#daddy freeze my more beloved >:3

[finniestoncrane]

I hope the two and a half other Mr Freeze girlies will agree with me on this, but I bet Mr freeze snores loud asf. He already did it before he had to wear a cryo-suit, but after? It's like being next to a jet engine. The cryo-suit makes his head tilt at a weird angle when he lays down, and the big glass dome around his head just makes the sound reverberate even more. I bet he sneezes loud too, I'm a Mr freeze dad-swag truther

OK OK OK i have been thinking about this since you sent it in anon! i'm sorry it took me so long, my brain is frazzled and i keep using all my energy up at work >:c

do you think if he didn't need to wear his little helmet, like in his super cold bedroom, the snoring would be worse though? like it'd be contained in the glass, the sneezes would be contained too. freeze without it would be the loudest mother fucker lmao

[rinhaler]

toji fucking his step daughter because his wife won’t give him any attention and she’s the second best thing :3

-🌹

daddy toji my beloved :3

warnings: 18+ MDNI, fem!reader, praise (good girl), biting, age gap, stepcest, cheating, daddy kink, creampie, bimbofication, virginity loss, fingering, masturbation.

words: 2k

Toji doesn’t know what to think, what to feel, whenever he sees you floating around the house. You’re confident, that he knows. Short skirts and tiny t-shirts are usually your go to attire, whether you’re at home or going out with your friends, you often dress scantily.

He tried scolding you about it, but you didn’t listen. And his wife, well, maybe if she supported him more he wouldn’t be thinking such oh so inappropriate things about his cute little step daughter.

“Where is she?” you ask, rudely, snapping Toji from his thoughts as you lean across the breakfast bar. He has to force himself to not look down your top, your cleavage on full display. Though his eyes do slip downward when he realises you aren’t even looking at him, too engrossed with your phone. “Said she’d give me money t’get my nails done.” you tell him, and he now knows you’re referring to your mother.

“She’s back to school shopping with Megumi.” he tells you, breaking his stare from your low cut crop top and looking into your eyes. Have you always been so skanky?

You’re a grown woman. He can’t believe you’re still leaching off of your mother. Nails can’t be that expensive. You should get a job and pay for them yourself. What makes you so special that you just get whatever you want just because you asked?

“Oh, well, you’ll have to gimme it.” you smile at him briefly before texting your friends again. You don’t even notice when he scoffs, shaking his head in disappointment.

What’s annoying him more is the fact that you’re reminding him so much of your fucking mother. Before she grew up, before they grew old, she was exactly like you. Vapid and gorgeous. She had him wrapped around her little finger back in the day, and he’s sure you are the same with every boy you come into contact with.

He feels his cock strain against his slacks as he thinks about all of hot and wild sex they used to have back then. Honestly, these days, he doesn’t remember the last time he got his dick wet. Now he’s just a miserable, pent up dad in a regular marriage. That’s life though, right? That’s just what happens as you get older.

Your wife loses interest and you develop a porn addiction.

“I’m not pay—”

You silence him as you pull your old school pink flip phone to your ear and hold up a finger in front of him, smiling when you hear your friends voice. “Yeah I’ll be there in thirty! Daddy’s givin’ me the money.” you beam at him, your shoulders bouncing as you talk excitedly.

Toji shakes his head again, reaching into his back pocket to grab his wallet.

He’s wrapped around your finger, like mother like fuckin’ daughter.

“I’m not fucking Satoru!” you tell your friend, rolling your eyes. Your step father freezes, for just a moment, before pulling out some money from his wallet. You look down at his hand and see the pitiful amount, taking his wallet from him and stealing a few extra bank notes while you rest your phone between your ear and shoulder. “Ugh. No one believes me! Do you? Whenever I tell anyone ‘m a virgin they think I’m lying.”

“Hang up the phone.” Toji tells you, but you barely hear him. You look at him for a split second before focusing on the call again.

“No, I didn’t! I sucked him off and that’s all I’ve done.” you huff. “Also my step dad is here so, like, stop talking about it.”

“Kid, hang up the fuckin’ phone.” he tells you, louder.

“Wait a sec,” you tell your friend, moving the phone away from your ear. “What?”

“Hang. Up.”

“Oh my God!” you moan, “I’ll meet you there, Toji wants to talk to me— yeah I’m probably getting in trouble because of you! Hahaaaa okay, byeeee~!” you smile, hanging up and giving your full attention to your step-father. He doesn’t speak, and neither do you. Not for a while, not until the silence makes you too uncomfortable to keep it going. “Is this ‘cuz of the money? You didn’t give me enough.”

“I— no, sweetheart.” he shakes his head. “Were you lyin’ to your friend, just now? About being a virgin?”

“Hm? No, why?”

Toji huffs out a breath, his cheeks filling with air as he thinks things through. He’s shocked, to say the least. He always thought you were putting out like a pro. He knows you’ve been on birth control for years. He’s had to drive you to get your injection a few times. He never thought about it much, just a regular dad chore when your mother wasn’t available.

But you’re a woman, now.

He’s surprised you haven’t been fucking since you were a teenager. But he’s even more surprised that you aren’t sexually active, now. He can’t help but wonder why. What’s stopping you? You dress like a slut, after all. Why aren’t you acting like one?

He reaches over and grabs his wallet and the money from your hand. You want to protest, but he walks by you too quickly for you to object. He hurries up the stairs and slams the door after himself.

“A— Am I grounded?!” you yell, hoping for a response.

Nothing.

You follow up the stairs, running up them as best you can in your high heels, and wait outside of his bedroom door. You knock a few times, and get no response. So you begin to pound on the door.

“Toji! You can’t ground me anymore!”

“You’re not grounded, come here.” he instructs. You open the door and walk into the room. He’s sitting on the edge of his bed, belt unbuckled and zipper down. He must be changing into something comfier to wear around the house. “Sit.” he tells you, patting his hand on his lap.

You go to him, immediately, sitting sweetly on his thick thighs as he thinks about what to say.

“Didn’t realise you were such a good girl,” he tells you, kissing your shoulder softly. “You’re like a nice version of your mother.”

“Should divorce her if y’don’t like her, daddy.” you tell him, looking down at your imperfect nails. You giggle when you feel him bounce you on his leg.

“Maybe I should.” he tells you. “But I’ll be lonely.”

“You’ll have me ‘n Megumi!” you remind him. “Well, maybe not me as much, but, y’know.”

“Ah, sweetheart, don’t wanna lose you. Not now, not ever.” he kisses your shoulder again. “How come you’re a virgin, huh? Savin’ it?”

“Mhmm… wanna give it to someone special.” you tell him, looking his direction and batting your pretty, false eyelashes. “Everyone thinks ‘m a slut… but ‘m not! Promise! Makes me embarrassed that I haven’t done it yet, sometimes, though.”

His cock aches as he hears you talk. How dumb yet adorable you sound as you discuss your sex life, or lack there of. He isn’t even a little surprised that people don’t believe you, he wouldn’t have believed it himself if you hadn’t told him. He can see in your pathetically wet eyes, though, that you’re being truthful.

He is overwhelmed by the need to bare his soul to you. To tell you what he wants. What he needs and desires from you most right now. There’s no shame within him as he puts his hand down his pants and wraps his hand around his cock, pulling it free. He holds your body in place with his free hand, his arm possessing enough strength to keep you firmly in place.

You’re just like your mother.

If your mother wasn’t a cold, celibate bitch.

“Daddy wants to be your someone special, darlin’.” he informs you, words warbling as he pleasures himself behind your back.

You can hear it. You can hear the tacky sound of his cock being rubbed again and again. The way his breath and speech is slightly uneven. He sinks his teeth into your bare shoulder and you wince. It’s not too hard, but it was unexpected.

He’s surprised you don’t object when he splits your legs apart so that you’re straddling one of his thighs. His hand roams up your thigh and beneath your skirt, towards your clothed cunt. Though when he gets too close, your legs shut, quickly.

“You’re my daddy, you can’t touch me there!” you remind him. But he knows. He knows he’s your daddy and that’s exactly why you should let him. Admittedly, part of you wants him to. You want to feel someone make contact with your untouched core for the very first time.

Someone that isn’t you.

You’re sure Toji is very experienced. He’s so handsome, even now. You’ve seen pictures of him when he was your age over two decades ago. He’s beautiful, like a film star. You know he was fucking like it was going out of fashion.

Your mother has told you what a stallion he is in bed, you’re close like that. There’s no secrets or shame between you. And honestly, it did make you feel a little jealous. You felt like you were missing out on something. Sex, in general, and Toji.

But you never thought you’d be like this, with him.

“Baby, who’s gonna make you feel more special than your daddy, hah?” he asks. You feel your resolve weakening as he kisses your neck deliciously. You want to scream at him, to tell him where you want him to touch you.

He teases your body until your arching and squirming to follow his touch. And you practically cream around his thigh when he lifts up your top and tweaks your nipple. You’re weightless in his hold as he moves you around like you’re his little doll. He licks and laves over your pulse point while playing with your tits. His free hand moves your panties aside with a goal in mind. Two thick fingers slide effortlessly into your tight, virgin slot. The resistance is there but he ignores it. You ignore it.

And within minutes you’re having your first orgasm on account of another person. You aren’t sure why your mother has stopped having sex with Toji, you’d be begging him for it every chance you got if this brief encounter is anything to go by.

“Fuck me, daddy, please? Please—”

“Thought daddy’s can’t touch their little girls there?” he smirks, already helping you turn around to face him. He kisses you, sloppily, as he lines his thick cock up with your tight hole. “Sh, sh, shhh, baby… good girl, c’mon, take daddy’s cock. Jus’ like that.” he talks you through it as you sob. Little cunt stretching to accommodate his monstrous size.

“T-Too big! Daddy’s too big for me!” you tell him, though he silences you with another kiss.

Truth be told, he doesn’t particularly care if it hurts or not anymore. He doesn’t care if you can’t take him, because you will. He does all of the work for you, lifting you up and down like a toy while he thrusts up into you.

He almost cums from the sight of your eyes turning white and your tongue hanging out as he pummels into your sweet spot. He wonders if you’ll keep telling your friends you’re a virgin. It’ll be a fun little secret, for both of you, he thinks.

He finishes with a string of grunts, fucking his seed deep into you again and again until he’s got nothing left to give.

You feel so icky and sweaty as he starts to calm down from his release. He kisses you, sweetly, thanking you repeatedly. He needed this badly. It’s not even just sex anymore. He’s tired of feeling lonely and he’s tired of being neglected.

You’re not your mother though, are you?

You won’t make him feel like that.

“Don’t tell her, sweetheart.” he tells you, brushing your hair from your face and kissing your cheek. He grabs your chin between his thumb and forefinger, guiding you to look at him as he speaks. “This stays between you ‘n me, alright?”

“Mhmm!” you nod, leaning forward eagerly to kiss his lips. “Always wanted you to be my special person…” you confess.

“Yeah?” he smiles at that, you really are sweet when you want to be.

“Wanna do it again, daddy. Can we?”

“Of course,” he nods, “I’m addicted to this little pussy, now.”

© 2023 rinhaler

[just-some-random-blogger]

One Million In One Day | 10 (Final)

GOT7 SugarDaddy!Jackson Wang x Reader + Park Jinyoung x Reader | Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Characters: GOT7 Summary: His mother’s final wish is to see him be happy in a relationship, knowing that Jackson would be fine when she left him. But, damn, he didn’t have time for relationships, especially not since he was busy running his father’s billion dollar empire, thus the compromise: you. Word Count: <2k Warnings: Stalking, fighting, cursing, mentioning of illness, TYPOS, etc.

A/N: I literally said I was planning to finish this soon, but guess what HAHHAHAH THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I-- Anyway, to @tia-m94, @aquietkerfuffle SKSKSKS here it is. Also maybe actually listen to the song reader begged to play in this chappie lol

Dance, Dance by Fall Out Boy was going to be playing in the club. Why? Because I crawled over to the DJ and wept, begging him to play it. Why I was emotional about it: yes. I was just- yes. Y'know?

Yes.

It was why Nari, at that point, had disowned me. Also Mark, he disowned me too... although I don't actually remember if he was with us at this time.

I did remember where Jinyoung was though. I squint and looked out in the crowd for him.

I was wearing a sparkly violet dress and killer pumps, as in they were killing my feet. I was warned not to remove them though by the sour man watching me, over there with a sweater on and skinny jeans. Who wears sweaters in a dance club?

I mean it's fine, he was kinda cute. Like hecka cute. 10/10 cute you know. Would ask him out.

I finally spot him from where he sat in one of the tables by the bar. I wave at him. He sees me and waves back. I wipe the tears from my face and thank the DJ for promising to play the song for me and make my way to the cute man in a plain-ass lumpy sweater.

"What did the DJ say?" Jinyoung asks me, standing up from the stool and helping me sit.

"Well, first of all, I told him my boyfriend was really mean because he told me I couldn't take these uncomfortable shoes off."

Jinyoung sighs, "I told you to wear sneakers so we wouldn't have this conversation, but you insisted on 'looking hot.'"

I am offended by the air quotes he says.

"I so too am hot, you worthless piece of-" but my face is suddenly in his hands and my lips are being peppered by kisses. He lightly brushes his lips on mine and wipes he side of it, "Ye, ye, I didn't mean it like that, and you know it, pabo. You're absolutely stunning most of the time."

I blink, most-of-the-time doesn't sit right with me, but I'm not really sure why... "I feel like I should still fight with you."

Jinyoung chuckles then raises his brows and points, "Isn't that your song?"

I take a moment and listen. I then promptly freak out and nod. I instantly grab Jinyoung by the hand and drag him out. Once he's on his feet, he scolds, "up, up, up, up, up. What did we talk about earlier?"

I whine, "What is it this time?"

Jinyoung looks me in the eye, "after this song we...?"

I groan, "we go home! Ugh, what a party pooper."

"Just making sure we're on the same page, baby girl."

I make a face and poke Jinyoung's belly, "oooh, am I your baby girl?"

He chuckles and hums. He pulls his hand away from mine to place his arm around my shoulders, "More like shit-faced, childish adult."

I give him a look, "let's break up."

"Ah," he boops my nose, "when you're not under the influence, m'kay? For now, let's dance."

And so dance we did, if you think of flailing your arms and shaking your rump was dancing. But of course it is though.

Jinyoung, as exasperated as he was, actually enjoyed dancing with me, I think. I mean he seemed to be enjoying himself. He had his hands clenched and his arms folded, shaking as if he held two maracas. And I, when I wasn't head banging, I was lovingly looking at him.

"I'm glad that you're my boyfriend."

Jinyoung didn't seem to hear me because he just continues doing his dad-ish dancey-dance. I was about to say it again, but then his eyes catch something and he point at the direction, "Isn't that Jackson?"

"Jackson?" I scrunch my nose, "Jackson who?"

"Jackson Wang, babe. You're sugar daddy."

I take a moment to think about what he said. Jinyoung looks at me and raises a brow. He chuckles, "you're so shitfaced. Jackson's the one who bought us tickets to the Olympics? Got me a job in Seoul? Got you a job in Seoul?"

I wipe my nose, "Well, I know Michael Jackson."

Jinyoung sighs, "come on, let's say hi. Your song's almost over."

The next thing I know, Jinyoung's grabbing my hand and leading me off to the side.

Jackson, who had seen us, wasn't actually with anyone tonight. Bambam actually owned the club, and he had yet to show up. He found the dancing spectacle pretty amusing but there was a this thing in his chest, like something was biting his heart.

Oh fuck, they're coming over.

Jinyoung calls out. Jackson looks over and pulls on a smile, "Aye, Park Jinyoung." They do a bro shake.

I turn to the man in shade and wonder why he's wearing shades indoors, so I ask, "why are you wearing shades indoors?"

Jinyoung sighs. Jackson's lips part in thought, "they look cool?"

The sweater man shakes his head, "she's shitfaced. She cried over this song and doesn't remember who you are. You know know how she gets when she's drunk."

"I'm not drunk!"

Jackson clenches his fist, thinking, how do I still think she's cute when she doesn't remember me when she's drunk?

"Sure," Jinyoung says, turning to man sat alone in the booth, "you with anyone tonight, Seunie?"

I perk up, "Seunie's here?"

Jackson places his head in his hand and turns to Jinyoung, "I'm waiting for Bambam."

Jinyoung chuckles, "don't wait up."

Jackson laughs softly, "I'm giving him a few more minutes"

"That's what I said last time. Bam's excuse was so bad too."

"Stuck in traffic?"

"Stuck in traffic."

"Wait, where's Seunie?" I whine. Jinyoung looks at me and points, "there's your beloved Seunie."

Jackson freezes.

I turn to him and pout, "why are you wearing shades indoors?"

Jinyoung sighs. He takes my face in his hands and mouths slowly, "stay with Jackson. I need to pee."

"I don't need to pee though."

"Which is why you should stay with Jackson."

"But why?"

Jinyoung turns to Jackson and Jackson nods, "it's okay dude, I got it."

Jinyoung takes his leave.

Jackson moves closer, "so, Seunie?"

I turn to him and tilt my head, "Seunie?"

"He's your friend."

"He's my best friend. I love him."

Jackson clears his throat, "but you said you don't know who Jackson Wang is?"

"MmMmm, nope," I pop the p.

Jackson chuckles, "don't do that?"

"Do what?"

He takes a moment to respond. He mutters softly under his breath, "make me want to steal you away."

"Habudabibittiy-doo," I repeat his words.

Jackson sighs.

For a moment, I sit with shades guy in silence until he speaks up again, "He likes you a lot."

"Likes who?"

"You."

"Who likes me?"

"Jackson Wang."

I think for a moment, "Seunie?"

Jackson stills. He debates the consequences. He chuckles, knowing how bad these drunk episodes were. He clarifies the indifference in the question, "Yeah, I, Seunie, like you. So, so much."

"He said that?"

He nods, "he told me."

I blink and nod, "I like him too."

Jackson shakes his head. What a joke. He continues, "Jackson likes you in a way Jinyoung does, but sadder."

I pout my lips, "Sadder? I don't like it when Seunie is sad. He's sad because he misses his mom"

He pushes his shades up his forehead, "He's not sad about liking you like that. He's sad in a way he wants to be the one to bring you home when you're drunk and hold you when you sleep."

"He... felt like that?"

"He felt it when you went on dates, even though they were fake. He feels it until now."

I look at the man and see sadness in his eyes, "don't cry."

He gives a sad laugh, "I'm not sad, I'm happy for you. You glow when you're with him and he glows because of you. When we started hanging out with him, I thought he talked about you to grind my gears, but he just really loves you. I'm glad he does."

"Then why do you look like you're about to cry?"

"It still hurts."

"I'm back," Jinyoung suddenly said. He looks between us and says, "damn, you look like you're about to pass out, both of you."

Jackson clicks his tongue, "I'm tired of waiting from Bambam."

"Well, we're going home too. You need a ride?"

"Nah. I bought my car."

"Good. I really didn't feel like driving across the city for you."

Jackson rolls his eyes, chuckling, "same for you two."

"Not for her though, right? Anything for her," Jinyoung says, looking at Jackson with a smile, then to me, "come on, pabo." He turns around and gathers my arms. He bends down and pulls me up behind him.

"See you next week, Jackson," Jinyoung says. Jackson nods. They have a executive meeting tomorrow. Jinyoung was quickly rising above the ranks. As proud he felt, he felt a little jealous too. He really had not fault to him, huh?

