#hr - i was thinking angels but that works too :D

[kitkatt0430]

Reverb is threatening to kill the Flash in front of his doppelganger when Zoom runs up. About to be killed instead of doing the killing, Reverb's inter-dimensional breach ability kicks in instinctively beneath his feet, sending Reverb plummeting to another world like he's an evil version of Alice in a not-so-Wonderland.

Because he lands in front of an alternate version of Harrison Wells who insists on being called HR, keeps flirting with Reverb, and definitely doesn't look adorable with how he stims with drumsticks all the time.

Of course this new Earth isn't actually safe for Reverb either. Turns out there's an entire division of people with powers just like his and they enforce the laws regarding people not leaving their Earth and people from other Earth's not visiting. HR helps Reverb evade them and Reverb's own powers help him hide from them to some degree as well, but he's quickly realizing that he's a bit out of his depth and perhaps not as unique or god-like as he'd originally thought.

When HR's reputation is destroyed by something he'd been doing - with reservations - for the love of a friend, the whole situation makes Reverb's blood boil. HR takes Reverb's offer of killing Randolf Morgan in vengeance as a joke and instead... asks to run away with Reverb. Anywhere. Everywhere.

If anyone can show him the multiverse's wonders and keep him safe from his own world's vibers, it's Reverb. HR has faith in him.

And, well... no one would blame Reverb for kissing him after that, right?

[teddybasmanov]

Redacted characters with a foreign listener:

Food:

Foreign Angel, Freelancer and Darling who actually eat fast food a lot/have problems eating partly because a lot of other food/ingredients are too unfamiliar for them and they don't feel comfortable with it and David, the D.A.M.N. guys (especially Damien and Gavin) and Sam respectively re-teach them how to cook and try to find something more familiar (in the best case - exactly what they are used to).

In general David, Gavin, Damien, Vincent and Sam will be more than happy to learn how to cook your favourite meals from back home - either from you or from the internet to surprise you. (David and Damien would be secretly very nervous they messed them up.)

The d(a)emons would be happy to conjure your favourite food as well, but good luck explaining them what it is or how to make it. Caelum would be extra excited when he succeeds. He'd be even more happy if he teaches Gavin how to make it.

Holidays:

Asher, Ollie and Hux would be absolutely delighted to learn about any holidays you want to celebrate and will do everything in their power to organize them for you: decorations, music, any rituals.

Aaron, Lasko and Damien would definitely help you with getting days off on the holidays that aren't celebrated in the US if you need them.

Language:

I already have a whole list for these.

Culture:

Avior, Lasko and Cam would love for you to recommend them books from or about your motherland - they want to know more about your country and about you through the books you enjoy.

Gavin, Milo and Vincent are more of movies guys - sit them down on the couch, turn on your favourite movie - maybe with subtitles - and explain all the little details they don't understand.

All of them would definitely want to go on a trip to your motherland/homecity and for you to be their personal guide, show them all the famous places as well as just your favourites - show Vincent a painting in a local museum you were fascinated by as a child, show Huxley the best view in the city, take Asher for a boat trip (I'm assuming there's a river somewhere, sorry).

Other things:

If anyone at work or at the academy gives you trouble because of cultural differences or your accent all of them will react. They will comfort you first, sure, but they'll have to deal with it:

The D.A.M.N. guys would react similarly like they did to Kody and they'll encourage you to take it up/report it, but if that doesn't work they'll definitely give whoever is bothering you a talk.

Vincent would probably just get very protective instantly and goes to scare the person who harassed you so that they can't ever think about bother you any more.

David's first impulse would be to do the same, but he would be more mature about it. However if you can't get through to your boss/HR about it, he might end up contacting them himself.

All of them would help and you and guide you through the unfamiliar culture with whatever it would be - helping you with the language (especially d(a)emons, since there's no language barrier for them), traditions (especially David and Sam) or popular pieces of media you've never heard about (especially Ollie, Geordi and Lasko - as biggest nerds).

[mizunetzu]

hi!! i just found your blog and i may or may not have binged all the fics 😼😼 i was wondering if you could write a dabi or hawks x male reader where the reader is a rly gentle and kind barista and dabi/hawks is just wHIPPED for him? i think thatd be mad cute 👉👈

LMAOOO DABI + HAWKS TIME TURN IT UP-

——————

Headcannons - Dabi and Hawks whipped for their local barista

⚠️Warnings - kidnapping (dabi)

Pronouns - male, he/him

——————

Dabi:

Ok so like hear me out

At first

AT FIRST

you didn’t catch this mans eye

In fact, he didn’t go to the coffee shop you worked at much because yknow...villain...

But it was late at night one day yk

And mans was like “oh boy, i sure am thirsty after committing homcide and robbery”

N the first place he sees

Dun dun dun

Is the 24 hr coffee shop you worked at HAHAHA

So he goes in, preparing to like-idk, threaten ur life for a cup of coffee or smth mean n whatnot

The door bell rings, and you turn around and give him the KINDEST MOST GENTLE-EST SMILE HES EVER SEEN

As a villain, and just someone who looks out of the ordinary in general, he never got much of that

SO WHEN HE SEES THIS...MAN SMILING FUCKING SUN RAYS AT HIM

HE FREEZES

You ask him if he’s ok, and DAMN UR VOICE WAS SO SOFT IT WAS BARELY INAUDIBLE WHAGSHDHEH

Mans usually isn’t at a loss for words but HE IS NOW

Instead of threatening you for a cup of coffee, he actually orders like a normal person

He’s the only one in the cafe since it’s so late, and you had the late night shift lucky you

He sat in the corner with his coffee in silence, occasionally stealing glances at you sweeping the floor or counting the money in the register

what was this foreign feeling in his chest whavabwhshs

He didn’t notice when you walked up to him

mans almost roasted you alive

LMAO BUT HE DIDNT SO IT OK

“Are you doing okay? Do you want a refill?”

