#esper thinks if she apologizes they can leave it behind but she kind of

[antolcgias]

ASKED BY @luridtruths​   ✍ - esper

Prompt Roulette Starters - (31) Trying to fix what is forever broken.

❝ ...  of all people I could be paired with. ❞ Hummed under her breath as she stands a few feet apart from Rose — rumors and the like swirling about the room as the once runaway returns to acclimate. The gaggle of young trainees look, sneer and oogle. She’s got half a mind to tell them to stop slobbering from the curiosity. If

❝ Let’s hash it out then. No hard feelings? ❞ Esperanza’s posture adjusts slightly ... shifting feet back to hold her steady for what could come.  her mother taught Esperanza one thing at least then it was this ... nothing ever saved you from the consequences of your actions. ❝ Ignacio heard about it.  Told me ... so I told the staff. ❞

[no-psi-nan]

Okay so after girding my emotional loins, I think I'm ready to tackle this one.

Buckle in, this is a long(er) one!!

They were both wildly intelligent kids. While baby Asumi wasn't yet as wordy or as perceptive as he is later, he's still really smart and easily calls out Takashi's tricks for being mundane. They both see themselves as being essentially different from the rest of humanity in some way, and that makes them both lonely and wishing for connection.

Baby Kusuo makes me so sad every time because he clearly just wants a little bit of attention and love. He can do tricks so much cooler than everyone else, and he could have everyone's admiration and attention. But after the rock paper scissors fiasco, he knows he shouldn't, because it would cause trouble for him and his parents. So he sits quietly alone, sometimes doing the tricks anyways in a discreet fashion, just to prove to himself that he really can be cooler than the other guy. 😭

Actually, since Akechi mentions that children can't save a marriage in his introduction, I wonder if that this point there's already marital strife in Asumi's life, to where he's not getting very much love and support at home. His parents really should've noticed their only (?) kid getting bullied daily and moved him to another school or something fr.

And then Asumi actually starts hanging out with Kusuo, and Kusuo finally has someone to commiserate with about how much underserved attention and respect Takashi gets. And Asumi also gives him some of the attention he craves, and they really do play so nicely together as kids. Even when Asumi slips up and calls Kusuo's art project trash, Kusuo only frowns at him until he apologizes, then he's all smiles again and it's so cute...

Asumi doesn't mind that Kusuo is essentially nonverbal and it seems like he easily understands Kusuo's expressions and body language to figure out what he means to say. While thinking about this now, I realize that as a high schooler, Saiki is wayyy less expressive, communicating the bare minimum to move through life and having a poker face most of the time, while baby Kusuo is more communicative and clearly expresses approval/disapproval/interest/etc in a way that invites conversation.

Just thought about this now but... Perhaps baby Kusuo was so protective of Asumi partially because he never really got that kind of protection in his own life. Kusuke has been competing with him relentlessly basically since he was born, his father can barely handle either of his overpowered sons, and his mom doesn't seem like she recognizes or knows about the animosity between Kusuo and Kusuke. When Kusuke prevented their parents from telling the grandparents about Kusuo's powers, it certainly seems like he was never disciplined for it. So Kusuo feels like he's under attack every day and then he also sees Asumi under attack every day, but the key difference here is that Asumi has no powers to defend himself with. And the adults clearly haven't helped at all either. So of course when he sees his only friend, the person whom he relates to most in the world, battered and hurt badly, he's going to blow up in a spectacular fashion from all of those suppressed feelings, not only for Asumi's sake but also his own.

And while Kusuo did switch schools and essentially leave without a trace afterwards (probably kick-starting Asumi's interest in mysteries and detectives), he did leave behind a gift. In leaving the classroom as destroyed as it was, Kusuo set Asumi up to be perceived as an ESPer, a rumor that would protect Asumi from bullying for as long as there were any other students from that elementary school with him. And this worked, because Akechi thanks Kusuo for "saving him from bullying" and shows no fear when interacting with people he knows to be powerful and violent, like Kuboyasu (untill Akechi remembers that no one thinks he's an ESPer at this school and he has no actual protection, and starts sweating a bit when Kuboyasu gets heated. Though I wonder if he thought maybe Saiki would jump in again, if Kaido hadn't successfully calmed Kuboyasu down??)

And then there's the whole thing where Akechi tries his utmost to prove Saiki is psychic, for the simple reasons of wanting to thank him and perhaps rekindle the friendship. Akechi really spent all of his free time on this for 6 months iirc, out of pure gratitude and admiration. He had no interest in using Saiki's powers for himself (unlike Kuniharu 😡) or outing him (unlike Kusuke 😡). Has anyone ever really thanked Saiki so wholeheartedly before? Saiki really spends so much time taking care of his friends who have no clue he's their local guardian angel lol and his dad takes him for granted. His mom does seem genuinely thankful and impressed when he gets her the groceries in the internet episode, but that's it!

And now we get to the part that sends me to the shadow realm every time... Big Bahonkadonks. So Akechi has given his sincerest thanks to Saiki, but now that he knows about Saiki's powers, Saiki is free to be himself around Akechi. Which, as we can see with the other Psychickers, means that he considers himself perfectly free to try overtly pushing them out of his life instead of having to do it discreetly with all his other friends (and failing). Saiki refuses to let Akechi in and even crushes his foot a little bit to deliver the message because he knows Akechi is persistent AF (notice that he never does this against Aiura or even against Toritsuka. Toritsuka gets his ass beat for pervert crimes and only gets intimidated with the toilet paper spear thing). But Kurumi is there to save the day and force Saiki to spend time with someone who genuinely cares about him instead of literally staring at the ceiling all day. Saiki, my friend, please figure out some other sort of hobby, god damn.

