#cjs doesn’t deserve this

[xx3bvvx]

Anthor fic that wasn't planned but.... who cares

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Kim Rok Soo had just finished reviewing the latest mission details when he noticed Choi Jung Soo sneaking around the office with a suspicious grin. It didn't take long for Rok Soo to realize what was going on. He had caught glimpses of Jung Soo hiding something behind his back and heard muffled giggles.

Rok Soo walked over to where Jung Soo was trying to hide behind a stack of filing cabinets. "Jung Soo," he said in a low, calm voice, "what are you up to?"

Jung Soo nearly jumped out of his skin, spinning around with wide eyes. "N-nothing, Rok Soo-ya! Just, uh, organizing some files!"

Rok Soo raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Really? Because it looks to me like you're planning another one of your pranks."

Jung Soo's face flushed. "Uh, well... maybe. But it's just a harmless joke! It'll be fun!"

Rok Soo crossed his arms, smirking. "You know, if the team leader finds out about this, you'll be in a lot of trouble. But, if you agree to do my share of the paperwork for a week, I might just forget what I've seen."

Jung Soo's eyes widened. "That's blackmail, Rok Soo!"

Rok Soo's smirk widened. "Call it what you want. Do we have a deal?"

Jung Soo sighed, knowing he was trapped. "Fine, fine. I'll do your paperwork. Just don't tell anyone."

"Deal," Rok Soo said, clapping Jung Soo on the shoulder. "Now, get to work."

As the week went on, Rok Soo enjoyed the rare luxury of a lighter workload. Meanwhile, Jung Soo grumbled and muttered under his breath as he tackled Rok Soo's paperwork on top of his own.

One afternoon, as Jung Soo was finishing another stack of reports, he looked up at Rok Soo with a pout. "You know, this isn't fair. I was just trying to have some fun."

Rok Soo shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Think of it as a lesson. Next time, maybe you'll be more careful with your pranks."

Jung Soo groaned but couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. You win this time, Rok Soo-ya. But I'll get you back someday."

Rok Soo chuckled. "Looking forward to it, Jung Soo. Just remember, I'm always one step ahead."

Despite the extra work, Jung Soo found that he didn't mind too much. In a strange way, the blackmail had brought them closer, and he couldn't deny that Rok Soo's cleverness was something he admired, even if it did get him into trouble.

Choi Jung Soo had been planning his revenge for days. He decided on a classic: the old water bucket on the door prank. Simple, yet effective.

He spent the morning setting it up, carefully balancing the bucket on top of the door to Rok Soo's room. All he had to do now was wait for Rok Soo to walk in.

Finally, the moment arrived. Rok Soo, carrying a stack of papers, approached his room, completely unaware of the impending trap. He pushed the door open, and the bucket tipped over, drenching him in cold water.

Jung Soo burst out laughing, doubling over at the sight of Rok Soo standing there, soaked and stunned. "Gotcha, Rok Soo-ya!"

Rok Soo wiped water from his face, his expression slowly turning from shock to annoyance. "Really, Jung Soo? This is your revenge?"

Jung Soo grinned, still chuckling. "It worked, didn't it?"

Before Rok Soo could respond, Lee Soo Hyuk appeared in the hallway, drawn by the commotion. He took one look at the scene — Rok Soo dripping wet and Jung Soo laughing hysterically — and his expression darkened. "What is going on here?"

Jung Soo's laughter died instantly. "Uh, team leader... it was just a harmless prank."

Soo Hyuk sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Jung Soo, this is not the time for pranks. You both have work to do, and now Rok Soo is soaked."

Rok Soo nodded, still glaring at Jung Soo. "Thanks for the shower, Jung Soo."

Soo Hyuk crossed his arms. "Jung Soo, you're responsible for cleaning up this mess. And since you seem to have so much energy for pranks, you'll be taking on extra duties for the next week."

Jung Soo's face fell. "But team leader—"

"No buts," Soo Hyuk interrupted. "This behaviour is unacceptable, and you need to learn to be more responsible."

Jung Soo sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Yes, team leader."

Rok Soo couldn't help but smirk as he walked past Jung Soo. "Looks like the prank backfired, huh?"

Jung Soo glared at him but didn't say anything, knowing he had no one to blame but himself.

As he started cleaning up the mess, Jung Soo couldn't help but think about how to avoid getting caught next time. Because there would definitely be a next time. He wasn't going to let Rok Soo have the last laugh. But for now, he'd just have to endure the extra work and the teasing from his team leader.

Choi Jung Soo was not having a good day. It was barely noon, and Jung Soo was already exhausted. The first part of his punishment involved cleaning up the mess he'd made with the water bucket, which took longer than he expected. Every time he thought he was done, he found another puddle or wet spot that needed attention.

"Jung Soo-ya, you missed a spot," Rok Soo called out from the doorway, barely concealing his smirk.

Jung Soo grumbled under his breath, mopping up the last of the water. "I hope you slip in it," he muttered, too quietly for Rok Soo to hear.

After the cleaning, Soo Hyuk handed him a stack of paperwork. "Since you have so much energy for pranks, you can help with these reports."

Jung Soo's shoulders sagged. "But team leader, I've never done these kinds of reports before."

"You'll learn," Soo Hyuk replied firmly, handing him a pen. "You need to understand the importance of responsibility."

Jung Soo spent the next several hours hunched over his desk, his head pounding from staring at the endless forms and documents. Every mistake he made earned him a stern look from Soo Hyuk, who was monitoring his progress closely.

"These numbers need to add up, Jung Soo," Soo Hyuk said, pointing at a particularly messy column.

Jung Soo sighed deeply, erasing his errors and starting over. His hand ached from writing, and his eyes were starting to blur from the strain. "This is torture," he muttered to himself.

To make matters worse, Rok Soo seemed to take every opportunity to walk by and check on his progress, offering unsolicited advice that only added to Jung Soo's frustration.

"Jung Soo, you should really pay more attention to detail," Rok Soo said, peering over his shoulder. "Otherwise, you'll never finish."

"Thanks, Rok Soo," Jung Soo replied through gritted teeth. "Really helpful."

By the evening of the evening rolled around, Jung Soo was mentally and physically drained. He still had a pile of paperwork left, and his stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he'd skipped lunch.

Just as he was about to take a break, Soo Hyuk appeared again. "Don't forget, you have extra training sessions after this."

Jung Soo's heart sank. "But team leader, I'm exhausted. Can't we do it tomorrow?"

Soo Hyuk shook his head. "You need to understand the consequences of your actions. We'll start as soon as you finish that stack."

With a resigned sigh, Jung Soo turned back to his work, the thought of the upcoming training weighing heavily on him. He knew he had no choice but to push through, but he couldn't help feeling a deep sense of misery and regret.

"Why did I think that prank was a good idea?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "I really need to stop underestimating Rok Soo."

As he continued to work, he glanced over at Rok Soo, who was engrossed in his own tasks. Despite the day's events, there was a small part of Jung Soo that couldn't help but admire Rok Soo's dedication and focus.

But for now, all Jung Soo could do was endure his punishment and hope that the next few days would pass quickly. And maybe, just maybe, he'd learn his lesson about pulling pranks on Kim Rok Soo.

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Choi Jung Soo stood in the middle of the training ground, panting heavily. His muscles ached from the rigorous exercises, and sweat dripped from his forehead. Across from him, Lee Soo Hyuk watched him with a critical eye, arms crossed over his chest.

"Again," Soo Hyuk commanded, his voice firm.

Jung Soo groaned inwardly but didn't dare to protest. He picked up his training sword and got back into his stance. Soo Hyuk wasn't known for being lenient, especially not after Jung Soo's recent prank that had disrupted the team's workflow.

"Your footwork is sloppy," Soo Hyuk pointed out as they began their sparring session again. "Focus on your balance."

Jung Soo tried to adjust his stance, but his tired legs struggled to keep up. Soo Hyuk moved with the precision and grace of a seasoned warrior, his strikes coming fast and hard. Jung Soo barely managed to block them, his arms trembling from the effort.

"You're hesitating," Soo Hyuk said, landing a light blow on Jung Soo's shoulder. "In a real battle, hesitation can get you killed."

Jung Soo nodded, gritting his teeth. He knew Soo Hyuk was right, but it was hard to focus with exhaustion clouding his mind. He forced himself to push through, ignoring the burning pain in his muscles.

"Good, now counterattack," Soo Hyuk instructed.

Jung Soo lunged forward, aiming for Soo Hyuk's side. His strike was met with a swift parry, and Soo Hyuk's sword came down on his wrist, making him drop his weapon.

"Too predictable," Soo Hyuk said. "You need to be more creative with your attacks."

Jung Soo picked up his sword again, frustration mounting. He knew he was better than this, but the day's events had drained him. Still, he wasn't about to give up. He took a deep breath and steadied himself, determined to prove his worth.

They continued sparring, with Soo Hyuk relentlessly pointing out Jung Soo's mistakes and pushing him to do better. Every time Jung Soo thought he had improved, Soo Hyuk found another flaw to correct. It was grueling, but Jung Soo knew it was necessary.

After what felt like an eternity, Soo Hyuk finally called for a break. Jung Soo collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

"You've got potential, Jung Soo," Soo Hyuk said, handing him a bottle of water. "But you need to work on your discipline and focus. Training isn't just about physical strength; it's about mental fortitude too."

Jung Soo nodded, too exhausted to speak. He took a long drink of water, grateful for the brief respite. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was determined to become a better fighter, for himself and for his team.

"Thanks, team leader," he finally managed to say. "I'll keep that in mind."

Soo Hyuk nodded. "Good. Now rest for a bit, but don't get too comfortable. We've still got more training to do."

Jung Soo groaned but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. Despite the harsh training, he appreciated Soo Hyuk's dedication to making him better. Deep down, he knew that this was exactly what he needed to grow stronger.

"Alright," he said, sitting up. "Let's do this."

Soo Hyuk smiled. "That's the spirit, Jung Soo. Now, let's get back to work."

Jung Soo pushed himself off the ground. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next round of training with Soo Hyuk.

"Ready?" Soo Hyuk asked.

Jung Soo nodded, gripping his sword tightly. They began again, Soo Hyuk's strikes coming fast and relentless. Despite his exhaustion, Jung Soo found a rhythm, blocking and countering with more precision. He could feel himself improving, bit by bit, with each clash of their swords.

After what felt like hours, Soo Hyuk finally lowered his sword. "That's enough for today. You've made progress, Jung Soo."

Jung Soo let out a sigh of relief, dropping his sword. "Thanks, team leader."

Soo Hyuk handed him another bottle of water. They sat in silence for a moment, catching their breath.

"Come on, let's head back to the office," Soo Hyuk said, standing up. "We need to get Rok Soo and grab some dinner. My treat."