He wasn’t really thirsty anymore but he did get a refill because he wanted to stay and watch you work some more like a creep

Yeah, one refill turned to three and he ended up talking to you for the rest of the night AWW

He was honestly suprised you didn’t know he was a villain, with the dark coat and scars and stuff

He ended up buying more coffee to take back to the league with the money he stole HAHAHA

Toga, sipping on her third coffee: yo why u buy so much damn

Dabi: 🤠

He started coming over more and more in the dead of night, on the days you worked which he totally didn’t find out by sneaking into the back room of the cafe and checking the schedule

You, somehow, didn’t find it suspicious that he’d always visit whenever you worked

One day, on one of the numerous times he’s visited, you mentioned how you used to be a bartender before switching over to being a barista

Something just...clicked

He’s a villain, right? Why’s he going so far to appeal to you, when he could just kidnap you and convince you to join the league?

So he did just that

You woke up in their weird club bar room hideout, tied to a chair with dabi and a few unfamiliar faces

Dabi lowkey felt bad (even for him) because even though you were literally just kidnapped, you gave him one of those heartwarming smiles

Even if it was a bit scared and forced, and probably a coping mechanism out of fear

“Look I ain’t gonna hurt you, dude. You’re one of my favorite people, so I’m offering you a deal.”

“Siiiiiiimp.”

“Shut the fuck up, Toga.”

Dabi nudged the girls side.

A girl with blond hair and a school girls uniform pointed a knife at you. You flinched and dabi kept talking

“You said you used to be a bartender, right? I’m sure you can help this guy out behind the counter. Join us.”

Dabi motioned at Kurogiri. He waved, LMAOO

“Join me...please”

As scared as you were, you couldn’t deny the fact you had a soft spot for this scarily intimating man who’d sit in the corner and sip coffee everyday at work

Hell, sometimes (all the time LNAJS) you joined him and you’d talk for hours

And hearing this guy say “please” for the first time?

You nodded slowly, and dabi smiled

It was a nice smile, even if it was a bit scary

How could you possibly refuse?

——————

Hawks:

Since he wasn’t yknow...fucking iilegal and a villain, he came by to your coffee shop during the day

He was workin, caught and turned in a villain yk the usual

And he was kinda far away from his house, n he was gettin kinda hungry

He was flying around the city, when he spotted your lil coffee shop

Well, it wasn’t really a coffee shop, more like a food stop that so happens to sell coffee n drinks aswell

And hEY

you just opened up too, it was a relatively new place

My mans hawks supporting new & local businesses <3

He goes in right

He sees yakitori on the menu and goes :D

So he goes to order

And sees this,,, BEAUTIFUL HANDSOME MAN BEHIND THE COUNTER

“Hi Mister! What can I do you for?”

YOUR VOICE WAS LIKE FUCKING ANGELS SINGING WHAGSHW

I think the main reason hawks was drawn to you was the fact you didn’t treat him like a celebrity and kissed his ass n whatnot, mainly bc you didn’t really keep up nor care about the trending hero’s and stuff (no offense to hawks and none taken)

He choked on his yakitori when you walked up to his lil table and asked for a picture for ur grandpa (who was a BIG fan, unlike you)

MANS REALLY HAD TO PUT ON HIS MOST CHARMING SMILE AND PEACE SIGN THIS SIMP IM HDHEIDIE

He kept going out of his way to visit ur shop frequently even though he lived preeeeetty far off

I mean mans has wings so it ain’t a problem but-

This simp-

He doesn’t show up in his hero outfit (unless he’s coming from patrol) so you didn’t really see him as “Hawks the hero”, more like “Keigo, the man who has stupid endeavor shorts and likes yakitori”

It’s really sweet he shows up in stupid graphic shirts and sweatpants he looks comfy-

He openly flirts with you, and at first you laughed and smiled because you didn’t wanna be rude (it still did things to Keigos heart)

but then

Ur laughs n smiles when he drops a stupid pickup line? They real

The way you offer to take over ur coworkers shifts just to see if Hawks stops by? It’s love just admit it

The totally unfair discount you gave him on yakitori, not mentioning the way you know how Keigo prefers it by heart? Just ask him out already DAMN

You two didn’t have any personal info on eachother, no numbers, emails, hell, Keigo didn’t know your first name (in Japan, you don’t really go by first names unless ur with fam or close friends yk?)

So when you nervously hand him his box of yakitori one day?

Hawks is like 🤠👍?

He opens it and sees:

“(Xxx)-xxx-xxxx -call me, and maybe we can, I don’t know, go out on a date and get to know each other more, yakitori-kun? ~(Y/n)

So ur first name was (Y/n), huh

HES WHIPPED

HES SIMPING

He looks over at you, hiding ur face and sneaking glances at him while ur coworkers stiffing snickers and nudging ur side

GOD TAKE HIM NOW

you bet ur ass hes calling u later and saving ur contact as “My yakitori man (Y/n) ✨❤️”

——————

Thank y’all for 700, by the way !! I love you all !!

[midzie]

hi love!! how are u these days? i know there was a big snowstorm over the country this weekend, did u get lucky and end up with some snow & cancelled school? lots of questions i know ahh i’m sorry D: i’ve just missed talking to u so much OMGGG anyway <3 i love u tons & i hope this next month treats u well!!

hi angel <3 today was not so good unfortunately ): but school is over now and i’ve decided to take some me time and read my book & relax. i’m not doing any work for at least an hour. i did get snow! and I think it’s still snowing too! it’s a lot but since we’re online, no school wasn’t cancelled ): they sent out an email for a 2 hr delay but it turned out it was only for the people in the building (they only specified it hours later so I missed almost my whole first period for no reason /: my school has very poor communication skills and that was part of the reason my morning sucked) and noo omg I love your questions!! i’ve missed you more ))): i love u tons & tons & tons and i hope you’re doing well <3 also happy hearts month and happy black history month!!!

