#continuous roaster

[starrvsn]

` ִ ꔫ ۫ ⊹ D.HUME ࣪ ˖ TWO HALVES OF ONE HEART.

﹙ MOVIE/FANDOM ⠆THE BOYS IN THE BOAT ﹚

PART 02 OF HEART AND MIND! READ PART 01 HERE.

PAIRING ⠆don hume x fem!reader.

WORD COUNT ⠆3,756 (well spent!)

ON ROTATION ⠆cheek to cheek by frank sinatra, head over heels by tears for fears, my heart it beats for you by grent perez, how deep is your love by bee gees.

CATEGORIES ⠆very fluffy!!! a long awaited lovers reunion!!!! the boys on crew being the biggest supporters as always, joyce being lovely, very comforting. loved how it came out... though i feel like it kinda dragged but i digress.

𝟒𝟏𝟏. a much needed reunion between two lovers.

you don’t think you’ve ever seen lake washington look so alive, there were swarms of crowds surrounding the lake. the day was sunny and bright with a slight wind whistling through the air.

full of supporters and spectators from both cal and washington alone. your heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness as you followed followed your parents through the crowd but ultimately separating from them as you made your way to the viewing deck. the thought of seeing don again— being in his presence again made you so excited yet so nervous. you were elated he made the JV rowing team, knowing how effortlessly he knew how to do things; basically being good at anything. you had a fairly good spot over looking the water; not realizing it’s a student only viewing deck (did those even exist..). you looked for a spot not to close to the front in case don ends up seeing you, you didn’t want to throw him off from their first race of the season. as you were getting settled in your spot you accidentally bump into someone.

“oh! i am so sorry!” you apologize, pushing your hair away from crowding your face as you watch the girl in front of you stumble a bit.

“no! no it’s totally okay.” a blonde with short hair instantly assures, noticing as her eyes scanning over you.“i don’t think i’ve ever seen you around school before.” she adds, you found it bit odd she would say such a thing.

“ i don’t actually go here.” you affirmed, clearing your throat a bit. still confused on her sudden interrogation, she nods. taking in the newfound information before continuing.

“where do you attend?” you hesitate, suddenly noticing how everyone on the deck had UW flags and you didn’t have that, instead a berkeley flag that someone had given you after recognizing you from school. if she had seen the flag tucked behind you it would’ve given you away immediately.

“cal.” a slight cough out of the school name; there was no way in lying to her, suddenly feeling small amongst the groups of UW students. the short haired girl piques at your response “cal as in cal state berkeley— the rowing team the boys are going against?” you nod for her in clarification “how come you’re rooting for the opposite team?” fully facing you now. before you can tell her your reason she interrupts saying how rude it was for her to bombard you without asking your name, you weren’t offend at all and introduced yourself instantly as she does the same immediately after.

“my boyfriend is on the team actually.” you felt awkward telling her but also relieved, you don’t remember the last time you outright told anyone you had a boyfriend. ”oh really! who?” it crosses in joyce’s mind that it could be joe but she knows joe would never keep something like this from her and there was a massively rare chance it would be him so her mind briefs through the rest of the roaster. though she only knew their faces and not their names.

“don, don hume. you know him?” joyce ponders for a bit, the name sounding very familiar.

“i think joe mentioned him before…” you assume ‘joe’ is on the rowing team with don, further assuming she was here to root for joe but would’t say that of course… insisting she’s here rooting for everyone, not just joe.

“its okay, he’s not much of a talker anyways.” laughing it off, don wasn’t someone to put himself in the lime light, finding comfort alone or with you. a part of you hoping he’s getting along well with his teammates as he isnt the easiest to get along with because of how reserved he could be… you just want him to be happy.

“does he know you’re here?” you shake your head in response but mention to her that you sent him a letter recently entailing that you were coming over to visit but it was safe to assume he hadn;t gotten it since he hadn’t called (knowing he only calls when he needs to respond immediately). an idea suddenly sparks in your new friends mind. she tells you there is supposed to be a party if the huskies win and she insists you surprise him then, it was such a spur of the moment proposition you accepted. she squeals excitedly, grasping your arm. she was so happy to meet someone new who wasn’t from washington, excited to make your acquaintance as she stays close to you, cheering on the boys.

the race was nothing short of a spectacle, no one was sure that the huskies would win but they had defied odds and won with an astounding outcome. you see dons face as their boat pushes to the finish line, time seems to slow when your eyes land on him. his hair is shorter and face slimmer from the last time you saw him, your heart swells seeing him so happy from winning, splashing the water and celebrating with the rest of the team. you don’t think you’ve seen anything more attractive, his muscles taught and defined in that fitting uniform he wore. a faint blush creeps up you neck as you watch his muscles flex under the sunlight, you couldn’t wait to be with him again, talk to him, be in his arms again. you eyes don’t leave him until joyce drags you away from the your spot, immediately talking your ear off about how well they did on the way to her dorm. don lingering in your mind the whole way.

the hall was loud and in high spirits after the win of the JV rowing team, don watches as george walks off hand and hand with a pretty brunette. sitting alone as the other guys sit in the paired tables in front of him, having their own conversations. don didn’t mind to be alone or away from the group; it would probably be expected of him to go off and talk to others but he really isn’t much of a talker and preferred to observe the scenes in front of him. he didn’t need to be apart of the fun to have fun- he was content knowing the guys were having a good time. it did get lonely at times though the guys kept him company and included him in conversation for a part but his mind kept lingering at the thought of you; being here with him— having fun of your own if you were here. he’s been thinking about you more lately, missing you more than he usually did. it was rough the first few months but he eventually got used to the fact that you weren’t around anymore and he had to carry on with his own life. its not to say he didn’t think of you at all; you were the muse of his dreams and he’d think about how you were sometimes and at times where he’s out, he’d something that reminds him of you. most of all, the jewelry you gifted him. he’d fidget with his ring and he’d think of you. ever since the night he told roger and bobby about you it feels like he’s back a year ago when you freshly left for california feeling incomplete without you, unbeknownst to when you’d retuen, wondering if you got his letter or if you wrote back to him.

your heart pounds in your chest as you walk with joyce towards the hall, her arm laced with yours. your heart races, full of emotion. memories of when you last saw don flooding your mind, you couldn’t wait to see him. you were nervous he wasn’t going to recognize you, it had been a year since you saw him and you weren’t sure if you look the same you did when you left, what if he didn’t feel the same way anymore after seeing you? what if he regrets waiting for you after a year of being apart? what if— as if she could sense your overwhelming nerves, joyce immediately assures you— insisting that don is gonna be elated to see you, especially after a big win. what worried you was the fact that you had sent him a letter, unveiling your news that you were coming up to washington. you were unsure if he’s received it yet and it drags your heart at the thought of him reading the letter and not caring; content with having a life of his own away from you. he would he awaiting your arrival wouldn’t he? looking for you. but there was no news up the grapevine about him from the passing hours as you got ready in joyce’s dorm but if you didn’t find out for yourself you’d never know. you can hear the music grow louder as you get closer, excitement bubbles as joyce squeals skipping towards the hall with you in tow, already feeling the warmth from the hall.

at the doorway is a tall blonde with his eyes fixed on your short haired friend, you look at her and see a faint flush on her cheeks. unlocking your arms she walks a few steps ahead greeting the man with a hug. standing a bit awkwardly before them as they speak, a mere moment later she turns around gesturing you over. from there you meet joe, the man she mentioned earlier during your first interaction. she introduces you fondly as a new friend, locking arms as she leans against you. she continues to tell joe how you’re visiting from california and she’s love to introduce you to the boys. joe has a hesitant look on his face, as much as he wasn’t opposed to the idea, he knew the boys would eat up a pretty face like yours without the slightest bit of hesitation. he wasn’t convinced from her persuasion but the look she gives him? how could he say no to her? heaving a small sigh, the blonde nods. further exchanging pleasantries as he tries to get to know you a bit better before gesturing for the two of you to walk inside, him following behind. you can't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness as you walk into the bustling room, eyes instinctively scanning for don. your heart skips a beat when you finally spot him, sitting alone at a table. he looks even more handsome than you remember, you’ve never seen him in a suit before and he looks better than you could ever imagine. breath catching in your throat as you realize this is actually happening, the man you've missed so dearly, the one you've been yearning for since you moved to california. you’re so close to being in his arms again, in his presence again. before you can take in more of the lively atmosphere, joyce is dragging you to the refreshment table. you weren’t sure what she had in mind, she hadn’t told you anything beforehand and you were dying to know. she guiltily admits to you how unsure she is about her plan, though there wasn’t much to it in the first place. you immediately reassure her that whatever happens, you appreciate her effort, without her your surprise reunion with your lover could have gone completely differently.

don doesn’t know why or how but he feels as if you’re here, somewhere (his spidey senses are tingling) especially when joe had them gathered so closely, being sandwiched between roger and bobby as they all ask whats going on. joe casually relays that joyce had someone she wanted to introduce to them, making the advanced effort to note that the person is a girl. the group suddenly becomes boisterous and are quick to fix their suits and appearances. don has half the mind to entertain the thought the the person is you, though he thinks you would come straight to him if that were the case, so he makes himself comfortable sat down with his hands in his pockets awaiting their new guest- ready to watch what’s to come.

your heart flutters with nerves, as joyce tries are best to calm you down. there was only so much she could stall and soon joe approaches the two of you stating how impatient and restless the guys were, your mind is in a frenzy now trying to imagine how seeing him again will be, what you’ll say, how he’ll react. it overwhelmed you so, wringing hands and deep breaths as you gather yourself. it was now or never.

you pass through the throng of people, the atmosphere is charged with an electric energy, a complete contrast of the feelings that consumed you as joyce holds your hand comfortingly through the crows. joe walks ahead, gathering the boys as you approach them. trying your best to hide behind the small frame of joyce. for a moment don thinks he’s right, eyeing the girl standing behind joe’s girlfriend, as the boys stand ready to impressed. he also thinks he’s become delusional drowning in the thought of you— he can’t see the person well but with her frame peaking from joyce it makes him think its you, he tries to deny the thought in his head— trying to not physical head palm himself at such a stretch.

clearing her throat, joyce speaks “i made a friend from california and i just wanted to introduce her to the team that beat hers.” a small wave in her voice, seeingas don snaps his attention to her as she silently hopes she does this right. her words cause an immediate stir in the boys, ready to impress with their chests puffed. roger and bobby immediately share a look before looking down at their friend who’s now sat upright and at attention.

it can’t be…

you feel your hands tremor and a slight ring in your ears as your friend speaks but you can’t help the surge of adrenaline that runs through you knowing at any moment you will be face to face with your lover.

you feel a tug on your hand and soon enough you’re faced in front of your boyfriend among a sea of unfamiliar faces.

“this is y/n.”

before any of the boys can approach you, the sound of a chair screeching against the wood floor causes a pause through the group. turning their attention they see don stood up, eyes wide. all at once it feels as if time begins to slow, you’re stood before him looking beautiful as ever, like an angel sent from heaven. he feels like he’s dreaming— as if at any given moment he’ll be woken up from a painfully realistic dream. it isn’t until he feels a pat on his back, he breaks his gaze. looking over at roger who whispers a ‘lucky man’ with a giddy smile on his face. bobby and roger pass you last, having a small conversation with you telling you how you have a good eye for jewelry and realization on that you’re actually real, the locket on your neck further proving that. the group moves else where but close enough to see the lovers reunite.

his gaze is back on you, unbelieving the sight before him, you’re actually here— standing in front of you him with a wide smile on your face. you slowly walk towards him, meeting him until your inches apart. your hands comfortingly grasping his hands, thumb grazing his ring. you eyes take in his features that matured from the time you were away, he does the same drinking in the sight of you— guess his feeling wasn’t wrong. you were afraid he wouldn’t recognize you or look at you the same the same way he did before but the loving gaze is still strong through his iris’

"you're quiet. do i look bad?" trying to break the ice, words unsaid whilst you took in the sights of each other. you missed him more than you can recount, now that he’s in your hands again you cannot imagine being apart now.

"no. no, god, no.” shaking his head, gathering himself ”you left me speechless. in a good way, of course." (prompt from @novelbear) he would have never thought you could leave him speechless in a way you did now, looking breathtaking under the warm lighting of the hall, a soft laugh leaving you before giving his hands a gentle squeeze. your nerves dissipates into comfort as you look at him, a sudden wave of emotions coming over you. tears wake at your waterline and chin trembling as you look at your lover, your hand moving to his cheek caressing it gently— all your worries and doubts disappearing, grateful to whatever being upon the universe that brought you together again. don immediately noticing your change of emotion and he pulls you into a tight but comforting hug. the rest of the world fades away as you share that familiar embrace, the connection you once thought lost rekindling in an instant. your arms tightly around his neck, as his rest on your waist and a hand soothing at your back. he tries his best to hold back tears of his own as you softly sob into his blazer jumbled out “i missed yous” between hiccups and sniffles, he softly hushes you, comforting you the best way he can as he tries to keep it together but all at the same time reciprocating the same words to you like a soft lullaby letting your crying subside. you part from the crook of his neck, eyes puffy and tear stricken cheeks. staring down sheepishly at your sudden outburst. don takes it with open arms, grasping your face as he wipes the tears away and tucks fallen hairs from your face. so glad to have you back in his arms again.

“so, were you surprised?” you ask, straightening yourself up acting as if nothing happened— brushing your hair to your back as your hands go to fix his blazer, hand lovingly gracing his tie, evening the two pieces together. he looks at you with a crooked smile—

“surprised? honey you blew me away.” mimicking the way someone would be blown away from strong wind. his effort of making you laugh fruitful, as you giggle with hand coming to cover your mouth.

