#dog broke a bone while we were playing fetch

[yanyanderes]

me crawling out of my coffin to tell my followers i’m not dead i swear

little ramble in the tags-

[shimmerbeasts]

FUCK ZARIEL . Fuck her and her plans, and her war table, and her army. There wasn't a single inch of this shit that Karlach was even remotely interested in. There was something real fuckin' grating about the way she said those words, EVEN IF THEY HELD SOME TRUTH . She did always do what she was told. Too damn scared for what came next if she didn't. Playing along, like her good dog.

Massive red hands gripped at the war table, and for a second the tiefling thought she might break it. Torn, between shutting up and speaking her mind. Never one to talk back, not anymore. She learned that the hard way some time ago. HOW MANY YEARS WAS IT , ANYWAY ? She stopped counting. Just made this shit more miserable. " Look at the Ridgeline. " Karlach finally says, dragging a hand up to point at the shifting landscape on the table, lips yanked into an aggressive frown. Sweet beaded against her brow. NERVOUS . " Funneling troops into this valley could be an ambush. Doesn't matter how many air units we have. Won't stop a single demon, tell you that. Say we send a scouting party ahead first - investigate that fortress in the basin. Once it's cleared of Abyss fuckers, we push in and claim territory. One step closer to Elturel. " ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING THE FUCK OUT OF HERE .

An involuntary shocked gasp spread across the war table as the Tiefling spoke her mind and even dared to lay hands upon the beautiful, yet eerily shifting war table. Several heads whipped around and bale-filled, red and black eyes focussed upon Karlach. Ire laced the air so thick, you might choke on it.

"How dare you question her ladyship's idea, you common foot soldier?!"

The outraged question came from Nariangela. The Erinyes bridge officer was beating her large, red wings, feathers puffed out and spear directed at Karlach as if she wanted to pierce her with the tip. While nobody else dared to voice their disapproval, the hissing of the bone devils and the snarls of the Cambions made it clear that the army regarded Karlach's words as a sign of disrespect.

"Let her speak, Nariangela", Zariel cut in calmly and the bridge officer backed off. The archdevil leaned forward on her throne. Her fiery white eyes rested solely on her champion as she gave Karlach her undivided focus. That unrelenting gaze only broke to look at the map to follow her illustration. The longer Karlach illustrated the problem, the more Zariel could see it.

Her bone-white hand tightened around the edge of her armrest until the knuckles were strongly pronounced underneath her paper-thin skin. Zariel slowly nodded and got up from the throne. As she moved, her body morphed and shifted until, instead of fifteen feet, it was only six feet and five inches. Her black wings with red streaks at their base dragged behind her like an eerie cape.

Stopping before Karlach, Zariel peered down at the Tiefling as if a dog had just performed an unexpected new trick. Even her compliment sounded like it was a shard of ice, ramming itself into Karlach's brain: "Smart thinking, Karlach." Zariel turned towards her bridge officer and said: "Have everybody return to their stations and hold their positions until further instructions are given. Have one Imp fetch two dragon teeth. Everybody, but Karlach, is dismissed."

@infernalapparatus cont. from here.

[tetsurobunni]

Kita Shinsuke : Matchmaker

☽ suna x reader ; 2.6k words

☞ characters mentioned : kita shinsuke, aran ojiro, atsumu miya, osamu miya

☽ fluff, he takes care of you when ur sick ! even tho he’s a menace, kita being an angel

☽ a slight mention of adult themes (its a teasing joke)

☽ notes : hiii i wrote this for a friend and i figured id add it here teehee :))

hey Jesus, i know we don’t talk much but...fuck you. i feel like literal dog shit

You groaned as you shoved yet another tissue in your nose. You were sick, and God forbid it wasn’t the worst cold you’d ever had.

This morning you had pulled on your uniform in a haze; honestly it's a miracle you even made it to school. Aran had stopped you in the hallway when you arrived, putting a hand on your shoulder and placing the back of his palm against your forehead.

He immediately got out his phone and texted someone-presumably Kita, since he was the one most qualified to handle this. The captain had dealt with him and Atsumu both when they were sick so he could surely help you and get you to go the hell home.

You had pushed weakly at Kita when he ushered you towards the entrance of the building, assuring that you were a-o-kay. You ended up making friends with a nearby trashcan and emptying your guts right after the claim. Kita had held your hair back and rubbed your shoulders reassuringly. Afterwards, he pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to someone. Who? You didn’t know.

Kita had made sure to get you home in one piece. He tucked you into bed, placed a cold rag onto your head, and you think you heard him say something about bringing you soup later. Sleep crept up on you quickly and you were out before he even stepped out the door.

Now you were unfortunately awake, cursing whatever God could hear. This was absolutely awful. A dull throb ran through your skull insistently, mucus clotted your nose and throat, making your breaths uneven and raspy. You wanted to quench the ache in your throat but even the idea of sitting up seemed to drain too much energy, so you laid there in pain.

You assumed it was mid-afternoon. Kita had drawn the curtains above the window closed, leaving the room dark. You were especially grateful for this, for you knew any light would make your eyes hurt.

Your phone lay unchecked on the table face-down. The fear of worsening your headache is what caused it to stay there. Whoever wanted to talk would have to wait. You switched out the tissue in your nose for a fresh one, groaning again.

You wanted to take a shower so bad. You hated getting sick because you felt disgusting and knew you looked it too. Embarrassment bloomed when the events from this morning played in your mind.

Aran’s gonna joke about that for weeks.

A soft knock from the door drew you away from your thoughts. That’s probably Kita. A hoarse “come in” fell from your chapped lips and you internally cringed at how awful you sounded, even if it was just your childhood friend.

“You look like shit.”

That was not Kita.

“Suna? what the fuck?”

“Shut Up. You’re going to hurt your throat worse.”

Is this what I get for saying fuck you? I apologize so much anything but this please

“You’ve gone through two boxes of tissues already? Kita wasn’t lying, damn.”

You turned your head away from Suna’s voice, attempting to cover your sick-stricken face. Out of all people. It wasn’t that you didn’t like Suna- the two of you actually got along (if you count bickering back and forth all the time getting along). The problem was you happened to have a humongous crush on him.

The wing spiker had gotten on your nerves at first- smirks hidden behind a hand, foot sticking out to trip you in the hallway, drawing on your notes- he was almost unbearable. But as the both of you got older, you started returning his remarks, nudging him lightly into lockers, laughing at the twins together and sharing footage of their stupid fights.

Your crush had crept up on you almost unknowingly until one day he slung an arm over your shoulder and shot you one of his signature smirks and you were gone. It was infuriating, to say the least.

“Earth to y/n, hello y/n.”

“What.”

“Ah-ah, no speaking, remember?” You shot him a glare, receiving that smirk yet again. You cursed at the butterflies swarming your stomach.

Infuriating.

“You’re shivering.”

It was a simple comment. You realized after a beat that he was right and pulled the blanket farther up your body. He sat down the bag he held in his hand and made his way over to your bed. You squirmed in protest, trying to scooch away from his outstretched hand. Your actions caused Suna’s brows to furrow, a small line creasing on his forehead.

“I’m just going to check if you still have a fever,” he whispered, moving forward despite your futile attempts at moving away. You gave in, allowing him to gently place his hand on your forehead.

He wasn’t terribly close, he had been closer to you before this, but this felt different. More intimate.

“You’re burning up,” he said, leaning back with a sigh. “Sit tight, I’ll start a bath for you.”

You tried to keep your swarming thoughts at bay with no luck. Your crush, Suna Rintaro, is drawing a bath for you. A bath. He’s taking care of you.

Why is he being so nice? This has to be a set up, or Kita probably forced him. There’s no other way he would willingly be doing this...is there? You shut down the thought as quickly as it came. No sense in getting flustered over nothing. No need to fuel your growing crush.

You weren’t fit to complain anyways. The exact thing you wanted is being done right now, so you did as you were told, slightly sitting up to fetch yet another tissue. The pounding in your head still hadn’t ceased and a sudden cough racked your body. You wanted to cry- and you didn’t cry often. But you felt horrible.

“Hey, you okay?”

Apparently you hadn’t held up your facade well enough because a look of concern washed over Suna’s face the instant he stepped back into the room. You shook your head lightly in response to his question, feeling tears welling up behind your eyelids in spite of your attempts to keep them at bay.

The last thing you wanted to do was cry in front of Suna. It was practically a death wish. You could imagine the jokes and poking laughter he would send your way over the next few weeks, and it made you feel even worse.

“Hey, hey now, look at me.”

The words were whispered closer to you than you anticipated. Suna had sat down on the edge of your bed while you were caught up in your thoughts, that same line present between his brows. You fought the urge to touch it, facing away from him again and reaching up to wipe your eyes.

“I’m fine.” That instigated a scoff.

“No you’re not. Now c’mon, let’s get you into the bath. You’ll feel better.”

Right. A bath. Despite the fact that Suna’s presence was wearing you thin, a bath sounded great. The only problem was, you knew you were too weak to walk to your bathroom across the hall. It took so much energy to even sit up, much less actually get on your feet.

Suna must have sensed something was wrong because in mere seconds he was lifting the heavy blanket off of your body and moving closer. Your breath hitched when he moved one strong arm under your back and another under your knees, eyes concentrated.

“Put your arm around my neck,” Suna murmured. You failed to notice the blush that had lifted to his ears because your own was blossoming on your face, making your already warm cheeks heat up even more.

This is purgatory.

You did as he said, lightly wrapping your arm up his shoulder and around his neck. He picked you up in one smooth motion, shocking you. You knew he worked out because of volleyball, but jesus christ. Your head throbbed in protest to the movement, and you winced involuntarily.

“Sorry, shouldn’t have moved so fast.”

“S’fine.”

Your heart was beating frantically in your chest from the proximity. You were so close you could see the long eyelashes that framed his eyes, light traces of black eyeliner around the corners. You saved that in the back of your mind to ask about later.

Suna carried you into the bathroom and placed you gently on the counter. You pushed away the noise of protest that you wanted to let out from the loss of contact. No need to embarrass yourself even more.

“I’ll get you some clothes and leave them outside, take as long as you want.”

You murmured a small thank you as you watched him move towards the door. You hated that you missed him already.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here the whole time.”

“Like I care.”

“Yea, okay princess.”

You glared at him as he closed the door behind him with a small chuckle. Princess. You fumed at the reaction you had to the pet name.

This is horrible. I’m horrible. I’ll just blame it on him. Him and that stupidly hot smirk.

The bath became increasingly inviting as you sat, eventually leading you to strip of your dirty clothes and step into the warm water. It felt amazing. After a few minutes you felt your eyes begin to droop, the steam luring you to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You didn’t know how long you had slept but judging by the temperature of the water, at least 15 minutes, maybe longer. The water hadn’t cooled completely but had lost its comfortable warmth. Begrudgingly you stepped out of the water and dried off.

You wrapped the towel around yourself and padded towards the door, opening it to retrieve the clothes Suna said he left for you. Just like he said, a small stack of clothes laid on the floor. You grabbed them and faced back towards the sink, wincing at your reflection in the mirror.

You really did look awful. Embarrassment settled into your bones again as you unfolded the clothes to put them on. A small part of your brain pointed out that they were big, too big to be your clothes, but a fit of coughs cut off your train of thought.

A knock came from the door. “Y/n? You okay?”

“Ye-“ Another cough broke off your sentence.

“Knock twice if you’re dressed.”

A small smile crept up on your face at the thought of Suna being considerate. You knocked on the door twice signaling him that it was okay for him to come in. A moment later it opened. Suna was holding what seemed to be a cup of tea in his hands and you reached for it with a sigh.

“Lavender, right?” You halted in your movements.

“Yea...how did you-“

“I pay attention.”

Your face flushed. His gaze never faltered from your face. How did he say that so casually?

“You look good in my clothes.”

So that’s why they were big. You looked in the mirror again, eyes locking in on the large “Inarizaki Volleyball” plastered on the front of the black material.

“Should wear ‘em more often.”

“Shut- shut up.”

“Mhm, okay. Feelin’ better?” You nodded.

“A little. Still feel like shit.”

“Look it, too.”

“Thanks, asshole.”

A light chuckle escaped him and he moved closer towards you. Something felt different. You noticed his eyes linger on you longer, many lapses of silence filled the spaces where playful arguing usually was.

“Cap texted me and asked to bring you soup, he had to do some more shit before he came over.”

“Hm.”

“What do you mean, hm?”

You didn’t get it. Why of all people would Kita send Suna to tend to you? What about Aran? Osamu? Hell, even Atsumu would have been higher on the list than Suna. Maybe…

“That bastard.”

“Woah now, what did Cap do to you?”

Kita was one of the only people who knew about your crush. Of course he would pull some strings to get Suna to come over. That little-

“Hey now pretty thing, don’t frown too much. You’ll get wrinkles.”

It was then you noticed a light touch on your forehead, right in between your eyebrows. Suna was rubbing the space there, just like you had wanted to do to him.

You hoped Suna couldn’t tell how fast your heart was beating or just how much you knew you were blushing.

After a moment of silence Suna still hadn’t removed the touch on your face. He met your eyes, slowly moving to cup your cheek.

“Why are you here, Rin?” His thumb stroked your cheek with a feather-like graze and you swore you saw his eyes flit downwards to your lips. “To take care of you, of course.”

“You’re going to catch my cold.”

“You’ll just have to pay me back later, yeah?”

His tongue darted out to wet his lips, the corners of his mouth edging upwards.

what the fuck did i do to deserve this?

You pushed his hand away and looked away from his gaze. You could manage standing from afar and pining, sure, but what you couldn’t deal with was Suna messing around with you like this. You ignored the ache in your chest, choosing to cover it up by reaching for another tissue.

“Y/n.” You ignored him.

“Y/n, look at me.” You braced your arms on the bathroom sink with a sigh.

“What, Suna.”

“Rin. It’s Rin, to you.” You scoffed.

“Why am I any different than anyone else?”

“Because…”

You turned to face him again, confusion and slight annoyance bubbling under your skin. “Because what?” Suna groaned and ran a hand over his face. “You’re so oblivious.”

Okay, now you were annoyed.

“Oblivious? How am I oblivious?”

“Because you haven’t realized how different you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you fucking messing with me Suna? Look, I’m in no mood for your stupid games-“

“Would you shut up for one second and think.”

You leaned back against the sink with a cough, wincing as another throb of pain shot through your head. Any traces of anger or annoyance vanished from Suna’s face in an instant. He left the bathroom and you heard him rustling through the bag he left in your room. He returned with a bottle of pills and an ice pack.

“Here. Take these.” You took the small pills from his outstretched hand and washed them down with the now lukewarm tea. “Have you thought about it?” You rolled your eyes dramatically, placing your hand under your chin to mock a thinking position. “No, I don’t think I have.” He rolled his eyes in return. “Fine. Would I be doing this for anyone else? Hm?”

It’s a good point. One you didn’t bother thinking about. Sure, maybe he would do it for his teammates, but that was a hard maybe. He just wasn’t the caretaker type, much less with someone he wasn’t close with. You realized the implication behind his words in an instant.

“You...you like me?”

“‘Bout time you figured that out, sweetheart.”

All of the moments between you two passed through your mind in a frenzy, and you started to laugh. It was hysterical, really. All this time you just knew Suna could never like you back.

i take it back. thank you. sorry for saying fuck you

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” He scoffed, “And risk losing my appearance? Hell no,” he said, sending you that damn smirk again.

“You are a menace, Rintaro.”

“Yea, but I’m your menace. You’re stuck with me.”

“That’s horrifying.”

“Oh shush, ya love me.”

“Yea, yea. Now, get me back in my bed. I need to sleep.”

“Inviting me to bed already? Wow y/n.”

“I hate you.” He reached over and pecked your cheek.

“Hate you, too.”

[thdorkmagnet]

The Princess and the Street Dog

Hello everyone!! So today I am posting a birthday gift for my dear amazing friend @kikithefox231​. She had an idea for a Lady and the Tramp AU and I fell in love with it! Of all her incredible AU’s this one might be my favorite, haha. She also offered to make a cover for it and gosh it just turned out adorable!! Thanks for that Kiki and Happy Birthday, dude! You deserve it!

 Star's life had always been perfect. Ever since she could remember she had been living the life of luxury. She had been adopted by a lovely family of humans known as Eclipsa and Globgor. They treated her with so much warmth and kindness that she never felt unloved. She could do basically whatever she wanted: sleep on the bed at their feet, eat half of Globgor’s morning donut, and she was even free to bark and chase around as many birds or squirrels as she wanted. 

Yep, life for Star was pretty good.

Loving with a silver spoon would do that to you. Sure there was a problem or two from time to time but nothing that ever threatened her lifestyle. The biggest hiccup had been when Globgore and Eclipsa had a 'baby' as they called it and suddenly the attention was shifted away from her. She was pretty upset and even a little jealous until she had actually seen little Meteora and her heart had melted. She fell in love with the baby and her tail was wagging so much the first time she saw her, it was a wonder it didn't break off. 

So yeah life for Star was good.

Except....

It wasn't. Lately Star has been craving more. She wanted to see more than the small fenced-in enclosure she called home. Sure she loved her home and owners and couldn't ask for better but at the same time... she wanted more! She knew there was stuff out there that she had never seen before and she would love a chance to see it someday. 

Of course it wasn't her fault she had started having these thoughts, they had been implanted into her brain by the wild street dog known as Marco. Ever since he started showing up, Star has begun desiring more from her life than the pampered existence she knew. He would come around to bother her and tell her stories about life outside of fences, about railroad tracks and garbage cans and fire hydrants. Star pretended not to care but inwardly, her curiosity was beyond peaked and she secretly loved whenever Marco appeared, something about him just drew her in and she couldn't quite explain it.

Not that she would ever let it show.

Star was thinking about him as she laid out of the grass, letting the bright sunlight soak into her warm fur. She had had a very busy morning, fetching the newspaper, burying the bone Eclipsa had given her, barking at a group of stray birds that wandered into her yard, the usual stuff and she was enjoying some well deserved rest. Of course she was also trying to show off the new pink bow her owners had tied around her ears, it looked great on her and she was happy to gain attention over it.

But then her peaceful morning was interrupted as she heard a distinct set of pawprints heading her way. She let out a groan, while her heartbeat began to pick up its pace again. There was only one animal in the world those pawsteps could belong to, Marco's brash, confident stride too distinct to be anyone else. 

Star felt her heartbeat racing against her chest and her tail began to wag against her will. She did her best to hide her joy though, pretending to be asleep. She didn't want to let him know the effect he had on her, even though she was practically shivering with anticipation.

She felt the tiniest of smiles form on her face as she heard the gate to her yard creak open. She didn't know why but she loved the fact that Marco was there to see her. That he came all this way specifically for her. Something about that caused goosebumps to appear under her fur. 

She listened as his paws padded on the soft grass getting closer and closer but she didn't dare risk looking. Maybe if he thought she was sleeping he would leave and honestly even though she wanted to see him, she didn't want the temptation that came with him. His wild, chaotic nature was hard to resist.

But her charade proved ineffective when a cocky voice said, "Hello princess."

Star let out a fake sigh, pretending to be annoyed by the nickname he had given her, instead of the intense feeling of joy that rushed through her. "Why do you always have the worst timing? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something."

Marco lay down in front of her, their faces so close their noses were nearly touching. "Funny, to my eye it looks like you're doing a whole lot of nothing," he said with an intoxicating smirk.

Star huffed, sticking her nose up in the air like her friend Ponyhead had taught her, saying in a superior tone, "For your information it's called a nap."

Marco wasn't at all affected by her power, rolling around some on the grass as he commented, "Wow, I knew you were pampered but I didn't realize the pet life made you so lazy."

Star couldn't stop the growl at the teasing insult, her cheeks puffing up in the cutest way. "I'm not lazy!" She argued, shooting the street dog an annoyed scowl. "For your information I had a very busy morning!"

"Doing what? Getting a pedicure?" Marco asked with a sly grin, clearly enjoying getting under the cocker spaniel's skin. 

"No that was the day before," Star replied without thinking. But upon realizing her mistake she flushed, knowing how the argument was just made invalid. The collie broke out into laughter and Star resisted every urge in her body that told her to hide her blushing face from his gaze. Instead she simply settled for looking away and pouting. 

"Whatever, it's not that bad," she muttered under her breath. In a louder voice though she asked in an annoyed huff, "Did you come all the way here just to insult me?"

"Nope," Marco said, finally recovering from his laughing fit, stretched out his limbs and back as he spoke. "Actually I was on my way to have some real fun and figured I'd invite you along." The dog crossed his paws in front of him before laying his head on top, giving the pampered pooch a knowing smirk. "But clearly you're too busy to come."

Star saw through the dog’s attempt to manipulate her, his hidden smug and wagging tail giving him away in a heartbeat. But Star was not so easily manipulated and so she kept a straight face as she replied, "That's right. So why don't you run along and let me nap in peace." She turned her back to him and laid down closing her eyes while listening closely to see if he would actually leave or not. 

But even this was not enough to shake Marco as he trotted around her, now facing her again. "Oh come on," he pressed bending down so that his face hovered a few inches from her own. "Don’t tell me you aren't curious? Where's your sense of adventure? Don't you want more out of life than being a pet! Don't you wanna see what a dog's life can really be?"

Star didn't know how to reply to that, because she was curious. She did want to see what life off of a leash was like. She knew she shouldn't but she did and that burning desire made her hesitate. Marco's offer was so intriguing, could she really pass up this chance?

Marco could see her will breaking and added in a hinting tone, "Come on, princess. You know you want to."

"But-But Eclipsa and Globgor," she quickly stammered, but the excuse was halfhearted and she knew it. 

“I’ll have you back before they even know you’re gone,” Marco promised, giving her a trusting smile, one that Star found impossible to resist, her curiosity and the street dog’s pressure pushing her over the edge. 

She let out a long, drawn-out sigh, before finally saying, “Okay, fine.” But she added quickly, “But only because it’ll get you to leave me alone.” 

It was clear Marco saw through her obvious lie due to his wide smirk but thankfully he kept whatever comment he had to himself as he simply replied, “Cool. Glad to hear I finally convinced you.” 

“Not like I had much choice,” Star muttered sourly, stretching out her limbs as she finally stood. She made sure to not let her smile show, her excitement at finally getting to see the outside world making her inwardly giddy. But she did not want Marco to see that. 

Marco chuckled to himself at Star’s pouting and told her smoothly, “Hey, I promise you’re gonna love it and a street dog’s ode is his life.”

“Really?” Star questioned, raising a teasing eyebrow. She allowed the dog to lead her over to the opened gate. 

“Oh yeah, just because we aren’t pampered head to toe doesn’t mean we don’t have standards, princess.”

“Well, I suppose we’ll just have to see how true your ode is then, won’t we?” 

