#didn't even register until i got out of the water and the adults were like Oh Shit

[mountmortar]

i need to share this because i think it's unironically the funniest fucking shit i've thought about all week. i genuinely and truly love that almost everyone seems to be unanimously agreeing that i would be a mermaid on that one poll because for one i love that for me. i love the idea of being a mermaid and just hanging out in the ocean for the rest of my life. 1000/10 i love that those are the vibes that i give off. but also what makes it absolutely hysterically hilarious to me is that when i was a kid i had this insanely monstrous crippling sleep-paralysis-demon-inducing fear of realistic mermaids. not like disney princess ones think like some amalgamation of a human and a shark and other sea creatures. teeth & claws & the whole shebang. and looking back on it now it IS hysterical because for MONTHS when i was trying to sleep the shredded remnants of logic in my poor tired child brain would be like "we are on LAND we live in the MOUNTAINS it's FINE" and the rest of me would be in such a state of pure animalistic terror that i would just lock my line of sight directly on my alarm clock and watch the minutes tick away for eight hours straight until it was 6am and it was reasonable for me to be awake and moving around the house. the only time i slept was when i passed out from sheer exhaustion. i've never once been afraid of swimming or the ocean in general in my life btw i don't know what the fuck was happening in my child brain back then

[rising-volteccers]

So, I've been interested in participating in Sicktember 2023 seeing that my favorite scene or trope to write are sickfics. I know I won't be able to do all the prompts but figured I'll still give it a go with the ones that I like! Have this small piece based on the prompt [Hopelessly Bad at Self Care]

Series: Pokemon Horizons

Characters: Friede

--

Friede typically set a flight path whenever they were to travel long distances. It made things easier whenever they entered the airspace of a new region, seeing that he often had to contact the appropriate entities before the Brave Asagi's arrival. Last thing he wanted was for them to get into legal trouble or get his license revoked. Now that could put a major setback in their travels.

He also tried to check the weather but he knew that the forecast wasn't always accurate and storms could hit out of nowhere. Whenever they hit a spot of awful weather, everyone had a role to play in it. His was to steer the ship as steadily as he could until they breached into calmer waters. 

It was often a stressful, tiring time for everyone. Depending on how long the storm went on for, they could be up for hours late into the night–or day, seeing that time zones too complicated matters. Friede tried to keep the tasks solely for the adults; the children didn't need bother themselves in pulling all nighters after all.

Even then, he often took up more night shifts than the rest. His justification was that everyone else needed some manner of restful sleep for the continued smooth operations on the ship. Orla already had her hands busy with the engine room and whatever repairs they needed to do after. Murdock kept everyone's morals up with his meals while Mollie kept the Pokemon calm, as well as check up on everyone seeing how stressful it could get. 

All of them had important roles to play while he was simply to steer the ship. Friede preferred that his crew get better rest than him. Besides, he could sleep just about anywhere. His neck might protest from dozing at the Captain's chair but he still got some sleep. It was fine–until he pulled back to back all nighters, contending with drops of temperature when he had to navigate the ship through another storm in the middle of the night.

Friede didn't register it at first. Exhaustion clung to him like a second layer of skin, and he found it harder to get up from his uncomfortable doze at the chair. Murdock was kind enough to leave some food out seeing that he kept missing breakfast time, if he could be bothered to eat anyways. Being tired often killed his appetite. 

A headache formed in the morning that slowly grew into a consistent pound, like Tinkatons were hammering away with those giant hammers of theirs. Somehow, Friede had managed to avoid all manner of interaction by virtue of hiding out either in the Captain's deck or in his room whenever he needed to change into a fresh set of clothes. 

Oh, he'd been on the end of Mollie's scrutiny, of Orla's stare and Murdock's gaze. Friede easily assured him that he was fine, and kept it up long enough until he no longer felt eyes drilling holes at the back of his head.

Really, they had nothing to worry about. Friede had stuff handled! When they were closer to their destination and away from the storm clouds, he'd allow himself to properly rest. He took care of himself just fine by eating (whenever he had the appetite for it) and sleeping (rather fitfully at the chair). He changed into fresh clothes (with an extra layer since he felt rather chilled) and kept up with his personal hygiene (the bare minimum anyway). 

But the headache persisted, and it felt like he got hit by a Blizzard on a perfectly sunny day. His stomach felt both emptied and full, vaguely nauseous even. Trying to stay up proved to be a monumental task with each passing day. 

Then Friede simply had no energy to even get up from the Captain's chair. Cap had insisted that he rest at his bed for the past couple of days, and might have been crossed with him when he chose not to. 

He swore that someone was patting his cheek. Small and squishy and kind of felt like molasses. That was how his brain acted, or maybe it mimicked more or a pudding. Thinking was hard, as did opening his eyes. It'd be nice to fall asleep here but he had… stuff to do so he couldn't. He needed to get up but it was hard, so he sat there thinking about how hard it was to do anything through the syrup in his brain and–

Oh, those were new hands. Bigger and rougher but no less kind as they cradled his head. Something cool pressed itself against his forehead, eliciting a soft sigh through dry lips. Words were spoken, maybe addressed to him but he just didn't have it in him to respond.

Friede did catch the word rest when he made some kind of noise about being moved–he was kinda sitting and then not? It felt like he was floating on air now. Still, as much as he didn't want to, the voice sounded trustworthy. 

The voice said he could rest so he did. Friede remained out of it as Mollie checked him over. Through the times Orla changed the damp cloth over his fevered forehead. When Murdock came in and spoon fed him soup because that was the only thing he could stomach without getting sick. 

Turns out he didn't have things handled, and he wasn't taking the best care of himself. Even if he was going to get an earful whenever he was lucid enough to understand it, his crew was there to take care of their foolish, selfless captain.

[we-be-writing-bts-stuff]

Thank you so much for requesting this love. I absolutely loved writing this. It morphed into an office au, co-worker au, and a dash of unrequited love. I'm a sucker for only one bed and enemies to lovers. I hope you enjoy!

~Bagel

Pairing: Namjoon x reader

Word count: 1011

“What the actual hell?” You say as you walk into the hotel room. “There’s supposed to be two beds.” You continue to complain as the single queen sized bed sits in the middle of the room. You were on a business trip with your least favorite co-worker and while you knew that the company would cheap out and only get one room, you never thought they would only get one bed as well.

“It was probably a mistake on the hotel’s end. There’s no way that the company would purposefully make us share a bed.” Namjoon says. He looked about as tired as you felt. 

"Nuh-uh. I'm going to talk to the front desk. There has to be a way to fix this." You say. Turning to leave the room before a hand wraps around your wrist to stop you.

"Stop being a hot head and get in the bed. It's 1 am and we've been traveling all day." Namjoon says. Looking over at you. "If it bothers you that bad, I can sleep in the chair or something." 

"You're not sleeping in the chair. You'll fuck up your back and then the presentation tomorrow is gonna suck. And then my ass is on the line if shit hits the fan." You quickly respond. "I can sleep in the chair I guess."

"Or we can be adults and just sleep in the bed on opposite sides. We're here for one night and I promise that I'm not going to do anything. We just need some sleep and get to the meeting tomorrow." He says. As much as you didn't want to do this, he had a point. You were both adults and you had no reason to think he would try something during the night. You were both exhausted from traveling and while he got on your nerves and questioned every little thing you did in the office, he was nothing but a gentleman in every other aspect.

"Fine. Fine, we can share the bed. I'm taking the side closest to the window." You tell him. Walking over and depositing your bag on your claimed part of the bed. 

You make quick work of hanging up your clothes that were necessary for the meeting and gathering your things for your nighttime routine. 

Besides a few snippy comments from both parties, you both got through your routines and ended up in the bed. This was when you began to question whether this was a good decision or not. Facing away from him and towards the window, you move even farther away until you are barely on the bed. 

A groan from behind you making you freeze. “Stop moving and try to sleep.” Namjoon hisses. 

“Sorry.” You whisper out. Finally closing your eyes and forcing yourself to relax.

-----

The sun hitting your eyes is the first thing you notice as you start to wake. The next is the comforting warmth draped against your back and the weight of an arm over your waist. In your half asleep state, you turn towards the warmth. Your face hides in it and you feel sleep start to tug at your consciousness again. Hands reaching out to grab whatever was making you feel so good. You find purchase on some fabric and hear a soft groan. The arm tightening around you and your legs tangling with others. 

Hearing the alarm is when your mind fully begins to wake. Your eyes slowly open and the first thing you see is a gray shirt. It's soft under your fingers and the chest underneath is firm and toned from what you can feel. A grunt pulls you from your reverie and your gaze moves up to the face of the person you were cuddling with. 

It's like a bucket of ice water was thrown on you when you register the face of your bed partner. You let out a squeak and push hard against Namjoon. Nearly pushing the man off the bed in your rush to get away from him. Scrambling to the other side of the bed.

“What the hell?!” Namjoon growls out. His voice deep and rough from sleep. His hand reaching over for the alarm that started to turn it off. “What was that for?” 

“You, me. Cuddling.” You start to babble off random words that were popping into your head as you gesture wildly between the two of you. Namjoon only looking more confused from your explanation.

“Take a deep breath and relax.” He says. Interrupting your rambling and rubbing at his face. “Once you can speak in full sentences, explain what happened.” 

You roll your eyes at his tone but follow what he said. Taking those calming breaths and think about what you wanted to say. If you even want to tell him still at this point. You shake your head and roll your eyes once you calm down. 

“Nah. I don’t think I want to anymore.” You tell him. Pushing off the covers to get up and start your day. Rushing to get to the bathroom and shower before he can.

“You’re insufferable.” He mutters. Just loud enough for you to hear him before you close the door behind you. Blush dusting your cheeks as you think of cuddling with the man just in the other room.

While he would never tell you, he was awake far before you were and knew what was happening. Seeing you so content in his arms and sleeping so soundly pulled at his heartstrings. It felt natural, almost right, to have you so close to him. His heart was still pounding in his chest, those feelings he pushed down for so long resurfacing with wild abandon. 

“Get it together Namjoon. You have a long day ahead.” He softly says once he could hear the water running. Getting out of the bed to get his clothing together for after his shower once you were done. The two of you chose to ignore what happened for the rest of the day even though you both couldn’t think of anything else.

[theautismgoblin]

Golden Acrobat in a Different Form a Different Time

Chapter 2

Mystery Shack

I wandered throughout the rest of the forest. I didn’t quite know where I was heading as of now, I had only seen this place on a screen before, so it was like wandering through the Backrooms, kinda, where I knew the place, but couldn’t figure out from where..Though in this case, I did know where but that’s besides the point. 

I’M IN GRAVITY FUCKING FALLS!!!

A show I’ve been watching since I was what, like 8 years old, granted I am a full-fledged adult now, but WHATEVER! As I walked the path I randomly chose, still dancing down the path, a stim I had developed throughout my younger years. I finally saw the main event, The Mystery Shack, I don’t know when I landed into the timeline. I'm hoping that this is before Weirdmaggedon and maybe the start of the summer. FOR I WANT TO JOIN IN WITH THE MYSTERY TWINS AND NO ONE CAN STOP ME!

But I couldn’t exactly tell when I hopped in the timeline, and until I hook my phone to a Wi-Fi signal of this world I won’t know either. So I ran toward the attraction, and immediately saw something that caught my attention, a Hiring flier, PERFECT!!

I breathed in and out for a few seconds, because my anxiety had chosen this moment to flare. But I really wanted to do this, so bracing themself, I opened the door. 