So now Akechi and Saiki are awkwardly hanging out in a room together and Saiki is being a very boring and shitty friend tbh. And yet STILL, Akechi wracks that genius little mind of his until he can figure out something they can do together.

SOMETHING THEY CAN DO TOGETHER, and Saiki can freely use all of his powers. This is HUGE!! Saiki has always had to hide and minimize his powers, he spends most of his energy hiding and minimizing his powers, the only time he ever gets to use them is PvP against Kusuke basically. And the consequences of losing to Kusuke are essentially the destruction of his whole life, ever since the limiters got put in!! That's not friendly competition, that's do or die!! No wonder my man has anxiety!!!

And notice that Akechi never once considers Saiki's use of his powers to be cheating or something negative to be prevented! And Akechi never expresses envy over Saiki's powers either, which is a massive pet peeve of Saiki's. He really just sees Saiki's powers as an intrinsic and neutral part of him that he should try to accommodate. ACCOMMODATIONS... He makes an effort to create a game where Saiki can play as his whole self, with the whole gamut of his abilities, and still have an actual challenge and a possibility to lose, AND the consequences of losing are basically nothing. That's something Saiki has literally never had in his life, something he didn't even think would be possible, something he laments missing even from the first volume of the manga. The excitement of playing a real game, the heights of winning, the depths of losing.

Akechi then delivers the line that nails my fucking coffin every time: "I can still be your playmate." And it sounds so stupid out of context but like think about this for a minute. Akechi is basically promising here that he's going to try his best to accommodate the abilities and preferences of this local god so that he can have fun, relax, and be himself regularly. That is such an expression of love and caring that it makes me cry IRL. It's so fucking hard to come up with games Saiki could play like this. Even Kusuke, mad scientist genius Kusuke has to essentially handicap Saiki with Nendo and Kaido during the hide n seek. But you can bet your bottom dollar that Akechi will sit there and research and think and figure out games Saiki can play just because he wants Saiki to be happy and he wants to spend time together. And Saiki RECOGNIZES this and that's why his eyes shine with emotion and he makes literally the weakest most pathetic attempt to keep up the tsundere facade with the "please don't (come back)".

By the time the other Psychickers want to "evaluate" Akechi, Saiki has basically accepted Akechi as his friend. And it's really funny how he just lets Toritsuka and Aiura figure out for themselves that Akechi is NOT someone to be underestimated. Personally I find it hilarious that he lets Akechi basically bully them for a little bit before he steps in like "okay, that's enough". Toritsuka and Aiura pretty quickly accept that Akechi is one of them, probably because Saiki clearly respects him a lot and they follow his lead.

Unfortunately we don't really get much more Akechi moments after that. The Reawakened anime tries to fix this by turning the Hii guardian spirit problem into a longer P.K. Psychicker segment, but it was kinda weak imo. Coming up with a problem that requires all four of them to solve is just logistically tricky, though I do come up with one in this chapter of my fic, shameless plug. I really wonder why Akechi wasn't involved in the volcano arc at all. While he probably would have had major trouble acting as Saiki given his motor mouth, surely he could have at least been there to keep an eye on Toritsuka or otherwise provide some logistical support? Or maybe Saiki just wanted to keep as many of his friends safe as possible because he already had a bunch of them insisting on hanging out at the Apocalypse Splash Zone??

But anyways, post-canon, Akechi and Saiki are definitely gonna be hanging out regularly, playing games together, fighting over dessert a little, catching up on what happened while they were apart. I think the fact that Akechi is ridiculously chatty is great because even if Saiki doesn't feel like talking, he can just listen and offer the occasional comment and they'd both have fun with it. Though Saiki can be chatty too if he's being his actual self and just saying what he's usually just narrating lmao and I think Akechi would be happy to hear that as well and try to engage him in conversation as much as possible.

So yeah they are also Certified Besties for Life™ and I really think that anyone who marries Saiki is just gonna have to accept that Akechi is going to randomly show up sometimes, accompany Saiki with whatever he's doing for a while, complete a miscellaneous chore, and then leave when he gets bored. That's just how it's gonna be, even they end up on opposite sides of the planet. And no matter how much he tries to be discreet about it, Saiki will always be happy to hang out with his bestie even if the bastard is way too good at horse gambling and steals all the cake.

[gucciwins]

Are You Happy?

Harry and you get one more chance at love

Word count: 6180

A/N: Part two to Te Esperé is finally here! I went back and forth with where I wanted to take them but finally got to writing it down. It can be read as a stand alone. I love this story so I hope you do as well. Please let me know what you think. Love you all.

Hope you enjoy !

*  *  *  *  *

It’s your last day in Los Angeles and your thankful to finally be leaving. After spending the last two months here if feels as if your stay here has been fullfing but also draining. There is something about L.A. that just doesn’t feel like home even for a short visit. You miss the month you spent in Oregon in gloomy weather walking around carefree. It reminded you of home, it’s probably why you enjoyed it so much. Walking towards your car, you heard your phone ring but decide to answer as soon as you turned on the a/c in the car. As soon as you felt the car get cooler you took your phone out. It had four messages from Tiff. Which was weird seeing, as she was in London. It’s ten pm over there and she is not a night owl. Calls bedtime at 9pm. It’s enough to worry you.

Tiff

Did you see it?

How long have you removed social media?

Everyone is talking about it!!!! Did you know about it?

*photo attached*

There staring back at you was Harry Styles giving the camera a glowing smile that made his green eyes shine and the crinkle by his eyes just made you tear up. That smile that you have gone months missing, not knowing if he misses you also. You decide to answer her to let her rest.

Y/N

I had not seen this. I’ve sworn off all social media and it’s nice.

I have stopped myself from calling him too many times. 

Tiff

Are you going to read it?

Y/N

Yes. 

Always going to support the man I love.