Marco gave her a confident grin over his shoulder, that caused Star’s cheeks to heat up. “Challenge accepted.” The two reached the gate and Marco waved a paw towards the exit, bowing his head low. “After you,” he said in what could almost pass for a sophisticated tone if Star didn’t notice the sarcasm dripping from his every inflection.

“Such a gentlemen,” she returned, playing along with his act as she trotted past him, keeping her head held high in a dignified manner. But she paused just a second as she reached the crosswalk, feeling anxious to take that final step into a world she didn’t know or understand. She didn’t pause for too long though, feeling Marco’s stare on her back, no doubt judging her hesitation and wanting to prove herself to the street dog she forced her paw onto the hard cement sidewalk. For some reason, Star’s body tensed up, her hair standing slightly on end as if she expected some disaster to happen the moment she left the safety of her yard. But nothing happened, the pair remained untouched and Star felt slightly embarrassed for the irrational panic. 

Marco grinned brightly at seeing the fussy dog finally stepping outside her comfort zone and his tail wagged happily as he watched her reluctantly standing on the sidewalk. He had been waiting for this moment for so long and he finally had convinced his crush to go on an adventure with him. He could see her start to rethink her decision though, indecision flashing in her eyes and he quickly said, “Come on, it’s this way.” And with that he headed off towards town, already coming up with the quickest route out of the fancy neighborhood. He held his breath slightly as he listened closely for Star’s pawsteps and after a couple seconds he heard her following along behind him and felt his heart leap in his chest. 

Star made sure to stick close to Marco as she stumbled along blindly behind him, the burning curiosity in her chest pressing her forward as her beloved home slowly faded in the distance as she journeyed into the unknown. 

...

Star was enchanted by the world outside her fence. She could only gap and wag her tail at every new sight that came her way, following along behind Marco. There were so many things to see, automobiles and fire hydrants and so, so many humans! Thousands of new smells invaded Star's nostrils and she couldn't help but sniff back eagerly. She wanted to know what all of it was and meant. 

She tried to keep her composure, especially when she caught a few smirking glances from Marco. She was a lady, after all. Still, it was hard to act sophisticated when you were left gawking awkwardly at something as simple as a window shop. Star jumped when a Jack-in-the-box popped up from behind the glass and Marco laughed. She tried to ignore the annoying tramp as well as her warm cheeks.

Marco led her over to some railroad tracks and they followed them for a short ways. Again, Star couldn't hold in her excitement as she asked, "Do you think we'll see a train?" 

"Probably not, the trains don't usually run at this time," Marco nonchalantly replied, boldly walking on the tracks themselves, while Star trotted next to them. 

"Oh," Star replied sadly, unable to hide her disappointment.

"Maybe next time, princess," Marco reassured her, giving her a tiny glance. 

Star didn't reply but her tail wagged just a little bit harder at the thought of there being a 'next time'. She hadn't been too sure about an outing with the street dog at first but she had to admit she was enjoying herself. Maybe she wouldn't mind having a 'next time' with Marco. 

Then the two reached their destination.

Of all the places Star had been imagining (since Marco had insisted on it being a surprise) an old rundown farm was not one of them. If farm was even the right word. The grass had been picked clean, only dirt and mud left. The house was falling apart loose boards and peeling paint making the place look hazardous. The only thing of even remote interest was a worn down chicken coop. Star gave Marco a skeptical look silently asking 'Is this the place?'

The mutt ignored his critical companion, breathing in the rustic air before sighing contintly, "This place never changes."

"Are you sure that's a good thing?" Star commented, wrinkling her snout.

Marco finally picked up on the pet's contempt and said confidently, "Trust me, Star. You are gonna love this."

"If you say so," Star replied, shifting uncomfortably on her paws, suddenly not sure about her decision to tag along. The dirt especially making her hesitant. Eclipsa hated having to give her baths and would usually ask Globgor do it. Star didn't want to cause trouble for her owners. 

But she was already here and she didn't want to turn back now, she would never hear the end about it from Marco. She had to prove to him once and for all that a pet could be just as wild and reckless as a stray. 

So, Star just took in a breath, gazing up at the wire fence that sealed off their entrance and asked, "So how do we get in?"

"This way," Marco replied, padding over to the fence and gesturing with his paw to a small hole just under where the fence was. He quickly widened the hole, using his front paws to scoop out dirt so both he and Star could fit easily under.

Star watched as the collie easily slipped through the hole, not a single patch of fur even grazing the fence line. He then turned, waiting for Star to do the same.

But she hesitated. 

Marco watched her stand there awkwardly for a second, before asking, "What is it now, princess?" A smirk grew as he added teasingly, "Afraid of getting a little dirty?"

Star's gaze narrowed slightly but she shook her head, causing her ears to flop back and forth. "No, it's just... my bow."

"Your bow," Marco repeated, an eyebrow beginning to raise. 

Star felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment, suddenly feeling stupid for bringing it up, but she lowered her head so Marco could clearly see the pretty pink ribbon tied around her ears, resting comfortably at the back of her head. "Uh yeah, Eclipsa and Globgor just bought it for me, I'm afraid it'll get ruined." Her voice grew softer and softer with each word, shame making her voice slowly break off, lost to the wind.

She waited for Marco to laugh or taunt her but surprisingly the dog didn't say anything, instead just gazing around thoughtfully at the fence. Star watched in surprise as his bright brown eyes searched for any openings, before they landed on a small gate. 

"Hang on I got an idea," Marco said. The hound then began the grueling task of trying to open the small lock with nothing but his nose. It took several attempts, trying to tease the small clasp up and Star held her breath at every try, sighing in disappointment each time it slipped right back into place. 

Finally after several endless minutes, Marco managed to get the gate open, a small push from his paw allowing Star to easily enter inside. 

Star happily trotted inside, touched by Marco's kindness. "Thanks," she whispered shyly. "I really appreciate you doing that for me." She scratched a paw in the dirt absentmindedly. 

Marco shrugged. "Well I couldn't let you ruin something important to you because of me, what kind of friend would I be, then?"

Star was too stunned to respond to that, just staring at him, wide-eyed. The slight sparkle in her eye seemed to make Marco uncomfortable, coughing into his paw before turning away and adding quickly, "B-Besides, then I'd never get you to come out of your fancy cage again, soooo-"

Star smiled softly back at him, easily picking up on his attempts to cover up his compassionate act and simply replied, "Well thanks all the same."

"S-Sure, it's no big deal, really," Marco nervously stuttered, for the first time losing his cocky demeanor that Star had so heavily associated with him. Looks like there was more to Marco than she had thought. And Star couldn't help her curiosity as she wondered what other sides to him waited beneath his rough exterior. 

"Anyways," Marco continued in a desperate attempt to change the subject. "Let me show you what we came here for." 

"Oh please," Star said teasingly, trotting along beside him as he led her to the chicken coop. "The anticipation is killing me."

Marco gestured with a paw at the coop. "Here we are!" He said in a showy tone. 

Stars eyes narrowed in confusion. "I'm confused is it behind the dirty chicken coop orrr-"

Marco gave a fake laugh at the comment. "Haha, very funny. No, it is the chicken coop, Star."

"And why do we care about chickens, exactly?" Star asked, still not following Marco's train of thought.

"Easy. We're gonna scare them and then chase them around a bunch."

Star was startled by this answer, blurting out, "Why would we do that?"

"Because it's fun," Marco replied simply. 

"But we won't hurt them right?" Star asked nervously. 

"Naaahh," Marco dismissively answered, already walking up the wooden plank that led inside. "They love it. This is what they live for."

"Well, alright then," Star said wincing but still followed after her friend. She still had a point to prove, after all. 

Once inside, the smell of must and feathers filled Star's nose and she blinked a few times waiting for her eyes to adjust. The chickens all lay on small piles of straw that acted as their nest, each snoring peacefully, oblivious to the intruders in their home. The pampered pup looked over at her friend, unsure of what to do now.

But it seemed Marco was easily in control of the situation, shooting her a wink before sucking in a deep breath. Before Star could question what he was doing the mutt let out a loud series of barks that caused Star to flinch and startled the birds from their slumber, squawking and flapping around the coop wildly. Then they all rushed towards the only exit and Star barely had time to jump out of the way of the fluttering of a thousand feathers.

Star watched stunned as the birds scattered out across the yard, still clucking loudly and making a huge fuss as they scrambled around blindly. The pet felt a twinge of regret for scaring the birds until her eyes landed on Marco. The street dog crouched forward on his front paws, so his tail was sticking up in the air. It was wagging so quickly it was a wonder it hadn't lifted him off the ground. There was a playfulness in his eyes and his tongue stuck out just slightly and Star couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of the grown dog acting like a mere pup. 

Marco heard her chuckle and flashed her a winning grin that caused Star’s whole body to warm with affection and she smiled back at the mutt without even thinking. Then, without warning, the street dog launched himself towards one of the chickens causing it to squawk and scamper away as fast as it’s claws would allow. But Marco was on it’s tail in a second, following closely along behind it and letting out a few yips here and there to keep it motivated on escaping him. Star now outright laughed at her companion’s ridiculous display, his tongue now hanging fully out of his mouth as he chased after the bird, which zigzagged around the yard in some form of evasive maneuver. 

Star laughed harder and harder until her stomach hurt and there were tears in her eyes and still the mutt continued his hilarious display. Marco paused for only a second, panting wildly but clearly enjoying himself and he gave a slight incline of his head towards the lady dog, beaconing her over. Star shook her head, still thinking of her privileged upbringing, it simply wouldn’t be dignified of her. Marco’s eyes flashed with some kind of determination but quickly raced after the chicken again. 

This time though, he seemed to be guiding it in a specific path, cutting it off at several points and forcing it to turn and run and Star realized too late that he was leading it over to her. She shrieked and quickly moved out of the way as the chicken ran past, a few feathers flying up into the air and landing in her soft fur. Marco flew by her in a blur and she shot him an annoyed glare which he returned with a shrug over his shoulders. 

Star let out a huff, but a smile spread across her face a second later as she chased not after the chicken, but Marco himself, all thoughts of preserving dignity and respect lost as she gave into the tramp’s game. “Get back here, you scoundrel!” she barked playfully.

“You’ll have to catch me, Princess,” Marco shouted over his shoulder, delighted his companion was finally joining in on the fun. 

The two giggled as they raced around the yard, sending chickens fluttering into the air at every turn, the chickens themselves now forgotten as a game of chase broke out instead. Star, not used to running this much, found herself struggling to catch up to Marco but she refused to give up. Thinking quickly, she broke off course, running around the chicken coop and able to outmaneuver the hound. She let out a laugh of victory shouting, “Gotcha!” she lept towards him but he quickly jumped out of the way, causing her to land hard in the dirt. 

Star sat up quickly, spitting rocks and dirt from her mouth before growling as she heard Marco’s laughter. She rose to her paws, shaking the loose dirt off her shiny fur, before shooting her friend another glare. “Oh, that’s it, you’re on now!” she yelled, barely able to suppress her own laugh. Marco fake gasped before taking off running again and Star raced after him.

The two ran around the small backyard together and Star smiled brightly, enjoying the feeling of the wind on her face, the pounding in her heart, her ears flapping behind her. All of it. And all those days, living safe and secluded in her small home melted away as the feeling of true freedom overtook her. Marco hadn’t lied to her when he said she would have fun, Star was having the time of her life and she never wanted it to end! 

Star seeing several chickens pecking at the ground in front of her and Marco, smiled mischievously before letting out a loud bark, causing the birds to panic and scatter, several of them flapping their wings right in the poor dog’s face causing him to stumble back in surprise. Star used this opportunity to pounce on her companion, knocking him to the ground and pinning him under her weight. “Gotcha!” she shouted in victory, her front paws perched on his back and her head held high. “How’s that for a house pet?”

Marco chuckled, before rolling over on his back, causing her to slide off of him. The two lay on the ground for a minute, panting, staring into each other’s eyes as they smiled blissfully. 

“Alright, I admit that was pretty good,” Marco finally said, his tone full of some emotion Star couldn’t quite place, but there was a tenderness in her eyes that made her tail wag in joy. “I knew there was more to you than meets the eye.”

“Hmm, turns out there’s more to you, too,” Star commented shyly, suddenly looking away to hide her burning cheeks. 

“Like what?” he asked, leaning a little closer to her so their noses were almost touching. 

“Like… maybe you aren’t as annoying as I thought you were,” Star answered softly. The cocker spaniel found herself scooting closer to her companion. She didn’t know what she was about to do but she knew she wanted whatever it was to happen. 

“You might even be really… nice,” she finished.

There was now almost no space between them, their faces so close Star could smell Marco’s scent. It was musty and gritty but full of so much life and she wanted to know more. She wanted to know everything about Marco, wanted to be a part of his life in the same way he had become a part of hers. She wanted-

“Hey!” A loud voice interrupted the moment and Star looked over to see a human, an angry scowl on his face and a gleaming gray tool perched tightly in his hands. Star shivered at the hatred on the man’s face and she thought she saw Marco put a protective paw in front of her but it could have been her imagination. “Stop scaring my chickens, you mutts!” The man raised the shiny barrel so it was now facing right towards the pair of dogs and Star felt her heart drop. 

Marco let out a loud bark, which caused the man to jump and a loud bang rang through the air, hurting Star’s sensitive ears. The ground right beside her paw was stuck by something hard and fast, kicking dirt up into the air and terror shot through Star as she instinctively pulled her paw away from the sudden impact. “Run!” Marco shouted and Star didn’t have to be told twice. The two raced out the open gate, several chickens flapping out of their way and scattering into the street. Another loud bang sounded behind Star, who flinched but didn’t dare turn to see what it was, her heart racing quickly in her chest. 

She just focused on following Marco and not on the loud, angry shouts of the cruel man that grew further and further away. The street dog led them onto the street and Star didn’t hesitate to follow him, hoping he knew best. But at that exact moment, a car pulled out right in front of them and Star froze in terror. Thankfully, the car swerved to avoid hitting her, honking loudly in annoyance but sparing her life, thankfully. Star shook her head to free herself from her paralzed state and quickly chased after Marco, who was now quite a bit ahead of her. 

The street dog seemed to not notice his companion lagging behind as he swerved around several humans who now crowded the sidewalks. Star saw Marco disappear around a corner and quickly followed after him.

Star found herself in an abandoned alleyway and she sighed in relief to be out of the street and away from danger. But this was short-lived as she realized she didn’t see Marco anywhere. “Marco?” she called, trying to keep the quiver out of her voice. After the scare earlier the silence of the alley was unnerving to Star and she felt her body shaking some against her will. She tried to hide her fear but her body didn’t seem to want to obey as she shuddered and shook, taking hesitant steps farther into the dark, abandoned alley. Her voice grew quiet as she softly called out for her companion, getting weaker and weaker as she received no answer. Where was he? 

Star was starting to question if she had gone the wrong way, when she heard something behind her and her heart leapt in joy. “Marco!” she called hopefully. 

But her hopes were dashed as a pair of rough looking street dogs emerged from the shadows. Their fur was matted and dirty, their faces set in permanent snears, while their eyes burned with both hunger and anger in equal intensity, everything about them gave Star the creeps and she found herself backing away from them as they approached. They blocked Star’s only exit out of the alley, living her trapped with these vile creatures... alone. 

“Well look what we have here,” one of the dog’s said, the disgust in his tone clear and Star noticed there was a piece missing from his left ear. “A prissy pet has wandered into our territory.” 

Star shrank under the intense gaze, keeping herself as low to the ground as she could, trying to look as non-threatening as possible in the hopes they would leave her alone. But that seemed to be wishful thinking. 

“What’s the matter, little lady, wander away from your humans or did they throw you out on the streets like the rest of us?” the dog said again, clearly the leader. 

Star felt a sudden burst of anger at the comment and held her head high as she responded critically, “Perhaps if you weren’t so ugly or rude you would have a chance to live outside of the gutter. But it seems you two are exactly where you belong.” 

The two dogs just stared at her stunned for a second, not sure how to respond to the harsh criticism and Star felt a small burst of pride for standing up for herself. However, this quickly turned to regret as the dogs let out deep guttural growls, their faces filled with fury and Star instantly wished she hadn’t provoked them. 

“Well it seems the princess has quite a bark on her,” the lead dog said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and envy. He slowly stalked closer and Star backed away nervously, only to run into a large wooden fence, trapping her and leaving her at the mercy of these vicious creatures. Both hounds sneared at their prey’s helpless predicament, clearly enjoying Star’s looks of panic and quivering body, her fur practically standing on end. They moved torturously slowly, playing with their victim as they savored her terror. “Let’s see if your bite is just as sharp,” the lead dog growled. 

With that he sprang towards her, jaw opened wide, his fangs ready to sink into flesh and fur and Star screamed, turning her head away and squeezing her eyes shut so she didn’t have to see her own death. But at the last second, something flew over the fence, a flash of brown descending quickly and landing between Star and the street dogs, slamming into the attacking leader and knocking him to the ground. 

Star hesitantly peaked open an eye only for them to widen in surprise as she saw the determined, brash form of Marco now standing protectively in front of her. He was lowered to the ground in a defensive stance, the nails of his claws digging slightly into the smooth tile, looking ready to attack at any second. His ears were lowered in a threatening manner and his face had contorted into a chilling snarl, baring his fangs at the rival dogs, a deep growl echoing from his throat. Star’s mouth hung open as she stared longingly at Marco, in that moment she couldn’t think of anything more beautiful than the sight of her friend coming to her rescue. Her heart was beating violently in her chest but if it was out of fear or love Star couldn’t determine, ultimately deciding it was a strange mixture of both somehow. 

“Stay away from her!” Marco barked out in warning and Star felt a chill run through her. This dog before her was nothing like the annoying mutt she had grown to care for. The Marco she knew was all smooth smiles and playful looks, but this dog in front of her… he was a predator at its purest form. His every move, every inflection, every action was focused on one task only- to defend. Star realized she was seeing yet another side of Marco today. The true primitive animal that lay beneath the levels of charm and charisma. And yet, instead of fear, Star only felt herself falling all the harder for her companion. 

Because he was protecting her and that was all that mattered. 

The two dogs were not deterred by Marco’s death-filled glares, instead this only seemed to anger them more as the lead dog scoffed and snapped, “Oh what? Are you seriously going to try and tell me you are protecting this pet?” 

Marco only growled in response, his eyes narrowing and seeming to scream ‘Just try something I dare you’. 

The lead dog seemed amused by this as his and his partner started to circle around Marco, looking for an opening and Marco watched them wearily. “Didn’t realize you were so soft,” the lead dog taunted. “Can’t believe you would actually risk your life for an outsider. You’re one of us, remember?” 

“I am nothing like you!” Marco barked and that seemed to bring the tension to its boiling point as all at once a fight broke out. 

Star could barely track the flurry of claws and teeth and fur as the hounds mangled one another in any way they could. Marco fought valiantly against his two opponents, sinking his teeth into any patch of fur that drifted too close, while easily dodging out of the way of the others' attacks on him. 

The smaller dog managed to sneak up behind Marco and jumped onto his back, Marco letting out a howl of pain as its sharp fangs bit into flesh. But with a simple kick of his backpaws the other dog went flying, slamming hard into a trashcan and letting out its own yelp of agony.

The lead dog then caught Marco by surprise, as it snapped its jaw around Marco’s left paw, pressing down and drawing blood, staining Marco’s fur red. Marco again let out a cry of pain but was quick to retaliate, using his good paw to slam into the dog’s face, catching him right in the eye and the lead dog yelped and pulled away. 

But the lead dog shrugged off its injury, snarling and going in for the kill, its dripping fangs opened wide as it headed straight for Marco’s throat, ready to tear it out in one motion. But Marco saw the attack coming from a mile away, stepping out of the way and burying his own fangs in the back of the hound’s neck as he passed. He used the momentum to throw the dog across the alley, the vile dog slamming into the same trashcan as his partner, the two now laying in a heap on the ground. 

They recovered slowly, raising their heads as they looked over to their opponent with bleary, pain-filled eyes. Marco towered over them, his eyes flashing with murder as he growled sharply, “Had enough.”

The other dogs lost their nerve, shrinking in fear before the menacing Marco, whimpering nervously as the lead dog muttered, “Okay, okay, fine. You win. You and the pet get off easy, this time. But if I see you in my territory again-”

Marco stepped closer so they were now face to face, his eyes flashing dangerously as he growled, “Oh yeah and what are you gonna do?”

The lead dog struggled to keep a straight face as he backed away from the superior hound, him and his lackey now the ones shaking in fear. Marco let out a sharp sniff before declaring, “Now get out of here before I change my mind and finish what you started!” 

The two dogs didn’t have to be told twice as they ran speedily away, their tails tucked between their legs as they fearfully escaped Marco’s wrath. Star breathed a sigh of relief when the two dogs vanished from view but stared at her friend in concern as his body remained tense and alert. She approached him slowly, reluctantly, afraid he might lash out at her if she made any loud noises but he didn’t. He simply glared off into the distance, his posture threatening and calloused. 

“Marco?” Star whispered anxiously. She didn’t like seeing her friend this way. Now that the danger had passed she wished the annoying but lovable Marco would return to her, seeing him go from a carefree puppy into this wild animal was too much for her mind to comprehend. 

But slowly, cautiously Marco began to relax. His tight muscles loosened and his fur flattened back into place. His posture grew less rigid and more easygoing. His twisted expression melted into a vacant, far-off look and his hardened gaze slowly softened as he turned to address her. Star nearly fainted with relief, Marco still far from his playful self, but it was still much better. 

Marco blinked once as his eyes seemed to focus in on her face and he muttered softly, “Star.” He regarded her for another second, his brown orbs scanning her up and down before he finally added, “You okay?” 

Star nodded dumbly, not sure she could produce words right now, her throat tight from the terrifying ordeal. Marco gave her a worried look but sighed in relief saying, “Thank goodness. I was worried those jerks might have hurt you.”

“Do you…” Star began, before reconsidering, wanting to word this correctly to avoid upsetting her friend. “Does that happen… often?”

“What, the fights?” Marco asked, an eyebrow slowly raising. 

Star nodded, before explaining, “You seemed like it wasn’t your first.”

Marco scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Well to be fair, that was hardly what I would call a fight. Those two idiots had no idea what they were doing. I’ve been in way tougher scrapes then-” Marco cut himself off when he noticed Star’s eyes widening. He quickly corrected himself, plastering on a forced smile, “Uhh, I mean, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m as tough as they come, Star.”

“I-I see,” Star muttered, not sure what else to say. Life on the streets must be hard if this experience was anything to go by and she wanted to cry as she imagined all the times Marco must have been hurt or scared. While she was busy living it up in a house where her every need was cared for, he was busy trying to stay alive. 