Jung Soo's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Really? Something expensive, right?"

Soo Hyuk chuckled. "Yes, something expensive. You two deserve it."

They made their way back to the office, where they found Kim Rok Soo buried in paperwork.

"Rok Soo, we're heading out for dinner," Soo Hyuk announced.

Kim Rok Soo looked up, surprised. "Dinner? Now?"

"Yes, now," Soo Hyuk said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You've been working hard, and we all deserve a break."

Jung Soo grinned, draping an arm over Rok Soo's shoulders. "Come on, Rok Soo-ya, it's team leader's treat! Something expensive!"

Rok Soo sighed but couldn't hide the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright. Let's go."

They left the office together, the sun setting on the horizon as they walked through the city. Soo Hyuk led them to an upscale restaurant.

As they were seated and handed menus, Jung Soo's eyes widened at the selection. "Wow, this place is fancy," he said, glancing at Rok Soo.

Rok Soo nodded. "Yeah, it is."

Soo Hyuk ordered a variety of dishes, ensuring they got to try a bit of everything. As they ate, the tension from the day's training and work melted away, replaced by laughter and camaraderie.

Jung Soo couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these. Despite the hardships and the constant danger, they had each other. And that was something worth celebrating.

"Team leader, this is amazing," Jung Soo said, savoring a bite of his steak.

Soo Hyuk smiled. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. You both deserve it."

Rok Soo, for once, seemed content. As they finished their meal and sat back, satisfied, Soo Hyuk raised his glass.

"To our brotherhood," he said. "May we continue to grow stronger together."

Jung Soo and Rok Soo clinked their glasses with his, a silent agreement passing between them. No matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together as a team.

And for tonight, at least, they could enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and each other's company.

With that, the record stopped, and Kim Rok Soo wiped his bloody nose.

[lightdancingwords]

Crossroads of the Heart - Part Twelve of ?

Pairings: CJ Braxton x Y/N Female reader

Series Summary: Y/N is a psychology major assigned to shadow CJ at The Stand, unaware he's the one who basically saved her life four years before. CJ is unaware that she's the one who left a notable impact on him over the phone four years ago. As they navigate the work at The Stand, they develop a spark that demands revelation and connection.

Word Count: 3,795

Tags/Warnings: Mostly fluff, a touch of angst, and some 18+ smut/implied smut.

A/N: Comments, Likes, Reblogs, Kind feedback are always highly appreciated. Please let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

Dividers: credit to @saradika-graphics

Chapter Twelve: Standing By You

The hum of conversation and ringing phones filled the space at The Stand, but for Y/N, everything outside her own head felt muffled. She sat on the worn couch in the break room, her hands curled around a cup of lukewarm coffee she didn’t intend to drink. Gabby plopped down next to her, not saying anything at first, just stretching her legs out and leaning back like she was settling in for a long stay.

“I brought snacks,” Gabby said eventually, pulling a granola bar from her bag and holding it out like a peace offering. “Don’t worry—it’s not that gross protein kind Miles swears by.”

Y/N gave a weak laugh and accepted it, peeling the wrapper off but only taking a small bite.

Gabby tilted her head, studying her carefully. “You okay?”

Y/N shrugged, her fingers picking at the edge of the wrapper. “I’ve been better.”

Gabby leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Do you wanna talk about it? Or do you want me to keep being a goof until I make you laugh again?”

Y/N let out a soft sigh. “Both, maybe?”

“Done.” Gabby grinned. “Okay, so—first things first. Your dad is a total jerk. But you already know that.”

“Yeah,” Y/N muttered, biting her lip.

Gabby’s expression softened. “But seriously, what he said today wasn’t fair. You don’t deserve that. And CJ? God, that man’s a keeper. The way he stood up for you? If it weren’t obvious before, he’s head over heels.”

Y/N’s eyes glistened. “I know. He’s... perfect.”

“Duh,” Gabby said, nudging her. “But it’s okay if it still hurt. What your dad said. Because words like that stick.”

Y/N nodded, tears brimming but not falling. “I thought moving in with CJ would finally give me some peace, you know? But it feels like every time I take a step forward, my dad finds a way to yank me back.”

Gabby rested her head against Y/N’s shoulder. “He’s trying, but you’re stronger than you think. You’ve already built something beautiful with CJ. You don’t owe your dad anything.”

A tear escaped, and Y/N wiped it quickly. “I just wanted him to be proud of me.”

Gabby’s grip on her hand tightened. “He’s missing out. We’re all proud of you, Y/N. And CJ? He’s not just proud—he’s in awe of you. He’s in love with you.”

Y/N sniffed, her lips twitching into a small smile. “He really is, isn’t he?”

Gabby grinned, pulling back. “Yup. You can tell by the way he looks at you like you’re a rare treasure. And he doesn’t do that for anyone else, so, lucky you.”

Y/N laughed, her spirits lifting slightly. “Thanks, Gabby.”

Gabby stood, stretching dramatically. “That’s what I’m here for. Oh, and one more thing—he’s probably pacing in his office, worrying about you.”

Y/N stood, brushing off her jeans. “I should probably go remind him that I’m okay.”

Gabby winked. “Exactly. Go hug your man.”

Y/N knocked softly on CJ’s office door before peeking inside. He was leaning over his desk, scribbling something on a notepad, but his head shot up the moment he saw her.

“Hey,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

“Hey.” Y/N closed the door behind her and walked over, dropping into the chair across from him. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“You didn’t,” CJ replied, though the way he stood and rounded the desk to sit on its edge gave him away. “I was just... thinking.”

Y/N smiled faintly. “About what?”

CJ exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “About how much I hate seeing you hurt. About how I wanted to do more back there but didn’t want to make things worse.”

“You didn’t,” Y/N said quickly, standing and closing the space between them. She placed her hands on his knees, grounding them both. “You did exactly what I needed. You defended me when I couldn’t find the words.”

CJ’s shoulders relaxed, and he cupped her face gently. “You don’t have to face this alone, Y/N. Not with me.”

“I know,” she whispered, leaning into his touch. “And I don’t feel alone. I feel loved.”

“You are,” CJ murmured, brushing his thumb along her cheek. “I love you, and I’m never going to let anyone make you feel like you don’t deserve everything you’ve built.”

Y/N’s eyes filled with tears again, but this time, they weren’t from sadness. They were from gratitude, from the overwhelming warmth of being seen and loved fully.

She stood on her toes and kissed him, slow and sweet, pouring everything she couldn’t say into the touch of their lips. CJ wrapped his arms around her, holding her close like he could shield her from the world.

When they finally pulled apart, Y/N rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “Thank you, CJ. For always being my safe place.”

“Always,” CJ promised, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Now, how about we get out of here? Go home, order takeout, and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist for a while?”

Y/N smiled against his chest. “That sounds perfect.”

And as they left The Stand hand in hand, Y/N knew that no matter what storms came her way, CJ would always be her anchor. Together, they could weather anything.

Y/N woke up the next morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the comforting sound of CJ moving around the kitchen. She stretched lazily in bed, feeling a little lighter than she had the day before. The events with her father still lingered in the back of her mind, but instead of letting it drag her down, she focused on the good: CJ, their home together, and how far she’d come.

Today, she needed a distraction—a fun one. And she knew exactly what to do.

Miles and Gabby.

She smiled to herself as she sat up. The spark between them was undeniable, but Miles, ever the introverted tech wizard, was stubbornly resisting his feelings. Meanwhile, Gabby seemed oblivious, though Y/N had caught her sneaking glances at Miles more than once. It was time to give them a little nudge.

After getting dressed, she walked into the kitchen where CJ was pouring coffee into two mugs. He turned when he heard her, his gaze softening. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Y/N said, wrapping her arms around him from behind and resting her chin on his shoulder. “I have a mission today.”

“Oh?” CJ handed her a mug and raised an eyebrow. “What kind of mission?”

She sipped her coffee, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Operation Get Miles to Finally Ask Gabby Out.”

CJ chuckled, shaking his head. “You and Gabby are dangerous together. What’s your plan?”

“I haven’t worked out the details yet,” Y/N admitted, “but I’m thinking of setting them up in a situation where they can’t avoid their feelings.”

CJ leaned against the counter, smirking. “You mean trap them together and hope for the best?”

“Pretty much,” Y/N said with a grin. “Don’t act like you don’t want to see this happen too.”

He shrugged, laughing softly. “I’m not denying it. I just think you’re playing with fire.”

“Maybe,” Y/N said, tapping her mug against his. “But it’ll be worth it.”

Y/N walked into the break room, spotting Miles hunched over his laptop at the corner table. His headphones were in, and he was so focused on whatever he was working on that he didn’t notice her approach.

She tapped him on the shoulder, making him jump slightly. “Hey, tech genius. Got a second?”

Miles pulled out his headphones, giving her a suspicious look. “Depends. Am I about to be roped into something?”

Y/N smirked. “Maybe.”

He sighed, closing his laptop. “What do you want?”

“I need your help with something after work,” Y/N said casually, taking a seat across from him. “I’m organizing a team night to unwind. You know, bowling, food, drinks. It’ll be fun.”

Miles narrowed his eyes. “Bowling?”

“Yep,” Y/N said, nodding enthusiastically. “We’re all going—CJ, Gabby, Priya, you. Don’t be a party pooper.”

Miles rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not exactly a ‘team night’ kind of guy.”

“That’s the beauty of it,” Y/N said, grinning. “Gabby will be there, which means you’ll have someone to talk to the entire night.”

Miles choked on his response, turning a shade of red that confirmed exactly what Y/N already knew. “I don’t—what—I’m not—”

Y/N raised her hand, cutting him off. “Don’t even try to deny it. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

Miles groaned, covering his face with one hand. “You’re relentless.”

“I’m efficient,” Y/N corrected. “Look, this is your chance. Just go, relax, and see what happens. Worst case, you bowl a terrible game and Gabby teases you for it.”

Miles exhaled sharply, clearly debating it. “Fine,” he muttered. “But if this backfires, I’m blaming you.”

Y/N beamed. “Deal.”

The bowling alley buzzed with laughter and conversation as Y/N, CJ, Gabby, Miles, and Priya settled into their lane. CJ handed out shoes while Y/N set up the scoreboard, intentionally pairing Gabby and Miles together on one team.

Gabby grabbed her bowling ball and grinned at Miles. “Ready to lose?”

Miles smirked, leaning back against the bench. “I think you underestimate how good I am at adapting.”

Gabby rolled her eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

CJ leaned toward Y/N as they watched the playful banter unfold. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Oh, absolutely,” Y/N whispered, slipping her hand into his.