Tiff

Call me if you need me. Xx

Rob Sheffield had managed to write something that moved you to tears. From talking about shrooms, to his past relationships, his time in Japan and yourself. You read between the lines, the heartbreak he talks about but never speaks your name. You were there for the early writing process but left him during it. You want to say you regret leaving him but you don’t. You regret that you were letting your love die. 

As you clear up your tears, you exit out of the article and pull up a contact. One that holds a special place in your heart.

It rings and rings until finally the phone is picked up. You want to say something, but your throat feels like it is closing up. 

“Hi, darling.” You cry. You start sobbing hearing her beautiful voice. The woman who has loved you like a mother. The woman who was there for you through good and bad. The woman who has accepted every call over the past three months. 

“Hi Anne” The sniffles are heard on the other line but she makes no comment about them. “I’m sorry for calling a bit late. I hope I’m not bothering you.” You apologize.

“Oh you, I love speaking with you.” She pauses not sure how to continue what she wants to say next. “Are you okay?”

Anne is a saint. She loves you and is treating you as if you didn’t leave her son.Each phone you have had with her these last few months are what keep you strong.  She never talks about breaking Harry’s heart when left him crying on the door steps. Now you don’t even know if you want to tell her why you’re crying because it feels ridiculous. 

“Umm..m-my friend sent me the article link. He looks amazing. The article itself was a nice read.” You stare out at the buildings in front of you. Anne doesn’t answer so you decide to keep talking. “I’ve been isolating myself these past few months besides the phone calls with you and time with my family. I’m not making excuses but it’s been hard being away.”

Anne tells you soothing words encouraging you to keep going. To keep talking out all your emotions.

“I promised him I would be here for him every step of the way but I left him alone.” You feel the guilt in your chest remember how you left the house you had built of love together.  “It feels wrong that I can’t call him to ask him how his day is.” You give up on wiping your tears away.

“Hey now, don’t be so harsh on yourself. He knows you are always supporting him. Always makes sure to remind us of your opinion for what he had so far.” Anne knows it would make you cry more but you’re okay with it because you love hearing about him.

“I should just go, I’m making a fool of myself talking to you because I broke his heart and-” She interrupts you. 

“None of that” she tells you in a sharp motherly tone. “You made a hard choice but the right one for both of you.”

You nod along to her words but remember she can’t see you and you’re grateful for that.

“I just miss him. I have since the moment I left but Anne this time away healed something that was broken in me and not him. “ Finally being able to speak out all these emotions is freeing.

Anne clears her throat. “The time apart was needed in order to grow and see what was wrong in yourselves and not each other. You felt that your relationship was failing because you were failing yourself first.”

You settle down at those words. You think it over and it’s true. Time away made you stronger but also made you mentally aware that you are not okay one hundred percent. 

You don’t speak, only listening to each other’s breathing. 

“Still there?” Anne questions.

“I am.” you bite your bottom lip softly not pondering on how to ask her the important question. “Where-” She interrupts you right away.

“He’s in LA, with Jeff. Will be there for a few days.”

“Do you think he will be okay with me stopping by? Will he still want me?” You know it’s unfair to ask her these questions but you can’t seem to stop yourself.

“No one he loves more than you.” You smile at her words. “Trust me, I’m his mother.” 

“Thank you, Anne.” No more tears but you wish you could be in London to receive a hug. “I love you.”

“And I love you, now I’ll be expecting a visit as soon as you’re back home.”

*  *  *  *  *

Chocolate. 

The strong smell of dark chocolate filled the air. It must be the chocolate croissants fresh out the oven. The Rose Cafe is a small little place you found one day when you spent miles walking around the area of the beach. The light pink walls hold pictures of different flowers all around. Luz, the kind woman that owns the cafe has told you her nephew took the pictures and on more than one occasion told you he was single. Although she knew you were with Harry each time she said it, she knew you’d never take up the offer because she liked to say Harry looked at you just how my dear Frank did. 

After that phone call with Anne you felt spent which is how you ended up in a comforting place where you could be alone before going to see Harry. The bell chimed as you walked in, you didn’t bother scanning a table to sit because you were eager to order. 

“Beautiful!” That was screamed as you approached the counter. Your cheeks were heating up from the attention. 

“Hi, Luz. It’s good to see you.” You smile at her leaning over the counter to give her a tight hug. 

“I didn’t know you were in the city.” She states wanting to know more “Your gentleman didn’t say you were stopping by or else we would have had your favorite ready for you.”

You stare at her confused not knowing what she was talking about. There was no one you had brought here except- and that’s when you slowly turn around. You see Harry sitting in the far corner where a pretty picture of daisies sit behind him looking as handsome as ever with a book in his hand. 

“Sorry, ummm…” Luz can tell you don’t want to talk about it. 

“I’ll get your order ready, a blueberry muffin and black iced americano.” You nod taking out your wallet to pay and waste more time standing there. “On the house, dear.” You mutter a small thank you.

Deep breaths, you can do this. You were planning on doing this today, just that it got sped up a few hours. You don’t know how you get there but there you stand in front of Harry’s table. You clear your throat softly and he looks up. His book hits the table, he is not able to mask his surprise. He doesn’t look angry or sad. You don’t know what he’s feeling and that scares you.

“Hi Harry, do you mind if I sit with you?” You link your hands together stopping yourself from chipping at your nailpolish like you usually do when you’re nervous. 

He nods and continues to stare at you. He closes his book and that’s when he breaks eye contact. You slide into the booth and place your bag next to you. There’s so much you want to say but for now you’ll stay content just staring at his face. The one that would wake you up in the middle of the night to tell you a joke he thought of. The same face that sang all kinds of songs with you in the kitchen. The same face that would give you endless amounts of kisses when you had a bit of food on your face.

“You look tired.” He comments. It honestly concerns him.