Marco, almost as if reading her thoughts, suddenly told her in a calm, even tone, “Hey, don’t worry about me, I love living on the streets even if things are a little rough sometimes. Life out here isn’t all bad, I swear. That just.. wasn’t the best example.” Marco rolled his eyes before adding, “I just can’t believe those mutts would attack you like that! If I ever see them again I’ll-” His gaze hardened and a low growl echoed in his throat as he thought of the two attack dogs.

Star quickly cut in before her friend could lose himself to his anger, blurting out, “No, no, I’m fine, really! They didn’t do anything to me! Although that’s mostly thanks to you.” She blushed slightly at this but gave him a bright smile. “Thank you, by the way, for saving me.”

“No problem, princess,” Marco replied, a cheery grin lighting up his face. “What kind of friend would I be if I let you get killed on your first trip into town?”

Star giggled slightly as she added playfully, “Oh yeah, is that more of a third trip kind of thing orrrr-”

Marco laughed and Star felt her heart thump against her chest at the sweet sound. “I see this experience hasn’t hurt your witty comebacks at all,” he said, giving her a knowing look.

“You wish,” Star replied with a teasing grin.

Marco opened his mouth to say something else, moving towards her in emphasis, but instead hissed in pain, cringing as his left paw touched the ground. Star’s eyes widened in concern and she asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?” 

The street dog lifted his hurt paw up, cringing in pain, and that’s when she saw the damage the two dogs had done to him. Blood was dripping from the wound, staining his fur red, and it hurt Star just looking at it. “Oh my gosh, are you okay?!” she shouted, moving closer to properly inspect the wound.

“But Marco quickly brushed off Star’s concern, telling her in a slightly strained tone, “I’m fine. It’s just a scratch is all.”

Star gave him a doubting look. “Are you sure? It looks pretty bad.”

“Nah, just gotta walk it off is all,” he said, before flashing a wide, goofy grin in her direction. Star felt her heart go out to her friend, her stomach churning slightly with guilt over him getting hurt protecting her. He was clearly more hurt than he was letting on and Star wanted desperately to help him in some way. She wanted to repay him for what he had done for her, some small token of her gratitude. And this seemed like the simplest way of doing that. 

She scanned her brain, thinking hard for an idea, when suddenly a thought popped into her head. She smiled softly to herself before turning her head as far around as it could. Marco watched her curiously as she shook her head back and forth a few times, finally managing to grab a loose end with her teeth, before she slowly pulled it loose. The bow came undone, the ribbon now hanging loosely in her mouth and she carried it over to her friend’s paw. She carefully began wrapping the stretch of cloth over Marco’s injured paw as the street dog stood there in stunned silence.

It took a bit of time, having to use her nose, paw, and teeth to tie the make-shift bandage into place, but slowly, meticulously she managed to wrap up the wound. And with a final tug on the ribbon, Star let go, moving back to admire her work.

Marco stared down at the ribbon in confusion, before looking back up at her, a tenderness in his eyes that did all kinds of crazy things to Star’s heart. “Why did you do that?” he asked, looking so baffled that Star almost laughed out loud at the strange expression.

“Well, I had to stop the blood somehow,” she replied instead. “It was dripping all over the pavement.”

“No, I mean, your pretty bow, you kinda just ruined it,” Marco said, his voice hushed. “Wasn’t this important to you?”

Star shook her head. “You needed it more than I did,” she replied simply. “Besides Eclipsa and Globgor can always get me a new one.”

Marco’s eyes flooded with deep affection, a fondness that went so much deeper than he seemed to be able to comprehend, and Star knew without a doubt she was finally seeing the whole Marco. There was a longing there, a need for companionship that he had been starved of for so long, but also slight fear, like he was afraid to give himself away to her, his guarded heart opening up just a little wider to let her in. And from the way his eyes roamed over her face, it was like he was seeing her for the first time. 

And honestly, Star understood all of this, because she was feeling it herself. 

But instead of trying to run from this feeling, she embraced it, welcoming it openly. Because she liked this feeling and she didn’t want it to stop. She wanted it to be a part of her and she hoped that Marco wanted that, too.

After a few awkward minutes of gawking at each other in silence, the spell was broken not by one of the dogs but by a car horn from the street outside the alley, the loud noise causing both of them to jump and bringing them crashing back to reality. Star shook her head, before staring up at the darkening sky, declaring nervously, “Oh no, it’s getting late. I should probably get back to the house.”

Marco nodded in agreement, although he seemed disappointed at this news. “Yeah, that would be best, I guess.” He turned to lead her out of the alley, his tail hanging limply between his legs and his ears lowered in sadness. “Come on, princess. I’ll walk you back.” 

Star stared back at him in sympathy before rushing to catch up, not wanting to risk being separated from him… again. She walked with him side by side, staring at his depressed face for a few seconds before saying softly, “Uh, hey. Thanks for bringing me along. Sorry for the trouble I caused you.”

Marco shook his head. “No, no, you aren’t any trouble. I’m just sorry things got so… tense back there. Looks like my efforts to show you the wonders of life off the leash didn’t work out so well, huh? You’ll probably never want to step foot outside your fence after all that.”

“Actually, I had a good time,” Star told him and he turned to her with shock.

“Seriously?” he asked, giving her a disbelieving look.

“Well, okay it got a little crazy and traumatizing there at the end,” she admitted before letting out an involuntary shudder. She gave him a bright grin as she added, “But I’m glad I decided to come with you. I never realized how boring and predictable my life was before. Or just how much I was missing out on. So thank you, for showing me.”

Marco was still giving her an incredulous look, still too dumbfounded for words. And Star found his awkward gawking adorable, adding sweetly, “But maybe next time we can do something a little more relaxing.”

This finally seemed to get Marco’s attention as he asked excitedly, “Next time.” His eyes shimmered with anticipation, his tail starting to wag, once again.

Star nodded. “Mmhmm ‘next time’,” she repeated, giving him a shamelessly flirty grin.

Marco’s eyes flashed mischievously as he declared in a hinting tone, “Well, y’know I do happen to know a little place here in town, if you’re interested.”

“Oh. What did you have in mind?” she asked, giving him a small nudge with her shoulder.

“It’s a nice Italian restaurant. The owners and I go way back and they are also generous with the hand-outs. Their pizzas are okay but their spaghetti is to die for.”

Star giggled, her heart thumping eagerly against her chest. “Sounds perfect.”

“So, pick you up at your place, late tonight? After the owners are asleep.” His eyes were full of hope and joy and so many emotions at once that it almost made Star ache. He was opening himself up to her again, letting his true self show and Star knew she had to grab on tight. Grab on and never let go. 

Because if she was being honest with herself, life with Marco was what living was really all about. 

“It’s a date.”

[chasseurdeloup-retired]

If You Give a Cat A Bone(doggle) || Morgan and Kaden

TIMING: Before Constance was yeeted forever LOCATION: The woods PARTIES: @mor-beck-more-problems and @chasseurdeloup SUMMARY: Morgan and Kaden take Anya the cat for a walk and make friends. Sort of. 

Walking cats always looked kind of funny compared to dogs. Probably because most didn’t put up with it long enough to bother. There was something charming about it, though. And there was something nice and grounding about walking with Morgan and Anya around the East End. Especially on a Sunday. Kaden was sure Abel would be jealous that he didn’t get to come but he had a feeling Anya wouldn’t love his dog as much as his dog would love the cat. “I’m still impressed you got her leash trained,” Kaden told his friend as they walked. There were so many topics he just didn’t want to touch. Not right now at least, not in public. Distractions were better anyway. Like she was deciding to test his compliment, Anya started pulling on the leash, darting after something in the distance, probably a rodent of some sort, maybe a lagomorph. “She might be worse at walking but she’s definitely better at hunting than Abel.”

Morgan laughed dry in her chest. “Oh, this is all Anya’s spirit doing the work,” she said. “You should see her when she actually--” Likes me, is what she was going to say. Because it was almost eight months since she’d been impaled by the side of the road and Anya still, at best, only tolerated her presence. At this point, she was more Deirdre’s companion than Morgan’s, perching on the banshee’s lap, trailing behind her when she went to any of the rooms in the house, and glaring at anyone who she thought infringed upon her time with her. Granted, Anya no longer attacked or hissed at Morgan whenever she walked into the room. Sometimes she would sit in such a way that her paws touched Morgan’s leg while the rest of her lounged against Deirdre, and Morgan would press back just a little so she could feel her leathery toe beans just a little better and feel so fucking grateful. It was hard not to be bitter at such a small allowance of affection when Morgan used to be the one she clung to and protected.

It wasn’t much of a surprise when the cat bolted out of her grip.

Morgan swore and took chase. “She’s good when she’s not permanently pissed off I died,” she grumbled. “Anya! Anya!” Stupid cat. If Morgan was still a witch, she could borrow her eyes and see where the hell she was running off to, but no. That would be too easy. “Help me look?” She called.

Kaden would, she knew, but it never hurt to ask.

They followed Anya’s trail away from the park and near the woods that surrounded Strawford. She wasn’t exactly being subtle, just a little shit. A hiss rattled through the air. “Someone’s pissy,” she said, unimpressed. Maybe her prize squirrel had climbed too high up a tree, maybe she’d got herself stuck on something, and-- “Oh, shit.” Or maybe she had decided to pick a fight with a bone critter Morgan had never seen before.

Kaden saw the leash slipping from her grip and lunged to grab it before the cat could bolt off, but it was too late. Goddamnit. “Putain de merde,” he grumbled to himself. Of course he was chasing a cat. On his day off, too. He took off after the cat before saying another word, he didn’t even look to check if Morgan was running with him or not. “What do you think I’m doing?” he shouted back at her. “And what do you mean pissed off that you died? She’s--” That was stupid. He knew damn well animals had personality and opinions. That wasn’t his question. His real question was why were they walking the disagreeable cat? Catching cats was a pain in the ass. Catching disagreeable cats was something close to hell. Thankfully, she was easy enough to follow, probably because the leash was slowing her down. Not enough for him to grab it, unfortunately.

His arm shot out in front of Morgan to hold her back. He didn’t even hear the hiss, didn’t see the cat’s hairs stand on edge. What he did see was the fucking bonedoggle across from them, growling at the cat. Shit. Fucking shit. Anya had a squirrel and was swatting at the bonedoggle to stay away. He pulled out a knife and slowly crept towards the monster. He just had to get between the cat and the creature. “Get Anya,” he said to the zombie sharply. He threw himself at the monster, hoping he could distract it from the bones. Easier said than done.

“Well if you had a magic connection with someone and they broke it one day and turned up smelling wrong, you’d probably be pissed too,” Morgan huffed. “She was my familiar, Kaden.” As much as she hated losing the one best friend she’d assumed she could count on in her death, Morgan got it. There wasn’t an abundance of hard theory on familiar connections, but her tie to Anya had been at least somewhat emotional as well as metaphysical. Which meant whatever it really felt like when she died, Anya suffered something like it too. And if losing a magic connection was anything like losing magic itself… yeah, might as well blame the lady dumb enough to fuck it up and come back different. Not like they could talk it out.

She didn’t understand Kaden’s plan to divide and conquer. On the one hand, the critter looked pretty angry, on the other hand, it was kind of...a dog? A maybe-demon dog? Couldn’t they tackle it together, maybe take some bones back as souvenirs?

She should have listened. Kaden lunged to wrestle the creature and Anya saw a chance to assert her dominance. She lunged, faster than Morgan could catch her, and scrabbled her claws around the creature’s side, trying to tear into it. Morgan ran to pull her off but the creature, still wrestling with Kaden, thrashed. The black cat yowled. “Anya!” The cat flew off, claws flexed, and crashed into Morgan, who bundled her up in her arms. “Why are you such a stupid, stubborn cat?” She whispered. Anya flailed, still ready to fight for her pride. Whatever this critter was, they needed to get rid of it. Morgan jumped to her feet and put her body between Anya and the demon-bone-dog. “How do we make that thing go away?” She asked.

Kaden didn’t know shit about magic and familiars, not really. He knew what they were, sure, but not on the deep level that the former witch did. He’d never really understand. But the plan was clear enough. Didn’t matter right now. He might not understand shit about magic, but he understood bonedoggles. And how fucked they were right about now. Before Kaden had much chance to try and find a clean spot to shove his knife through the creature, the cat had lunged at it. “No!” he shouted. Fucking hell. He didn’t need the cat getting stuck to the goodman monster. Instead of attacking, he reached out for the flailing cat and caught a lot of claws. The bonedoggle wasn’t interested in engaging with the humans, it lunged out, teeth bared and snarling at the carcass in question. There was nothing going to get in the way of the monster and its bones, not even a hunter. It barreled into him and knocked him to his knees. Kaden cursed, but lashed out with the knife as the monster darted past him. All he managed was to scrape the blade across the bone armor covering the creature.

Kaden saw the monster unhinge its jaw, ready to bring its teeth down and around Anya's sides. His eyes went wide, he didn’t wait for Morgan to step in, he just threw himself into the monster’s side, pushing it aside. And he felt his shirt get stuck to the fucking side of the monster. Shit, shit, shit. He pulled his arm back, his shirt tearing away at the sleeve. The bonedoggle turned and faced him, growling, spit spewing and ready to tear into the hunter, possibly take his bones for its collection. Fuck, fuck, fuck, he had to get away and he couldn’t count on his knife right now. His palm dug into the dirt beneath him. Dirt. He took a handful and threw it at the monster’s face, temporarily blinding it. Kaden scrambled to his feet and back to Morgan. “Killing it might help!” Anya seemed to agree, the cat was doing everything in its power to claw the bonedoggle’s eyes out. “Its spit is like fucking glue so don’t let--” The fucking cat was getting near the goddamn monster again. Putain.

“Like GLUE?” Morgan shrieked. There was no time to process; the bone monster was already thrashing its head, trying to throw Anya off. “Shit, shit, shit…” She dove for the creature, clinging to it with all she had. Her legs were too short to reach all the way around something that big, but she dug in with her thighs and clamped her arms around its snout, forcing its jaw shut. Anya’s eyes met hers, steady and inquisitive. What are you doing? Morgan couldn’t tell if she was judging her or not, but she clenched her muscles around the creature’s jaw harder. “Anya, off!” She barked.

Anya glared. She tore her paw across the creature’s face, cracking one of the bones at last and leapt off, making a dive for her decayed squirrel corpse and running into the bushes with it.

“So, about killing it?” Morgan cried. She couldn’t see Kaden from here. The creature was bucking and thrashing harder than ever and she didn’t want to know what would happen if it slobbered on her hand. “There’s not a chance we can just play fetch with this guy and make a run for it is there?” The creature grunted and smacked onto the ground, trying to throw her off next. Morgan grunted as her bones bent into her organs. “Maybe you should just do your thing! Before my bones liquify!”

“Once a bonedoggle is after a bone, it doesn’t like to just fucking drop it,” Kaden said, about to throw himself at the monster. Didn’t get a fucking chance, Morgan was already there. Okay, he just had to find an opening, a weak spot. Take it down. “And I think the same fucking thing can be said for your cat.” It was possible she was a more tenacious hunter than his dog. The one he got to help him hunt. Putain de merde. “Hold on a little longer!” he shouted. It was handy that Morgan was damn near indestructible. Almost. Still not quite. He didn’t want to risk her life for too long; even zombie bodies hit a breaking point. He didn’t want the bonedoggle to find it. He wasn’t sure he could handle that. Still, it looked like she had a pretty damn good handle on the monster. Hell, it was impressive and of itself.

Right, Kaden didn’t have time to appreciate her hunting methods. He flipped his knife over in his hands and threw himself towards the creature as it rolled on the ground. His knees dug into the monster’s back legs, pinning it in place. She just needed to hold onto its muzzle one second longer. His knife plunged down into the creature’s exposed belly, tearing through and ripping open its guts. Death would come soon. But not fast enough. The bonedoggle’s face broke free from the zombie’s grip and saliva went flying. Kaden’s arm shot up to shield his face, ducking away and shutting his eyes tight. Putain de fucking merde.

Morgan crashed to the ground flat on her face. She could hear the critter snarling and slobbering as it died. She curled up on herself as much as she could, ignoring the terrible angle of the arms she’d landed on. Then it was quiet, and Morgan couldn’t move her fingers as she struggled to sit up. Most of the critter’s saliva landed on her sweater, but enough had fallen on her fingers to clump them together. She picked herself up, wincing as her bones righted themselves, and pulled off her sweater before anything else could turn sticky. “Are you okay?” She called to Kaden. “I could use that knife of yours, if you’re in one piece.” She held out her stuck, scrunched up hand. “You don’t have to watch them grow back, I’d just really like to be able to use them again.” She looked around the underbrush and saw Anya’s bright eyes peeking out, her squirrel clutched in her mouth by its neck. She padded out and sat in front of Morgan sniffing her with care before brushing her head against her knee. “This is all your fault, you know,” she said, but there was no malice in her voice. She hadn’t seen the sly smile of her cat’s mouth in profile in so long, she almost didn’t mind all the trouble it had cost. “Thank you,” she said to Kaden again. “You saved me and my favorite brat.”

“I’m alright,” Kaden said before even properly assessing the situation. He checked and found out the folds of his shirt was glued to his jacket. He sighed. “My clothing, not so much.” He should stop getting attached to any article of clothing. He should know better. But he’d liked this shirt. Oh well. Kaden had just watched her bones twist and her body catort into positions no standard body should. Even then, he tilted his head and furrowed his brow at her ask for his knife. “Are you going to cut in between your skin? That’s not--” Then it hit him that she’d be just fine. She’d regenerate. “Right,” he said and handed over the knife. He didn’t really want to watch but he supposed it didn’t really matter and watched anyway. She’d said something before about her body being a fact and she had a point. He should probably just treat it that way. As hard as it was to just accept the wings at first, it would have been a hell of a lot easier if he’d accepted Bea’s advice to treat them as a fact. The problem was, of course, that those facts clashed with so many lessons taught to him as fact growing up; lessons he still hadn’t properly reconciled. He wasn’t sure he’d ever manage to.

Seeing her reunited with her cat brought a smile to Kaden’s face. It made it easy to forget the regrown fingers and the bonedoggle carcass piled a few feet away. “Don’t mention it,” he said, reaching out to see if Anya would let him pet her. No offense either way, cats could be particular. “Just doing my job.” It was the reason he really did like working in animal control, moments like this, when people and animals could be safe and sound even if it didn’t last.

Morgan gave Kaden a double take to make sure he really wasn’t going to look away. She wrinkled her face up in a universal signal of ‘are you sure?’ before bringing the blade down as quickly as she could. She winced and looked away as her old fingers tumbled into the grass. She was getting used to the regrowth by now, but watching pieces of her fall away, useless, no longer a part of anything or anyone. She whimpered with pain and watched as new bones sprouted and coated with sninew and blood. Morgan flexed them, testing her grip and her nerves. They always felt the same, no farther or closer to living sensations than before.

Anya sniffed the new fingers and scraped her mouth across them, tail upright and perky. If anything from the past few minutes had bothered her, it didn’t anymore. Curious, she moved onto Kaden, giving him a once over and a long, steady look before she decided he was good enough for one pet across her fur.

“Just doing your job, huh, cowboy? Do you say that to all the damsels in distress you rescue?” Morgan laughed and guided Anya back into her lap, fixing her harness and leash. “If you come back round to the ranch, I’m sure I can rustle you up some pie to show my gratitude.” She put on her best Texas drawl for him and got to her feet, Anya now safely in tow with her prize. To Morgan’s surprise, she rubbed against her leg and looked up with an expression that was almost friendly.

Kaden didn’t want to gawk at the oddities of her body as it was and he flinched a little as he watched, but he had decided not to look away. And so he didn’t. It was the only way to deal with it. Not unlike pain. The more you were exposed to it, the easier it was to handle. Training taught him that much. Probably not how his mother would prefer he applied his training. Too fucking late. She was more than dead and buried now. She didn’t even exist. Right. He wasn’t sure if it was better or worse to keep his eyes on her newly grown fingers or the dead ones that the cat was planning to chew on.

“How, uh, how does pain work? For you?” Kaden asked, before quickly second guessing himself. “I mean. If you don’t mind me asking. I just. I-- I mean, I saw you now and you--- I just was curious.” He rubbed the back of his neck and felt like a fucking asshole. Like he was being insensitive or something. “You don’t have to answer that. Sorry. That was stupid. You--” He couldn’t even finish his thought and just took the knife back and wiped it clean on the grass and then the hem of his shirt before putting it away. At least he got to pet the cat. It wasn’t long or much (he expected nothing more, to be honest), but it still was enough to bring his heart rate back slower, steadier.

“Very funny,” Kaden answered, rolling his eyes. Wouldn’t lie, he appreciated the brief moment of levity. The weight was still there, but it was a little lighter. “Normally I only do one or the other. Rescue the cat or fight the monster. This was a great two for one deal. I think that earned me two pies.” Not that he needed any more baked goods in his apartment. It was more than enough work to give them all away half the time.

“It’s different,” Morgan said. “I mean, that hurt, and I’ve always been an awful cry-baby. My mother always said so. But it’s not, uh, proportionate, to the way humans would reckon it. And I don’t get to feel anything too gentle, so sometimes, in the right context, a little hurt can feel nice. I guess if I had to rank it, that’s something like a four or a five? But for you, losing an extremity would be a lot closer to ten, right?” She shrugged and wiped the corners of her eyes. “It’s okay, Kaden. I’d rather you ask than wonder or lean on whatever’s in your hunting manuals, if that’s even a thing.”

Morgan’s expression grew warmer. “Well I declare, officer! I think you might be right. But only ‘cause you’re such a good friend. I’ve got mama’s pecan pie on the stove right now, and I’ll let the second one be hero’s choice.” She laughed and beckoned him over. She hadn’t expected much out of the day, but for an outing that involved full-ass monster wrestling, this was pretty okay.

“Right. Good, uh, I mean thanks. For, you know.” Kaden said, nodding along as he listened. It was a far cry from “zombies are dead, they can’t feel anything.” Part of him anticipated that much by now though a piece of him still felt the chill of the shadow of his training. It wasn’t all entirely wrong, just sometimes taken too extreme. Sometimes not. Finding where the line was wouldn’t be an easy one, not from what he could tell. If he even wanted to redraw the line. It was possible he was still surrounded by exceptions. Only time would tell. “Pain’s sort of on a weird scale for me. Not, uh… I mean not like yours. I don’t think. But you know. Hunter. Training. That.” He wiped the dirt and grime he could away from his jacket and jeans. “I don’t know if I’d know a ten when it happened. Or ever call it that.” Most of him had stopped trying to sort the good and bad of his training and just accept it for what it was.Sometimes he wondered all the same.

“Is this where I say ‘no need, little lady’? Or something to that effect?” His attempts at mimicking her current accent didn’t quite sound right. Even he knew that. He laughed at himself a little. Only a little. “Anyway, I think it’s probably a good idea to get home before any more bonedoggles show up. And so Anya can’t make another break for it.”