And immediately saw a red-haired girl lounging back at the cash register with a magazine. I never understood why people liked those things but whatever. 

“Umm, hi.. I'm here bout’ that flier outside,” Wendy seemed to jolt a bit, but quickly regained her cool. “Oh crud, which one you talking bout’. The boss puts up so many.. Most are just ‘advertising’.” I chuckled a bit at that, especially Wendy's eye-roll. 

“The Help Wanted one, I'm here to ask bout’ the job!” 

“Oh, wait just give me a sec,” and she stood and just yelled out, “HEY STAN SOMEONE'S HERE!” And plopped back in the chair and went back to reading her magazine. 

“Pfffff,” I had to hold in my giggles. As I heard a loud, “WHAT!”.. I might mentally call him Grunkle Stan though, just don't do it out loud, ALEX! 

I heard a ruckus as Stan came through the door, looking kinda mad. “WENDY! I thought I told you no customers while I'm busy!” I just stood there awkwardly and raised their hand, “Umm. Not a customer, I saw the flier.. The Help Wanted one.”

Stan stared for a sec, “WELL IN THAT CASE, WELCOME TO THE SHACK KID..You take food as payment right?” he said while pointing to me, and I had to hold in my laughter.. “Sir, I’d do anything for food.” I said with the most serious face possible. 

“HIRED!” And like that I now worked at the Shack. 

During that day, I mostly took after Wendy’s slack. I even convinced some folks to buy some random merchandise, and I of course got paid in food. It was mostly snack food, but I was okay with that! And then the end of the day came, I said by to Wendy and Stan and head out the door. I made it look like I was walking to town, but then veered back into the forest where I didn't think anyone saw me.

The forest again seemed.. not quite cold, but curious. There were still critters staring at me, I swear I keep seeing those gnomes too, which could very well be a problem for me, since I do look like a girl..

BUT WHATEVER, I'm gonna make the best camp ever!!!!

I pumped my fists up at my thoughts trotting through the forest. And then I found it the literal perfect spot. Something straight outta "Alice and Wonderland" honestly, well kinda.

Underneath the roots of a large birch tree in the deeper parts of the forest, you know that scene in "Alice and Wonderland," where Alice falls into the rabbit's hole, it's the same exact thing.

I found a small lush cave, covered in gemstones and moss. small holes in the cave’s ceiling allowed for light to stream in, yellow and green light coated the inside of the cave. The gems all shined with the sun's rays, adding in even more lights. Hell there was a little stream of to the back of the cave, the water was crystal clear from what I could see. The ceiling was just above my head by a couple inches. Luckily I'm short at about 5'2, so I don't need to crouch, at the ends of the cave is a bit different though, the ceiling starts to slope downward there.

I chose to set up camp here, I pulled out my phone and pulled up the menu, the tab on the screen saying Dimensional Box. The whole menu filled with names, ranging from different food stuffs down to camping gear. I went ahead and tapped all the camping supplies, and some food. The phone glowed brighter as the items surged out of the phone’s screen. 

“Hehehe, still fun!” I said to no one, Alphys made sure my phone could store literally anything as long as it was smaller than my body. 

And so I set up camp, setting up low-glow string lights, the same ones I used at home. My stuffed tiger, Tigey, was put on top of the sleeping bag. They come with me everywhere. I also pulled out the solar charger and magic battery, that one was for my laptop I bought. I also went ahead and pulled out my regular backpack, which was filled with food sketchbooks and regular books.

I spent the rest of my day organizing everything within the small space and pulling out stuff. Into the hours of dusk, which made the cave look even more gorgeous for those couple of minutes.... 

"Huh, I wonder.." No one's watching me .... So no one would know, I smiled. And pulled my hand out, remembering Toriel and Grillby's lessons, don't think too hard. Don't get way too excited. And just think of a nice fireplace, the fire contained but still helping to warm any nearby people.

I breathed in and out, then spun my hand around, activating my flames ... I was right it was even more gorgeous in the colors of dusk.. The two shades mingled and fused together as if one. The cave bathed in even more lights. I just stared.. I had forgotten why I came here... 

I'd find them, eventually. but I could have fun for a while longer. 

And now the cave was no longer a cave, but a home away from home. 

Chapter 1

Next Chapter

[pbandjesse]

I feel exhausted. Today was a good day but I was not my best self at all. I wish I could fall asleep. I have been struggling so hard to fall asleep. It sucks. I really hope I can do it easier tonight because I have a long day tomorrow.

But even with being so tired I had a good day. I woke up briefly when James was leaving for their appointment. And would come home and would wake me up for real before they left with Gabe, who is in town this week, and they went for a bike ride to Annapolis.

It was really windy out today. Colder then I expected it to be. I didn't get out of bed until almost 10. Which we all know I hate. I want to be up and doing stuff. But I was so tired.

Once I did get up I made the bed and went and got dressed and things were done. I had breakfast. I watched videos. I just wanted to lay on the couch and do nothing. I did not want to go to my awah class. I did not want to go to my meeting. I was just very upset that I was so tired.

But I tried my best to shake it off. I got myself together. I did my makeup and felt cute. I would feel alright enough. I brought a cup with a straw to encourage myself to drink water. But would forget it in the car like a dumby.

I left for the hospital a little at noon. And it was a quick enough drive over there but people driving behind me were making me nervous. I idea what their problem was but I felt like they were annoyed with me not going super fast. But I know there are speed cameras on that road.

I lucked out though and got free street parking. And I was early but I figured that was fine. I actually had to go back to the car twice. Because I forgot my apron. And then wanted my sunglasses. And then I still forgot my water. Ugh.

I went up to the floor where I thought the classroom was but couldn't find it. So I went back downstairs to wait for Julie, the other teacher, and thankfully she had all the materials so she was very easy to spot.

I introduced myself and helped her carry stuff upstairs. And we found the class in the second try. Excellent.

We got set up pretty fast. And things were great. The project was decoupaged boxes and affirmations. And soon students started coming. They were all adults, but one young woman brought her baby and toddler. The toddler would draw and watch videos. But the baby, Bailey, was in the move! She was so stinking cute. Didn't cry the entire two hours. She was giggly and fun. I got to hold her and play with her once everyone was doing their art. I would carry bailey around and show her everyone's art and made her laugh which was great.

I also made my own box. Because I like to do the art with the class if I can. Feels weird to just stand there when they don't need me. But they were all so nice. And Julie is a very good facilitator.

I didn't realize this was an hour and a half class. Which honestly is better. And our clean up didn't take long. Some because I organized everything and tidied as we went. I washed all the brushes and we cleaned the tables and said goodbye to everyone!

And then it was a hop skip and a jump over to Hamden. I had to get to my meeting with Craig at the craft castle. I hate parking on the avenue but I found side street parking and got there just before 3.

And Craig was so lovely. The space was super nice. And he was so welcoming. We talked for about an hour. About what I do. His goals and aspirations for his space. And like even if it never leads to anything it was so nice talking to someone who has such similar values and wants to build community and encourage making.

I was starting to talk about James when I saw them walk by the door!! So I would say good bye and go and catch my husband.

We walked back to the car together and then drove to the grocery store.

We got all caught up on each other's days. And got some groceries. We didn't need a lot. Some staples. Some snacks. Paper products. James panicked at the register and felt rushed for no reason. I couldnt reach everything in the cart. It was all fine but James was stressing.

Soon we would head home. And I was really tired. And I would basically spend the rest of the evening resting. I painted my nails. James made us some food. And eventually they would go do this podcast and I would get in bed and just was. A little potato. I was just really exhausted. I didn't want to sleep because I want to sleep better tonight. So I forced myself to stay up.

Eventually James came and laid with me. We had cereal. Sweetp was here. And then I took a shower and washed my hair. I feel better right now. But man am I sleepy. I really hope I can sleep great and feel great tomorrow.

Tomorrow I have a long day at the museum. And then I have to run over to target. I hope it's fun. I think it'll be fun. I hope you all have a great night tonight. Sleep good. Be safe!

[casspurrjoybell-30]

Howling Love - Chapter 22

*Warning Adult Content*

Amille Laurent

I don't remember much after I passed out, probably from the blood loss, the pain and exhaustion.

I really needed to get back to training, if Alpha Lincoln was there he would've beaten me half to death for making a mess of killing that rogue.

It made me chuckle in my own inner thoughts, yet as the darkness subsided.

I knew I wasn't dead, I was very much alive, warm, comfortable with the sting of too much lemon and lavender sanitizer in my nose but above all, a large hand held my own, it was familiar, it was home.

My eyes fluttered open, the sting of too much light causing me to flinch and close them again until I could flutter them open readjusted to the light.

Machines beeping, slow steady breathing and my own heartbeat hammering away in my chest brought me calm as my eyes found Camryn.

He looked tired, pale and I'm sure it was because he was worried about, having had the feeling back in my body.

I squeezed his hand and he roused awake with a slight gasp.

"Amille, you're awake," he mumbled in relief as his eyes found mine and he cried, enveloped me in his arms and cried and so did I.

I had thought I'd lost him too, before our happy ever after even began.

"I'm so sorry, I should've been looking, I shouldn't have looked away, I should've protected you, forgive me Amille," he begged as tears fell down his cheeks.

I couldn't say anything but I quickly moved to wipe away his tears, when the rogues attacked, he took on the bulk of them alone, he had gone through more than I did and in the end I may have fought a nasty piece of rogue wolf but he had protected me.

He had kept me safe, so I did the one thing to assure him that I did forgive but there was nothing to forgive.

I kissed him, it was slow, until it wasn't when we both registered what was happening and so we kissed, passionately, a reassurance that didn't need words, tenderly until we had to break apart for air.

So he grabbed the jug of water, poured some for me and I drank but my thirst was already quenched by that kiss.

I may have been waking up with a level head but my world was spinning, that kiss, I would always remember.

[You protected me much more than you think, there is nothing to forgive, I'm only sorry that I worried you, so don't beg me to forgive you Camryn, there is nothing to forgive, you did nothing wrong, I'm here, we're here, alive and safe, thanks to you] I told him sincerely as he nodded with a goofy smile and made a move to hug me again.

"I'm so happy you're awake, we've all been worried, your aunt actually drugged your dad so he could rest," he informed me with a snort and that made me realize a lot if things.

I passed out whilst we were hours away from Bridgeton, how was I back, how was my dad okay, how was I even here, what had happened.

"Calm down duck-face. I'll explain everything, or he will," Camryn calmed me instantly as the door to my room swung open and the one person I hadn't expected to see walked through, behind him, all of my family.

"Finally woke your ass up, huh," Carter Defray Lynn stated with a chuckle as my jaw dropped, he was here, how was he here.

"Hello my love," Dad whispered as both he and Carter hugged me and I couldn't help cry, one of my favourite people in the world and my father were hugging me, they were here for me, it felt like a dream yet it wasn't.

"Don't you ever do that to us again," Orlando chided sternly as after Carter and my dad separated from me, he, Teja, Max and Dean all crushed me in their hugs.

When they left my uncle got me all to himself and placed kisses all over me.

"My favourite nephew, you're alright, why would you give me a heart attack."

Dramatic as ever, my aunt was last to hug me then my uncle all over again making everyone chuckle.

"Alright everyone, lets give him some space, I'll give him a quick check up then we can all fill him in on the week he's been unconscious," Carter asserted and everyone listened, well except my mate who Carter just nodded to and did my check up.

"Your vitals seem good, your back and arm wounds are healing rather nicely, I placed that sab we made together, you won't even know there were claws marks there," he explained with a motherly chuckle, it was so warm and loving, that's who Carter was, everyone couldn't resist being around him and Goddess he was beautiful.