“but seriously, i’ve missed you so much. there wasn’t a day where i didn’t think of you, you’re the reason i tried out for the team..” his words coming out soft and sincere, standing close to you again. your heart swelled at his words, looking up at him with loving eyes. all while finding the words to describe how much you missed him.

“i couldn’t stop thinking about you when i was in cal, adjusting to the school was difficult; i felt like it would’ve been so much easier if you were there with me… i struggled so much but eventually i fell into a routine that felt empty because you weren’t in it. that’s why i came up to visit you; i didn’t mean for it to be a surprise— i wrote to you about it but judging by your reaction you haven’t received it yet.” don processes your words, thinking how the week has been so busy that he hadn’t had the time to go to the mail room to check for any response from you. you can see in his eyes a shade of guilt swirling through them, comfortingly you run a hand over his chest. grounding him. “but regardless, surprise or not. i’m happy to be with you again and to see you win.” you gleam, now filled with pride, squeezing his bicep gently. don flushes at the thought of you watching him win, in such tight and little clothing as well. you tease him about how much fitter he’s gotten and how he must give you a personal lesson on rowing soon. cooing at his flushed cheeks with proud words of praise as he thinks of taking you on a boat ride before you leave, when you leave.

“how long are you staying?” his face falling a bit but you lighten up.

“well… if you read my letter you’d know i’m transferring here as of next semester.” you say proudly, biting at your lip as you await his reaction. you watch as he tilts his head, a breathless chuckle of disbelief leaving him. then suddenly he wraps his arms around you, twirling you in his grasp making you squeal in surprise. he puts you down before pressing his lips to yours before you can catch your breath, chaste and content but relayed feelings and emotions not expressed through words said.

“you’re not joking right?” praying this wasn’t just some sick joke you were playing to get a rouse out of him, you wouldn’t do that to him right? the moment you shake your head no as a massive smile graces your face, he swears he’s never been happier. nothing could damper his mood, not even the words you said next.

“i’m staying for 2 more weeks starting today before i leave back to cal. but we’ll only be apart for a few more months before the semester starts again.”

he was elated at the news, once again pulling you into a content embrace telling you a few months was nothing. it was only a few months, if he could get through a year he could get pass a few months.

well, he better make the most of the two weeks then.

the rest of the night plays in a high note as you and don join the rest of the group, them getting to know the lover don had been hiding from them. bobby and roger seemingly more interested in the stories you told of don before college, even the most embarrassing ones and eventually convincing him to play a song other than the washington fight song when the party had died down, instead playing the lighthearted tune of cheek to cheek ( the original version was released during the 1930s but feel free to reference the sinatra version :] ) with soft hums of singing along as he plays. he watches as his friends dance on the floor beneath him, ever so often looking at you— watching him from the height of the piano, eyes full of love with your chin resting in your hand. content as ever.

the other half of his heart came back to him and he couldn’t be happier.

ownership of starrvsn. please do not repost, modify or translate.

[bread0nhead]

The Beauty and the Blast | Chapter Thirteen

Notes: Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee that is made by the Civet pooping out partially digested coffee cherry. Its supposed to be amazing coffee. It's also widely expensive. You might want to know this before continuing to read the chapter lol Rating: 18+

“I paid 11,000 yen for monkey shit coffee?” 

“Technically a civet” You corrected “More like a cat.”

“And that's supposed to make it better?” His fingers tapped out a sharp, impatient rhythm against the table. Each tap punctuating his hard glare. 

He glanced around the shop, still trying to figure out how you found this place. It was tucked in some back alley like a coffee speakeasy. Café Leblanc. Its all dark woods, stone counters and dim lighting. Intimate, quiet. No trendy artwork or hipster music. There's not even a menu. Just six seats, one master roaster, and you. 

Fuck, even the air smelled expensive.

The master roaster worked behind the bar with strict precision, weighing every bean down to the exact gram, pouring the water in slow careful spirals. The man hadn’t spoken, just nodded like he knew you when you entered the door. 

Bakugou watched you chat easily with the curator while the coffee brewed, like you’ve known him for years. It made him wonder if this is what it meant being with you. Knowing all the hidden gems. Preferring the quiet, refined places over the loud and popular ones. 

Two porcelain cups were placed in front of you, impossibly small against Bakugous large calloused hands. The aroma had sweet notes of chocolate and caramel. Nothing like the bitter sludge he usually drank to survive the day. 

He stared down at it with caution. You were already watching him with excitement, eyes bright and lips twitching with amusement. 

“Go on” you urged, grinning.

With a deep irritated sigh, he carefully brought the tiny cups to his lips. It felt ridiculous and dainty in his grip. Like some play house prop. But the moment the coffee hit his tongue, he stilled. 

It was…good.

Its impossibly smooth, sweet in a way that wasn’t sugary. Rich and full, but not overwhelming. No bitterness, no harsh bite. Just depth. Complex but clean. Balanced. 

It was you, in a coffee cup. 

Complicated, but grounded. Sharp in places, but never cruel. Soft when it mattered. All the things that made him keep coming back to you. 

You leaned in “Well?” 

He met your gaze, eyes narrowing, acting like he was still mad. 

“Fine,” he muttered “Your cat shit coffee’s actually good.”

You laughed with a full bright smile. You felt lighter now, as if the trauma from last night didn’t exist.  He felt the corners of his mouth curl into a reluctant smile. 

You both sipped your coffee in a comfortable silence, nothing heavy or awkward. Its warm and comfortable. 

For Bakugou, it was unfamiliar territory. 

He wasn’t used to this kind of stillness. His world was usually fast, loud, explosive. A constant blur of motion and noise. He moved like every second demanded action. Always something to fix, someone to save, something to improve.

You, on the other hand, looked completely at home. Effortlessly poised, legs crossed neatly, finger tips tracing the edge of your cup with a slow grace. You’re always like this. Polished and refined, a quiet sophistication. But you also have a playful edge that twists at his composure. 

You didn’t flinch from emotion like he did. You wore them openly, flirted with them, played with them. He shoved his down and hid behind irritation and anger. 

You two couldn’t be more different. Him a blunt force, you soft precision. 

And yet, here you were, sitting together in some secret coffee shop drinking overpriced cat shit coffee like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He found his gaze drifting to you again, watching the way you smiled softly into your cup, catching him stealing glances. 

“Careful” you teased, voice low and smooth. “You keep looking at me like that and people might get the wrong idea again.”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. When your cup was empty, you placed it down with a gentle smile. “Amazing as always, Sojiro”. The coffee brewer turned a simple nod and took your cup. 

Bakugou has long since finished his cup and was now watching you gather your things and standing up from your seat, pressing out the creases from your shorts. “So, where to next?” 

His face drops to a frown. “What, this wasn’t enough?” 

“Oh don’t be a killjoy.” You pull the strap of your purse tight, ready to go. “We both have today off, plus I had a shitty night. I deserve fun.”

Bakugou rubbed the back of his neck and looked incredibly unenthusiastic. “Fine…but I’m choosing where we go next.” 

You give a light smile and loop your arm around his with a grin. “I kinda like how easy you give into me.” 

“It’s just ‘cause you’re so damn annoying.” He tried to act tough, give a little cockiness. But the corners of his mouth slid into almost a smile. 

***

Bakugou steered the car into a narrow side road, away from the business of the city. He pulled off the road and parked near a quiet overlook. A small hilltop with nothing but a winding road, a few trees and a distant skyline. He cut the engine and all that was left was the distant humm of the city. Its private, away from prying eyes and unwritten headlines. 

He rolled back his seat, stretched his legs out and rested his arms behind his head. He doesn’t look your way, just watches the clouds go by in a comfortable silence. 

“So,” you broke the silence, smirking “this where you take all the pretty girls after you save them?”

He had a lopsided smile but kept his eyes on the skyline. “Yeah. The real Dynamite experience package.”

You chuckled, the sound light, “Well, 2 out of 5 stars so far.” 

Bakugou snorted “No pleasing you, huh?”

The car has fallen into another easy pause. You rolled the window down, letting the warm breeze rush in, eyes fluttering closed as the sunlight heats your skin. The wind played gently with strands of your hair. You looked serene. Relaxed. Effortless.

Bakugou tried not to stare. Or at least not make it obvious.

His eyes kept drifting towards you, how your lips twitched into a smile like you were silently entertaining yourself.

The only noise was the steady soft taps of Bakugou's foot. That familiar, restless bounce of his leg. You noticed it before, his little tick. Like he’s always wired, even when sitting still. You’re not sure if he does the movement out of boredom, frustration, or something entirely else. 

“Favorite pizza topping.”

The question cut through the silence, light and casual. His leg stopped bouncing, head snapping towards you like you just insulted his mother. 

“What?”

“Favorite pizza topping.” You opened your eyes to glance over at him, a mischievous glint dancing there. “If we’re going to be friends, I obviously need to know these important details.”

He groaned, leaning his head back against the leather headrest like you were physically draining him.

“Pepperoni” he muttered flatly, like he was already regretting participating in your game.

You turned your whole body towards him, resting your elbow against the center console. Close, but not touching. Your lips curved. 

“Figures. You seem like a boring pizza topping kinda’ guy.”

His lips twitched, the tiniest smirk when your words poked him just enough.

“Oh yeah?” He fired back, turning just slightly in your direction, but with more distance. “What kind of fancy-ass pizza do you eat? Fuckin caviar or some shit?”

You grinned wide, and made a small hum. “Oh, I don’t eat pizza.”

Bakugou grinded his teeth as a vein on his forehead throbbed.

“Then why the fuck did you ask?!”

“Because,” you said sweetly, voice dripping in fake innocence “I just want to know you better.”

He shifted and grabbed the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

“Fine” he exhaled sharply, narrowing his eyes. “What else do you want to know?”

You casually shifted your position again, turning a bit more towards him, closing the gap just a tiny bit more without realizing it. You played with the ends of your hair as you thought. 

“Who’s your favorite hero?”

He looked at you like you were an idiot. “All Might. Obviously.” And it was obvious by the framed All Might signed trading card attached to the keys of his car. Like a prized possession he wouldn’t leave the house without. 

You hummed, like you haven’t noticed before. “Mm, predicable.”

He rolled his eyes but let you keep going. 

“Who's your best friend?” “Kirishima. Red Riot.”

“Yeah…I see it.” You nodded dramatically, pretending to analyze him.

He sighed. “You done?”

“One more.” You leaned your cheek on the palm of your hand, dropping your voice just slightly. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

He let your question hang in the air- on purpose. Drawing it out long enough until you squirmed under the pressure of silence. He can play too.

“Nah.” 

He studied your face, looking for a flicker of a reaction. But you gave him nothing. Painfully composed. Infuriating. 

“Not exactly shocking.” You shrugged. “With your attitude and all.” 

He let out a breath that was almost a laugh. Like you actually had the nerve to say that. But he bit back to urge to snap at you and only prove your point more. 

“What about you?” he shot back, voice low. His leg bounced again, but slower. Lighter taps of the foot. “Someone actually manage to tie your crazy ass down?” 

You smiled wide, devilish, then turned your body away from him. Facing forward like you were finished with him. 

“I’m the one asking the questions.”

The audacity nearly made him choke on venom. You were playing him like a damn instrument, and you both knew it. 

“Tch, whatever.”

The conversation lulled into something lighter, less interrogation, more friendly small talk. You did most of the talking, he just listened. The conversation never touched on anything personal or deep. Just small things like the weirdest photoshoot you’ve done and your recent travel across Europe. You held your stomach while you laughed so hard, recounting the time Jun tried to practice his French at a tiny Paris cafe and instead of ordering two cappuccinos, he very confidently asked for two cabbages. 

Before you knew it, the sky was painted with shades of orange, pinks and reds. Bakugou glances at the clock on the dashboard and lets out a quiet breath through his nose. 

“It’s getting late,” he said slow, almost reluctant. “I should get you home.” 

You gave a small nod, forcing a faint smile. “Yeah…guess so.”

He started the car, shifting into drive as the car roared to life. You watched as the setting sun and neon lights blurred with the motion of the car. Neither of you said much at first. You both stayed in silence at the radio played on a low volume. 

You glanced over at him from the corner of your eye. Taking note of the way his jaw flexed slightly as he gripped the steering wheel with one hand, the other partially out the window. How the crease between his brows furrowed as he focused intensely on the road head. If he kept staring forward, he wouldn’t have to acknowledge the heavy silence sitting between you. 

You shifted in your seat, tucking your legs slightly, playing with the hem of your sleeve. Anything to keep your hands busy as your stomach did small nervous flips. 

Neither of you knew exactly why the silence felt so heavy all of a sudden. 

The last two days were tiring. The memories of the man held you like a heavy fog. Sure you’ve dealt with more extreme fans before, stalkers and the occasional break in. Its why your home is so reinforced with locks and security. But this man was different in the way he looked at you. There was something wrong in them, something hollow. It wasn’t adoration or obsession, or even rage. It was hunger. He wasn’t trying to get closer to you, he was trying to consume you. 

And then there was Bakugou.

He didn’t hesitate when you needed protecting, it was like natural instinct. And not just in the way any hero would, he stayed. He held his arms wrapped tight around you, his breath ragged, his voice almost trembling while he whispered to keep you safe. And then his lips, frantic, desperate, pressing himself to your forehead, your cheeks, your temple. 

He kissed you, in the middle of all the chaos, he kissed you like it was the only way to keep you grounded; to keep him grounded. He brought out things in you no one has seen in years. 

There was the man who broke in. And then the man who broke through. 

Which scared you more?