[shipaholic]

Omens Universe, Chapter 13 Part 1

We’re in Heaven! Crowley’s got to access his blending-in skillz.

Warning for slightly creepy mind control.

Link to next part at the end.

(From the beginning)

(last part)

(chrono)

---

Chapter 13

There was a noise like a twang of a harp, but in reverse.

Two men (seemingly), a child, and a small green dog in a space helmet popped out next to the reception desk.

Noone was there. Crowley hung back while Aziraphale went up to the desk. It was pale mahogany, as smooth and clean as a surgical tray. The only things on it were a tiny golden bell, and programmes for The Sound of Music on stands. There was a plaque in front of the bell, that said:

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.

Bit forward, Crowley thought.

Aziraphale turned back.

“Good, nobody’s here. That will make things easier. Now, what we’re looking for is -”

There was a musical chime, and an angel appeared behind the desk.

Aziraphale jumped, then tried to look as though he hadn’t. “Um, hello. I believe we spoke a moment ago?”

The red-haired angel gave them a frozen smile. “Welcome to Heaven. Please sign in.”

A ring-bound blue folder appeared on the desk in front of him.

“Er. Certainly.”

Aziraphale stepped forward. Crowley shifted so that Aziraphale’s body blocked him from view. He was unsuccessful. The receptionist’s eyes flicked from each member of their party to the next. First they took in Aziraphale’s disheveled appearance from his fight with Michael. Then the eleven-year-old child, the floating green dog, and then -

“That is a demon!” they shrieked.

Aziraphale froze, pen in hand. He could feel the situation topple out of control like a stack of books on an unwisely rickety table.

“Do something, Crowley,” he stage-whispered.

Crowley looked around, wondering if there was any point trying to duck out of sight. “You’re the one who just took out an Archangel, why are you looking at me?”

The receptionist’s hand flew out towards the little bell.

Adam stepped forward. A terrible, booming voice came out of his mouth.

“Don’t move.”

The red-haired angel froze. An eerie blank look stole over their face, smoothing away the panic. They straightened up and let their arm fall to their side.

“Have a pleasant apocalypse,” they said, in a high, toneless voice.

A chill ran up Crowley’s spine and set up camp there.

Aziraphale set the pen down and turned around, avoiding Adam’s eyes.

“That’s, um, well. Thank you, I suppose. How… how did you know to do that?”

Adam shrugged. He held the Book tighter against his chest.

“He did it back in the garden,” Crowley muttered to Aziraphale. “While you were. You know. Indisposed.”

The receptionist kept gazing forward with a faraway expression. By unspoken agreement, they all inched away from the desk.

“Right,” Aziraphale said. “I suppose I should lead the way. Crowley, you’ll need a disguise.”

“Yeah, could have done with one five minutes ago.” Crowley eyed the angel behind the desk and concentrated. His body glowed. His hair sprouted a few extra inches down to his shoulders. The darkness leached out of his clothes, leaving them white as bone. They morphed into a floaty blouse and smart suit-trousers. It was a good facsimile of what the receptionist was wearing. Crowley could have got it closer, but looking at the angel gave him the willies. He morphed a long earring that would pass for a gem as long as nobody looked too closely, and tucked a strand of hair in front of his ear to hide his own gem.

He turned to Aziraphale and made his best churchy face. “How do I look?”

Aziraphale rolled his eyes. “Yes, dear, very fetching.”

Crowley reckoned he could get away with one white glove under his shirt. It might be a little fashion-forward for Heaven, but at least it was discreet.

They turned to Adam.

“I have no idea what to do about him,” Crowley admitted.

“The green dog is quite difficult to explain away,” Aziraphale said.

“It’ll be alright,” Adam said, vaguely.

His nose was back in that Book. What on Earth was in that thing? Crowley tried to get a glimpse at the title. It was in a curly font, which always played havoc with his eyes, especially with the sunglasses - oops. He would need an explanation for the sunglasses if anyone challenged him.

“I reckon,” Adam said, slowly, “if we all just walk around like we’re supposed to be here, then nobody will say anything. I think they just won’t notice I’m there.”

“Psychologically, there is a basis for that…” Aziraphale said, sounding doubtful.

“I think he means something a bit more… occult,” said Crowley.

Aziraphale coughed. “I suppose, if push came to shove, he could always. Well. Do… that again.” He gestured vaguely back at the reception desk.

Nobody had a better plan. They exchanged uneasy glances and set out.

~*~

Crowley despised open-plan offices.

They were the kind of thing his side ought to have devised, by right. Technically the nasty, cramped, dirty space occupied by Hell down in the basement qualified as open-plan, even though in practice everyone siloed themselves off in makeshift half-walled cubicles constructed out of anything they found lying around. This was something else, though. He felt himself going cross-eyed as he contemplated the vistas of white, airless space. It was like walking around inside a lightbulb.[1]

Spacedog trotted at their feet. His back legs whirred and clicked. He gave loving looks to Adam’s dirty, untied shoelaces as he sloped along. Adam’s guess earlier seemed to have been right. They’d met a few angels, and their gazes had slid pleasantly past their group without questioning their presence at all.

Aziraphale led the way. Crowley knew he should have some idea what everything was, but it had been so long since he’d been up here. He’d probably missed a few thousand restructures, too. Good.

They entered another blindingly bright open space with a bank of desks set up every half a mile. Crowley glowered from behind his shades.

A group of angels were clustered together. Aziraphale walked past them, head down. Crowley followed.

“Excuse me,” someone called out.

Aziraphale’s steps faltered. Crowley meant to keep walking, but against his better judgement, he glanced over at the group. With a jolt, he realised one of them was beckoning him over.

He stopped. Mistake.

“Hello, excuse me?” The voice brooked no argument.

Crowley stood frozen. A tiny voice screamed in his ear.

“Uh. Yeah?”

Aziraphale gave him a desperate look over his shoulder. Crowley pretended not to see.

The angel crooked her finger at him. Mouth dry, he walked slowly towards her.

“Yup?”

She had a sternly benevolent expression. They all did. It was becoming his least favorite expression.

“Are you any good with Powerpoint?”

Something in Crowley’s brain broke.

“Pardon?”

“You’re on the front desk, aren’t you? I’d be ever so grateful if you could help me. We’ve all got presentations due before the big push. It’s been ages since I’ve used the dratted thing - beg your pardon -”

She pressed a hand to her lips, as if blotting them.

“Also, if you could help us set up the projector, that would be super,” she added.

Crowley looked over his shoulder at Aziraphale. The angel spread his hands, helplessly.

“Erm. No problem,” he mumbled.

There was no way out. He drifted over to the huddle of angels as though walking to the guillotine.

~*~

Aziraphale, unlike some, was not an accomplished lurker. He could feel himself drawing unwanted attention as he tried not to hover. He suspected the only reason no-one was questioning him was because of Adam. Suspicious gazes began to be directed at him, but turned vague and distant as they failed to register Adam’s presence, before wandering back to their work. Crowley, at least, gave the impression he knew what he was doing as he clicked away on the angel’s ultra-thin desktop computer.

One of the few advantages of the extremely open-plan office was that it was easy to see threats coming from a great distance away. Aziraphale spotted Gabriel, flanked by Uriel and Sandalphon, the second he got out of the lift.

Aziraphale grabbed Adam by the shoulder and scurried behind a printer.

“- We need to be dramatic, but sombre. Maybe some lightning? And crank up the wind machine. I want my coat to billow when the first round of smiting kicks off.”

Gabriel swooped down towards the knot of angels. Aziraphale looked at Crowley, heart in mouth. Crowley was still in the middle of the group, explaining how the projector worked.

“- Has anyone heard from Michael? She missed a video-conference. It’s not like her.”

Aziraphale could not think for the life of him how to extract Crowley. He, on the other hand, was about to be right in Gabriel’s line of sight if he glanced over. He had to move. He’d have to trust in Crowley’s disguise and pray for luck.

He tiptoed backwards, towards the fire exit, and felt behind him for the handle.

The door gave a polite click and swung open without a sound. Aziraphale beckoned Adam. The boy jerked his head at Spacedog. The three of them slipped out and onto the fire escape.

When the door clicked shut behind them, Aziraphale felt a wave of relief for himself and fear for Crowley. He was nauseous with guilt for leaving him back there. But there was nothing to gain from dwelling. He held up his ring hand, and with a glow from his gem, summoned a piece of chalk into his hand. He marked the wall next to the door with a C.

Adam looked around, unmistakably bored.

“This isn’t how I imagined a spaceship,” he said.

“Ah.” Yes. They were still keeping up that fiction. Aziraphale was losing patience with it, if he was being quite honest. “Well, this is more of an… interim location. We’re really trying to get to Alpha Centauri.”

Adam’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I know about Alpha Centauri. It’s cool.”

Aziraphale smiled. “Talk to Crowley about it. He’ll tell you all sorts.” Not necessarily true all sorts, although Crowley told them with great confidence.

Adam had rallied, now that he knew their destination. “So, how do we get there?”

“We need to find the Department of Stars and Systems.”

In fact, the fire escape wasn’t the worst way to get there. It might even be faster, provided they encountered nobody. Aziraphale began the climb up to the next floor. Adam and Spacedog trotted at his heels. He marked the walls with chalk as he went.

He’d have to hope that Crowley caught up with them as fast as possible.

~*~

Many flights of stairs later, Aziraphale dragged himself up the last few steps, thinking with great nostalgia of the lift.

They were, at last, on the right floor. Aziraphale listened at the door, mostly as a formality. No-one was ever up here.

He opened the door and emerged onto floor 4004.

Its official name was the Department of Stars and Systems. Its unofficial name was The Universe.

“Woah,” Adam said.

The corridor they’d arrived in was, in one way, the polar opposite of the rest of Heaven. It was black. Endless black, the kind that made your eyeballs feels like they were being turned inside out. Aziraphale could see himself, and Adam, and the dog, as clearly as if they were standing in a well-lit room, but their surroundings were a deep, light-eating darkness.

Aziraphale groped for the wall and chalked a C onto it.

“Nearly there,” he said.

They walked carefully, unsure whether there were still walls to bump into. Eventually, as if cut into the night sky, letters appeared at head height, hanging in midair.

Gen 1:1

Aziraphale stretched out his hand towards them. They touched the raised letters, and behind them, a smooth steel surface. It was a door, invisible in the blackness.

When he touched the door, there was a musical beep, and a keypad lit up just where a handle would normally be.

Aziraphale’s face fell.

Adam hovered at his elbow. “Try one-two-three-four-five-six.”

Aziraphale contemplated the keypad,[2] his heart sinking away into the darkness. Stupid. Of course there would be security clearance. And of course they’d never give it to him. He looked around in the vague hope there would be a post-it note somewhere with the passcode written down.

“Oi,” came a voice from the other direction.

Aziraphale spun around. Crowley sauntered around the corner.

“Crowley!”

Crowley squinted, his shades dangling from one hand.

“This is weird. It’s not like proper darkness. More like light that happens to be black.”

He was still dressed like the angel from the front desk. He had dropped the sickly sweet expression, though, and looked properly Crowley-like again. He’d also reverted to his usual walk. Aziraphale loved that walk. The sight of it brought happy tears to his eyes.

“You escaped then, I take it?”

Crowley grinned as he sashayed over. He had a sparkle to him that meant a bad job well done.

“Eventually. I got their projector working. They thought I was so helpful they gave me a couple more tasks to do around the office.”

That sounded like the opposite of escaping, and also the opposite of Crowley’s general vibe. Aziraphale eyed him with suspicion.

“Then I issued an automatic update to all their devices with no deferrals. Slipped away in the chaos. Turns out angels can swear just as well as demons. I reckon it gets pent up if you go too long without.”

Aziraphale laughed.

“Well, at least you spotted the chalk,” he said.

“Chalk? What is this, the Famous Five? I went to the monitor room and saw you on the security cameras.”

Aziraphale blushed. He blamed everything currently happening to him on silly technological nonsense.

Crowley squinted at the keypad. “Ah. I’m assuming you don’t have the door code?”

“No,” Aziraphale admitted.

“Who’s in charge here nowadays?”

“Well. Nobody really comes up here. It’s an archive, but it’s self-regulating, so…” Aziraphale thought. “I think technically Gabriel’s in charge.”

“Right. Try one-two-three-four-five-six.”

“I really don’t think -”

Aziraphale heard beeping. Adam was already tapping numbers into the keypad.

“Wait, you don’t know -”

There was a click, and the door swung open.[3]

“I’m telling you,” Crowley said cheerfully. “Always underestimate that man’s intelligence, you’ll never go wrong.”

Aziraphale gave his most dignified eye-roll.

They stepped, one by one, over the threshold.

They emerged into a room with the Universe inside.

---

[1] Demons could do that, but why would you want to?

[2] It had thirty-one buttons, not all of which were numbers. One through six did appear on there, in some fashion.

[3] If anyone had asked Adam, not that they’d bother to, no reason to bother asking him anything after all, he’d have showed them prophecy 1511: the numbere of the Univerfe is the numbere of wone-thorough-sixe. But they didn’t.

(Link to the next part)

[too-many-baes]

Tequila, Bones and Bruises

Pairing: fem!reader x Sam Winchester

Warnings(s): alcohol, injury, mentions of death, fluff, slight angst?

Word Count: 4.6K

Request: “Hey - just saw your requests are open. I know in general Dean gets a lot of love in the fandom but I'm a total Sam girl! Can you do one where reader is a hunter that the boys have known since they were young because John took care of her (aka left her with dean) when her dad was away or something like that... anyway she and Sam have always liked each other but after Jess he's too scared to do anything about it. Maybe Dean helps or something or she totally kicks ass... idk you choose. I trust you” – by Anon

A/N: Thank you anon for your Sam request! I am also a total Sam girl, have been from day dot so I'm glad you gave me the chance to show the tallest Winchester some well earned love 💝 This is probably not what you envisioned at all, ya girl went off on a bit of a tangent... 🤷🏼‍♀️

Masterlist in bio and requests are open

*gif credit [@ aborddelimpala]*

                                                          *******

“Here's to another successful hunt!” You exclaim, placing down a tray full of tequila shots for you and your awaiting companions.

“No no, c'mon Y/N we have another hunt lined up for tomorrow. We should get an early night.” Sam's complaints fall on deaf ears as you defiantly place a shot with a lime wedge balancing upon it in his hand.  You’d expected the protest from the more responsible brother, your rebuttal at the ready.

“Sam we just took down a changeling, the very thing that nearly took John Winchester off the board. If the fact the prodigal children”, the way you referred to the three of you caused an amused snort from Dean, you shooting him a pointed look as you continue, “could do it with all their limbs still intact isn't worth celebrating then I don't know what is.”

“To the prodigal children!” Dean yells, holding his shot glass high in way of a toast. You happily clink his glass repeating his cheers, both of you shooting your drinks in unison. You screw up your face at the unpleasant yet familiar taste, holding the wedge to your lips to relieve the burning sensation from your mouth. Dean places his glass down, refusing to take the reprieve the sour lime would provide. You roll your eyes at his false bravado, turning your expectant gaze to Sam, flicking your eyes from the still full shot in his hand back to his face.

“I'm not doing it”, he states with confidence, placing the glass back on the table.

“C'mon Sam, you really gonna make me and Dean celebrate alone?” You ask, putting on the best puppy dog pout you could. On anyone else you're sure the gesture would have fallen flat, with Sam though you can see his resolve weaken with the relaxing of his shoulders as he puffs out a breath. “Live a little Sammy", you chirp, a testing lilt to your voice.

“Yea, live a little Sammy!” Dean's last encouragement was the straw that broke the camel’s back, Sam shaking his head at himself before throwing the burning liquid down his throat to the sound of you and Dean's cheers.

“Right,” you start as you drum your hands against the table, leaning over slightly to address Dean sitting across from you, “what's the old man gotta say about this one?” You ask, cueing Dean to pull John's old journal (the bible as you liked to call it) from his bag, flipping through the pages to find a similar case.

“Sorry, whose old man is he Y/N?”  Sam asks, you poking his side for his teasing.

Your own dad was barely in the picture when you were a child. How incompetent the Winchesters deemed their father to be speaks volumes about your dad, as he felt he was better off leaving you with John when he went on his benders, which was frequently enough that you barely saw him.

Ever since you’ve referred to John as your old man, often claiming he was the closest thing to a father that you had. This was completely false of course, that role was taken by Dean. As begrudging as he had been initially about having another kid to watch over he warmed to you quickly, as you did to him. Although he treated you like a sister in truth he was the best father figure you've ever had. Not that you'd ever admit that sappy sentiment to him.

The story was entirely different with Sam. While Dean was like a father and big brother wrapped into one gruff, smooth talking parcel, Sam was your first crush before you even understood what a crush felt like. You took an instant shine to the youngest Winchester, him reciprocating. The amount of nights Dean had to yell at you for gossiping into the night were countless, and as you grew up you figured it would just be natural for you to get together. You were certain he felt for you exactly what you did for him.

It was a teary few months when Sam up and left for college without so much as a goodbye. You understood he was angry. He and his fathers relationship had been tumultuous at best but you thought he would have spared you a thought before he ran off into the night. The teary process had started all over again when you and Dean had gone to fetch him only to find he'd shacked up with some pretty sorority girl while there.

Nevertheless you were there to comfort him when the unimaginable happened and Jess had suffered the same fate as his mum, and you were there again when John was taken from them too. No matter how you felt you could always set your own feelings aside, if Sam needed you you'd been there.

Now years on you’d hoped in vain that he might be ready, that maybe all those signals and stolen looks would finally come to something. You had hoped this time round would be different, that time apart had made him fonder and he'd set aside whatever had been holding him back before. Evidently, had been wrong. The lingering looks and playful flirting continued just like before but nothing more. This caused you to doubt every little thing. Maybe he was just joking around and you couldn't see that through your ever hopeful eyes?

After some searching you figure out the creature you'd be hunting tomorrow should be a poltergeist, and after some moaning from you about work time being over Dean sets the book back into it's place so he can mainline tequila with you.

Dean and you end up a few shots ahead of Sam, the fact he'd done as many as he had shocking the both of you. It didn't take Dean long in his half inebriated state to locate the old juke box, lining up one classic rock song after the other. You create a make shift dance floor by pushing some tables aside despite the less than pleased looks from the bartender.

Dean dances, shredding fake guitar solos and singing along much too loudly as you jump around enthusiastically, looking like you were auditioning for an instrument-less band.

Sam sits and watches from the table, grinning at your antics as he is totally unable to stop himself from laughing to himself every time you pull a face or throw up a rock on sign with your hands.

“Alright Sammy, it's your turn to give the lady a dance", he all but yells as he makes his way to sit at your table as you remain hopping about to Metallica.

With a laugh Sam refuses, “No I'm happy with the view from here.”

“Y/N!” Dean yells. Sam shoots him a bug eyed stare, shaking his head at his elder brother. Your head snaps around at the calling of your name, “Sammy here would rather have you dance all by yourself than give you a dance.” He exclaims childishly, you pouting once more as you try to remain standing on the spot, crossing your legs in an effort to stay balanced.

“That is VERY ungentlemanly”, you huff out, the boys laughing at your choice of words.

“Ya hear that", Dean speaks this time at a volume only Sam could hear, “ you wouldn't wanna be ungentlemanly, would ya?” He asks with a quirk of an eyebrow and tilt of his head.

“I know what you're doing Dean", Sam states, his eyes travelling to where you sway alone, completely unaware of the conversation happening just feet away from you. Dean gives a shrug in response.

“So go do it then.” Dean’s firm statement is met with a hesitant shake of the head.

“I can't Dean, what happened with Jess-”

“Sam,” Dean’s stern voice stops Sam before he can finish his self doubting sentence, “What happened with Jess sucked, but you can’t let that hold you back. That girl,” he gestures with his thumb towards your still dancing form, “ain’t gonna be around forever.”

Sam sits a moment before speaking, “That's what I'm afraid of.”

Your hands slamming on the table snaps Deans jaw shut, now unable to refute Sam any further.

“I have danced by myself too long boys. Sam,” you say, dramatically pointing at him with a straight arm, “if you dance with me I'll let you pick the song.” He laughs a hearty laugh but remains seated, prompting you to continue, returning to leaning on the edge of the table. “One time offer Sam, going once, going twice...” You trail off, standing straight and holding your palm face up for him which with an amused roll of the eyes he accepts. You pull him up leaning your whole body into the action, causing him to lightly collide with your much smaller stature, grabbing you gently in case you should fall. You steady yourself just fine despite the giddy, non-alcohol fuelled rush Sam's hands gave you, firmly grasping one of his hands and yanking him to the juke box.

“Okay Sam, pick away.” He doesn't initially begin to pick so you continue, “Look, I'll even cover my eyes so you don't get all shy about it.” For the umpteenth time that night you make Sam laugh, following your request by flicking through the options until he smirks with his selection.

“Alright, are you ready?” Sam asks while simultaneously pulling your hands away from your eyes and pulling you into the centre of the small space. After some silence the first notes of Way Down by Elvis Presley play, putting a beaming smile on your face.

“Elvis!?” You question in shock, knowing Sam could hardly call himself a fan.

“What can I say, I'm a people pleaser”, he answers as he starts to sway your still joined hands to the fast beat of the music.

You danced like idiots the whole song, Sam spinning you around until you were so dizzy you were sure you'd fall, reaching out and gripping his biceps for stability. He grabs you lightly by the waist before speaking, “Are you okay?” He can't keep the laugh from his sentence, knowing he helped cause your loss of balance. Little did he know he hands on you caused the dizziness just as much as the dancing. You raise your head, looking up at those beautiful eyes, the ones you've been pining after since primary school. You nod, lacking the control of yourself to make the move with any kind of conviction, instead remaining a willing hostage to his gaze.

As your eyes stay locked as the juke box whirs and clicks signifying a change in song.  What plays makes your eyes widen in embarrassment, She Loves You by The Beatles. You reluctantly snap your eyes away from one Winchester to the other, who happens to be standing at the jukebox with a shit-eating grin planted on his face. Your cheeks redden like a fire has been lit under your skin. Risking one last look at Sam whose eyes also rest on Dean, you break away and march to the table. Snatching your jacket as well as Dean’s, you clutch yours in hand while you haphazardly toss his so it collides with his chest.

“We're leaving", you state matter-of-factly, shrugging your jacket on and turning to face the boys with hands on hips.

“Y/N-” Sam’s soft tone of voice makes you click your tongue in irritation. You didn't want him to feel sorry for you, avoiding his what you assumed was a pitying gaze as you spin on your heel making your way to the door.

“I'll meet you at the car", you throw over your shoulder, exiting the bar as The Beatles taunting song chases you out.

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah.

***

You get into the drivers side door of the impala, an absolute rarity for you. You toss a bottle of water at each Winchester, keeping one for yourself. You forcefully put a burger in Dean's lap, causing an elongated grumble.