He puts his shades back down and raises a glass, "I'll finish this one."

"Don't drink too much."

"Just the one."

He watches as Jinyoung walks away. He watches her nuzzle against him. He looks to his glass, "anything for her.

[hops-hunny]

im back!! well not totally back, but i have a treat for you ;)

idk if you are comfortable with sex tapes, if youre not you can ignore this

it's about nev with the hot popular person who everybody wants :)

okay so, the reader and neville are dating in secret, but the reader wants neville to tell people that theyre dating, and as neville expected, no one believed him

neville is sad and the reader wants to cheer him up, so, why not have sex with him right? it's the best way to cheer someone up

but the reader wants to spice things up with the idea of recording a sex tape

nev is like "sure! why not?" cause he LOVES that kind of thing

they record the sex tape, they watch it, and they watch it again, and again, and they love it, and they do it again...

a few days later the tape was """""accidentaly""""" leaked

and everyone watch it, and they are SO FUCKING SURPRISED due to the fact that not only neville is dating the hottest person in school, but also cause in the tape, he is fucking them into oblivion, and people never thought about neville being a dom and rough during sex, actualy people didnt even imagined that neville had sex SHDISKDJJS

now sweet neville is happy and can hug and kiss his fit s/o in the hallway with confidence cause now, everybody knows he has a hot s/o and a massive dick

thank u for your atention <3

idk if this has anything to do with exhibition, but if it does, hope you liked it cause i know you have a kink for that

~🌻

PRONOUNS: SHE/HER

erkkr 🌻 anon, you remembered one of my kinks? pls that's so cute ily <3 also I didn't know which pronouns you wanted so if you want I can probably go back and change it if these aren't to your liking!

"I know you're upset Nev, but this was your idea in the first place darling." (Y/n) said, straddling the boy as they stroked his cheek. She placed a peck on his lips, pulling away to look into his hazel eyes.

"I-I know but I didn't think that would include me having to watch blokes flirt with you and be able to do nothing about it!" He huffed out, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend's waist. (Y/n) stood up in front of him, a flirty look present on her face.

"Well," she started as she began to unbutton her shirt, dropping then thin white material to reveal her bra, "There is something you can do about it." his face flushed as he motioned her over, pulling her panties down before stuffing them in his back pocket. Gripping her waist with one hand, he used his other to flip up her skirt, revealing her slick covered folds.

"Yeah? What would that be pretty girl, having me mark you up? Leave bites and bruises all over this pretty little body of yours?" The boy ran his thick digits along her messy cunt, chuckling as she whimpered, nodding and urging him to go further. "Use your words, bunny."

"P-please touch me Nev. Want you to mark me and make me yours.." she felt her eyes roll to the back of her head as his thick fingers curved inside of her, letting out a sigh as he began to pump them in and out. The girl climbed into his lap, resting her head on his shoulder as he began to speed up his pace, tips brushing against the spongy surface of her cervix. Her eyes landed on her phone across the room, still positioned on the tripod from a photoshoot she had of herself earlier. "W-wait, I wanna try something...."

----------------------------

(Y/n) was completely confused. Ever since she had made her way from her room this morning, eyes followed her every move. That wasn't the uncommon part, no that happened quite a bit. The uncommon part was the unusual whispers that came with them. She felt relieved when her friends approached her, same treatment as they usually gave her.

"Ya know (Y/n), I should've known you'd go for someone like Longbottom. I mean I never saw the appeal but after seeing that little tape of yours, I can see why!" Sasha giggled, nudging her friend along with Sophie on the girl's other side. (Y/n) felt herself grow dizzy.

"T-tape?!" she squeaked, watching as Sophie pulled her phone out, handing it over to the girl. (Y/n) watched herself on the screen with wide eyes.

Tossled hair, puffy lips, and thick mascara tears running down her face, she watched as Neville lifted her up flush against his chest, tightening the grip he had around it. He smirked into the camera, pulling out of her as he rubbed his monster of a cock along her folds, light reflecting off the piercing in the tip. His dick was a sight, long and thick, inches upon inches covered with a mix of their juices.

(Y/n) let out a series of whimpers, crying and whining from the loss of him inside of her, causing him to turn her head to look at him some. He pecked her lips before turning her messy face to look at the camera. He looked down at her, eyes filled with lust and admiration.

"Tell the camera who's you are, pet or daddy's not putting it back in." He stated, continuing to rub and slap his cock along her folds. She whimpered, blabbering something incoherent which caused him to cackle. "Oh come on, puppy, daddy knows you can do better than that."

"Y-yours Nev! Daddy's whore." she cried out, letting out a series of yesses as he slid back into her at full force. "G-good, feels so good! Neville's good girl, all yours." he released his firm grip on her face, patting it gently as he tightened his hand around her throat more, continuing to fuck her as he admired his work in the reflection of the phone screen.

"I-I've seen enough! Here, take it back." she shrieked, handing the phone back to her friend trying to ignore the heat in her cheek and the pooling in her panties (which she was lucky Neville hadn't taken already). "Let's go, I've gotta find him!"

-------------------------------

Neville had been enjoying the attention he had been receiving all day. How could he not? All those poor, jealous, lovesick boys envious of him? Some of the most well known boys in the castle, begging him for even a word of what his baby's cunt feels like. He'd never tell them though, he had so snarkly replied to each one of them with something along the lines of 'you've got a hand, I'm sure you can use your imagination'. However one thing was obvious: he'd never miss the opportunity to brag about it to the boys.

"I just, I'm in shock! You're fucking (L/n)?!" Ron exclaimed, standing up from the ratty couch as he ran his fingers through his hair. Neville chuckled, smirking some as he examined his friends' jealous expressions.

"Well I'm not just fucking her, she's my bird." he shrugged, as if it wasn't the most shocking thing they'd heard in a while.

"Yeah, yeah that's nice. Not to be rude but," Harry cleared his throat as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "You have sex? Was she your first time?"

"(Y/n)? God no. I was hers however." he turned his attention back to his phone screen, which everyone's eyes was currently on. Since most, if not all the castle had seen it, what was the problem with watching it with the boys?

"I'm not surprised Neville has sex, he's my boy!" Seamus exclaimed, patting the boy in question's back way too hard. "I'm more so surprised that he's a beast of a man, like look at that!"

Neville spit in the girl's mouth, hooking his fingers on the inside of her mouth. He used his leverage on it to hold her up, stretching her mouth back as he continued to pound her. (Y/n) let out multiple screams and moans, tears continuing to poor down her face.

"God she's so pretty like that." Neville sighed, leaning back as he looked at the ceiling. However, something caught his attention out the corner of his eye. He smiled as a familiar set of beautiful (s/c) legs made their way over to him. Seamus quickly turned off the screen, all of them freezing up as the girl and her posse stopped in front of them.

"Wow, I-"

"You're, you're..."

"I-I..."

"Hi petal, you alright?" He asked, hovering above the girl as he stroked her cheek. She nodded some before pouting.

"Yeah, I would be better if half the school hadn't seen my tits before the time I even woke up! How'd you manage to leak it anyways?" she whispered, hiding her face in his chest to avoid the horny gazes of his friends.

"To be fair, I thought I hit your name not all contacts!" he lied, causing her to look up. She looked at his ears before gasping looking back up at him again as she punched his shoulder.

"Neville Longbottom, you leaked it on purpose?! Don't even lie again, your ears always get red when you lie!" she huffed out, turning away from him. "I wouldn't have had a problem with releasing it if you had just asked. I will admit though, it is kinda nice not having to hide and sneak around anymore."

"I'm still not over the fact that he has a piercing.....and thigh tattoo!" Dean finally spoke up, catching everyone's attention. It grew silent for a bit before they all began to laugh.

"Well there's a lot you don't know about me."

"I think it's better that way after this. I don't know how much more Neville I wanna get to know."

TAGSLIST: @princesslaiahg @elemental-of-magic @pink-hufflepuff @nevillelongbottomlover @ezra-my-beloved @vayeya11 @beewitchedlou @redpanda-poetry @nevillelongbottomsgirlfriend @De4d-s0up

[nekowriteshaikyuu]

jacket

everything about you just makes me heat up.

pairing : kuroo x reader

warnings : fluff, moderately nsfw at the end.

summary : you forgot your jacket during a cold weather. Luckily, your boyfriend always brings his volleyball jacket.

a/n : saw a tiktok about haikyuu captain’s lending their jackets to you and my mind went blank when i saw kuroo’s one kdajgd. But yeaa i thought of the idea and i here it izzz. a little nsfw at the end because- owo he’s daddy, periodt.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ kuroo tetsurou ♥

you knew you underestimated the weather when you felt the cold wind brush against your skin, sending shivers down your spine. You wrapped your arms around yourself as you try to warm yourself up. You quickened your pace as you enter the school before running straight into the toilet, standing by the hand dryer to warm your cold fingertips. After some time, you walked out and headed to class when you heard the bell rang

Even after warming your hands in the toilet, it’s basically karma that your seat was right beside the window that was open to it’s fullest. You were basically balling up at your seat as you try to hold in the freezing sensation you’re feeling. you tried asking your friends or classmates to borrow their jackets, some not bringing or just feeling the same situation as you. You felt hopeless so you just sinked into your seat, holding onto yourself as you carried on the day.

When the last bell rang, you sighed with relief before gathering your belongings and keeping them in your bag. You legs were cold and so were your fingertips so you moved in a very slow pace. It wasn’t long before your phone dinged, a notification from your beloved boyfriend of 5 months, kuroo tetsurou. slowly unlocking it, you saw his text message which just makes you want to lie on the ground and lay there, presumed dead.

‘i have practice today, wait for me kitten <3′ 

his daily petname for you always shoots you right into your heart, but because of the weather today, you felt like it shot you at the wrong place. You slowly dragged yourself to the other side of the classroom, before taking a seat that was far away from the window. You sat there for what it felt like years, scrolling through tiktok and other social media platforms. You checked the time and saw that kuroo’s practice was over. So you grabbed your bag before brisk walking down the stairs to the gym, avoiding all open windows if possible.

At last you arrived, though you felt like dying when you had to walk through a corridor that was opened and having the wind blasting right at you. You walked in to find lev on the ground with yaku throwing balls towards him and yelling at him. The rest of the team already went off to change and there was only lev, yaku, kenma and your boyfriend left in the gym

“kuroo, your girlfriend is here.” Kenma said after he took a short glance at the figure that was standing still by the door. You saw your boyfriend’s head popped out the store room before a smile was plastered onto his face.

“aww, what’s brings you here, sweetheart?” he slowly made his way to you with his arms crossed. It was pretty obvious at this point you were dying from the cold weather, your legs shivering slightly but not to noticeable unless observed closely. 

“don’t play dumb, i waited for your ass when i could have gone home and take a warm shower from this freezing weather.” all kuroo did was giggled from your respond as he lightly played with the tips of your hair. 

“alright, wait here kitten, i’ll get changed. Kenma ! get changed ! LEV, YAKU, CLEAN UP AND THE FUCK OUT THE GYM YOU SCUMBAGS! “ you flinched when kuroo raised his voice, stopping Yaku and Lev from starting a massacre. He turned back to you, giving a smirk before patting your head and leaving the gym with kenma following behind, his eyes glued to his game. Yaku and Lev quickly cleaned up before leaving and you were left alone in the quiet, echoed gym. 

You set your bag down on the floor before going over to the bench, your eyes being captured by the red volleyball jacket that was nicely folded on the bench. You picked it up, the cologne from the material was strong enough to reach to your nose though it was an arm-stretched away from you. It was so obvious it belonged to your boyfriend. You slowly looked back at the door, checking if anyone’s around. When the coast is clear, a sloppy giggle left your mouth as you slipped into the oversized jacket. The sleeves were long that it covered your whole arm, only showing your tiny fingers. It draped over your body nicely, but it was really long it hide your skirt as well. 

You immediately felt warm. You were in ecstasy as you hug yourself once more, the cold feeling just exiting out of your body. You began to dance around the gym, twirling around as you hummed to your favorite song, your shoes lightly tapping to the beat in your head. You were in your own world you didn’t realise Kuroo was watching you all dancing and twirling, wearing his jacket. He giggled silently before pulling out his phone, capturing the moment in video, as well as snapping a few pictures to use them as his wallpaper.

It wasn’t long before you saw a shadowed figure chilling by the door, having a second glance to realise it was your boyfriend. You jumped from his sudden appearance before giving a weak smile. Kuroo slowly made his way to you, his hands in his pocket.

“oh ? this doesn’t seem to belong to you, hmm?” he teased as he played with the hem of his jacket that was perfectly aligned with your skirt. 

“wearing without permission huh, kitten?” he looked up to you with a smirk and you could feel your cheeks heating up. You gulped before averting your eyes to the ground, fiddling with your fingers.

“i uh,,i was cold for the whole day, so uh,,i borrowed your jacket ?? eheheh,,sorry..” you couldn’t look at him in the eye from how embarrassed you felt. But a finger raised your chin, forcing you to look into his eye that was filled with lust. Your cheeks grew redder.

“i don’t mind it, kitten. Borrow it all you want. i like it on you,,,you look gorgeous.” his last words were whispered to your ear, along with a small nibble at your ear lobe. His eyes met yours again, a little closer this time. it wasn’t long before his lips met yours. His hand that was already on your chin cupped the side of you cheek, while the other slowly snaked around your waist, pulling you closer to him. You couldn’t help but wrapped yours around his neck, and tip toed a little to get more taste of his soft lips.

The kiss was short but filled with passion. Breaking it off, you looked back at him in the eye before shooting a warm smile. From head to toe, you felt your body warmer after that short, heated kiss.

“your lips are cold. you really were cold, huh?” you pout and nodded as he gave another small giggle, his bed hair lightly brushing over your face.

“can we go now?” you both turned to kenma who was at the door, game in hand with a face of disgust after walking in to you both smooching. You broke off the grip before walking to your bag, picking it up and walking out the gym with kuroo behind.

“i’m disgusted. i can never see the gym as itself ever again” kenma was practically gagging at the thought of the sight he observed a few minutes ago. Kuroo’s hand snaked around your waist once more, pulling you closer to him. He gave you a smile before looking back at kenma who was busy clicking buttons on his game console.

“well, you have another year here, get used to it.” kenma was already about to throw up from the realization and your ears were filled with kuroo’s ugly laughter, making you hold back yours to avoid starting a commotion. 

He looked at the red material that was wrapped around you, before giving off a small smirk. He slightly bend down to your level, his mouth moving closer to your ear.

“red looks really good on you, can’t wait to see what’s underneath though” he cooed before pecking a kiss onto your cheek, making you blush again.

“kuroo, please stop, i’m gonna puke”

------𝕜𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕠 𝕥𝕖𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕦------

a/n: i definitely did not spent my whole school holiday week watching anime and procrastinating from doing work o-o. Anyways wish me luck because by tomorrow, i’m back to more tests and this time it’s graded fuhhh. This time i’m not gonna go on a hiatus for another 2 weeks because i died not writing any stories since almost everyday i had ideas after ideas. I still have drafts but they all turned out crap so saksjhdk. Anyways hope you enjoy this kuroo imaginee uwu.

[westershiresauce]

Headcanon: Deus Ex Scuba Gear

Note: Spoilers for Bly Manor. 

So, here is my Bly Manor/Supergirl crossover crackfic headcanon where Kara is Dani and her ex Mike gets killed by a truck when he walks into traffic after Kara comes out to him and breaks off their relationship.

“Mike, I think I’m gay,” the blonde whispers, too ashamed to speak any louder. The man next to her tenses slightly before a look of relief washes over him.

“Oh thank God,” he says, and smiles at a confused Kara.

“What? You’re okay with this?” Mike shrugs and shoots the woman his frustratingly disarming grin. 

“I mean, am I glad I’m being dumped? No. Am I relieved that the reason is you aren’t into guys? Kind of.” Kara wrinkles her brows in confusion and he continues. 

“I mean, I know I’m hot.” Mike grins again and winks at the blonde who purses her lips at his peacocking, “I thought maybe you were just frigid or something.”

“Mike!” Kara looks around to make sure no one is listening. Mike laughs and she shoots him a glare. 

“Hey, you’re the one that decided to break my heart at the corner of a major intersection.” 

He winks at her and she advances on the man, trying to shut him up. He skips away from her, ignoring the fact that he is now in the crosswalk of the intersection. 

“Mike! Stop fooling around!” the blonde pleads but the man ignores her. 

“Hey, were you checking out chicks while we were together?” He waggles his eyebrows and Kara balls her fists at her sides. She refuses to take the bait. The man just laughs at her silence. “Dude, you totally did. What’s your type?” 

He goes quiet suddenly and his face lights up. Kara shakes her head. It is seldom a good thing when the man gets a light bulb moment. 

“Hey Kara,” his face gets lecherous and Kara readies herself for some horrifying comment, “Would you let me watch?” 

Kara’s face blooms red with embarrassment and anger. She steps closer to jab her finger against the man’s face and get her point across. However, Mike anticipates this and he takes another step back, grin still in place even as a truck barrels into his body. Kara stares in shock, midstep and with her finger still in the air as Mike is flung at least twenty feet down the street. The smell of burning rubber as the truck attempts to stop and the blaring sound of a horn being pressed much too late fill her senses. 

Kara: “No, Mike, not gay as in happy. Good lord, dude!”

Kara is at the hospital when Mike is pronounced dead. Rhea never really liked her so she leaves for her apartment, still shaken but confused about how she feels about what happened. On the one hand she feels responsible for what happened, but on the other hand, she almost feels relieved. Until, that is, she goes to wash her hands in the bathroom and sees Mike standing behind her. She screams and when she turns around, he is gone. It isn’t until a few days later that she hears someone walking around her apartment that she realizes what happened. She grabs her trusty bat and walks out, expecting some coke addict rifling through her bookshelves but instead sees Mike, pawing at her bookcase. He grunts in frustration when his hand goes through a book but cheers when he manages to knock one onto the floor. Kara drops the bat in shock and Mike turns around, grins wide and puts a hand up in a peace sign, just like when he was alive.

Mike: “I’m still here, bro!”

Turns out Mike is tethered to Kara and it is a horrible, cruel curse. He is both the best and worst wingman and Kara is still not convinced he doesn’t try to peek when she is getting dressed or showering but he also helps her learn to be more confident. All his shameless arrogance makes him a great cheerleader, at least once they talk about some ground rules.

1. No creeping on Kara in the bathroom or when she is changing. Mike scoffs at this and mutters about being able to creep on hotter ladies. 

2. No unsolicited advice or comments about women that Kara is not interested in pursuing a relationship with. This is added after a week of Mike making comments about women that had Kara blushing constantly, even at work.

3. No watching when Kara has a lady over. She wasn’t sure where Mike disappeared off to when she did manage to have a date come back to her place but he would always leave after shooting Kara another peace sign and telling her to “do the circle thing I showed you.”

It all hits the fan when Rhea gets wind of Kara dating women and she packs up and leaves. She does not want to deal with that fallout and she would rather get a fresh start somewhere else. Where is that where else? London, Bly Manor, American au pair, you know the rest.

Kara: “Yeah, I’m gonna take a one way and gtfo of here.”

Who are our players at Bly?