Bakugou noticed the shift in energy. “Hey, you alight?”

You blinked quickly, forcing a small smile “Yup, yeah. I’m fine. Just..tired I guess.”

He didn’t fully buy it, but he let it slide. “We’re almost there.”

So many thoughts ran through your mind of ‘what-if’s’ and ‘why’s’. 

‘What if he sees the real me and turns away?’

‘What if I change because of him?’

‘What if the media doesn’t approve?’

‘Why do I care so much?’

‘Why does HE care so much?’

Your chest felt a heavy weight and suddenly the car felt impossibly suffocating. When the car pulled up to your building, you exhaled a long and sneaky breath. You could finally come up for air. 

Before Bakugou could even put the car in park, you were halfway out the door, desperate for distance you couldn’t fully explain. You didn’t trust yourself to stay.

You weren’t usually like this. 

Normally, you could play these games in your sleep, playing men like a drum that beated to your rhythm. Men were easy to manage, predictable in their desire, clumsy in their pursuit. You knew how to flirt, how to tease, how to control every interaction like you conducted an orchestra. 

Because Pulchra knew how.

Pulchra was poised and untouchable. She was the carefully curated image the world adored, the fantasy people projected their desires onto. Pulchra never flustered or stumbled. Pulchra never let anyone close enough to see the cracks.

But with Bakugou, it was different. Different because he actually saw you. Different because with him this would be something real. 

He didn’t worship you or chase like the others. He didn’t seem to care about the performance. Your usual polished armor didn’t work on him. With him, you were raw and exposed. He saw beyond Pulchra. 

And fuck…It terrified you. 

Because you weren’t sure where Pulchra ended and you began. You’d spent so long hiding behind her, behind the attention, you didn’t know what to do when someone saw past it. 

You didn’t give him time to say anything, didn’t let the moment linger. You shut the car door, whispered a curt goodbye and walked off with your hand tight to your chest. 

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Throwing out the Epilogue and Cursed Child, how would you imagine the ending of the series? Like, what comes next after Harry goes to bed after beating Voldemort?

Anonymous asked:

What changes you would like to see in the wizarding world after the war?

Anonymous asked:

If you could rewrite the epilogue of Harry Potter, how would you do it and what changes would you make?

Thank you for the asks, it gave me a reason to try and think more about what I actually want from a post-book 7 story since I usually prefer to diverge from canon before book 7. I already talked a bit about the epilogue here, but this is more of a list of things I would like to see instead of reasons I don't like the existing one. There are going to be a lot of headcanons here, so be ready for that. I don't have something super thought out in terms of how it'll happen or who will be involved in everything in the long run. But I have a few bullet points about the epilogue itself and further in the future for the HP characters.

Like, for the epilogue itself, as I wrote in the past, I'd make it only a few months in the future, not years. What I'd put there is:

Showing a bit of the Golden Trio's friendship, and the three being hopeful about the future.

They are back at Hogwarts for 8th year and offhandedly mention Harry tried to go straight to Auror training and regretted leaving Hogwarts behind so quickly.

Ron was with Harry in Auror training and when Harry told him he was dropping out, Ron dropped out too. Kingsly assures them they could both return and continue the training from the point they dropped out after 8th year (Ron would return, Harry wouldn't).

They all get to worry about a future they weren't sure they'd have.

It's mentioned Neville is helping out Sprout and Harry is helping out the changing roaster of DADA teachers (since McGonagall decided to not really sign one on permanently to avoid the curse until it could be broken).

Some sections of Hogwarts are still a little worse for wear or were rebuilt completely after the battle and it shows.

Society is a little different. I want to see a Hogwarts where houses don't matter as much. Actually, start building the unity the sorting hat sang about. Show Harry has a few Slytherins he's friendly with. Show a pure-blood Slytherin be at least polite to Hermione — show the seeds of change.

Harry and Hermione are both mentioned going to the ministry for various meetings, and we get a hope that the ministry could be changed from within. That the system that let Voldemort and the Death Eaters take over so easily could be helped.

The epilogue won't show the actual changes or politics, just imply they are happening/or will happen. Many of the ex-DA members are primed for key positions in the ministry which would help this change to happen. Still, it would be slow, but now that there is no war, they have time. Like, the epilogue would mention people like Susan Bones getting a good position in the DMLE or something.

They reference rebuilding Diagon Alley and many places that were destroyed along with setting up a war monument and a separate monument for muggleborns.

Basically, I just want to end on a note of hope, of seeing a reason to work towards a future Harry finally had, you know?

But, that note of hope needs to have a bitter taste to it. I'd mention how this year, almost all the students could see the Thestrals leading the carriages to Hogwarts, an entire generation who gazed upon death.

Like, I don't care that much who Harry marries and what he names his kids, so I don't really mind not seeing that and leaving that to each reader to imagine their own future for him. If I were to rewrite the epilogue, that's what I'd do, I'd keep it vague.

As for other things I have in mind for Harry's future after the books, well, I think I mentioned some of them in the post I linked but I'll note down a few:

Harry becomes DADA professor and eventual deputy headmaster for McGonagall and Professor Potter doesn't let an abused kid go unnoticed. He's going to do something about it, for all houses.

Ron does still become an Auror, and I see him getting really good and valued there. I want Ron to become head of the DMLE instead of Harry.

I like to imagine Hermione becoming an Unspeakable actually, I think she'd enjoy it more than politics. Like, as much as she cares, she isn't very politically savvy. She is going to use Harry's Potter Wizengamot seat and war hero status (+ her own war hero status) to help him and other ex-DA members push for more creature rights and changes in the Wizarding World though.

Neville becomes a Herbology Professor and head of Gryffindor, and he and Harry become closer friends when they work together at Hogwarts.

Harry also breaks the DADA curse, either by figuring it out (he's very intuitive about magic and he knows how Tom thinks, so he could figure it out) or the curse recognizes him and just ceases. Even if Harry isn't a Horcrux anymore, I think carrying Tom's soul for so long had a lasting effect, so he just might get a pass. And even if the curse doesn't break, honestly, if anyone knows how to survive a year at Hogwarts when something's out to kill you it's the Boy-Who-Lived. So the curse might break after it fails once because it's Harry James Potter, Master of Death extraordinaire, and exception to magic.

I think Luna continues editing the Quibbler with her father, as well, and after the war, it becomes a real competition for the Prophet. She still becomes a Magizoologist in my headcanon.

Harry would eventually become Hogwarts headmaster, I think, in my version of events. Obviously, this would be way later, but I really see it happening. I'm hoping in his time as headmaster he'll finally fire Binns and get an actual history teacher into this school.

As for shipping, in my ultimate vision, Harry and Theo get together either during 8th year or by meeting in the ministry, maybe in Wizengamot warlock conventions (since Theo's father was a Death Eater and is either dead or in Azkaban, it'll be Theo there). I believe Theo wasn't actually in Britain during book 7 and the war and that's how he got out of being a Death Eater. He wasn't mentioned among the Slytherins that were in Hogwarts, so it's possible. I disagree with everything Cursed Child did to my boy Theo Nott except him being an Unspeakable since I can see that happening. His and Hermione's work dynamic in the DOM could be really fun, I think and it might be how he and Harry start talking.

For everyone else, I'm honestly less picky. I'm fine with Ron and Hermione together at the end, but I'd also be fine if they won't be, so 🤷‍♀️

[dallasgallant]

Time period post- appliances and thrift

Originally was going to skip making this post, as I thought it’d be boring but I was informed (many times) how it was wanted. Going to combine appliances and some thrifting and shopping related things. As I think it would be beneficial, as the boys are poor/impoverished so we should look at some of that side of purchasing - as many of my general time period posts are very middle class to soc range (at least in the images of new cleaned and polished) Home related posts;

Here and here

Something to keep in mind is location and the community. Some places, especially smaller towns take a long time to change or update, a lot of “mainstreets” or “squares” in older parts of town have the same buildings or styles from maybe even when they were first built or at least updated in the 1960s and still look like it today. So imagine back then! Lol. Even if a community has a rich minority, like the socs- that’s no guarantee the area modernizes into something brand new over night.

Convenience, gadgets and built ins-

Truly the time to be a lover of the gadget or the trinket. The continuation of post war production boom and making products with the idea of convenience in mind. A lot of it was ridiculous but really there was some cool stuff. The big trend was : Automatic and electric.

Electricity and electric things had really started to take to the public in the 1880s and we never really stopped electrifying basic items. Notable cases here; Electric knife, electric beaters/mixers (still hand held but not done by hand), electric/motorized can openers.

Gadgets! Things that would’ve been done by the stove and the over now with dedicated little devices. Now toasters and waffle irons and grittles had already been around for some time but were booming. Meat grinders (electric ones anyway), roasters, blender, drip coffee maker, hot trays/warming trays.

Another reason for the rise in gadgets or specific tools like a warming pan would be just how popular hosting and throwing parties was. (Much more soc). At the same time as more specific gadgets were made there was also a trend of combining! As kitchens were small and again, connivence.

You’d also see radios or even later counter tvs (impossibly tiny) pop up in kitchens.

Laundry-

A lot of homes at the time would only have one bath, especially if older and it was likely added in (if very old), so forget a laundry room. However, they were slowly rising in popularity and bathroom numbers too in more modern homes. Laundry machines did exist for a while but it’s sort of like electricity and AC some people didn’t have them or are still getting around to getting them — and when they did it’d sometimes be on the porch or garage or where they’d fit.

Laundromats would populate towns, still do but in this case it was less common than today to have a full set and bonus gadgets in your home. (Though your iron etc at home) or maybe there’d be a woman who does it for the neighborhood or apartment complex etc (headcanon Steve’s mom as a washwoman. I know they still existed but all the info I get is 1700s Scottish women… I feel insane)

Not so fast -

The world wasn’t like it is with microtrends and using/wearing/having something for a week or a summer and then tossing it out. There were trends but far longer lasting, and if someone was to make a commitment to say doing their home in a design trend, once all that work is done they wouldn’t change it for years (some never do! Look at all the untouched houses on the market every so often)

Appliances were made to last and often came with a Warranty, either discounted or free replacement or repair for a certain period of time. If you’re lucky a lifetime warranty. This stuff was built to last a lifetime! Tough, dependable, durable. It’s why the “garage fridge” exists in so many middle class homes today, it’s out of style but it still works perfect so now we have a soda fridge or extra storage.

Honestly if you had to replace or update annually back then it’d probably be seen as a bad or cheap product!

This isn’t to say people never updated, or changed based around style. But you first have to have the money for it and two it’s a treat, not a regular occurrence. So maybe in 10 or 20 years if you need new kitchen appliances or would like to restyle you go for it.

Thrift and used-

Especially relevant to the guys. Think it’d be rare if they bought a single thing new - that wasn’t used or loaned etc

Thrift stores, surplus stores, charity’s, churches, there’s always been ways to get things at a much more affordable rate. Even thrift food stores in some circumstances (no it’s not pre used).

Used car lots were also incredibly common, honestly it’s how most kids got their first car. Most people really! Now if you didn’t get totally swindled.

Thrift isn’t just relegated to physical thrift stores either, a lot of local businesses (places that aren’t the department store or major chain) would often have a used section or “used store”. Appliances, records - just about anything.

Layaway! A store sets an item or a bunch of purchases aside and you make incremental payments until the purchase is paid off. Then it’s yours. (Began during the Great Depression)

Rental, and rent to pay started conceptually post ww2 but Rent-A-Center itself was founded in 1973 so I’m not completely set on renting.

Coupons! Another way to save money and be able to make purchases, given in newspapers, adds, by the stores themselves. Rewards programs really kicked off in the 60s, one of the most common being S&H Green Stamps. (Some hang on the builtin board in the museum.) these would be gotten at check out and some other businesses and collected by customers, to be redeemed for items from their catalogs. You could get everything from appliances to makeup from how you saved and spent.

While I’m not getting into it, I did include thrift and some other things that are more relevant to the boys -> 1964 Food Stamp Act that saw the Creation of SNAP (food stamps) would be huge. However programs stem all the way back to the depression once again, more here

They Would have way older appliances and machinery- 40s old sometimes. Boys specifically have a Dixie stove and this old washer is an assumption of mine (if they had one at all!!)

[kirkwall-tourism-department]

Dirty Chai Latte

Modern AU where Emmrich is an anthropology professor and Rook is a barista at his favorite coffee shop.

Thank you so much to @ziskandra for beta reading!

also shoutout to @emmg for solving the "what subject would Emmrich teach" question

An oppressive mist hung over the parking lot, waiting to be dispelled by the sun that was preparing to creep over the horizon. The only thing illuminating  the area were the flickering streetlights  hovering in the air, dim bulbs fighting a losing battle against the early morning haze. A thick blanket of leaves rested over the pavement, wet from rain the night before. Silence hung in the air thick as fog, making Rook feel like she was the only person in the world. The plaza was always empty this early in the morning, save for Rook and her prehistoric  CR-V. 

Locking the car door, she passed by the collection of shops that comprised the Crossroads Business Park: a calzone shop she was convinced was a money-laundering front; a computer repair shop so chock-full of spare parts you could barely see the floor; and her favorite, the liquor store. Reaching her own storefront, she grabbed the keys to the door from her carabiner. The door's advanced age made it maddeningly stubborn to unlock. She pulled the wooden slab towards her, pushing it up and then away, all while slowly turning the key in the lock. Once she satisfied its demands, the door groaned open, revealing the still sleeping shop. Shelves lined the walls, housing hundreds of pre-loved books.  Mismatched wooden chairs sat upside down on tables, arranged haphazardly before the serving counter at the far side of the room, which was plastered with posters for avant-garde art exhibitions and shows of local bands. 