“Get with it sunshine", you state without a trace of sympathy, turning the key to start up the car. You drive to the abandoned house, Dean muttering the whole time about not getting too comfortable in the drivers seat. You arrive at the run down, partly boarding up home, rolling to a stop in front of its rickety porch.

“Okay”, you begin, twisting your body around so you have both Sam and Dean in your view, “from what we know this is one nasty poltergeist. It's killed two people already, but there could have been more earlier that we don't know about.” You pause your speech to click your fingers in front of Dean's face after seeing he was spaced out. You look at Sam who is grimacing at the volume you're speaking at. Your eyes roll of their own volition at the hungover men. You were hungover too but they wouldn't be catching you carrying on like that.

“We figured out the bones are probably in the basement-”

“Did we?” You ignore Dean's question in favour of continuing.

“-so since Dean needs bablysitting”, you smack his arm in irritation, “he and I will distract it while you salt and burn the bones.” Sam nods at his being addressed.

The plan now confirmed you all exit the car, you being the first on the porch and at the door after grabbing the necessary equipment from the boot. With the men now present you jiggle the doorknob to find it locked. You instruct the men to stand back and after they oblige you raise your leg and send a forceful kick at it. The wood flings open, dramatically slamming into the wall behind it.

“Damn” you hear Sam mutter, causing a smirk to flicker on your lips as you walk into the run down house. With a brief nod and wishes of luck Sam begins searching for an entrance into the basement, you leading the way into the living room.

You begin to yell and taunt, throwing out profanities and insults to draw the beings attention to you, away from Sam.

Sure enough what furniture remains in the room begins to rumble, a few scattered pieces of wood floating into the air.

“Oh is that all you got?” You goad further against Dean's warnings.

Suddenly pieces of wood fly at you and Dean, intent on getting lodged in your skin. You yank Dean to the side as a broken table launches itself at him, shattering against the wall where he had been standing seconds earlier.

“Move!” You decide that drawing the spirit up higher into the house would help distract it from what's happening below, so you push Dean in the direction of the staircase.

As you ascend frames on the wall fly off at you, making you duck and raise your arms over your head.

Room after room objects are flung at you by an invisible force, Dean at one point being flung across the room like a rag doll.

Just as you're sure the toilet is going to be freed from it's plumbing all of the movement halts. You shoot Dean a smile which he reciprocates, both of you thinking Sam had burnt the bones.

A cry sounding through the house makes your smile fall, realising you had falsely assumed Sam successful.

“Y/N wait!” You ignore Dean's plead as you barrel down the staircase and into the basement.

You find Sam crouched in a dirty corner, a woman in a torn white nightgown and scraggly hair standing over him.

“Hey!” The creature whips around to you just as you unholster your gun and fire a salt round through it, the poltergeist disappearing from the impact. You rush to Sam’s side to assess the damage, finding a large cut running down one side of his face no doubt caused by a collision with the wall. You can find no other immediate injury so you set about finishing what Sam started.

The bones laying only a few feet away were already doused with gas and covered in salt, needing only flames to banish this being from the world. You produce your own lighter from your pocket, opening the Zippo and bringing the little orange flame to life with a flick of your thumb.

“Y/N watch out!” You spin around at Dean's voice in the room, coming face to face with the twisted woman from earlier. With a wicked grin you fly from your crouched position and into a neglected set of drawers. Your side hits its edge, knocking the wind out of your lungs as you promptly fall to the ground.

“Y/N!” You look up at Sam who had let out the frightened cry then to Dean who now had the poltergeist fast approaching him . You clench your teeth, letting out determined huffs as you manage to drag yourself across the ground. Just as the woman is about to set herself upon Dean you drop your lighter atop the bones. Her agonising screeches fill the room as she dissolves to ashes in a burst of light. You let yourself fall onto your back, taking in a deep breath as you stare at the ceiling.

None of you speak as you all take in breaths of relief at the case being over. That is, until Dean breaks the silence.

“Holy shit.”

***

Back at the motel Dean has gone out to get dinner and drinks for you all, you opting to stay and clean up the injured younger brother.

The gash running down his face would luckily be fine without stitches but it would need disinfecting and dressed. You pour the rubbing alcohol you had made Dean buy onto a cotton ball, raising your hand to his face.

“Do I need to tell you this is gonna sting?” He smirks at your teasing question.

“I think we're past that now.” He lets out an involuntary hiss at the alcohol touching his open skin, you grimacing at his discomfort.

As you continue to clean his cut and make sure there are no stray splinters hiding in it you become uncomfortably aware of your proximity. He sits at the edge of the bed and you'd pulled up a stray chair, resting between his legs as you work. A blush rises to your cheeks you know you can do nothing to hide, hoping instead he's polite enough not to mention it.

This isn't the first or last time you've been in a position like this with Sam, but after the bar you felt nervous and unsure of yourself. Sure, you both knew how you felt, but being called out for it even as a joke put tension between you. It's like now what had been largely ignored and overlooked was sitting out in front of you, waiting to be acknowledged. You can see his eyes examining your face as you work, only making the tight feeling in your stomach worse.

You release the breath you were holding tightly within your lungs as you pull away from him, tossing the bloodied cotton into the bin by the bed. You give him a tight lipped smile and  somewhat awkwardly tap his shoulder a few times before standing from the chair. As you do you involuntarily flinch and stiffen, your side singing out in pain now the adrenaline had worn off. You straighten up slowly and attempt to walk to the bathroom, but one of Sam's strong arms reaches out in front of you as you turn away. He lightly takes a hold of your hip, turning you back around to your prior standing position and lightly placing his other hand on your other hip. The already fast beat of your heart increases at the motion, that dizzy feeling from the bar taking hold of your head yet again.

“You’re hurt.” His voice is hardly above a whisper as he looks up at your face from his still seated position. You shrug your shoulders lightly, trying to appear as unperturbed as possible.

“I’ll be fine.” Your nerves betray the collected front you put on, your voice coming out low and scratchy as the words got caught on their way out of your throat.

“Can I see?” He keeps his voice quiet and soft, the imploring look on his face making you lightly nod at him before breaking eye contact as your cheeks light up. Slowly he removes one of his hands from your hip, trailing it across your stomach en route to your injured side. Keeping his eyes on your face he delicately thumbs the hem of your loose shirt before inching the fabric up painstakingly slow until he uncovers the already darkening patches of purple and yellow scattered across your ribs. Holding your shirt in place with one hand he uses the other to ghost his fingers over the area, his touch so feather light that if you hadn't been looking you wouldn't have known he was even touching you.

Your breaths are shallow now, short and desperate as you try to balance your spinning head and erratic heart.

“That'll take a while to heal”, he finally says in conclusion, releasing your shirt for it to fall back in place as he looks up at your face.

“Sam?” He doesn't break the eye contact, a silent signal for you to continue. With the confusion in your heart and head you had no idea what you were about to say until the words passed your lips. “What are we doing?” He knows exactly what you mean, no trace of confusion crosses his face. Yet he does not answer, unsure of what to say.

“It feels like we've been doing this ‘will they, won't they' dance for years.” The words could have come out confident however your breathy delivery of them steals any conviction the statement could have possessed. “Sometimes it feels like I'm going crazy, picking up on things that aren't there”, you say as you nervously fiddle with the hem of your shirt, giving your eyes something to look at rather than his face as you make your confession.

You can feel his eyes have not once left your face since the start of your conversation. From the edge of your vision you can see a sombre smile on his face as he delicately places his hand over both of your much smaller ones, effectively stilling your nervous occupation.

“You're not going crazy Y/N,” you raise your eyes to meet his expectant ones, your hands still held by his, “it's all there.” This is as close to confessing your unspoken feelings the both of you have ever gotten in your long history, leaving you stranded in unchartered territory. You detach your hands from his and take hold of his forearms, him taking the opportunity to once again place his hands on your hips.

“So what are we doing about it?” Neither of you follow up your question with an answer, too far lost in each other’s gaze to speak. Eventually your stare elicits his response, his eyebrow twitching upwards before he speaks.

“I hadn't planned on doing anything about it.” This time it is him that breaks the eye contact, looking off at the ground as he continues. “I've been afraid. I didn't want you to end up like Jess, or worse.” You take his face in between your hands, guiding his eyes back to you.

“You should know by know I can take care of myself.”

“I do. Hell, you saved me and Dean's asses today.” You both smile at his statement, you letting out a breathy, short laugh.

“So what's stopping us now?” You whisper, flitting your gaze between his eyes and lips.

“Nothing.” He firmly pulls you closer, a shiver running down your spine as you lean in.

He finds your lips with his, your fingers going around the back of his neck and grasping at his hair. You’re surprised your already struggling head and heart haven't given up on you yet as his lips delicately glide against yours, the sensation far better than anything you've conjured in a daydream. You sink into the feeling, enjoying the buzz that's spread over your body and the heat radiating off of him.

In a swift movement he shifts his knees between your legs, pulling you down onto his lap so that you’re straddling him. The kiss becomes more desperate as you both press yourselves tightly against each other, hoping to eliminate any space between you. His hands press into you, travelling from your hips and hungrily up your sides.

With that motion the desperate kiss stops as Sam's hand had a little too forcefully slid over your bruised side, causing you to flinch away and let out a hiss.

“Oh my god I'm sorry, are you alright?” He instantly retracts his hands so he can place them on your face, eyes nervous as they scan yours. You can't help but giggle at his overly worried tone. The passionate haze that had saturated you now slowly ebbs away, leaving behind a contented fog. You nod along with your giggles to ease his worry.

“I'm fine.” He lets out a breathy laugh to accompany yours, moving his hands down to your neck and pulling until your forehead touches his.

You stay like that a while, breathing in each other’s air as you enjoy the embrace that you've both been yearning for in silence.

Your tranquillity is shattered with Dean's arrival as he enters the room, loudly struggling with the takeaways and beer. He stops in his tracks when he notices your position. Both you and Sam were too relaxed to leap into action, sitting there like deer in the headlights.

“A-ha!” He throws his head back at his exclamation as he uses his foot to shut the door. You reluctantly separate from Sam, sitting on the bed beside him instead.

“I knew that sappy song would do the trick”, he boasts as he places the items on the small dining table. You reach across the bed, plucking a pillow from the head and promptly throwing it at the cocky Winchester, hitting him in the chest.

“If you think that had anything to do with you you're deluded as well as idiotic”, you bite.

“Yeah right. If I hadn't done that you guys would still be staring at each other every time the others ones back was turned.”

“Dean!” Sam yells in frustration with his brother, Dean raising his hands in surrender.

“Alright. I gotta get a couple more things from the car, that should give you two enough time to get your panties out of a twist.” Your groans in irritation follow Dean out the door, leaving just you and Sam behind once more.

“We are not letting him have any of the credit", you utter, your eyes still fixed on the door. Sam chuckles beside you, linking your fingers and bringing them up to his face where he places a quick kiss on the back of your hand. You smile at his action, him mirroring your gesture.

“Damn right we're not.”

With that you separate, Sam going to help Dean bring stuff in while you decide to go and be the first to indulge in a nice, hot shower.

From the bathroom you can hear Dean's continual bragging of his skills as a matchmaker. You scoff to yourself with a roll of your eyes, knowing he's completely wrong.

Credit needs to go where credit is due. While it may have taken a lot longer than you'd like, you and Sam are finally together, making you the happiest you can ever recall being.

The credit for that belongs solely to the two of you.

                                                     *********

Taglist

@musiclovinchic93​ @hobby27​

[purplesurveys]

720

WHO was the last person...

you spoke to, in person? It was my mom. She went down around 20 minutes ago to make a couple of sandwiches for herself and dad. The quarantine has made our body clocks completely bonkers and it’ll be typical to see either parent go downstairs at 12 or 1 in the morning to make a meal.

you called? I rang up Gab fiveish minutes ago so we can do a video call on Messenger.

that called you? My mom called me from downstairs the other day to reprimand me about something I said on Facebook cause she said it might offend some of my relatives lol.

you texted? I haven’t texted in a hot fuckin’ minute. I’ve only been at home in the last month, so there’s been little need to spend on load for my phone when I can communicate with classmates and family from online anyway.

that sent you a text? My dad. He texted me that breakfast was ready so that he didn’t need to go into my bedroom, which I’m highkey thankful for. My mom would just burst into the room, pull up my window shade so the sunlight can come in, and yell in a loud voice so I wake up. It’s never improved my mood in all the times she’s done it so I dunno why she continues doing it.

you kissed? Gab, but that was a month ago ugh.

that kissed you? Also her.

you yelled at? My mom. She was yelling at me, so I yelled at her as well because two can play at that game now.

that yelled at you? ^

you watched a movie with? I watched Two for the Road by myself last night but as for companions, the last one I had was Gabie when we watched Titanic a few months ago.

you ate dinner with? My family. We eat dinner together every night, at least whenever my dad is back home in the country.

you were in a photo with? Also family. I haven’t been in a photo with anyone other than them in a while...

you took a photo of? That would be my dog. I don’t take photos of people these days, mostly because I’m unable to.

you went to a concert with? I went to my Paramore gig by myself since I couldn’t find anyone who had front row seats like me, but on the day of the concert itself, Denise, Erycka, and Leigh (who were all also going to the show but got cheaper seats) asked to hitch a ride with me. Gabie was also present but that’s only because she was excited for me and wanted to be around for that experience of mine.

you lied to? Probably a schoolmate that I had told I was busy even though I wasn’t and I just didn’t want to work that time.

you invited somewhere? I think Blanch? I told her we should go to Ayala Museum once we can go out again so she can see the prehistoric gold exhibit that they have.

you dated? Just my current girlfriend.

you dumped? I haven’t dumped anyone.

you rejected? Uh... technically Mike. There weren’t any words said, no closure or whatever, but I think we both knew and understood that he liked me but I let him find out for himself that I had already gotten back with my ex. Back then I was still horrible at the confrontation thing and didn’t know how to break it to him.

you held hands with? Gab, over a month ago.

you hugged? Same answer.

you let cry on your shoulder? Egh, I’m only mentally capable of doing this for Gabie. I can let people rant to me but it’s personally not good for my own mental health if I had people crying to me all the time.

that let you cry on their shoulder? Technically it was my dog. But the last person was either Angela or Gab, I don’t really remember.

you bought a gift for? I don’t remember aaaahhhhh. It was probably a Valentine’s gift though.

you wished a happy birthday? Luisa.

that disappointed you? Some distant relative who had recently added me on Facebook then, only for me to see her pro-government posts. I never unfriended someone so quickly.

that stayed over at your place? Ralph, my sister’s now ex-boyfriend. Never liked the guy and am so glad they broke up, I never did like seeing him around in our house hah. that let you crash at their place? Gabie, but only to have dinner and work. that made you angry? My mom told me personal insults over a chore I did wrong a few days ago and it made me really angry. that complimented you? Andrew and I exchanged compliments when we needed pick-me-ups sometime last week. whom you complimented? ^ you thanked? My dad, when I saw him baking chocolate chip cookies a while ago after I had nagged him all week to make some. that thanked you? Mom. She asked me to fetch her something. you saw, in person? Right now I can see my sister on the couch. I think she’s watching an anime or playing some game on her laptop. that bought you something? Now hasn’t really been the time to ask for non-essential stuff, but my dad did buy me my requested soju a few weeks ago. that made you laugh? My sister I think? My family watched an online mass livestream earlier and my mom wanted to try out an American Catholic church after my grand-aunt (who lives in the States) recommended that specific parish. ANYWAY so of course their accent was very different to what we’re used to, and my sister’s fazed reaction to how they said one of the words made me laugh. that you said you loved? Gab. that said they loved you? My mom. you flipped off? Haven’t done this to anyone in a whiiiiileeeeee. you made a silly face at? It would always be just my dog but person-wise I don’t even remember anymore. that drove you somewhere? Dad drove me and my mom to the local columbarium last month.

WHAT was the last thing you...

touched? Other than the keyboard and trackpad, I used a spoon to eat some of the raw cookie dough my dad had prepared heh.

threw? Second day I’m trying to finish this survey lol. I just took the last piece of painkillers to treat my headache, so I threw the packaging like 30 seconds ago.

ate? Shrimp pasta that my mom made for dinner.

drank? Coffee.

found stuck in your teeth? Idk, bits of food that I don’t really keep track of.

cooked? :( Never cooked a full meal ever but the last thing I *helped* my dad with was breading the meat he was gonna use to make pork chop haha.

baked? Chocolate chip cookies two years ago. I remember it distinctly because I never bake.

bought? Man I haven’t bought anything in forever. I’m thinking about it and it’s probably something I bought for lunch at school? The only thing I buy is food anyway so I’m pretty sure I’m at least on the right track.

sold? I'm not much of an entrepreneur. 

took a photo of? My dog with a cold compress on top of his head. The weather is starting to be unforgiving so I’ve been allotting my own compress for Kimi so that he doesn’t feel overheated.

were frustrated with? My mom telling us we had to watch a mass livestream this morning -_____- I thought she was only gonna make us ‘attend’ the Lenten masses i.e. Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, but it’s past Lent and she’s still making us do it. I’m guessing it’s gonna be routine every Sunday now, ugh.

broke? I don’t tinker much for the very reason that I tend to break everything I touch. That being said, I haven’t broken anything in a while.

spilled? I have a fear of spilling stuff because my mom has always reacted negatively to that. Yay for trauma!

tripped on? A piece of bone that my dog had left on the floor. It felt like stepping on a goddamn Lego.

kicked? My blanket when I started feeling too warm inside my room.

put batteries in? I haven’t used batteries in ages.

turned on? I opened my laptop to continue this survey.

turned off? My Nintendo Switch, when I didn’t feel like playing anymore.

wrote? A survey, if anything. I haven’t had to write anything ever since they suspended online classes.

wrote on? I think it was my sister’s notebook.

cleaned? Myself? I just took a bath if that counts.

WHERE was the last place you...

dined at? I’m pretty sure it was Yabu. Gab and I went out for dinner on the last Monday before the lockdown, didn’t see each other all week, then by Saturday when we saw each other again we just had dinner at her place. So it’s gotta be Yabu.

ordered something to go? A local sushi place and a local pizza place, a week ago. My dad was too lazy to cook that evening so we got takeout instead.

bought something? The local milk tea place that we have in school and Rodic’s. I got myself milk tea, and I got my dad my favorite meal from Rodic’s, tapsilog.

cried? My room, I think.

felt uncomfortable? Just the house cause I haven’t been anywhere in a month.

drove to? My girlfriend’s school and then her house.

had an appointment at? Eye doctor at SM Marikina.

went on vacation? Tagaytay and then we moved to Cavite the day after so that we got to maximize the time that we had to have a staycation.

hung out with a friend? The 30th. Ughhhhh I miss the mall.

bought clothes? Feliz, at an independent clothing stall at one of the top floors.

spent more than you had planned? Feliz then I even had the audacity to move to The 30th to spend more lmaooooo AND THAT WAS A MONDAY. I was so bad at saving money skksks.

saw a band/singer/musician perform? One of the local arenas in Manila so I can watch Paramore.

WHEN was the last time you...

told someone 'I love you'? A little over an hour ago I think.

cried? I don’t remember.

laughed? A few hours ago, maybe? I always laugh when I come across a dumb meme on Facebook.

left your home? March 10th. Really not a good time to be asking that question lol.

drank a soda/pop? Sometime in February when my org had an event and the only drink being served was Coke. I was extremely hungry/thirsty that evening so I had no problem chugging soda down, even though it was so unpleasant.

made your bed? This morning.

visited a doctor? March 9th.

went to the emergency room? I’ve never had to go to the emergency room except for the time I was being delivered.

kissed someone? The last weekend before the lockdown. Man, I had no idea how lame/sad my answers were going to be lmaooo I really should have thought that through before starting a “when was the last time you” survey.

hugged someone? Also a month ago. I’m not a hugger in the family but I do hug my friends a lot.

prayed? Sometime when I was 9 or 10 years old.

worked out? Last semester when my PE was actually focused on working out instead of a sport.

made a phone call? This afternoon. My mom got me load for my phone (after a month of not having any!!!) just because, so I surprised Gab by calling her.

answered a phone? Last night.

had an argument? A few days ago.

played a video game? A little over an hour ago. I was playing Mario Kart 8.

played a card game? It wasn’t necessarily a card game but last January at Rita’s place, she took out a deck, asked us to pick certain cards, and then told us about our relationships and the issues that lurk beneath it based on the cards that were left hahahaha. Of course I think the strategy itself is bullshit but Rita speaks well and is a psych student, so we still ended up having a good conversation after hearing the verdict for mine.

played a board game? Ages ago. I can’t even tell you how long it’s been.

rode a bike? Around a month ago. I told myself I was gonna learn how to ride a bike during the quarantine, but it’s been so hot outside these days that it’s so easy to run out of enthusiasm for it.

fell on your butt? I don’t remember.

took a shower? In the last hour.

took a bubble bath? A year ago, maybe longer.

watched TV? I asked dad to watch El Camino with me on my his and my mom’s TV when it came out, so that would be last October.

saw a movie at a theater? December. It was for Knives Out.

ate fast food? 3-4 weeks ago if I’m not mistaken.

ordered a pizza? A couple of weeks ago. We tried Angel’s Pizza for a change and it turned out to be loads better than Pizza Hut which tends to be our usual.

made someone laugh? I probably made a few people laugh off of the few memes I shared today, so there’s that.

sang? Like a half hour ago. Hayley from Paramore shared a clip of the band performing Hard Times to celebrate the song turning 3 and it turns out the gig was from their show in Manila, so I hurriedly clicked on the video and sang along.

played a musical instrument? It’s been many months since I last used the keyboard.

read a book? A month-ish ago.

drove a car? My dad asked me to move my car to a different spot sometime last week, which felt so surreal as I hadn’t driven in a few weeks. It felt so weird driving again and I had to drive in a crawl to get accustomed to being in the driver’s seat again.

went swimming? August 2019, at a beach in Nasugbu.

got a sunburn? Haven’t gotten a sunburn since I was little.

went to church or temple? First week of March.

went shopping? I don’t really remember but it was one of the last few weekends before the lockdown.

drank alcohol? Two weeks ago.

smoked a cigarette? Sometime in March, the same night when my friends and I went to BGC to party. When everyone else went home, Gab and I stayed for a bit, strolled around The Palace, and had a smoke while watching everyone else around us get crazy wasted.

threw up? Sometime last year. I haven’t drunk too much recently.

had a headache? Tonight.

had a cold? Maybe last year or a couple of years ago. I don’t get colds a lot.

had the flu? Probably not since I was little. I’ve gotten fevers in the last few years but that was all there was to it. I’ve never been sick and had cough and colds at the same time, at least not for a very long time.

had your hair cut? A week before the lockdown -____- Barely anyone got to see my bangs and I’ll always be disappointed about that hahaha.

dyed your hair? Never.

laughed so hard that you cried? I remember watching a hilarious clip on Facebook of this lady who had a contagious fucking laugh, I think it was a week ago or a little over that.

