having a bad day.

Then I started second grade and everything changed, my teacher asked where we were from and almost all the kids in my classroom were from Kresgeville or Kunkletown, or Sciota, which were all within about a fifteen minute drive from the school. When it was my turn to tell the teacher where I was from, I answered with Rahway. My teacher said she was “sorry to hear that” and I asked why. She responded by telling the whole class that Rahway was the Armpit of New Jersey, and a lot of immigrants from South America flee there. From that day on, kids in my class would call me “dirty”.

  I was so mad at life because i figured that when I moved to a white community I would be accepted by my peers because I was white, but it was as if I had a huge label on my forehead that said “Latino”.  I would come home and sit in my room crying and thinking about what it was that made them dislike me, was it the way I talked or the way I walked? I could never figure it out, and it bothered me for the next four years of life in Brodheadsville, PA. Eventually I just stopped trying to fit in, I accepted the fact that I could not make them like me, or change the way I talked.

At this time I was visiting my family that remained in New Jersey almost every weekend, my cousin Carlos and I would always walk down Elmora Ave and talk about what was going on in our new lives. One Saturday in May, as we walked down to “Mi Colombia” to buy Bunuelos (cheese bread shaped in balls) he noticed I was not talking as much as I usually do. He asked me. “Hey J, what’s up with you today, you ain’t talking like you usually do?” I told him I had been thinking about who I am. “Who you are?” he asked, “I know who you are J, your my little cousin the albino.” He laughed for a little while and then stopped when he noticed I wasn’t laughing with him. I told him that was exactly what I was talking about. To the people in Jersey I was an “albino colombian”, and back in PA I was the Latino Hick. I was having a hard time figuring out which people to believe, was I White or Colombian. I wanted them to just pick one and stick with it. He was quiet for a while as I explained what I had meant, then I asked him what he believed.

After about five minutes of walking in silence, he said, “Josh, you don’t realize how lucky you are, for us we are stereotyped because of how dark we are, we can’t walk past a jewelry store without them getting suspicious. But your skin is so light you don’t have to worry about being called a thug, or a criminal. You can be whoever you are in this life, but you will always be family little cuz, and I will always love you like a brother. You are Colombian, but you have lighter skin than most of us, and that means you can be a lawyer, or a doctor or whatever you want to be.”

I remember going home that night and thinking about what he had said, and I finally realized what I had been missing the whole time. I am Colombian but I have lighter skin than most people with my ethnic background and it did not matter what people called me, because I was finally at peace with being a lightskin Colombian.

-Joshua Schillinger