She flicked on the neon light that hung in the window- The Lighthouse Cafe. It was the first step of her decade-long morning routine. Despite her nocturnal tendencies, Varric, the owner, had told her she was the only staff member he trusted to be able to handle the morning rush. Especially this time of year- school had started just a month before, the rapidly increasing difficulty curve of the classes now demanding students stay up later to handle the workload. Which meant hordes of demanding, caffeine-deprived college students who usually neglected to tip. She continued through the rote motions of her mornings, clicking on all the different lamps that dotted the floor and tables of the cafe. They filled the small shop with a warm glow, turning it into a refuge from the persistent gloom that haunted the town this time of year. 

Making her way to the back room, she turned on the roaster and threw in a fresh batch of coffee beans. Waking up the ovens, she began to warm up the various pastries  Davrin had made the night before, preparing them for the display case. If she could only smell one thing for the rest of her life, this would be it. The sweet smell of croissants in the oven, punctuated by the pleasant acidity of roasting beans was the perfect thing to start the morning. Walking back to the service counter, she began to pull a triple shot of espresso and foam some milk, an extra-strong latte being the only way she survived mornings this early. Pouring the fresh coffee into her favorite mug, she layered the milk overtop, forming a perfect heart design with a practiced hand. She leaned on the counter, nursing her drink, wishing she could be back in bed.

The bell over the door rang out, reminding her of the one upside to the morning shift. Professor Emmrich Volkarin, an anthropology professor at Northern Thedas University, was always her earliest customer. Emmrich had been a regular at the cafe for several years, and was by far her favorite. As they opened before dawn, it was rare for someone besides him to come into the shop before sunrise, meaning they usually spent at least an hour in the mornings alone together. 

“Good morning, Rook,” the professor greeted her, unspooling the scarf that had been wrapped around his neck. He was always sharply dressed, radiating an aura of refined dignity, and never had a single silver hair out of place, meaning he stuck out like a sore thumb in this dive of a cafe. She never totally understood why he came here, besides how early they opened. When she had asked him a few years ago, he’d simply said that he liked to support local businesses, especially ones that made such good coffee. That had never felt like the full story to her, though.

“No such thing,” she laughed, starting to make his order before he could ask for it. It was always the same thing- a dirty chai latte, served in a mug she had reserved solely for him. She had found it at Target a year or two ago, decorated with little cartoon skulls and gravestones. Fitting, given that his area of academic expertise was funerary traditions from around the world. It was surprising, given his warm demeanor, that he would spend his life focusing on such a depressing topic. She finished her work, handing him the drink. 

“Thank you, Rook.” He took the mug, giving her a warm smile. He handed her his card and, as always, deposited a significant tip in the jar next to the cash register. His generosity was one of the many things that made him number one in her customer ranking. Taking his drink, he walked to his usual spot in the corner closest to the cash register, moving the chair from on top of the table to the floor. He sat on it, bringing out a laptop from his bag and beginning his work in earnest. This was always how he spent his mornings- carefully sipping his drink, poring over a book or working on something for his classes. He wasn’t bothered when Rook hadn’t finished completely  preparing the store by the time their doors opened, and she didn’t mind the extra company as she concluded her routine.

She finished her final opening duties, flipping over the rest of the chairs to the ground, organizing food in the display case, and grinding the freshly roasted beans into a usable medium. As she worked, she allowed herself to steal the occasional glance at the professor. In the best way possible, he looked like he belonged in a black-and-white horror movie. By far, the most anachronistic part of his appearance was the neatly trimmed mustache that she had never seen on another living human being. Somehow, he made it work.

“What are you working on?” she asked, peering over his shoulder as she walked behind him towards the cash register.

“Grading papers- the first of the semester.” 

“What about?”

“My students simply had to choose a funerary practice not used within their own culture. Honestly, the true purpose of the assignment was to allow me to gauge their writing and research skills more than for their own edification. I hate to assign busy work, but it’s a necessary evil to learn where all my students are on their academic journey,” he sighed, staring at his computer screen with dread.

“You’re usually excited about new students. What’s going on?”

“Frustratingly, the administrators of the College of Humanities decided to add my global funeral traditions class to the list of courses that satisfy a general education requirement. Which means I have significantly more students, and very few who seem to actually care for the subject matter.” He rubbed his temples, clearly trying to hide the extent of his annoyance. It was obvious that he made a concerted effort to maintain his composed appearance. His eloquent manner of speech, his refined sense of style, his unwavering kindness all contributed to the image of a perfect gentleman.

“I’m sure once you show them how interesting it is, they’ll get more into it. I mean, I know I have,” she reassured him. Over their many years of friendship, she had learned a lot about funerals- arguably, a concerning amount. It had gotten her many weird looks at parties when someone said something that reminded her of some obscure, morbid trivia fact Emmrich had taught her.

“Rook, what I would give to have more students with your enthusiasm for learning, " he said, giving her a grateful look. Rook felt blush start to prick at her cheeks, wishing she reacted to praise from him in a normal way. As much as she hated it, she couldn’t stop herself from getting butterflies when he smiled at her, complimented her, or generally gave her any positive attention. She had never had a more out of her league crush in her entire life- but as hard as she tried, she hadn't been able to stamp out the flame she carried for him. Obviously, she knew nothing would ever come from it, but that didn’t stop her from trying to impress him. One morning, she had figured out how to make a skull design in the milk foam of his latte.  Davrin had been working that shift with her, and had mercilessly roasted her for pitiful attempts to flirt with a man who was thirty years her senior. It had begun a constant deluge of daddy issues jokes. Her response, that it was impossible for her to have daddy issues since she never even knew her dad, only made the teasing worse. Thankfully, it was rare that their shifts overlapped.

“I see you made a new addition to your gallery.” He pointed to her wrist, seemingly oblivious to the reaction his complement got from her. 

“Yeah!” Rook rolled up her sleeve, revealing the remainder of the tattoo that had been peeking out from underneath it. A griffon was perched on her forearm, its wings wrapping around the sides, the tips of the feathers reaching the sides of her wrist. It was nestled in a sea of other designs, ranging from a small blue dagger she had gotten as a Friday the 13th flash to the waterfall of coffee from a mug on her shoulder that spilled all the way to her elbow. “Left arm is officially finished.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what compelled you to get that design?” he questioned, regarding her arm with academic curiosity. 

“There was a storybook I loved as a kid about a griffon learning to leave the nest and fly. My mom read it to me all the time. I thought it would be cute and it was the perfect shape to fill in the last gap,” she explained, flattered by the genuine interest he showed in something as small as a tattoo she’d gotten. Admittedly, this was not the first time it had happened. He always pointed out when she got a new tattoo or haircut. She always assumed it was a side effect from the analytical eye he’d had to develop for his work as an anthropologist making him overly observant.

“Such an ancient practice. Comparing historical motivations to modern American attitudes towards them is quite fascinating. I recently had a colleague publish a paper on the tradition of Buddhist Sak Yant tattooing in Thailand- I’m sure you’d find it intriguing.”

“I feel like you overestimate my ability to understand stuff like that,” she joked, thinking back to how much she’d struggled to make it through the books she had been assigned back in high school English. As interesting as the topic was, she doubted she would be able to get anything from it.

“Quite the opposite, Rook. I think you underestimate yourself,” he responded, his tone serious. This happened every now and then- she would make an off-handed self-deprecating comment, and he would immediately refute her point, no matter how light-hearted it was intended to be. “I feel like  you would excel, given the proper support in an academic setting.”

The blush returned to her cheeks as she imagined what exactly “proper support” could mean. Going to office hours, somehow ending up laying on his desk, him on top of her, whispering things in her ear that would make her do more than blush, pressing his mouth against her neck, traveling down to…

The doorbell rang out again, snapping her out of her daydream. Neve stood in the entrance, calm appearance belying the tangle of anxiety and stress that always lay just beneath her icy exterior. Neve had been coming to the Lighthouse since she was a freshman, and Rook had watched her caffeine addiction get worse and worse every year. 

“Rook, I need a trainwreck.”

“Neve, you are a trainwreck.” 

When Neve had started her master’s program for journalism, Davrin had added a modified red eye- swapping normal coffee for cold brew- to the menu just for her. Neve walked to the closest table, and slammed her shockingly heavy backpack onto it. She unzipped it, and a waterfall of textbooks that absolutely could be used as murder weapons flooded out.

“My god, Neve, what are you working on?”

“What am I not working on?” she sighed, exasperation weighing heavy on her voice, slumping in the chair and putting her head in her hands. Neve was more than a student- she volunteered all over the city, ran the journalism club, and worked as a TA. She lifted her head up to look at Rook, and raised an eyebrow in question when she saw who Rook was sitting with. “Dr. Volkarin?”

“You know him?” Rook questioned, surprised at Neve’s recognition.

“I know of him. I just wrote an article about him winning the J.I. Staley award for the school paper,” Neve explained slowly, still processing her surprise at seeing two wildly different people sitting at the same table.

“When did you win an award? Why didn’t you tell me?” Rook whipped her head around, Emmrich meeting her surprise with an embarrassed smile. 

“About a month ago, and I can find much more interesting topics to discuss with you than my own achievements," Emmrich explained, before turning his attention to Neve.  “And I read your article- you’re a very skilled writer.”

“I… Thank you, Professor.”

“You’re not my student- you’re welcome to just call me Emmrich,” he said, before his attention was drawn away by a small ding from his laptop. “Ah, I’ve lost track of time. If you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Rook.” He packed up his things and stood, waving goodbye to her as he ventured into the fresh dawn air. As soon as the door closed behind him, Neve snapped her head to Rook, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“Rook. Why do you have a vibe with one of the most successful professors at the school.”

“What?!” Rook gave a laugh of disbelief, staring at Neve like she just told Rook aliens were about to invade the city. She had never fallen under the scrutiny of Neve’s investigative eye before, and she was not a skilled enough liar to obscure the truth that she deeply, desperately wanted Neve’s accusation to be true. “What vibe?”

“Oh my god, the ‘see you tomorrow morning’ thing?”

“He’s just a friendly guy.”

“Rook, someone like him would not come to a coffee shop like this without a special reason to.”

“Have you considered that I’m good at my job and make great coffee?”

“He could get great coffee a million different places in the city- but this is the only place he can get you.”

“Neve, if I get you your coffee, will you drop this?”

“Maybe. No promises.”

Sliding Neve’s trainwreck to her and leaving her to her work, Rook walked back behind the cash register, making herself look busy cleaning espresso machines to avoid any further conversation with Neve. Her comments stayed at the forefront of her mind, making it impossible to actually get anything done. What if Neve was right? Had Emmrich been flirting with her this whole time, and she had misunderstood it as a kindness he extended towards everybody?  What if he was interested in her? What would a relationship between the two of them even look like?

As her thoughts started to get away from her, she dragged them kicking and screaming back into reality. Why would someone like him have any interest in someone like her? Emmrich was successful, handsome, and painfully kind. He wouldn’t have any interest in a broke barista with no direction in life.

Right?

[paperclipninja]

Writers Guild Presents: Still We Know Each Other So Well Chapter 10

Well it's been a minute between updates (sorry to anyone following along), but one is finally here! Fortunately there will be more regular updates over the next month or so too :)

Fic summary: Late last year, there was a comment on Tumblr that there are ponderings about what would happen if Aziraphale or Crowley's memory was wiped, but what if both their memories were wiped?

This is a story of that what if.

Rated: E Chapter summary: Turns out Aziraphale and Crowley seem to want the same thing.

Excerpt:

“Oh I do hope I haven’t offended anyone. You don’t think it will get back to Jamil that I’ve been sampling beverages elsewhere do you?”

Crowley glanced over at the man walking beside him, with his furrowed brow and hands clasped tightly in front of that lovely, soft belly, and reached across to take Aziraphale’s hand in his own.

“I guarantee that Jamil doesn’t care and prob’ly assumes you, like most of his customers, are not in some kind of exclusive relationship with The Rainbow Roasters.”

“But then the café owner also made that comment about—”

“Yes yes, I know, about you not crossing the road, but I think that’s just her. Bit of a grumpy bastard, bit like me really… takes one to know one, see?” Crowley tried on his best impression of a dastardly grin, but wasn’t fully satisfied at the meek smile he got in return.

“Oh hush, you know you are not half as awful as you claim,” Aziraphale replied, this time with a little more lightness in his tone.

“Oh, I really am, “ Crowley retorted. “I only make exceptions for gorgeous blondes who invite me out for drinks after catching my breakfast.”

Continue reading on AO3

Eternal, ongoing and enormous thanks to my endlessly marvellous beta @harlotofupdog who makes the rambling thoughts make sense.

And to @goodomensafterdark of course ;)

[jerzwriter]

Thank you @liaromancewriter for this ask. Ethan x Kaycee, a kiss based on a place of insecurity. I know it was supposed to be under 1,000 words but, yeah... me. lol I hope you enjoy this

Book: Open Heart (Book 2 Timeline) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee MacClennan) Rating: Teen Words: 2,300 Summary: A bright day turns stormy when Kaycee overhears an conversation that leaves her doubting herself. Can Ethan help her see the light? Or will the lights flicker out?

A/N: Participating in @choicesjunechallenge2024 - Didn't use one of the prompts, but this fic shows Kaycee bridging her understanding of their relationship, and a new place for the two of them. (It kind of fits lol)

Kaycee clutched a brown paper bag in her hand as she navigated Edenbrook’s packed halls. Normally, shift changes were her least favorite time of day. She may be a city-dweller at heart, but she was a firm believer that crowds belonged outdoors, far away from confined spaces. But today, the beguiling smile on the resident's face as she pushed her way through the throngs of visitors and staff alike told another story. Today, the crowd was providing her with a perfect cover. Today, it was her friend.