[So how long do I need to be in here?] I asked using sign language and he sighed with crooked smile.

"A week give or take. Your leg is healing great with the accelerant but if you had been mated. I wouldn't even be recommending these few days before you're discharged," he slyly replied making me blush as he winked toward my mate.

"Carter," Dad protested earning laughter from everyone and Camryn who just kissed my hand making me melt.

Moon Goddess... I had fallen in love with him.

"What? We all know its true, anyway two days in the hospital, then you can go home, in a cast, your leg should be fully healed in two weeks but you keep applying the accelerant, a week and half but I know you, you'd rather it just heal without," he added and he still knew me so well but with my need to get better, I might just take the accelerant maybe this one time.

So I nodded to his assessment and he clapped happily. 

"Now, everyone lets fill him in but first Camryn, tell your mate what happened, we'll wait outside," Dad exclaimed and I was grateful for the moment of peace before I was bombarded with everything.

"I'm so happy you're okay," Dad whispered, placing a kiss on my forehead then walked out closing the door behind him.

"I don't know where to begin, maybe after I grabbed you and put you in the car, all my first aid training came pouring back into my head, I used the bandages and our clothes to put pressure on your wounds, then reset your broken leg, used a lot of bandages and sticks to make a makeshift cast so it would stay in place, there was so much blood. I was terrified but then when I realized a lot of it wasn't your own. I breathed a sigh of relief but it wasn't enough, you had lost a good amount of blood. I drove back like a maniac. I'm pretty sure I caused more accidents," he chuckled sadly and I squeezed his hand to reassure him.

I was there and I was okay.

"I didn't know what to do, your dad needed help, you needed help, then I remembered you mentioned Carter before we left, so I took your phone, glad I knew the password," he paused, my password was actually his name.

"Searched through your contacts and found Carter's number, when it connected I was an hour away from Bridgeton, I told him everything that had happened and for sure he promised to come right then, two hours after I arrived he was also speeding to the hospital, he took control of the situation, the doctors here had you stabilized but you were fading in and out of consciousness. I had also failed to see that your should was dislocated, but it was an easy fix with Carter, he made the healing solution for you and your dad plus the accelerant, I had never seen any one whip up a healing drug that quickly but he did, and he saved both of you," Camryn concluded and I was at a loss for words.

I was grateful for Carter, healing me and dad wasn't all that grand but being able to drive from where we were to Bridgeton after having fought those rogues.

Camryn had been a true hero, to me and I'm sure dad felt the same.

So I pulled him in and kissed him all over again, my truest thank you.

[Thank you] I signed whilst wiping away my own tears, without him, without his quick thinking my dad wouldn't be awake or happy neither would it be the same for me.

"You're my mate Amille, I would go through any trial to make sure you're alright," he whispered back as a mutual understanding passed between us, one that needed no words.

He finally filled me in on the rest of the week which was uneventful as everyone was baiting their breaths as for when I would wake up.

I was glad to be awake, to have my father awake.

So with more than an hour of me and Camryn bonding, I patted the space next to me so he could rest.

I was here now, I was safe, he could rest easy.

"Hmm, good job making him sleep, he wouldn't move from your side, and we only succeeded once in getting him to fall asleep, he's extremely strong, and with maturity I'm sure he'll be a rival for even Alpha Savage Heathen," Carter stated as he walked in and I smiled, then looked at my mate.

I knew the first time I saw how monstrous his wolf was, he would be a great alpha.

"So how have you been, tell me everything, your calls are never enough and now I know why and what is up with alpha Summer, when I met him with your dad all I could feel was a literal explosion of love," he began just as dad walked in.

Carter was a gifted wolf, an empath, which made his sort of a rarity, so no wonder he could feel alpha Summer's love for my dad.

"We'll talk later. I know you got tea for me," he whispered with a wink my way and I chuckled.

"Up to your mischief already I see," Dad teased as Carter gasped feigning shock.

"Me, never," he argued as dad came over and sat on my side of the bed.

"I'm so proud of you, you risked everything for me," he exclaimed and I hugged him, I would always risk it all for him, he was my dad.

"You're grounded for the next month," he added.

'What?'

[zombielovescore]

I guess because it's late and I have been feeling a lot of emotions today, I'm in a ranting/rambling mood. I have also been drinking (a bit) and I have to take my cat in for dental surgery early tomorrow AND THAT IS ALSO STRESSING ME OUT because she is my child - but I am having thoughts about family.

Families are fucking messy. I don't know or understand why, but they are fucking messy stupid little things. And they shouldn't be, but they are.

I don't even know where I want to go with this post. I just have a lot of thoughts, but don't really know how to formulate any of them.

Like, you'd think a family would be a strong bond of unity between people of famial blood - and a lot of things tell you that it should be. Like, you hear that stupid addage of "blood is thicker than water" - nevermind that there is actually more to the quote, but that's not the point. Families are supposed to be a cohesive unit; they're supposed to work together, but does anyone actually have a family that isn't completely dysfunctional?

When I was growing up, I never knew anyone from my dad's side of the family. My dad left home when he was 18 and joined the army and married a Catholic girl that his parents didn't approve of - this was like the late '50s (for context: my father was much older than my mother - this woman was not my mother) and basically never really spoke to any of his siblings from that point on. My dad's parents died long before I was born. My dad had 3 daughters I had never met, and I only met 2 of them after my father had died. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will probably never meet the last one. I only met my dad's siblings after the only sibling of his I had contact with (again, after he died) died herself and I went to fucking Brantford, Ontario to go to her funeral. This is also where I met the second sister, as only one had come to Calgary for my dad's service.

So, in comparison, my mom's family seemed really fucking functional. I can't say I grew up with my cousins or my grandparents (my mom's side) because I did not. They all lived in the great lakes area of Ontario and we were in Alberta (also, I find it hilarious that both my parents are from Ontario but they both ended up in Calgary, of all places) but when I was young we would go out there every couple of summers and sometimes some of them would come visit us. Yadda, yadda. So I had my cousins, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, and it was great - we will ignore the fact that I had an uncle I didn't like for reasons I will not get into here, but let's just say he's part of the current family drama, so quelle suprise there.

And I guess when you are a kid, you don't notice the drama going on around you. Because, why would you? Going to Ontario to visit the family was the absolute best. You had your grandparents, your favourite aunt and uncle, you got to swim at the lakes in cottage country- it was fucking awesome.

Anyways, drama llama, fast forward years later, and you start to learn shit you didn't know. You now know things about people who you thought were absolute paragons of Great People. And this sounds omnious, like I'm leading up to a horrible family secret and I'm really not, but you learn that people, even your family, kind of suck.

None of this really came to light until I was in my mid-20s and my grandfather was dying. We had long since stopped "family summer vacation" because all us kids (my mom's kids) were adults and working and it just wasn't a thing anymore. So, whatever, my mom was there, I went there because at the time I was at a job that would actually let me have time off, one of my brothers was living in Ottawa at the time, so he was there. My grandfather died, we had the funeral, and then shit hit the fan.

So, my mother and her brother, were the POAs of financial and medical, respectively, for my grandparents. My mom's oldest sister was absolutely pissed she was not the POA of my grandfather's financials. My mother is a registered accountant, which is why her father chose her. Apparently, this rubbed my aunt the wrong way. Also, apparently, the reason the same said sister was not chosen as POA for health was because my grandfather thought that she would basically let my grandmother die. So, yes, my grandfather, my eldest aunt's very own father, did not chose her as POA for health because he thought she'd let her own mother die, because apparently (according to my mother) she didn't like her. I feel like that says a lot, but nevermind. So, when my grandfather died - my aunt was beyond pissed, and they (being the aunt, her husband- the one I don't like - and her daughter) tried to force their way into my grandparent's house (which my uncle was living in at the time, but owned by my mom) to look through his stuff. And later, this same aunt decided to get my other aunt into a pact where they decided they would not speak to my mom - this was over money. They were mad because apparently they thought my mom was hiding all the assets, completely disregarding the fact that everything went to my grandmother until she died (I am happy to report at this time, almost 7 years later, she is 94 years old and still going strong - if very addled with dementia. She may not know who anyone is, but god damn if that woman can't find a way to escape the locked dementia ward of a senior's home).

So, the short of that is two of my mother's sisters decide to simply stop speaking to her because of money issues that were not even hers to control, other than she had to act according to the will seeing as that's basically how wills work. This was exacerbated by aforementioned least favourite uncle (also said aunt's husband, which I think I mentioned) - who, I learned after the fact, was a complete asshole to my grandfather, and also who basically spent my grandfather's reception at the Legion in Trenton getting drunk with his friends instead of actually spending time with the grieving family - I didn't read too much into it at the time because I was, you know, grieving, as people do at funerals.

So, fast forward now and my mother and one of her sisters have since made up, because her husband had ALS and was actively dying - this is the uncle who is passing away in a few days. The eldest aunt my my mom are still not on speaking terms. But basically, fuck them. If she and TerribleUncle Whom I Have Never Liked want to continue to be assholes, I have suffered no loss.

Anyways, I have learned a lot about my aunt, who my mother is now speaking to, and my uncle who is currently dying in the last few years. These used to be my favourite aunt and uncle. My uncle, in particular, would always take us out on the lake in his boat and it was so awesome. We would go and collect lilypads and bring them back to shore. I absolutely loved this guy. And I still do, honestly, because it's hard to reconcile the people you knew them as with the people you learn that they are. But I learned that both of them actively emotionally abused their eldest daughter and would treat her like shit, while their youngest daughter could basically never do anything wrong. This is why she left home and basically never came back.

I never knew any of this until my mom told me, and I'm one of the only people who still keeps in contact with this cousin, and though she doesn't actively say anything about it, I've learned a lot from her responses and about how in the dark she was about her dad's diagnosis. Literally no one, not her mom, not her dad, not her sister was taking to her. And it took her dad, several years after receiving a terminal diagnosis, when he was actively in full decline, to finally reach out to her and tell her that he was dying. And even now, when he is literally receiving medical assistance to die in a day, he was the only one who bothered to reach out and tell her. Her mother, my aunt, didn't call her, her sister didn't call her. And like, that's a level of fucked up I can't even begin to comprehend. I don't particularly get along with my older brother, but I still fucking called him when my dad died.

And this post really got away from me and it is absolutely way too long and rambling, but I guess the basic gist of it is, is that even if you think your family isn't horrible and dysfunctional, it turns out that they kind of are???

And y'all, we haven't even gotten into the literal novel I could write about the dysfunction of my immediate family.

And I guess if anyone has actually read this and has a burning desire to know, the reason I dislike that particular uncle is because when I was a kid (like 4) he almost set me on fire (unintentional, probably), but also I have a very vivid memory of when I was like maybe 9 and we were at their house in Ajax and I was arguing with my brothers about something (I don't remember what), but I remember they were in the other room and I was sitting at a computer desk and I said something (probably some dumb kid thing), and this fucking man burst into the room and fucking slapped me, very hard, across the face until I cried (intentional, definitely). He did not do the same to my brothers, who were also saying some dumb stupid kid things. And that basically coloured every interaction I've had with him since and made me wonder if he slapped his own daughter that way. (Probably not, because she is an entitled princess). And basically, you don't slap your own child that way, let alone somebody else's.

[coffeehazard]

HELLO TUMBLR I AM NEW PERSON

Never have posted here before, but I wanted a place for all my work experiences, be it funny, stressed, terrible, or probably normal!

I hope you guys enjoy the first one: My getting started experience!