Gabby stepped up to bowl, nailing a strike on her first try. She spun around, throwing her arms in the air triumphantly. “Beat that, Miles.”

Miles stood, adjusting his glasses before grabbing a ball. “Don’t get cocky.”

He rolled the ball, managing a respectable spare. Gabby clapped her hands. “Not bad, tech boy.”

As the game went on, Y/N noticed how Gabby leaned closer to Miles each time she teased him, and how Miles�� usual sarcasm softened into something warmer. When Gabby reached over to fix the cuff of his sleeve without thinking, Y/N knew they were making progress.

During a break between turns, Y/N slipped away to the snack bar with CJ.

“You’ve been watching them like a hawk,” CJ teased, ordering popcorn. “Are we close to victory?”

“Very close,” Y/N said, smiling. “I give it one more hour.”

Toward the end of the night, Gabby was laughing so hard at one of Miles’ sarcastic comments that she leaned into him, clutching his arm for balance. Miles, who normally would’ve pulled away, didn’t move.

Instead, he looked down at her, something shifting in his expression.

Y/N held her breath as she watched from across the room, CJ’s arm around her waist.

Miles cleared his throat, his voice quieter than usual. “You want to grab coffee sometime? Just the two of us?”

Gabby blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Like... a date?”

Miles’ cheeks turned pink, but he nodded. “Yeah. A date.”

Gabby smiled—soft, genuine, and full of something Y/N hadn’t seen before. “I’d like that.”

Y/N squeezed CJ’s hand excitedly. “Mission accomplished.”

CJ chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “You’re dangerous.”

“I prefer the term ‘effective,’” Y/N said, grinning. “Now, let’s just hope they don’t kill each other during the actual date.”

CJ laughed. “If they do, we’ll still take credit for getting them there.”

As Y/N watched Gabby and Miles exchange numbers, she felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her. For the first time in days, her heart felt light. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she had her found family—and her perfect partner—by her side.

The Saturday morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of their bedroom, casting soft golden rays over the rumpled sheets and the gentle rise and fall of Y/N’s breathing. The world outside was waking up, but inside, everything was still and peaceful. CJ lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, watching Y/N as she slept.

Her hair was splayed out on the pillow, her lips slightly parted, and one of her hands rested lazily against the edge of the blanket. She looked so serene, so beautifully at ease, that CJ couldn’t bring himself to move for several moments. His heart swelled as he watched her, marveling at how lucky he was to share mornings like this with her.

Leaning down, he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her bare shoulder, breathing in the scent of her skin—warm, familiar, and intoxicating. Y/N stirred slightly, letting out a soft sigh but not waking up fully. CJ smiled, tracing the outline of her shoulder with his fingertips, his touch featherlight.

He let his lips travel along her shoulder and up the side of her neck, kissing the sensitive spot just below her ear. Y/N hummed in response, her body shifting under the sheets, her eyelids fluttering but still not opening. CJ’s hand slid beneath the covers, gently resting against her waist, his thumb brushing lazy circles against her skin.

“Morning, beautiful,” he murmured softly, his lips brushing against her ear.

Y/N’s eyes slowly blinked open, her gaze hazy and warm as she turned her head slightly to look at him. A sleepy smile spread across her lips. “Mmm, morning,” she whispered, her voice thick with sleep. “You’re up early.”

CJ chuckled, dipping his head to kiss the corner of her mouth. “Couldn’t help it. You’re too tempting.”

Y/N giggled softly, her arms stretching above her head before one of her hands found its way to CJ’s chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns across his skin. “Tempting, huh?”

“Very,” CJ said, his hand sliding further down to rest on the curve of her hip. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss, their breaths mingling as the kiss deepened. Y/N’s hand slipped up to cup the back of his neck, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed together under the sheets.

CJ’s hand moved with purpose now, sliding along the curve of her waist and up her back, his fingertips grazing her skin in a way that sent shivers down her spine. Y/N sighed into the kiss, her leg tangling with his as she shifted closer, her body waking fully under his touch.

His lips left hers, trailing down her jaw and back to her neck, where he nipped gently at the spot that always made her breath hitch. Y/N’s fingers tightened in his hair, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

“You’re not playing fair,” she whispered, her voice breathless.

CJ smiled against her neck, his hand sliding down to her thigh and hitching it over his hip. “Never said I would.”

He rolled her onto her back, the weight of him pressing her into the mattress as he gazed down at her, his green eyes dark with desire but still soft with love. Y/N’s hands slid down his back, her nails lightly grazing his skin, making him groan softly.

“CJ,” she murmured, her eyes locking onto his. There was no hesitation, no doubt. Just warmth, trust, and the magnetic pull that always seemed to draw them together.

“I’ve got you,” CJ whispered, leaning down to kiss her again, slow and deep, as if he had all the time in the world.

The kisses grew more urgent, more consuming, their bodies moving instinctively as they shed the last barriers of fabric between them. CJ’s hands explored every inch of her, memorizing the curves he already knew so well but could never get enough of. Y/N arched beneath him, her breath catching as his lips trailed down her collarbone and lower, leaving a path of heat in their wake.

Their movements were unhurried but charged, every touch and kiss laced with both passion and tenderness. Y/N’s hands roamed freely, pulling him closer, her fingers curling against his shoulders as he pressed her deeper into the mattress.

“I love you,” she whispered, her voice a blend of emotion and need.

CJ lifted his head, his gaze locking onto hers. “I love you, too. Always.”

With those words hanging in the air, CJ shifted, aligning their bodies in perfect harmony. He moved slowly, savoring the way she responded to him—the soft gasps, the way her fingers dug into his skin, and the way her body fit against his like they were made for each other.

Their rhythm built gradually, waves of pleasure washing over them as they lost themselves in each other. The room was filled with the sound of their shared breaths, soft moans, and the rustling of sheets as they moved together, their connection deepening with every passing moment.

When they finally reached the edge, they fell together, their cries muffled against each other’s skin. CJ buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath ragged as he held her tightly, their bodies trembling from the intensity of it all.

Minutes passed, their heartbeats slowly returning to normal as they lay tangled in the sheets. CJ brushed a strand of hair from Y/N’s face, his fingers lingering on her cheek as he gazed at her.

“You’re everything,” he whispered, his voice raw with emotion.

Y/N smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. “So are you.”

CJ pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, pulling her into his arms as they settled into the warmth of the morning. The world outside could wait. Right now, this was all they needed.

The golden light streaming through the windows had grown brighter, casting a warm glow over the bedroom as CJ and Y/N lay tangled together beneath the sheets. Their legs were entwined, her head resting on his chest as his fingers lazily traced patterns along her back. The soft hum of their breaths filled the quiet room, and for a moment, neither of them wanted to move.

But eventually, Y/N giggled softly, breaking the peaceful silence. “We can’t stay here all day.”

CJ let out a playful groan. “Why not? I’m pretty sure the world wouldn’t miss us for a few more hours.”

“Maybe,” Y/N said, lifting her head to look at him, her eyes sparkling. “But I’m hungry.”

CJ smirked, brushing his fingers through her messy hair. “Did I wear you out that much?”

Y/N laughed, her cheeks flushing. “I guess you did. But you’re making breakfast, right?”

CJ gave her an exaggerated sigh and grinned. “Fine. But only because you’re too cute to say no to.”

He kissed her forehead before pulling back the covers and getting out of bed, slipping on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. Y/N followed, grabbing his hoodie from the chair and pulling it over her head, the soft fabric engulfing her.

She padded barefoot into the kitchen behind him, the smell of coffee lingering faintly from the pot CJ had brewed earlier. Their apartment was quiet except for the sound of the birds chirping outside the window and the faint buzz of the city waking up.

CJ set a pan on the stove while Y/N leaned against the counter, watching him with a content smile. “What’s on the menu, Chef Braxton?”

“Something simple,” CJ said, cracking eggs into a bowl. “Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. But I make killer scrambled eggs, just so you know.”

Y/N laughed, grabbing a mug and pouring herself a cup of coffee. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

She hopped up onto the counter, swinging her legs as she sipped her coffee and watched him move around the kitchen. There was something soothing about the way he worked—effortless and confident, as though this was exactly where he was meant to be. And maybe, just maybe, she was exactly where she was meant to be too.

“Do you ever think about how different life would be if we hadn’t met?” she asked suddenly, her voice soft.

CJ glanced over at her, a warm smile spreading across his face. “I think about that all the time. And then I thank whatever fate brought us together.”

Y/N’s heart swelled as she set her coffee down and hopped off the counter. She walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind and resting her cheek against his back. “I do too. I can’t imagine life without you.”

CJ turned off the burner, setting the pan aside before turning around and pulling her into his arms. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me.”

Y/N smiled up at him, her fingers playing with the hem of his shirt. “Forever?”

CJ leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a soft kiss. “Forever.”

They stood there for a moment, swaying gently as if the world outside didn’t exist. Eventually, the sound of sizzling bacon pulled them back to reality, and CJ chuckled, pulling away to finish cooking.

A few minutes later, they were sitting at the small dining table, plates of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and buttered toast in front of them. Y/N took a bite of the eggs, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Okay, you weren’t lying,” she said, pointing her fork at him. “These are really good.”

CJ laughed, taking a bite of his own food. “Told you. I have many talents.”

“Oh, I know,” Y/N teased, her eyes twinkling.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, exchanging soft smiles and playful touches across the table. Y/N couldn’t help but marvel at how easy it was to be with him. There was no pretense, no pressure—just love, laughter, and the quiet joy of being together.

When breakfast was over, CJ leaned back in his chair, watching her as she finished the last bite of her toast. “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the day?”

Y/N tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm. We could go for a walk, maybe stop by that little bookstore you like. Or we could stay home and be lazy.”

CJ raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting another lazy day in bed?”

“Maybe,” Y/N said, biting her lip playfully. “Unless you have a better idea.”

CJ stood, walking over to her and pulling her out of her chair. “I don’t think there is a better idea.”

Y/N giggled as he scooped her into his arms, carrying her back toward the bedroom. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it,” CJ said, grinning.

And she did. More than she could put into words.

As they tumbled back into bed, laughter filling the room, Y/N realized that this—these simple, beautiful moments—was what love looked like. Not just the grand gestures, but the mornings spent cooking breakfast, the lazy afternoons spent reading together, and the nights spent tangled in each other’s arms.

With CJ, she had found home. And in that moment, she knew she would never let it go.

Tag List: @kmc1989

Want to be a part of this tag list or others? Message me here! And check out the other story I’m writing!

[milks-thoughts]

to the anon who request peepaw leo, bless your soul, I didnt know i need father figure peepaw in my life.

I got a idea, what if peepaw leo, take reader to the hidden city? to more aware of the yokai kind and stuff?