She and Ethan were official for three months, and both of them were exuding that energy and glow that only new love delivered. For Kaycee, the difference wasn’t very noticeable; typically jovial and full-of-life, only those closest to her noticed her extra rosy glow or the way her smile shined just a bit brighter.

The same couldn’t be said for Ethan, and the changes in him had the hospital rivited. Recently, there were reports of him greeting passers-by with a nod and a smile. As far as anyone could tell, he hadn’t made an intern cry in weeks. There was even a vicious rumor that he was spotted whistling down the hall after the end of a double shift. The man appeared to be... happy, and everyone clamored to understand why.

He hadn’t suffered a head injury, and if the staff’s favorite gossip, Naveen, was privy to the reason, he was keeping it to himself. The rumor mill, desperate to uncover the cause of the transformation, watched Ethan closer than TMZ tracked Taylor Swift. Ethan and Kaycee found it amusing, laughing about it when they were safely absconded in his condo, or nuzzled together under the sheets of Kaycee's bed. But amusement aside, it presented a challenge for the couple who hoped to keep the nature of their relationship under wraps at Edenbrook... at least for now.

But Kaycee hadn’t seen him for two days, the longest amount of time they’d spent apart since professing their love for each other. The texts and calls they shared over the 48-hour period were nice but not nearly enough. She was desperate to see him before he left work for the day, and the chaotic halls provided her with the perfect cover.

Most of the staff was too busy to notice her slip into his private office, and if they had, the Derry’s Roasters bag in her hand would be her excuse. After all, a resident picking up Ethan's breakfast order on the way to work wasn't out of the ordinary. With a quick scan of the area and a smile on her face, Kaycee opened his office door. Mission accomplished!

Alas, it couldn’t be that smooth. She stood at the entrance of his L-shaped suite, still undetected, when melodic laughter wafted through the air, stopping her in her tracks. What happened next, left her heart racing.

“Oh, Ethan Jonah Ramsey,” a sultry voice belted out. “You have not changed one bit!”

“Really?” he replied, Kaycee couldn't miss the smile in his voice. “Some would see that as a negative. If I am the same as I was a decade ago, that indicates zero growth.”

“Stop,” the silky voice continued. “You’ve grown plenty! It’s an attribute that you’ve managed to keep your sense of humor... and that gorgeous smile. There's no shame in that!"

A brief silence hung in the room then sound of shuffling papers was met with Ethan loudly clearing his throat.

“Well... I appreciate you stopping by today. I’ll look over the proposal in more detail and have my assistant follow up with you, but I’m afraid I do have a meeting in five....”

Chairs sliding over the tiled floor let Kaycee know she had to leave. Rushing out the door in a flash, she took refuge in the nurses’ station just outside Ethan’s office. Tossing her bag under the counter, she buried her face in a file to remain unseen.

Ethan exchanged goodbyes with not one but two women, just yards away, but the loud hum of conversations and announcements over the PA system left his words unintelligible. But one thing was obvious... he sure looked happy.

“Dr. MacClennan,” Nurse Sarah called out, and Kaycee quickly turned her way. “Dr. Tanka was looking for you.”

By the time Sarah finished relaying his message, Ethan was gone, but the two women had set up a temporary spot nearby. Perched over a laptop on the nurses’ station counter, Kaycee had a bird’s eye view to observe.

The younger of the two was around her age. With her curly hair, rounded face, and a flowing floral dress, she looked like a modern-day cherub. Her laugh suited her but also made it plain that she wasn’t the one who had been talking to Ethan.

When the other woman looked up from her laptop, Kaycee let out a gasp. She was exquisite. Thick, shiny, jet-black hair just begging to be touched flowed down to the small of her back, and her crystal blue eyes were dazzling, looking as if they could pierce anything in their path. Kaycee had no idea who the designer of her red power suit was, but the color perfectly matched the soles of her stiletto heels. Yes, Christian Louboutin looked amazing on her, andas Kaycee gazed at her own washed-out scrubs and unconsciously tucked her messy bun back in place, she wondered, had Amal Clooney moved to Boston and become a pharmaceutical exec?

Kaycee felt ashamed. Usually the picture of self-confidence, she felt herself unraveling. Something about this stranger’s beauty, effortless elegance, and charisma tugged at every insecurity she thought she had buried long ago.

“How do you know him?” The younger woman asked.

“Ethan?”

Kaycee seethed at the way his name rolled off her tongue. Ethan. Not Dr. Ramsey; the utter familiarity struck her sharper than a sword.

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” she continued.

“So you’ve worked together before?”

The vision tapped a perfectly manicured nail on the counter as she appeared to gauge how much she should divulge. With her lips curling into a smug smile, she turned to her colleague with a bravado Kaycee hoped to one day possess.

“Worked... Yes. We worked together... amongst other things.”

“Ooooh! You and Dr. Ramsey!” The younger woman gasped as Kaycee's stomach churned.

“It was a long time ago,” the woman waved. “We were both relatively new to Boston at the time. But let's say it was memorable.”

“How did you date him and let him go? If I had a chance with a man like that, I would have locked him down!”

“Well,” the raven-haired beauty laughed. “We were quite young back then. I barely wanted a commitment, but Ethan? A prison sentence may have been more appealing. Of course... that was a decade ago, and if magic can strike twice, I promise there will be a different outcome this time."

Kaycee was frozen still, terrified someone might have heard how hard she swallowed or seen the abject fear in her eyes.

“It seemed like he enjoyed seeing you," the young woman smiled. "Maybe you’ll get that second chance after all."

Kaycee welcomed the sounds their high heels walking down the hallway, still, she couldn’t pry her eyes away. She was so engrossed that she hadn’t heard her name being called... several times.

“Dr. MacClennan!” Harper barked. “Is there something important that I’m keeping you from?”

Kaycee swung around in horror. “Oh, no! No, Dr. Emery. I’m so sorry, I was just... uh...I was lost in my thoughts. What can I do for you?”

She liked Harper... admired her... but Harper was the last person she wanted to see right now. Her self-confidence already teetering, here was another reminder of who Ethan had before her. Another brilliant, beautiful and poised woman who had already earned the respect of her peers. She was everything Kaycee hoped to be when she grew up, and as their conversation wrapped up, she couldn’t remember the last time she felt this small.

Grabbing the bag from Derry’s from under the counter, Kaycee retreated to the empty diagnostic office. Pulling the muffin out, she began stuffing it into her mouth. Sorry Ethan, she thought, but I need this more than you.

After downing half of the carb-laden treat, she reclined on the sofa and shut her eyes. This mystery woman, Harper... they were both so much more than she was. All Kaycee could hear was the words of an acquaintance from long ago:

“Don’t date out of your league. When you do, you'll just spend your time worrying about how long before you’re replaced.”

The thing was, Kaycee never agreed with that sentiment, and even more, she never believed Ethan was out of her league. He didn’t treat her that way, and whenever they were together, with the aura of the magic they shared surrounding them, the thought never once crossed her mind. So why was she giving a complete stranger so much power?

She sat up in the darkened room and rested her weary head on her hands. Her shift officially started in just over ten minutes, and it was time to get herself together. She let out a groan as she tried to shake off the dark cloud that had enveloped her, just as the light switch flipped on and a worried Ethan looked her way.

“Kaycee? What’s going on? Are you hurt?”

Escape had been just a moment a way; now, she looked up at her love hoping he didn't notice the embarrassment in her eyes.

“I'm not hurt," she replied. "Not unless you count my ego."

“I’m sorry?"

Thinking of the best way to approach this, she handed him the slobbered-over, half-eaten muffin to stall for time.

“This was for you....” she snickered as Ethan held the object at arms length.

“Uh... thank you?”

“I shouldn’t have eaten it...”

“Kaycee,” he said, placing the offending muffin back on the table where it belonged. “What’s going on. What’s wrong?”

She took Ethan’s hand and leaned back on the sofa with a sigh and instructed her boyfriend to make himself comfortable. She relayed the details of her morning adventures: how she hoped to surprise him and spend a little time together before her shift began, but she stumbled upon him and Amal Clooney.

“I’m sorry, who?”

“The inncredibly hot pharma rep that was in your office,” Kaycee clarified.

“Angelique?”

“Angelique. Great,” Kaycee muttered. “ Sexy name. I feel like I should dislike her even more now.”

She told him the rest of the story and how she was ashamed of herself for becoming so worried, but she felt helpless once it began to consume her. Ethan placed a hand lovingly on her knee.

“Kaycee, if I wanted to be with Angelique, or Harper for that matter, I would be. But I don’t want them. I don’t want anyone except for you.”

“I know that,” she whispered. “And you’ve done nothing to make me think otherwise; but, sometimes, when I’m alone or when I’m confronted with two perfect exes within a ten-minute span, I feel like every insecurity I’ve had in my life awakens, and those voices tell me I’ll never be enough.”

Ethan scooted closer to Kaycee and as he wrapped a loving arm around her shoulder, she felt the tiny bits of self-doubt that were remaining begin to melt away; and when he kissed her forehead, they were tone.

“Kaycee, I wish I could help you with this, but unless I’m doing something to make you feel insecure...”

“You’re not!” She interuppted.

“Well, then, all I can do is reassure you. You’ll have to work on the underlying causes on your own, but I promise you, with all my heart....you have nothing to worry about. In fact, sometimes I wonder if I'm good enough for you."

“Seriously?” She asked with a look of disbelief. “You don't think you're good enough for me?”

“Uh, do you see how other people look at you? Do you even realize how much you have to offer? There are many times when I’ve wondered why you wasted so much time waiting on this old man to come to his senses... but in case I haven’t told you lately, I’m so glad that you did.”

“Yeah,” she smiled, running her hand along his cheek. “You are pretty lucky.”

“You better believe I am.”

Ethan brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, then placed a gentle buss on her lips. Their eyes met with a loving gaze, and he gave her another, then one more as her head tilted to the side and their lips came together so comfortably, there was no doubt they were meant to be.

Kaycee parted her lips and allowed his tongue to intertwine with hers. A rhapsody emotion washing over her as the tenderness grew more passionate, burning with a fire that defined all they had come to mean to each other.

Ethan reluctantly broke away with a smile. "Feeling better?"

“I sure am,” she beamed.

Ethan looked at his watch, then back to Kaycee with a seductive grin. “If I have your schedule down, you have ten minutes before your shift begins.”

“That’s right,” Kaycee smiled. “And how would you like to spend that time?"

"Isn't it obvious? Making out like we're between classes in high school. Are you in?"

"You better belive it," Kaycee laughed, pulling him into to another kiss.

When Kaycee walked out of the team's office ten minutes later, there was a smile on her swollen red lips and she didn't care about her disheveled scrubs. Amal Clooney had nothing on her. After all, she had Ethan Ramsey, and he had her, and they knew that was the only place they wanted to be.

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Tagging others seperately.

[cultofdixon]

The differences in power

Negan Smith • She/Her Pronouns • The little lady is the one with all the power and when the group found out, maybe that will be their window • ANGST/SFW • TW: Major character death(s) / Canon Violence / Anxiety / Injuries • Re-Writing Canon

Requested by: Anon

“Listen here Dwight. You don’t do what I fucking say and I promise yea I will bash her fucking skull in with my—-“ Negan stopped his threat and dropped Dwight back onto his feet as he anxious stated to step back. “Y/N. What are you doing here?”

“Oh me?” Y/N smiles making herself known in the hall they were in, as she gave Dwight a glare resulting in him running off.

“See now how am I supposed to beat him into submission if you are always around”

“Do you not want me around? I could go…” Y/N pouts turning around to walk off but Negan quickly took her hand spinning her back resulting in that devilish smirk of hers. “What, baby?”

“You…God, you” Negan folds and couldn’t be mad at his woman for interrupting the heated conversation earlier as he brought his lips against hers.

When news about the outpost came through the Sanctuary, Laura quickly went to the big man’s room knowing she would find Y/N there as she gave her a confused look until her shoulders slumped giving her an idea of what she wanted.

“Do you have any fucking idea how many good soldiers I lost because we didn’t put down that son of a bitch from the Hilltop?! AND YOURE TELLING ME THE RAT BASTARD GREGORY SURVIVED HIS PUNISHMENT” Negan snaps in Simon’s face as he kept his cool on the matter even if what happened wasn’t his fault. The big man had to yell at somebody. “Get that one bitch in here that informed—-“

“She’s dead sir. We don’t have intel on who exactly she came in contact with. But from what we do know…with what Gregory told, it’s exactly who you’re thinking of”

“Simon. I swear to FUCKING GOD. If you don’t get me definite results on these fuckers. I will hang you on the fence out—“ Negan pulled away from being in Simon’s face when he spotted Y/N peak her head through the door with a soft knock.

“Sorry if you’re busy with your boyfriend I can—-“

“You better get that sweet ass of yours over here, darling.” Negan smirks pushing Simon aside as Y/N brought herself up to her man wrapping her arms around his neck.

As Simon slipped away from the two to meet Laura in the hallway, he gave her a thankful expression.

“Load up the car. Gotta check in with a few hidden eyes”

“Think Negan will find out?”

“Hell no, his woman will keep him busy. Besides, we’ll look good with the information we’ll receive” Simon smirks heading off as Laura rolled her eyes before following the man.

A couple days passed and Y/N found herself waiting in the loading docks of the Sanctuary after being told by one of Negan’s men he expects her there. She thought that was a little confusing but when she saw cars pulling up, her spirits lifted like usual knowing Negan has come home.