So back in 2021, I was finally 16, old enough for some simple low paying jobs for part-timers. I thought I was just going to work nights for a couple of hours after school, but that quickly changed after christmas. However, that will be a story for another time.

When I started my job search, I quickly ruled out 3 places, gas stations, mcdonalds, and seasonal hires. (Since I started at the beginning of a new school year, seasonals were out of the question.) So I applied at every restaurant in town, even one of our grocery stores. For a total of, I believe, 18 rejections. Taco Bell was our last place(I was also rejected from Mcdonalds but considered after I was hired for TB). Now Taco Bell had an amazing old man of a manager. He had some kids of his own, and our big boss(his boss) was also super nice and would buy us stuff for some holidays!

Now, at the time of job searching and hiring, I had no idea I had autism. I had been diagnosed early on with ADHD since our dad also has ADD and ADHD. Autism wasn't really on our radar since we didn't know of the varying kinds of Autism. I am a very functioning adult now, and we didn't know of the setbacks not knowing I was autistic was gonna cause.

Before we get too deep, I just wanna say if I repeat too much, it's because this is a loooong story, and I'm trying not to share too much. CARRY ON!

For Taco Bell, I had no resume, but I did have a slip of paper of one of my recommendations from a family friend. (And also other information I forgot about) I was mostly hired as a shot in the dark and turned out to be one of their best employee's. I had worked there for a little over a year before getting a new job for some different experience. Now, with TB I was talked through and shown how to do stuff multiple times to get it in my head so I was mostly independant as I could pick up a skill pretty fast(some I have kept with me all this time).

I was taught how to tie knots in bags with no drawstrings, with one hand. I was taught how to use the headsets in almost every drive through as well as how to use the registers. I also got some food experience that I still have, was never able to use. I was quickly made fun of by some other coworkers and shift leads for being "OCD" (Which I am not, I just like being somewhat organized so on days I don't feel like it I can feel better I did it another day). I was often yelled at for "not listening," which wasn't my fault it was either hard to hear because I can't block out background noise or they were talking too quietly or too loudly.

I had been written up for being "insubordinate" when I was explaining to a manager what a waste of time it would be to mop the floors within 10 minutes of me leaving for the night because I couldn't stay later. That same manager was the worst to me and would single me out and instead of giving me positive reinforcement(which is what I need to continue doing a good job) she would constantly say I need to be better, faster, if (someone who has been there longer than me and cheats around his job) can do it faster I can do it faster. I got so pressed for time that I spilled a whole mop bucket with dirty water across the floor and had to clean it up before someone slipped, so it took me 30 minutes of doing that.

My managers were constantly bickering over me and how I do my job, the store manager would be calling our "mother"(grandmom) to ask why I do something or why I can't do something. I went home crying half the year I worked there because I hated that one manager because she was so contradicting of herself, doing what she was trained to do and not what we were trained to do. Expected of us stuff we did not know about until halfway through the year of working there. I was so torn up about leaving that job early on but decided not to because of one manager. She did end up moving to another store because of her treatment towards who she worked with. Favorites and all.

Anyways that's all for now! Harley clockin' out!

[unlikelymilkshakedream]

Hey! I’m really enjoying your works and was wondering if you could do a poly DSG where the reader was SAed when they were younger and the memories of it are starting to come back in the form of nightmares and panic attacks. Like when the boys arnt home Y/N has a panic attack/ptsd memories and she tries to calm down but nothings working and she calls/the boys come home and she calms down. It’s totally fine if your uncomfortable with it I completely understand :) thank you so much♥️♥️

Okay, very sorry this took my so long to answer, idk why i didn't get the notification that i had an ask lol. But thank you so much for this request i love the idea and hope I did it justice!

I had been living with my boyfriends for about a year and half at this point. Everything was going great, we were all so in love with each other and I couldn't see life without them.

My boyfriends, Sapnap, Dream and George, were the best I could ever ask for. They were always comforting me when I needed it, always making me laugh and even trolling chat with my voice on their streams.

I truly believed my life was perfect, so perfect that I was happy enough to subdue my memories of my past. I hadn't grown up in the best family, even though from the outside it looked like I had. There was a lot that happens behind closed doors that doesn't see the light of day, either due to embarrassment, denial or fear.

That's why I left home and came to Florida. My family was not right for me, I felt like I was drowning, I felt like I couldn't breath in their presence. I needed to get out, so when I became an adult, that's exactly what I did. I ran, essentially for my life, down the east coast to the sandy beaches of Orlando.

That's where I met my boyfriends, well, technically I met Dream first, then he introduced me to his roommates and best friends, Sapnap and George. After a while we were all happy and there was way too much sexual tension between us, so we became one big couple.

My life in Florida was amazing and I didn't think there was anything that could mess it up. Until one night when I woke up in a cold sweat. The boys were still asleep so I slipped out of bed to the bathroom.

I knew I was shaken up about the dream I had just had. I didn't remember everything, but I remembered enough to tell me that it was a dream about my experience as a child, one I thought I burried deep within. I tried not to think of all the details and just forget about it. I splashed some water on my face to cool down and went back to bed. I didn't fall asleep for many hours however, not until George threw his arm over my shoulder and snuggled into my back.

After that dream, I didn't think I would have another one. It had been a couple of days and I thought it was just a one time thing, but then, I had a lucid dream.

I saw my eight year old self, walking with my dad in the park in Michigan, where I lived prior to Florida. It was just us that day, I dont remember why my family didn't go with us. We stopped and got ice cream and I played in the park all afternoon long. It was a great day, then we got in the car and my dad put me in the back seat.

I asked him if we were going home and he told me he wanted to show me something before we returned home. He drove us out to a huge bridge and told me to look out over the water. He looked happy but started saying somethings that I didn't register until I got older.

He started to tell me how much he loved me and how he would always protect me. I was looking at the water under the bridge, that's when I felt his strong hand grab me and touch me where I never thought I would be. The entire time he was telling me how I was and would always be his little girl.

As soon as I felt his hand, I froze and wanted to go home. I asked him to leave and he agreed. After that we left. We never went back to the bridge or to the park or even for ice cream. A couple weeks after the incident I asked him why he touched me and he told me it was our little secret. I asked him what he meant but he just ignored me and left. So I didn't ask again, I burried the memories and never touched the subject matter.

When I woke from this dream, I shot up in bed. I was the first one awake, soon followed Sapnap. When he saw me in my state, siting up in bed rubbing my head with sweat glistening my body, he was obviously concerned.

I quickly shook off his worries, stating that I was going to take a shower, which I didn't tell him would be cold as fuck in attempt to forget my dream. As I stepped under the spray of the water, I couldn't keep my mind off my dream.

I soon felt arms wrap around me and lips kiss at my neck. I smelt the aroma of Sapnap before I heard his deep morning voice that I lived for.

"Hey, y/n are you alright?" I bite the inside of my cheek as I smiled.

"Yeah, sorry, I didnt mean to wake you." I dryly laughed.

"Not at all baby, now it just means I get some time with you all to myself before doofuses 1 and 2 get in here." As if God meant it to be, as soon as he finishes his sentence, the shower curtain is pulled back revealing George and Dream standing there.

I couldn't hold back my laughter as I turned around to look at Sapnap. He was red in the face, but quickly moved over to allow them room to enter.

As the weeks went on, I would constantly have my memories in the back of my mind. It was like a cold sore that wouldn't go away, I thought I had gotten rid of it for good but I was wrong.

It unfortunately didn't go unnoticed amongst my boyfriends. I would see them giving me worried glances when they thought I couldn't see them, I knew they were concerned but part of me was so desperate to suppress my trauma, so I just brushed it off.

Everything seemed to be bubbling to the top, day by day, like boiling water in a pot, and eventually, as it always happens, that pot just overflows.

Tonight, I decided I was going to cook for my boyfriends. I need ingredients so I sent them to the store for the needed supplies while I prepped the meal, constantly texting George while they were gone, I assume because of their concern for me.

I was putting together everything I needed when I got a text from George saying they would be home in 10 minutes. I texted him back saying ok and we continued messing around via text until they were 3 minutes away.

At that point, tragedy struck. I had needed to put a pan on the stove and while doing so, I was texting George, so I wasn't paying much attention to the hot stove and accidently burnt my hand. I dropped my phone on the floor before I could finish my text and grasped my hand.

I felt shock fill my every being. I froze and didn't know what to do, before I knew it I was having a full on panic attack. I ran to my room, forgetting to turn the burner off or remove the pan from the stove. When I arrived at my room, I didn't realize I was having a panic attack until I sat down on my floor in the corner.

There I leaned on my burnt hand, getting a crisp stinging sensation throughout my body as I felt myself slipping into bad memories before I could stop them.

I remembered I was 11 years old at the time of this memory, it was the worst one I have. I was with my dad at the mall, simply walking down the isle looking at products. That's when I heard my dad come up behind me, I assumed he was just checking to make sure I didn't run away, but man did I want to after he found me.

He came up behind me and I felt a hand firmly grip my ass, giving it a squeeze, at the same time, I heard him say as if nothing had ever happened, "are you finding everything you want honey?"

I froze, I didn't know what to do and I was shocked. I looked at him and stuttered, "di-did y-you just-" he turned around to me and I've never been more scared.

"What was that?" He said in a sharp tone that told me not to repeat myself.

"Uh- I need to use the bathroom," I quickly ran to the bathroom, and as soon as I got through the doors, I felt tears streaming down my face. I stayed in that bathroom for what felt like years, having at the time what I didn't know was a panic attack. When I finally did come out of the bathroom later, my face was red and puffy, the only thing my dad did was yell at me for taking so long, saying he wanted to leave a long time ago. That was the last time I went anywhere with my dad alone.

I was in the corner of my room sobbing loudly, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I gasped loudly and looked up to see George through my tears, I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.

"Y/n, what happened? We were so worried when you stopped texting us." I felt even worse for making them worry about me.

"I- I'm so-sorry, I didnt mea-mean to," I was cut off by sobs racking through my body, George noticed this and held me to his chest.

"Shh, calm down, its alright. I'm right here, take your time, you don't have to explain anything." I heard other people come into the room and soon felt two more pairs of arms wrap around me.

As I sobbed George's shoulder, the boys just held me and rubbed comforting hands across my back. It wasn't until I calmed down, finally stopped sobbing and pulled back from George, that I heard a gasp.

"Oh my god, y/n, what happened to your hand?" It was Dream who spoke and his voice was laced with concern.

"I, I accidentally burned my hand on, on the stove, I, oh God I didn't turn it off," before I could start panicking again, Sapnap spoke.

"I turned it off, you don't need to worry, I also found your phone with an unsent text to george." I hadn't realized Dream left until he had a first aid kit in front of me and took my hand into his.

"Y/n, what happened to make you so distraught?" I froze, I felt tears come back to my eyes at my memory and flinched as Dream started putting cooling gel on my hand.

All three boys were staring at me intently. I bit my lip as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Before, I moved here, I had a rocky family history. I didn't have a good relationship with my dad and, um-" I trailed off as Dream started to wrap my hand.

"Its okay, y/n, you don't have to say anything else, just tell us when you're ready." I nodded and took a deep breath. I was terrified of them leaving me but my gut told me they wouldn't leave.

"My dad would, he wasn't a good dad. He had drinking problems and was always angry. My mom never did anything to stop him or help me, she thought it was more important to please him, my older brother learned to be like my dad because of this.