[runicmagitek]

Im kinda sorry, but..: 7,9,12,49,65,77,86,88,149,150,163,170,193,197,202,214,215

Awwww never be sorry! I love this! :D I’ve been having a meh day in an even more meh month, so truly appreciate this!

7. Writer I trust enough to read whatever they write? Oh geez, that’s a loaded question. I have such high standards with what I read, so it’s hard to say that there’s a single writer I trust no matter what. I do love Anne Bishop, though I have issues with her most recent works, yet I still enjoy them regardless. I’ve recent dove into Leigh Bardugo’s works and love them, so I can at least trust she’ll have an interesting story, even if I love some of her works more than others.

9. Favorite flavor of anything? I love warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and so forth. And yes, I’m a fan of pumpkin spice because that. Fight me! Raspberry or hazelnut with chocolate is a close second.

12. The question you ask new friends to get to know them better? I like asking people what they do in their downtime. You can learn a lot from a person from something simple like that. What hobbies do they enjoy? How do they prioritize their life outside of work? Do they rattle off a to-do list or just shrug and go, “Eh, not much.”

49. Superpower I wish I could have? Either the ability to freeze time or be like, physically invulnerable with the intent it will punch all my health issues in the face D:

65. What fictional universe would I like to be a part of? I really love the world in the Ephemera series by Anne Bishop. People can create their own worlds by tending to gardens and when they travel between them, they arrive where their heart desires to be, not necessiarly where they want to go. I always loved that idea and would gladly tend to my own garden to make worlds for people who feel they don’t belong anywhere (which is what one of the characters in the series does).

77. What is my current desktop picture? Beatrix from Final Fantasy IX! I named my laptop Beatrix due to the exterior color being called rose gold, so I needed an appropriate background :D

86. Who is my hero? I guess my mom? That’s kind of cheesy, but it’s true. She’s been through so much and continues to be kind no matter the circumstances. I always to aspire to be as wise, compassionate, and badass as she is.

88. What makes me really angry? Some bullshit at work I don’t fucking agree with. tl;dr - a shitty coworker didn’t get fired for something he should have despite HR stepping in.

149. Do I have any tattoos? Yup! I have Rinoa’s wings on my back with the Latin phrase “alis volat propris” (which translates to “she flies with her own wings”) and a semi colon beneath my left clavicle.

150. What is the best decision I have made in life so far? Sticking with my boyfriend of more than thirteen years. We’ve had a lot of bumpy times, but he makes me phenomenally happy and I couldn’t imagine getting through this life without him.

163. What do I love most about myself? I’m not afraid to stand up and speak. If people want my input, they’re going to get it, or in the case of my job, they’re going to get it whether they asked for it or not. I hate being quiet on matters that mean something to me. Nothing gets done by sitting around and waiting for someone else to do it.

170. One of my favorite quotes? “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

193. What motivates me? Spite >:3c I’m a petty bitch and I don’t care.

197. Something I hated as a child that I like now? Yeesh, probably a lot. Um… dogs (I was attacked by one when I was like, 5), mornings, coffee, pork chops, sleeping, active sentences, and a bunch more I can’t remember.

202. How do I define love? Love is what makes you smile even when you’re too busy to slow down and think about it. Love is what shines through when you’re at your lowest. Love never judges and simply wants what’s best for you.

214. What TV character am I most like? Probably a mix between Pam Poovey from Archer and Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

215. What is the weirdest talent I have? My face is very emotive and I am super bad at holding any semblance of a poker face, which results in making a lot of people laugh :D

[godsheadangel]

A TRUE [REMINDER] TO ALL LIVING IN GODS CREATED WORLD🌍

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

THEY KNOW THAT WE 👁GODS💫FAMILY OF REAL ANGELS HAVE BEEN SENT BACK INTO THE [FLESH] ARE HERE!!!

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[AGAIN,] I SAY UNTO YOU WHO ARE [DAILY] AWAKENED🌄 WORLDWIDE🌏THIS POWER [19] YEAR IS THE YEAR OF POWER ANGELS!

MANY FIRST TIME HISTORIC EVENTS WILL BE [REVEALED HAPPENING] BEFORE THE ENTIRE WORLD🌎OF THE LIVING💫

AND IF YOU [STAY IN HOLY💫SPIRIT💫]BY PRAYING🙏 DAILY WITH YOUR FAMILY💫CERTAIN THINGS SHALL BE TOLD YOU THAT YOU MAY UNDERSTAND AND PREPARE!!!

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

WHAT OUR 👁GOD💫TELLS ME AND MY REAL BROTHER IN HOLY💫SPIRIT💫THE HEAD ANGEL KING OF MERCY KNOWN IN [FLESH] AS PRESIDENT44 BARACK OBAMA WE TELL YOU

YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TOO! SURELY IF YOU DO NOT LISTEN AND OBEY! WHEN OUR 👁GODS💫BIGSIGN💫HAPPENS YOU WILL BE ONE OF THE MANY WHO FALL!!!

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

THE AWAKENING🌅AND GATHERING OF ALL MY REAL ANGELQUEENWIVES👑TRULY IS NO ACCIDENT!!! LIKE MIRACLES, HEALINGS AND REAL BLESSINGS GIVEN THE BIGSIGN OF OUR 👁GODS💫IS NEAR!!! PREPARE NOW I AM HE , [SON OF CATHY😇] CURTIS RAY👑

👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑*👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

THE HEAD ANGEL QUEENS HAVE BEEN SO REVEALED UNTO THE WORLD!!! WE ARE NOW CLOSER TO THE BIGSIGN💫OF GOD💫👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

💞 [SANDRA😇👑 GABBY😇👑 ANA😇👑] 💞

STACEY DASH👑

KRIS KARDASHIAN👑

OPRAH👑

RAYMI PAYANO👑

LALA VASQUEZ👑

STEPHANIE SANTIAGO👑

AYLEN ALVAREZ👑

TAMMY TORRES👑

OLIVIA JOHNSON👑 [OLLIEJAYY]