You nod knowing he’d pick up on the fact that you had been crying. “I donated blood a few days ago, always leaves me a bit tired for a few days.” He relaxes because he can see the small bruise on your arm where the needle was in for sometime. 

Just as you were about to speak, your food was placed in front of you. You thank her quietly but ask Harry if he’d like anything. He declines politely.

You stare at your food and look up at Harry. You want to eat but also want to talk. You don’t know if he is running on a schedule scared he might leave. It’s like he can hear your thoughts when he speaks up. 

“You can eat. We can talk after you’re done.” He assures you.

“I’m not keeping you from going anywhere, right?” You couldn’t help but question.

“I always got time for you.” You freeze at his words but so does Harry. He wasn’t expecting to say that but the smile on your face lets him know he’d do it again if he’d get that reaction once more.

You were finishing up the last few bites of your muffin when you decide to speak. Not the exact topic you want but one that will lead you there. 

“I read the Rolling Stone article, it was a pleasant read.” You say nodding and finally looking up to catch his reaction.

“Thank you.” He doesn’t ask when you read but you can tell it is on the tip of his tongue.

“Yeah, ummm...I just read it today.” You tell him and it makes you feel a bit guilty. He looks upset, unbothered you’re not even sure what he feels but you press on. “I haven’t had much of a social life. I went off the grid on everyone for a month or two. To tell you the truth the only person I wanted to talk to was you.” 

Harry has a strong poker face. “I talked to your mom a lot. That sounds selfish of me, I just could never bare to ask more than a simple how you were.”

You take a drink of your coffee and that’s when Harry speaks. “I talked to your brother often.” He nods pinching his top lip before letting go. “Always let me know you were okay. I was always tempted to text you updates on everything.” 

Your eyes go wide. Nathan! He had spoken with Nathan these last few months and he never mentioned it. You really have an amazing brother.

“He told me you were at the show.” 

The show, the one and only Fleetwood Mac. You had gone to see Fleetwood Mac with your brother on June 18. He had done the same with his family. When Stevie Nicks had called Harry her little muse right before singing landslide you were in tears. Not just for Harry having the love and respect of someone he looked up to but because this was your song and knowing you were in the same place after a few weeks hurt. Your brother said you could both leave but you knew you could never do that. 

“Did he tell you how much I cried?” He laughs and nods his head. 

“I cried just as much. Rob included that nice ending but he didn’t mention how my mom was basically holding me together.” Harry sighs. “I wish I had known you were there. It seems selfish to say but why didn’t you seek me out. You knew I was there.” 

You know why he’s asking you. He wants answers and honestly so do you. 

“I wasn’t ready. It had been less than a month since we-“ you correct youself “since i left. I wanted to be better not just for you and our relationship but for me. I spent time with family here, and once there I thought it was finally time I talked to somebody about it. So I did the one thing I was always too afraid to do and went to see a therapist. Harry, the problem was never our relationship it was ourselves. I felt like I couldn’t open up and I had no idea why.” You run a hand through your hair and let out a deep breath you were holding. 

Harry’s hand rest on the table and you want to reach over and grab them. Have some kind of touch with him. “I- I’m proud of you, I wish I could have been there for you.” You can see he is beating himself up about it. “Jeff, had a close friend recommended me to one but I could never bring myself to go so instead I poured all my feelings out to mum and Gemma.”

You look around and see how quiet the place is. There’s no one else in the cafe surprisingly and you’re grateful for that. Even your dear friends have moved to the back to give you space. 

“H, I left you during a time you were going to be most busiest and needed support but I’m thankful to know you had the two most important woman by your side.” You smile at him. 

Harry gives you a timid smile. He reaches forward and laces your left hand with his right one. “Three most important woman, you may not have been there but you were just as important and involved.” You give his hand three gentle squeezes as you wipe your tears away. “You have always been my muse.” 

“Do you still love me?” He asks, suddenly very vulnerable.

“I love you so much. Not a moment goes by where my heart doesn’t miss you.” You speak the truth and you hope he believes you.. 

“Good. I love you, but I bet you already knew that.” He says with a small smirk. 

“It won’t hurt to hear it again.” Harry laughs at your cheekiness. 

“I love you.”

He stands up pulls you with him embracing each other in a hug that washes away all your worries. You first the back of his shirt and hold him tight hoping he won’t disappear. He places light gentle kisses on your head. It’s nice and comforting. 

“Where do we go from here?” You can’t help but question.

Harry pulls back a bit to look you in the eyes. “I know this won't be easy. It won’t be like before but we’ll take it slow. Day by day.” He’s assuring you that you’ll make it.

“I like how that sounds.”

“I’m not forgetting the years we had together but starting slow and easy sounds nice.” Your cheeks turn pink before you can even get your question out. “Harry, will you go on a date with me?”

Harry smirks shocked but happy you beat him to the question. “When are you leaving LA?”

“My flight leaves at one tomorrow.” Harry just nods. 

“Got to leave Sunday, will you meet up with me once I arrive?” 

“Of course, I will be at your mom’s house. She made plans to pick me up and keep me to herself. I hope that’s okay.”  You tell him hoping he won’t react weird. 

“Sounds lovely. Jealous my mom will be getting you longer than I did.” He shoot you a pretty smile. 

“Well since, I have got a flight and must be there early, do you fancy going out now?” You look at him with a smile reserved only for him. 

“I’d be an idiot to say no to you.” He pecks your cheek. “How about I also pick you up tomorrow for breakfast and see you off at the airport.”

“Sounds lovely.”

You and Harry can’t help it anymore needing to feel your lips against one another after so long. Harry wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you tight against him. You let one hand rest on his shoulder while the other brushes the curls off his forehead. Harry was leaning to connect your lips together when your name is yelled and the bell is heard. Your heads snap to the door quickly. You see a man and a woman you recognize. Once you look down you see who called your name. It was Bea. 