"This is why I ran from my home to here. I couldn't deal with my dad anymore. He would abuse me, mentally, physically, sexually-" at this Sapnap let out a gasp and I swear I wanted to die right on the spot. I stopped explaining and stared at him, I knew he didn't mean anything by it but it almost felt like betrayal. He wore a look of sorrow and regret, I knew he regretted gasping.

After sitting in silence for a while, Dream finally spoke up, "what do you mean- sexually?" I felt tears brim my eyes and quickly fall as I broke eye contact with Sapnap to look at the floor.

"He would touch me, and," I paused to bite my lip, "he would threaten me. He doesn't remember any of it because he was always drunk for the first 12 years of my life. When I got older and brought it up to him, he would say I was lying and I knew he didn't remember."

By the end of my explaining, I had tears everywhere and my hand trembled in Dreams, I heard George crying and looking up to see his red eyes.

"Y/n, i-im so sorry." He said as I reached my hand out to embrace him. He brought me into his chest and I let tears stream down my face as I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt myself being lifted up, opening my eyes, I saw dDream carrying me.

He brought me over to the bed and sat me down. Everyone quickly got in with me and I was surrounded by warmth, Dream and George were on my sides and Sapnap was holding george. Dream then spoke.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you y/n, I can't change the past but I can promise you none of use will ever hurt you like that, and we will always protect you from anything we can." I leaned into his chest at these words.

"I love you guys so much" I whispered.

"We love you too y/n," I smiled slightly as I felt myself drift off to sleep, surrounded my the warmth of my lovers.

A/n: sorry for another quick note, but i have heavy anxiety posting this mainly bc this is the most real trauma I've ever explained, I went through everything in this story so please be kind.

[spicycreativity]

Howl- Ch. 3

Chapter: 3/10

Add'l Notes: Fic is posted in full on my AO3, WizardGlick

Chapter content warnings: Depictions of alcohol use

“Nothing,” Remus pronounced. His breath ghosted over Virgil’s ear and he shuddered, pulling away so he could look Remus in the face. Remus was still in his work clothes and he smelled, not wholly unpleasantly, of sweat and dirty water.

“Nothing?” Virgil ran his pointer fingers behind both ears, just barely resisting the urge to dig in with his nails and see for himself, dammit.

“I think you’d know if aliens had stuck a tracking chip in your head,” Remus said, his own fingers dancing across the countertop toward the basket of enamel pins by the register.

Virgil ran his fingertips across his temples, still feeling for something, some marking or scar. “But if it wasn’t aliens...”

“Far be it from me to be the voice of reason,” Remus said, “but are we sure you weren’t just sleepwalking? Or high on peyote?"

Virgil continued to track Remus' fingers as he stuck his hand in the basket. "If you steal anything, it comes out of my paycheck." Not strictly true, but it would make Remus pause.

"I wasn't gonna steal!" Remus exclaimed, holding up his hands. "But now I kinda want to."

"Please don't." Virgil sighed and put his face in his hands. He'd noticed a strange metallic taste in his mouth after waking up properly, and even the desperate mouthfuls of Monster he'd been forcing down his throat couldn't seem to touch it. It hadn't touched his exhaustion much, either. Whatever Virgil had been up to last night had not been a restful activity.

"Oh, c'mon, don't freak out." Remus' hand sat heavy on Virgil's shoulder, warming him through the thin fabric of his Baphomet t-shirt. "You were probably just sleepwalking. It happens all the time. Roman used to sleepwalk all over the place when we were kids. One time we even found him asleep in the yard. Naked, just like you."

Virgil peeked over his fingertips. "Really?" Remus was not the type to lie to make someone feel better, but this story seemed a little far-fetched.

"I swear," Remus said, eyes wide with childish solemnity.

The only customer in the store stepped up to pay, and Remus stepped aside to let Virgil deal with them. He made faces behind their back, contorted himself into absurdly sexual poses and stuck out his tongue and wiggled his hips like Elvis in his prime. Virgil pursed his lips to keep from laughing. It had been a hard decision to ask Remus for help with this, but Virgil was glad he had chosen him.

Patton was a big softie and nearly as prone to panic as Virgil was. If he didn't escalate Virgil's paranoia about aliens then he would probably end up pressuring Virgil to make a police report. A useless endeavor, since no crime had actually occurred as far as Virgil knew. Roman and Janus would just make fun of him for being a tin foil hat-wearing loony. And Logan… Well. He might judge. He might not. But Virgil didn't want to look stupid in front of him. Not to mention that Logan would ask questions, force Virgil to face something he wasn't ready to face.

So Remus it was.

"Thank you," Virgil said when the customer had left and Remus had stopped gyrating his hips. "I know I'm being dumb and it was probably nothing."

"Janus isn't here right now," Remus said, pouring out the basket of enamel pins. They scattered and clicked across the countertop. "But if he was, I think he'd say--" Remus shifted his weight and crossed his arms, "'Now what did we say about negative self talk?'"

Virgil chose not to remind Remus that Bienvenue was only a few blocks away and he could easily go get Janus if he wanted. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I know it wasn't aliens."

"But if it was peyote, you do have to share," Remus said, his attention already back on the pins. He poked through them with one dirty fingertip.

Virgil watched for a moment, then joined in, turning the pins to face Remus so he could get a good look at them. Remus seemed particularly fixated on one shaped like a death's head moth. "That one's six dollars."

Remus braced his elbows on the counter and clasped his hands under his chin, lashes aflutter. "You know how you could repay me for checking your skull for alien trackers?"

Virgil nearly reached for his wallet before he realized what Remus was actually getting at. He sighed, biting back his smile all the while, and made a show of turning to inspect the rotating sticker display. "Uh-oh," he said in an exaggerated monotone. "I'd better make sure all the stickers are properly organized. Gee, I sure hope no one shoplifts while I'm doing that."

There was a brief moment of silence. It was broken when Remus, presumably done pocketing the pin, said, "So bowling night?"

"Huh?" said Virgil, trying to find the dirty joke. Maybe something about balls?

Remus pulled his phone out of the pocket of his work pants and shook it at Virgil. "Pastor Patton's little group bonding venture?"

"Don't call him that," Virgil muttered, digging his phone out of his pocket. Sure enough, of the messages he'd been ignoring all morning, one was a new group chat. He read through the messages. "How did Patton get your number?"

"Roman gave it to him."

"How'd he get Janus' number?"

Remus grinned. "I gave it to him. No way am I suffering through some corny adult bonding shit without backup."

"Am I not backup?" Virgil asked, unsure whether he should be offended.

"You can't be backup," Remus said dismissively. "You're the bridge. You forced me 'n' Roman to reunite, you made us all hang out. You're the bridge. You won't be as mean as I need you to be."

"I'm mean!" Virgil said. "I'm so mean!"

"Say something bitchy about Patton right now. Quickly!" Remus began to snap his fingers.

"Um," said Virgil. "Uh. Sometimes-- Well, sometimes he can be kinda… Smother-y?"

"Oh, please." Remus rolled his eyes. "That was almost healthy communication."

"Fine." Virgil crossed his arms over his chest.

Remus let him pretend to be upset for roughly three seconds. "But you are coming, right? Or are you gonna spend the night playing with Data's joystick?"

Virgil's cheeks went hot. "Of course I'm com--" He paused and reconsidered his choice of words. "Of course I'll be there. And Logan will, too."

"Wonder if I can start a betting pool," Remus said thoughtfully.

The bells on the door tinkled and Virgil leaned over to see past Remus. "Hi, welcome in," he said in his best customer service voice, which wasn't very good. "Let me know if I can help you find anything."

"Just browsing."

"Alright."

"Well," said Remus, affixing the moth pin to his hi-vis vest. "See you tonight?"

"Yeah," said Virgil. "Please be nice to Patton."

Remus winked and started to back out. "Sorry! Hazing is mandatory."

He slipped out the door, leaving Virgil to marinate in his anxiety.

--

Although he was exhausted, Virgil went for a short walk after work. He wandered by Bienvenue and stared at the fancy suits in the window and wondered how Janus always had the audacity to dress like he was attending a funeral at a high-end night club. His feet took him forward and he smiled a little. If there was one thing Janus had in abundance, it was audacity.

He stopped again by the reflecting pool at the Plaza and read the plaque. It had very little information and devoted barely half a sentence to the supposed curse. A shiver ran down Virgil's spine. He took a deep breath and carefully did not panic. As Logan would say, he shouldn't jump to conclusions. He needed more data.

Virgil didn't want more data. He would happily chalk his misadventure up to sleepwalking and banish it forcefully to his subconscious, if only it would never, ever happen again. He shivered again despite the balmy weather and muffled a yawn behind his hand. Time to go home and get whatever sleep he could before the inevitable disaster of bowling night.

He managed to get home without hitting any potholes. Whatever stormy weather had threatened Vaillant earlier in the week seemed to have passed, and he was treated to a spectacular view of a great blue heron flying low over the road. He even managed a few hours of sleep before he had to wake up and get ready.

He chose his outfit with care, scrutinizing it through Logan's eyes. What would Logan like? What did Logan like? Virgil had no idea about his preference in men or how he slotted into it.  Was it his height? His body shape? His eyes? What should he play up to make Logan like him? So Logan wouldn't regret choosing to be with him?

He dithered over this until he made himself late, and chose an outfit that he felt good in: long sleeves, long pants, the reassuring weight of his hoodie on his shoulders.

He kept it zipped up to his neck even after he entered the warmth and light of Vaillant's singular bowling alley, Gator Lanes. His friends were already seated. Waiting. For him.

Despite the wash of guilt, Virgil slowed and surveyed the scene. Patton and Logan sat on one of the low, pleather couches with a pair of bowling shoes between them. That left Roman, Remus, and Janus wedged on the other couch. They all looked like they were getting along, which was good. Roman and Remus were speed-eating French fries while the others talked.

Virgil approached from the back, gesturing for Patton and Logan to be quiet. He didn't miss the way Logan's eyes lit up; it sent a pleasant little rush of adrenaline all through his veins. When he was close enough, he leaned over and stole the pineapple off the rim of Janus' hurricane glass. It was dyed red from grenadine and tasted vaguely of rum.

"It's fine," said Janus, casually flipping Virgil the bird. "I wasn't saving that or anything."

"Guess you'll have to get another one," Remus said.

They started bickering about how drunk was too drunk for bowling night, so Virgil came around to Patton and Logan's side of the table. He kissed Logan hello while Patton explained about the shoes: "They were out of your size, so I got a size down instead of up, because I know you wear those really thin socks and I didn't want you to slip."

"Thanks, Pat," Virgil said. His hand found Logan's, somehow, and he smiled. "I wouldn't have put that much thought into it."

"That's why you have me!"

"Can we start now?" Roman asked, wiggling in place.

Patton stood up to fiddle with the control, and Virgil forced himself to nuzzle Logan's jawline with his nose. He wanted to do it, but the idea of being witnessed while he did so made his skin crawl.

Logan turned his head so they were nose-to-nose and smiled before pulling away. "Do you want me to order you a drink? We were going to, but we weren't sure what you'd want."

Roman threw a straw wrapper at them. "We're just about to start!"

"You're up second, too," Patton said cheerfully, flopping back down on the couch. "I put us in alphabetical order."

"I'll go, then," Virgil said. He squeezed Logan's hand and let go of it, stood.

"Don't forget to put your bowling shoes on," Janus said, eying Virgil's ratty leather ankle boots. Janus himself had somehow done the impossible and matched the colors of his suit to the dull red and blue of Gator Lanes' bowling shoes, making his whole outfit look deliberately tacky.

"When I get back."

"I'll go with you!" Roman got to his feet. "I already know I'm gonna lose. What's one more drink?"