I WAS STRUGGLING WITH THIS AND A RANDOM TUMBLR POST BROUGHT ME IDEAS, also I can’t write shit without angst what the fuck happened here

TW: mentions of cheating, and overall wholesomeness

summary: Peepaw Leo takes Reader to the hidden city to make them feel better (reader is 16)

He Doesn’t Deserve You

⚔︎ Peepaw had gotten more than used to seeing you around the lair

⚔︎ it’s been like 3 years what is he saying-??

⚔︎ they even got you your own train car

⚔︎ you’d leave every day to go to school, then you’d come back

⚔︎ you were so giddy coming back one time with CJ everyone just HAD to know why

⚔︎ the moment you got a boyfriend he was suspicious- of the boyfriend- so was his younger counterpart so-!

⚔︎ can you blame him for being on edge? the boyfriend you got was like a frat boy

⚔︎ You we’re just sitting on the beanbags in the living room, scrolling through social media before you came across a post from this girls account. okay- maybe it’s his cousin! Yeah they look similar enough. You decided to read the caption, that’s when you paused. You stood up suddenly and walked to your train car, slamming the door closed you plopped down on your bed and started sobbing. Apparently you weren’t very quiet because the next thing you knew Mikey and Leo were sliding open the door “ what’s wrong? “ Mikey asked gently which only caused you to cry harder. You could only show them the phone before they looked back at you with a soft look “ oh it’s okay…it’ll all be okay “ Leo soothed before looking wearily at Mikey “ do you want us to get Big Blue? “ he asked you, you paused and nodded. You could really use one of his hugs right now, the crushing hug that’s a mix between warm and cold from the metal. He could wrap his arms around your entire body and cover you with a hug, so yes, you would like a hug from him. Leo nodded and stood up, he sent one more glance before closing the train car and walking away, your sniffles had been fluctuating from calm crying to bawling. Mikey had wrapped around your frame and hugged you, looking up you saw your father Leonardo standing there a soft look on his face when he took Mikey’s spot. He wrapped his arms around your frame and buried your head in his plastron. His arms tight around you as you curled up into a ball in his hold. A new round of sobs came up but they were filled with incoherent sentences. “ was I not good enough for him? “ you asked in a small voice, Leonardo hushed you quietly and rubbed your back “ why don’t we go into the hidden city? You can meet Bone man and see the mystic stuff “ Leo asked and Mikey nodded. You liked the idea, it’d help you get your mind off things. Leo smiled “ buuut me an everyone else have some plans, why don’t you and Big Blue go? “ You blinked and you swore you saw him calling CJ and Mikey texting someone..? Leonardo smiled and started walking, you were wearing enough, a black tank top and weird kinda muted orange sweats. As you two walked along you could help but let your mind wander. Why did Leo call CJ and why was Mikey texting April & Cass? When you came back to reality you were shocked, so this was the hidden city! You had brought your phone and it was going off with alerts. But every time you went to check Leonardo pulled away your attention and kept you hooked. You had gotten pizza at his favorite joint, seen the battle nexus and witch town. Your eyes sparkling with admiration every time you saw something new or unique. When you returned home, the lair was empty. The air in it was uncomfortable but Leonardo didn’t seem worried. It wasn’t long before everyone came back with dinner, you couldn’t help but question why Raph had some red on one of his spikes. You never voiced your concerns. Your ex had died in a breaking-and-entering gone wrong

[shinyhappysims]

Saturday, 1:36 PM, ZoSul Taman Botani, Tomarang

Lauryn: This has been a nice date, Honor-Luke. It definitely makes up for embarrassing me at my birthday party. Speaking of which, are you proposing soon?

Honor-Luke: About that… I’ve been thinking and… I think we should call off our courtship. I see the way CJ and Kimber are and I don’t think we have the same spark. You deserve to have someone who loves you that much.

Lauryn: You’re joking right?

Honor-Luke: Um, no?

Lauryn: Do you know what happens to girls with failed courtships in our community? We get seen as used goods. No one will court me if you break up with me. Everyone’s going to think I’m your sloppy seconds.

Honor-Luke: I’m sure that’s not true. I’ve done nothing to harm your purity.

Lauryn: THAT DOESN’T MATTER! All the guys are going to wonder why I wasn’t good enough for you!

Honor-Luke: All I have to do is tell them that God didn’t call me to you. Which is the truth. There’s nothing wrong with you at all, Lauryn, I just don’t think I love you.

Lauryn: Well, you better figure out how to fall in love with me in six months. Because our entire lives my twin and I planned to have a joint wedding and wear matching dresses and to marry brothers so we could continue to have the same last name. And let’s face it, you’re not that good looking. Your brother is way cuter and way nicer. I probably wouldn’t love you either, but I’m willing to submit to you and be a good wife. Not many women do that nowadays. Be grateful. You better not be the one to screw up me and Kimber’s dreams.

Honor-Luke: …Are you joking?

Lauryn: Serious as hell.

Honor-Luke: You’re crazy! I was trying to be nice about it but you want to know the real reason I’m not into you? I don’t like you because you’re a big, fat, messy, clumsy oaf and you and your sister are way to dependent on each other. I definitely don’t want to marry you now. This is over!

Lauryn: Oh wow! Wild for you to say I’m too dependent on my sister when this is the first time you’ve done something without your brother. But if you call off the relationship now, I’m going to call my dad and tell him you tried to have sex with me, and I turned you down, and that’s why you don’t want to see me anymore.

Honor-Luke: What the— fine! Fine! I’ll get a ring for you within the week.

Lauryn: Pleasure doing business, future hubby.

[or0ch1maru]

hello Cj! I hope you've been doing well! I'm sorry that you've been working so hard this past weekend :( I hope you rest well and get some time to unwind and do smth fun!

I LOOVED your headcanons of snuggling/cuddling with kakuzu🩷 can I request a hidan version?

hello my pretty bby♡︎I’ve been having a lovely few days off thank you, relaxing and catching up on some stuff. Just took a hot ass shower to help my muscles after the gym. And of course, let’s get into it🫵🏻

18+ MINORS, and ageless blogs DNI. Short blurb of sex w Hidan

•

-Hidan is similar to his partner in ways he treats and cherishes his woman

-he is both vocal and physical about his love for you. His main way is through sex. Leaving bite marks and hickeys in places people can see them, your neck, collarbones, thighs, even leaving scars from his teeth along your neck, wrists and arms. Just so people know you belong to him

-he’s huge on consent, especially since he’s a rough lover. He doesn’t make love, he fucks, HARD

-he’s loud about it too, tellin’ you how much he loves you and your pretty cunt, how he could live like this inside you, how pretty you are and how lucky he is to be the only one to have you this way

-where you go, he goes

-if anyone gives him weird looks about being glued to your hip, he gives them an even nastier look if he doesn’t straight up tell them to fuck off and mind their business

-but back to touch, he’s got to have a hand on you. Whether it’s playing with your hair, hand in your back pocket, or the small of your back. Or walking with his fingers intertwined through your belt loop

-even when you two are sitting on the couch around the other members, his arm wrapped around you, resting gently on top of your breast.

-or wrapping around your neck, no squeezing, just resting against your delicate, scarred skin

-when you rest between his legs, your back against him, his hand casually cups over your pussy, even when he’s not trying to do anything sexual. He just loves touchin’ you

-when you two are alone in your shared room, he’s like your own weighted blanket, he’ll lay on top of you, watching his positions so he doesn’t crush or hurt you

-he loves skin to skin

-you two will just hang out and cuddle naked, he’ll have you sitting in his lap, calloused hands resting on the soft flesh of your hips. Admiring your form

-taking in all your scars, any form of blemishes, doesn’t care about acne or if you’re chubby, he goes crazy when he sees your stretch marks

-he’ll caress every part of you, especially the things you’re most insecure about. Hidan will kiss you head to two, telling you how beautiful you are to him

-sees you as a goddess

-one that deserves to be worshipped, gifted, and treated like one should

-another thing Hidan includes in your cuddles is deep, raw, and passionate make out sessions.

-his hands holding the back of your head as he nips at your bottom lip, his tongue exploring the inside of your mouth while yours does the same to him

-now, not every time ends up with sex but when it does, he’s turned into a needy puddle

-begging you to use him, ride him and take him any way you need him

-head thrown back as his hands travel up and down your body, gripping you wherever he can, whines and whimpers falling from his lips as you slam your hips down his girth

-“baby, baby f-fuck. Bein’ so good for ya doll. Please.”

-he begs, not sure what he’s begging for but it just feels right. Just like Kakuzu, he feels like you were made for him, made to take and please him

-but back to the cuddles(may or may not have gotten of track but ya know, can’t help it with him)

-your shared bed has tons of blankets on it, just to make the two of you into burritos when you’re pressed against him

-your hands wrapped around his head as your chests are touching, his hands holding you at the small of your back, keeping your body up against him

-he also likes being little spoon. Feeling your small form pressed against his back while your arm wraps around his torso, holding him to you

-he’ll cup your hand in his, holding it against his chest, letting his heart beat against you, even though you can’t feel it. It gives him a sense of calm, and security

-when you’re on your cycle, (just like his partner, he makes sure your stocked on everything you could need and runs bubble baths for you) but he uses his hand as your personal heater

-he radiates so much warmth that the second his hand touches your lower belly or back, your cramps fade

-have y’all seen any of the videos where a bf will pull down his shirt just to expose his cute lil gf hiding inside

-that’s Hidan. Would love for you to live in his skin lol. The rare times he wears a shirt or hoodie, he holds it open for you to climb into. Smiles to himself when he sees that you’ve fallen asleep in there

-and lastly, on missions, he’ll wrap his cloak around you, engulfing you in his scent and the warmth of his chest

-he’ll walk with you that way for however long either of you please

-which will be the entire trip there and back

[bartletslesbians]

3, 6 and 20 for the character ask game... for CJ obviously 💜

Character ask game! (still accepting)

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character

"And every time there would be a less qualified black woman to take his place." and really her whole spiel on affirmative action. I appreciate that she starts it out acknowledging she's not in the right for it, but really the whole thing is just disappointing

Just. Jesus, girl. And I'll say that obviously, I get that I can't turn on a tv show about US politics in the early 2000s about a bunch of white middle-aged political operatives; just like none of the guys' sexism is surprising or out of place for the time, I'm not surprised that 3/4 of the senior staff has some very off-putting moments of racism and xenophobia. (I couldn't immediately think of a moment for Sam so I felt bad saying 4/4, but I wouldn't be surprised if I just forgot.) But there really is no more straightforward answer to this question because jfc.

6. What’s something you have in common with this character?

I, too, would unironically fall into a pool if I wasn't wearing my glasses. When I swim with friends or family, I can only tell them apart by swim suit color, and I very stupidly shuffle alongside the beach or pool side to avoid falling or stepping into something, it's ridiculous.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn’t matter?