Our cook Owen Sharma is good old Jack Spheer because sometimes these things write themselves. And who is our beloved Hannah Grose? Why, Lucy Lane. Because she was too good and I always want to see more of her. Plus she can be a stern little spitfire with the kids and ghosties (The kids refer to her to as Major). She takes her fine self and daydreams about the moment that charming Jack came over to get the job as a cook, not dead, just as a useless hetero (is that a thing? It is now...) that can’t fathom for some reason that Jack is totally in love with her.

As for Rebecca Jessel and Peter Quint? Kelly Olsen (the only character with any brain cells half the time) and Andrea Rojas, our muy caliente Scotsman. Is that racist? No, but her horrendous accent might be a crime. This version has none of the controlling assholeroy of Peter and no secretly killing Rebecca. Just good old bad luck in a horror series. Andrea gets drunk and tries to dive into the lake to find the chest of loot she is convinced is down there so her and Kelly can run away to America. 

Andrea: “This is a file on all the reasons you should run away from this haunted ass creepy mansion and come with me to America. Also, there is a map I drew of the lake with an X where the loot most definitely is.”

Kelly: “This is just a picture of you in lingerie and a sheet of paper you colored blue with a big red X in the middle.” 

Kelly dies trying to save her when Andrea starts to get hypothermia and they both drown in the freezing lake. Because why bury your gays when you can drown them? Amiright? Who finds their bodies the next day? This leads to the following section: Next slide, please!

Who is standing in for Miles and Flora Wingrave? Why, Ruby and a tiny Nia, of course. Nia is a sweet baby angel and I want to meet her as a little sister, totally doted on by her big sister, Ruby. Nia sees Andrea and Kelly arguing like lesbians (so much hand waving and crying and angry whispering) on the far end of the lake while their blue popsicle bodies float around. Ruby and Lucy drag little Nia away from the scene.

Nia: “My giant scarf is perfectly splendid! Also, I am baby.” 

Things get really spicy when Kara shows up, ghost!Mike and all. He complains about not being able to haunt the “hot chick from apartment 314” any more, but he perks up at the thought of “British broads.” Kara had hoped he was tethered to National City or something, but it appears he is linked to her. Mike is ecstatic when he finds out Bly is full of ghosts. He is always off somewhere exploring the mansion and only pops in to tell Kara snippets of Bly’s history and its many inhabitants. 

Meanwhile, we get to the real star of this indulgent charade. Lena as the wonderfully fit Irish (let her have the accent!) gardener, Jaime. She is convinced Kara is a corn-fed straighty from America until Kara throws herself at her in the greenhouse because flowers turn on lesbians (see Imagine You and Me and Georgia O'Keeffe’s many works. This is sapphic lore, kids.) She opens up about Mike and Lena smooches her so she doesn’t have to listen to the hot blonde’s delusions. 

Lena: “What do you mean it is too bright? What book? This is a watering can for my gardening activities. So is my fashionable, appropriately sized hat.”

Kara: *OMG she is so hot and cool, what do I do?* “Hey, do you guys do the circle thing in the UK?” 

Meanwhile, things are getting interesting with Mike and the ghosts: Kelly and Andrea, newly minted Bly ghosts, explain that they are stuck on the grounds. Mike, who believes in having the freedom of “you do you,” vows to break the curse. He strikes a heroic pose that makes Andrea roll her eyes but Kelly agrees they need to find out more about the origins of the Bly Manor curse. 

Flashback episode in a horrid b/w tone because I want to show this is old, okay. It’s not like we could figure it out by the clothes. Or the set dressing. Or the fact that the one of the characters died of “the lung.”

Anyway, we have our sisters, Viola and the other one. Their names don’t really matter because they are going to be the brunette one and the blonde one, played by the queen of period series: Katie McGrath.   

Anger-y brunette Katie, getting her smacking hand ready. 

And blonde, sad (but also evil? plot twist!) Katie, lusting after her brother in law. 

And they fight over none other than Daddy Cullen, Maxwell Lorde, because look at that hair, look at all those buttons, look at that big hand! Who could resist? 

The child is baby Lena being twirled by Anger-y Katie pre-“the lung” because let’s just have this turn into a black hole that destroys itself. 

Baby Lena: “Swing me, mummy. Swing me with your good lungs!”

Anger-y Smack-You-Every-Time Katie: “I swung too close to the sky and now this is happening to me.”

So while Kara and Lena are christening all sorts of places at Bly (yes, even the master wing because, of course, the master wing), Mike, Andrea, and Kelly are incepting themselves into all sorts of memories and whatnot. Cue that montage!

404 ERROR. MONTAGE NOT FOUND. 

Whoops, looks like we blew our budget on that black and white filter. Sorry about that.

Once the ghost trio realizes the chest in the lake doesn’t in fact hold some dragon’s hoard of gold, but the key to ending this madness, Mike pops in on Lena and Kara to bring them up to speed. Kara screams at him about the third rule while Lena tries to accept the fact that her girlfriend (yes, they are girlfriends by now, keep up) has a ghost for a best friend. 

Kara makes Mike look away while her and Lena get dressed and after quite a bit of exposition, they decide to pull the chest up from the lake. Lucy and Jack have been off playing hide the croissant or whatever the straights do during their leisure time, but they quickly hop on the “break the Bly manor curse” train.  

There is a fun B (C?) plot where Ruby and Nia steal Jack’s car and drive into town. No one in town cares because they are rich and all the adults at Bly are busy romancing each other and assume the girls are being odd rich kids playing somewhere in the manor. 

The adults are planning how to get down to the chest without suffering Andrea and Kelly’s fate, when they find some scuba gear the kids bought on their last trip to town. It is wholly impractical but the adults shrug and accept the plot hole so they can hurry this along. 

They draw straws and Kara has to dive down and tie some chains around the sunken chest. Lena jumps in front of limited edition Scuba Gear Kara to stop her but the American has to America so she dives into the freezing lake after a swoon inducing “I’ll be right back” kiss. Like, gifable on tumblr, twitter, and whatever new platform there is a hundred years from now.  

Scuba Gear Kara: “Guys, I can’t see anything through this helmet. Guys?“

After a few tense moments where Anger-y Olden Time™ Katie tries to stop Kara, Mike, Andrea, and Kelly step in and use their ghost powers to keep her away from Kara. Jack uses his car to pull up the haunted chest and they pry it open with a crowbar and plenty of moxie. The screams of slap happy Katie of the past ring out around the heroes as the curse is broken. The ghosts cheer, everyone laughs nervously (they know the end is never the end in a horror story) and Kara shivers from the cold until she is next to the fire, dry and cuddled up with Lena.

As her final act of revenge, Anger-y Katie gives Kara the Lung(!) but thanks to the power of Science, our spunky American pulls through after properly completing the full course of treatment and antibiotics. This includes Lena taking sexy care of her girlfriend. *wink*

***** westershiresauce is not a medical professional and their thoughts regarding the health benefits/healing powers of a sexy nurse!Lena are not verified. Don’t take srsly. ***** 

Cut to, one more garden and I can retire, Lena, sitting next to an immaculate shrub, waiting for her wife Kara to bring out the tea and biscuits. 

THE END!

Lena: “I swear to all that is holy, if that tea is shite, I am leaving her. It’s been like thirty years!”  

[ga-yuu]

‘A sudden sweet happening...’ Story Event ~ Yoichi Summary

So it was night time and Yuno was getting ready to sleep in her room. As and when she was preparing the bed, she realized that her lips were broken because of the cold weather so she plans to make a home remedy for it the next day. 

When she was about lie down, Yoichi knocks on her door and asks if he could talk. She tells him to come in and Yoichi walks in to her room while stating her room was freezing cold. (Oh! I know were this is going.) Before she could ask what he wanted, he hugs her tightly. He happily comments how she’s warm and soft which is perfect for this cold season and Yuno tells him not to talk to her as if she was a steamed bun. Yuno again asks what he wanted to talk about and Yoichi tells her with a serious expression that Yoshitsune has a job for him which requires him to be away for a while. Some merchant guy who is close to Sueharu needs an a guard for his guests because some men are tried to kidnap him. Since it was Sueharu request to look after this, Yoshitsune couldn’t deny and since it was Yoshitsune’s order, Yoichi couldn’t either.

He tells her all of this because he was going to be away for a while wanted to spend quality time with her for the night. He teasingly says that since he’s going to sleeping in an unfamiliar environment for sometime, he wants her to comfort him for the night. Yuno understood the intention behind those words started blushing uncontrollably. He then kisses her forehead, cheeks and when it came to her lips he stopped. Yoichi asks what happened to her lips, and Yuno states that her lips are dry because of the cold weather and tries to cover it. Yoichi laughs seeing her struggle to cover her lips because she thinks they are ugly. Yoichi didn’t mind though, if she didn’t allow him to kiss her lips, she started kissing her body. While hearing her sweet cries, Yoichi couldn’t help but wanted to kiss her lips, so he asks if he could and Yuno, who is completely moved by him, agrees. While doing their deed, Yoichi whispers into her ears in a sexy voice that, if she waits for him like a good girl, he will happily reward her and this made Yuno’s heart explode.(Mine too. God! he’s such a daddy.)

Next day, Yuno was preparing to go out to buy herbs for making her lip balm. On the hallway, she saw 2 or 3 soldiers trying to peek into the main meeting hall. When she asks what they were doing, they all awkwardly looked at each other. Suddenly Sueharu comes behind her and call her with a smile on his face. Yuno greeted him back and asks what he was doing here. Sueharu tells her about the merchant incident and that he is here to accompany the merchant and his guest. Yuno got curious as to who the guest was and Sueharu winks at her and goes into the meeting hall. But when he walks in, he made sure that the door was left slightly open so that Yuno could peek in.

Though Yuno didn’t like eavesdropping, she was still kind of curious about the person who is going to be with Yoichi. When she peeks in, she sees a beautiful young lady. She had this elegant way of speaking and bowed to Yoshitsune and party for helping her. Yuno kind of started feeling lonely after realizing that it was a woman but however she decides to let that go for the time being and went on with her work.

Many days past since then, and one morning Yuno was organizing some items in her shop. Since the lip balm she made was a success, she decides to add that to her inventory. Then she saw, Yoichi and that beautiful woman walking in the market. Yuno saw that Yoichi was smiling at the woman, but she kept reminding that Yoichi is just doing his work. One of the peddlers called out to them and offers them buy his lipsticks. The peddler thought that Yoichi and the woman were couple and showed them some of good lipsticks. The peddler commented on how beautiful its going to look on the woman and Yoichi smiles dreamily and agrees, while checking out one of the red lipsticks. Seeing that rare smile on his face, Yuno started missing his attention even more. Then she noticed that the woman next to him was looking at her and she suddenly looks away. When Yoichi followed the woman’s line of sight, he saw Yuno. They both approached Yuno, and Yoichi asks if she is about to open her shop and she nods. The woman asks Yoichi, if he knew Yuno and he sarcastically answered that Yuno is a pharmacist working at their palace. The woman brushed it off and asked Yuno what she was selling. Yuno tells her that she was selling some lips balms she made and when she looked at Yoichi, she noticed that he was staring at her lips. Yuno started feeling embarrassed and tried covering her lips while showing that woman some of her samples. Yoichi started to chuckle at her action. The woman saw this asked Yoichi his relationship with Yuno. Yoichi went silent for a moment and then said that she is just a pharmacist working in their palace and doesn’t have any personal relationship with her. The woman kept pressing on the subject but Yoichi kept his composure and denied having any personal relationship. 

Yuno felt sad but didn’t try to say anything because if Yoichi says something like that he must have his own reasons. Yoichi also went silent was if he felt Yuno’s pain but smiled again. Yoichi tells Yuno to go back home before it gets dark and Yuno nods. Also before they left, Yoichi tells Yuno to give a message to Yoshitsune saying ‘My job will be over. So I’ll come home tonight.’ with a dreamy smile and left with the woman. Sueharu again come behind her and calls her name. He teasingly asks if she was jealous about that woman, but Yuno didn’t show any signs of jealousy but tells him about the message he told her which was for Yoshitsune. Sueharu laughed at her and tells her that Yoichi’s message was directed towards her and not for Yoshitsune. Yuno asks if what he was saying is true and Sueharu tells her to test it out on Yoshitsune and if he gives a (o_o) expression then the message was for her. After that Sueharu waves goodbye and Yuno goes back to her work.

When it was almost evening, Yuno closes her shop so she could go home quickly as Yoichi wanted. When she takes her stuff and leaves, some shady men comes to her and asks if she was Yoichi’s girlfriend. Yuno felt scared but denied and started walking. But the those men hit her head and kidnapped her.

After a while, Yuno opens her eyes and saw she was lying in a small old house. So could hear the those men’s voices in the same room, so she decides to pretend that she was still unconscious. She hears the men talking about their plan about stealing things from the Genji boy. So overall, Yuno kind of figured out that, the men are planning to steal from Yoshitsune but was not getting a good opening. Then she hears the men further plans to use her as a bait so that they could at least get their hands on Yoichi. Hearing them laughing, Yuno felt disgusted. Suddenly an arrow was shot through the window in lightning, killing one of the men. The others alerted each other and opened the door, Yoichi walks in saying that he is here to negotiate as they wanted him to. Yoichi states that he is here to thank them for treating his beloved roughly with a very low voice, which was enough to show them that he was dead serious.

Premium End: 

When the men tried to attack Yoichi, he out sped them and stabbed his neck with a knife. He defeated the rest of the men and soon Benkei came in with his soldiers to arrest them and also brought that woman with him. That woman was actually was an ally of these thieves. Her job is to seduce men and then loot their money from them when they least expected and run away. At least that’s what I understood. She wanted to do the same thing with Yoichi and Yoshitsune, but she realized that seducing Yoichi was practically impossible so she and these men decided to do the common, using someone as a bait plan. That someone was Yuno and that’s why she wanted to make sure if Yuno is Yoichi girlfriend which was the reason why she kept asking about their relationship.

Yoichi knew she was a criminal from the beginning but kept quiet so that he could slowly understand her plan and also catch the other criminals. After that Yoichi threatened her to tell Yuno’s location which she did and that’s how they found the criminals. Soon they were all arrested and Yoichi finally sighed relief. Benkei asked why he was called for and Yoichi tell him that he wants Benkei to do all the remaining stuff like arresting them and taking them to Yoshitsune. Yoichi says that he was already fed up with this job and want to finish it as soon as possible so he could go back to Yuno.(AWWW!!!) 

Yoichi goes to Yuno, who he thinks is fainted and was about to pick her up when...she opens her eyes. Yoichi asked if she was pretending all this time and nods. Yoichi blushed slightly after realizing that she heard everything what he said a second ago. Then he hugs while slowly rubbing her back when he realized how scared she looked. Yuno accepts his comfort and calls his name.....Then Benkei calls both of their names, begs them to not do ‘that’ here.

They all come back, and Yuno goes back to her room to rest for a bit. After sometime, she wakes up and sees Yoichi next to her watching her sleep. Both of them started having a small heart to heart talk about how they felt about each other after they were separated from each other. In between, Yoichi pulls out something red and gently traces her lips with his thumb. It was red lipstick. He tells her that he brought that from one of the peddlers near her shop. He want to her to have that so that she wouldn’t hesitate to let him kiss her on the lips. Yuno was surprised because she thought he was buying it for that woman. Yoichi was slightly disappointed when he heard this and realized that she doubted him for cheating. Yuno denied that, said that she believed in Yoichi no matter what. She just felt little lonely when he left and that’s all. Then Yoichi with a serious face tells her not to doubt his love for her and that he doesn’t want to make any woman cry other than her. He decides to ‘teach’ her that until morning.

[tabloidtoc]

National Enquirer, November 9

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Duchess Kate sets the record straight on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 

Page 2: Ben Affleck is wasting away and friends fear he’s taking his new health regimen too far as the six-foot-four star usually weighs 208 pounds but has shriveled to a spindly 165 -- a nutritionist put him on a sensible meal plan but he’s altered it with his own fantastical ideas such as he won’t go near bread and he’s ditched pasta and he’ll eat cantaloupe and blueberries one day and nuts and seeds the next and he’ll only drink boiled water and green tea for 24 hours then break his fast with a small bowl of quinoa -- instead of pumping iron he does exercises using his own body weight like ten-minute planks -- Ben thinks he looks great but his pals fear he’s traded one addiction for another

Page 3: Love-hungry Katie Holmes is thrilled to have a new man in her life but she’s breaking the bank to keep him happy because Katie is picking up the tab wherever she goes with Emilio Vitolo Jr. because it helps her feel she’s in full control of the relationship but Emilio may be taking advantage of Katie’s generosity because Katie has been showering him with designer clothes and jewelry and even paying for a personal trainer to whip him into shape -- Katie enjoys giving her guy things he can appreciate because he’s made her so happy but she may go broke doing it and it’s not like he doesn’t have any money; he’s worth a cool $1.5 million himself

Page 4: CNN rocked by sex scandal -- Jeffrey Toobin’s sleazy sex scandal has rocked CNN but it’s just the latest in a string of scandals at the network 

Page 5: Axed Fox News anchor Ed Henry fought back against his co-worker’s rape charges in a blockbuster lawsuit by handing the court explicit selfies and texts in an attempt to prove their tryst was consensual 

Page 6: Ryan Seacrest is downplaying his latest shocking absence from Live with Kelly and Ryan but the TV dynamo is battling a mystery illness that may force him to sign off for good -- the co-host who is a well known as a workaholic skipped out on the daytime show for the third time this year and used the coronavirus pandemic as his excuse -- Ryan was suffering badly from flu-like symptoms on the weekend before his absences but came back negative for coronavirus however doctors remain baffled by Ryan’s ongoing battles with exhaustion and weight loss and stroke-like symptoms, disgraced perv Bill Cosby’s latest mug shot shows he’s a shriveled shadow of his former self and the fallen funnyman flashed a maniacal grin while refusing to look into the camera in the picture snapped behind bars in September and he’s unshaven and his hair is ratty

Page 7: Lizzo has embarked on a radical vegan diet and extreme exercise program to save her life -- doctor warned the 350-pound singer that her daily intake of 5000 calories a day was a dangerous path to self-destruction and she needed to change her life or lose it and Lizzo finally got the message and is committed to this program but it’s been a living hell for her 

Page 8: After surviving a fiery crash at the Daytona 500 NASCAR hero Ryan Newman is locked in an ugly $50 million divorce showdown with his estranged wife -- Ryan and Kristina Newman split in 2019 after she was caught having an affair with another man and paying her love $450,000 and now Ryan’s lawyers are trying to freeze Kristina who was once referred to as the First Lady of NASCAR out of his fortune -- court papers reveal the two split in July 2019 when Kristina went to live with her boyfriend U.S. Army Captain Joe Schwankhaus who is the Chief Operations Officer of Kristina’s company VRX USA 

Page 9: Ellen DeGeneres debuted a high-flying pompadour hairstyle on her new talk show but the makeover still doesn’t get to the root of her recent problems and although her hair may be rising her show’s ratings are falling 

Page 10: Hot Shots -- pregnant Kelly Rowland, Andy Cohen took his son Benjamin for a stroll in NYC, Will Smith held court in L.A. while shooting King Richard a biopic about the dad of tennis greats Venus Williams and Serena Williams, Angela Bassett caught a drive-in screening of One Night in Miami in L.A. 