She twists timidly. “Is it okay if I give you a hug? Mommy said I have to ask because some people may not like to be touched.” You heart swells with pride. That is just the sweetest thing. You look over at her parents and give them a wave. They approach you slowly. Bea is a lovely little girl at the blood drive. She was shy the first five minutes then eased into conversation effortlessly when realizing you were smart and pretty. Honestly, just a small time with her changes you for the better.

“I would love if you would give me a hug.” In the next second her arms are wrapped around your neck. It seems as if she doesn’t want to let go. She hugs a bit tighter when she feels you releasing you. 

“Do I have to give you back you necklace?” She pouts hoping you say no.

“No.” You laugh. “I want you to take care of it. You’ll know when the time is right.” You stroke her cheek softly and it causes her to giggle. 

You stand up but don’t let go of her hand. You look at the two adults who are smiling at you for making their daughter laugh in record time. 

“Hi.” You stretch out your hand for him to shake “George right. Bea told me all about you and Annie.” 

He gladly accepts your handshake. “You must be the best friend she can’t seem to stop talking about.” 

You can’t help but blush because Bea really is the sweetest little girl. You look over at Harry and you’re not sure how to introduce him. 

“This is Harry.” You say looking at him and he’s looking right back at you with a gleam in his eye.

“I’m her boyfriend, It’s lovely to meet you.” He shocks you and he knows that. You can’t wipe the smile off your face and reach up to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. 

“How about I buy you all some treats?” You say looking at Bea who starts dragging you in seconds to the register. George states he’ll go as well to help make some good choices for his wife and himself. Your eager to spend time with Bea that it seems to slip your mind that Harry has never met these people. 

Annie stands with Harry. She sees the smile Harry gives her as she talks with Bea helping her choose a pastry. 

“We met her at the blood drive a few days ago, she was a ray of sunshine to everyone in that room.” Harry can’t help the smile that comes out hearing that compliment about his girl. “Gave Bea a beautiful necklace that has three daises right in the center a few days ago at the blood drive because Bea was afraid she’d never see her again.” Annie doesn’t catch Harry’s reaction because she is staring at the little girl who is in your arms pointing to a chocolate eclair she wants.

Harry stands there trying to mask his shock. That necklace was given to you by your mother. He swears he never saw you go a day without it. To part with something so meaningful for a little girl she hasn’t known very long must mean that you saw something beautiful and special in this small child named Bea.  “She always seems to see the best people.” Harry tells Annie. 

You turn around to point at carrot cake cupcake and he nods his head yes. You blow him a kiss. It’s surprising how she seems to be glowing now than when she was standing at the end of the table. 

Harry knows it’s because she was missing a piece of herself and honestly Harry feels exactly the same. With her back in his life he feels whole again. 

Here’s to falling in love all over again.

*  *  *  *  *

26 September 2031

The backyard is full of chatter and laughter as well as screams of children every so often. You’re happy your closest friends and family were able to join you on this beautiful day. The beautiful fairy lights that took him a few hours work finally got put up after six months of procrastination. He likes to say he was waiting for this day but you know better than that. You spot Gemma taking a shot with your brother and Anne scolding them for doing it in front of the kids.

You feel a hand on your waist and smile. You let yourself fall back into the familiar chest you fall asleep on each night. He smells like cinnamon and you can’t help but laugh knowing he must have snuck a treat while no one was looking.

“Can’t go eating dessert before everyone, H.” Harry laughs because he knows he can never get away with anything with you by his side.

“Would it make it better if I said I brought you a cookie.” 

You turn around in his hold. You look around making sure no eyes are on you. “As long as it’s one of the snicker doodle cookies.”

Harry’s eyes twinkle with delight. “What kind of husband would I be if I bought the wrong one.”

“Let’s hope we never have to find out, right Husband?” You look up at him and open your eyes closing you eyes as well. 

“My dear wife, hope you enjoy this stolen snack.” He places the small bite sized cookie in your mouth and you chew slowly. You moan in appreciation but open your eyes quickly cheeks going red. Harry is trying his best not to laugh too loud to allow you to finish the sweet treat. 

“Idiot, don’t know why I married you if you just laugh at me.” You make to walk away when Harry wraps his arms tight around you. 

“Hey” he says dragging out the word. “Don’t be mean. Threw you a wedding party and this is the thanks I get.” 

You know he isn’t offended but you decide to deliver one last blow. 

“The reason we are having a ten year wedding vow renewal and reception is because your big ego wanted lots of attention not because you wanted to remarry me.” 

Harry makes a shocked face at you not expecting that reply. He doesn’t respond but what he does next is worse. He begins tickling your sides and within seconds you’re out of breath. He shows no sign of stopping until the music is cut off.

“Can the husband and wife please stop with the pda and please make way to their seat.” Nick yells into the microphone that grabs everyone’s attention.

Harry being the most obnoxious dork that lives for the attention does exactly what you think he was going to do. “I’ll show you public display of affection!” 

Next thing you know Harry is reaching down and connecting your lips together. The kiss is slow and deep. Harry makes sure to pour out all his emotions. 

Thank you. I’m proud of you. I love you. 

You finally pull away when the cheering only seems to be getting louder. You open your eyes slowly to a lovely sight of Harry having your red lipstick all over his mouth. You can’t help the giggle that leaves your mouth at the sight. He gives you a few more pecks before leads you to your seats where he then let’s you remove the lipstick but not without saying, “I think red suits me more, love.” Which earned him a thump on his head.

You and all your guests wait until the person who is giving your speech to make their way up to the front. As you’re waiting, a small six year old climbs into your lap. You smile at the piercing green eyes looking up at you. 

“Hi mommy” You sweet boy Oliver greets. 