I really do think that Josh Lyman takes this title and he deserves it wholeheartedly. They are so deeply important to each other, but I also think they have the right mix of impulse/joy/passion/hot-headedness/and just genuine love for their work to really make that friendship work so well. I really love the way early season 1 has them start out yelling at each other like arguing teens just to go right back to work, no harm done. They mean the world to me. I like to think that after the tension of the campaign, they fell back together very easily, just cause being apart was hell.

But also for a character she doesn't actually spend much time with at all, I do like thinking of Andy and CJ as having met in college and being longtime friends, and I think CJ's occasional moments of disillusionment with the world and her work could fit very well with Andy's intense belief that the world is good and they can make it better, because a lot of the time CJ does genuinely believe that, too.

[queenjunothegreat]

I have so many MOA scene rewrite suggestions (you obviously do not have to write all of these, but you asked for suggestions so!! also sorry for this being so long)

- (this is a big sad one) Jason reuniting with camp Juptier and realizing he wasn’t very missed and was basically replaced + Leo getting possessed and firing on Camp Jupiter (I can’t remember if this was Leo’s thought process in the books, but Leo would definitely think he was a curse for Jason or something. Like first he ruined things with Thalia and now this)

- I would love to see a one-shot of Leo and Hazel’s relationship being fixed. Cause I hate the fact that Hazel had to deal with two guys crushing on her after being traumatically revived into a new time period. This could also function as a Valgrace/Lost trio fic cause Jason and Piper would definitely get jealous of Leo being constantly stolen away to go on missions without them.

- Jason’s birthday picnic with Piper

- this last one isn’t MOA related but I want to include anyways cause it’s a special headcannon to me. I 100% believe that Annabeth pestered the shit out of Leo when he was building the Argo II. Not in a mean way!!! But, she would definitely immediately try to help Leo in making the ship cause she loves designing things and she wants to see her boyfriend. I feel like she horrible at assuming/accepting that people wouldn’t want her help. Therefore, she keeps pestering Leo on ship progress and ideas. And Leo being the solo worker he is, just doesn’t know how to work with someone else. It could function great as a 5+1 fic like - “Five times Annabeth tries to help Leo, + the one time Annabeth succeeds in helping.” Basically, I just need someone to write a fic about their friendship. As well as Leo accepting he doesn’t need to do everything alone and he can ask for help.

Never apologize for longwindedness to me. I am King President of Yappingtonshireville and I ALWAYS encourage everyone to run their mouths. In fact, I am THANKING you for all these wonderful ideas 😌

First and foremost, um???? Butting heads to work besties Annabeth and Leo??? Hello??? Sign me the FUCK up!! There's not NEARLY enough fics featuring these two and that needs to change ASAP! It will also be a really good chance for me to work on my Annabeth voice for the HoH rewrite. Her being so eager and willing to help to the point where it would be off putting to anyone much less someone like Leo while also not even recognizing it is SUCH an Annabeth thing oh my god. My darling girl mwah mwah mwah.

Also! Yes! Hazel! She deserved so much better than being forced into a weird bad love triangle that didn't do literally anything for the story. Leo will have absolutely ZERO romantic feelings for the traumatized 13 year old, bur he will absolutely flirt with her when Frank is around just to mess with him. I am REALLY fond of the odea of them becoming friends (and Hazel being like "Frank, why are you being mean to Leo? 🥺 He's my friend" and Frank folding like a house of cards) and I'm beyond delighted with the idea of Jason and Piper having a mutual pouting session about Leo hanging out with Frank and Hazel more. That in particular could fold really nicely into the Jason’s birthday picnic thing!

Ooooh, I am gnawing on this Jason getting to CJ concept. I was planning on writing it from (SURPRISE!) Reyna’s POV, but I think it would be sososo good to then swap POV halfway through and have them mirror each other's thoughts without even realizing it. I am actually in the middle of writing a fic that is immediately post everyone getting back on the ship after firing on New Rome, so I will for SURE be yoinking those "Leo feels like a curse" thoughts to put in there because it is SO good.

[bookblrihardlyknowher]

Feminist Horror Masterpiece or Not Like Other Girls Manifesto?

Maeve Fly Book Review

Title: Maeve Fly

Author: CJ Leede

Genre: Slasher/Horror

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Start Date: July 29 2024

End Date: July 31 2024

Favourite Quote: “I have never understood, and still do not understand the notion that a woman must first endure a victim hood of some sort…to be monstrous. Men have always been permitted in fiction and in life to simply be what they are, no matter how dark or terrifying that might be. But with a woman, we expect an answer, a reason.” Page 130

What Iiked & general thoughts:

Before I say anything else I have to say the cover art is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, it is gorgeous and I just love looking at it.

I really liked this book and will read CJ Leede’s next work immediately when its published. The atmosphere, the imagery and the scene building was so good, I gained an appreciation of LA through Maeve and it perfectly mixed the disgusting imagery with the beautiful. The characters were also fully fleshed and felt so real. I knew Maeve, understood her, and it was so easy to get into her head space. She is a well-written, complex, interesting character who I couldn’t help but root for and forgive her horrific actions. It’s a love letter to 80’s/90’s horror and LA, with some interesting kills. It’s one of my top reads this year. It’s not perfect but its a book I will definitely recommend.

Criticisms:

I’ve seen a lot of comments about how she gives not like other girls and I agree, however I don’t have a problem with it in this case: she isn’t like other girls…shes a serial killer, we’re not supposed to relate, we’re not supposed to love her. All that to say, I understand why this turns people off, but its not something that turned me off of the book. The book takes a long time to really kick off 2/3 of the book is lead up, then the last 1/3 is pure gore. Personally, I don’t hate slow starts and really need to understand the characters to care about the story, but if you want a fast paced splatter punk then this is not the book. I would’ve liked it to go a little faster and there was a little too much description of surroundings that I ended up skimming.

SPOILERS BELOW

The Ending: I understand why Maeve kills Gideon and it fits with the character, I just don’t know how i feel about it … in the moment I was pissed that he died but after reflecting I realized that its the best ending. Her character is trained to kill, shes had a mental snap and the guy she has complex feelings about that she doesn’t know how to cope with found her bodies, of course she didn’t hear him out. Also if they had ended up together: it would’ve been a dark romance not a horror, if the horrible person gets a happy ending and can suddenly control her urges, that would’ve made me hate the book if we’re being honest. Maeve is a complex, but ultimately horrible person who doesn’t deserve a happy ending and would never be able to control her urges and emotions enough to have a happy ending make sense. So idk I don’t hate the ending but I understand why people do.

The Doll: This is my biggest criticism, I don’t understand why the dolls were there. They were placed in the story randomly, weren’t focused on and didn’t get a resolution. The whole doll ‘storyline’ could be taken out of the book and nothing would’ve changed.

[luvaera]

hi friends ( yes, if you’re reading this, we are friends now ) !! i’m nervous yet suuuuuper excited to be here ! it’s been so long since i’ve been here on tumblr, so do forgive me for any mistakes. oh — i’m ree ( she/they ), by the way !! beating life levels 21 ‘n up & find me casually swimming over here in the east coast ( i would drown, i can’t swim … but it’s raining as i’m typing this so i had to ).

below the cut are some quick tidbits about my pretty, in her own right, it girl sour patch kid — chloé !! ♡

quick links: dossier & kprofile & plots & pinterest ! ( everything is a wip, you'll know more about her below the cut, really )

⸺ welcome to infinite entertainment ! it's KIM AERA ( CHLOÉ ), who is the MAIN DANCER of BRAVEHEART. i’ve heard whispers that the TWENTY-FIVE year old is pretty ECCENTRIC but lowkey UNPREDICTABLE. also, doesn’t she remind you of HUH YUNJIN ?

people either love or hate her — there often isn’t an in-between. well, unless they’re the few who are so envious that they want to be her. aera assumes that comes with being a popular idol, right ?

originally born with a silver spoon in gangnam, south korea ( cheongdam-dong district, to be exact ) to a family of old money chaebols. the middle child.

with parents that were too focused on themselves and their careers ( mother climbing the ladder in the entertainment world and later becoming a cj enm director and shareholder && father becoming the executive director of asan medical center / hospital ), aera was pawned off, akin to the same fashion as her older brother, at the age of two to be raised by her dotty, outgoing uncle in manhattan.

a child that struggled with healthily expressing her emotions, yet had an abundance of energy — so, after multiple failed methods, aera was put into dance lessons. that was how aera learned to release her emotions instead of letting them accumulate. by now, she has learned to use her words. there are times when she struggles !

found her place with contemporary and hip-hop dance. became inspired by popular pop artists such as britney spears, lady gaga, and beyoncé ( to name a few ), as well as early kpop idols such as lee hyori and boa. it was boa that inspired her the most to pursue wanting to be more than a dancer in a dance group after school.

moving back to korea years later felt jarring, but with the "support" of her parents ( enrolling her in more dance lessons, along with vocal lessons ) when they felt settled enough to parent their children, aera once again found her footing.

it is rumored that her parents sponsored her to eventually debut in braveheart, taking the spot of another deserving trainee. neither she nor the label has ever addressed the circulating rumor, causing netizens to form their own opinions.

known for giving people whiplash with her personality and behavior. one minute she's lively, bubbly, full of herself and the next she's speaking without a filter, being rebellious, or randomly getting up to something she shouldn’t be doing. a sour candy.

silently struggles with the insecurity that she doesn't live up to the same level as the other members, but fake it until you make it ... right ?

will say that she's definitely got an ego that started in her high school years and escalated as fame hit the group. which can have her unintentionally coming off as pretentious.

really wants to get a pet of her own, but settles for the tamagotchi on her phone, that she proudly talks about in lives.

doesn’t mind going by aera or chloé !! whichever the person prefers.

a big reader ! leans towards romance, fantasy, thriller, occasional horror. loves webtoons and manga, but doesn't read them as frequently like her books. always has her ipad with her for reading ( and occasional games ).

a fan of anime and movies. enjoys her fair share of dramas too. sometimes has her wanting to try a hand at acting.

if she can't sleep, aera is probably in the practice room learning choreography for other idols or making up her own.

has a soft spot for memories. never far without her camera to capture the moment. or using her phone. shares some moments on her second instagram account.

random aesthetics: late night adventures, early mornings. imposter syndrome. luxury brands. unread text messages. a spring baby with a winter loving heart. vibey facetime calls, phone calls that are hours long. black lace, freshly manicured nails. leaving before the other wakes up. leaving little notes around to make others smile. never taking no for an answer. highlighted passages in a book. dreaming of something bigger and making it happen. the smell of dark cherries, vanilla, and roses. headphones always over ears with music or podcasts playing. sipping lattes. bringing a camera everywhere you go. talking too much, yet not enough. faint strums of a guitar. the wrong key pressed on a piano out of frustration. shoes squeaking against hardwood flooring, mirrored reflection looking back. a sweet disaster. going missing when you take your eyes off her. penned lyrics but never shown. words from privileged lipgloss coated lips. sentimental photo albums. tear stained pillows. might be a sinner might be a saint.

possible connections: best friends. rivals / someone she has beef with. frienemies. ride or die. exes. secret friends. secret lovers / fwb / situationship. platonic soulmate. squad / friend group. summer romance. childhood friends. former best friends. dance partner. role model. drinking or late night adventure buddies. mutual crushes. on and off again something. you know what ? just give me anything and everything ! i want it all !!