"That's the spirit!" Remus said.

"Ha," said Patton, "I get it."

They turned to go, Roman bumping Virgil with his hip to prompt him forward. "So you and Logan, huh?" he said once they were out of earshot. "How's that going?"

"Fine," Virgil said, feeling the blush crawl onto his face. It was a short walk to the bar, but it suddenly seemed like miles and miles.

"You sure keep things close to your chest, don't you? Didn't say a word to me." Roman crossed his arms and looked sideways at him.

"I didn't think I had a chance!" Virgil exclaimed. "Wait. Did he say something to you?"

Roman winked at him, shushed him, and bellied up to the bar so he could order. Virgil hung back, one hand on his wallet, but Roman waved a hand. "Janus has a tab going," he said, turning back to Virgil.

"Does Janus know he has a tab going?" Virgil asked.

"Uh, yeah, it's not like I stole his card."

"It's not you I'm worried about," Virgil said, thinking of Remus and the moth pin.

"Ugh, you worry too much."

"This shouldn't be news to you, Roman, I have 'Worry Too Much' Disorder." Virgil flicked at his zipper pull. "Wait, so did Logan say anything to you?"

Roman smiled, even laughed a little. "Uh, yeah, he practically asked me and Patton for permission to ask you out. He made us promise not to tell you. Honestly, it was kinda cute how nervous he was."

"Nervous?" Virgil repeated. It was obvious now, but it hadn't occurred to him that Logan had lost just as much sleep over Virgil as Virgil had over him.

A harried-looking bartender popped up behind Roman, slid their drinks over, and vanished again practically before Virgil could force out a 'thank you.' Roman passed him his vodka Red Bull. "Let's go."

"Alright." Virgil sighed. It was probably better not to try to wring the details out of Roman, especially since he'd said that Logan had told him not to tell.

They reached their lane and he  scooted in next to Logan, snuggling up a lot closer than was necessary, especially given that Patton was currently up to bowl. "Welcome back," Logan said.

Virgil set his drink on the table and began to change his shoes over. "Having fun yet?" he asked Janus. He was still a little resentful that Remus and Janus didn't think he could be mean anymore. Just because he didn't want to shit-talk Patton behind his back. Sure, Remus had been the one to say it, but Virgil had no doubt the sentiment originated with Janus.

"Sure, I guess there's a sort of primal thrill in hurling a 14-pound ball at a target," Janus said primly.

"10 pounds," Logan said.

Virgil bit down on his lip to hide his smile.

"I'm sorry?" Janus tilted his head.

Logan gestured at the bright yellow ball sitting in the ball return. "10 pounds, not 14." Patton's ball came back, followed shortly thereafter by Patton. "16 pounds," Logan said.

"Pat's strong," Virgil said, elbowing Patton as he sat down. Janus bit down on an ice cube. "By the way," said Virgil, feeling a spark of pure evil manifest inside himself. "Have you guys made cutting boards yet?" To Janus, he said, "It's kind of a tradition."

"I'd heard," Janus said, shooting him a covert dirty look.

Virgil smiled at him and turned to Patton. "Janus would rather die than say so, but I can tell he's excited."

"Oh, good!" Patton said. To Janus, he said "I was actually a little worried you wouldn't want to do it."

Virgil's killing strike was delayed slightly by Remus' reappearance and Roman's subsequent disappearance, and he knew he had to act quickly or Janus would wiggle out of it when Virgil was taking his turn. Remus finally sat and stopped crowing about his spare, which no one had witnessed. Virgil pounced. "Bienvenue is closed on Sundays, isn't it?" he said to Janus, as though the shop hadn't kept the same hours for years. "Maybe you guys could do it then."

"The weather should be clear, too," Logan chimed in. Virgil looked at him, trying to gauge if he had picked up on the game, but his face gave nothing away.

"Works for me!" Patton said. "I'm putting the finishing touches on a coffee table for somebody down south, but I can make time on Sunday."

"Great," said Janus with a plastic smile Virgil knew he usually reserved for difficult customers. The daggers in his eyes promised a thorough bitching-out later, but Virgil didn't even care. So he wasn't mean anymore, hm?

"All you," said Roman, tapping Virgil on the shoulder.

Virgil nodded and took a long swallow of his vodka Red Bull. It was stupid, but walking up to bowl always felt like walking out on stage. He knew full well none of his friends were paying attention and even if they were, their friendly teasing was nothing to worry about. They knew when to stop. But still, his heart quivered as he approached the lane. By sheer luck, he managed not to get a gutter ball, then turned and hovered awkwardly as he waited for his ball to come back.

Logan caught his eye and winked at him, not even pausing in his explanation of the physics of bowling. Virgil smiled back, and suddenly everything seemed that much lighter, that much more bearable. He really had to stop worrying so much.

[curiousconch]

Free Fall

Chapter 4 of Ricochet (An Open Heart AU)

Catch up here: Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

Chapter Synopsis: Bryce takes Heather out to distract her, while a real threat looms closer than ever.

Pairing: Rafael Aveiro x MC (Dr. Heather Song) | Bryce Lahela x MC (Dr. Heather Song) 

Words: 1.9k | Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Rating/Warnings: Mature (16+) / hints of violence, stalking

Author’s Notes: I always wanted to try trampoline basketball (not sure if that's the right term?), it looked cool on videos. BUT lockdown happened, so here I am manifesting what could've been a great date night alternative. I have also long imagined to bounce around in slow motion while the chorus of Fallin' All In You by Shawn Mendes was playing on the background. Hope I made the wait for this chapter worth it. Also, disclaimer: majority of the characters are owned by Pixelberry, except the main character Heather Song.

Please let me know if you want me to tag you for the rest of this series. Thank you for reading!

Jordan whistled as he walked through the off-white hallways, pushing a cart full of cleaning supplies forward. Although he knew that this was just a temp job, a means to an ends, it didn't mean he can't enjoy its perks.

His gray overall was already damp, as he just finished mopping the hallways of the building's seventh floor. He was heading to his last assignment for the day, which was also his favorite. His black sneakers squeaked against the tiled floor, but he didn't seem to mind. He was feeling accomplished today, seeing his art splayed across the local news. He gave himself a mental pat on the back, knowing he's running closer toward the finish line of his master plan.  

He adjusted his baseball cap before tapping his key card on the scanner by the glass door, then stepped inside the empty office. 

He cleared the tables of assorted food wrappers in record time. But there was a table where he liked to linger a little bit longer. 

His fingers grazed on the surface of the desk - she always kept hers tidy. He read through the pages of the medical books browsing where bookmarks were sandwiched in, trying to get an idea of where she left off. He then reached out to the purple bottle of hand cream on the left side of the computer screen, and pumped it to get a few drops on his palms. He loved the jasmine scent of it, reminding him of the same fragrance of the clothes in her closet. 

He tapped on the keyboard and the screen display came to life, revealing a picture of her and her mother when she was a teenager. He logged himself in, checking her emails. He found what he was looking for, and took a picture of the itinerary using his phone. He closed the applications and locked the computer, the screen display reverting back to the wallpaper earlier. He smiled sadly as he looked on, thinking what a waste it will be when her day of reckoning comes. It's a pity that she threw herself in the middle of a crossfire, so he had no choice. He felt bad for her, recalling the months of stalking he did to know her life. He always thought she was no different from him, alone in a city, no parents to turn to, no one but themselves to rely on. 

After switching off the computer monitor, he retrieved his cleaning supplies and sprayed a disinfectant on the surface of her desk. He was about to wipe it when he heard the distinct beep of the electronic lock, followed by the subsequent opening of the glass door behind him. 

"Oh, hey Pete," Heather waved at him as she approached. "Sorry for uhm, interrupting. I'm just here to get some of my books."

He tried to hide his initial shock, grinning goofily at her then stepped back from her desk. "No problem, doc. I'll get out of your hair so you could do whatcha have to do."

She smiled back at him. "No, no need. I'll just grab these," she took the bundle of books sitting on top of her desk, "and then these..." she trailed off as she unlocked the drawers and retrieved a small bottle of the hand cream and a few markers. She put the small items in her purse and stepped back.

"Thanks, Pete. I'll see you around," she bid him goodbye, hastily getting out of the diagnostics office.

Jordan followed her figure until she was out of his sight. He then approached the glass windows and slid his fingers in between the blinds, waiting until he saw her crossing the parking lot and got into a familiar silver Camry.

Aha, so you're with the ADA. No wonder he didn't see her with the special agent. She stayed with someone else. 

It was smart for her to stay somewhere he wouldn't expect. But it didn't matter now. Phase 2 didn't concern where she lived at the moment. His lips twisted into a sinister smile, knowing she never had a clue of what was to come.

Oh doc, I'll see you soon.

***

Bryce honked his horn the moment he saw what was cradled in her arms. "Nerd alert!" he shouted.

"Ugh, shut up!" she groaned, her eyes rolling as she dropped the books into the backseat of his car.  

"Seriously, Heath, you are such a dork. It's Sunday!" he said as he began driving out of Edenbrook's parking lot.

She snapped on her seat belt and leaned back, crossing her arms. "You are a hypocrite, Lahela! Deep down you know we are on the same league," she said as she glared at him. 

"Nope, not at the moment, I'm no hypocrite. Do you even see me checking my phone for emails?" 

"Psh, you're driving, you just can't," she ruffled her bangs, annoyed. "So, what's the plan here?" 

"Lighten up, Doctor Song, have some little spontaneity!" he shuffled his shoulders as he said the last word. "I promised to distract you today, did you not trust this handsome face when you said so this morning?" Bryce pouted in an effort to mock her. 

She huffed in reply, settling into silence. She did trust him. She trusted him last night when she poured out her heartbreak to him. She also chose to trust him this morning, taking up his offer to go out today. He gave a convincing pitch about what he had planned for the day. But really, Heather would take any opportunity to get her mind off from the incidents of the past two days.

Besides, it was easy to say yes to Bryce. She was comfortable around him. He reminded her of her carefree days before her life all went downhill. He balanced her out, his dazzling personality never failed to brighten up even the starkest days for Heather. And this was her darkest season in recent memory. It was just apt to let someone like Bryce shine upon it. 

So she agreed to leave at noon, but asked to swing by the hospital to get some of her books so she could catch up on some reading. She wanted to stay sharp since she'll be flying back to Maryland to continue her cancer research.

Now they're driving along the freeway, she had no idea where their car is headed. After almost an hour, Bryce took an exit and then a few turns, before entering a parking lot full of cars. 

"We're here!" he said as he tapped the steering wheel and turned off the ignition. She got out of the car along with him, staring at the white signage in front of the building. 

"Sky zone?" Heather squinted at him, a queasy feeling rising in her stomach.

Seeing her hesitation, he practically dragged her to the front door and pushed her inside. A sight of kids and adults alike bouncing up and down on various complex trampoline structures welcomed her. 

She'd never seen Bryce this giddy, who went straight to the reception to register both of them. She was left alone and dumbfounded. She had no idea a place like this in Boston existed. But all the laughter surrounding her made her suddenly excited. 

He pulled her into an area full of lockers, and helped her shove her shoes and purse inside an empty one. He shoved his into another beside hers. 

"So? What do you think?" Bryce walked up to the nearest trampoline platform looking at her expectantly. 

"You sure you're an adult?" she said sarcastically, chuckling as she said it. 

"Aha! I knew it! I just know you'll like this!" he teased. "Dibs on the first bounce!" he leaped onto one then did a backflip, as Heather watched in amazement. He did another flip, even posing midair to make it look effortless. Seeing him enjoying himself, she couldn't resist any longer and dived right in. 