“Hi my Ollie.” You greet him back with kisses all over his face being careful not to leave traces of lipstick on his face. “What are you up to, my love” Harry smiles at two of you before tearing his gaze to look for a missing member of the Styles family.

“I want cookies, Mali says to come ask you.” Harry and you let out a laugh knowing that your oldest child has sent her baby brother to come ask for dessert that isn’t being given out yet. 

“Oh look, here she comes.” Harry says softly watching his beautiful girl comes skipping over with no care in the world. 

“Mommy, Daddy” Mali begins but Harry stops her by grabbing her and kissing her all over just like you had done with Oliver. 

“Daddy, are you finished? This is important.” She all but exclaims. 

Harry pouts not liking that his daughter is being too bossy but to wrapped around her finger to stop her. 

“I saw Daddy eat a cookie and then hide another. You said no one was allowed. It’s not fair that he got to do that. Seeing as I didn’t see Daddy eat it I’m assuming you, Mommy” She paused to point at you. “Ate it, meaning my brother and I are allowed to eat some as well seeing as well all share the last name.” 

After Mali is done with her very valid argument you got no reason to tell her no. But as you look over at Harry he looks upset as in tears in his eyes. 

“Baby, you okay?” You place a hand on his pack rubbing up and down in comfort.

“My little girl is just so smart and soon she’ll be a lawyer winning all these cases worldwide.” 

“Don’t go sending my girl out of the country. Don’t think I could survive not seeing her that long.” You scold him. “Don’t go talking about the future, next thing you know I’ll be an uncontrollable mess. 

You turn back to your children who had began talking to each other quietly. You make Ollie and Mali stand in front of you hiding your smile.

“My darlings, what your Daddy did was bad.” Harry’s eyebrows shoot up but give him a glare daring him to contradict you in front of your children. “He didn’t listen to the rules and that isn’t fair. However, it also isn’t fair for you to eat treats and the other guest aren’t so-” Mali opens her mouth slowly as to let you know she is going to interrupt you but you let her know you aren’t finished yet. “So, this is what you’re going to do. You’re going to Nana Anne and will give you each a cookie and you can grab more after your Aunt Bea does her toast.” 

Both your children give you big grins. Just as they are about to runaway to their Nana they give you a tight hug and kiss one on each cheek. They are two steps away from running when Harry clears his throat reminding his children he was there. Ollie kisses is Daddy first then runs off, Mali is close behind after quickly giving her Daddy two kisses on his left cheek.

Harry turns to look at you after he sees their children make it safely to his mom. “It’s like I wasn’t even there. These kids don’t listen to me like they do you.” He pouts leaning back into your arms.

You squeeze Harry tight. “It’s cause they know you’re the fun parent meaning you’re a child as much as they are.” 

Harry turns his head to look at you a pout on his lips. You raise your eyebrow at him because he is proving your point. He places a soft kiss on your lips and sits up. 

“Hello everyone, my name is Bea and I will be giving a toast to the lovely husband and wife who are celebrating ten years together and they surprisingly wanted us all here even though Harry doesn’t know how to share his wife.” She says causing everyone to laugh. 

You tear up looking at seventeen year old Bea, who is radiating happiness. She has grown up so fast you remember when she was just a five year old not wanting you to go away. You blow her a kiss and she is quick to catch it making everyone around you laugh.

“My toast will be about myself and the lovely wife because if I compliment Harry even once his head might finally explode.” You can’t help the snort that you let out at the joke. Making Harry look at you with a playful glare but give his hand a squeeze to calm him.

“I want to talk to you about my five visits to Europe. Most specifictly London, where the Styles’ family resides. The first time I came to visit I was seven years old. I told everyone I was flying across the country to go to “My Best Friend's Wedding”. I told everyone at the airport and I’m sure my parents wished they could have sewed my mouth shut.” Bea smiles at the memory of seeing you for the first after what felt years and the hug Bea gave you that lasted ten whole minutes. “ The second time I came was to meet my non goddaughter. At nine years old, I thought my life was over because they didn’t trust me with their daughter. I mean I understand now.” 

You laugh out loud at her comment. “It was Harry’s fault.” You yell.

“Oh, I know. He doesn’t like sharing the Styles’s ladies with me.” 

“At eleven, my third visit I’m very excited to spend the summer here. Four weeks with my best friend and no parents. The dream for a pre-teen. But guess what, I spent it in a bakery for three weeks because Harry stole my best friend for a vacation and left me with sweet Anne and baby Mali. They needed that trip because look what came out of that.” Someone in the back shouted “Ollie.”

“Whoever just screamed out sweet baby Ollie’s name is correct. They went on a trip to get lucky but I mean who wouldn’t she such a catch. Don’t know how Harry did it.”

Harry looks over to his smiling and blushing wife. “Who let her make the toast?” He loves it and hates it at the same time.

“I think Nick helped her rewrite it.” You whisper back.

“I’m going to kill him.”

“Fifteen years old, the age all dad’s grow gray hairs worried about daughters and mom and daughters get even closer. It’s spring break, keep in mind it’s only one week. My parents don’t think twice about sending me because their little girl was facing her first heartbreak and needed a change of scenery. Also, the iconic moment when on day two I went into the backyard and screamed, “I’’M GAY!” How iconic is that.” Bea is quick to wipe her tears not wanting to think back to a painful year. “It was nice to be free and accepted. To end this fourth visit trip on a lighter note, Harry cried when I yelled that because he was so proud of me.” Bea shoots him a grateful smile when he begins to cry again. 

“Would it be rude if I ran up there to hug her?” Harry sniffles.

“Yes. She would end you.” You laugh wrapping him up in a hug. 