[my-head-is-an-animal]

What She Deserves

Toby Ziegler x OFC (Kaitlin Stone)

Rating/Warnings: Implied Domestic/Sexual Abuse, Some Depictions of Violence, Smut 18+

Summary: Kaitlin Stone works with CJ, Toby has loved her for eight years, since the beginning of the campaign trail. Kaitlin's abusive boyfriend is the only thing standing in his way from getting what he wants and giving her what she deserves.

Chapter 17

The story broke suddenly and aggressively. Danny Concannon was the only journalist who wasn’t constantly asking questions. Everyone wanted to know why something wasn’t done sooner? Was Kaitlin in therapy? How was she dealing with the death of her abuser? Was she still taking painkillers?

     The last question piqued Toby’s interest, he’d been around long enough to know that a question doesn’t get asked unless there’s cause.

     ‘Good morning.’ He met Kaitlin in the lobby, the snow was getting heavier as Christmas was coming in and he hated the thought of her getting caught in it.

     ‘Morning Toby.’ She smiled, but it was strained as it often had been over the last month or so.

     ‘I brought you coffee.’ He said, handing her the coffee cup he was holding. ‘It’s cold out.’

     ‘Thank you, you didn’t have to.’

     ‘I wanted to.’

     They walked towards her office and he filled her in on a few things that were coming down the pipeline. It would be a stressful day and one he was sure would push her to her limits.

     ‘Something else came up.’ Toby gently closed the door to her office behind him, watching her take her long coat off and reveal the plum turtleneck she wore often. ‘A question about whether you’re still taking pain killers or not.’

     He watched her freeze and his heart began breaking.

     ‘I’ve not needed painkillers since I got off the crutches, Toby.’ She said, casually laughing it off, but Toby felt the disappointment in his chest. ‘Who asked the question?’

     ‘I’m sure CJ has the answer to that.’ He said, sadly. ‘Kaitlin, if you’re struggling, it’s okay-‘

     ‘I’m fine.’ She cut him off. It was only further confirmation that she was lying.

     ‘I don’t believe you.’ Toby kept his gaze locked with hers. ‘I’m not upset, I’m just… disappointed in myself.’

     ‘What do you mean?’ Kaitlin’s voice was so small again and he hated when that happened.

     ‘I feel like I should have noticed sooner, or… offered more.’ Toby rolled his eyes, he was saying it all wrong. ‘The bottom line is this: you can’t work in your position and be taking pills at the same time. So, I just wanna know what I can do to help you? How can I make so you don’t need them anymore?’

     Her beautiful brown eyes just looked up at him in wonder, before frowning and looking away.

     ‘I just don’t understand.’ She whispered, shaking her head.

     ‘Understand what?’

     ‘You.’ She snapped. ‘I don’t get it. I don’t understand why you would want to…’ Kaitlin stopped, trying to quickly recompose herself, but he knew what the end of the sentence was.

     ‘I think you do know why.’ He said softly. ‘I think you know why and it has confused you or maybe overwhelmed you. And for that, I am sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said anything in the first place.’

     ‘Then why did you?’

     ‘I couldn’t help it.’ He shrugged, knowing it was a poor line. ‘Sometimes you just…’

     ‘Just what?’

     ‘You weaken me.’

     Kaitlin said nothing. What did anyone say to something like that? He let his gaze finally drop to the floor, hoping it would somehow make things easier for her, but it only made him want to run away.

     ‘I don’t want that for you.’ She whispered. ‘I don’t want you to feel weak.’

     When Toby looked back up, he could see tears streaming down her reddened cheeks. Clearly there was something about feeling weak that she despised, and it didn’t take a genius to put the pieces together.

     ‘Kaitlin, there’s more than one kind of weak.’ He said. ‘What you felt, what you’re feeling now, it’s not the same as I how feel.’ He was struggling for the right words to give her that would help. ‘You were helpless, powerless, unable to move away from fear.’ He swallowed thickly. ‘I am in admiration of you, of your strength, your beauty, your intelligence. It disarms me… and I enjoy that to no end.’

     Toby watched the light click in her head, she understood, but he remembered what she had said about instinct and logic. Maybe helping her iron that out was the best way forward. Gentle reminders of things she may have forgotten.

     ‘Why are you still taking painkillers, Kaitlin?’ He asked her again.

     She sniffed, shaking her head slightly. ‘Because I’m tired.’ She breathed. ‘I’m exhausted Toby. It’s so hard to pretend I’m fine when I literally cannot wake up without feeling like I’m trapped.’ She was trying to hard to hold it together. ‘I’m trying to move on, I’m trying to get my own place and come to work every day, and think about you and think about work and how stressful it must be working with me. And I think some days it would just be easier if I wasn’t here.’

     Kaitlin held her hand over her mouth to stop the noise coming out and Toby thought he might join her.

     ‘Kaitlin.’ He said, taking the couple of steps to stand directly in front of her. ‘I know this is hard for you to hear, but I know you understand. If you weren’t here, things would be so much worse. Think about everyone you talk to everyday and you ask if they’re okay, or if they need help, what if you have made the difference in their day and how they get through to the next? What if, when CJ needs your help, she’s not asking just anyone? She’s asking you, because you’re the only one who can finish her sentences and know what she’s thinking. God knows, I can’t do that and there’s no chance Josh or Sam or Leo could do it either.’ He tried to make her smile, but she was in too deep in her pain. ‘If you weren’t here, who would I bring coffee to? More importantly, whose office would I go to, to think in?’

     He just about managed to get a small, forced smile from her. ‘You could think in your own office?’ She croaked.

     ‘The lights not right in my office.’ He smiled, gently. ‘It’s better in here.’

     ‘Maybe you should move offices then.’ At least she was attempting a joke.

     ‘I like the arrangement we have.’

     Once again, Kaitlin’s big brown eyes were puffy and red, but he didn’t mind, she was still beautiful.

     ‘Have you told Dr Whitmore about the pills?’

     ‘No.’ She breathed.

     ‘She might be able to help.’

     ‘Yeah.’

     Toby gave her a small smile. ‘So, you’ll talk to her? You promise?’

     ‘I promise.’

     ‘Good.’ Toby nodded. ‘This is as bad as it’ll get with the press, you know that. Something else will take their interest and you’ll be free to think about other things finally.’

     ‘Like what?’

     ‘Christmas is right around the corner.’ Toby couldn’t believe he was about to ask her this. ‘I’d like to get you something, if you wouldn’t mind?’

     ‘You mean a present?’ She frowned in shock. ‘You’ve never given me a present before. You don’t have to, I don’t need anything. I’m okay.’

     ‘I know, but I want to.’ Toby could feel his chest flooding with heat, he hadn’t thought much on what he could get her, but he knew he wanted to get her something.

     ‘Well…’ Kaitlin shifted uncomfortably. ‘Like what? I don’t need anything.’ She repeated.

     ‘What do you want?’ He suggested, having a fair idea of how it might have gone. Wanting things may never have been a priority before, but he wanted her to have what she wanted, anything she wanted. ‘What do you want for Christmas?’ He asked out right, making clear his intentions.

     ‘Um…’ she shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’

     ‘Okay,’ he smiled. ‘If you think of anything, let me know. I’d like to get you something.’

     Kaitlin still looked stunned, like she couldn’t believe he would say that he wanted to get her a present.

     ‘I wouldn’t mind not feeling like this anymore.’ She said, jokingly.

     Toby inhaled, thinking about it. ‘Okay, I think I can work with that.’ He smiled, seeing her wipe away her tears and recompose herself. ‘I need to get back to work. Please make sure you tell Dr Whitmore about what’s been going on?’

     ‘I will.’ She nodded, promising him again.

If you liked this, please consider supporting me ☕ thanks for reading!

Masterlist

[calithal]

rate your muse's traits.  ༄            repost and rate your muse's traits out of 10 in each category!

compassion, 2/10. it’s not good. this one’s definitely one of the ‘isle mindset’ ones, where it’s considered such a weakness that she’s grown up with it as a warning of what not to do at all costs. she has grown up surrounded by the suffering of her loved ones, which a strange protection that she did not understand looming over her. the isle as a whole has a way of united suffering. there’s not much compassion there, but there is understanding. she truly could never feel compassion for anyone in auradon, understanding is as close as it could get and even then, Not Really.

bitterness, 10/10. sosososossooooo bitter and grudge holding and unforgiving and jealous and and and!!! this is truly ridiculous with how much she fucks up and not on accident. bitterness against auradon will never change.

happiness, 2/10. she just doesn’t consider it. she is always dissatisfied with peace, and i think happiness, in her mind, is such an auradon thing. none of them will ever be happy. she does not linger on the hopelessness of that statement. harriet and uma will always carry the weight of the world, harry and her will never be satisfied, just general someone’s going to get gil feelings and Much More. she does believe that her family does deserve to be happy, and that often evokes cj brand™ guilt and remorse from her. she absolutely doesn’t, though (sometimes, also harry doesn’t, when he’s acting like her. but most of the time he does.)

politeness, 1/10. so so so very impolite and inappropriate all the time, she does not care. she’ll literally say and do anything that suits her to. this was almost a 0 except she does, in some ways, follow isle conventions of not talking about things. semi-hypocritical of her though because she heavily criticizes auradon doing the same.

morality, 2/10. yeah the ‘i do whatever i want’ is very present here. the reality of morality has been knocked away from her because of her upbringing. she’ll do whatever she needs for her and her people to survive, and a few things that she didn’t need to do, just for fun. however, she has moments that creep in that surprise me where she has a strong desire to be praised and held and told that she’s doing good, only to run from the hills when said desires are fulfilled, of course. she also doesn’t want to be a monster. she does all the violence and murder and arson but she doesn’t want to be like her dad. so there’s that.

pride, 8/10. HUGE but also like. by her own standards. she doesn’t care for perfection and she’s still do Literally anything she wants that makes her look pathetic and childish. 