Page 11: Grieving Lisa Marie Presley has broken her silence over the suicide of her beloved only son Benjamin Keough saying her heart and soul went with him sharing her heartbreak on what would have been Ben’s 28th birthday and she added she’s dedicating herself to raising Ben’s twin half-sisters and actress sister Riley Keough, Chaka Khan refuses to duo with Ariana Grande again saying she’s not gonna do a song with no heifer -- Chaka and Ariana worked together in 2019 for the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack

Page 12: Straight Shuter -- DWTS pro Emma Slater kept a handle on her coffee while steering her e-bike (picture), it pays to be Brad Pitt’s girlfriend as his new squeeze Nicole Poturalski has doubled her modeling fees, dancing siblings Derek Hough and Julianne Hough are out of step over her sloppy personal life and his hot new judging career because these two were supposed to be the next Donny and Marie Osmond but his solo career is exploding while hers is falling apart, Madonna has always been a big believer in astrology but now she won’t even meet with people if it’s not written in the stars and she’s spending a fortune to have an army of people read her charts 

Page 13: Losing his beloved son to cancer has sparked new fears for fragile Robert Redford because Robert has struggled with his own health over the years and losing his son to bile-duct cancer is extremely worrying; he’s already frail and this has friends fearing the worst, Jeff Bridges is confident he’ll win his battle with lymphoma by coupling medical care with a strict vegan diet and chanting and spiritual healing techniques

Page 14: Convicted wife killer Scott Peterson may soon walk out of prison and grisly photos lawyers say could set him free -- following years of appeals California’s Supreme Court overturned Scott’s death penalty and now another appeal is forcing a lower court to reexamine his conviction for murdering seven months pregnant wife Laci Peterson and their unborn son Conner -- if Scott gets a retrial his legal team will be allowed to introduce new evidence including crime scene pictures that Scott’s former defense attorney said suggests Laci’s disappearance was an abduction by a satanic cult 

Page 15: Former child star Zachery Ty Bryan of Home Improvement was jailed overnight and released on $8500 bail following his bust for a fight with a galpal at an apartment complex in Eugene in Oregon -- the drama comes on the heels of Zachery’s split from wife Carly Matros the mom of his four kids

Page 16: Ryan Reynolds can’t wait to film a new rom-com with close pal Sandra Bullock but it’s causing tension with wife Blake Lively even though Blake trusts Ryan and would never forbid him from taking this part but the idea of him getting cozy with Sandra again still makes her uneasy -- now Ryan and Sandra are signed up to do The Lost City of D and despite Sandra’s denials they ever had a romance Ryan is gushing about them getting back together 

Page 17: Isolated and overlooked Today show host Hoda Kotb is being bullied off the morning show because of tepid ratings and the absence of former sidekick Kathie Lee Gifford and Mean Girls treatment by co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager have pushed the disillusioned anchor closer to the door -- Hoda recently filled out paperwork to adopt a third child and she’s clearly putting more emphasis on family than her career and it sends the signal she isn’t happy with her role and is not thinking of Today as her top priority, trainwreck Matthew Perry is holed up in his new Pacific Palisades beach pad  pounding out an explosive tell-all and his former Friends are quaking about what secrets he may reveal -- Matthew wants to rush the book out while interest in the Friends reunion special which was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic remains high -- he knows an uncensored account of his time on Friends and his drug issues would be a bestseller and he intends to blow the lid off his on-set romances and address rumors he and Jennifer Aniston were more than friends 

Page 18: American Life -- her tall tale: I have the longest legs in the world 

Page 19: Jessica Simpson has been flaunting her body after dumping a shocking 100 pounds but buddies worry the drastic drop in size isn’t natural and suspect she’s been taking diet pills again and they’re worried this could escalate into a big issue

Page 20: Devastated Reese Witherspoon was hit with a depressing double whammy -- the death of her dog Pepper from cancer and the delay of her long-awaited sequel Legally Blonde 3, Hollywood Hookups -- John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh wed, Ashley Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum split, Cardi B and Offset on again

Page 21: Bruce Willis is back in another Die Hard but this time it’s a commercial for Advance Auto Parts and Die Hard batteries and it’s a clear statement on the state of his career that Bruce has to revisit his amazing past to make a fast buck in the present, Giada De Laurentiis has been given the green light to get married by her 12-year-old daughter Jade -- Giada has dated TV producer Shane Farley for five years and he’s been living with mother and daughter for five months during the pandemic lockdown which gave Jade a firsthand look at what it would be like to have a new daddy and Shane’s passed the test with flying colors 

Page 22: Cover Story -- Prince William’s heartsick wife Kate Middleton is breaking her silence about the royal family’s tumultuous bitter break with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to set the record straight and save Britain’s monarchy and she’s tired of all the rumors and lies and backbiting and after all the drama and negativity she wants to get the truth out there and end this unprecedented crisis that’s endangering the monarchy’s survival -- friends are trying to convince Kate to do an official sit-down TV interview about what really happened between once-inseparable William and Harry and how Harry and Meghan tore the family apart even before they moved to America but Kate is resisting because she fears that could backfire like Princess Diana’s TV tell-all about her marriage to Prince Charles 25 years ago -- Kate had to turn the other cheek often after Meghan joined the family and she offered to help Meghan adjust to royal life from the start but Meghan rebuffed her and Kate in tired of Meghan painting her as the bad guy especially when it was Meghan’s antics that tore the family apart -- Kate also is upset that Harry and Meghan are portraying themselves as victims of a world that’s against them while she and William take on a phenomenal workload to cover the responsibilities the Sussexes left and losing precious time with their own three children and it’s hard not to be bitter but Kate is trying to take the high road and forgive Meghan and move forward

Page 26: With their marriage hanging by a thread Tori Spelling fears Dean McDermott will cheat on her again while filming a new TV show in Canada for six months; Tori wanted to bring their 5 children to Canada with him but Dean put her off saying it would be too distracting -- she’s been a jittery mess and he can’t stand to look at her and he only took this job because they need the money, Melanie Griffith is frustrated with Chris Martin and wants him to put a ring on her daughter Dakota Johnson’s finger -- the couple have been dating since 2017 and Melanie’s fed up with waiting for Chris to pop the question -- Melanie began to lose her patience after the couple reunited following a split last June when Chris won Dakota back with promises to settle down 

Page 28: COVID Vaccines: What you need to know

Page 32: Miley Cyrus claimed she once spotted a spaceship over Hollywood and even locked eyes with an alien but she also admits she’d bought weed wax from a guy in a van in front of a taco shop, whiny Kris Jenner is blaming social media for killing off Keeping Up with the Kardashians after it helped the reality TV clan make a mint

Page 34: Ozzy Osbourne is terrified a doll has cursed him -- Ozzy told son Jack Osbourne on their Osbournes Want to Believe show that Robert the doll was responsible for his recent bad luck and failing health, Tom Cruise and his Mission: Impossible 7 team caused chaos at an Italian hospital by filming there during the COVID-19 pandemic -- Tom and his crew including 100 security staffers plus trucks and other equipment descended on the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome for a week and legions of fans also flocked to the filming creating even more commotion in the streets outside the hospital and adding to the bedlam the production commandeered an elevator drawing criticism as hospital staff were treating 140 coronavirus patients with 12 in intensive care -- filming was done in an administrative section of the hospital but still sparked an official protest as well as complaints from trade union members

Page 36: Health Watch 

Page 38: Superhero screen pals of Chris Pratt rushed to rescue the actor’s reputation after he was mercilessly dragged into a silly social media meme when a Twitter user posted pictures of Chris Pratt and Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans captioned with the instruction one has to go but a flood of responses slammed Pratt as the worst Chris causing his Marvel co-stars to prop him up such as Zoe Saldana and Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner and Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn and Chris Pratt’s wife Katherine Schwarzenegger also bashed the social media bullies, Matthew McConaughey kept saying alright alright alright to making romantic comedies until the day he was so fed up he turned down $14.5 million to do another one -- Matthew revealed in his memoir that he didn’t mind making a string of mindless rom-coms because their paychecks rented the houses on the beach he ran shirtless on but he eventually wanted to try something else so he turned down a big payday so he could get more serious 

Page 42: Red Carpet -- Drew Barrymore 

Page 47: Odd List

[btsvt-adventures]

Snowboarding AU - White (maybe) Weddings

A/n: It’s freezing where I’m at right now so I decided what better than to write my favourite (only) winter AU? It’s proposal time~~

Want more of this AU? Ask me here!

Snowboarding AU : Falling in the snow | A Warm Cup of Chocolate | (Almost) Frozen Kisses | Snowflakes and Cherry Blossoms | White (maybe) Weddings | Here Come the Groom(s)

Winter rolls round again, earlier than usual this year

Jisoo and the girls are back on the slopes, with Jeonghan as their personal, private (free) teacher this time

Perks of having a snowboarding teacher boyfriend, right?

The sun’s already beginning to set, and Jeonghan announces at the top of the slope that because it’s the final run of the day, there should be a competition

The twins are beyond excited, of course, challenging one another to reach the bottom first, both giggling when they agree that their beloved appa will be last

Jisoo just watches them fondly, knowing that even if he was good at snowboarding he’d still lose for them

In fact, (unknown to Jisoo, of course) Jeonghan’s counting on Jisoo’s parental instinct on giving him some time for his surprise

He’d planned everything perfectly for it to happen today, and Hong Jisoo better not suddenly have a competitive streak in him

He’d asked the twins for Daddy’s hand in marriage when Jisoo was out getting groceries, and showed them the ring he was gonna propose to Jisoo with

Granted, that took more time than he expected because he had to explain what asking for permission from them actually meant

But once they understood, they were so excited that Jeonghan had to lie to Jisoo that he fed them a little bit too much candy

Jeonghan had even roped in Seungcheol to be on standby with the flowers, and the ring box, because the last thing he wanted to do was lose it in the never-ending snow

He’d even “pitched” the competition idea to Jisoo on the ski lift, to make sure he’d let them win

Jeonghan announces that he’ll be the judge of the competition, and he’ll meet them at the bottom of the slope, before speeding off on his snowboard, disappearing quickly

Both Nayoung and Eunwoo scream and push themselves off, while Jisoo just laughs, keeping a safe distance behind to make sure that they were being safe

He loses sight of them towards the end because he’s “letting them win” (aka he actually falls and genuinely loses, not that he’d admit it), but he spots them with his boyfriend, holding... flowers?

Jisoo’s so distracted he panics when he tries to stop and flails, faceplanting into the snow

Right at Jeonghan’s feet, naturally

The girls are hiding their giggles behind the beautiful flowers they’re holding and Jeonghan’s laughing outright

“Knew you’d fall for me,” he winks, hand outstretched to help his beloved up

Jisoo grumbles, accepting Jeonghan’s offered hand and dusting himself off. He doesn’t notice at first, and nearly falls again when he sees Jeonghan on one knee, holding a ring box and – oH MY GOD

“You’ve made me so happy this last year, ever since you first face planted while your daughters showed you up,” Jeonghan begins, grinning up at Jisoo. “I never thought I’d love anything more than snowboarding, but you, Eunwoo, and Nayoungie have proven me so, so wrong. Hong Jisoo, will you marry me?”

Jisoo can hear cameras clicking and everyone whispering excitedly and squealing, but all he can think is ohmygodohmygodohmygod this is really happen–

“Please say yes, my knee is cold and my hands are freezing,” Jeonghan complains, and Jisoo snaps out of it to full body tackle Jeonghan into the snow

“Yes, yes, yes,” he laughs, fully sitting on top of Jeonghan, who’s still looking up at him hopefully

“Fuck yes,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss Jeonghan’s lips. Jeonghan breaks out into the biggest grin ever, pulling off Jisoo’s glove so he can nestle the ring on his fourth finger

“I love you so much,” Jeonghan whispers, leaning in for another kiss, when they’re attacked with flowers

Literally.

Nayoung and Eunwoo start shrieking, throwing their flowers at the newly engaged couple, before tackling Jisoo, excitedly talking over one another about how hard it was to keep a secret

Seungcheol shoots Jeonghan a thumbs up, waving his phone to tell him he’d filmed the entire thing, and he nods, turning back to his fiancé

He sits in the snow for a bit, watching his soon-to-be family cuddle up in the fluffy snow, and feels warm and content despite the below freezing temperatures

“Who wants hot chocolate!” Jisoo yells, and the girls scream, scrambling to return their snowboard to get Daddy’s famous hot chocolate, and Jeonghan laughs, brushing off the snow from his clothes

“I love you,” Jisoo murmurs, and Jeonghan presses a kiss to Jisoo’s cold cheek. He’s about to respond, when Eunwoo starts yelling at them to hurry up

Jeonghan can’t wait for his family life to begin.

Please like and reblog <3 Leave comments too!

If you’d like more of this AU, or your own lil thing, of if you just wanna yell at me, you can do so here~

[tangomango2017]

Thoughts on the Chinese DotA Animated Series, The Tower Will Go On, and its two main characters

It’s been five years since this animated series based on Warcraft 3 Dota was made. The fan forum is still alive, and it’s amazing to witness the fan dedication to this work, in the form of essays, debates and even a ridiculously detailed second-by-second analysis of the opening theme.

But I barely got a glimpse of those essays before they were removed, apparently to be scrutinized by their internet police for objectionable content. The series itself has also been taken off all China websites, such that China’s fans themselves can’t watch them even if they wanted to revisit. Which makes me so glad that I have all the episodes in HD.

Anyway, on to the show itself. It’s divided into two parts:

Season One is about Crystal Maiden forming her rag-tag team of Radiant/Sentinel heroes. It’s light-hearted and full of jokes. The heroes die a lot and revive at the fountain every time. Sniper’s death count reaches above 300 at one point.

Season Two (titled Death for the Reborn) is darker as the team clashes with the Dire/Scourge and the war intensifies. The plot gets more complicated with internal factions, spying and conspiracies. The rules change: the river that revives dead heroes gets corrupted, so deaths are permanent.

One’s reaction to this show would likely be: “No! This isn’t Dota. This isn’t Invoker at all! What travesty is this?!”

But first, let’s consider these two things:

Firstly, the story is set in the game map. All hero skills and items stay faithful to the game. There is no ‘lore’ to speak of, as this series came out before Valve took over Dota. During that period, ownership of Dota was attributed to Ice Frog, who’s referenced in episode 2.

Eul’s Scepter in the show

Old Eul’s Scepter in Dota 1

Secondly, it’s fan-made. And as with all fan creations, anything’s possible.

For example,

It’s possible for Bloodseeker to be gay with a jungle creep(centaur) and foster a baby centaur.

Bloodseeker X Jungle Centaur in the show

Old Strygwyr in Dota 1

It’s possible for a carry to be so fed, he’s ten times the size of another:

Daddy Doom and his Little QuoP

Love it or hate it, this fan tribute to Dota is in a class of its own. It’s entertained me for hours, made me laugh, sigh, cringe, think; it was one hell of a nostalgic ride back to Warcraft Dota days. And it will always have a special place in my heart.

And now, on to the main characters…

The protagonist - a tribute to Support Heroes

‘Little Ice’ (China’s pet name for Crystal Maiden) is a fan-service kind of character whose appeal is mostly sexual and emotional. I won’t talk much about her but I won’t write her off completely either.

So Little Ice starts off with a dream to rise above her destiny as a position 5 support. She’s left her team carry (Dragon Knight) as she resents him for being overbearing and overly task-oriented. (It’s unclear what’s the relationship between the two, though they hug a couple of times). She tries to carve a career for herself, forming her own rag-tag team. But reality is a wet blanket, and like her role in the game, her impact on the story is limited and she ends up having her heart broken several times.

Old Crystal Maiden from Warcraft 3 Dota

In the show, she is depicted as a klutz with a bad sense of direction and is sometimes impulsive, casting Freezing Field at the most ridiculous, anti-climactic moment and generally doing stuff that would be considered ‘bad decision making’ in the game.

But despite her limitations, the girl has a mind of her own. She stands firm in her beliefs and is courageous enough to try to protect her male teammates. Even when said teammate is the Dragon Knight being bashed up by Roshan.

She is also fiercely loyal, refusing to abandon the dying Bristleback and instead managing to persuade DK to risk a Roshan fight to get the Aegis.

Overall, I’d say her character serves two purposes here: as a shoutout to under-appreciated Support players, and as a symbol of innocence. This trait of hers is seen as a weakness and is used to comical effect, yet, at the same time it is also something to be prized and guarded. The Queen of Pain (portrayed as a man-hater with lesbian tendencies) mocks her several times for her naivety, yet she admits that CM represents the innocence that she’s lost and that she needs to protect.

From Zero to (Anti) Hero

The central character, Kael (pronounced Ka-er, I’ll refer to him as Carl since it matches the Chinese pronunciation) appears in the second episode and drives the entire story with his zero to anti-hero arc. The title of Season Two refers to him being reborn from the ashes (he was Doomed and almost killed in a fire). He is the only one besides QoP to have a backstory (both underwent the trauma of having their entire homeland and families destroyed).

Invoker from Warcraft 3 Dota

Invoker from Season One of the show

Invoker from Season Two

While this Invoker is as OOC as he can get, there’s no denying the detail that has been put into his design. For example, in Season 2 his orbs are actually faces, perhaps representing the connection of Invoker’s volatile temperament to his elemental powers.

Just as the two parts of the show are divided into a dichotomy of light and dark, there are two different depictions of Invoker in each part.

Season One Invoker

If you’ve ever played this hero, Season One will remind you of how it felt the very first time you tried him in a game. Clueless, powerless, the butt of your teammates’ jokes perhaps.

Carl first appears in episode two quoting that famous line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It sounds really pretentious (not that surprising for Carl), but considering that Hamlet killed someone by accident in the play, it’s also a kind of foreshadowing of what will happen later on.

So Carl is introduced as a depressed guy trying to hang himself. In a comically tragic manner, he tells his story as a former prince who lost his home, sought refuge with the Dire/Scourge but is constantly scorned for being useless as he hasn’t figured out his spells.

With a background like that, who wouldn’t be damaged for life? But CM sees him as even more vulnerable than her, and he brings out the encouraging and protective side of her. Of course, the naive part of her ignores the fact that he is a defector from the enemy side.

Carl is of course extremely grateful, having found the acceptance he’s always longed for, and one can see the beginning of a pure, somewhat platonic love between the two.

In China, Invoker/CM are almost regarded as canon pairing, with roots going back to Kael’thas/Jaina from Warcraft.

Initially, she brings out the good qualities in him, such as courage and self-sacrifice. Noob Carl is actually quite lovable, even willing to take one for the team by ‘donating’ blood to the Bloodseeker. He forges a strong friendship with the gang and they have a lot of fun fending off their one enemy in Season One.

Although he’s harmless at this point, his uselessness repeatedly emphasized by all characters, there are glimpses of his more complicated self, such as when he uses his knowledge and cunning to get the team out of trouble. More foreshadowing of who he is to become is given by the Queen of Pain, who tries in vain to warn CM about his potential for evil.

Meteoric Rise to Power

Two events serve as catalysts to the awakening of his powers. First there’s the excessively bloody whipping that Queen of Pain gives him, just because she feels like it. This happens in the middle of a team fight and in his state of desperation, it is his thoughts of CM (whose nickname is literally, Little Ice Ice) that unlocks his first skill, Ghostwalk. At the same time, the sinister side of him awakens as he turns the tables on the Queen and blinds her in one eye before burying her alive.