"This... Feels... Awesome!" she shouted to him in between bouncing, trying to propel herself higher with each jump. Bryce simply nodded back, giggling with her as they alternated between bouncing and running to the different trampoline stages in the park. 

Heather never felt as exhilarated as she was at that moment. With every jump, she felt a piece of her heartbreak shedding away. In her mind, she screamed at the looming threats that washed over her the past few weeks. It was getting more and more difficult to hold on to the grudges that wrapped her heart. So she let herself go. She leaped on every surface, on every stage, on every setup. She bounced until there was nothing left of the anxieties that seemed to anchor her with heaviness in the past 48 hours. 

When she started losing steam, she lifted herself with all her might and leaped into a pit of sponges, savoring the few moments of free fall. She then stood up on her feet and went down, found somewhere to sit and rest. Bryce followed her shortly after. 

While they were sipping ice cold water from one of the vending machines, he watched her. She was lost in her thoughts, a pensive look in her face. He perked up when she finally spoke. 

"The metaphor isn't lost in me. I get why you brought me here." she punched his arm playfully, before wiping the sweat on her forehead with a paper towel. 

"I never doubted you'd get it," he nodded, his face turning serious. "Look, let me tell you a secret," he leaned forward closing the gap between them. "This is where I kinda sulk after I lose a case, or when my head gets caught up in a rut," he paused for a few moments, pursing his lips. "Look, I know you've been through some hard times recently, but in my gut I know you're tougher than that. You're strong, you're a victor, you always, always overcome. Even when things get difficult, you just leverage the situation so you could bounce back. If there's anyone who can emerge from all of this triumphantly, it's you. Because you know why? You're one hell of a woman, Heather."

He stopped himself from saying anything more and finished his speech, as he gave her an endearing look.

She was taken aback by his words, unsure how to react. It took her a few moments before it sunk in - that he was exactly right. When times did get rough, she always managed to rise above it. She didn't buckle. But she had a tendency to forget, not because she's overwhelmed, but because she buzzed right through every painful experience. She used them as stepping stones, as fuel to her dreams and desires. She only needed a rousing reminder.

And that's what Bryce gave her today. With her spirit lifted by his overwhelming encouragement, she placed her hand over his and gave it a soft squeeze. Without thinking, she planted a quick peck on his cheek. 

"Thank you, Bryce. Thanks for bringing me here. I needed this." she whispered, staring back at him. 

It took all of Bryce's strength to stop himself from kissing her. Instead, he settled on ruffling her damp hair, smiling brightly back at her. 

"Like I said, I always got your back." He opened his arms and shrugged, a smug smile pasted on his face. "So if you're done moping around, you wanna play some more?"

Heather can't help but laugh. 

They hit the trampolines again, with Bryce flipping himself and shooting into some hoops. They even had a contest, where they tried besting each other over dodge ball. They didn't stop until they got both hungry. He eventually drove them to a nearby food truck, and together they ate hotdogs and greasy fries in his car. Heather's friends called her while they were parked, inviting them both for a quick hangout at Donahues. 

As they drove back into the town center in silence, she couldn't ignore the tugging in her heart that this wasn't just two friends hanging out. Yet she didn't feel guilty or confused at all. That Sunday afternoon, she felt entirely certain that she was with someone who she was supposed to be with. It didn't feel forced, exhausting or boring. It simply felt good. 

Tags: @choicesficwriterscreations for Fics of the Week

Ricochet AU tags: @eleanorbloom @ramsey-lahela

[kitmon]

Keys Are Under the Mat {1/?}

Llewyn Davis x OC

Summary: Struggling singer/songwriter, Llewyn Davis, has faced the rough and tumble world of the music industry as well as the callous hand of life. When an up-and-coming folk singer makes a trip back home and finds herself at the hands of the battered down couch-surfer, her first thought is to offer him a bit of compassion.

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of sexual activity

“Hold me, while I cry into your coat

Tie the rope round my throat, why don't ya?

Did you even read the note I wrote ya?

Boy, you're my antido-o-o-o-ote

Baby, it's only you I dote"

Her delicate fingers danced along the strings of her amaranth-colored acoustic. It was a fairly new guitar, given to her by a rather close colleague. She used to play at the Gaslight Café exclusively in the late fifties, not because she particularly liked that venue, more so because they were the only ones who gave a fraction of a fuck about her shitty guitar with a few broken strings and a makeshift capo that was made in the bathroom 10 minutes before a show using a sharpie and a rubber band. The crowd was always friendly; never hostile or awkward, just... supportive which was always appreciated on her part. Having people enjoy or at least pretend to enjoy her music was comforting at the time. As of right now, she was only visiting for old times sake, nostalgia purposes.

The new guitar was a testament to the amount of shit she'd been through. I mean signing a record deal is a pretty big deal, right? Having people know your name and buy your album. I mean, she was no Bob Dylan but she'd get stopped in the street from time to time which was unquestionably a step up from the loogies and cat-calls sent her way. Even now, her appearance at the usually humdrum populated café has drawn more attention than anticipated. The seats were all taken and the rather small building held far more people than the fire marshal recommended, but what a turn-out it was.

The audience hummed the chorus, cautious to not tune out her newfangled voice as it continued, nonchalant as ever as if there were only a few unamused patrons sitting in the crowd, but there wasn't. The populace of Greenwich Village loved her. She made a shit-hole like Greenwich something for people to keep their eyes on. And she didn't disappoint.

Her eyes remained lowered as she rather curled into herself and let the song end with a guttural reverberation. There was a silence as her eyelids lifted marginally, letting out a few pants of air to recover. Then an uproar, a surge in applause! She glanced up and flashed a charming smile, one that only showed the top row of teeth and caused her childish eyes to crinkle as she let out a giggle, concealing her laughter from the large array of eyes with her dainty hands. She adjusted herself and lifted a hand to reach the microphone.

"Thank you, you guys are a lovely audience, much nicer than Queens," the crowd let out a dispersed chuckle at her humor and she smiled again at their enthusiasm. She loved this, the feeling of having immense support. It made her feel... alive, to say the least.

"Okay, I'll be back in 20, take it easy while I'm gone." She waved off the crowd, unfurling herself from her guitar strap and handed the instrument to the stagehand, thanking the man afterward. She smoothed out any puckers or creases found in her dress as she stepped down from the stage, heading towards Pappi and another bystander, one who looked as if he'd been sleeping on the floor for days. Poor sucker looked as if he didn't even own a winter coat.

Pappi's arms extended out towards her, inviting her into his embrace. "You did great, kid," her eyes brightened at the compliment as she wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her rosy cheek flush against his chest. The action should have been far more intimate than the two adults interpreted it, and most others would have perceived it that way as well. In fact, most familiars thought Pappi was fucking her most of the time.

Which he wasn't and neither one had ever considered it. Just business partners with an intimate brother-sister bond. Nothing more, Nothing less. The taller man, gripped her by her upper arms to gaze at her, with a gentleness, "Really, gave em a show."

"Aw thanks, Pappi, but I've got to admit that I'd still be singing songs on my back porch if it weren't for this dump." She jested, her hands hanging from her hips. Pappi let out a deep chuckle which was softened by her one-off laugh that wasn't exactly delicate or poised but was attractive in an unorthodox sense. The banter played out until somebody approached Pappi and tugged at the sleeve of his button-up to get his attention. She looked with furrowed brows and a curious expression as the man whispered in Pappi's ear with what appeared to be urgency. Pappi muttered a quick swear under his breath, and looked up at her with an apologetic frown and the same knitted brows she once wore.

"Sorry, kid. There's a few thugs out back making a mess," he patted her on the arm and told her he'd be right back after taking care of the 'mess'. Her head bobbed in understanding as her eyes watched as Pappi followed the man outback and into the fray. Her stare lingered on the door, but it was the serendipitous turn of her head that allowed her to acknowledge the ragged man sitting at the bar. His eyes fixated on the golden hue of the whiskey in his glass. She was almost certain he hadn't moved an inch since she came over, only stayed staring at the same glass of whiskey for at least five minutes. God, he looked like hell. His coat was hanging on by a thread, quite literally. Holes in miscellaneous places, unruly hair that looked like it hasn't been combed in days, shoes that looked soaked by the snow just outdoors and a runny nose that looked like the result of an oncoming cold. His wardrobe fitting flawlessly against the backdrop of the monochromatic greys and tans that made up the scene of New York in the Sixties. He looked familiar, she was sure of that. It was likely he'd played a few gigs at the Gaslight, same as her. Then again there were dozens of scruffy looking musicians who sidled into the Gaslight to perform, this one was hardly any different.

She sucked in a breath through her nose and ambled towards him, "So, you a friend of Pappi's?" Her elbows supported her weight against the hardwood bar, her fingers interlaced with each other as she peered down into the swirling rings of the once tall-standing oak. It took him a bit longer to register that she was speaking to him, "Oh, um, yeah, I guess..." His hand slipping up towards his face to rub at the skin, waking him up. His hooded eyes look over to her and away from that untouched glass of whiskey. Her laugh startled him, unexpected as it was. Her giggle was an unfamiliar sound. It shattered through the blaring car horns outside, the chatter of the audience, even threw the bullshit that spewed out of the radio sitting on the counter across from them. He just stared at her, unaware of just how ignorant someone would have to be to notice all the shit that's taking place everywhere around them and still have something to laugh about. It was selfish, but who wasn't these days. Everyone wanted others to be as devoid of joy as they were. Of course, there were a few stragglers who managed to keep a pep in their step and a smile on their faces. Those are the ones who get broken. They break down so quickly in a place that loses hope quicker than a bucket with gunshots loses water. But, she wasn't ignorant, and he knew this. She just decided to not take anybody's shit. And when nobody gives a fuck whether your dreams are accomplished or not, you learn to say fuck off right back. I guess that's what separates the losers from the winners. Her demeanor and the way she carried herself, with the balloon-sleeves and ruffled collar of her dress shirt, the way it was neatly tucked into her pinafore, it gave the impression that she was... incapable. But she was ten times more capable than almost everyone in that Café.

"If you don't mind me asking," she lifted her hand to wave down a bartender, not making eye contact with him until she knew someone was coming to attend to her request. "Got a name?" Her bright brown eyes locked with the gray and muddied irises of his own and it ignited a raft in his brain, making him adjust his position in self-consciousness.

"Um, yeah. Llewyn,"

Llewyn, Llewyn... she's heard that name before. She takes a sip from her glass of red wine the bartender had passed to her not to long ago. She takes a sip and contemplates why that name sounds so familiar.

"... Llewyn... Davis?"

It had slipped from her lips before she could even register it. And it surprised him, far more that she knew who he was. He couldn't remember meeting her or introducing himself to her before but then again, he was a performer. Not a very popular or reputable one mind you, but a performer none the less. She'd probably seen him at the Gaslight once before or something.

"Uh..., yeah... Hey, how'd you, um?"

"Oh, um I think I might own one of your albums. Inside Llewyn Davis, right?" The mention of his less than successful solo artist debut was a bit upsetting but he just dismissed it and looked away. "Yup... that's the one." His voice sounded disappointed and beaten but who could blame him. Chasing a dream so far that it only leads you to a dead-end can be frustrating.

"You know, I really enjoyed it," she mused, much to his disbelief but it must have only been out of politeness. "That makes one of us," he mutters, his frown dropping a millimeter or so. She couldn't decipher what he was referring to, but she could tell that whatever it was, it had sucked the rest of his joy and drive out of him. The business will do that to you, take a starry-eyed kid and promise them a dream only to drop them on their ass and tell them they'll never be more than a stand-in gig for a bunch of nobodies.