honesty, 1/10. a little bit of a pathological liar. it’s a huge vulnerability thing. but most of the time, you do have to fish the truth from her like a child, which makes it even harder because she can feel the nuisance of it. there is times where she admits it on her own, but that comes with time and trust. the moment she’s not believed when she’s told the truth, however, (even after a lifetime of lying) she takes it so personally and will hold it as a grudge. she does not see merit to telling the truth, and believes any truth she tells can be wielded against her.

bravery, 8/10. okay so faking your death is absolutely the ‘coward’s way out’ but besides that, she’s very brave, and there’s hardly any consideration for fear besides being vulnerable, which she struggles with majorly so that’s at least two points in itself. cj does not have any real desire to live. when prompted, she has no great reasons why living is fantastic, or a gift. she only functions off of her survival instincts because they’ve been wired into her. she spends so much of the time also being self destructive and near damn suicidal. all this to say, i don’t think she fears death, she just acts like she does.

recklessness, 10/10. yeah. yeah. 

ambition, 8/10. canonically, cj’s ambition is one of her most (and one of her only) highlighted traits. i think so much of it stems from how hard she had to fight to feel notable growing up, as she was the runt of the jolly roger kids. she wants her own everything. she leaves the isle and with it the entirety of her past and family behind because she craves that independence and the knowledge that she can do everything by herself without needing anyone else that badly. anything harriet and harry did, she had to veer directly off the path of it. she had to be different, or better. in actuality, she does not crave captaincy like uma, harry, or harriet do. she does love exploring, and being independent. she has a lot of passion and nowhere to put it.  also, just practically speaking, she does not and would not do well in leadership positions. it’s not like she likes being told what to do. in fact, she’s extremely defiant and demand avoidant. but she can get there. in the end, she knows it’s better for her than to be on her own. this is why her being on a crew only works after a severe disaster where she experiences character growth and considers saving other people in addition to her own life.

loyalty, 6/10. she always comes home to the isle and her family, no matter how much she fights it. however, there is a fair bit of straying. huge events that completely shatter this cycle help a lot to keep her closer. she’s not big on developing new loyalties, but they can happen. it’s pretty much just her family (siblings and then also extensions like gil, uma, nina) she’s also really big on defending the honor of those that her loyalties lie with. Huge.

love, ??/10. mmm yeah. i can’t give a number on this. she won’t let me. like nearly everyone on the isle, her relationship with love is so complicated and has been connotated as severely negative and with heavy consequences her entire life. she looks down upon emotional softness and vulnerability in its entirety and considers it a weakness. cj’s love so frequently looks like her fighting it. she always follows through on protecting her loved ones, however it’s always her idea of protecting them, which often becomes her pushing them away. genuine physical affection, unprompted acts of services, random ‘i thought of you’s, and declarations (and carry-throughs, ofc) of violence in your honor are other cj love languages.

sense of family, 5/10. harriet and harry are everything. but she’s always spent half of her time fighting them fiercely and the other half being so dependent on them and their protection. she would kill for them, sometimes she thinks she’s going to kill them all.  harriet is still her big sister, even as she takes on mother responsibilities, it’s still different than a mother, because cj never knew hers and will forever associate the mother role to the one that she wanted, who didn’t want her. the isle is full of non-traditional families, so cj really had no traditional mother role to model her expectations off of. her big sister raised her, but she’s still her sister. harriet (and harry) took care of her when she felt unloved, and even as she fought her and continues to fight her, she will always feel guilt for that. however, she feels as if she cannot change, even if she wanted to. harry is always a battle of pride. when her father cared enough to mold her into anything at all, he created something to fight harry. she still hides behind harry, and she believes that he hates her. her dad is a monster. her memories of him are that of a shadowy nightmare from her childhood, but then, she suffered from his neglect more than anything. the scary stories belonged to her siblings. she both resented him for it, and was also jealous of her siblings for having his attention. then he was as close as mentor as he could be to her when she was essentially his secret assassin, and taught her how to be scary and kill or enforce fear in the quiet of the night. she adored him, in a way, and ceaselessly sought his approval. however, that only lasted for a handful of years, and she had also completely left the isle a few years beyond that. most of her memories are taken up by the time she spent in auradon and beyond. various degrees of repression and actually just losing memories because of different methods of coping with them has left her inable to recall several things before she was 16 and leaving.  since then, he has become more of a rotting corpse that she stares at from the shadows with a completely blank mind. she has no idea what to think, besides that she’s trying not to think about it. and then, he actually is dead. she has nightmares about him and his corpse, telling no one, of course. basically, it’s all very complicated. five is a good flip-flop number, because she’s been raised with family above everything, but it fucks with her.

attractiveness, 9/10. really good genes, she has the startling kind of beauty, definitely leans more ‘hot’ than ‘pretty’ or ’cute’ and is perfectly fine with that. she’s a ten to Me but she has a lot of sharp angles and probably is kind of scary looking with how intense she is, so there’s that. (she also is well aware of how attractive she is, which could either increase or decrease the score depending on your taste)

agility, 10/10. she’s tall now, but she grew up as the tiny runt of the litter, even beyond just her siblings. she had to be fast, and good at hiding. it was all she had. her pessimism helps in a fight in addition to this, she assumes the worst of everything and everyone <3 so she is quick without thinking. she jumps to aggression and violence so quick, but also, good luck catching her, or finding her. even more than just running, she's incredibly sneaky. 

sex drive, 9/10. very much a coping mechanism, and she’s really annoying about it. one point off for the knee-jerk of it, as it’s at a point of reflex to sexualize herself, even if it’s not completely what she wants. there are times when she has sex without wanting to. not because she was forced, but just as a distraction. mostly, sex is fun and she loves it, but she absolutely does not have a healthy relationship with it. (tho, she doesn’t have a healthy relationship with anything) 

stolen from;  @ru5t​​​​​​​  ♡♡ tagging;   you, steal this and say i tagged you!

[panthera-tigris-venenata]

CJ & Cerberos

The Isle kids think that death is a social construct, and Hades is not really helping. And CJ Hook in particular treats the Underworld like bus station.

CJ Hook is dead. Again. But look, that’s nothing new, and Harriet didn’t even see this time around, so where’s the problem, really?

Death doesn’t want her. He told her so herself, just last week. And the week before that. And about a month ago. Basically at least once a month since she was, like, seven. Maybe five. Whatever. Time is a social construct.

Wait. He death – that’s not entirely correct. He’s the god of the dead, not of the death. That guy is a fucking killjoy – easily outranked and surprisingly flammable killjoy, if CJ says so herself.

CJ shakes her head, getting her hair out of her eyes, and jumps up. Nothing hurts much, and she isn’t actually sure how she went this time, but hey. Someone’s sure to tell her soon, she just hopes it was dramatic enough. She has bigger problems now.

„Spot!“ she cries out and runs to hug the Guardian of the Underworld around one of his necks. Her hands disappear in the thick fur, and as three wet muzzles sniff at her, CJ Hook laughs.

And they say hell hounds are supposed to be terrifying!

…Clearly, they’ve never seen angry Harriet.

Something wet and icky falls on CJ’s neck; her hair; under her cloak. „Hey now, Spot!“ she cries out, „What did we say about your spit on my clothes?!“

The dog’s left head nuzzles her forehead in apology,and the right head licks her all over her neck and jaw and cheek and eye.

„EW!“ CJ laughs, pushing the right head away, and then bringing it close again; her giggles melt fluently into sobs.

That’s, of course, how the Lord of Underworld finds her.

„Again?“ he sighs instead of greeting, and CJ lifts her head from the now-wet fur. „Hi, Uncle Hades!“ she sniffs. The Lord of the Dead does not correct her. Instead, he ask: „Why are you crying, child?“

CJ sniffs again, and then replies, as dramatically as she can muster: „I can’t pet all three of his heads at once!“

„Yes, that is truly horrible,“ facepalms the god, „Now get upland go away, before your siblings learn you’re here. I’m not in the mood today.“

Fun fact: He is never in the mood for the Hook siblings. Which is a fact that none of them are abusing at all.

„Sure thing, Uncle Hades,“ CJ fake-sniffs again,and pets Cerberos’ middle head, „But–“

The god rubs his temple: „What do you mean but, you insolent child?“

„How did I die this time? Was it impressive?“

„How am I supposed to know?“

What a stupid question. CJ glares a bit, and so does Cerberos. Good boy! „You’re a god,duh,,“ she answers. It should be pretty obvious.

„And you should remember how you die–“

CJ giggles. Why should she bother? Death doesn’t want her. And being careful would be no fun at all.

The god sighs again,and tells her she died trying to raid Evil Queens vaults, again. And that they should finally stop fucking trying, and that her brother died for the same thing last week, which scandalises CJ a bit: He didn’t even tell her! Then again, he didn’t succeed, and maybe that’s a good thing. If he got some of Evil Queens gold (for Uma), the docks would never hear the end of it. Yeah, small mercies. Anyway, there is only one thing that matters: „Well, did I succeed this time?“

„Just check your pockets, you little magpie.“

CJ makes a long face, as Uncle Hades is being entirely unhelpful today. Then she makes a long face again, when she check her pockets and realises that while they’re full of interesting and shiny things, there is nothing new in them. But oh– she thought that she lost that butterfly knife. And she wanted to give these earrings to Freddie weeks ago!

„You can go now,“ says the almighty Lord of the Dead, Ruler of Underworld, God of Riches under the Earth, „You know where the doors are.“

She perks up, and he facepalms again,muttering something like „What did I ever do to deserve this kind of suffering?“ and CJ has no idea what he’s talking about, really. She just wants to take Spot here for a little walk! She’s supposed to go back to the Isle anyway, and walks are good for dogs, really, Sammy said that once! (She thinks.)

She tells him so.

„Absolutely not–“ comes the swift reply.

CJ tries (and fails) to hug all Spot’s necks again, and makes doe eyes at the unmovable god. Then she gets an idea: She leans away from the dog and looks at him sadly, as if preparing to say goodbye. Then she perks up and in faux-surprise exclaims: „Oh, look! Spot has red eyes! Like Ettie when she’s angry!“

Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees the god’s flame-hair flicker, and finally, the answer comes: „Take spot for the walk, then.“

Just as she wanted! Yes! „Yes! Thank you, Uncle Hades!“ She jumps up on her feet and runs up to hug the god, who, interestingly enough, rapidly retreats with some interesting curses on his lips. Well, at least CJ thinks those are curses: She can’t speak Greek yet. She should ask Uma to teach her. Surely she would, for her future favourite sister-in-law…

„Come now, Spot!“ CJ exclaims, clapping her hands, „We have places to be! People to scare! Shadow witches to impress!“

Spot obediently gets up, and in a moment, they’re on the Isle again.