[sesskag1postchallenge]

Ch5 - Operation Grandpup Drop (A SitBoy Discord Crack Fic)

Warning this story is M bordering NSFW

Chapter 5:

SlayerYesterday at 9:51 PM

Inuyasha knew that if his brother really wanted her he would catch them. He was banking on Sesshomaru  just not giving a damn. But when he felt the swell of Sesshomaru's power, and the earth moving force of him chasing after them his heart dropped.  His bastard  of a brother wanted HIS Kagome.

 imjaneeesYesterday at 9:53 PM

Now, Kagome and he may have agreed that they were better off as friends, but that didn't mean that he'll hand her off to his brother. That's just wrong. Actually, imagining anyone with Sesshomaru is just wrong and gives him the heebie jeebies.

 SlayerYesterday at 9:54 PM

And she was still HIS Kagome.

"Can you hold a solid circular barrier around us?" Inuyasha called over his shoulder.

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 9:57 PM

All he had to do was make it to the well. Just up ahead. He could see the clearing. The old stones that made up the base. It was so close. Kagome nodded, "I can try!" Her reiki blossomed into a barrier, but for some reason Sesshomaru was able to reach right into it. "Miko."

She trembled.

 Walter205Yesterday at 10:01 PM

Too late, she came to the realization that the barrier didn’t work on Sesshomaru because, deep down, she didn’t really want to escape from him after all.

 SlayerYesterday at 10:01 PM

She solidified her barrier, but just as it became solid a huge paw slapped them away from their destination. 'Great now we have a 50 foot dog playing ball with us.'

 imjaneeesYesterday at 10:02 PM

Sure, in the dark, somewhat high part of her mind, she imagined playing fetch with Sesshomaru, but not like THIS!

 Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:03 PM

"You're going to ruin the goods, Sesshomaru! Stop!"

 Walter205Yesterday at 10:04 PM

Kagome felt green as Sesshomaru swatted them for the fifth time. More like Pinball at this point instead of regular ball.

 imjaneeesYesterday at 10:06 PM

Apparently the 50 something foot dog had SOME sense because now he was looking down at them, actually her, in a somewhat contemplative way. She didn't like that head tilt. Nothing good came out between her and dogs tilting their heads while looking straight at her.

 Walter205Yesterday at 10:07 PM

“Kagome, drop the barrier when I tell you to. I have a plan to get us out of this mess,” said Inuyasha as his Tetsuiga started to turn Hot Pink.

 imjaneeesYesterday at 10:09 PM

Oh. Oh good lord no, his tail was wagging. No no no no that can't be good, he's happy about something no no no. Ever so hesitantly she dropped the barrier.

All hell broke lose and nothing went right.

 SlayerYesterday at 10:11 PM

Sesshomaru  still in his true form, lunged for her, completely  ignoring Inuyashayelling out a new attack. Next thing he knew he had some type of metallic  confetti going up his nose, which unfortunately caused the huge dog to sneeze. Right on Kagome.

 imjaneeesYesterday at 10:12 PM

That was one strong sneeze because it blew the first layer of Kagome's kimono right off and now she was on her hands and knees trying to get up from the blow.

 Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:18 PM

Dripping with snot, Kagome shouted, "Dammit! I just want to stay clean for half a day!" She flung out her arm, pointing right at Sesshomaru and his wet nose, "I thought you were trying to help me by taking me from the shiro, but you just wanted to torture me!" She wiped her face with the back of her sleeve, getting emotional with how tired she'd become. Sunlight peaked over the horizon, and she sniffled, "I just want a bath and my fluffy robe and sham pajamas and my bed..."

 SlayerYesterday at 10:20 PM

Seeing the little priestess dissolve  into tears made both dog demons tuck their ears and look at the ground.

"Ah Kags dont cry! Damn it you asshole look what you did!" Inuyasha yelled at his older sibling.

 Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:27 PM

Sesshomaru's massive paw pushed Inuyasha into the dirt. They all knew if Inuyasha hadn't of stuck his stupid face into the middle of things, this would never have happened. With a whirlwind of power, Sesshomaru was back looking like his two legged self, covering HIS miko's shoulders with moko moko.

"Everything can wait until morning, let's get you a bath first. I look forward to washing your hair." Hair so black it gleamed blue in the sunlight, and wildly unruly, so unlike his own. He had to admit, to himself alone, how curious he was about her human but timeless attributes.

 imjaneeesYesterday at 10:31 PM

They were already well away from Inuyasha's muffled screaming and right in front of a small spring when Kagome's frazzled brain finally caught up to what Sesshomaru just said, "Wait what?!"

 SlayerYesterday at 10:39 PM

"Come now we will get you clean fed and to bed and we can talk in the morning."

"You're not staying while I bathe!"

"But I am Miko. Your requirements were love security and marriage. I can easily give you two of those things. I would like to try to foster the third. That means we spend time together." Sesshomaru started the massive work of unrobing his Miko. 'My god how many layers did mother dress her in."

 Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:42 PM

"Sesshomaru!" She tried to slap his hands away as her obi fell to the ground and he began removing the outer layer. The silks were glued together by his giant dog snot. She pouted, "This is all your fault..."

 imjaneeesYesterday at 10:44 PM

It was a long and tedious process because he would not wish to scare her by ripping the clothes off of her but he was patient. For a while. It was on the last layer that Sesshomaru nearly threw his hands in the air and bash his head against the wall. His mother all but places a chastity belt on the miko and it would not come off unless the one wearing it takes it off herself.

 SlayerYesterday at 10:46 PM

"Remove your last layer and get in the water. This Sesshomaru  shall not peek." He turned away from the nearly naked Miko and scanned the trees wondering if his idiot of a half brother was going to show up.

 Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:59 PM

As soon as his back turned a loud splash resounded with a laugh he knew all too well. "InuKui! Get your hands off my miko!" He growled, turning on his heel. The sight was disturbing. InuKui had her arms around Kagome's naked body, rubbing noses. 

"Uh...InuKui...if you don't mind...some space?" Kagome's face, neck, and chest were flushed red.

 Walter205Yesterday at 11:03 PM

Turning around, Sesshomaru took in a eyeful before noting that Inukui was at least still wearing her blue robe of the water hamster.

 imjaneeesToday at 12:11 AM

Inukui, as completely uncaring of other people's comfort to appease herself as her mother is, merely grinned at the miko.

"Don't you know, you're our sister now! Mother said you and big brother would give us new pups. Mother has been rather melancholy lately, I think she misses having pups around the shiro since there hasn't been one since I came along. But now you're here so everyone would be happy! How often can humans give birth per century though? Mother told me to ask you about this."

Good lord the girl meant well so Kagome couldn't really get mad at her, not to mention that she reminded her strangely of Rin with a feminine Inuyasha face. This was weird.

revangToday at 1:05 AM

“I- I’m not giving anyone pups!” Kagome squeaked with a furious blush. “We’re not even in love! I’m going to bathe and go home away from all of this nonsense. And when I get back, we’re going to resume our hunt for Naraku and the Shikon like we should be doing!”

 Walter205Today at 9:59 AM

Later that night, Sesshomaru lay against the great tree of time, staring up at the countless stars of the night sky accented by the crescent moon. Kagome was sound asleep by his feet, taking full advantage of the furry softness that was Mokomoko in the absence of her beloved sleeping bag. Inuyasha was above him in one of the tree's limbs keeping watch, while Inukoi was curled up next to Kagome, where Shippou would normally be at. 

 Everyone had settled down remarkably well last night after the miko's declaration that she wouldn't be bearing pups for anyone in the hot spring. At that point everyone had taken a giant step back as they realized Kagome had gone through too much in too short a time period and that she was being driven away by their actions. After letting her bathe in peace they had fed her the fish on sticks Inuyasha had brought to the cave earlier. 

 While she was eating they had discussed backing off considerably on their plans and ambitions for the time being as the Miko had a lot on her mind and a lot to talk about, to all of them along with her mother in the present. It was decided to let her return home in the morning but since it was late at night she would stay with the three of them nearby before departing. 

 They had paid their respects to the graves of Kikyo and Kaede, the latter having passed on almost a year ago, not of old age as many thought would happen but in one of the many battles against Naraku, the Trash Prince having killed her in order to taunt Inuyasha about Kikyo's death along with hurting all of them emotionally. Kaede's death hadn't been in vain however as she had prevented Naraku from learning about the secret of the Bone Eater's Well.

[fightevilandthengetblownup]

OT3FIC: Saint Bernard

2 - More and more people were refusing to obey the laws of the land

More and more people were refusing to obey the laws of the land, or at least that's the feeling she got every time she had to see some new folder - a green post-it note atop to signify who's it was. Jo had the yellow pieces, Grey's were blue and Will's were the same green that stared up at her now.

Jo knew she was the only one that looked through all three files. That she was the only one that would sneak a peek at what the other two got up to while she was away. That the boys wouldn't think to shuffle through and pour over everyone else's work like she would. It was just a compulsion for her though, she had always loved compiling a case and the more she heard about the others work, the more interested she became to know just how different her methods were from the structured requirements of the FBI and the fluid way the shadow planned his own findings.

Grey's were the ones she was always the most self conscious that she night get caught reading, knowing just how important they were for him as well as how uncomfortable with his whole need he was. Jo also found his was always the weirdest ones. It was usually written half in what she thought might be Enochian or just the scratchiest handwriting there is of someone who really just isn't comfortable but isn't caring with the act of writing. The amount of information was always so small compared to her own or the sheets and sheets Will had to pour over. Just a city name or location and a something. Jo could never tell if it was a symbol or a word or some kind of code, but whatever it was, it just added to whatever the list he'd made for that month was.

But it was Will's file Jo was sticking her nose in and pawing through today, the pictures upon gruesome pictures of the victims displayed bodies and the stark and clinical autopsy photos felt jarring side by side to her. The official documents upon documents were so rigid and the different authors names at the top of each new page was someone she hadn't met or had only heard of over and over. It felt so different to the organic blend of photocopied hunter journal pages and lore books and news paper clippings that made up her own.

Pulling a face as she flicked through the pages detailing another gruesome and horrible death with no signs it was anything but a psychotic human, Jo let out a loud shriek of surprise as two hands pressed down gently on her shoulders and a pair of lips suddenly pressed to the side of her neck.

"Snooping again?" "I, uh-" "You know you can just ask to see my work, Jo?" "I didn't want to disturb-" "I was somewhat awake."

Jo let out a laugh at that as she tilted her head back to look up into the indescribable eyes looking back down at her, in this light they looked more green than usual, and she felt her laugh swallowed up shortly after by a press of rough chapped lips to her own.

"Well anyway then, what have you read for that one so far, I only got to look at the front page." Will asked as he moved around to sink into the rickety old chair next to her.

"Not much, was mostly on the first page." Jo replied, flushed still at being caught, before will's hands reached over to tug the papers out from her hands and shuffled the photos back into whatever strange order he needed for his visualisation technique. "Or maybe the tenth page."

Will laughed at that, and running a hand over the papers gently once they were in order, he quirked a brow up at her. "And why exactly were you reading my files not your own?"

This time Jo shrugged, scooting her chair a little closer to tuck her head against his sharp shoulder without a worry. "I was bored. The dogs were all sleepin' in with you, and Grey left about half an hour ago-"

"Surprised I didn't hear the farewell, then." Will replied with a slightly devious smile towards her that made her skin feel hot at the inflection in the words and way the other reached out a hand to trace over the dark purple bruising forming on her collar bone with a look. "Though I suppose that might have delayed him a little too much, right?"

Jo nodded at that, swallowing thickly and feeling her skin heating up more from the blush that she knew was crawling from her cheeks down her neck. It was always hard saying goodbye to either of them when she or they had to leave for their various reasons, but it was all the harder when there were the two of them pressing hugs and kisses to her the way they each would for one another. She could feel her cheeks heat up even further at the quiet chuckled noise that got from the other as she nodded again.

"But you chose my files because?" "Because people suck?" "You're not wrong there-" "And because there was a rather desperate phone call from jack in the voicemail demanding you come as soon possible about this and I was curious?"

There was a deep sigh at that, and Jo couldn't help but feel sympathy at how the other rubbed a hand over his face and flipped the file closed with another weary sigh. Jack had called him in every single day for the last three weeks with some urgent matter, and it had been the exhausting two hour one-way commutes that had left him exhaustedly sleeping through her and Grey's farewells earlier.

"Why can't he find himself another empath?" Will ground out quietly to himself as he pushed himself back up to his feet. He was so tired, and Jo had half a mind to call Jack and berate him for it if she could have. The other let out a weary smile before leaning down to kiss her again with a soft but sad smile. "Don't wait up for me tonight, okay?"

Jo nodded her head at that request but as she heard him shuffling around, changing his over shirt and running Grey's comb through his hair, she knew she'd be awake well into the night until both her men were home to wrap around her.

There was a press of lips to the crown of her head, and the happy barking and then sad whining from the lounge as he headed out the front door, taking his interesting new file with him and leaving Jo and their pups alone.

The rest of the day and evening was uneventful walks, playing fetch in the field and taking a brisk jog through the woodlands with the dogs surrounding her to kill the time, and Jo found herself tucked into their large bed alone before midnight out of sheer boredom and hatred that people broke laws and that monsters other than her hunny existed and that she was there alone waiting on not one but two men to come home for her before she didn't think anything any more.

There was a set of hands on her hips and another wrapped over her waist and from the feel of it resting on the other's waist beside her when she was next concious, and there were quiet voices talking over her head where she'd dropped and curled off of the pillow and onto the warm arm muscle cradle instead.

"-asshole." "What did you say to him?" "I told Jack I'm taking the next two weeks off and he's not to call. I've had enough of missing you two every day." "We understand, Will-" "I know, but I need you. I need you both. And I can't do that driving four hours a day to be his Beck And Call girl."

Jo found herself tucking in closer to the warm chest she was leaning up against with the sleepy motions and whispered comments, and wrapping her own arm tightly around the other body in front of her, pulling them in until she had made herself right at home in the warm embrace of both her men as they both seemed to sigh and chuckle in sync at her actions, a warm hand stroking over her hair while another ran over the raised thin scars of her sides.

This felt like how home was supposed to be, not her alone and listless, but wrapped up in the arms of her lover's and the whisper quiet words of their voices lulling her back to sleep. Fuck all those law breakers, this was more important.

[northisnotup]

Thank YOU! ;) from the sex worker prompts: s/g, cam boy w/ dog (the first prompt) with Sid as the camboy w/ an awesome dog named Sam

Part ½ because I don’t know when to stop myself, apparently! But I am away all this next week, so the thrilling conclusion will have to wait!

Geno doesn’t often take Jeffery to the dog park.

He’s a big, excitable dog who bounds over to new people regardless of their comfort and tends to bowl other dogs over with his eagerness to play. It’s not often worth listening to people more interested in their phones than their dogs complain about him. But it’s Geno’s day off, and to be entirely fair he did blow off Jeffery’s evening walk in favor of the whisky he got for his birthday and spending a stupid amount of money online.

Geno takes a second to stretch, his wide yawn misting in the early morning chill. Jeffery’s occupied with fetch and there are only a couple other people in the park this morning, a couple in the secluded area teaching their new puppy and guy in a well fitted tracksuit taking his gorgeous golden lab through agility courses. It’s empty enough Geno doesn’t feel the least bit guilty tugging the hem of his sweater a little lower and thinking back on his evening.

Cole87 is, objectively, a terrible cam boy. His profile picture is blurry and clothed, a lot of his streams are named after hockey slang, yesterday’s was called Check Out My 5Hole, and most importantly, his dog interrupts him all the time. (Geno has to assume she gets worried about the grunting, choked off moans Sid can’t help when he is close.) Besides all that he has the cutest Canadian accent, a stocky tanned body with a nice cut cock, an ass G could imagine eating for days, and on the rare occasions someone tips enough, the sweetest, most crooked smile. And, most importantly his dog interrupts him, all. The. Time.

She’s a sweet dog, Cole calls her Sam, sweet girl and baby.

Last night he’d been facing the camera, knelt on something that reminded Geno of old gym mats and riding a thick golden dildo as slowly as his shaking thighs would let him. Just when Cole was moaning softly with each grind, losing his cool in his eagerness to come and thrusting messily into his hand Sam nudged open the door with her nose, prancing around him. “No! Sam, baby, no.”

The chat these days are mostly regular’s like Geno. While they’re not thrilled to see Sam at moments like this, the comments mostly ask how she’s doing, if her hips were still troubling her, and joking about how she must be trained to make sure they gets their money’s worth.

“Sorry, guys,” Cole laughed, coming back into focus, cock bobbing angry red-purple in front of him. He sank back onto his knees, mounting and sliding down the dildo with barely a sigh of effort. “It’s gonna take me forever to get close again. I hope you don’t mind waiting.”

Geno had not.

It’d been Cole’s longest stream and Geno spent more money than he usually allowed himself to buy Cole saying his name when he came.

Well, his nickname.

Okay, his American nickname.

‘Geno,’ was dubbed by his first American boyfriend. Zhenya apparently being too harsh for American tongues. The nickname has lasted long after the boyfriend. Though, actually, his entire username is something James used to call him. GenoBaby71. (For Kharlamov, because of course Russian hockey is best.) It’s his throwaway email account, his handle for websites like the one Cole uses and even something his friends still tease him with.

Sure, James broke his heart a little when he moved away, and yeah he’s been single since then but that was…fuck almost a year and a half ago. He still has James on most of his social media, since they parted ‘amicably,’ and he knows James isn’t seeing anyone either.

A shout, thankfully, snaps his attention from the cold, dark waters of wondering if he should call his ex. The pretty lab with Jeffery’s ball in their mouth is hurtling towards him. A pink-blue leash is waving behind her, probably her. She skids to a stop at his feet, dropping the ball and panting happily. “What a good girl,” Geno croons, letting her smell him and grabbing her leash. “What a gorgeous girl. We just wait for your dad, yes?”

“Sam!”

Geno blinks, looking up to a very, very attractive man who also seems to have a dog named Sam.

Oh, fuck. He’s gorgeous, he’s angelic, he’s Geno’s fucking kryptonite.

Dark hair that curls gently over warm hazel eyes and the full, pink mouth that send him ass over tea kettle every damn time. “Hey, thanks man. She just took off, you know?”

Geno’s not sure what he was about to say, a commiseration or a proposal of marriage, but Jeffery hits the back of the man’s knees, over eager to keep playing with his new friend and takes off. Geno is only intending to reach out and steady the man, but Sam barks, her leash tugging Geno off his feet and tearing out of his hands as she darts forward in chase. They crash into one another, sprawling on the dirt and grass.

The old idiom that dogs reflect their owners is more than a little true, with Geno. He’s big, exuberant, gangly and he’s never been more aware of the fact than right at this moment, crushing an attractive man’s nose with the sharp of his collar bone. “Sorry! Sorry, am so sorry!” Geno pushes himself up a bit, not trying to get completely up because knowing his luck he will end up kneeing this beautiful stranger in the balls.

“Sorry, geeze that was all my fault,” the man laughs, talking right over Geno’s increasingly fervent apologies, “I should have known better than to take my attention off Sam. She’s been a little cooped up lately.” That…that is a delightful Canadian accent…

Once he’s got his limbs sorted, Geno hauls himself up and holds out a hand. “She good dog, just want to play, you know? So sorry for mine. I’m Geno.”

The sleeves of his jacket slip up when he allows Geno to pull him up, revealing very nicely muscled forearms. “Sidney.” he squeezes Geno’s hand, lingering just a beat after it would be appropriate to let go and Geno’s mouth goes dry.

He viciously ignores the part of him that is a little disappointed the name Cole did not come out. Coincidences are one thing, but he never even fantasized about meeting Cole. Instead, Geno lets himself grin and leer in a way that he knows is a little sleazy, but seems to work for him. “Been here long, Sid?” Steps a bit closer and takes a mile where an inch was offered.

Almost obligingly, Sid flushes, red appearing first on the round apples of his cheeks and spreading to the tips of his ears and down his neck as he giggles. “Just a few years, y’know? Moved down for work, but,” he licks his lips, shoulders rolling in a smooth shrug. “I’m mostly self-employed, with a few odd jobs and volunteer work here and there. It’s not what I thought I’d be do it, but I, uh, enjoy my work.”

Geno wants very much to abandon all pretense of polite small talk and invite Sid home. But he also wants to hear Sid giggle more, and to ask how he had Sam running through the posts earlier. It’s a small bit distressing, to want to lick Sid’s neck but also to listen to him talk for hours only five minutes after meeting. Jeffery trots back, drooling around the grass and dirt covered ball in his mouth, and sticks his whole muzzle into Geno’s hand. “Hey!” Sam is only a few paces behind him, sitting at Sid’s feet her tongue out in a big, doggy smile.

“Well, they look like they’re done.” Sid says with a rueful smile.

Geno huffs, willing to be much less gracious if it will make Sid laugh again. “Rude dogs, not even ask if I’m done.”

“Were we doing something?” Sid’s chin juts forward in a silent challenge.

Oh yes. Oh yes, yes yes.

“Maybe you not? Weren’t.” He corrects himself before Sid gets the wrong idea. Even after years speaking English his tongue still slips when he’s nervous. “I’m think I’m being very obvious.”

“Oh you were?”

“Most obvious,” Geno slicks his tongue out slightly, gratified when Sid’s strong shoulders shake in bitten back laughter. “Was all a ploy, see? Jeffery make big mess, knock me into handsome man. I make him laugh being funny, most, uh, very charming, you know?”

“Oh, for sure.”

“Then I’m ask for number, we date a bit, not too casual; handsome men with sweet dogs are hard to find!”

Sid whistles lowly. “You’re right about that. So, are you gonna ask me, Geno?”

He likes very much the sound of his name on Sid’s tongue, in that voice. “You gonna say yes?”

“I guess you should ask me and find out, huh?”

[brokestminimalist]

Your dog isn’t a minimalist

Let’s get something straight.  Your dog isn’t a minimalist.  Neither is he a vegan or a vegetarian or a human.  He is a dog.  He has needs, and if you are not prepared to proved for those needs then you need to not acquire a pet.  You can care for your pet in a minimalist style, however you can not deny your pet the things he needs in the name of minimalism. Do not throw away all your cat’s toy mice because you’re becoming a minimalist. 

Let’s also address the fact that some people think minimalists shouldn’t have pets.  It’s true that pets come with a lot of expense and paraphernalia, but if pets are part of your lifestyle then that’s perfectly fine.  We are allowed hobbies.  The way we see it, the goal of minimalism is to remove the extra crap we don’t love to make way for the things we do love.  We love our dogs and our cats.  We don’t love roomfuls of clutter and a thousand tupperware containers. So we get rid of the latter in order to focus more on the former, and that’s the goal.  Minimalism is a tool.  Tailor it to your own personal goals.