But it was hectic.

“Get the prisoner in the goddamn cell. Simon, you gotta keep your eyes on Hilltop. I ain’t fucking letting that community get the better of me with this new one in our roaster. And I swear to fucking god if Alexandria pulls something in two weeks I’m killing—-“ Negan stops himself when he stopped abruptly in front of Y/N. “Hey baby” he instantly shifts his mood, leaning down to kiss her cheek as the confusion writes itself on her face.

The sound of the men struggling to contain the prisoner caught Y/N’s attention as she let Negan continue to kiss her cheek down to her shoulder while her eyes glued on the scene.

Then there was this anxious realization when Y/N locked eyes with the man they were dragging in. Hell, he even tried to stop to get a good look at her.

“What is it, baby?”

“Nothing, baby. Just thinking”

“Now that can be dangerous” Negan laughs lightly, bringing his lips to hers as she hums against his lips keeping her arms around him when they parted.

Once night consumes the day, Y/N made her way down the hall in her pajamas as she surprisingly slipped out of her and Negan’s room without him stirring. She knew where everything was in the Sanctuary she’s been there long enough.

Dwight caught a glimpse of her in the corner of his eye when he was watching the prisoner from the other side of the closed door.

“What are you doing awake?”

“Couldn’t sleep. Is that the prisoner in there?”

“Yup. To make it more difficult for Alexandria to want to attack us” Dwight rolls his eyes bringing his attention back to the book in hand. “Don’t report me to big man but I really don’t know how you could even love him for what he does”

“I…I don’t exactly know what he does” Y/N frowns crossing her arms leaning against the wall Dwight was propped up against. His full attention on her. “I guess it’s blind ignorance. But I also didn’t fall in love with him for what he does as a leader”

Dwight couldn’t get mad at that, but for some small reason…he’s worried for her. Worried of her finding out.

Even with the small incidents she has seen.

“Dwight. Is your prisoner’s name Daryl?”

“What? You hear that in passing or something?”

The silence she gave only brought more confusion to Dwight with a bit of curiosity. Y/N shrugs it off and leaves the man to continue his watch of a closed, locked door.

________

“She hasn’t turned up”

“We can’t wait here forever, son. Unless we want the walkers to find us” Hershel informed Daryl as he kept his attention glued to the darkness of the forest waiting for someone to turn up.

“Daryl. We gotta go. Find somewhere for the night” Rick grabbed his shoulder only for him to dramatically yank his body away from him. “She’s gone for all we know. There’s nothin’ we can do”

Daryl held on for a little while longer until Carol pulled him away from the banks of the freeway.

Meanwhile an injured Y/N had collapsed in the woods after hours of walking endlessly in the wrong direction. She thought it was the end for her as she laid in the dirt letting the weakness take over.

Then she was suddenly lifted from the ground who knows how much later since the collapse. She felt safe enough to lean into the unknown man.

“I’ve gotcha darling”

________

Y/N found herself appearing in that hallway every other hour of the next couple days and it draws some suspicion from Dwight that he even brought it up to Negan.

“Are you implying my girl is a mole?” Negan questions with a threatening undertone in his voice as he inches closer to the shorter man pinning him against the nearest wall.

“N-Negan I’m just. Making assumptions here” Dwight laughs nervously. “Don’t listen to me”

“Are you sure? You’re assumin’ my girl knows the people in this little community that I plan to fucking destroy—-“

“Babe” Y/N interprets watching Negan scramble a bit letting go of Dwight as he gave her a terrified look. Resulting in her giving him a “beat it” expression which he did instantly while her man stayed. “What were you doing?”

“Dwight got it in his head that you might be a mole for this new community…but he also hasn’t been a Savior as long as you have”

“You know he’s wrong right?”

“I do. I’ll always believe you over anybody else…” He trailed and that drew her to cross her arms expressing annoyance. “But…I have to ask darling”

“What?”

“Do you know…who Rick Grimes is?”

Are you going to hurt me like you hurt them if I said yes? Y/N thought as she gave a soft nod watching his shoulders tense with the new information but when he instantly cracked to watching her cower. Made him feel like a monster.

Funny…isn’t it?

“…I would never hurt you”

“I…I know…” Y/N frowns still avoiding his gaze. “Negan, you have to tell me what you do to these people…I need to hear it from you and not from the violence hungry soldiers or the innocent”

What she did know, was the reason to want control. The loss of his wife Lucille. She understood why he couldn’t trust anyone. She knew about the killing…just not to the extent that it was. What he does to these people psychologically was…heartbreaking.

He learned who she knew before he found her. She had a group back in Atlanta…that held up in a quarry. Her best friend was the one they took hostage and the one who saved her from the city was the man he killed.

They left her, is what Negan would think for Y/N to side with his actions. But she doesn’t. She has her own anger towards the things that have happened to her…but she would never kill a man to make things right.

“It’s okay to hate me after learning about everything”

Y/N remained silent as the two were now sat on their bed in their shared room.

“I won’t give you anything to cause more harm”

“I know”

“I hate you for killing people…innocent or not”

“I know…”

“But I hate myself for loving you and only wanting to stay in the moment from when you saved me” Y/N felt the tears roll off her cheeks as he tried to wipe away her tears but she retracted at first before suddenly bringing herself into his arms latching onto him.

The top Savior, the boss, the man fears by many…fell apart in her embrace holding onto her for dear life as if she’d disappear if he let go.

When the morning came, Negan sat alone in the conference room having arrived before everybody else he asked to join him on this trip to Alexandria a couple days before the deadline. To his surprise, Y/N entered the room dressed for a run as she gave him a stern look.

“They will recognize you”

“I know”

“…I don’t…I can’t have you getting hurt”

“I won’t…if I do, I know what you would do”

“I won’t punish with you present”

“I wish you didn’t at all.” And with that she left to check on those preparing the vehicles.

When the debrief ended and everyone was loading into the vehicles…Negan approached his waiting for Y/N to join him as she watched Dwight drag Daryl into the truck.

“Darling?”

“He won’t give you anything.”

“What?”

“He won’t give you what you want. Daryl is stubborn. He won’t…he doesn’t turn his back on his people” Y/N felt the old sting she felt that night, Negan didn’t even have to say what he wanted to know that she’s feeling all she felt that night. “Abusing him won’t give you anything unless you brought the dead back to life”

Negan bites his lip anxiously before stopping Dwight from shutting the doors to the truck and giving Y/N a look. She instantly took that chance to climb in with the hunter as Dwight gave the boss man a concerned expression but his immediately went dark.

“Don’t ask questions unless you want to meet your maker, Dwight.” He snapped, walking away from the truck to get into his car to lead the group.

The second the doors shut, Y/N sat close to the door while Daryl hugged the wall by the drivers.

He’s dead. Has to be.

This is a goddamn ghost in front of him.

“You ain’t real”

Y/N didn’t say anything and watched the man she knew to have a hard exterior just fall apart.

“You ain’t real. You died. You died that night at the barn fire. You never turned up. You ain’t real!” Daryl shouted at her but she kept a level head while the driver groans in annoyance.

“You didn’t look for me. None of you did”

“Please—-If this is some sick joke!” Daryl snapped once more, this time when they halted Y/N punched the man in the arm.

“ITS REAL” Y/N snapped back. “I never died. You never looked for me. You all left me behind”

“And now what? You’re a Savior. One of the enemy? I’ve seen yea. Didn’t believe it. Caught glimpses enough to just think you’re not real. But every time I saw you, you were with him.” Daryl frowns avoiding her eyes when he scoffs along with the next part. “What, the dick game that good?”

“If you’re going to piss me off, I’m not going to help you” Y/N whispered in anger as the last part confused Daryl.

“What? Now?!”

“No, I just need you to listen carefully”

With hesitation, he did. Before more could be discussed, they were at Alexandria and everyone unloaded. Y/N stuck in the back out of Negan’s way but when the Saviors separated to raid the community…that’s when she locked eyes with an old familiar pair.

“What’s gotten into you, Mr. Grimes?” Negan smirks turning around and his expression fell watching Y/N get closer to make sure she’s not seeing a ghost.

But Rick was. He was rethinking who died at the lineup, maybe he died and this was his hell.

Being faced with who he left behind

“What are you taking from them?” Y/N questions Negan while keeping eye contact with the deer in headlights.

“Everything. 90% of everything”

“No”

A few Saviors turned their heads toward Negan for an immediate lash out. None of them seeing how whipped the man is before until then…

“What would you suggest then?”

Y/N, being the person she’s always been, wouldn’t let them suffer because of past actions. She told Negan to let them keep their beds and 75% of their pantry goods. She knows he would argue about the weaponry, she’s heard how he was in other communities. So targeting stuff he wouldn’t like to argue with her about, he will do for her instantly.

As Negan went to check on what they were taking back to the Sanctuary, Rick took note on the power Y/N has over the man that killed their family. But he couldn’t help himself the second he was alone with her.

“He killed Glenn at the lineup” Rick blurted out watching her tense. “You’re with a man that killed your best friend and you’re okay with that? You know what you could do to stop hi—-“

“The fuck are you telling her?” The Savior Arat got up in Rick’s face when he was only telling Y/N.

“The truth of what you monsters have done” Rick stated pushing her back and before Arat could get up and personal again, Y/N stepped in between them.

“Don’t.”

“Or what? You’ll have Negan kill me?” Arat hissed, not liking the fact that Y/N stood her ground. “He’d do anything you ask of him princess. We are here to show who’s boss…and that’s not you”

“You lay a finger on anybody and I’ll rip it off”

That only brought a smirk out of Arat as she pulls herself away to continue the job. Y/N turned to Rick giving him a saddened look but there was something else about it that intrigued him.

“Y/N—-“

“Keep your head down Rick Grimes. Or others will be watching it roll” Y/N frowns stepping away and toward Negan’s car to stay in for the remainder of the visit.

The drive back was quiet and more than Arat was made about Y/N’s decision. They still took from the community, Y/N knew she couldn’t completely skew his decision into not taking anything. She needed to be not so suspicious. But that didn’t matter.

Y/N stood outside the conference room eavesdropping on Negan yelling at several saviors that have told Y/N what he has done to the communities. If they had kept their mouths shut and to themselves, nothing would’ve reached her ears.

She pushed the door open to listen to the once yelling man, stop and turn into a softness only she heard and those who witnessed his change around her.

“Let’s go, tomorrow will be different” Simon assures Negan as he walks past Y/N with the others following after him.

Negan waited for her to approach him at the table bringing herself to slot between his legs as he was sat on the table. Y/N rests her hands on his thighs feeling his forehead rest against hers.

“I’m sorry for yellin’”

“Why are you apologizing? It wasn’t—-“

“I know you were eavesdropping, darling. I was mad about the stunt you pulled…hell I’m more mad at myself for letting you”

“Negan…”

“Yikes…First name. Guess I’m in the dog ho—-“

“Would you hurt me if I went against your rule here?”

The man instantly pulled away and carefully took a hold of her face with both his hands as his expression fell.

“I would never hurt you. My empire could fall because of you and I’d never lay a finger” Negan frowns, wanting to know what’s going on inside that beautiful mind of hers that is hidden behind the sad look on her external features. “I love you, Y/N. Don’t ever think that I’d hurt you ever”

Y/N didn’t say those three words back as all she did was bring her lips against his. Enjoying the peacefulness it brought, for it might be the last…

“Let’s go to bed, love”

“Mm…okay, darling”

As the night progressed, Y/N managed to slip out of his grasp leaving their room but not before grabbing his keys.

She managed to get to the prison cells without being noticed as all she needed to do was get Dwight away from the cell in mind. It would’ve only been difficult if Y/N didn’t know Sherry. She helped her distract her partner in order to get to Daryl’s cell.

But yet another obstacle stepped in her way.

“What do you think you’re doing”

“Get out of my way Arat”

“Or what?”

Y/N stared her down and went to walk passed, she didn’t get far until Arat grabbed a fist full of her hair to pull her back. Little did she know that Y/N’s instinct was to grab her arm and throw her body over her person. With the right formation, it’s down without struggle. The self defense classes from before the world ended still came in handy.

The thud of Arat hitting the concrete was only going to alert people so Y/N went fast with unlocking the door to Daryl’s cell and dragging him out of the facility.

Daryl didn’t have to get far to know Y/N hesitated. He turned toward her, being tossed a set of keys for one of the bikes.

“Come with me”

“I can’t.”

“Y/N…he’s a monster. He’s killed—-“

“I know—-“

“And you’re okay with that?” Daryl frowns wanting to know why she’s doing this. Why she’s hesitating and staying with a man that’s hurt many…”Y/N. Please. You can help us take—-“

“And I will. But not in the way you all want…you want him dead. I want him alive. For before this whole empire…he was just Negan Smith. Not a scary savior that takes so much from others because the world took everything from him.” Y/N frowns knowing Daryl wouldn’t get it, she doesn’t give him much credit. “I will help you take him down…take the Saviors down…but you won’t see either of us at the end of it”

“Y/N…”

“Go, Daryl. Before they realize what I’ve done”

“…I waited for you. I waited for you at the highway that night” Daryl frowns feeling the tears burn and threaten to fall. “Rick made us leave…I didn’t want to”

“Daryl…go back to your family before this was all for nothing”

The hesitation ached at him as he kept looking back every step of getting out of there. Daryl wanted to scream at her and take her but she’s always been a smart person…so he left for the Hilltop. Knowing Alexandria would be their first target for his disappearance.

As Y/N quietly made it back inside, she noticed their bedroom door open and the light on. She peered inside finding an annoyed Arat and Simon talking to Negan who instantly dismissed them. Arat of course purposely bumping into Y/N on the way out as Simon gave her a more sympathetic look.