And then he gets punished by Doom, who’s rather high up in the hierarchy here. Doom (whom everyone calls ‘Daddy’) is furious to find out that his beloved god-daughter, his Little QuoP has been hurt. He finds out about this in an interesting manner - by devouring the jungle centaur that witnessed the incident.

Doom: WHO ATE THE COOKIES?

Tiny, CM, etc: (keeps quiet)

Doom: Very well, I shall find out the truth (devours jungle creep).

(everyone watches on nervously)

Doom: …CARL!

Carl: Yes Daddy?

Doom: How dare you eat my cookies!

Carl: I don’t get what you’re talking about, Daddy

Doom: You’ll get THIS, you little shit.

Season Two Invoker

After being doomed and running into the forest in agony, Carl goes missing for a while. A flashback later shows Dazzle’s saved him and bandaged him up like a mummy. By chance, Windranger finds him when her Powershot arrow accidentally hits him. Probably out of guilt, she brings him home and cares for him for three months. When Ogre Magi harasses WR and sets her house on fire, Carl rises from the ashes with a complete makeover, a costume change, full mastery of magic and a marked change in personality. The change feels really abrupt and I’d have preferred something more gradual. But the writers probably wanted a striking contrast between the two seasons.

So he helps her fend off the Ogre and she falls in love with him. But he stays true to CM.

Despite what this shot in the opening theme suggests, WR doesn’t force herself on him. She’s really cool.

In Season Two, Carl’s personality becomes much more conflicted, longing to return to CM yet afraid to endanger her with Doom hot on his heels. While she thinks about him in her quiet moments, he watches over her in invisible form. The next triggering event is when the Dragon Knight beats him to rushing to CM’s rescue. He is consumed by jealousy and the fire element comes to the forefront. From then on, his emotional instability deteriorates further, and with some goading from Dazzle, he forms a plan to destroy DK with Ancient Apparition’s Ice Blast dealing the killing blow.

However that plan goes tragically wrong when his old friend Bristleback walks into the Sunstrike spot. One mistake leads to another, and he ends up killing QuoP as well. That confrontation between the two is one of the most dramatic scenes I’ve ever seen. When the Queen threatens to reveal his bad deeds to CM, he starts grovelling and begging her for forgiveness, but it turns out it’s all an act allowing him to get close to her for a tornado. Despite the cringeyness there is a special kind of satisfaction in seeing one’s favourite video game character display the whole range of emotions, just as it’s satisfying seeing him perform the whole shebang of spells after being abused for the first ten episodes.

Carl’s final move is one that completely breaks CM’s heart. He steals the Aegis meant for saving Bristleback’s life. However, his motivation isn’t very clear and was the topic of much debate and speculation among the Chinese fans at that time. But going by his character’s trajectory, it’s highly likely he’s doing it for self-preservation. After all, Doom’s absolutely livid that he’s killed QuoP and the Aegis is his only chance at standing against Big Daddy Doom. But the ending leaves questions unanswered. Now that he’s pissed off both sides, what’s to become of him? Is his character totally irredeemable? How will the war end? Season Three was supposed to be in the works, but never materialized. 

[malecsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, @inmalecscarvesmeanlove!

Merry Christmas, dear giftee! The time has finally come to receive your present and I hope it is a gift that will make you smile during the holiday season! Hope you have a wonderful time, however you’ll be celebrating! Love & Hugs!, ;-)) X

Read on AO3

*****

'Twas The Morning After Christmas

Cocooned in a warmth that made it hard to leave the bed, Alec squeezed his eyes shut and tried once more to will himself back to sleep. Pulling the covers over his shoulder with his free hand, he burrowed even deeper into the pillows and Magnus, their curled up bodies in contact from head to toe, with a tight clasp of hands anchored to Alec’s chest for good measure. Attempting to regulate his breathing and convince himself that his eyelids felt like lead, he concentrated on trying to match the puffs of air that tickled the back of his neck at regular, slumber-filled intervals but Magnus’ contented breath only served to highlight his own restlessness.  With a resigned huff, Alec placed a gentle kiss to the back of his husband’s elegant hand before extricating himself oh-so carefully from his embrace. Madness, right? But his mind was already half-awake and planning the day ahead, even if his body would take a while longer.

Throwing on the furry Dalmatian onesie (complete with leather paws) that Izzy and Simon had given him yesterday for Christmas, he was grateful for it’s insulating properties against the early morning chill as he trotted off to the kitchen, drawing a line at using the hood because, after all, he didn’t want to look stupid.  Casting an accusatory look at the unsightly amount of after-party debris that littered, what seemed to be, the entire loft, Alec decided that no restoration work could possibly take place without first restoring himself to full consciousness. And that required strong coffee.

Stopping momentarily in his tracks at the bombsight that greeted him, in what years of living here told him should be the kitchen,  Alec was almost tempted to crawl back into bed.  Luckily though, his body’s more-important-than-blood craving for caffeine stopped him and he dragged his paws across the floor to the coffee-maker, scraping the silly string from the top of the machine so he could prepare his self-medication.  Visually filtering out the worst of the carnage as he fished around for the necessities, Alec hastily spooned in the elixir of life and poured the water, setting the timer to ‘Herculean’ as he tripped his way over to the balcony doors, intent on reaching the only floorspace not covered in party poppers and burst balloons.

Grateful for the fairy lights that still lit up the cosy corner of his retreat, Alec tentatively stepped out, bracing himself against the cool breeze that set his fake fur on end as he threw dignity to the wind and yanked up his hood, droopy ears and all.  Leaning his elbows on the balcony wall, the crisp air hit the back of his throat as he inhaled and helped clear the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes as he took in the early morning bustle of the Brooklyn streets below.  Still blanketed in a thin cover of grey, the view was quieter than usual but breathtaking nonetheless.  Alec assumed he wasn’t the only poor soul in need of recovery from the previous day’s family festivities and he spared a thought of commiseration for all his fellow cleaner-uppers who faced the daunting prospect of a job not even Harvey Keitel would agree to take on.  Unless, of course, his darling hubby was sufficiently recovered from his holiday hangover and had the energy to help him out. Remembering the amount of toasts and tipples that had been celebrated last night, he somehow doubted it, but if anyone could withstand the negative effects of too much alcohol, it was Magnus.  His beloved imbibed cocktails as naturally as Alec breathed in air, and never looked anything less than fabulous for having done so, he thought with an enviously proud smile. The smug shit.

As if conjured by thought alone, he heard the doors behind him open briefly before two over-sized white paws snuck around his waist and an intimately familiar body moulded itself to his back, providing a much needed layer of warmth.

‘Don’t say it,’ he warned with a shake of his head, long black ears flapping in the cutest way..

‘I thought I spotted you out here, darling,’ Magnus chuckled regardless, ignoring the groan and snuggling in even closer, exaggerating a shiver. ‘It’s freezing out here, Alexander.  Why don’t we go back to our cosy bed and lick each other….clean,’ he practically purred, ‘before our little angels rise and shine….hmmm? Six in the morning is an ungodly hour, even for you.’

Alec turned around to apologise but faltered, mouth agape, as he took in the oddly arousing vision of his bare-faced, floppy-haired lover dressed in a black cat onesie with white paws and whiskers that barely pulled focus when compared to the golden eyes that glowed from beneath the silky hood.  

That was until said lover started laughing.

‘OK, get it over with,’ Alec muttered with a reluctant grin, as Magnus’ amusement could no longer be contained and he buried his face in Alec’s chest in an attempt to stifle his laughter.  Patting his back in sarcastic comfort, Alec rolled his eyes as Magnus emerged, eyes wet, to take a second look, choosing to suffer the humiliation in order to hold him tight.

‘Oh my darling, you even manage to look sexy-cute as a pooch!  It must the scruff!’ With that, Magnus launched himself at Alec who kissed him back hungrily, ensuring the weather and coffee were both soon forgotten as they pawed each other clumsily between giggles and gasps, only slowing down when the distant timer let them know the beverage was ready.

With a reluctant groan, Magnus planted a final smacker on his favourite pair of lips before stepping back, tugging Alec with him as they headed back inside, paw-in-paw.  Tacitly agreeing to ignore the mess they were walking through, both removed their hoods and hands in order to make their drinks, sipping them as they sprawled on opposite ends of the sofa, legs entwined.  

Eyeing each other over the rim of their mugs while enjoying the comfortable silence, Alec found himself declaring, ‘I love you,’ with the dopiest expression on his face, a habit he found impossible to kick when faced with his incredibly handsome husband, and one, for some strange reason, that had rubbed off on Magnus, who returned the sentiment with a look of sappy contentment that never failed to make his pulse jump.

A sudden high pitched squeal from behind the sofa startled them both but Magnus recovered quickly, holding a silencing finger to his lips as they realised its source.  Leaning over to quietly place their drinks on the table, both pulled on their hoods and hands before getting to their knees, ready to catch them by surprise.

Mouthing the countdown together, they prepared to go over the top…..3, 2, 1, ‘GOTCHA!’ they yelled…… but their little devils had disappeared. Well, almost.  Five chubby blue toes poked out from the gap beneath the sofa until another’s hand quickly pulled them under, leaving Magnus to clamp a hand over his mouth to prevent a give-away laugh.  Sharing a look of loving indulgence that every parent would recognise, Alec winked before using a stage whisper to ask, ‘Have you seen Chairman this morning, babe?  Because I think we might have one or two mice in the loft.’

Rolling his eyes as he grinned, Magnus played along.  ‘Now you mention it, I haven’t, but I bet he’s hiding around here somewhere just waiting to spring into action.  Let me look..’

As Chairman’s favourite bell-in-a-ball rolled out, rather conveniently Magnus thought, from their sons’ hiding place, it was Alec’s turn to cover his mouth as a rather large, albeit woolly, hedgehog was forcefully ejected from the same place.  The only telltale sign it was really their cat in disguise (thanks to a compromise on Max’s part when Santa had failed to deliver the real hedgehog he’d asked him for) being the disgruntled look he shot them before flouncing off in a manner not unlike that of his owner.

Motioning for Alec to climb over the back as he prepared to cover the front, he speculated aloud, ‘Well if Chairman doesn’t seem willing to catch them then that leaves US!’  With perfect synchronicity they both jumped down to find their mischievous sons huddled together, looks of childish excitement on their adorable faces as they crawled out from their hideout to clamber into their daddies’ laps before collapsing all together on the sofa.

‘Papa, you scared us!’ chortled Max, their four year old baby warlock whose big blue eyes shone with happiness as Magnus tickled his sides.

‘Good because you scared us too! You pair of scallywags were supposed to be asleep in your beds,’ he replied, lifting the wriggling bundle onto his lap as Alec allowed their older son, Rafe, to tickle him instead.

‘Dad’s in love with Papa!’ the dark haired mini shadowhunter teased, bearing an uncanny resemblance to his father as he mimicked him, ‘I love you, kiss, kiss, kissy-face.’  Alec cracked up, unable to help himself as all three members of his family descended on him, covering his face in noisy wet kisses that left him begging for air.

Taking pity on him, Magnus called off their affectionate assault and insisted on them returning to bed for a little while longer, despite the weak sunlight that threatened to spill in through the loft’s windows.  ‘Don’t forget we’re meeting friends and family at the dome later for the Boxing Day Bowl ‘n Roll.  You’ll need your energy for that,’ he reminded the boys, as an unexpected yawn escaped him.

‘Looks like they’re not the only ones who need more rest before Team Lightwood-Bane show the others who’s boss,’ Alec pointed out, realising the prospect of more sleep suddenly seemed a good idea as he remembered how much energy would be required to keep up with his siblings and their partners, Simon and Maia, neither of which were short of the competitive spirit.  

‘Will Madzie be there too?’ Max asked tiredly, as he tucked himself into his papa’s neck.

‘She will, blueberry,’ Magnus replied softly, nodding for Alec to follow him as he carried their youngest to their bedroom instead.

‘Cat too, Dad?’ Rafe mumbled, as he traced a finger down along his father’s neck rune.

‘Cat too, angel,’ Alec confirmed, placing the gentlest of kisses on the mop of dark hair.

Not bothering to change clothes, Magnus snapped his fingers to turn back the covers before he and Alec placed the boys in the centre of the bed and climbed in to bracket them, sharing a sleepy smile over their heads as they all settled in.

‘I love you all,’ Magnus whispered, a wave of blue spark drawing the blinds to keep out the sun and hasten their rest.

‘Me too,’ Rafe agreed as his eyes drifted shut.

‘Uh huh,’ managed Max.

Grasping Magnus’ outstretched hand which lay across their cherished children, Alec blew his husband a kiss before closing his eyes too.

‘I love you all too. Merry Christmas, my boys.’

Even Chairman thought their smiles looked cute as he settled along the pillows a short while later.

[scrollingkingfisher]

I’ve FINALLY gotten around to completing another piece for the @gabriel-monthly-challenge! 

A big happy birthday to the masterminds behind this operation, @lacqueluster and @archangel-with-a-shotgun! I’m sorry I wasn’t around at the time, so consider this a late birthday gift ;)

A massive thank you as usual to @theriverscribe for helping me beta this, without you my writing would be half as long and twice as boring, you’re the best <3

Light at the End of the Tunnel 

A03 Rating; T    

Words; 2190

s5e19 Hammer of the Gods Fix-it

“All that bravado, all those witty comebacks…Just to hide how terrified you really are.” It's time for Gabriel's final showdown with Lucifer, and he knows how this is going to play out. But this time, Sam makes a decision that will change everything.

Tap… tap… tap…

The tip of the archangel blade rapped the floor with a series of metallic clicks as Gabriel bounced his leg. He’d been sitting here for hours, barely moving, his attention on a recently magically renovated hotel across the country. The omens were all there. The storm, the animal deaths, the chaos of beings and elements. There was something big coming, with global repercussions that would shake the firmament of the universe itself. He’d known it was coming since the dawn of time. And now it was here.

With a tired sigh Gabriel let his senses retreat back to his vessel and rubbed his hands over his face. So there was no avoiding it, then.

It was too easy to just blame the Winchesters. Heaven’s meddling had brought it to this point. The boys were born and bred for just this purpose, like livestock raised for slaughter. But Gabriel had tried so hard this time.

He looked around the little flat that had been his home base since around the seventies. It had always seemed a safe haven before, but now the place felt darker, emptied. Shadows lurked in strange places over familiar furniture, as though all colour had been sucked from the rooms. Even his dog was gone, dropped off at a reliable shelter the week before. There was nothing left for him here.

Gabriel shivered. Standing, he flicked his blade back into nonexistence and grabbed the nearest DVD. He quickly altered it to give the message he wanted to pass along, his mouth twitching into the ghost of a smile as he realised he'd picked out a porno. Well, that would serve those two blockheads right.

He took a shuddering breath. Spreading his wings, he flew, alighting outside the ballroom of the Elysian Fields hotel. Then he pushed the doors open and sauntered in. Showtime.

“Can't we all just get along?”

                                                       .o0o.

Trying to seduce Kali was a catastrophe of epic proportions. He got away by the skin of his teeth, but he would bet his halo that she hadn't been quite as taken in by his ruse as she had pretended to be to the other gods. Despite her fiery temper (pun intended), she had always had something of a soft spot for him.

He knew he couldn’t run, though. Not when he still had his part to play. Instead, he hid in the peaceful, well-warded darkness of the back of the Winchester’s car until Dean found him.

He wasn’t even paying attention to most of the conversation with the big lug, but it caught his notice when Dean said challengingly, “Is it that you can’t help us take down Lucifer? Or that you won’t?”

Gabriel gave him his best condescending look of disgust over the seat. “You idiot. You know what happens when Lucifer and Michael have their party. What do you think would happen if Lucifer and I threw down? Let me give you a visual aid; imagine North America, gone. Probably a good chunk of Canada and Mexico, too. Imagine the oceans boiling, the icecaps melting, and clouds of ash blocking out the sun for years. But sure, go ahead. If it’s an extinction event you want, I can deliver.”

Dean at least had the grace to look a little ashamed. “Oh. Um…”

Gabriel waved a hand tiredly. “Oh, forget it. You’d better get back in there before they start the summoning.” Dean glanced at him again, then started to get out of the car. “Wait-” Dean stopped, looking back at him. “Just… try not to screw up too much, alright?” It was as much of a pep talk as he could give without giving too much away. He wished that he could have had a few words with the younger Winchester too, a chance to explain himself for the Mystery Spot and TV land, but there just wasn’t time.

Dean frowned, but nodded. Gabriel watched him stride across the darkened lot and closed his eyes. In the distance, he felt something immense and cold start to move towards them.

                                                       .o0o.

“You okay?” Dean was saying to Sam as Gabriel appeared.

“Not really.” Both of the humans jumped and spun to look at him, and he gave them a rueful smile. “Better late than never, huh?” He slapped the altered DVD against Dean's chest. “Guard this with your life.” With that he stood, turned, and sent a wave of grace towards his brother, powerful enough to knock his vessel off its feet.

“Luci, I'm home!”

Lucifer was back on his feet in a second, but he stopped when he saw Gabriel. His eyes widened in surprise, then joy. He stepped forwards, arms outstretched to embrace.

It hurt to look at him, this broken, stained creature that had been his brother. The light that had shone so brightly before was now dim. His once-glorious wings clumped and ragged like a bird caught in an oil slick. But as much as the cage had wounded him, Gabriel knew that Lucifer was still deadly. Gabriel raised his archangel blade, a defensive move that they had used on each other time and again back in heaven while they were play fighting. Lucifer faltered.

“Not this time.” Gabriel pulled Kali to her feet, careful to keep his eyes on Lucifer as the others edged towards the door behind him.

Lucifer’s arms slowly lowered, his gaze freezing over once more. Gabriel reminded himself that this was his destiny he’d chosen for himself. He had to do this.

Lucifer watched with a little disappointment as the humans vanished. “Really, Gabriel. Playing with the Pagans? Daddy would be disappointed.”

Gabriel didn't rise to the bait. “Lucifer, you're my brother and I love you. But you're a great big bag of dicks.”

“What did you just say to me?” The pure disbelief on his face was almost funny.

“Look at yourself! Boohoo, daddy was mean to me, so I'm gonna smash up all his toys!”

Lucifers scowl grew darker. “Watch your tone,”

But Gabriel wasn't done. The fear still clogging his throat was turning into annoyance. If he was going to die here, he was going to say his piece first. “play the victim all you want. But you and me? We know the truth. Dad loved you best, more than Michael, more than me. Then he brought the new baby home, and you couldn't handle it. So all of this is just one big temper tantrum. Time to grow up.”

“Gabriel, if you're doing this for Michael-”

Gabriel felt a burst of temper. Hadn’t he shown, millennia ago, that he had no interest in siding with Michael? “Oh, screw him! If he were standing here, I'd shiv his ass too!”

Lucifer’s face was incredulous, as though he had never even thought of this as a possibility. “You disloyal-”

“Oh, I'm loyal alright! To them, lucifer. To humanity. To people.” They began slowly circling each other. Gabriel thought just maybe, if he could get Lucifer to understand...

Lucifer frowned in genuine confusion. “So you're willing to die for a pile of cockroaches. Why?”

“Because dad was right. They are better than us.”

Lucifer’s face contorted. “But they're broken, flawed abortions!”

This was hopeless. Lucifer was never going to understand. He was never going to see humanity as anything more than something that needed exterminating. “Damn right they're flawed. But a lot of them try. To do better, to forgive. I've been riding the pine for a long time. But I'm back in the game now. And I'm not on your side, or Michael’s. I'm on theirs.”