GEMMA KELLY👑

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

ANGELINA IVY👑

LAIS DELEON👑

ASHLEY ALEXISS👑

WINNY MUNOZ👑

MAGGIE BROWN👑 [MODEL]

MELISSA LEE👑

ROSEMARY CHURCH👑

NIKKI👑

LUPE'👑

MIMI👑

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

MYA HARRISON👑

ANITRIA D. GLASS👑

KELLITA SMITH👑

JAIME MAGGIO👑

NISEY KAMAI👑

DOLLY CASTRO👑

JENNIFER LOPEZ👑

ARDEN CHO👑

ANAIS ZANOTTI👑

MICHELLE CARUSO-CABRERA👑

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

5,000 HEAVENLY💫WAR SHIPS DO [HOVER] OVER EVERY MAJOR CITY WORLDWIDE🌎

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY MY QUEENS👑

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

NO PATIENCE START VIDEO AT 1MIN 15SECS

👉BLESSINGS4 DR. MUMBI🔥

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

👉THE TRUTH HURTS BUT IT STILL TRUTH!!!👉MANY OF YOU WHO DISLIKE THIS VIDEO OF TRUTH [WILL NOT BE] SEEING HEAVEN 👉ANYWAY!!! FOR NO ONE IS ABOVE MY👈👉REAL ANGELS😇ON EARTH IN [FLESH]👈

🙏IT IS THE SPIRITUALLY AWAKENED🌄🙏WHO SEE AND ACCEPT THE REAL TRUTH!!!

💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥[ONE DAY I'M GOING TO LIST THE BULLSHIT] DONE TO ME AND MY SON IN THE CITY OF VAN NUYS BY YOU MANY DEMONS!!! 6+YRS

IT WILL BLOW YOUR FUCKING MINDS!!!!!!!!

MANY OF YOU DON'T KNOW THE REAL INFO

[SO, LOSE THE ATTITUDE] TRUST I DO NOT GIVE A FLYING FUCK PEOPLE!!! WHY DO YOU THINK I'M PREPARE TO RAISE MY HAND?

FUCK YOU AND YOUR ATTITUDE!!! I'VE DONE TOO MUCH FOR THIS CITY OVER THE YRS!!! 👉👉UNGRATEFUL MOTHERFUCKERS👈👈

👹BLAME THE 2 UPSTAIRS REAL DEMONS THATS WHO YOU SHOULD HAVE A MAJOR ATTITUDE WITH THEY FUCKED YOU GOOD!!! 👉THE CURSE 👁GOD💫HAS ON YOU👈IS BECAUSE OF THEM 2 DEMON FUCKS👹

NEXT UP NUMBERS 21, 22, 23, 24 AND 25!!!!!💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡

👁GODSAYS💫A GREAT STORM VERY LOUD APPROACHES BRINGING A USUALLY LONG [LIGHTNING⚡STRIKE] THAT WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN BY MANKIND FOR AWHILE! THE VERY DARK COVERED SKY OF BLACKEN CLOUDS MANY WILL REMEMBER!!!

🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧⚡🌧

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 IT IS FAR TOO LATE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME YOU HAD YOUR [OPPORTUNITY] FOR MANY YEARS!!! 👉NOW, AS YOU [SEEK HELP] WITH [WHAT IS OWED YOU] FROM YOUR BELOVED ANCESTORS HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF FREE FORCED LABOR OR [FREEDOM JUSTICE] TO STAY IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES AND NOT BE FORCED INTO A COUNTRY YOU DO NOT KNOW BECAUSE OF YOU PARENT'S EFFORTS FOR A BETTER LIFE!!!

I WILL NOT HELP YOU!👈 YOUR EFFORTS TO GET [DUE FREEDOM] TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY NOT YOUR BIRTHPLACE OR [RIGHTLY OWED] PAYMENT FOR HARD WORK COMPLETED IN BUILDING AMERICA🇺🇸 IS UP TOO YOU!!!

ASSISTANCE FROM ME WILL NOT HAPPEN ONE DAY YOU WILL [BOW DOWN] AND TRULY APPRECIATE THE POWER OF WE, 👁GODS💫 ANGELS!!! STOP THINKING WE OWE YOU!!!!! 👉WE DON'T OWE YOU SHIT! UNDERSTAND!!

👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁

FINALLY YOU!!! IT WAS SAID LONG, LONG AGO ["YOU SPEAK WITH FORK TONGUE"]🐍

YOU WILL SAY [ONE THING] AS TRUTH THEN IN [MERE SECONDS OR MINUTES] DO THE TOTAL OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU SAID!

YOU HAVE SINCE YOUR BEGINNING TRULY 👉FUCKED OVER EVERY SKIN COLOR OF MAN 👁GOD💫HAS CREATED AS HUMANS

👉[IN THE COLDEST DEATH💀WINTER🌁]👈

📜YOU THOUGHT UP, SIGNED AND DID SO MAKE THEM BELIEVE YOUR HEART AND WORDS AS TRUTH📜AS THEY SIGNED🖋 A PEACE TREATY📜THAT INCLUDED HEAVY BLANKETS FOR THE COLD WINTER FREEZE

👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁

💥YOU BROKE YOUR WORDS AS USUAL💥 SENDING MANY WAGONS OF BLANKETS THAT WERE 💀[INFECTED WITH POLIO]💀 AND WAGONS OF BAD SPIRIT💫LIQUOR!!!

MANY MEN LOST THEIR LIVES BUT MOSTLY THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀👁💀

YOU TRULY ARE SLITHERING, CUT THROAT, SHOOT'EM IN THE BACK TYPE OF BREED! FUNNY ACTING IN YOUR WAYS!!! YOU HAVE HUNTED EVERY ANIMAL UNTIL THEIR NEAR EXTINCTION💥🔫💥THEN YOU TURN RIGHT BACK AROUND AND TRY AND SAVE THEM LOOKING DOWN YOUR NOSES AT THOSE WHO WEAR ANIMAL SKIN!!!