“Now my fifth and favorite visit so far is today, or well last week at the age of seventeen. Why, you may ask because they took me to get a tattoo. With parents consent of course. She held my hand the whole way through and they tattooed daisies on my collarbone. I was offended when she said she wasn’t getting a matching one with me.” Bea shrugs but you could tell it upset her that day but she’s over it. 

“It’s cause she already has one in honor of you.” Harry yells finally giving away a well kept secret.

“SHUT UP! I will cry” Bea knows it’s already too late seeing as she feels her face wet.

Harry moves your hair back as well as your dress strap to the side and there on your collar bone is a bee flying as if it was looking for a flower to land on. You’re quick to cover it up when you see Bea has seen it. She’s give you a smile hinting you’ll be talking about it later.

“I’m going to wrap this up because you didn’t come for me, you came for the narcissistic that loves attention and the lovely Y/N. I want to say you make marriage look fun. You’re marriage is strong but what keeps it strong are the two partners that work everyday to communicate and give love because they remember to always choose love.” Bea picks up her glass and everyone copies her action. “Here’s to the Styles’ who may always be full of love and happiness. To a thousand more years together because you’re immortal. I swear they don’t look a day over 25. Well Harry is debatable. Cheers.” Bea walks up to you and Harry after chugging down her champagne.  

Harry wraps her up in a big hug not letting her go until he felt her hug him back just as tight. Harry gives his wife a sweet forehead kiss and gives her a moment with Bea. Bea is quick to launch herself in your arms. You love this sweet girl who grew up into a beautiful lady. You want her to be as happy as you are. You pull away and wipe away her tears. 

“I love you. You will always be my best friend.” 

“And you mine.” She squeezes you hand before releasing something in it.

You open up the hand and there is your necklace. “Thought a lovely little girl might need it more than I do.” 

“Bea, you are a true blessing that was sent to me I swear it.” You kiss her cheeks and send her off going to dance with your husband for the remainder of the night.

You step onto the dance floor just as Landslide starts to play. You turn around and there is Harry giving you a beautiful smile. His eyes crinkle full of love and life. He spins you around before pulling you in close. You rest your head on his chest and sigh at the comforting sound of his heart beat.

Harry every few seconds kisses your head just swaying you around the dance floor. You feel someone bump into you and Harry turns you softly. There looking up at you are your two angels. They give you sheepish smiles but turn away not before whispering a soft I love you. Mali has Ollie wrapped up in a hug as they waddle side to side to the song that is playing. 

“Are you happy?” Harry asks always caring about his wife.

“Yes. I’m happy.” The smile you give Harry makes his heart beat ten times faster.

“Being here with you and dancing without children under the stars is a dream come true.” You tell Harry in a low whisper looking up into his beautiful green eyes.

Harry leans down and captures your lips. He feels every bit of happiness you were talking about..

The house that once was empty is now filled with happiness, life, laughter but most importantly love.

*  *  *  *  *

Feedback is welcomed and appreciated :)

[esperwatchesfilms]

New Year’s Evil

I got the idea to start this challenge while stoned in the middle of the night and desperate for a goal. Something to put myself into. And I thought, “COVID has made me a shut-in who only watches films and talks to people. What better way to spend that time than to actually attempt to beat that world record I set out to beat so long ago. Unfortunately, I’m doing it very unofficially so only the people I talk to on a regular basis are likely to pay it any attention. I’ve got to point out here and now that my scoring system for films is arbitrary and is not a true reflection of how much I enjoyed watching a film. My scores are based on silly things that I give and deduce points for as I see fit. The Esper Scale of Entertainment (or the ESE) is understood by no one, but I will give a clear indication of why points were given and taken away at the end of each post. With those two things out of the way, I’ve got to admit I really enjoyed New Year’s Evil despite its 35/100 ESE rating. It starts off with a disappointing horror movie rule-breaking trope. There’s a woman of color in the first scene. Clearly, this means the killer is going to kill her. She committed one of the ultimate horror movie sins by being a woman of color, and thus, the movie gods decided she had to die, which was made even worse by her cliché killer-pops-out-from-behind-a-shower-curtain death. Then we get the opening titles. About eight 80s punk-rockers are packed into a convertible and blasting “New Year’s Evil” by Shadow, the video I attached to this post. So, from the word go, I have no idea what I’m watching, but I’m here for it. The song slaps, so I’m immediately all in. Earlier we saw the Yvonne (the woman of color) talking to a friend over the phone saying, “I’m on my way” before her horror-movie-trope demise, and once the credits end, we are more properly introduced to Diane, aka Blaze, a TV/radio personality who is hosting a party she calls New Year’s Evil, which appears to be a punk show where all the opening title convertible punks were headed. Before going out on stage and starting the show, Diane/Blaze’s son rocks up in fancy coat tails with blue jeans and a crumpled tie. He’s handsome as hell, but holy hell, I can’t deal with this look. I should have probably taken more than five points off for this look alone, but it’s too late now. Anyway, Blaze and Derek (Coat Tails) have a weird mother-son exchange, and their interactions are cringey at best, but incestual-feeling at worst. Anyway, the show Blaze is hosting is a punk rock show where there are some unexplained people on a stage answering telephones (is it a telethon? We don’t know. No one seems to be pledging anything. Are they making requests? It is not explained). So, Blaze is the host and decides to get in on the answering-the-phone action. When she does, a modified voice says to call him “Ee-vil!” He pronounces it exactly the way Mermaid Man does in Spongebob Squarepants, and I could only see the ridiculous face of Mermaid Man in my head any time he said it (because, oh, yes, friends. He can’t only say it once! Anyhow, the man says he’ll be killing one person on the hour every hour from 9 pm to 12 pm. (East Coast’s New Year to West Coast’s New Year) So, naturally, Blaze informs her agent that he needs to get ALL the police there to protect everyone. Meanwhile, there’s a mosh pit happening in a sanitarium, where they are watching the New Year’s Evil show live on television. While we are at the sanitarium, an orderly (I think?) and a nurse sneak off to have some fun. The orderly has a small radio capable of recording external sound (like an oversized Talkboy) as well as the sound being emitted from the radio. The nurse makes some mention of it, to which he responds, “I always come well-equipped.” She giggles, bites her lip and says, “I bet you do!” Which tells us, as the audience, that not only are they about to do the do... but this dude’s definitely the murderer. Because we’ve already seen one horror movie rules death. So, of course, we need to see another. Nurse lady has sex? Nurse lady has to die. From here on out, there are more killings as the police rock up and try to sort out what’s happening. They’re portrayed as very useless, very authoritarian/demanding, and very judgmental -- soooooo, accurately, I suppose, is the word I’d use. They’re portrayed accurately. We see the killer in the car with two women, one of which is a ditzy blonde who just cannot shut up. She talks about all the different types of meditation she’s tried. She tells the killer her friend tried one of the types, too, for her “nervous diarrhea”. You know, just the thing you tell a stranger you’re thinking about sleeping with... that your friend gets nervous poops. The ditzy blonde girl is our next horror movie trope. “The Fool”. Done in by her own stupidity. They stop somewhere for snacks or some such (I honestly don’t remember), and the friend goes in leaving the killer alone with the ditz, whom he strangles with a plastic baggie that is also full of weed. When the friend comes back, the car is gone and in its place is her friend’s shoe. She sees a nearby dumpster with a piece of fabric matching her friend’s dress poking out. She walks over while some generic horror music mixed with some Walmart Brand Jason Voorhees breathing plays, and she opens the dumpster, and the killer is inside with a lighter which he flicks on and grins menacingly at the woman, who is yanked into the dumpster, where we can assume she, too, was murdered.