And in the moment, the air in the docks fills up with screams of horror as the pirates see little CJ Hook grinning like a madwoman and riding on a three-headed hell hound.

CJ grins just a little bit more, hoping her eyes are burning just as Spot’s are, too, and scratches the middle head behind the ears.

This is awesome.

[nani-nonny]

How would peepaws - idk if i should add LCD because i know he doesn't go to the top area NYC - celebrate holidays such as Halloween, Christmas...etc.

If you can't/don't want to write about all holidays then you can answer about the most memorable/interesting holiday.

Aww I’ll include LCD even if he doesn’t go uptop, he deserves to be included for the holidays even if he doesn’t have his family to celebrate with. I’ll answer about holidays in general because it’ll be kind of the same answer for the separate holidays :D

DMD: For the holidays, he gets very very busy. Big Mama loves to capitalize on his position as the renowned Battle Nexus champ, so he’s booked on fights. But he does get a day off, courtesy of Splinter and Mikey (and Lil Leon, of course) on the day of the actual holiday. He spends the holiday with the family in the lair, makes a dessert or two that the teens want, watches a few soaps with Splinter and Leon, and he hasn’t been found out (from his knowledge) that he spends one hour alone with his sword that he hung on the wall (the sword with his brothers’ bandanas).

LCD: Surprisingly, holidays are the times where crime isn’t on the rise. Which makes it less bearable on his part, but he can’t deny it makes him the tiniest bit happier that he gets to rest. He spends that time simply watching the Hidden City from above, itching for someone to beat but it never really happens. Sure, some scheming occurs during that time from criminals, but no actions are taken, much to his disappointment. But watching the city, he does catch glimpses of the teens visiting which brings him some peace of mind.

WDS: He’s super busy, but not like DMD’s case. But he’s out going with everyone in the family shopping or attending events in the Hidden City. It’s a lot of family time for him, and gets very exhausting for him. Especially with how excited his ghosty siblings get in his head, and teasing him for being stretched thin and every direction. But he spends a good majority of his time introducing Casey Jr to a lot of things that the resistance couldn’t provide during the apocalypse, it’s mainly a bunch of delicious foods hahaha!

Reunion: He usually visits after the holidays are over, because he has his family to spend the time with in the future timeline. The holidays can get messy what with the rebuilding and all, but it’s the one time people actually get along and get reminded of the time spend fighting cohesively against the Krang, where everyone got along (to an extent). So he has to make sure the holiday events and the likes are perfect! But when the holidays are over, he visits the teens and takes turns talking to them with his siblings.

Bonus:

(A)PAF: He spends a majority of the holiday with his baby and CJ, gushing over his baby girl and his teenage son. Lots of photos are taken and a lot of food is shared! He shares the photos with Grandpa Splinter and spends the rest of the day with the teens in the lair.

[bartletslesbians]

7, 8, 12, 20 for Donnatella ❤️❤️

Character ask game (accepting)!

7. What’s something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

This feels like a cop-out cause it's not a specific thing? But I just love the enthusiasm for her? Like, it's just so fun to see the love for Donnatella Moss because she deserves every single bit of it. I love seeing the depth people can add to her character, I especially really love the concepts where she gets to truly thrive in her career post administration, or the AUs where she gets to spread her wings earlier in the timeline. It's a damn joy.

8. What’s something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

Is it cheating to bring reddit arguments onto here? Cause the only big thing that comes to mind is the way some guys on reddit just can't get over their hatred for Donna. If I have to see one more person call her annoying and not worthy of Josh I am going to lose my damn mind; it's insulting, it's ridiculous, it's just so frustrating to see, it's wrong. But outside of reddit threads, I really don't see that sentiment much at all, so like, it's fine.

12. What’s a headcanon you have for this character?

Just a little thing I like to imagine: I like the idea that out of all the assistants, she was closest to Mrs. Landingham. There's something about Dolores visiting the campaign (I don't think she was travelling with them the whole time) and meeting this young girl who hired herself onto Josh's staff? And it's not the kind of near familial relationship Dolores has with Charlie, but it's a close bond, and she really cares about Donna, and it's just sweet, and then so damn heartbreaking when she dies.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn’t matter?

CJ feels like the obvious answer. "A criminal mind equal to my own"? The fact that Donna pulled the alarm on CJ's death threat when CJ wanted to bury it (saving her life)? Donna staying the night with CJ in season 7 and neither of them wanting to admit they want to cancel for a guy? I love it. They're such good friends and I would've loved more screentime for that dynamic. I love them in No Exit too, the calling out of each other's behaviour around Josh and Ben? Just beautiful.

But also, sidenote, just because I can: I do so love that AU we once talked about where Donna, in order to move out of Josh's office, becomes Andy's Chief of Staff or someone else in her office. And we never canonically see those two interact, but I do really think that they could have such a good relationship both at work and in their personal lives. And the simple image of Donna and the twins is adorable enough to make anything work really.

[sheinthatfandom]

Time to make my Worlds End predictions.

Even though it’s not until tomorrow I’m feeling pretty good and wanna focus on something that makes me happy soooo wrestling. Gonna just put everything under the cut cause it’s a lot of matches and I have thoughts.

Zero hour

20 man battle royale. Not putting the pic cause there’s no faces anyway.

Why are we having a battle royale for the PPV this coulda been a womens match. Oh or a women’s battle royale. I have no idea who in this but since Lee Moriarty isn’t already on any posters for this PPV I want him to win. Scorpio sky should not be in this or wardlow just no neither should go near this belt again. Also is Chuck healed yet? I’ll also accept Chuck winning

The dream is for Yuta to walk out with two belts. Realistically, never gonna happen. Hook has never lost clean and after the last loss he shouldn’t lose to shenanigans again. What I do want is for Yuta to bring the monster out of hook. I want this to be a blood bath and for both of them to get the crowd on their feet and chanting fight forever. I want when this match is over for the ftw belt to mean the bloodiest hardcore shit in aew. Hook is most likely winning this but I want it to feel deserved.

Andrade lost the c2 and with CJ still gone after the infection/surgery it would make sense for him to lose because she’s not around to cheer him on and manage him to greatness. This should be miros match to win but it would be great if Andrade mimicked some of miros moves making it seem like CJ might have taught Andrade her own husbands stuff. That’s for commentary to put over but if it’s the usual folks I doubt they’d do that and will most likely be talking about what they had for lunch 🙄

So originally it was gonna be Kyle but I guess now we’re getting Takeshita. Which to me means they didn’t want the losing team to be3 people with belts so they moved him out. Hopefully it’s that and not an injury. Either way fuck this match Takeshita shoulda been in the battle royale. The only good thing about this match is Ricky and Will (Hobbs) being on the same team again and it could be interesting seeing them move fluidly together and Bill like 👀 are you trying to take a big booty princess???? Especially when Ricky makes it such a point that he and bill don’t know each other aren’t close aren’t friends and don’t even have a tag name and it’s all on purpose and by design. (Because the last person he trusted was will and will went after his neck.) And then Jericho is out here naming himself after nazi sympathizers. We already know whose winning and I hate it all.

IF SWERVE DONT WIN I WILL PERSONALLY SHOVE MY FOOT UP TKS NARROW ASS!!!! This man needs to be put on the fast path to the world title and losing to Lee when I don’t see any legitimate story for Lee after this ain’t it. If they have to let it be Nana coming in with shenanigans and run this back when Swerve is world champ.

I hope everyone has fun 🥰🥰

I’m hoping Lethal gets knocked tf out early and we can just watch everyone fuck nasty for 20 mins before Danny pins Lethal for the win. (And then we get Danny in a winners room with only the BCC cause he’s a good boy and deserves it) also Danny should wear the panties since he’s teaming with Bryan. 🥵

As much as I’m done with Christian as tnt champ adam doesn’t deserve it. I personally want Christian to walk out with the belt. But I can see tk giving it to Adam and with no dq maybe lucha helps adam and turns on Christian to keep a story going. But again I don’t want Adam to win here.

I love you mox so much you’re my fave wrestler in the history of forever you are the heart and soul of professional wrestling… buuuuut Eddie is and should be the one to walk out with 3 belts. The story that has been building not even for months for years is for Eddie to take this and it’s the only ending. Nothing else this is for Eddie

I’m not ready for Toni to lose the belt and I’ve never been a riho fan. I don’t hate her but I def don’t see her as champion at least not for aew. If Toni does lose it would be cause Mariah cost her but again I don’t want that. It could also be Mariah’s first match be against riho cause she costs riho this match if they don’t want riho to lose clean.

I want mjf to win only because I do not want Joe as a transitional champion and I really really want swerve to get the belt early in 2024. The devil needs to show his face already. Also who tf is our roh tag team champs right now? It better be the kingdom. Plus if joe loses and he willingly gave up his tv belt like can you imagine how unhinged he will be? It’s gonna be so sexy 😏 and then imagine zack poking him like Samoa Joseph I guess we know whose the greatest television champ is don’t we. This man is gonna be a menace if he loses will make it everyones problem.

Here’s hoping the devil is Adam or Kyle 🤞

[1jemmagirl22]

You know, going into Season 6 of The West Wing was like this eternal pile of fear and anxiety at what I knew was to come as the devoted Josh x Donna shipper I am. The beginning, not as bad as I thought, even better in fact. Then I get to episode 5, episode 5 is where it all goes down hill.

Cause, you see, the other thing I went in to season 6 with was, the White House can’t possibly be treating Josh as badly as the dozens of Josh and Donna fan fictions I’ve read imply. I just finished episode 8, and I can say with absolute certainty, the hate on Josh by everyone around him is so much worse than what I imagined. 

When I say everyone, I mean everyone but Donna, and even she’s about to pull one big bad punch at him (Not that she does not deserve the freedom she’s about to get and my feminist ass doesn’t love her for it, but my gods I’ll hate her for like two episodes because Josh’s pain will haunt me!), has just hit him again and again and again for no reason. CJ has become, quite honestly, someone I really hate, whenever she’s in a scene with Josh, and I know, I know it’s only going to get worse but seriously why was everyone so cruel to him?

Leo and Donna make sense. Leo is pushing him to find a candidate, Donna is feeling with PTSD and self confidence issues, but everyone else? The only person I kind of give a pass to is Toby, he’s probably about as pissed as Josh, but it’s his default so okay. But CJ? Will? The President? They are all tearing at him every chance they get and my gods its maddening. 

I know it gets worse, and I’m probably going to rant about it tomorrow, or later today depending on my never, but my gods I’m loosing it already how am I going to make it to season 7? How am I going to make it past the immense hardship poor darling Josh is hitting soon?!

Can anyone who’s managed to make it through this torturous section of this amazing show tell me your secret so I can make it through?