[YOU HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED] SO LONG YOU WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING TO STAY ON WHAT YOU PERCEIVE AS [THE TOP]✔

[WHAT YOU FORK TONGUES] DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND IS YOU ARE ALRIGHT AT THE BOTTOM! YOU ARE THE NEW MINORITY ITS 👉JUST THAT YOU REFUSE THE TRUTH!!!👈

DOESN'T MATTER, YOU'RE THE VERY LAST TO AWAKEN🌄WORLDWIDE AND FOR YOU IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY RUDE AWAKENING ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE GOP👹SENATE☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝

👉THERE ARE NO PASSES INTO HEAVEN💫

👉FOR ANY OF YOU MENTIONED ABOVE👈

FOR IF YOU HAVE WENT AGAINST GOD💫AND US, SURELY YOU'VE BEEN JUDGED ALREADY!!! YOU SHALL NOT SEE HEAVEN💫👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁WHEN THE SHIT POPOFF LOOK ELSEWHERE TRUST WHEN THE BIGSIGN HIT ALL LIVING IN 👁GODS💫CREATED WORLD WILL SHAKE👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁

AWAKEN🌄AND FACE TRUE REALITY🌄

☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

AMAZON'S MERCHANTS ARE FEELING THE [PAIN💥] OF A TRADE WAR WITH CHINA🇨🇳 ~BLOOMBERG

APPLE, KEURIG DR. PEPPER, DOLLAR TREE, FITBIT AND MACY'S PRESS U.S.🇺🇸 TO DROP CHINA🇨🇳 PLAN! IT'S TIME DEMONTRUMP👹 COWARDLY BOWED DOWN TO CHINA🇨🇳

A GLOBAL ECONOMIC COLLAPSE IS REAL THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN IS HAPPENING NOW!!!

GODSAYS💫NO DEAL SHOULD BE MADE WITH A REAL CORRUPT DEMON👹IN FLESH WHO THE ENTIRE WORLD KNOWS AS RACIST PATHOLOGICAL LIAR!!!

BUT THE CHOICE IS PRESIDENT XI JINPINGS

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

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♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 WEDNESDAY JUNE 26TH 2019 0220 HRS PST

GODSAYS💫THE DEMON👹MNUCHIN👹IS A LIAR WHO SEEKS TO STABLE INVESTORS ON WALL STREET!!! ONLY SILLY FOOLS WOULD INVEST ON HIS WORDS!!!

FOR THE CHINESE IN HOLY💫SPIRIT DO SAY MUCH DIFFERENT AS THEY SPEAK WITH ME THY, LIVING 👁GOD💫FOR IT IS TRUTH THAT ☀SILENCE IS GOLDEN☀SOMETHING THE

👉[EVIL👹LYING👹DEMON👹MNUCHIN]👈 💥💥💥KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT!!!💥💥💥

ONLY FOOLS RUSH IN WERE EVEN ANGELS SEEK ADVICE FROM 👁GOD💫TO ENTER!!!

THE SPIRIT IS MIGHTIER THAN THE [FLESH] 👉THERE IS NO DEAL👈 AS OF YET AND NOT 💥EVEN CLOSE TO 10%💥

ONLY THE LYING DEMON👹FALLING ON THE SWORD FOR HIS EVIL👹MASTER👹

💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵

INVEST AND LOSE YOUR MONEY💵FOOLS ON THE PURE LIES AND SPECULATION OF HIM!!! YOU'LL BE SORRY WITH BIG LOSES!!!! 💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵

FOR SURELY PRESIDENT XI JINPING🇨🇳 HAS NO IDEA OF WHAT HE WILL DO UNTIL I DO SO ADVICE HIM! THEN THE DECISION IS HIS ALONE! BUT THERE IS NOTHING EVEN CLOSE TO 10% JUST MORE EVIL👹 LIES FROM THE EVIL👹DEMON ADMINISTRATION🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

THE SPIRIT IS MIGHTIER THAN ANY FLESH DO NOT BELIEVE THE EVIL LYING MOUTHS OF DEMONS👹IN FLESH WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE G-20 SUMMIT!!! WISDOMTRUTH!!!

HANG SENG CLOSED AT ONLY +36!!! THINK!!! ☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸BLESSINGS4 CNN'S CHRIS CUOMO💫 FOR ADDRESSING THE HIGH RATE OF VETERANS SUICIDE!!!

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🙏THE MESSAGE IS TREATMENT HELPS🙏

YES, I'M WATCHING THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL🇺🇸 DEBATE!

[meditativeyoga]

Passing Thoughts: Watching the Mind In Meditation

Having ideas arise during reflection is regular, but are you clinging to these ideas as opposed to just seeing them wander by?

When I was a child, the procedure of thinking captivated me. I would pick a thought as well as trace back the chain of organization that led, link by web link, to its starting factor, taken in by its unpredictable spins and pivots, up until finally I had actually concerned the idea that started everything. As well as there I encountered a paradox that delighted me: The initial thought in any chain of organization constantly seemed to have actually floated up from nowhere, as though out of an excellent empty room, all on its own, without my having done anything to prompt it.

As I grew older, this fascination continued, leading me ultimately to the formal method of meditation. Here, to my surprise, I came across one more seeming mystery: Although it had actually been the processes of philosophizing, pondering, and judging that had actually led me here, none of these tasks appeared to be of much use in the practice. If anything, they were an impediment.

I lately heard Wes Nisker, vipassana meditation instructor and coeditor of Inquiring Mind, define just how specific ancient cultures interpreted the voices in their heads that we call 'thoughts' as the voices of the gods-- something we would certainly identify as a symptom of psychosis. Is it any type of less insane to call these voices 'ours'? In the view place forth by the Buddha, there are six senses that make up human understanding: The traditional five plus a sixth-- thought.