I should note that somewhere before being murdered, the ditz says, “When a girl doesn’t have a date on New Year’s Eve, she’s in Shit City.” And ditzy girl? I hear ya. From here on out, there are some necessity injuries. He is being hunted down by bikers for what seems like no reason at one point, so he hides at a drive-in movie, where he sort of kidnaps a girl who was getting felt up by her boyfriend. He yanks the dude out of the car and throws him aside after stabbing one of the bikers who was chasing him. We don’t see him die, so I’m going to assume it’s an injury since he seems to only be interested in killing women. He then, later, knocks out a security guard trying to get into the punk party because the police have now determined that Blaze is probably the final target. The police and Blaze are about to check on Blaze's hotel room (the party is being held in the hotel in a ballroom or something, I’m assuming. Convention center? I don’t know. The place is connected to the hotel), where her son is, and they pull a gun on him. She yells that it’s her son, and they apologize and leave, and she apologizes to Derek saying she forgot he was there, and he storms out, “YOU ALWAYS FORGET ME WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”. The police leave, and when another officer comes back, THE KILLER ANSWERS HER DOOR. PLOT TWIST -- THE KILLER IS DIANE/BLAZE’S HUSBAND!!!! He called earlier to say he would be late, and when he shows up? HE’S THE KILLER!!!! I have to admit, I didn’t see this coming. The husband was mentioned briefly, but my brain didn’t connect it, so it was a pleasant surprise that this 80s film done duped me. Good job, New Year’s Evil!!

Anyway, Blaze is seen in the elevator moments later flirting with the officer, who’s married and has two sets of twins, information to which Blaze comments, “What’s the matter? No TV?” Suggest, Blaze. Very suggestive! It sucks that your creepy murder-husband rigged the camera in the elevator, so he knows about your weird suggestive conversations with randos, something it seems his son has also alerted him to, because when he reveals he’s the killer to her, he mentions that ladies are evil in general. Okay. So, it wasn’t just me. It wasn’t speculative. Dudeski really does just hate women. The whole film is just, “Guy hates women. Guy’s New Year Resolutions include killing all the nasty womens.” He tortures her a while by handcuffing her to some chains underneath the elevator, and then making the elevator go up and down with some fuse box of some kind that happens to just be easily accessible and next to where the elevator is. At least I haven’t seen this form of torture in film before, so that’s fun. The end is relatively boring. The police sort out that the husband used to be in the sanitarium we saw earlier where the nurse died. They find him torturing his wife, and they chase him to the roof, where he runs to the edge of the building, quotes Hamlet, and immediately plummets to his death wearing a goofy mask that he’s only worn twice in the film, both for short periods of time. He dies on impact, and everyone goes to investigate the body. The son picks up his mask and ominously stares into the distance, telling us before he’s actually told us that he’s totally going to take up his father’s quest to murder the womens.

Blaze is put in an ambulance, and when it pans to the driver, it’s the son, wearing his father’s mask. The film ends, the credits roll, and I move on to the next one.

Overall, I laughed throughout. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this film, but if you’re bored on New Year’s Eve and feel like a “horror” film, this one isn’t the *worst* one you could watch. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the ESE rating I gave it.

Quick ESE explanation: every film starts with 50 points for being a film. From there, I add or deduct points based on... my whim.

35/100

50 +4 for packed punk convertible +2 for New Year’s Evil 80s metal theme song +1 for switchblade comb -5 for coat tails with blue jeans -5 for creepy incestuous mother-son duo -2 for Mermaid Man pronunciation of “Ee-vil!” +10 for “I always come well-equipped.” “I bet you do” -5 for punks moshing to some funky blues -5 for predictable horror movie trope deaths +2 for maniacal punk laugh +3 for the “Oops” because he pissed off the bikers +5 for punks booing the police at the New Year’s Evil party -7 for the creepy incestual feeling of the interactions between Blaze and Derek +10 for PLOT TWIST!!!! -25 for the woman-hating killer +5 for creative elevator thing +2 for Hamlet quote -5 for highly predictable ending