Once it was the two of them and the door shut, Negan instantly pulled Y/N into his embrace asking her in whispers if she was okay. If she was hurt in any way. The confusion struck her as she brought her arms around him resting her head against his chest.

“Negan…”

Negan held her tightly feeling her shift to bring her gaze to look up when he parted enough to look her in the eye.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

“Yes…” Y/N frowns bringing her hands to rest on his face, her thumbs gently wiping away his tears. “But, Negan…you can come with me…leave it all behind.”

“But I—“

“You don’t have to decide now. You will know where to find me”

“Y/N…”

Please…

[cariantha]

In a Mood

Book: Open Heart, Book 3 Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks) Rating: General Warning: Mention of pregnancy Category: Grumpy/Sunshine; Angst Word count: 1.3K Prompt: From @kyra75, “Sunshine is humming and singing constantly, while grumpy at best just tolerates it quietly.” A/N: This is a prequel to their proposal fic.💍Hope you don’t mind, Kyra, but I reversed the grumpy/sunshine roles.🤭

Ethan stepped out of the high-end jewelry store, twirling his keys around his finger and sporting an uncontrollable grin. He whistled a happy, upbeat tune as he walked down the block to where he had parallel parked. Settling into the leather seat of his Jaguar, he started the ignition and cranked up the stereo. Safely merged into traffic, his fingers drummed to the classic rock beat as he sang along. “l said, are you gonna be my girl… 🎵🎶🎵… I say you look so fine that I really wanna make you mine… 🎵🎶🎵”

Sawyer woke on the wrong side of the bed. Maybe because it wasn’t the comfy bed she became accustomed to. She’d been sleeping in Ethan’s for the better part of the past year but stayed at her apartment last night to start packing. Her lease ended in a couple of months, and despite Ethan’s offers to pay the penalty for breaking the lease early to encourage her to move in with him, Sawyer insisted on keeping her room until after her board exams. The six-foot-four, blue-eyed sex machine was too great a distraction when she needed to hunker down and study. 

Shuffling down the hall and into the kitchen, she found Sienna balancing a mixing bowl on her hip while she swayed back and forth, singing a Taylor Swift hit. When Sienna noticed her, she shoved a batter-coated spoon into Sawyer's face, suggesting she take over lead vocals, but Sawyer shook her head and grumbled. “Sorry, Sienna. I’m not awake enough for the Eras tour.”

The day continued in the same irritable fashion. She was fifteen seconds late catching the T. While she waited for the next one to arrive, a street musician embarrassingly circled and serenaded her with “The Lady in Red,” making her wish she had picked a different color jacket this morning.

Later, she watched from the gallery as Bryce led his first heart-lung transplant. He bobbed his head and lip-synced to a mix of 90’s alternative rock playing through the operating room’s speaker system. The intro to “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence began to play. 

“Ohhh yeah,” Bryce hyped and looked to the gallery. “Brooks! It’s our song. Sing with me!” 

Not one to usually shy away from some lighthearted fun, Sawyer just couldn’t get past her funk this morning. “I’m good, buddy.” 

After a couple more headbangers, Sawyer wished him luck on the rest of the procedure and went back to work. 

That afternoon, Ethan suggested a walk to Derry’s Roasters. On the way, he began to whistle a chirpy tune. It was familiar, probably a melody from one of the arias from the opera they attended a few nights ago. “Ugh, not you, too,” she muttered. Ethan wasn’t usually a whistling and humming guy, but something was definitely in the air today, and she seemed to be allergic to whatever it was. 

“Did you say something?” Ethan asked. 

“It was nothing.” 

The annoying merriment continued into the evening hours. Music sounded from the Bluetooth speaker in the kitchen as her man prepared dinner. It wasn’t loud, but he sang along with the lyrics. Ethan Ramsey was singing! It should have brought a huge smile to her face and forced her into a fit of laughter, but for reasons she could not explain, it grated on her. 

She fake-smiled her way through dinner, not wanting to project her foul mood on her disgustingly happy boyfriend. When Ethan hopped in the shower and started humming another melody, Sawyer grabbed her phone and headed to the balcony. She texted her best friend, hoping Christian would allow her to vent.  

A couple of days had passed since her text exchange with Christian. Saywer’s moodiness was at an all-time high, though she tried to curb it, especially around Ethan. He had been so sweet the past several days and had done nothing to deserve her bite. 

Hoping a jog would burn off some of the negative energy, Sawyer headed to the waterfront. As she ran along the boardwalk, she made a mental note to shop for a new sports bra because this one felt like it was lacking support. With every pound of the pavement, her breasts ached. Midway through her route, she had to stop for a breather, her body heavy with an unusual fatigue. 

When another female jogger pushing a stroller passed and politely waved, a potentially life-altering thought occurred to her. One that detoured her to the pharmacy on the way back to Ethan’s apartment. 

Sawyer heard his happy tune when he entered the apartment later that evening. Finding her in the kitchen prepping dinner, Ethan greeted her with a “Hi” and kissed her temple. “I’ll be right back,” he said. 

As he put his things away and changed into more comfortable clothes, Sawyer could hear the song he whistled on his lips getting louder as he returned to the kitchen.

Even if she found his carefree mood annoying lately, she couldn’t deny him his happiness. Her heart hurt knowing there was an excellent chance he wouldn't be humming or whistling much in the days to come. Because Ethan Ramsey didn't see kids in his future. He said as much two and a half years ago. When she had asked him the question, the fMRI scan of his brain confirmed it.

Ethan stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her from neck to cheek. He greeted her with a proper kiss when she turned her face toward him. "How was your day off, baby?" he asked.

Baby. 

Sawyer hesitated before answering. With his hand splayed over her stomach, she wanted to say, "It was shocking, and I'm terrified to tell you because it's going to change everything." 

Instead, she shrugged and answered with a deceiving truth. "I went for a jog, ran some errands, and waited for test results."

Ethan kissed her temple again and gently moved her to the side to take over dinner prep. "Stop stressing over those test results, Rookie. You've got nothing to worry about."

Sawyer stepped behind him to hide the mist gathering in her eyes. She squeezed him around the waist, and to herself, she said, "Please let that be true."  

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @peonierose  @potionsprefect @trappedinfanfiction 

@jerzwriter @queencarb @coffeeheartaddict2 @quixoticdreamer16 @jamespotterthefirst 

@liaromancewriter @tveitertotwrites @tessa-liam @youlookappropriate @kyra75

@socalwriterbee @txemrn @midnightmelodiz @snoopdogcone

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

Two things.

1. If you were to rewrite Gabriel's redemption arch, how would you do it? Just curious.

2. Thinking about it, a good way to neutralize Hawk Moth/Shadow Moth (before he ever stole all the miraculouses from Marinette) would be getting rid of his voice by using the power of the miraculous of the roaster, (to get the power to steal his voice), silencing him forever would make him unable to manipulate anyone, would make him unable to akumatize anyone, because he needs to convince them, and for that, he needs to speak to his victims, and for him to do that, he needs his voice.

He wouldn't be unable to command Nooro, he wouldn't be able to transform, being unable to speak, he wouldn't be able to use a miraculous altogether.

Because to use a miraculous, you need to give your Kwami orders, you need to speak, you need a voice. It would serve as a one punishment, and you basically make him harmless!

Maybe he could try get around this rule, or ask Nathalie to continue his work, but at this point, would she be even interested? It could even serve as an oportunity to force him into changing and getting over Emilie.

And it would be so funny, watch a character who clearly loves to listen to himself, forced into eternal silence.

I suppose I'd show Gabriel as actually being a decent parent to Adrien, obviously cut out "Cat Blanc" and "Ephemeral", and have his redemption end with him in prison like the end of the movie.

That would honestly be a very fitting punishment for Gabriel, though the show would probably use the whole "tHe RoOsTeR cAn'T gRaNt WiShEs" crap to veto that.

[tozawas]

Hellloo, you seem cool so I thought I'd come here as a wrestling noob and ask if you mayhaps have any match recommendations for me to watch? There's a lot to get into lol

This is so exciting yes ofc!!!

(I fear I've been watching for about a year, so some of these picks might be kinda basic but! I did my best)

NJPW

Hiromu Takahashi vs El Desperado - BOSJ Final

PEAK OF THEIR FEUD

Ring work is amazing and is only elevated by the story they tell in this match alone

Their best match imo

Kenny Omega vs Jay White - New Beginning, 2018

Bullet Club Bullet Clubbing

Omega/White are always gonna put on bangers

And then everyone kills Kenny

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kazuchika Okada - G1 Climax 24

New Japan Nakamura is peak

Okada being the legend he is

Honestly for New Japan any match with Okada/Tanahashi/Omega/Ishii/Naito/Nakamura/Shibata is sure to be amazing

Also it is a ppv and idk if you can still buy it but the Despe-Invitacional is SO GOOD. Despy is an amazing booker and it helped be find out about a lot of wrestlers outside of NJPW

AEW

Ricochet vs Will Osprey vs Konosuke Takashita - WrestleDream, 2024

All of the high flying that was Ricochet v Osprey - BOSJ 23, broken up Takashita's strongstyle

So no matter which style you prefer, you're gonna get a good amount of it

Hikaru Shida v Serena Deeb - Dynamite 10/27/21

Now I'm not a fan of Deeb but she can pull some very impressive matches

Shida is a beast in the ring and I'd recommend just about any of her matches (look at her vs Nyla or Mercedes for more)

Swerve Strickland v Adam Page - Full Gear 2023

Teaxas Death match so be cautious if that's not your thing

Their entire fued is worth looking over PLEASE

Hangman has a way in making his death match so emotional and beautiful and it's just amazing to watch

All of AEW's shows and ppv for 2019 are available to watch on Max, so I would highly recommend checking that out aswell

WWE

Drew McIntyre v Gunther v Sheamus - WrestleMania 39

Hard hitting triple threat

Three great in ring workers who all have chemistry with eachother

McIntyre continues to be underutilized by the wwe and overhated by the fans so I'd recommend looking more into him

IYO SKY v Asuka - SmackDown 9/22/23

Ppv level match on a weekly show

These two have been working with eachother for so long and they know how to put on a good match

Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley - WrestleMania 39

Just watch it. It's so good

With Charlotte officially coming back too, you can really see how good she is

These don't go too far back but I have no clue about anything pre 2016ish to be so real. But for wwe specifically it's pretty easy to jump in wherever. I'd recommend diving into specific rivalries than trying to consume the entire history of everything. But that's just imo

NXT

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn - TakeOver: Dallas

Literally can't make a best match lost without talking about this match

Im not even a fan of Zayn but no one can deny how brilliant this match is

Really shows off Shinsuke and it's a bit bittersweet knowing that he's never been properly used in the wwe

Adrian Neville vs Finn Bálor

Once again, Finn is routinely pushed aside on the main roaster

Any of his NXT matches are worth watching but I picked this one because they both have pretty similar styles Ira it's so cool seeing them work against eachother

Guilia vs Sol Ruca vs Stephenie Vaquer vs Wren Sinclair vs Zaria - Deadline 2024

The current NXT women's roaster is absolutely stacked and this is the perfect showcase of it

Common pick but for a very good reason

I've been a fan of Guilia and Stephenie's stuff since before they've been on NXT an they are truly one of a kind wrestlers

NXT has gone through a lot of changes over the year, but I think it's consistently really good (sometimes even better than the main roaster).

Anyways! I hope this is helpful in any sort of way 🙏 I had fun making this list. I think you're super cool too and thank you for the ask (can we be friends?!)

[ms-liz-steele]

No Love

Pole Dancer!Lisa x Bartender!Male OC | smut, drama, romance

-> Synopsis: Ollie has one rule he lives by: never mix work with his personal life.

But what happens when he sets his eyes on a dancer one night at a club during his shift.

New Chapters Every Monday

chapters index | ongoing

Old Fashioned

☾︎✯☽︎

I always preferred bartending at pubs to nightclubs. I was used and accustomed to the loud and crowded atmosphere nightclubs normally have, but something about the cosy and welcoming atmosphere pubs always have with its warm lighting casting a golden glow on the wooden tables and chairs. The air is always infused with the scent of malt, and you always feel a sense of relaxation wash over you.

The pub itself was a beautiful wooden structure, polished to shine and adorned with bottles of every colour and shape. The room is filled with gentle murmurs of conversations and soft clinking of glasses with subtle music playing in the background. I was stationed to bartend at one of the small pubs in the Coup Detat instead of Pink Venom for the whole week.

My shift was going smoothly just like any other night. I was serving drinks and chatting with a few customers here and there. Some of my old customers from my previous work managed to find where I worked and decided to visit me.

"I was bummed when I found out that your old boss cut you off," one of them said. "he should have realised that he shot himself in the leg throwing away an asset like you."

I chuckled at his sentiment. "How's the old boss man these days?"

"Not too good, sadly. He had to close down his business when the number of customers started to decline. It got worse when the bartenders he did keep started resigning." He shook his head. "Truly a shame."

I hummed in concession. "Indeed."

As my shift continued, my mood suddenly changed when I saw the person I never thought I'd have to see again – the rich man who was with Lisa in the VIP room at Pink Venom weeks ago.

"This man really chose the worst days to come to see Lisa," I heard Jin mutter beside me.

"Then why is he here at this pub?" I asked, staring hard at him as he took a seat at the bar.

"Only one way to find out," Jin said before proceeding to nudge me in the man's direction.

"Why me?" I retaliated.

"Because I am not dealing with his trifling ass at this God-forsaken hour. I love my handsome face free from bruises and a black eye, thank you very much."