“Brother, don't make me do this.” Lucifer looked almost sorry.

This was it. Gabriel squared his shoulders. “No one makes us do anything.” Silently, he flew behind Lucifer, leaving a copy in his wake. He let his blade slide out of his sleeve.

“I know you think you're doing the right thing, Gabriel. But I know where your heart truly lies. All that bravado, all those witty comebacks… just to hide how terrified you really are.” Lucifer stepped closer, his eyes clear and hard and fractured like ice crystals, “You know you can’t beat me, little brother. You don’t dare even fight me. Not if you want your little human friends to live.”

The worst part was that he was right; Gabriel was terrified. He didn't want to die. He wanted desperately to live, but that just wasn't in the Plan.

His aim had been to distract Lucifer for as long as possible but now he faltered, just for a second. Because, deep down, he still saw Lucifer as his beloved older brother.

Gabriel lunged.

He was fast. But Lucifer was faster.

It didn't feel like pain at first; it felt like cold. Terrible, biting cold, digging right to the centre of him. The shock of it made him gape, staring down at the hilt buried in his chest, and then up into Lucifer’s face, so close to his.

Gabriel clutched desperately at Lucifer’s jacket, fingers scrabbling against the fabric. The shadows were creeping into the corners of Gabriel's vision even as the Grace in his heart roiled hotter and hotter. His knees were giving out, heart breaking as he looked up into his beloved brother’s face, eyes wide and pleading. Lucifer stared back, and Gabriel’s heart shattered when he saw the tears gathering in them.

His big brother was still in there. His brother was killing him.

Lucifer's lips trembled as he spoke. “You see, amateur hocus pocus. Don't forget, little brother; you got all your best tricks from me.”

Gabriel heard the broken, hurt little noise that escaped his lips.

There was a concussive bang as the door of the room flew open. Both of the archangels startled a little as they turned to look, Gabriel grimacing as the blade dragged against his ribs.

There, standing in the doorway, taking in the scene in front of him with his mouth open and his eyes darting, was none other than Sam Winchester.

A wave of desperate frustration temporarily flooded out Gabriel’s pain. That moron! Did he want to be possessed or killed!? But luckily Lucifer just stood there, looking as confused as Gabriel felt. He mouthed ‘run!’ at the kid, desperately hoping he'd take the hint and get out of there. This wasn’t supposed to happen!

Then, Sam did something that shocked Gabriel to his core. He lifted his chin, and shouted a single word into the deafening silence.

“Yes!”

The word seemed to ring through the room like a struck bell.

Gabriel couldn't believe his ears. He was stunned. Had Sam really- had he really just done that? Just given up? The concept just didn't make sense, the world lurching sideways off its rails. Sam wasn't supposed to say the big YES here, not now, not tonight. There was meant to be more. There had to be more.

No, really, there had to be. Gabriel had spent a whole year trapped with Sam. He knew him. For better or worse, Sam was stubborn to a fault, he would never give up. So what was he doing? What was his plan?

Sam spoke again. “Yes, Gabriel! Do it now!”

And suddenly, like a beam of divine light, he got it.

Sam would never let Lucifer possess him. But apparently, he cared enough about Gabriel to save him.

In the middle of his disbelief, Gabriel felt a sort of hysterical, giddy laughter bubbling up inside himself. The Winchesters had done it again. Every time he thought it was no longer possible, they kept on telling destiny to go screw itself in ever more inventive ways. And this time, just maybe, it might work out for him too.

There was no time to lose. Gathering himself, he leapt out of the broken shell of his vessel, revelling momentarily in the release of his true form for the first time in long millennia. He hung there for a tiny fracture of a second and looked back at his brother, at the dawning realisation of what was happening and the terrible anger simmering to life in his eyes, then turned and plunged back down towards the human below him. He surged inside the vessel, occupying every inch of it, weaving himself into the lungs and heart and brain.

Oh, it had been too long since he had lived in a vessel that was alive, not some cheap replica of a god. There was so much room in here, room and power. He tried to ignore the way that Sam’s soul cringed away from him, flattening itself against the back of their shared headspace. He’d work on that. This would have to do for now, until he had time to heal. He stretched, feeling his wings burst from Sam’s back as he launched them through the dimensions.

With a single flap he was gone, landing in the front seat of the older brother’s car. “Drive,” he commanded, and whatever Dean saw in his eyes it was obviously enough to shut him up for the time being. They sped away, leaving the storm and his brother’s broken screams behind him.

[peopleandrhythm]

Episode One: What Are You Afraid Of?

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess, much beloved by her family, especially her parents, a king and a queen. The princess’s family fought day and night to keep her safe, to protect her from the darkness in the kingdom. But the family had countless enemies, spanning centuries and continents. After bloody conflict and tragic defeat, the princess’s family was lost, all in one fell swoop. Only the princess and her mother, the Wolf Queen, remained. They alone bore the burden of scouring the earth for the means to make the family whole again.

This quest proved quite the challenge for the Wolf Queen, and as years passed, the princess grew. She grew not only in mind and body, but in power, for she had been blessed with potent magic. The Wolf Queen loved her daughter and raised her well, but found herself unable to finish the task of saving the family. Fifteen years have passed, and the princess is no longer a child—and for the first time since her family’s fall, she finds herself with the chance to complete the quest and save them, once and for all.

Tallahassee, Florida

The Monroe house is small, with yellowing sideboards and a patchy front lawn. Still, it’s cute; Mrs. Monroe likes to spend what little free time she has tending to a flower patch just off to the side of the two-person porch. Her azaleas are having a particularly good season, despite the terrible Florida heat.

Mrs. Monroe is in her flower patch, floppy hat cocked at just the right angle to block out the sun, when a redheaded girl walks up her driveway. She smiles and straightens up a bit. “How you doin’, Hope?”

Hope waves. “I’m great, how are you?”

“Just tryin’ to keep these flowers from shrivelin’ up in this damn heat.” She points at Hope with her trowel. “Have you got sunscreen on? Skin like yours, you’ll burn like that.” She tries to snap her fingers, but her gardening gloves muffle the sound.

“Don’t worry about me, Mrs. Monroe. It’s just a few blocks from my house.” Hope gestures to the front door, a fading confederate gray. “May I go in?”

“Sure thing, hon. She’s in her room. Finally got her to clean out that old trunk of hers. Bet it’s mostly junk in there.”

Laughing, Hope says, “Have fun with your flowers!” and heads into the house. She knows the layout well by this point, makes a turn at the kitchen and walks all the way to the end of the hall, where the last door on the left is ajar. Inside the green and white bedroom, a girl sits cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by piles of papers and clothes and trinkets. Her back is to the door, so Hope tiptoes to her and, without warning, begins to tickle the girl’s sides mercilessly.

The girl shrieks and curls in on herself, twisting to get a good look at her attacker. “Oh my god—Hope!” She manages to swat Hope’s hands away. “You ass!”

Breathless from laughter, Hope plops down on the ground. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.” Then she puts a hand on the girl’s neck and pulls her in for a kiss, which is received with a begrudging hrmph. After the kiss, Hope says, “I missed you, River.”

“We were at work together yesterday.”

“Well then fine, I take it back.”

“No, wait.” River kisses her girlfriend again. “I missed you, too.” She furrows her eyebrows, pats at Hope’s face. “Did you put on sunscreen?”

Hope rolls her eyes with a groan. “Not you too…”

“Hey, white girls like you do not tan. I can go out in the sun just fine, because I’ve got that melanin to protect me—”

“Only from the sun,” Hope interjects slyly.

River snorts. “Ain’t that the truth. But for real, I don’t want you to burn. Red is not your color.”

“I have red hair!”

“Exactly.”

Hope sticks out her tongue. “My mom can tan.”

“Then you got your daddy’s skin.”

“I wouldn’t know.” They both fall silent, the mood officially killed. After a minute, Hope asks, “So what are all these piles?”

River starts pointing. “Those are old clothes that I need to donate, those are old toys that I need to donate, those are some photos and things that my mom might want to scrapbook—”

“Ooh, I love your mom’s scrapbooks.”

“Mhm. Oh, and those are just important papers that I probably should not have been trusted with.”

Hope peers at that pile. “Like what?”

“Oh, some bank statements, school records, my birth certificate. Things like that. No idea why I have any of them.”

Spying the birth certificate toward the top of the pile, Hope picks it up with a grin. “Aw, baby River. Born 3:21 am.” Hope smiles up at her girlfriend. “I was an early morning baby, too.”

River’s inspecting a shirt for any wear. “Oh yeah? What time?”

“Not sure. I don’t have a birth certificate.”

River freezes, then slowly turns her head. “I swear, your family is sketchy as hell.”

“Tell me about it.” Hope looks back down at the document, where something strange catches her eye. “Hang on.”

“What?”

Hope’s eyes dart between River and the birth certificate a few times before finally settling on the former. “This says that your last name is Malraux, not Monroe.”

River wrinkles her nose. “Oh yeah. Speaking of sketchy families…” She settles her body into a more comfortable position. “Look, I don’t know why we left Texas when I was little, but I know it was sudden, and I’m pretty sure it had something to do with our family. I just remember my dad telling me over and over, ‘You’re a Monroe now. Remember that. River Monroe.’ I was five, so I wasn’t, like, attached to the name or anything. We even got it legally changed. You’re holding onto the original.” River bites her lip. “Look, you cannot tell my folks you know about this. They will flip their lids if they found out you knew. They made me swear to keep it a secret. Promise me?”

“Yeah.” Hope’s voice is hollow, like she’s hearing it from the opposite end of a tunnel. Her skin is ashen as she stares, unblinking, at the ink on the paper in her hands. Three words sound on repeat in her head, deafening in her ears: Malraux. Texas. Shit.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Vincent bursts through the penthouse doors, never breaking his stride until he reaches Marcel, who is reclined on a sofa, reading The Times-Picayune. “We can’t do another year of this, Marcel.”

Barely sparing the witch regent a glance, Marcel says, “Good morning, Vincent. How’s your day going?”

“I’ll tell you how it’s going. I got nine covens of witches screaming for your head. You’re supposed to keep the vampires in line, Marcel.”

With a sigh, Marcel folds up the paper and sets it on the coffee table. “What exactly have we done this time, huh? Poor attendance at the Fête des Bénédictions last week?”

Vincent takes a deep breath. “We are comin’ up on yet another anniversary of the fall of Klaus Mikaelson, and yet again hundreds of vampires are gonna flock to New Orleans to celebrate. They gonna decimate the local population, Marcel! The witches want an end to this.”

“And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?” Marcel stands up. “I don’t control all the vampires in the world, just the ones in the Quarter. And yeah, when the out-of-towners come, they tend to wreak some havoc, but my guys do our best to keep them in check.”

“Last year fourteen locals were killed by members of Klaus Mikaelson’s sire line. Fourteen. That’s fourteen families destroyed. We been keepin’ the peace best we know how but I’m tellin’ you Marcel, if you don’t put an end to this yearly slaughter of locals, we will.”

Marcel’s eyes narrow. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you may be the biggest bad goin’ in New Orleans right now, but never forget, no one is unkillable.” He turns on his heel and marches for the door. “‘Specially not in this city.”

The sun is on its descent when Hope walks through her front door, mind a million miles away. She passes the living room with her eyes on the ground, so she misses her mother on the couch, reading. “Hey.”

Hope stops, turns. “Oh hey.”

Hayley’s eyes narrow a bit, and she stands. “What’s up?”

“Um.” Hope fixes her face into something brighter. “Not much. Just gotta go get ready for work.”

“How was River?”

“Fine,” Hope answers too quickly. “You know, the same. I’m running late, I should…” She gestures toward her bedroom, and then starts to head for it. She only makes it a step before she stops herself. She turns back to her mother. “Hey, um. I was wondering. How close are we…what more do we need to get before we can, you know, bring the family back together?”

Hayley sighs, looks down and adjusts the hem of her shirt. “Hope, look, I know we’ve travelled basically everywhere trying to find the cures for everyone upstairs—”

“And I never minded, honestly.” Hope approaches her mother. “All I ever wanted was my family, too.”

With a smile, Hayley tucks a piece of Hope’s hair behind her ear. “You were always the bravest of us all, you know.” Her smile fades a bit. “I brought us here because I was told someone at the university might have information about a wolf pack whose venom we need to cure your uncles. But that lead didn’t pan out, so…I don’t know where to turn next.”

As innocently as she can, Hope asks, “What wolf pack?”

“Um, the Malraux pack. They were originally from Texas, but vampires wiped them out years ago. I’ve been trying to track one down ever since.”

“Right. I knew that.” Hope gives a fake smile. “Well, I should go get ready.” She hugs Hayley. “Everything’s going to work out, Mom. I know it.”

Hayley kisses her daughter’s head. “I sure hope so.”

“Just toss the trash and you can head out.”

Hope nods at her manager. “Sure.” She weaves her way through the restaurant, pulling trash bags from the bathrooms and the bar area to take outside. Once she’s replaced all the bags, she heaves the collected trash over one shoulder and cuts through the kitchen, where the only cook left for the night is tossing dough.

“You close tonight, Rowan?” she asks.

Rowan nods. “Bullshit.”

Hope hums in agreement and pushes open the back door, heading down the alley toward the dumpster. She twists her body around and chucks the bag atop the others. After wiping her hands on her shorts, she pulls her phone from her pocket, opens an app, and clocks out.

“Nine-oh-nine,” she murmurs to herself. That leaves too much time to think about River before bed. She heads for her car, a late 2000s Honda her mom picked up on Craigslist, but freezes when she hears something shift in the alley behind her. She spins around, fingers typing 91 on her phone screen.

“Hello?” she calls into the darkness. Silence. She starts to turn back around, but hears another noise. “If you come any closer I will blow you straight to hell!” Hope shouts, hand outstretched defensively.

More silence, and then a quiet voice behind her: “I wouldn’t recommend that.”

Hayley’s cross-legged on her bed, an open trunk facing her at the foot. Laid out neatly on the comforter is everything, all of the vials and spells and potions needed to cure the people sleeping in coffins in the attic. She runs her fingers over a collection of small glass bottles, each labelled in her own fairly messy scrawl. Six of the bottles are filled with a transparent amber liquid. She picks up the bottle labelled 1 – Crescent and gives a little smile. The smile wanes as her eyes fall on the seventh bottle, empty and labelled 7 – Malraux.

Hayley heaves a heavy sigh. “Oh Elijah,” she whispers to the room. “What am I supposed to do?”

She thinks back to a day eight years ago, Hope napping in the front of the moving van as Hayley met with an old wolf friend from Appalachia, Meredith.

“I don’t know what to do tell you, Hay,” Meredith had said, leaned up against the side of the truck, her blonde hair twisted into its usual braid. “Everyone I’ve talked to said all the Malrauxs are dead.”

“They can’t be,” Hayley had insisted. “I just need one. Someone has to be left.”

“The vamps in Texas got them pretty good about four years back, so I’m told. Some kind of race war. I mean, it’s Texas, so not altogether a shocker. If any of them made it out, they would impossible to find.” She gave a small, sympathetic smile. “Sorry, Hay.”

Hayley focused on the sound of her daughter’s breathing inside the van, slow and even in her sleep. She took a deep breath of her own and said, “Thanks anyway, Mer. If you hear something—”

“I’ll call, no doubt.” Meredith hugged her friend and then said goodbye, leaving Hayley to climb back into the van. Hayley looked down at her daughter, long red hair falling across her face, more peaceful in sleep than she could ever be awake. Hayley wiped a tear away aggressively as she started the truck.

“Fifteen years and no sign of a Malraux wolf anywhere,” Hayley says to the air, empty venom bottle in hand. “I promised my daughter I would bring her family home, but Elijah…” She slides off the bed, letting the Malraux bottle bounce onto the comforter, and makes her way into the hall of their little rental home. She deftly pulls down the ladder to the attic, climbs up, and takes the few steps over to the silver coffin she has spent countless hours kneeling beside. She lifts the lid and sees him, just as perfectly laid in his suit as he was fifteen years ago.

“Elijah, I don’t know how much longer I can keep searching. I’ve been moving Hope around for a decade and a half. She’s never had a home, never had stability. At what point…” She stops, uses her thumb to catch the stray tear running down her nose. “At what point do I give up a lost cause? I love you so much, Elijah, and the thought of never seeing you again...but I need to move on. Hope needs to move on.” She bring two fingers up to her lips and then touches them to Elijah’s. “Please forgive me.” 

Hope whips around to see someone walking out of the shadows. She raises a shaky hand. “Stay back! I mean it!”

“Hope Mikaelson…” That gives her pause. “You’ve grown, kid. And your hair! You were a blonde baby, but damn if you aren’t a redhead now.”

“Who the hell are you?”

The man stops, hands raised in placation. “My name is Vincent Griffith. I knew you back when you was a baby. At one point I even had your uncle Finn inhabiting my body. Yeah, you and me go way back.”

“So you thought it’d be cool to approach me in a dark alley?” Hope lets some energy roll off of her, shaking the branches of the trees that line the back of the alley. “That was stupid, if I’m being honest.”

“Look, Hope, I’m not here to hurt you. In fact, I’m tryin’ to do you a favor.”

“A favor,” Hope repeats, skeptical.

“How would you like to be reunited with your father?”

River’s always loved a good night run. Sure, running during summer nights in Florida is like running through a swamp, the air thick and wet and impossible to move through, but River likes the challenge, likes the way the sweat sizzles off of her skin. Tonight it’s Kendrick Lamar’s back catalogue that’s soundtracking her run, the beat echoed in every slap of her shoes on the pavement. Her path carves a chunk out of downtown Tallahassee, under the neon lights of the Strip and through the patchwork streets of Frenchtown. She’s never afraid, even though she’s by herself at night. She feels powerful, invincible as she flies through her city.

As River approaches a well-lit area, she brings her water bottle to her lips, but despite all her tugging with her teeth, she can’t get the top open. She gently jogs to a stop at the mouth of an alley, giving herself a minute to fiddle with the bottle.

Just as she gets it open, a hand clamps around her elbow and yanks her into the alley, where in the darkness she is pinned to the brick of the wall. “Hey!”

“Hey you too.”

Her wrists held above her head, River has to strain to see her attacker’s face in the dark. The stench coming off of him is wretched, Fireball and cigarettes. She can tell he’s not that much older than her, probably one of the students at the university. She wriggles against his grip. “Let me go!” she shouts, hoping to attract attention.

Her attacker pulls her away from the wall just to slam her into it again. “Shut up, bitch. Look at you.” He brings his nose to her neck and breathes deep, and her heart is shuddering a mile a minute. “Love to get a taste of you, girl.” He grins at her lecherously.

As if on autopilot, River springs into action. She knees him in the groin, and when he staggers backward, she cocks her head back and knocks it into his. He howls in pain, and she makes a run for it—but a hand closes on the back of her shirt and jerks her backward. Her body clangs against the wall, but she rolls with it and, with a rage she has never felt before in her life, pushes the creep away from her. Eyes wide, she watches his body fly to the opposite wall, much farther than she ever thought she could shove someone, and his head cracks against the brick. He slumps to the ground, motionless.

The world freezes. “Oh god.” River forces her feet to move. She approaches him slowly, as if he might catch on fire. Trembling, she crouches, presses her finger to his neck.

No pulse.