So let’s go over some ways to reduce costs and hassle without reducing your pet’s quality of life.

BASIC NEEDS

Food:  For most dogs and cats, regular Purina chow is fine.  You can get fancier, but don’t go below that standard.  Why?  Poor nutrition results in health problems, which results in vet bills.  We know you’re broke, but pay a few extra dollars for decent food and you’ll be better off.  You can go fancier, of course, but most house pets do not need grain free or high protein food.  There is a lot of hype surrounding those these days, but they were designed for working dogs such as those that herd sheep or patrol farmland and not for your couch dog who patrols the living room.  PS, there is no shame in giving your pet kibble. Trying to make homemade dog food is risky for your dog’s health, expensive, and time consuming.  Not what we’d call minimalist.  PPS, canned food is for sick pets and special occasions, not for every day.  It’s too much trouble and dry food is cheaper per unit anyway due to the water content in wet food.

Water:  Your pet needs fresh water available 24/7 whether it lives outdoors or indoors.  The best solution for this is a gravity water tank.  Don’t add anything to it.  Just water. Do not give your pet booze or soda or tea or anything but clean, cool agua.  Keep it clean; if Animal Control drives by and sees green algae in your dog’s bucket you’re probably going to get a ticket.  

Shelter: Just because your Husky has a fur coat does not mean he can’t feel the cold.  Dogs (and cats! and bunnies! and pigs! and all pets!) need a sturdy four sided shelter with appropriate insulation and a door to keep out the rain and wind.  In summer the house needs to be shaded because direct sunlight will turn it into an oven. You can purchase small dog houses that are a good size for cats, however we advocate for not letting cats outside.  Your pet will also need a little spot of its own indoors, whether it’s a cozy crate or bed or cat tree. Most of our dogs stay inside, and that’s perfectly valid.

Litter: For cats and small animals you’ll need litter.  We are of two minds on this.  On the one hand, we are inclined to buy the cheapest because you are literally just buying it for them to shit in.  On the other, cheap litter can make your house smell.  If you don’t want to smell piss all the time, get the good kind and scoop, scoop, scoop.  Tidy Cats Scoop is great for cats.  We like Kaytee brands for small animals.  (We are a non-sponsored blog and do not get paid to push any products, but we want our readers to benefit from our experience.  Get the Tidy Cats.)

Attention: Your pet needs to spend time with you.  Whether that’s walking, watching tv, playing catch, or purring on your lap while you read a book.  This benefits you too; lots of studies have proven that spending time with a pet is good for blood pressure and can relive depression and anxiety.  So snuggle your pet for a few minutes to improve both your lives!

Spay/Neuter: Yes, even your indoor pet needs to be altered.  No, you aren’t going to ruin its personality or kill its spirit or anything of the sort.  Get your dog fixed.  Unless you are a professional breeder it is irresponsible to do otherwise.  Not only will it reduce aggression and the desire to roam, you’ll eliminate the risk of reproductive cancers. Many counties have programs that will help out broke folks with this.  

Veterinary Care: Your pet needs an annual exam and shots.  It needs vet care if it is sick, injured or geriatric.  Denying this care is cruel and in most states, straight up illegal.  Find the money and get this routine stuff done.  It’ll prevent problems down the road and save you money. Keep flea, tick and heartworm prevention in mind.  These are not optional! The problem we see the most is that people can afford what they want to afford.  We see people drive up in fancy convertibles and then complain about the cost of spaying their cat.  We know if you’re reading this then you’re probably not driving a fancy car, but do get your priorities in order.  If you say you love your cat but aren’t willing to sacrifice a month of Netflix or a pizza night for a rabies shot, you need to rethink what kind of person you are. If you can’t afford the vet, you can’t afford the pet.

Toys: Believe it or not, toys are a necessity not a want.  Pets need mental stimulation and toys provide that.  Pets that don’t play can become withdrawn and aggressive.  Now, you don’t have to clear out PetCo to get your dog something it will play with.  Some tennis balls and sticks are perfect for fetching.  Cheap stuffed animals are great for shredding, just keep an eye out because some dogs will eat the stuffing.  For cats a wad of aluminum foil or paper are great toys.  You don’t have to spend serious money here, just be creative and keep safety in mind.

Exercise: Cats will normally get exercise by running around like wackos in the middle of the night, but dogs need to be walked.  Rabbits need to get out of their cage and stretch their muscles.  Piggies need to get some cardio.  You can walk a pig on a leash!  Get them some exercise every day.  It’s good for them, good for you, and will help you sleep at night.  A tired dog is a good dog!

EXTRAS

Treats: People food is not a treat.  Do NOT feed your pet people food unless it’s raw vegetables (and not poisonous ones like onion or garlic).  Bones are not treats.  DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG BONES.  Just today we assisted in a procedure to remove a beef bone impacted in a dog’s intestine.  This dog hadn’t shat in over a week.  It was incredibly traumatic to the dog’s asshole and to our sense of smell.  This dog’s owner is probably going to pay upwards of five hundred dollars for this procedure.  Because. of. a. bone.  Buy your pets species appropriate treats from the store.  Yes, we know pet stores sell bones.  Do not feed them to your dog.

Leash/collar: In some areas dogs can be allowed off leash, but many jurisdictions require them .  In this case your dog needs a leash and collar with a nametag that includes his name, your phone number and address, and any meds he needs to take.  We don’t put collars on our cats, but you can.  PS, a collar with a bell isn’t going to stop your cat from killing wildlife if you let it outside.  Don’t bother.  Just accept that if your cat gets out you are going to be responsible for the death of a few birds and squirrels.  You do not need fifty different ones or a different color for each day of the week.  Just one.

Microchips: These are little RFID chips that are implanted in your pet’s back to identify it in case it ever gets picked up by the shelter or a good samaritan after being lost.  It is not a GPS tracker.  No, the government won’t be watching you.  It’s great for proving that your pet is yours, especially if it’s of a species or breed that’s difficult to tell one from the other.  They are relatively cheap; you can usually have this done at your vet for under $50.

Clothes: This is 99% a waste of money.  Unless your pet is very old or sick, it probably does not need to wear a sweater.

Grooming: For some breeds this amounts to a bath every few months, and even then it’s optional.  For other this is a weekly or even daily task.  Don’t forget about cleaning ears, trimming nails, and brushing teeth.  You may need some tools for this, but don’t have fifteen nail clippers or ten different shampoos sitting around.  One of each will suffice. Also froo-froo haircuts are stupid.  Your cat does not want a lion cut.  Do not spend money on one.

Hair dye/nail polish: This is stupid and you shouldn’t spend money on it.

Hair bows: Like, why?

FitBark: No.

No-pull harness: There are a variety of these available and different dogs react differently to different ones.  If you have a pulling problem try different ones until you find one that works.

Training devices: Clickers are great and super effective.  Choke and prong collars can be used effectively as a last resort by your average intelligent dog owner.  However, if you feel that your pet needs correction with a shock collar you need to contact a behaviorist and have them teach you how to use it.  Improper use of a shock collar can make the behavior worse or create new unwanted behaviors.  We know they sell them to anyone, but do not use them without the supervision of a professional.

Homeopathic/herbal remedies: No.  If your dog has a medical or behavioral problem, you need to see a veterinarian or a behaviorist.  If your dog has anxiety it needs real medicine and CBT, not some damn chamomile.

Jewelry/butthole charms: Lawl, no.

Sunglasses: No.

There are lots of stupid accessories and products out there that you could buy for your pet, and you’d be wasting time and money.  However, there are many useful items that you’ll need in order to care for your pet properly.  Most of all your pet needs your love and companionship, and those are free.

Links: Minimalist Living with Pets, Cool Dog Toys, Best Cat Litters

[mollymauk-teafleak]

Dog Park AU

Okay so! For my darling @childofdustandashes because we were both far too impatient to wait until it’s valentines day for both of us so we’re making the most of our time zone madness to get even MORE VALENTINE’S DAY!

But yeah, I love you baby girl and I will write a big mushy post about you tomorrow tomorrow when I’m a little more coherent. Love you! 

Theo Burr was a very high stress person by nature. It ran in her family, if her father, with his daily hours formulaically chipping away at the ever-growing mountain of paperwork in his office that she made sure to periodically check hadn’t fallen on him and put him in desperate need of rescue, were anything to go by. And she couldn’t say it didn’t have its uses, it had gotten her through high school, through college, through law school and put her in the positon she currently was now- confidently facing the bar exam this summer with an actual hope in hell of passing and a shining career just like her father all neatly laid out for her, like a road map she just had to follow determinedly.

But it was in those very few and far between moments, where she found herself completely relaxed and free of worry, that she realised what a burden it actually was sometimes. She knew she didn’t truly want to, couldn’t really want to on some very basic and fundamental level of her mind, but Theo couldn’t help thinking longingly of her brief oases of calm, daydreaming of curling up in them and living there forever, never having to return home and pick up all the burdens she carried.

But no, that wasn’t the kind of person she was. And Theo knew what kind of person she was and she was proud of it; it had taken a lot to reach that point it and she wouldn’t give it up easily.  

Still, she smiled and sighed in satisfaction on that pleasantly chilly October morning, as she stood on the threshold of another pause, another brief moment of peace. She could always sense them coming, she knew exactly the conditions, the situation she needed to set up to make one happen and as such she could engineer them into her schedule as tightly and efficiently as she did everything else.

All she needed to do to get there was exactly what she did that morning, to the letter. Theo woke late, when the morning sun was already filtering in from under her curtains, a little thin and washed out with the oncoming winter sapping it, but all the same. She enjoyed the warmth of her thick, down comforter (Theo believed in being frugal in most parts of her life but never, ever skimped on her bedsheets), reading the paper in bed, filling in the crossword, recording the time she completed it in so she could proudly text it to her father and see if she’d managed to beat his time. She had last Sunday, for the first time since they’d started doing this when she was fourteen, and she was eager for another taste of victory with her morning coffee. The coffee was a ritual in itself, made with her extra special, uber expensive, strictly-saved-for-the-weekend beans, cream and two sugars, drank at the window seat of her small studio apartment as the news played in the background, as she surveyed the street below, never failing to get a sense of calm. Theo always felt part of something when she’d rest against the window and watch the people going past, all with their own senses of purpose and place, fuelling her own even though she couldn’t even see their faces.

Maybe that young man was going to fetch breakfast for his pregnant wife. Maybe that mother was on her way to pick up her daughter from dance class. Maybe this was that couples second date, so much potential and promise hanging in the air between them. Maybe that group of young women were old college friends and hadn’t seen each other in years but were spending a weekend in the city together. All these possibilities would make Theo smile.

Full and awake and content, she bathed and dressed, taking her sweet time in the shower, using her favourite shower gel, the one that smelled of full, rose skinned apples and pomegranate seeds heavy and pregnant with red, tart juice. She would wash her hair thoroughly, singing along to her music as she did so, even dancing a little, turning and swinging her hips for her imaginary audience, hitting high notes and belting without a care in the world. She then lounged in her towel for a while, reading magazines on her bed and performing a little more carefree choreography through her bedroom before drying her hair, massaging a little coconut oil into it. She took care with her clothes too, this being one of the few days she didn’t have to resolutely stick to her uniform of pantsuits and neat skirts and pressed blouses. She ended up with a long skirt in a bright, bold pattern, as bright and bold as she felt, her nana had brought it back from Barcelona for her. A crop top went on too, she’d be cold but fuck it, she looked too damn good not to show off a little, just for herself. Some sacrifices were worth making. Kicks, not her best ones but her old, worn favourites, hair in twin buns, bold lipstick and she was done.

Now for the hard part.

Theo strode over to the basket under the table in her kitchen, knowing that’s where he’d be, even though she had been awake for hours.

She hunkered down, grinning brightly, “What kind of guard dog are you, lazy bones?”

Titus gave a whine in response, hefting one huge, tawny paw over his eyes, like he thought that would save him from being woken up. Like he suddenly became invisible to her if he did that.

“Nice try,” Theo snorted, reaching in and ruffling his thick mane of fur, “Up, up, up! Time for walks!”

That magic word had him. He made his resentment clear through huffs and whimpers but he eased himself out of his basket all the same, tail managing to wag for her, eyes managing to brighten as he hopped up, forepaws on her knee, for his good morning hug.

Titus had originally been intended as a guard dog, a house warming present from her father, given with the express promise that he would keep a young lady living in downtown New York all on her lonesome the protection and security she desperately needed. It ended up being a bit of a running joke in their family. Titus was big, there was no denying that, he was actually bigger than most other German Shepherds, but he also happened to be the world’s biggest wuss, preferring to use his huge bulk to hug rather than for any safekeeping purpose. He jumped when leaves blew past him on the sidewalk and taxis honked as they passed by. He hid behind Theo’s legs if a cat happened to appear, bolting from an alleyway as they walked past. He would whine and fuss mercilessly if his lady happened to leave his sight for more than five seconds, even if she’d just ducked into a store for an ice cream which she would, of course, give him the cone from. All in all, he didn’t really fulfil the role Aaron had had in mind when he gave him to his daughter.

But Theo adored him all the same. And he adored her right back.

She hummed brightly to herself as she tied his usual red bandana around his neck and slipped him into the harness she’d got for him back when he was still a puppy and way too small to fit in it (“He needs to feel big like the other dogs, dad!”). She put on her headphones, show tunes turned up, and together, both full of optimism and fortitude that only comes with a good morning well spent, they set out for Central Park.

 Theo had a smile on her face a mile wide as she bounced on her heels along the path, head swaying in time with the music in her ears, making her buns waggle with perfect timing. Titus ploughed on ahead of her, as if clearing the path and making sure no threats lay ahead of his mistress for him to jump at and get scared by and need cuddles. A blanket of leaves that looked as if they’d been moulded and shaped from copper itself littered the path ahead of them, rustling under four paws and two sneakers as if in quiet conversation. Squirrels skittered from branch to branch just over their heads, ink drop eyes glittering curiously, and birds broke the constant clear blue of the sky with their arrowhead silhouettes, probably flying off to somewhere much warmer than New York city in the middle of autumn. The season didn’t come without its gifts, though; there were bright lavender and yellow bursts of crocuses along the path. Theo saw them and gave a slightly melancholy smile. They made her think of her mother, having been her favourite flowers, but it was a good memory. Not a twist of a knife, just a dull ache from doing work she was happy to do. She made a mental note to buy some from a florist, half to go on her mama’s grave and the rest to fill a glass vase on her kitchen table. Knowing they would see the same colours, smell the same delicate scents, brought Theo comfort, as if her mama had bought the flowers for her rather than the other way around. It was kind of a hangover from something her father had told her when she was younger, just after she’d died. He’d told her that Mama sent the crocuses up in Central Park just for Theo, so she’d know she wasn’t really gone and was always watching over her baby girl. At twelve, Theo had been a little too old to believe that story even then, but she appreciated the effort and would always associate those proud, regal blooms, like tiny paper crowns made by a careful, loving, attentive hand, with her mama.

Titus took her a little off the main track through the park, he liked the thickets best, they came with the opportunity to stick his long snout into a bush or too and find some interesting smells or a nice smooth stone he could present to his mistress as a gift. Theo whistled pleasantly to herself as some good old fashioned soul music kicked in through her headphones, gearing herself up to get lost in Aretha Franklin’s feather-boa-rattling voice.

That was what distracted her.

She didn’t even hear Titus’ yelp as the blur of black and white and grey barrelled into him and knocked him off his paws completely, sending him sprawling in the dirt at the side of the path. Which, of course, as Theo was holding the end of his leash, she got to go sprawling right along with him.

“What the-?” she managed to exclaim just before the surprise of no longer being vertical and suddenly rolling (thankfully harmlessly and painlessly) onto damp and unpleasant grass took her breath away.

It dislodged her earbuds too so she managed to hear her Titus whining and wailing in distress, as well as a new, much more fierce, much more energetic yapping that belonged to the black and white and grey blur, still a blur as whatever it was when it wasn’t going five hundred miles an hour zig zagged this way and that over the poor, downed Titus.

“Hey! Get off him!” Theo demanded, not able to do anything more than make her threat before her lap was taken up with nearly 88 pounds of dog as Titus hid in her arms.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” another new sound cut over the pandemonium, “Othello’s only little, he’s not got the hang of making friends yet. Othello, down boy!”

A lot of thoughts were running through Theo’s mind at that point, very quickly, but the one that got to her mouth was this.

“What kind of name is Othello?”

“Huh?” the owner of the voice, a nearly impossibly tall young man, about her age and with face covered in more freckles than Theo thought could exist on a human person, blinked in confusion.

“Uh, sorry,” Theo felt her face flush, she hadn’t wanted to sound so incredulous. Though, really, she had every right to be, seeing as she was sat in the mud thanks to this guy.

The man caught the blur in both arms, hauling it up and suddenly, it manifested as a very small, very hairy dog, panting, scrabbling his paws in the air and looking very disgruntled at having his game interrupted.

“I really am sorry about that,” the guy said again, looking embarrassed as he held out one hand to help Theo up, “He slipped his collar and got away from me back there, I had to chase him through the whole park…”

“I’m not surprised,” Theo said breathlessly, accepting the offer of help after she managed to convince Titus to get off, “I’m not sure they even make dog collars that small…”

Fortunately, he laughed at that, “Yeah, he’s kind of a runt. Fast though. Big personality.”

“Yeah,” Theo brushed down her skirt, “Yeah, I got a taste of that personality…”

The kid flushed red, biting his lip guiltily, “I am sorry. You’re not hurt, are you?”

“Nah,” Theo shook her head, recentering her braids, “Titus might have some emotional damage, though.”

He winced and addressed the cowering German Shepherd behind her legs, “Sorry, buddy. He doesn’t mean any harm, I swear, he’s just got a lot of energy.”

That much was obvious, Othello- if that really was the thing’s name- was squirming and wriggling so furiously in the guy’s arms, Theo was genuinely impressed he was holding on so effortlessly.

“He’s not that dented up, really,” Theo said quickly, not wanting to come off like she was criticising, “He’s just a wuss. A big old furry wuss.”

Titus whined, as if in indignance, though he soured his argument a little by diving back behind Theo’s legs when Othello gave a growl.

“Behave!” he snapped, patting his dog’s head, “Stop being a meanie!”

“Maybe he’s mad cos some doofus named him Othello,” Theo muttered, a little louder than she’d intended. She cursed herself, god damn her big mouth…

But the guy only laughed again, a nice sound, one he clearly used often.

“I’m a literary nerd, what can I say?” he grinned hugely, “I’m hoping he grows into it.”

Theo blushed a little, smiling back, “Did you just get him?”

“Is it that obvious?” he chuckled, “Yeah, I got him from the pound the other week, we’re still, ah…establishing who’s the alpha in the situation…”

“Well…best of luck with it,” Theo smiled, wanting to leave this particular exchange before she embarrassed herself any further, or before Othello escaped his owner’s arms and Titus had a heart attack.

“Hey, um, do you…do you have somewhere to be?” the guy blinked, “I mean, the least I owe you after that mess is a coffee?”

“A…oh…” Theo’s blush was back with a vengeance.

“If that’s okay, I mean?” he smiled, that same hundred kilowatts smile that outshone even this harsh, autumn sun, “Although, god, what am I even doing, I haven’t even asked your name…”

“Theo Burr,” she interrupted him gently, “And a coffee sounds great.”

“Theo,” he repeated, eyes brightening, finally letting Othello slip from his arms, letting him land in a heap at his feet where he thankfully stayed.

“I’m Philip Hamilton.”

[fernsandsunflowers]

Hi guys,

I never really make personal posts on here but I wanted to talk about my little buddy somewhere that was both public and private at the same time.

This is Zorro, I was almost 11 when we first met. My parents brought him as a bday surprise for my brother. I didn’t know they were going to get him a dog so I squealed when I saw my mother sneak him into the pantry to hide him away. The moment my brother set off to stay the night at a cousin’s I ran to the pantry and knelt on the floor. He was hiding behind a kitchen chair, peaking at me from behind one of the legs. I called to him and he tilted his head staring at me, a little unsure…I called again and his mouth broke into a giant smile and he bounded towards me, missed the landing and crashed right into my leg. We have been inseparable ever since. That night we gave him milk, the same amount we used to make for a giant German shepherd we dogsat a couple weeks ago, and he drank the ENTIRE bowl. His tummy got so big it dragged on the floor and he couldn’t walk straight. I begged my parents to let him sleep in my room. They reluctantly agreed, and I ended up spending the entire night mopping the floors because he peed EVERYWHERE. My parents brought him for my brother, but he was always mine. He followed me everywhere, even if I was just walking two feet away. He would wait outside the bathroom door for me. when I was in school, he’d come to the gate by 1pm and sit and wait for me to come back home. When I started work, he would wait at the gate by 4pm. When he got older, he’d wait by the doorway of my room or in the tv room his head facing the front door.

He was the number 1 fan of pets, he hated when I came home smelling like other dogs, he loved little kids and would let them torture him to no end - when my cousin was born my aunt stayed with us and that was the one time Zorro didn’t follow me around, he would stay by the door to their room and bark or come call someone the moment the baby started to stir. I also have this seriously hyper kid cousin who used to just throw stuff at him and poke him, and he wouldn’t bat an eye, he’d go and sit by him and let him do his thing - He loved to eat chicken, his favorite fruit was mangoes, and he used to eat anything we gave him as long as he knew we were eating it too. He loved to roll around in grass, and pee on mom’s new plants. When he was younger and did something naughty and mom would yell at him he’d get his revenge by going to her favourite plants, carefully biting off a flower and going and showing it to her. He didn’t give a rats ass about thunder, he’d sleep right through thunderstorms, but he HATED fireworks. We’d have to tie him up and give him some Piriton to help him sleep, but he was never one to be forced into anything. For a small dog he was strong, he’d manage to break out, fight the sleepiness and actually try to catch the firecrackers. You’d think this is impossible, but I come from Sri Lanka, even kids handle fireworks in my country, and a lot of the time we use fireworks that go off on the floor. One of my favourites was this one that would spin like a wheel on the ground, one time he got loose and chased one of them down the street trying to catch it in his mouth. Half the neighbourhood ran after him screaming to try and get him away. I was in hysterics for hours. But he was fine, except for a few burnt whiskers… His sense of smell was never really the same after that - we’d play hide and seek and he’d run right passed me sniffing at the floor. He loved walks, as most dogs do. Sri Lanka also has a lot of strays and my neighbourhood has its own little gang of like 15 dogs. They’d follow us on walks from a distance and I’d always be terrified they’d jump on him. But Zorro completely ignored them and I later figured out that he was actually sniffing out and peeing where the other dogs pee… he’s just that salty. He had long hair that curled at the end and my Cats loved to play with them. They’d slide along the floor and attack him as he walked and he’d stand there and let them have their fun. He never once snapped or growled at them. He hated when I’d start singing, he would tolerate it for about 10 minutes and then would start huffing pointedly. It didn’t stop me from writing him and singing him a lullaby, he didn’t seem to mind that one so much. I used to play the piano when I was younger and he’d make me stop by jumping onto the keys and walking all over them. He once saw a garden snake come up behind me and attacked it. Another time, a bird got fried on the overhead street wiring and my mom kept it on a rock while she went to find her gardening tools so she could dig a grave for it. When she came back the bird was gone and Zorro was covered in dirt. He had buried the bird himself. You’d think this is nothing, dogs often bury bones and things, but this is the first and only time Zorro has ever buried anything. We have a rambutan tree in our home whose branches fall onto our roof, the two of us would climb up to the roof every fruiting season and sit and eat rambutan. He liked the bitter ones the most which worked out great because I liked the sweet. He loved sweets too, cakes and candies and the rare tiny piece of chocolate. We’d have to take care to never keep anything within reach of him… things used to mysteriously disappear anyway. He learned pretty soon that when he was sick he was more likely to get sweets, we used to hide his pills in cakes and gummies, so he would pretend to be ill. He’d limp a little when people were a round and act like he can’t get up. Dad’s favourite story was the time he caught Zorro, who we thought had somehow injured his ankle (he even whined when the vet touched his ankle, she said nothing seemed broken or twisted, it must just be sore because he slept on it wrong so prescribed him something for the pain), walking normally and start limping, on the wrong foot, when he spotted my dad. 