From this point of view, the manner in which the mind perceives thought is no different from the method it perceives the information coming via the various other senses. Thoughts simply occur in our recognition, as though of their independency, out of the void of the mind, as well as the perceptions that arise in our 'inside' globe disappear 'ours' compared to those of the 'outside' globe are. This obvious self that floats like a membrane in between the globes of internal and outer resembles a dividing in a single area. Our thoughts belong to us say goodbye to-- neither less-- than the sounds of a songbird. So just what is it that makes believed so troublesome in the technique of reflection? For one thing, traditional, straight idea is a surface sensation of the mind, which has much better midsts offered-- midsts that will certainly never ever show up as long as its surface is mixed by the process of reasoning. We need to pass through beyond the world of believed if we are ever to discover the intrinsic limitlessness that lies under it.

Power of Thought

Most troubles come across in resting practice could be mapped back to thinking. Even barriers such as discomfort, resistance, and boredom can become manageable once they no longer have the strengthening power of idea behind them. Any moment of pain is inevitably acceptable. Exactly what is intolerable is to forecast the discomfort right into time, to add up the amount of minutes it has actually been going on, to ask yourself what does it cost? longer it will certainly last or how much a lot more we can take. To consider time in this manner remains in itself suffering.

My early experiences with formal technique resembled anyone else's: laden with diversion, lethargy, and also pain, along with a mind that simply wouldn't give up. The basic instruction I obtained was simple, however much from easy. Take an item of focus-in the beginning this is normally the breath-and return the focus to it at any time the mind could wander. When assumed intervenes, discover this, acknowledge the idea, consciously release it, and go back to the here and now minute. It is not a failing to discover ourselves drawn away from the object of reflection, this is a natural aspect of educating the mind. We do not should make every effort towards some special state: If all we provide for a whole resting period is notice each time the mind drifts and after that return it to the things, this is itself the technique of meditation.

I at some point realized that component of my problem was that I was allowing my mind spin-- actually, motivating it to do so-- at the start of each meditation duration. I figured that with a complete half hr or more ahead of me, there was no damage in letting myself fantasize for a few mins before truly getting down to it. However those couple of minutes became 10, after that 20, and also already it was challenging, if not difficult, to rein my mind in for the equilibrium of the duration. I uncovered that if I began to practice presently I rested down, my mind ended up being a lot more participating and my sittings far deeper.

I remained to be taken in, however, by a number of seductive semblances taken on by that ultimate trickster-thought. These consisted of comparative/judgmental thinking: 'All the other individuals here appear to be resting so strongly, I'm just unable this.' Or 'So-and-so isn't really doing the method correctly, he sits jagged, and she's constantly responding off. Why do they let them go on spoiling it for the rest of us?'

Problem solving, it seems, also often tends to be essential in the minute. However reflection is not self-improvement: Its function is to move us past the self, as well as if we get captured up in our own individual dramatization, this will certainly never ever happen. I am not speaking about when a solution to an especially knotty problem arises of its own accord, like a bubble climbing to the top of a fish pond. When this happens or I get any type of idea that seems important, I picture submitting it away in a box in my mind, with the suggestion that it will certainly exist when I'm ended up practicing meditation-- as well as normally, it is.

I experienced a particularly nervous kind of believing early in my practice, when I was away from my educator for a number of months, working as a caretaker for a wilderness camp in the Maine timbers. I started to experience in my sittings a feeling that started as a tightness of breath yet created to the factor that whenever I sat down to practice meditation, I could scarcely get my breath in all. My heart would certainly after that begin to extra pound ferociously, until I assumed, 'Oh my god, I'm going to pass away.' I quit resting, and the trouble discontinued. As quickly as I returned to The golden state, I shared my anxieties with Maezumi Roshi, Abbot of the Zen Facility of Los Angeles, that was my instructor at that time. He simply laughed. 'Don't fret,' he encouraged me. 'That takes place to every person! Just go throughout it.' As well as certain sufficient, in the following sitting period I did specifically that, and also the symptoms disappeared completely. It had actually been my ideas and also anxieties that had been holding them in position, and also as quickly as I launched these, I had the ability to loosen up into the experiences, which went away, never ever to return again.

Luckily, there is expect the thought-obsessed caretaker. We can not and need to not try to stop our rotating minds via the power of will certainly-- methods such as these can really be unsafe-- there are a number of methods that can help a mind that just won't stop.

Catch and Release

First of all, decrease whatever method of reflection you are making use of as well as turn your focus to the thoughts themselves, as though looking for the specific spot from which the next one may occur, like a bunny arising from an opening. Ideas often end up being extraordinarily timid when the light of focus shines after them. A variant on this idea is to aim to 'capture' each thought as it develops, holding it psychological, seeing it plainly, as well as knowingly releasing it. A helpful complement to both practices, which I utilize in teaching writing, is to view the mind for 10 mins, creating down every thought that develops. While this without a doubt is not reflection, it is an useful means to end up being knowledgeable about these different movements of the mind and also to launch our identification with these movements.

The utmost as well as maybe most challenging method for collaborating with the mind is just to be familiar with our ideas, while not obtaining captured in them. Maezumi Roshi gave me some guidelines on this when making clear Shikantaza, or 'just sitting' method. We need to regard our ideas, he claimed, as though they were clouds, enjoying them as they wander from one end of the mind to the other, but making no effort to keep them-and when they overlook the perspective, as they inevitably will, making no attempt to understand after them.

Eventually, as we proceed with the method, it becomes possible to merely enjoy the mind and also not obtain caught up in its ever-changing selection of interruptions. We become much less seduced by our idea procedures, less determined with them, much less accountable to concern them as 'me,' and a lot more able to see them as just an additional component of the passing play of sensations. The feeling of depth as well as visibility that has moving beyond thoughts ends up being more eye-catching compared to the endlessly confusing realm of chasing after them. Ultimately, we get the ability to drop past the world of thought and right into pure recognition, up until at last we sink even past the recognition itself to the state of complete absorption that Katagiri Roshi called 'returning to silence.' My instructor, John Daido Loori, Abbot of Zen Mountain Abbey in upstate New york city, places it like this, 'When the ideas disappear, the thinker goes away too.'