“Oh god. Oh Jesus. Oh no.” Her breath starts coming faster and faster, and without warning, a flash of indescribable pain washes through her body, a crackling ache that shakes her to her very bones. She curls in on herself, knocking into the body, but just as suddenly as it started, the pain vanishes. She uses the wall to pull herself to her feet, looks down at the man who tried to attack her, and does what she knows best.

She runs.

Freya finds him in the garden most days. He stands among the flowers, always in bloom, and watches the artificial sun carve a path through the everblue sky. Fifteen years in and Elijah still puts the suit on every morning, but she’s been watching the cracks form at his edges for some time now. At least his stoicism is easier to deal with than Kol’s explosive anger or Rebekah’s yo-yoing between aggressive optimism and hopeless doubt.

She approaches him with quiet steps. “How are you, brother?”

Elijah takes so long to answer that Freya wonders if he even heard her. “I’m finding it…ironic that the person who brought our family together is named Hope, and yet I feel as if I have never had less hope in my life.”

Freya steps up to her brother’s side and rests her head on his shoulder. “It does seem as though the task we left to Hayley is…taking longer than we expected, but I have no doubt that after all this time she still continues to search for our salvation.”

“Yes, sister, that is the fear.”

Freya looks up at Elijah, confused. “What do you mean?”

Elijah examines his hands, avoiding eye contact. “My wish for her has always been something greater than this family’s salvation. Hayley deserves freedom, happiness…a life with her daughter. I just hope—” He cuts himself off.

“You hope she hasn’t spent the last fifteen years focusing solely on bringing us home.” Elijah’s silence is confirmation enough. “Unfortunately, brother, if I had to guess?” Freya walks in front of Elijah, forcing him to look at her. “Hayley’s desire to be with you has been her life’s purpose since you were taken from her, second only to raising Hope.”

Scoffing, Elijah starts to argue. “It is not just me she wishes to save—”

“Of course not. Hayley loves all of us, even Niklaus, and I am sure she would stop at nothing to bring each of us back. But to ignore her love for you, to dismiss how keenly she must be feeling your absence, does no justice to your memory of her.”

After his older sister’s scolding, Elijah is silent. He studies the flowers that color the garden, their elegant dance in the breeze. Eventually he admits, “There is the other fear, of course.”

“The other fear?”

Elijah looks Freya in the eyes. “That she has died in her quest to save us.”

Freya grips her brother’s hands tightly. “No. Banish this fear from your mind, Elijah. Hayley is strong and capable, and would never allow her daughter to be orphaned like that.”

“You and I both know it is not so simple.”

“It does you no good to think like this, brother. Hayley is out there, and she is fighting for us.” Freya kisses Elijah’s cheek, and then tips her head onto his shoulder once more. “We just have to have hope.”

Hope and Vincent sit across from each other in the brightly lit Dunkin’ Donuts on the university campus. It’s empty save for the bored cashier poring over an Italian film history textbook and a young guy on a MacBook surrounded by empty coffee cups.

Hope spins her own cup—frozen coffee, because even at night summer in Florida is hell—and asks, “So. How do you know who I am? How did you know where I live? Why do you want to help me find my father? How did—”

“Whoa, slow down!” Vincent raises a hand to stop her. “I’m gonna tell you everything, don’t worry.” He gives the shop a quick glance to make sure no one is listening, and then continues in a low voice. “I’m a New Orleans witch, just like you. I’ve lived in the city my whole life, and I’ve always sworn to protect it from whatever threat comes its way. That’s why I’m here. I need your help.”

“How did you find me? My mom and I, we move around so much—”

Vincent shrugs. “Simple locator spell.”

“Using what?”

“The blood of your closest relative: your daddy.”

The breath leaves Hope’s chest. “What? You just—you just have access to—he’s in New Orleans? Still?”

“Yeah, yeah. And I want your help breaking him out.”

The edges of Hope’s vision are starting to blur. “This is a lot to take in.”

“Well, sorry kid, but I don’t got a whole lotta time. You see, every year, right around now, hundreds of vampires come from all over the world to party in New Orleans. Vampires who fifteen years later are still celebratin’ your dad’s downfall. And when they come, they leave death and destruction in their wake. The only way I can think to get them out is to remove the thing that draws them there in the first place.”

So many thoughts are jumping around in Hope’s head that it’s impossible for her to know what to focus on. “Was he really that awful? That so many people are celebrating, still?”

Vincent is silent for a beat, nodding to himself absentmindedly. “Yeah, yeah. I don’t know what your momma told you now—”

“Nothing…concrete. I know he liked to paint, like I do. And that he loved his family. That he loved me. But she doesn’t talk about the kind of person that he was.” She inspects her coffee lid. “I guess that sort of answers the question, doesn’t it?”

Vincent reaches out to pat her hand. “Kid, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but your daddy was the biggest bad there ever was.” Hope closes her eyes, processing. “But if it helps, nothing made him more…human than you. Everyone in the Quarter, hell, everyone in the damn world knew: if there was one thing that made Klaus Mikaelson weak, it was his baby girl.”

Something hollow tugs at the pit of Hope’s stomach, so, eager to change the conversation, she says, “Okay. You need my help getting him out. How exactly do you propose we do that?”

Settling into his chair more comfortably, Vincent begins to explain. “The boundary spell keeping your father trapped is strong, but I think our power combined should be able to break it.”

“Are there no other witches in New Orleans who could help you?”

“There are, but hardly any of ‘em want to see Klaus Mikaelson roaming free, and even if they did, none of them are going to be as powerful as you.”

Hope’s brow furrows. “Me? I’m not that powerful.”

“Oh, no, see, that’s where you’re wrong. You may not be very well-trained, but if you really honed your abilities…kid, you’d be able to set the world on fire.” Hope’s eyes widen. “Not to mention the fact that your very existence is a source of power. The only child of a hybrid and a werewolf? Yeah, that’s a magical occurrence rare enough to power almost any spell.”

“Okay.” Hope looks out the window of the Dunkin’ Donuts; the campus is silent, the moon hanging swollen in the black sky. “Okay.” She looks back to Vincent. “You know I’ve never been to New Orleans? It was the one place that my mom said we could never go.”

“Well, there’s good reason for that. You almost died there more than once.”

After everything Hope’s heard in the past half an hour, the only thing she can do is laugh. “Yeah…yeah, that sounds about right.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her keys. “Alright.” She stands. “Let’s go.”

Vincent’s confused. “What?”

“If we’re going all the way to New Orleans—” She shakes her keys. “—I’m driving.”

When the doorbell rings, Hayley looks up, confused. She glances at her watch; it’s nearly eleven, which is when it hits her that Hope should have been home a long time ago. She leaps to her feet, leaving Elijah’s coffin propped open, and flies down the attic ladder. She whips open the front door, fearing the worst, and is surprised when she sees her daughter’s girlfriend, wide-eyed and a little shaky, her breath coming fast. “River?”

“Hey, Ms. Marshall.”

“I told you, call me Hayley.”

“Right.” River’s eyes slide past her, inside the house. “Is, um. Is Hope here?”

Hayley sighs heavily. “No, she’s late coming from work. I was just about to call her. Do you want…” She trails off. River’s eyes are ringed with red, and she looks as though she’s about to disintegrate. That’s when Hayley catches an all-too-familiar scent. She looks down and spies spots of blood on the strap of River’s tank top. “River? Did something happen tonight?”

With that, River’s face crumples. She pitches forward with the force of her tears, and Hayley catches her in shock. She stands in her open doorway, holding her daughter’s sobbing girlfriend, completely at a loss for what to do next.

They’re speeding down I-10, halfway to Pensacola, when her phone rings. Hope shoots Vincent a look that clearly reads, Here we go, before answering. “Hey Mom.”

“Hope, where are you? Do you know how late it is?”

Hope takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but—”

“Look, I’ll be mad later. You just need to get home. River’s here and…something’s wrong.”

Hope nearly slams on the brake. Vincent’s eyes widen in warning, but she ignores him. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure. She showed up looking for you and…Hope, there’s blood on her.”

The car jerks with the force of Hope’s reaction, and Vincent’s hand flies out to steady the wheel. “Is she okay?”

“I’m going to check her out in a minute, but she just keeps asking for you. Get home, now.”

Hope is silent for a long moment, eyes staring out at nothing as trees whip past in a dark blur. “I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t?”

“Tell River…tell River that I am so, so sorry, but I can’t come home right now. In fact…I’m gonna be gone a couple of days.”

Hayley’s voice is low and dangerous. “Hope, where exactly do you think you’re going?”

“…New Orleans?”

On the other end of the phone, she hears the front door open and shut, and the unmistakable sound of summer cicadas. “I’m trying very, very hard not to lose my shit right now, Hope, mostly because your girlfriend is in our living room, currently losing her shit. Now I don’t set a lot of rules with you, because you’re smart and you’re capable and I trust you, but I thought I made it very clear that we were to never set foot in New Orleans again.”

“I can save him.”

A moment of silence. “What are you talking about?”

“My dad. I can save him. I can bring him back. At least…” She glances at Vincent who, with wide eyes, is shaking his head no. “…that’s what Vincent told me.” Vincent tosses his hands up in the air.

“What the—Vincent is with you?”

Vincent rolls his eyes and motions for Hope to put the call on speakerphone. When she does, he says, “Listen to me, Hayley, you know I’m not gonna let anything bad happen to your girl.”

“Your witches have tried to murder Hope more than once.”

“Fair enough. But right now we need her help, and she needs ours.”

“I’m going to go get him, Mom,” Hope says, “so please, please take care of River. Tell her I’m sorry, and I’ll be home soon.”

“No, Hope, you—”

“I love you.” She hangs up, drops the phone in the cup holder with a sigh. She looks over at Vincent again, who just shrugs. Eyes back on the road, she settles into her seat, and then, without another word, the pair continue their midnight drive to Louisiana, following the moon west.

[tdrcycle09]

Mini Challenge #4 - Pokepaint

This week, our tremendous 10 got their PokePaint on! Which ones will be party-ready? Let’s find out!

Analyse Thropic | Goldeen

I was a part of the first wave of Pokémon hitting the US (fuck, I’m old), so between the card game, the anime, and the original Red and Blue games (ooo, and you best not forget Yellow), Gen I has always had a special place in my heart. I thought Goldeen was a great choice for a Pokémon to be dragified, because she’s just this gorgeous little fish and honestly, Goldeen already kind of looks like a drag queen. For this challenge, I took on the persona of Misty’s beloved Goldeen and adorned a tail fin shoulder-piece, some front fin earrings, and Goldeen’s signature horn. I finished off the look with a Cascade Badge necklace as an homage to the Cerulean Gym and water Pokémon in general.

Lila: HOLY SHIT. I’m shocked, honestly. This is giving me such a showgirl aesthetic and your accessories paired with your makeup really solidify this as one of the stronger looks in this mini challenge, if not, the winner. I’m honestly shocked at how well constructed this is and Goldeen is really coming through this concept so well. My only is to watch your lips as they’re the most prominent thing in your concept that are throwing me off. Overall, great submission!

Gluttoni: Ma'am! Miss Lady! You did not have to completely murder the competition like that! You look stunning Ana! I think this was a strong choice to do from the jump because Goldeen is pretty much a drag queen and I'm just floored by your execution of it. The silhouette of this is so pleasant and fucking incredibly smart! This is probably the cleanest paint I've seen from you yet and honestly that makes me so proud because I can tangibly see your growth. Gurl this was a stunt and if you keep pulling stuff like this out, I'm sure there will be a bright future for you.

Toni: I am really in love with this, I think you too the idea of transforming into the pokemon while still keeping it drag and really did wonders. I adore adore adore the headpiece and jewelry with this I think those were so well constructed!! I do wish on the top of your head had a bit more color to match the headpiece right behind it but over all very well done!!  

Avana Noir | Chandelure

Hello Judges! SO for this pokemon lewk I decided to choose chandelure since its one of my favorites! and it had an amazing design and color scheme. I originally had a big ass headpiece that i wanted to make for this look but due to personal and technical things it didn't work out. SOOO i made a simplier one instead. I used the color scheme of the pokemon in my makeup and For this headpiece I made it out of posterboard and painted it so it could look like chandelure's flame on my head. I really enjoyed this challenge and I hope you like my paint. Thank you so much!

Lila: I love it! For me, easily a makeup that you could take elements and use in your normal drag career. Your titties are starting to get that good contouring, and I’m not mad at the face. However, Chandelure’s ornate framing isn’t portrayed well in this. You’ve gone for a more stylistically delicate approach with how thin the ornate framing should be, whereas you could’ve created a carved facial feature out of how thick the lines are on the Ken Sugimori illustration. Also, blend ya titties and clavicle (Letha is that correct?) area out so that your makeup has a more polished look. Very good submission!

Gluttoni: I love how simplistic yet effective this look is Avana. I really like your subtle approach to this Pokémon eyes and other features because it's subdued but I'm still able to distinguish who you are. The styling of this look is great, you are giving mourning madam of the house which I think highlights this Pokémon's vibe very much. I would just advise you to avoid drawing on breast if you aren't going to go all out on them because that aspect looks rushed but otherwise great submission.

Toni: I was about to read you for filth over that dinky little head piece but you did it for me in your description. I really love this paint on you I think it was very well done and looks soft and well blended. I do wish that the head piece was bigger cause that would have really made this a LOOK or even if you had made a cage around your head I would have lived. Well done!

Daddie Dearest | Probopass

I took inspiration from Probopass. I wanted to intelligently incorporate the beard, and which Pokémon would better suit that? To achieve the look, I blackened my beard and put silver glitter in it to represent the iron filament beard that Probopass. I wanted to keep some drag elements in place such as the contour and some of the eye shapes while also portraying the character. The earrings are meant to represent my mini noses. Probopass is ready to magnet bomb the competition. - xoxo, daddie

Lila: I like this! It’s very true to you and you know how to paint very well! I love the nose, and the nice touches of detail like the little magnet bomb-totem earrings, the whites under the eyes and the little nose hairs as your beard work really well with this! I wish you didn’t wear eyebrows, then with the nose it could’ve been cut a little shorter and you could’ve pulled the hat down a little bit just so it was a much tighter concept really, but from this, great work this mini!

Gluttoni: Bearded Nosepass! I'm gagged! This choice is unbelievably smart and well done. I really think you have a beautiful flare for styling something just right beca I'm always astonished by your taste level. Your paint is always amazing so have nothing to critique there overall this is one of my favorite submissions from you to date Daddie.

Toni: “Don’t let your beard define you but use it to your advantage” Was a line of critique i gave you a few weeks ago and this is a perfect example of listening to that and I loved how you found a pokemon that you could make your beard work for you in!! I love the makeup itself it looks stunning and and so well blended so good job on that. I think my only complaint is that the nose may be a bit too big, but im not super pressed about it. Well done!!!

Ebony Boss | Cleffa

I chose Cleffa because she was very adorable  to me and also had a very simple look that i could really play with! I thought it would be fun to make her very quirky and sparkly! Hence the pink glitter all over the face and the big curly pink hair! I really had a lot of fun making a drag look out of something that isn't very typical drag queen. I feel i did a great job and really pushed myself this week <3 Ebony

Lila: For me, it’s your personal best. You look stunning in this makeup, I’m not gonna lie, but there are some elements still lacking. Your skin is more dewy than sparkly in this look, and your ears aren’t exactly the same colour as Cleffa’s. It could’ve benefitted from much larger ears than before. Your hair is stunning, I think you could benefit from doing more hair short and curly rather than straight, because it really accentuates your look. For me, very good submission this week!

Gluttoni: This is super adorable Ebony. I'm happy you switched your Pokémon because this one really suits you. This Pokémon isn't the most detailed but I think you nailed the cutesy vibe of this Pokémon. I'm starting to see some strides in your overall paint girl and I'm proud. Keep up the good work.

Toni: This has been your best paint to date, and I think its because in the minis you really take the time to sit down and enjoy the creativity of painting and I want you to start doing that in the mains. You took a somewhat boring looking pokemon and turned it into a drag pallet, i love that you made your hair work for you but really wish you had painted those ears because its painfully obvious that its just cardboard.

Klinker | Glalie

Lila: So, I don’t necessarily love this, nor do I hate it. Glalie’s eyes are a real strength to this and I feel as if you did some sort of makeup that had an illusion from the eyes, then this concept would be much more favourable. You have the colours down in your makeup, it just needs something extra. I think if you rolled your hair into two buns, that’d mimic the horns of Glalie, and while your nails are doing that, I think your hornage would be much better? Either way, good submission!

Gluttoni: Klinker! I love the choice this week as far as your Pokémon selection goes but I must admit this isn't a representation of your skill. First I think the styling of this look could have been better because the shirt tied around you isn't working for me and I would have liked to see the paint with more of a shoulders up appeal with points of interest. This Pokémon is very structured and I just don't think your placement and shapes really link up with the look you are trying to achieve. Really focus in on your lines and give us a clean look in the future my love.

Toni: Hey dear!! Lets start with the good for me this week, I really love those nails and I really like that you were able to use the color scheme that the pokemon gave you to it’s fullest capacity. I do feel that the lines were a bit messy and not super pigminted which really took away from the look, I also wish that you had styled your hair to look like the spikes of the pokemon. Good joB!

Lexi Lamour | Frosslass

Froslass lives in snowy areas and has the ability to freeze foes with its -58 degrees Fahrenheit breath. It is thought to display its victims secretly after freezing them. As evidenced in the anime, it can create illusions to manipulate others. Froslass is a female only species, and is said in legends to be the spirit of a woman who was lost in the mountains."

Hi, Judges! I had an hour to do this challenge so at first I struggled with what I wanted to do given my resources and that it was 5am. But then it clicked in my head instantly, Froslass! For one, Froslass is one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE pokemon! Ghost and ice types are in my top 3 favorite types, so this gives me the best of both worlds! Froslass is an all female species pokemon and has some very feminine features in the eyes that I wanted to accentuate. As the mini post said, I didn't want to just paint Froslass' face on my face, so I have it a very drag element. I countoured all parts of my face using the pokemon's color scheme. I used many different purples in each area to give it some depth. I kept a feminine nature lip and also added some of the mouth design of the actual pokemon to give it some illusion and a sense of an avant garde look. I painted my hair white to match everything, and as much as I worked and tried to get it to spike up in the back to match the head, it wasn't working...but I still enjoy the effect of the white paint in my hair. The one thing I did leave out was painting the purple diamond in the middle of the forehead. I did that on purpose because I personally thought that with adding all of the contouring and drag elements it would've been too much, too much purple, and would've just made it look too busy. Not only that, but like stated....I know we don't just want to paint the pokemon on us and I had already incorporated the mouth design. I used construction paper and cut a design out to put together to make the head crystals which I spray adhesives to my head. Overall my goal was to make it look like Froslass, look drag, look out of the box, look avant garde, and give it a haunting feel. I'm super proud of what I did for my PokePaint.

Lila: I love this severity in your makeup here, the colours in your eye are really right and I love the avant garde-ness of this, really stellar. I do wish there was a little bit more to this concept, like some sort of sculpted accessory of sorts perhaps? I don’t know, it’s difficult to describe how I feel because I’ve got chills from how well executed it is, but then it’s like I wanna see more? Maybe a wire-backed piece of white cotton or something to mimic Frosslass’ hooded cloak? The technical ability with her hooded skull-blanket motif is so right in your piece too, I wish it was a little bit more mimicked of the harsh jagged edges that Ken Sugimori drew her with rather than the straight line that the concept has along the lip line, but either way, I’m not mad at this attempt. Very good submission!