He was beautiful, his fur always shone and his hair was thick and long, he had little eyebrows and even eyelashes. I have never seen a cocker spaniel in Sri Lanka that looked as beautiful and as healthy as he did. You might say I’m biased but every vet we’ve ever been to and every person who’s ever seen him said the same. We had several little proposals for him but they never worked out. We had three girls brought home for him but he HATED them all. The poor things tried so hard to make friends with him but he lashed out at them. Eventually we stopped trying. My brother and I are pretty sure this was because he was gay. During mating season we’d sometimes find him staring longingly at the local dog gang (all male) through the bars of the gate. He loved Tuk Tuk rides because he was just too short to see out the car window. He walked the streets like he owned them and it showed, people would come out of their homes to fawn over him and he’d trot along, head held high. If he was in the way of oncoming traffic, no matter what the vehicle, it was clear that he would not move from it but the vehicle had to move for him. Every vehicle in the neighbourhood knew to make a nice, wide turn, away from his path because he wasn’t going to change his. About 4 months ago our garden wall was broken down for reconstruction and we had taken him out for his nightly pee and poop session. He was taking ages and mom and I were watching a show on tv. So we told him dad was on the way home and he’d let him in and went inside. He had decided to go looking for dad who worked about 150 metres away from our home. He’d one over the broken wall and made it to the main road. I was told that the Tuk Tuk drivers with the help of one of the traffic policeman had created a wall against oncoming traffic so he wouldnt get hit, and because he refused to let anyone touch him two men came running to our house to fetch us so we can bring him back home. Thank god he’s so famously known in town! He created a massive traffic jam and noone complained. Mind you he was deaf and blind at this point so we are pretty sure he simply followed dad’s scent because we have never taken him that way towards the main road before and dad’s the only one who takes that path and he was apparently very purposefully making his way to dad’s office building.

He grew to display behaviour so fundamentally similar to me that we were almost the same person. He hated potatoes, He loved chicken. He hated getting up in the morning and was most active in the night. He hated being helped, towards the end he found it difficult to get up, difficult to walk, but he always had to try by himself for several minutes before grudgingly allowing us to help him. He pretended to hate attention but loved being the centre of it. He hated having his picture taken and he liked baths only after he was in them. He was ticklish on his sides, he was grumpy in the mornings, he liked to go to places only for the ride, once we got to a place it was like ok home now. He was very mellow, he took everything in stride and never complained, he would be mad at you for approximately 2.5 seconds. He was friendly towards everyone but had his favourites… this showed. He was a little afraid of birds. He hated milk by itself and loved roasted dhal. He liked his bread buttered and only slightly toasted. He didn’t like being told what to do and would pathologically rebel, whether it was being asked not to sit during bathtime or being given sedatives at the vets before getting stitches (he was given enough sedatives to affect a much larger dog, but he refused to let it get to him and didnt even go to sleep that night). 

I should have accepted that his time was done, I shouldn’t have tried to force down his medicine. I think I caused him a lot of pain towards the end. I should have just let him be in peace. I shouldnt have carried him to the doctors every day. He hated being carried. I’m so scared that he hated me those last few days. I told him over and over that I was sorry, I just wanted to help. But a dog doesn’t understand all that. He’s gone now and and I caused him all that stress for nothing. And it’s breaking my heart.

He was my home for 14 years and 3 months and 9 days. I don’t really know how to be or do without him here. How am I supposed to want to come back home knowing he won’t be there waiting for me. How am I to sleep without the sound of his snores punctuating the air. I don’t know how I’m supposed to go to the washroom without hearing him padding to the door and loudly sniffing underneath it to see if I was there. I keep expecting to hear him bark softly from outside the door to let me know he was outside and not inside. I keep tripping on myself thinking he was lying on the floor and I was about to step on him. I couldn’t go to sleep yesterday because he didn’t wake me up in the middle of the night to ask for a midnight snack or to let me know he needed to pee.

There was a brilliant sunset yesterday, the whole sky turned gold as we set him down in his little coffin and decorated his grave with flowers. There was a rainbow too. People sent me pictures, saying it was a sign. I don’t want a sign, I don’t want him up there. I want him home with me where he’s supposed to be.

[namjoonchronicles]

Tumbleweed, Her #13 - [BAP] Noir!Au

[A/N] OK, I basically went full fledged Yongguk stan on this and I’m not sorry. That man is F. I. N. E.

The Driven, The Lieutenant: Bang Yongguk

He came to see a warehouse to which an elderly said he heard some gunshots. The elderly was walking his dog by the sidewalks, and he heard a couple of gunshots and because Yongguk was visiting Busan to see a friend, he offered help. The station could use some help, they had too many cases today.

The gunshots stopped but he had to thoroughly search the premises to be certained in order to write a complete report. He entered the premises with a gun pointed outwards. He heard shufflings. Like someone’s in a fight.

A slowing fight.

When he opened the door to the main office, he saw two equally bloodied, bruised and panting bodies on the dirty floor. One in black suits, another with casual apparel that he knows too well. “Jongup?” He called, and turned to the other guy, “And who are you?”

The blonde haired tall guy couldn’t even answer because he was so beaten. Yongguk grabbed his cell and called 911. “Don’t call the ambulance…” Jongup weakly said. “And leave you to die here while I’m a fucking lieutenant? Do you want me to lose the badge I’ve worked so hard for? No thank you,” Yongguk shot, “Hello, 911? Yes, I’m going to need an ambulance for two severely injured idiots right by Busan’s abandoned pier, second warehouse on the right. I’m Bang Yongguk, Lieutenant from Seoul Division.” He hung up after the receiver got the information.

Junhong coughs while laying on his back and Jongup propped an elbow to spit out blood.

After having them treated, Jongup had a dislocated shoulder and bullet wounds Yongguk predicts from the gunshots the elderly heard with his dog. “Are you a relative?” The tiny nurse came to Yongguk. “No. No to both. I’m a policeman, who got at the scene after a pedestrian reported the sound of a gunshot.” Yongguk explained. “Oh, sir, both of the patients had no national ID. So the registrations can’t register them. So who will make the payment?” The nurse said as she walks Yongguk to the counter.

“How much are the bills?” Yongguk asked.

“One is 567,000₩ and the other,” The nurse was interrupted with Yongguk’s hand gesture. “It’s alright. I’ll pay for it.” Yongguk shut his eyes and agreed to it. He signed a few papers and he heard running footsteps from the hallway. Tiny, little flip flops, he predicted. He turned around and saw a figure he knew very well. Your dirty clothes, your straight hair tied in a loose ponytail. You didn’t even noticed that he was there.

“Jun…” you couldn’t even finish your words when you saw Jongup and Junhong treated on the bed, next to each other.

Yongguk carefully observe you. And through the curtains in the Accident & Emergency department, he watched you make a difficult decision. Would you comfort your long lost little brother or would you take the hands of your lover?

Which one?

Jongup groans with his eyes clenched shut and Junhong hisses as the nurses cleaned his wounds. Which one?

Your steps hindered. You stepped to the left where Junhong is but you stepped to the right where Jongup is, when he grunts. Which one?

Yongguk turns away before he got to see you make a decision. He knows he’s not even in the options. You had Jongup. You had Junhong. It didn’t matter because either way, Yongguk is not one of the choice. The love has withered away. Or has it?

“Bang Yongguk.” He heard your voice calling him from behind and he spun around, surprised. But before he could even make sense of what was happening, he felt a stinging pain across his face. Your palm flew on one cheek and he held them to ease the pain. “Three years, Yongguk. Three years and you couldn’t tell me that you had a twin?” You growled.

Yongguk’s stared wide-eyed at you. “I’ll tell you right now that I have a twin.” He said in one breath. “Too late!” You scorned. “What do you mean? I thought you went missing, what does my twin have got to do with this?” Yongguk exclaimed. “I thought he was you. I thought you came to get me from work! But he was working with Junhong to kidnap me…” you explained. “I got in the car because I thought it was you.”

Yongguk rested his hand on his hip, blowing hot air to his forehead. “Why would I fetch you from work, we stopped doing that, didn’t we? You told me not to come anymore.” Yongguk furrowed his brows at you. “I thought… I thought things might have changed. I thought maybe you knew that Jongup, was staying at my place, I mean, the place you gave me. I thought you were about to scold me,” You stammered.

“Yeah, about that. We need to talk about that.” Yongguk spat. “But first, who brought you here?” He said.

“Them,” you pointed your thumb to two figures of men walking through the hallway. “Is there any other guys I need to know about?” Yongguk stares blindly at them as they make their way to where you are. Yongguk then glared at you, “How many guys are you around with?”

You smiled cutely, “A few… but it’s nothing serious.” Yongguk scoffs, “And yet, here we are, in the hospital.”

Yongguk bought you something to eat. Jongup and Junhong both had to fast because they need to go through full x-ray. You haven’t made any decisions on which to cater first; your brother or your lover. You sat next to Yongguk on the table in the cafeteria. “I took the cucumbers out, I know you don’t like them.” Yongguk said and popped a shrimp into his mouth. You blinked shyly because that gesture was something you haven’t experienced for awhile. “Your mom was worried about you. I could see it through her face. How are you going to answer all her questions later?” Yongguk helps to skin the shrimp for you and chip away the bones from the fish.

“Maybe I don’t have to return home that soon…” you trailed and he shot, “Nonsense. And where will you stay?”

“…with you…?” You didn’t sound sure. Yongguk set his metal chopstick on the table and leaned back on his chair. He crossed his arms. “That’s just…” he snapped his head to one side, enunciating his beautiful side profile, “Wow.” You know, that he feels betrayed. You were with another guy in the house he provided for you. But hey, you didn’t plan to fall for Jongup. Things happen.

Shit happens.

“It shouldn’t have been a problem, Yongguk. We don’t have feeling for each other, can’t you cover me, just this once?” You played with your food, pouting. Keeping your gaze down. “See, that’s where you’re wrong.” He darted, he stood up and took his unfinished food tray, and as he pushed his chair in, he leaned to you, “I do. I have feelings for you. I still do.” He turns his heel around and shoved his tray into the cleaning area and stormed away without looking back.

You couldn’t even say anything in return. You had to watch him leave and let the words stucked at the tip of your tongue. Because you didn’t know. You didn’t know that Yongguk still wants you. You thought it was over. You thought he would move on. He made sure that his words stung in every way. Yongguk had always been ambiguous in his feeling towards you after the break-up so today was the first time he ever confessed that he still ‘had feelings’.

Yongguk didn’t know why he did that.

Maybe he was jealous? He has been. For awhile now. He was jealous not just because Jongup is around. He’s jealous that you’re living well without him. He’s jealous that you only come over when you’re drunk. He’s jealous because all of this new mens around you.

But what can he do? The girl he’s in love with, is unsure about her heart.

He could feel that a part of you still wanted him. He could see from your beautiful eyes that you wanted to be with him. But you’re conflicted. Because now you have Jongup as well. And to be honest, Yongguk would be the type that would surrender. He’d rather him be hurt. Yongguk is selfless. Yongguk is a broken-hearted man. Yongguk cares too much, and had too many wounds.

Yongguk isn’t like his twin. His twin is robust. And the reason why Yongguk never talked to anyone about his twin is because apart from sharing the same face, Yongguk is nothing like his twin. Yongguk decided to have a future when his twin brother chooses to remain in the dark. Yongguk’s tattoos are much like his brother but Yongguk stepped further than what his brother had taught him. Yongguk realized that he didn’t want that kind of life. A gangster.

Sometimes he wondered what could have happened if he remained. But sometimes, he was thankful he didn’t. He didn’t blame his twin brother. Orphans can’t be choosy.

It was difficult at first because Yongguk didn’t have the money to go for tuitions like other college kids. It was a miracle to him to even manage to be accepted in the police academy. Staying in the academy was difficult. Often, he was mistaken by the crimes his brother did. So he was suspended a number of times. He had to present proof of them being twins, make paperworks, provide alibis; it was annoying. That’s why when Yongguk was able to request a place far from his brother, he jumped on it.

Yongguk inherited the apartment from his deceased grandfather, along with some assets around the city that he wouldn’t declare.

He didn’t see his twin brother for awhile. But since he had made your life difficult, maybe he should pay a visit. Yongguk ran both hands in his hair as he sat on the bench placed on the sides. “Why am I doing this to myself.” Yongguk ridiculed himself. And you think you know the answer to that. You observed him from the side.

Because you can’t stop your heart from wanting what it wants.

You approached him at the bench and puffed your cheek, looking away but sliding closer to him. “You do realise that the nurses had been watching you?” You started. Yongguk looks up to the end of the hall and saw a few nurse scampering away as he glanced. You smiled to yourself. “That is why.” You suddenly say.

“Why what.” Yongguk asked. “Why I broke us up.” You answered.

“I don’t get it.” He replied. “Everyone wants you. Everyone thinks you’re attractive. Everyone prettier than me, fawns over you… and it made me insecure. I think I don’t deserve such an amazing person. And I don’t want to love someone so loved by everyone else. I thought that, if I let you go, someone better would come by and provide you with things… I couldn’t have provided…you.” You dropped your gaze to your dangling feet.

“You know I only have eyes on you.” Yongguk stated the fact. “It wasn’t enough. It’s not enough. It will never be enough.” You shot, a tear escaped from your eyes and Yongguk hung his head low. “Is that why you’re with Jongup? Because he wasn’t ‘loved’?” Yongguk accused. “Jongup is different. He needed me,” you cried.

“And I don’t?” Yongguk spoke softly. “Bang Yongguk.” You scolded. “You left, thinking I’d be okay. Do I look okay, to you?” He turned to to his side to face you. “Look at me and tell me, that I look okay without you.”

His sunken eyes, dark circles and pale lips. He was not okay at all.

“You can be okay. You’re not like Jongup. Jongup’s a broken soul. He had never been loved.” You explained. And Yongguk turns away, angered. “Don’t talk to me about other guys. I have no concerns in that.”

You looked at him bewildered. “I don’t think you understand what it’s like to be me. I asked you for help, didn’t I? I called and texted, and did you reply to any of that? What makes you think that behaving like this will make our relationship better??” You exclaimed. “I came to you for help. I thought, and knew…that I was in danger, and I came to you, but you ignored me.”

Yongguk blinks slowly, feeling your words sinking into him. “I was trying to forget about you. I was trying to move on. I didn’t know…that you were surrounded by. Hooligans.” Yongguk exhaled. “You don’t tell me things anymore, I don’t know what you do with half of your day, and I’m getting unwanted surprises at every corner I found, trying to find you. I went everywhere. I went back to your mother’s, just to make sure she’s okay because I know you won’t be there. I went to the beach, thinking that you might…go there. But you were nowhere to be found.”

You dropped your gaze to your lap, playing with you fingers. “I need to file a report. About a…rape.”

“What’s this about, this time.” Yongguk sounded like he had enough. You told him everything.

That you went back from work knowing where your brother is, the night you disappeared. You did a little spying and you saw him briefly. You’ve been working in a club as a bartender with the only female friend you had. She’s a hostess and makes a subsequently higher monthly income compared to you. She led a dangerous life being in a relationship with Kim Himchan. Not only he was the Congressman’s son, he was mentally ill. Himchan suffered bipolar disorder. And his alternate self is ruthless and had a high tendency to react violently.

This was shortly after the break-up with Yongguk, but after he gave you an apartment to live in.

“When it’s good, it’s going great. But when it’s bad, it’s awful. And it’s like a record, stuck in repeat,” you remembered her, with her messy hair in the dawn, her face covered in bruises, one of her eyes is bloodshot. “I fear for my life, constantly. I might die, and no one will know it because of who his father is.” She cried in your arms, sitting on the curb, her pink blouse tore, her jeans had holes in them and she was barefooted. She said she lost her heels when she was running away. “Leave him. Don’t be stupid. Run, and don’t look back. I’ve said this once, I’m going to say it again until you listen.” You scolded her.

“Himchan’s not dangerous. It wasn’t him. The one who hits me, it wasn’t him. It was the devil.” She protested. “Stop this nonsense! At one point, you told me you’re scared of him, and at another, you defended him!” You cried. “You don’t have to live this way. I will help you, I have a friend.” You dug out your phone, about to call Yongguk but she took your phone away. “If you tell anyone about this, I’m going to really die. Which part of him being the official’s son, don’t you understand?” She furrowed her brows at you, glaring.

“You’ve gone insane.” You stated. “Maybe I am.” She stood up and tries to walk although her steps were wobbly. “Did he pop pills in your drinks again? Did he do that to get his way with you?” you stood up, holding her by her arm as the sun starts to warm the street. The garbage truck just passed by, taking out yesterday’s trash. “He did, but I was smarter this time, I didn’t drink it. I don’t drink alcohol for awhile now. I’m pregnant,” she smiled weakly.

You looked at her with wide eye. “Who’s?” She rubbed her tiny tummy tenderly. “Maybe he’ll change after this baby is born.”

“You know he’s not in love with you. He’s only with you because you looked like Hani. That’s why he’s always there in the club. He was making us his rebound girls! Why can’t you see that!” You shake her. But she swatted your hand away, stubbornly. “I can teach him how to love.”

“Have you looked at the state you’re in now? You let him beat you, because you love him? He’s crazy!” You growled.

“You’re insane. This is rape! We have to report him!” You let go of her. But she was stubborn. Himchan soon got to know and he didn’t waste time to take actions into his hands. And you heard him say, “ She’s not going to have that baby. Because if she does, she’d be gone along with that baby. I have a reputation to keep.” You thought of going to the pharmacy and asked for a pill that could be taken to abort the baby, and Youngjae was a big help. You thought that if Himchan knew she aborted the baby, he would spare her a life. But before you got to give her that, she mysteriously disappeared for hours.

The following night, you walked home to the bus station and when you got out the back door of the club, you saw your friend, paralyzed, hunched over a shoulder of a man that looked like Himchan. Her body was placed at the trunk of the car, and then the vehicle sped off and you witnessed everything.

But that car stopped midway, and the window were winded down, halfway, and you could see Himchan gazing straight at you. You turned away and flee the scene like you’ve seen nothing. And Himchan blinks, sighing. His gloved hands grips tighter on the steering wheel and he’s thinking of, whether he should do something about you. But him being bipolar, he couldn’t remember anything he did after a nap. Flashback ends.

Yongguk was listening to every word. Back at the hospital, you lay your head on his shoulders and fell asleep. And when he was about to touch your hair that’s covering your face, he felt a presence of someone else there. “I don’t think she’d like that.” This person said. Yongguk glances up and to the side and it was Jongup, with his bandaged shoulder and casted arm, wearing a loose hospital clothes for in-patients. He doesn’t look amused. At all.

Next: Part 14

[angelic-distortion]

WOW. Y’ALL. I HAVEN’T WRITTEN A BLOG POST IN A MONTH. I’m kinda terrible. Buuuuuuut a lot has been going on.

FOURTH OF JULY: Our air conditioner had suddenly made a high pitched scream, so we decided to turn it off, resulting in 4 (?) days with no AC because of the holiday weekend. I was dying. I was not made for the heat.  We went over to nantee’s that night to eat and watch a movie. Dad and I ended up watching Captain America: Winter Soldier on TV. I love Cap.

KAYAKING: On July 8th, we went kayaking down the Caddo River with Josh and Kendra and their dog Ellie. It was sooooo much fun, and the weather was amazing. It had rained a bit and was pretty overcast with a slight wind. We stopped in the middle for a picnic and to play fetch with Ellie to get her tired out. When we neared the end, we stopped and swam for a bit. On the way home, we got snow cones. I deviated from my usual flavor of Hurricane and got pink lemonade. It was refreshing and delicious, and there was this really adorable dog there which was a plus.

TOM SAWYER: So, as you know, I’ve been working on the costumes for Tom Sawyer at the OLT basically since I got home from school. During this month long break from blogging, I finished costuming, and got the kids through dress and tech rehearsals, and both weekends of performances. Semi-unfortunately, with the task of costuming, also came the task of sitting backstage and keeping the kids quiet….which let me tell ya…..it was a time. Every night I would come home with a rant on who was being rude that day. It was stressful and I eventually broke on Sunday night while I was in bed and couldn’t stop crying. (There were other reasons I was crying, too, but still.) Overall, the run went very well, and even though they could be a pain, I’ll miss the cast and crew. At least we still have strike and the pool party to look forward to tomorrow night!

Here are a few of my favorite costumes.

  Muff Potter

Mary Rogers

Aunt Polly

Mrs. Rogers

Tom Sawyer

Huck Finn

Injun Joe

Sheriff Jones and Mrs. Sprague

OTHER THINGS:

I super deep cleaned my room and found these gems.

  I had laser surgery on my gum to fix a blood pocket that formed because I was missing the bone behind it. Apparently, the laser is supposed to cauterize as it cuts, but I am of course special, and it just bled…. and bled…. and bled…. for like 30 minutes.

I started doing cover videos again, so if you wanna see them check out my youtube channel!

I am happy. Very very happy. Like

Now that the play is over, I’m going to start working on my sewing projects and will hopefully have time to keep up with this blog again! Get ready, because in a couple of weeks, you get to hear all about my favorite weekend of the year and all the 21 years of memories (well really like 16 because I don’t remember all 21…) of why I love this weekend so much.

Fearlessly,

Allison Brooke

    Long Time, No Write WOW. Y'ALL. I HAVEN'T WRITTEN A BLOG POST IN A MONTH. I'm kinda terrible. Buuuuuuut a lot has been going on.