We must, however, remain to be rigorously honest with ourselves. Are we absolutely simply seeing our ideas pass, or are we subtly feeding them, colluding with them? It is very easy, as we establish in the method, to wander into a neither-here-nor-there, half-thinking, half-practicing state. While fairly positive, such dreamlike states are not true reflection, therefore we should desert them if we are ahead to real understanding. As a sage as soon as said, 'Everlasting vigilance is the price of liberty.'

Once during a weeklong retreat at Zen Hill Monastery, on the 3rd day of sesshin, when my resistances as well as stress went to their top, an idea increased to the surface of my mind with exactly what I thought of at the time to be charming, bell-like clarity: I had to leave the practice. It was way too much like swimming upstream for my easy-going individuality. I invested the afternoon specifying on this notion, gathering my validations and creating explanations, till the moment came for an interview with Shugen Sensei, Daido Roshi's dharma heir, that was leading the retreat. I marched right into the space with all the decency I can perhaps round up, looked him directly in the eye, and revealed, 'I'm mosting likely to leave the practice.'

He checked out me. 'Well, you can do that if you desire,' he shrugged, 'yet just what would certainly you do after that?'

I really felt the wind go out of me like a pierced balloon. By accepting my self-justifications, by not opposing my concepts yet not being affixed to them, he had actually penetrated the entire thing, the entire filled with air deception I had actually gotten myself captured in. I returned to my pillow, offered up the web of thoughts I would certainly been spinning, and rededicated myself to the practice.

He was. There was absolutely nothing else to do.

[vronnica]

‹ ･ ｡ ☾  [ blackpink vc ] hey boys. soz for missing plotting hour and opening… my bf wanted a cheese and wine night, so y’all know i was knocked af for like 12+ hrs. but now i am back and ready for action ! HENNYWAYS,,, i’m acacia ( she/her ), i’m twenty years of age, and i hail from the pst timezone ! i love kpop ( specifically got7 and blackpink. however, my ult bias is vernon from seventeen. if you know, you know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  ), milk tea, and mac and cheese. sooo sorry you’re all trapped in this rp w/ me. but y’all will learn to adore my 3am messages and casual spam on the dash. with that being said, under the cut you’ll find out more about my piece of shit baby angel, ronnie ! if you want ur muse to be friends with the stereotypical rich bitch. keep on readin bbs ;) psa: if you like this then you’re obligated to plot with me srry but i don’t make the rules. ( i’m jk please like this or i’ll cry. ) i’ll either slide in your IMs or you can contact me on discord @ mlilk#3162

jennie kim & cisfemale • hey, isn’t that veronica moon? she is that twenty-two year old that’s been living in conyers farm for twenty years. did you know her family is worth $18B? no wonder she is so ingenious & haughty. she is known around the estates as the aesthete, after all. 

                                Q U I C K   G U I D E   O F   V E R O N I C A

PINTEREST BOARD

STATISTICS PAGE

RELATIONSHIPS ( WANTED CONNECTIONS )

                                    H E R   D A I L Y   R O U T I N E

in veronica’s dreams, she is the epitome of a morning person. in reality, she’s a two in the afternoon kind of person. however, her schedule does not allow her to do that. so she does everything possible to transform herself into a morning person. new white rays shine through the window as she lies in her queen sized bed. she lifts up the aqua colored silk eye mask and the warm ball of light filtered through her thin eyelids. it takes her a moment to adjust but eventually her eyes flutter open to reveal the exhaust in her chocolate brown hues. she extends her arm out to her bed side table, grabbing ahold of her phone. she clears out the notifications that do not automatically appeal to her and checks the ones that do. after five minutes of procrastinating, she finally slips out of bed.

ronnie trudges her feet against the hardwood floor, making her way over to her bathroom. with a flick of a switch, the bright light from the crystal chandelier fills up the room. she runs herself a bath. filling the tub with lavender and jasmine bath salts. her le soir silk night slip pools around her feet as she climbs into the warm water. she’s completely and utterly relaxed. the time passes too quickly and she’s back on her feet. she wraps the fluffy white towel around her small frame and walks into her closet. winter, her favorite time of the year. she picks out a classic veronica moon outfit. a light orange and black tartan patterned dress paired with her wool cashmere burberry coat. and with a single spritz of her chanel no.5 onto her chest, she’s ready for the day.

                                              B A C K S T O R Y

moon jisung, ( chairman and co-owner of urban place resorts / hotels ) met vanessa ross ( retired model, turned fashion designer ) back in 1995 at one of vanessa’s casting calls. that, of course, was being held at urban place��s gangnam location. it definitely was not love at first sight. vanessa’s serious aura made jisung think she was a lawyer. jisung’s spazzy persona had vanessa thinking, “ this man is the chairman ? ” their relationship remained business. until one day jisung accidentally texted the designer one letter, “ q. ” from there, the relationship blossomed.

october 29, 1996, veronica moon was born, the moon family was complete, and they’re absolutely perfect. two years after she was born, jisung and vanessa decided to make a permanent home in conyers farm. therefore, veronica grew up in a really nice household. nice cars, designer clothes, and every day was a vacation. she was constantly spoiled. always given whatever she wants, whenever she wants. and of course, she’s used to getting her way all the time. ultimately making her: bad and boujee. her family is loaded. ( duh every1′s is. ) and she’s always been surrounded by lots of love and luxury.

being the only child, ronnie never had any consequences. in school, she became sort of a bully. she was very ruthless and cold. she had that, “i’ll do anything to get where i need to be,” personality. and if it meant paying someone to transfer the other student threatening her valedictorian spot, then yes, of course she’d do that. people either hated her or loved her. there was no in between. she kept her clique small. ( yes, a clique, which indeed was very exclusive. invite only. think of regina george or blair waldorf. ) she ran her school and she liked to keep it that way. 

once she graduated she became more of an adult about things. but, old habits die hard. therefore, some of those traits she developed in school still linger with her til this day. just a little more filtered. ( truly, just a tad bit. ) she got accepted into almost every ivy league college. her mother gave her the option to just pass on college. her father on the other hand, encouraged her to go to school to have the major under her belt. ultimately, she decided to go to yale and major in art history. ( she chose yale because it was only a little over an hour away from conyers. ) though, now, most of her classes are being completed online.

present time: veronica is currently taking a semester off school to really think about what she wants to do after she graduates. at the moment, she spends a majority of her time working on her art. growing up she always had an artistic eye. vanessa ( being a fashion designer ) taught her all the techniques when it came to drawing for fashion. though eventually, veronica steered away from the clothing industry and found herself drawing more intricate works of art.