Gluttoni: Lexi, I definitely see why you would picked this Pokémon. It's beautiful and graceful looking much like yourself. While I do think this is good makeup, I don't see it as great.  Your looks have been polished from the jump but I'm hoping to see more detailed makeup from you as we progress. It's just something a tad underwhelming about it. It's definitely a clean application and great facial concept but with your skills I just expect 100% from you at all times. That being said don't put any extra pressure on yourself because this is still very good. I just needed a little more Lexi charm to put this over the top for me.

Toni: Lexi dear I think your paint is a miss for me this week. I see the influences of the pokemon in the face but other than that it's lacking. I wish you had taken time to maybe find a way to work in the arms and body using paint or something because this just really doesn’t read as the pokemon at all and it took me a good while to see it all match up. Better luck in the main!

Marcella Fox | Manaphy

Hello judges :] My chosen Pokemon was Manaphy. I wanted a pokemon with interesting facial markings for a striking make-up, but I also wanted something that wouldn’t de-humanise the face too much. I thought it’s yellow eye rings would make great cut creases. I’m not usually a fan of wacky skin-colouring, but I felt it was crucial to be the same colour as the pokemon I was portraying. The water-based paint was really difficult to use, but I kept going until I was happy with the finish. I took the red jewel on it’s chest and turned it into some glossy metallic lips, and I made a wired hairband with fabric-covered styrofoam balls to replicate Manaphy’s crest thingy. I made some shoulder pads too, but they kind of chose not to stick, and rubbed off the paint… but I’m so happy with the face that I’m not even bothered about those :p

Lila: Your makeup is always so damn clean! I love it! With it, yours face is very, very draggy! I don’t care much for the bareness of your normal skin coming out, I’ll acknowledge that you tried to hide it, but honestly, with the flushing on your cheeks with the blush, it looks intentional and I’m not mad at it. It would’ve been better if you made those areas a little flush too! I think this makeup is so fun and I’m glad you chose this Manaphy to go off of. If anything to critique I would’ve had a more dramatically voluminous wig. Although, it’s also quite exciting to see you in blonde too! Great submission!

Gluttoni: Of course you chose a legendary Pokémon Marcella! Because you are well on your way to becoming a legend in the making. I think this look is super distinctive and well executed. The body paint is beautifully done and the accents are perfectly placed. I really don't have much to critique so I'll just say keep pushing qween!

Toni: Eugh I love this so much!! I think out of all the the submissions this is the cutest and made me smile the most!! Its fun, cute, and girly, everything that you are as a queen, and I really love that about you is that everything you submit is super marcella and always on your brand. The makeup is so well done, the lines are so clean and I am in love with your highlight!! Great job!!1

Paprika | Swoobat

hi!! i picked swoobat bc its cute and i like it and all my other ideas were taken, i basically just did the color scheme with a heart on my nose bc like??? it doesnt have many super distinct features??? but i feel pretty and i hope you like it xoxo fatprika

Lila: Titties out, wings flapping, lips blue, who is this bitch? Love her! Hi Paps! I’m kind of confused and lost with this submission because there’s not much to go off of. The basics are there in your execution, but there’s not much going for this makeup really. I wish your hair was brushed out a little more and that you gave us more accessories, Swoobat has such a big heart honker and the fur, like I wish you added a few more elements to this just to make it cohesive, because I’m not really getting Swoobat through this. It was an okay submission.

Gluttoni: Paprika! You're adorable as always! But I don't have much to critique because this is just a bit overly simplistic for my taste. I was hoping for something more detailed like your week 2 look so I'm a tad disappointed. Push yourself henny.

Toni: Paps...this is cute but thats about it. I really feel like you could have done so much more with this pokemon or picked something with a more exciting look. Because honestly all you did was paint a heart on your nose. Its super lacking. I want you to start pushing yourself in makeup and design challenges because I know you have the creativity we saw it last week.

Phoebe St. Jefferson | Shiinotic

Hey Judges! This week I chose to do Shiinotic! With a Illuminating Pokemon I knew that I was going to have to glow, and after last week i sure was looking for a glow up. What I did was take apart this old ass jellyfish I made for halloween a long ass time ago, and turn it into this mushroom hat. I used tissue paper and I cut up some yellow balloons to give the mushroom its spots. The face of Shiinotic was really simple, so I gave a draggy transformation for it. The mouth was elongated and the eyes were cut like butter henny. I also did the whole phoebe tradition of having a great right eyebrow and a very subpar left one. For contour i tried to use a lot of yellows and pinks to make myself look more organic.  I really enjoy this submission because during the day I look cute and cuddley, and at night, the lights turn on and I look like a scary bitch. Ta Ta

Lila: W O W. Talk about execution, I’m in love with this! Your hat is so fucking avant garde and fits your pokemon so well, and your makeup is close to perfection in this that I’m shocked by it. For reference, when you do whiteout makeup, try to either conceal your neck or paint it entirely down, because your neck is hella pink as opposed to your face. I would’ve also darkened your contour a lot more, just to pop the dragginess a little more. Overall, really good submission!

Gluttoni: Phoebe, you really turnt it with this look! It's very striking and visually appealing which is the whole objective of this challenge. Since this Pokémon is super featureless I like the fact you tried to make it more expressive in the face. The styling of this is very psychedelic and makes me want some mushrooms of my own. I'm starting to see the fire in you and I hope it stays because I absolutely love this.

Toni: STUNTS, FLIPS,TRICKS, BITCHHHHHHH!! I  am in LOVEE with this look it’s everything to me because it was so clear what pokemon you were instantly but the head piece lit up and that drove it an extra fucking mile for me!! And i love that you took the pokemons face (because it was simple) and made it into an ooky spooky drag face!!! Well done!!!

Sugar Monroe | Primarina

Heyyyy!! So, this week was pokepaint and I was so fucking excited! I immediately knew I wanted to do a Gen7 Pokémon because: 1. It’s so new that it hasn’t been done before. And 2. This is by far my favorite generation of Pokémon to date. (With gen3 being a close second) The Pokémon I was inspired by was Primarina, the most beautiful Pokémon in existence. My trusty Diamond the primarina helped me through my first playthrough of moon so I had to pay homage to her!

Lila: I honestly don’t mind this at all. If anything it’s very coherent as far as your pokemon goes. I’m a little mad there’s no lashes if that, and i wish your contouring on your cheeks were a little bit more blended, as well as the end of your nose. Think slight flush, not literal clown nose, and that face would’ve been elevated. I love the pearls, using the rhinestones as your eyebrows, I’m cackling a little because it’s giving me Diamond and Pearl which I’ll be so done if you’re trying to reference the Sinnoh region. Anyways! Good submission!

Gluttoni: Sugar... I remember you telling the judges you took great pride in this challenge because your NOLA sisters have been the most frequent winners of these PokePaint challenges. Sadly, I don't see much pride here with your submission because this look is incredibly weak. Primarina is probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing Pokémon to date but your rendition doesn't portray that fact. I applaud you for stepping out of your comfort zone and attempting something new but it's just a tad to muddled for my taste. You're incredibly talented some I'm honestly just waiting for it all to click for you and for you to start putting up a fight in the competition.

Toni: This is outside of your normal paint so i will give your points on that but I do wish you had done more more more! Even if you had taken an old cardboard box and painted it to add the headpiece it would have really added a lot to this look because it is a shoulders up look and we do look to see all of that.It was a nice makeup but felt very one note over all. Better look in the main!

[rahrahkaz]

How was Halloween?

“How was Halloween?” My response, “Hard.” Just when you least expect it, Duchenne hits you in the face. My kids have had their Halloween costumes for a month and been wearing them almost every day.  They chose costumes from their favorite cartoon, PJ Masks. Caleb was Owlette and Dunky was Catboy.  They have been so excited for October 31st to come, but then it came. It was different than what I expected, and I think different than what they expected or remembered from previous years.

Our neighborhood is the best.  We are surrounded by wonderful neighbors that we love dearly that happen to have kids all between the ages of 2 and 5. It’s cold this night in Minnesota, but that won’t stop us. We all meet in our front yards to take on Halloween and collect candy until they can’t anymore. They first collect special Halloween gifts from the neighbor kids and then move on to the rest of the ‘hood. The first few houses are okay, but then Caleb and Dunky quickly realize that they can’t keep up. “It’s not fair mommy, they are so fast. I’ll never be able to get as much as they get.”  

My eyes swell with tears, but I hold them back and remind them that I’m with them, will not leave them and we will have fun no matter what. There is no fault or blame, these other kids have been dreaming about this same night running from house to house to collect as much candy as possible. I would expect nothing less, no different than what I did as a kid.

We visit a few houses and it’s going okay.  But it deteriorates quickly. It goes something like this:

1)    Caleb starts getting frustrated that he can’t see the candy well enough to pick what he wants through his Owlette mask.

2)    They both start to complain that they can’t pick up the candy with their PJ Masks gloves on, but refuse to take them off because without the gloves no one will know who they are.

3)    Owlette and Catboy start getting cold. They aren’t running like many of the other kids to keep them warm.

4)    The cold starts to stiffen their muscles and the whining starts.

5)    Mom swoops in with the double stroller to help save the day.  No need for those kiddos to walk! We WILL still get more candy, I can promise you that Owlette and Catboy!

6)    Every front door we encounter thereafter brings me closer to a complete meltdown.

You see the double stroller is practically part of our family.  We use it often, maybe even more than we use our cars. Our boys are compact, so they fit in this double jogger just perfectly, even at ages 4 and 6. It’s an apparatus we bring with us everywhere we go. Not because the boys can’t walk, but because if they don’t have another option, they could push themselves too far.  And with Duchenne, a progressive neuromuscular disease, pushing too far can be damaging to the bit of muscle that still remains.

But on Halloween, this double stroller being with us meant something different.  It meant Caleb and Dunky were sitting in the stroller, at the bottom of the stairs of the front doors, while I climbed the stairs to ring the doorbell and say “Trick or Treat” on behalf of my boys. And upon the homeowner answering I found myself saying “My boys have a muscle disease and they can’t climb the stairs, can I take your bowl of candy and bring it to them to pick a piece?”  It looked like this

But do you know how many times you can repeat that phrase before having a meltdown?  I know now and it isn’t many. Three, maybe four.

So the boys and I agree that it’s time to head home. They are freezing and I’m about to burst into tears. All the sudden that stroller is to thank, we get home swiftly. Dan greets us at the door with a smile. It’s that smile that kept me from bursting into tears. The boys are so happy to see daddy and show him all their candy. I continue to survey the room. Caleb and Dunky’s faces are lit with joy and their daddy is happy to embrace them bring them warmth, like only daddy’ can do. I smile and excuse myself to the fire outside at the neighbor’s house that is keeping the adults warm. We warm ourselves with the fire, cocktails and good conversation while Dan puts Owlette and Catboy to bed.

It feels like I’m torn inside out by Duchenne when I least expect it.  I did not expect Halloween to be a time that would remind me of the beast that Duchenne is.  It’s times like these that test my faith, test my perseverance, test my strength. I will not let Duchenne win. I come out stronger and pushing harder and faster for a cure so that one day they may be able to hand out Halloween candy to kids at their own front door.

Thank you to my husband, my kids and my beloved neighbors that lifted me up on Halloween night. It truly takes a village.

[caseymidkiff]

“I Am From” Poetry

Our 5th-7th grade students wrote poems modeled after George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From”. The poems turned out simply beautiful, full of striking imagery and fine detail. Some students would like to share their writing with you...

Where I am From 

by Kai

I am from pine trees that are so very tall

From youtube and video games

I am from the L-shaped house with greenish siding

Linoleum floors with hardwoods underneath

Huge backyard and high-voltage powerlines

I am from celebrating the winter solstice

And Thanksgiving at my grandparents’

From Mom and Dad and Niko, Nana and Grandpa

I’m from homeschooling

From North Carolina, Asia, and Europe,

Tacos filled with ground turkey and guacamole

From my Big Daddy’s house where he collected toys that I could not play with

The trip to Oregon and up to Washington

The digital files on the computer that hold all of our memories.

Where I Am From 

by Samantha

I am from my siblings,

 my mom, and my dad.

I am from my stuffed animals,

The ones I have amassed among the years.

I am from trees,

The chocolate tree that fell.

I am from a blueberry bush,

The berries we never ate.

I am from road trips,

To Boston and back.

I am from my dad’s cooking,

Turkey -beef tacos and fish.

I am from California

Until we moved when I was 3.

I from the bright red back porch,

Where we could climb under,

 until we got scared of snakes.

I am my bright red hair,

That skipped a generation.

I am my name,

After relatives that died long ago.

I am from the jungle,

A short patch of trees and bushes in the front yard.

I am from Judaism,

From a Sunday school I have just begun.

I am from a house of bricks,

Tennis balls banging on it day and night.

I am from video games,

A different virtual world.

I am from books,

Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, graphic novels.

I am from tv shows,

Preschool shows I had to watch.

I am from my daydreams,

Fairies, magic and mermaids.

I am from art,

Doodles said to help me concentrate.

I am from homeschooling,

Co-ops that didn’t work out.

I am from my friends,

Here and far.

I am from my family, 

My mom and dad, 

my sisters and brother.

This is where I am from.

Where I am From

by Shane

I am from TV

From Legos and Minecraft

I am from the white brick cube 

With many decorations inside

I am from crepe myrtles in the front lawn

And the pretty pink flowers that grow on them

I’m from Christmas and madness

From my brother Thomas and my Dad

I’m from comedy movies my family and I watch and amusing board games we play

From “be kind” and “use words not actions”

I’m from Cristianity, God and Christ

I’m from New York and Cuba

Potato chips and salad

From the time my dog got lost and everyone was searching

The iced tea my mom always drinks 

And the pictures on her phone

From the great memories stored in the garage, the hockey net, my dogs, and the pool 

My Life

My house is a brick box

Surrounded by trees, bushes, and flowers

Basically a forest

Warm fire on the holidays

Crackling 

Logs turning to ash slowly

A loving dog, a bloodhound

Sophie was super sweet

Lying beside me when I was sick

The winter solstice

Gathering family

Turning pages of the solstice story

-Béla

by Allison

I am from an apple tree

A two story wooden  brick home 

Fun, cute, awesome 

I am from the daisy’s beautiful white petals 

I am from snowboarding and kidneys 

From dad and mom  

Watching Simpsons and hiking 

I am from sushi night 

And from scrap books filled with family photos. 

by Odin

I am from the creaky dresser drawer that never fit right

From hair goop and basketball shorts

I am from clover and clay

Comforting beneath my bare feet

From the turkey at Thanksgiving

And cookies at Christmas

I am from Great Grandpa Jerry

Who died at 98

And Old Papa Mike

Whose napping superb

I am from the booming of thunder and the 

Flickering of lightning

From sunshine and pool time 

And gorgeous moonlighting

I am from the excitement 

That comes with a long forest run 

From shade and shadow 

In which I hid from many a-wandering sorrow

by Aiden 

I Am From .... (this stuff)

I am from the paint that never dries on our front porch wall,

From crepe myrtles, which are literally everywhere, along with Legos,

I am from the large bricks that cover the front of our house, 

The stories that I wrote and Calvin and Hobbes, 

From Harry Potter,

From the yellow blossoms that never grew until we moved the sandbox, 

I am from the sky, which is blue in case you didn’t know,

From the board game closet that’s always overflowing, 

I am from Christmas and birthdays, 

From my mother and father, from my younger sister,

From “mm hm” and “Hm mm”

From the hospital (where most people are born)

From everything i just said

by Sophie

I am from the whitewashed brick, the cool tile floor,

 I am from the city apartment only a few blocks away from the Pentagon

 with loud street noise and the first snowflake I had ever seen, 

I am from a townhome,

 I am from the living room littered with a wheelchair, fracture boot, scooter, and crutches,

 I am from the old brick box,

 the green landline, 

and icebox,

 the old decrepit shiplap that even Chip and Joanna couldn't resurrect,

The smoke-stained walls,

 the door that leads to nothing, 

the renovation after renovation 

I am from the hibiscus as much the pine,

 whose sweet nectar I would drink, and who’s needles I would braid

I'm from Richard and the Bretons

From Astrid and the Laurenceaus,

 I'm from the road trips to Miami and beech mountain.

 From “wap kraze kay-la-non”

 I'm from Miami and Haiti

creole shrimp, and banana pezé  

From the fall and Mom’s broken foot that changed our lives forever 

The hurricane that left them without power for a year. 

I am from those cringy facebook pictures,

everything from the embarrassing photos of coke bottle glasses and train track teeth,

 to the cute baby photos and funny pics.

 I am from the photos that tell us about our history and the importance of family.

The I Am Poem

Divyansh 

I am from the pencil lead & the leftover eraser dust.

From the Cheerios and the Newest Apple Phones.

I am from the papers downstairs: written on and valued, usually scattered on my desk.

I am from the water that is fluid and fresh.

I’m from Diwali, the festival of lights and celebration, the adventurous firecrackers we burst I always remember.

From my beloved mom (Vinita) & my amazing dad (Jagat).

I’m from the Math & the Art.

From the saying “Don’t get too attached to anything, but your soul, because that is the only thing that will carry on with you”

I’m from India’s Gulab Jamun and Pani Puri.

From the hair of my dad, thick and black. 

The hands of my mom all colorful after making a painting.

Downstairs in the basement, there was a folder packed with my family river rafting and more.

Forgotten until needed. 

by Victor

I am from Hong Kong

I am from the hammer in Donkey Kong

I am from the ghosts in Pac-Man

I am from the Made In China symbol

I am from the burritos at Chipotle

I am from the chicken sandwiches at Popeyes

I am from the default skin in Fortnite

I am from Lifeline in Apex Legends

I am from Steve in Minecraft

I am from the chicken minis at Chick-Fil-A

I am from the amazing name Victor

I am from the shoes at the store

I Am From

By Julie 

I am from “No passion, no life,”

From, “What really is your dream?”

I am from slipping off a rock and falling into Lake Eno,

And the smoke-filled streets of Putuo, Shanghai.

From falling asleep to 11-inch music posters, which I long to own,

The loud, yet satisfying, loud Sunday family dinners,

And the money-filled red pockets of Lunar New Year.

Yet along with fulfilling my dreams of piano and swimming,

I am also from self-doubt and pretending to be okay.

From an endless amount of classes,

And long nights of, “Will I be able to make it?”

“Will I ever be good enough?”

And, “What will happen if I don’t?”

I am from oversized T-shirts, and conservative leggings,

But most importantly, from the essence of friends, family, and hope.

Where I am from

by Esha

I am from inflatable yoga balls

From Ticonderoga and Under Armour

I am from dozens of marigolds 

Bright, glossy, the color of a yellow school bus.

I am from the brick steps that lead up to the porch

Tall, rusty filled with dozens of ants

I am from the blue and green courts, filled with intersecting lines

From the tennis ball poster perched awkwardly on my door

I am from spicy taco shells

From four square and freeze tag

I am from “Hurry up!” and “It’s a big a deal you know!”

I am from the large squeaky doors, that always took a while to shut

From oversized T-shirts and comfy sneakers

And from the awkward karaoke I sang in the shower,

Which I thought no one could hear.