"I really loved the song— oh, how'd it go?" She pondered, the way her thick eyebrows scrunched up in concentration giving her the wonders of a child. The same way her determination to prove the potential the album had was childish. But it was the truth, she did enjoy the album and even recommended it to a few friends back when she bought it, now it just sits in a blue milk crate next to her record player, collecting dust. He gazed at her expectantly waiting to hear her utter at least a single lyric from his album.

"Oh!" She snaps her fingers in triumph, startling Llewyn once more. "It goes," and she readied her voice with a clearing of her throat and sang what she could remember. "Hang me, oh hang me, I'll be dead and gone," his eyes widened a bit at the surprise of her actually acknowledging his music, and the fact that she enjoyed it, no less. "Hang me, oh hang me, I'll be dead and gone," the lilt in her voice echoed through the Café and a few patrons stopped their chatter to cherish her sweet voice. The silence stuck around for a beat and her eyes fluttered open after her display.

"Yeah, that's it!" Her outburst wasn't expected and nearly knocked Llewyn out of his seat for about the fifth time.

"Yeah," he muttered, letting his eyes linger on her form a moment longer than he'd like to admit, brows furrowed in thinking. "Whad'ya say your name was again?" He questioned, curiosity getting the better of him. And there was that damn giggle again, opening his eyes to a whole new world of possibilities where you can giggle and laugh about things without having to feel sorry about the lack of a difference it makes. She answers and it's just nothing special but at the same time it feels like... a novelty. "Dorothy.”

[rocksandrobots]

Of Rocks and Robots Ch. 10 - Gogo

Disclaimer:  So, this story is PG. Basically anything you might see come up in an old 90s sitcom, like Boy Meets World, Fresh Prince, Save by the Bell ect, is liable to show up along with anything that the parent shows cover. Nothing unsuitable for family entertainment, but clearly covering more mature subjects than the original source material, including today’s chapter which discusses alcohol.

Varian was hot. The sun beat down on the back of his neck and sweat began to trickle down his forehead. He couldn't remember experiencing a hotter day. In Corona the temperature wouldn't rise more than a balmy 15 degrees Celsius normally, but today, here in San Fansokyo, it had to be close to 20 or more. His phone said it was 73 degrees Fahrenheit specifically, but he was still getting used to the different measurements Americans typically used. All he knew was that he had worn the lightest clothes he had, a tank top and athletic shorts, and he was still burning up. 

Unfortunately, there was nowhere to escape from the oppressive heat. He was standing on the sidewalk next to a stranger's house while Gogo worked on their car. She did repair work on vehicles as a side job. Often exchanging her services for a cheaper price to other students which in turn gave her more flexibility in what jobs she took and when. 

Right now she was helping out another student whose car wouldn't start and didn't want to call a tow to take it to a mechanic. Varian had expressed an interest in learning how automobiles worked, so she had agreed to letting him come along and teaching him some basics. However, there was nothing for him to do at the moment. Gogo was under the vehicle on a rolling board and there wasn't enough room for both of them down there. So all Varian could do was standby and watch, which was difficult as he couldn't really see what she was doing from the position she was in now. 

Instead he surveyed the street and surrounding buildings. There were the tightly packed three story townhouses behind them and on the other side of the street were clothing shops, apartments, a bank on the far street corner, and a single restaurant that read ‘Maggie’s Pub and Grill’. Varian licked his lips at the thought of drinking something cold and wet to stave off the blistering heat. He dug his hands in his pockets to check if he had any cash. He still had a fiver leftover from the twenty Wasabi had given him two weeks ago at the mall. 

“Hey Gogo, I’m going to go get a drink, you want anything?” He loudly asked the girl lying under the car.

“Uhhh, a soda would be nice. Maybe some Mr. Pep.” Gogo yelled back at him, never leaving her position or stopping her work. 

“I don’t know if they sell that there, but I’ll ask” and with that he walked away and headed across the street. 

“Just knock on the door and ask Ashley if she has any...” Gogo said distractedly, not noticing that Varian was no longer there. After a moment or two without hearing an answer, Gogo suddenly rolled out from underneath the vehicle. 

“Wait.” She said to no one in particular as she stared up at the sky and began to put together what had just happened.

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Varian squinted his eyes as he walked into the dark pub. The establishment was empty save for the barkeep at the other end wiping down the counter. This surprised Varian. In his world a place like this would be packed at this time of day, filled with field workers and sheepherders stopping to take their mid-day break. Practically his whole village would be gathered at the local tavern to eat, drink, and share gossip before going back to work. Varian had figured it would be even more crowded here given the larger city and the heat of day. 

He shrugged his shoulders. Oh well, maybe the food here wasn’t all that good. Didn’t matter, all he wanted was a drink. He walked over to the bar. 

“Hi, do you sell any, what was it she asked for,” Varian waved hello at the man on the other side and then cupped his chin in thought as he tried to recall what it was Gogo had wanted. “Pep?” He finished.

The large man didn’t answer him back, only to wordlessly reach under the counter and pull out a can of the soda and set it down. 

“Oh, yes, that’s it. Also I’ll have your darkest ale, please.” 

“I.D.” The man said deadpan. 

“Excuse me?” Varian asked, not sure what the man was requesting. 

“I need to see your officially licensed identification.” The man explained tiredly, as if he had to recite this often. 

“Uh, I have my student I.D. if that’s what you want.” Varian said, confused, as his hand went back into his pocket to dig out his wallet and money.   

The big man gave a heavy sigh and pointed to a sign placed in front of the cash register. ‘In Accordance to Federal Law all Patrons must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol and must show valid I.D.’ It read.

“You need a government issued license or passport, kid.” The barkeep said with annoyance, clearly believing Varian was there to try and pull some scam.

Varian, however, could only stare at the sign in bewilderment, still frozen in place with his hand in his pocket. His mouth hung open in astonishment as he tried to process what was going on. The amount of reliance on forms and identification in this world was odd enough but now there were laws against beer? That was practically all anyone drunk in his world. Coffee, tea, and cocoa were expensive and meant as a treat, and the only drinking water to be had were from the community wells, the river being brackish that close to the sea, and you still had to take time to draw the water. Which you didn’t want to do every time you were thirsty. And while this world did have running water, less expensive hot beverages, and that sugary soda in abundance; he still couldn’t figure out why that would be the cause for preventing anyone from buying an ale, let alone people under such an arbitrary age. 

“But… but why?” He whined in confusion. 

Just then Gogo burst through the door, stormed to up to the front counter, and before Varian could complain to her about this dumb rule, she grabbed him by the ear and proceeded to drag him back outside.

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It wasn’t until they had made it back across the street did Gogo relinquish her grip on Varian. 

“What were you thinking!” She whirled on him angrily.

Varian only stood there and looked at her, still befuddled and ruefully rubbing his ear where she had pinched it.  

“You’re only sixteen!” She yelled, as if this was the most obvious explanation for her righteous anger.  

“So? You’re only eighteen.” He retorted back. As if she had any right to berate him in such a manner when she was only two years older. 

“I’m an adult,” She explained. “But that’s not the point. You’re a child. You don’t need to be drinking or trying to trick bartenders that you’re older.”

“I’m not a child!” Varian responded, properly angry now himself. “What makes you any different?” 

“I can hold down a job, pay rent, buy groceries, I can vote.” She began to list off what she thought were requirements for adulthood. 

“Sooo can you drink?” Varian interrupted as he pointed back to the bar. 

“Well, no.” She admitted, temporarily tripped up by that question. However, the smug look on Varian’s face renewed her annoyance with him. “You can’t even buy a hamburger without someone’s help.” 

“Just because I’m new to this world, doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself.” He said, deeply offended by that last remark. 

“Oh really, and when’s the last time you had to buy your own food, or clothes, or live on your own?” She asked skeptically.

“I’ve been on my own since I was fourteen!” He snapped. 

Then just as suddenly he stiffened with surprise, he hadn’t meant for that to come out. Both he and Gogo stared at each other, herself equally in shock by his revelation. He quickly turned his head away, bit his lower lip, and stuck his hands in his pockets. He just stood there awkwardly unwilling to look her in the eyes.

For Gogo’s part, she felt her heart drop the moment he had said it. What did he mean ‘on his own’? Who’d leave a fourteen year old to fend for themselves? Didn’t he say he had a dad? But before she could ask for some clarity, Varian spoke again. 

“Look, I’m sorry,” He said defensively, “I didn’t know about the alcohol rule. It won’t happen again.” He put his hands up in defeat and then walked away from her and the conversion. Making his way back to the car, he picked up a wrench and began to tighten a socket. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing but anything to keep himself busy and to avoid any more uncomfortable arguments. 

Gogo watched him with increasing worry. She wanted to know more, to help him, but she could tell from his stance and his behavior that he wasn’t willing to talk about it. She knew all about avoiding feelings and bottling up one’s problems. Not that long ago she had been a moody teenager who shoved people away, too. Heck, she still was a moody teenager that shoved people away. Though she had gotten better since she started college. It was amazing how much difference only two years could make. 

Before she had met Tadashi and her other friends, she had been a pretty lonely person. Constantly bullied in grade school and struggling with depression, she was considered the weird emo kid that always sat quietly in the back of the class. However, no matter how bad things had gotten, no matter how many fights she got into at school, nor now many times she cried into her pillow at night, she had always, always had her dad to turn to. Even now she still relied on the man, rushing to him to bare her soul when Tadashi had died, unable to bring herself to talk to anyone else about her recent loss. 

Who did Varian have? She wondered. If his father wasn’t there for him, then who did he turn to for help? Why had he even been left alone? 

Her thoughts were broken when Varian let out a yelp of pain. He had burned his hand on the hot metal and proceeded to stick his fingers in his mouth to suck on the injured digits, still not looking at her, embarrassed by his clumsiness.   

She let out a weary sigh. He was a mess. But so was she, and she didn't know how best to reach him. What would dad do? She thought. Try to get her to open up about a subject that she did enjoy or distract her with a project, she decided. 

"Sooo, Wasabi tells me you want to learn how to drive." Gogo said, changing the subject while she slowly made her way over to stand next to him. 

"Yeah." Varian agreed quietly, keeping his eyes on the engine, still choosing to not look at her. "But because I just moved here I wouldn't be able to get my license for another six months. I'm not sure I'll still be here by then." And with that he ducked back under the hood. 

This didn't sound encouraging to Gogo. If he truly was on his own then what was he going back for? But she knew bringing her doubts up would only push him away further. 

"Well, if you are still here in six months, you'll need a car to drive around in." She suggested instead. 

This grabbed Varian's attention and he finally stopped to look back at her. "Whatd'ya mean?"

"Well it's just, if you want to still learn how cars work, then perhaps we can build one, together. That way if Wasabi helps you get your license then you'll have your own vehicle to ride in." She continued slowly.

"You… you mean it?" Varian hopefully asked. 

"Sure, we can work on it in our free time." She said encouragingly. 

"Yeah? Yeah! That... that’d be great. I'd really like that." Varian agreed. 

He smiled appreciatively at Gogo and she returned it in kind. 

"Of course the first thing you'll need to learn is what socket you need to tighten or not." She gently teased, pointing to the socket he had busied himself with for the past few minutes to no avail. 

"Oh, right." He laughed in embarrassment and finally stopped trying to use the wrench. 

"Here, let me show you how to check the oil." She said and thus the day passed without further incident, just the two of them laughing and bonding over cars.