"That's going to be the least of your worries when I have your head on a silver platter, asshole!"

"Look, hyung. Out of the both of us, you're the most calm and level-headed. This night will end with me getting froggy and putting hands on that son of a bitch if you leave me to handle him."

I grumble begrudgingly and walked over to the man. "Hello and welcome. How can I help you?" I greet him with my best professional voice.

He smiled as he gave me a look of recognition. "I remember you. You work at the club, no?"

I nodded stiffly. "That I do, sir."

"How come you're here and not the club?"

"We have a weekly rotational roaster. I'll be here before I have to rotate to a different pub for the whole week."

The man hummed and nodded his head.

"Anything you'd like to drink?" I asked a little impatiently. I really didn't want to be in this man's presence more than I had to.

He leaned back in his seat with a thoughtful look on his face. "I'm in the mood for an old-fashioned."

"Coming right up."

I deftly selected a glass and created a soothing melody with the sound of the ice cubes clinking into the glass as I filled it up. I reached for a bottle of bourbon, its rich amber colour glowing in the amber-lit room. With a steady hand, I splash the right amount against the ice like a gentle waterfall. Next, I added a sugar cube and dissolved it into the concoction. Finally, a twist of orange peel was squeezed over the top. With a quick stir, I pushed the cocktail in front of the man.

He lifted the glass and brought it to his nose, taking in the aroma before taking a sip. He hummed satisfied and nodded his head in approval. “I gotta say, you really improved my mood making an old-fashioned this good.”

“I take pride in giving my customers the best drinks and service,” I answered.

Even if it’s rich assholes like you.

“Say, have you heard from Lisa?” he asked.

I clenched my jaw and said nothing.

“The stripper I was with last time you saw me.”

I almost said ‘I know who you’re talking about. I’m not fucking stupid,’ but I caught myself. “Can’t say that I have, but I can guess that she’s unavailable at the moment. She does have a life outside of her work.”

“Do you know when she’ll be back?”

“Afraid I can’t help you with that, sir. I don’t know her schedule.”

“Can you get a hold of her and tell her that she has a client waiting for her.”

“She’s a dancer, not a sex worker.”

“Stripper. Prostitute. Same thing.”

I felt my annoyance wash over me like a sea on the ocean coast. I’m not one to be violent unless in situations that require me to defend myself. But I felt the biggest urge to knock his teeth out of his mouth for the way he was talking about Lisa. I was honestly surprised at the amount of self-control I had at that moment.

The man grunts as he pushed the empty glass toward me. “I was really looking forward to seeing her dance for me again,” he said. “She really knows how to hold a man’s attention. Not to forget sexy.”

He smirked. “Wonder if she’d be a good fuck just as she is a good stripper.”

I stoically stared at the man and sighed, taking his glass.

“I take it that you have a wife and a kid or two with a well-paying job that provides a stable income?” I said. 

The man arched an eyebrow. “Well colour me impressed. How did you guess?”

“Well, I’ve been in the service industry as a bartender for about nine years. You meet a lot of different kinds of people.” I shrugged as I began fixing his drink.

“Okay, but why suddenly bring up my family?”

I nodded my head towards his ring finger that adorned the golden band. “The ring you’re wearing is a symbol of a promise you made to love, honour and cherish your wife the day she put it on your finger,” I told him. “and here you are in this establishment breaking and dishonouring that promise.”

The man’s smile faded as his expression became dark and grave. I could tell that I hit him in a sore spot and struck a nerve.

“The thing about old-fashioned drinkers is that they’re traditionalists who enjoy the traditional way of life and cling on to the past. But they’re also risk takers, always willing to shake things up at any given chance even if it means risking everything,” I continued. “I can imagine that you worked hard for the life that you have. A well-paying job, a wife who I assume is a stay-at-home wife who looks after the kids and makes the home a home. But you’re risking everything you’ve worked built – your marriage, your family, your future – the very symbol and foundation holding your life together for momentary pleasure.”

“You don’t know me or my story, kid,” he spewed venom in his tone.

“True,” I conceded with a nod. “But I’ve met enough people like you to know how you work and function. You all are looking and seeking something outside of what you have because you’re either not satisfied or selfish.”

The man scoffed and laughed. “You could have just said that you’re that whore’s boyfriend.”

“I don’t need to be a boyfriend to call you out on your bullshit or be obligated to give you access to her just to satisfy what you lack in your marriage,” I said.

“She made herself very much accessible given the nature of her job.”

“Yeah, well, at least she’s not going to suffer for your mistakes and foolishness now. Will she?”

The tension hung in the silence. I pushed the finished old-fashioned towards the man and smiled. “Here’s your drink, sir.”

He was very annoyed with me, but he downed his drink in one swig. As he got up and walked away, he muttered, “You can forget about getting a tip from me, prick.”

[hungnitan]

HSR x Fate UBW coming in Q3 2025 !

(I write these in mind for anyone doesn't know Fate series at all)

For now it's unknown will it come with stories or just skin or full pack with playable UBW character

Not long ago HSR had interview with FGO team, the magazine only release their Q&A but considering both side love each other project, these collab shouldn't really suprising. If there's suprising fact is why only UBW not FGO directly ? Since there is no info about collab details, let's make some analysis for now :

FGO especially Fate series is really big world ! If you need comparasion, it's not only Honkai Impact world but all Hoyoverse become one and you need to know at least a bit of each title to make sense about Fate series !

Continuing point above, which is the reason they gave us years for this collab ! Their developer consider years should be enough for player to quick read most Fate series franchise (lol)

Fate as whole already into their 20 years old now so it's kinda impossible for anyone to learn that series from start (even I only know fifty percent of it). So to make it simple, they just pick their well known franchise but not making players too confused about their world building which is Fate Stay Night. UBW is decent choice considering what's happened with other two.

If anyone need comparasion, UBW kinda like GGZ in term of popularity and reminiscing (lol) while FGO kinda like former Genshin in term of popularity.

I kinda saw FGO pretty desperate nowdays or maybe they're already out of idea to promote Fate series onward. For anyone doesn't know, FGO was the king of mobile gacha games but after Genshin release their revenue drop sharply and with more Chinese gacha games out lately, you can say now it's their lowest situations so to be honest Fate series feels like gonna dying sooner or later which is this collab came.

I can say for sure that this collab came from HSR side since those otaku ops growth like now while watching/reading Fate series (lol) so I think there's no way HSR or even Fate team will slack off especially for storytelling since it's Fate main selling (if there's one for collab later lol)

Onto collab prediction since it's specifically UBW, means the main character is either Rin or/and Emiya. Maybe anyone still not read questionable leaks but there's info this collab need two version to finish means there's at least four and max six new character avaliable later. Considering UBW stories, I can think of Saber and Gilgamesh or maybe Kirei can join the roaster too.

Now for everyone who doesn't know Fate series and need pointer for later collab, first please watch Fate Stay Night, it have three titles with same story premise but different PoV with different ending (Fate Stay Night 24 episode -> Fate Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works 1 movie -> Fate Stay Night Heaven's Feel 3 parts movie). Next it's Fate Stay Night prologue, Fate Zero 24 episode and you're good to breakthrough the collab only.

Sounds simple right, which is the reason they choose Unlimited Blade Works for collab. If FGO, you could swarm yourself with 9 years FGO lore materials + other works with and without "Fate" titles on it (lol)

[demonyawa]

this is not much an ask but I just want to say thank you and all the people in the Until Then Dev Team for making such a wonderful and awesome of a game. From the story, ambience, color, to the music, background (omg I just go nut on how the background just have that realistic but familiar pixel vibes to it), funny quirks and emotional moments, the game just flow at such a pace that just completely got me hooked from start to finish. Especially right at the last chapter where I continuously played for 5 hours straight without leaving my seat and didn’t notice it was early morning until I notice the bright morning light and heard the sound of the morning roaster wikdkdkxmx

But yeah, thank you and the Until Then team for an incredible experience. Hope you guys can pop off even more and looking forward to more projects from you or any of the Until Then peps :DD

(P.S: I didn’t know that we can still continue even after the ending. So I guess new game plus in the second loops wooooooo)

UNTIL THEN GAME SPOILERS

Helloooo sorry for the late answer ngl life got the best of me! I just want to say a sincere thank you for this message and I will pass it along to the devs. We really love how much you believe our work has touched you and ig also thank you for appreciating the backgrounds!!! (hehe me and colleagues worked hard on making them feel like home : ]) I hope you can play things like To the Moon trilogy, Oxenfree, or Life is Strange which were also influences for Mickole in the writing, music direction, and aesthetic of the game. Thank you!!!!

[beardedmrbean]

Finnish media has recently paid attention to growing prejudice among school-aged kids.

The government told Helsingin Sanomat it is addressing the problem by rolling out a new equality programme in schools, according to Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz (SPP).

"We know that pupils who belong to sexual and gender minorities, as well as ethnic minorities, experience more bullying than others," he told the paper.

According to Adlercreutz, much still needs to be done to improve equality in Finnish schools.

This story follows on the heels of recent reporting by HS describing how teachers have seen a noticeable increase in racist and misogynistic comments, homophobic slurs, and even Nazi salutes among children. Some teachers said they had removed rainbow symbols from their classrooms out of concern that they might now be seen as too politically charged.

Last year, ministers in Petteri Orop's (NCP) government attended an hour of compulsory anti-racism training, which was arranged following controversial statements made by some ministers.

Brewed awakening

If you think coffee is expensive now, you'd better get used to it, the founders of a small roastery told Hufvudstadsbladet, as climate change continues to impact the industry.

In stores, the price of coffee has now exceeded 10 euros per package, but a group of Helsinki-based coffee roasters said consumers should brace for this as the new normal.

"It's actually crazy that you can still buy a cup of coffee for 3.50," Kevin Kainulainen of Dash coffee & Zestii Kitchens told HBL, noting the brew's labour-intensive journey from bean to cup.

"The beans are grown for several months, hand-picked high up in the mountains, transported across land and sea, and then they have to be roasted, ground and brewed,“ Kainulainen said, adding that he believes more people are starting to appreciate the drink as a luxury experience, and not just as wake-up juice.

Mission impossible?

Hollywood star Tom Cruise is in Finland, reports Österbottens Tidning.

According to the regional paper, Cruise's plane landed on Wednesday morning at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport in Ostrobothnia.

Cruise is reportedly visiting Jakobstad.

Media outlets have reported that Cruise was planning to spend a couple of hours in the town, where he was believed to be shopping for a sailboat.

[ruelleacme]

In a spotless forensic science laboratory in the basement of the east Texas branch of the Acme Detective Agency, Ruelle “Rue” Hargold worked dutifully. Now, Rue is an exceptional genius, as many who have met her like to brag about in their games of merry gossip.

Despite this, she would rather try her luck at being as impossibly inconceivable as a phantom haunting the halls of the Agency. Still, Rue often felt a sense of pride as she allowed the words to stroke her ego.

Rue’s concentration focused on the specimen of reddish soil found at the scene of the crime. She gently placed a dash of the broken terra onto a glass slide. “I hypothesize that the run-of-the-mill red clay is what I’m observing today,” Rue whispered to herself as she reached for the dropper full of watery solution.

She precisely landed a single droplet onto the flecks of dirt. “Now, I wonder what I shall uncover with this microscope,” she continued her narrative rambling.

Swiftly, she sandwiched the evidence with another clean slide. Her work was full of tiny, delicate movements that worked like a clockwork mechanism.

“Miss Hargold, I brought your frosted coffee,” a man’s voice called out. Rue, heavily focused on her work, didn’t hear her supervisor enter the laboratory.

The supervisor shook his head as he walked over with the cup of deliciousness. “Rue!” he shouted, just enough to break her concentration.

“Yes, Boss,” Ruelle responded before noticing the cup. “Oh, thank you, Ranger,” she continued as he placed it on her tidy desk.

A genuine smile crossed Ranger’s wrinkled face. He knew Ruelle needed to take a break from working on the mediocre evidence. He also knew it was futile, but he still encouraged her to analyze the evidence collected from the botched bank robbery on the corner of Fifty-Ninth Street and Main Street in their small town of Magnolia Falls, Texas.

She rolled over to her desk without even getting out of her chair. The cushioned office chair’s wheels squealed softly as she maneuvered toward it.

Ranger chuckled at the sight of his newest recruit. “She’s only been working here for six months,” he noted, truthfully. He had taken her in out of pity—and because work in this Acme jurisdiction was as empty as a tumbleweed.

She sipped her frosted coffee—a thick blend of vanilla ice cream and iced mocha made with a dark Arabian roast from their local cafe, The Roaster—while Ranger vented his frustrations about the broken water fountain and how he’d had to contact headquarters for repairs all the way in San Francisco, California. Rue nodded as she half-heartedly listened to her boss.

She hadn’t heard a single word. “Rue, did you hear anything I said?” he asked. She sheepishly grinned and sunk deeper into her chair.

“Sorry, Boss,” she grumbled, and he let out an exasperated sigh.

“I know, you’re hearing impaired and all, but I wanted to congratulate you on how earnest of an agent you are,” he admitted.

“Oh, I’m trying my best, sir,” she replied.

Her straw was thoroughly chewed up by the time she finished the frosted coffee, making Ranger jokingly wonder if Rue was part goat, since she clearly ate plastic. “Are you a goat?” he asked with a belly laugh, gesturing to the chewed-up straw.

Rue’s face turned as red as a tomato.

He playfully swatted her shoulder before urging her to continue her work. “Alright, I have to check on things in my office,” he explained before departing from the laboratory. Rue shrugged before going back to figuring out the exact type of red clay.