                                           P E R S O N A L I T Y

too long; didn’t read: an angel with a halo unbalanced with horns, not a devil but not a saint either ?? kind yet has a backbone. softer than what she seems like. humorous and witty though understanding. mistrusting but willing to let loyalty speak. wealthy but tries not to depend on her family. stays away from the king glitterati lifestyle and fronts as if she’s just a normal gal livin’ in conyers etcetc.

she has that tell it like it is personality. she just calls it likes she sees it. even if she’s not exactly right. she’s literally drowning in her riches. making her materialistic af. some people might think she’s that dumb bimbo rich bitch. but she’s actually very VERY smart. witty and intelligent to be exact. 

super particular when it comes to most things. ( high maintenance queen. ) she wants things done correctly. so she often runs by the quote, “ if you want things right you gotta do it yourself. ” she absolutely despises like relying on others to get things done when she knows she could do it faster and better. a little bit of a ocd queen. 

her instagram = her job. it’s filled with ootds, selfies, food pics. but most importantly: her art. it’s the platform she uses to show people she isn’t just a pretty rich girl. she has talent. ( *insert "the kardashian's have no talent" - proven wrong in 7 minutes vid.* ) 

she’s very dedicated to her work, thus making her very goal oriented. she’s very creative and she’s actually a very good artist. she’s one of those people that set their mind to something and goes through with it until the end. i’m sure she picked up doodling and bullet journaling while growing up. *plays boss ass bitch vine.*

too long; didn’t read pt. 2: she’s slowly growing out of her tough head of hair and morphing into a young woman so beautiful over the years, but also at times, terrifying ?? self destructive ?? even if she’ll never let anyone see her deteriorate her insides sigh. she’s a hot mess. but she tries her best to hide that shit. yeye sweg.

                                            R E L A T I O N S H I P S

FRIENDSHIPS: she has plenty of friends, at least in her head. in reality, she just knows a lot of people through her many connections. so she has many affiliations. but never real friends. she’s very particular with the people she associates herself with. she believes that those around you reflect who you are as a person as well. therefore, she only surrounds herself with the best of the best. she may not be the best person to tell your secrets too either because she’s quite the gossip queen. but she can probably persuade you to trust her. rip. however, if you are a close friend of her’s, she’s very loyal to those who are loyal to her. which means she’d never do you dirty. but that’s only if she really cares about you. she’s a really great listener and she’s willing to give advice to those are willing to take it. plus, she’s the type to spoil the people she loves. so expect the best christmas gifts ever if u rollin’ with her. 

honestly, she really does need to surround herself with good people with genuinely good intentions. so please, someone teach her what loyalty is. 

bonus points if they’ve been friends for awhile. displays loyalty.

ENEMIES: she was bully in high school. so you know this girl has more than enough enemies ( and haters. ) she uses people, she pushes people around, etc etc. like she has some very evil intentions. she’s vengeful and irrational. she puts fuel to drama and loves to see people crash and burn. why ? she wants that reassurance that she is flourishing above all. she never wants to be belittled and will do anything to remain on the very top. however,,, ronnie does have some good intentions. she leans more to the chaotic neutral side. ( maybe tilted a bit more towards evil, but still. ) deep deeeeep deeeeeeeeeeep down the girl is trust issue central when it comes to letting people in. she can’t help it. she’s like that one rihanna meme, them: you can’t just cut people off. ronnie: *holds a pair of scissors* she doesn’t have problem with letting people go. so people think she’s a bitch because, “how could you just drop our five year long friendship like that.” and she’d just shrug. but really, she’s hurting beyond repair and will go home crying while eating a thing of ben & jerry’s chunky monkey.

there’s always that possibility where a friendship just didn’t work out. maybe they just stopped having time for each other and now it’s just mad awk. whatever it is, an enemy would b beaut.

veronica absolutely needs enemies. give her many. plenty. an abundance please.

LOVERS: i have a feeling she’s dabbled in the dating world. she’s had a few boyfriends, dates, etc. but most likely nothing LONG TERM. possibly because she doesn’t see the point unless it’s for marriage. just like her mom and dad. she has this [ beyoncé vc ] independent woman facade going on right now. which makes her seem like she doesn’t want anyone. but she’s secretly a hopeless romantic. this girl would love to be loved. and she truly needs it. she’s probably read tons of books about love and fluffy shit like that. it’d be a hard mission to win this girl over. but not impossible. she just has high expectations when it comes to relationships. so someone rlly needs to come here and treat this girl right. 

100% dabbles in the quick hook ups for the sake of fulfilling those needs. 

though, if the right person were to come along… she’d be loyal to them, completely devoted to just them.

CONGRATULATIONS ! you made it to end ! if you read all of this… i love you. i only ever write so much bc… it gets me in character lmao. also, i wrote all of this literally the moment i woke up so pls excuse any mistakes. i would really love to plot with everyone. so just slide into my IMs and we can get things started !! luv u *blows a kiss*

[multiply014]

Déjà Vu (1/?)

Wrote this last year to wish my first fandom friend and waifu, dearest momo, the happiest birthday! <3

And, again, because of one review (thank you, Ophious! XD), I'm going to churn out a chapter on the lead-up and, maybe, what happens after... No promises when though! XD

Fandom (Pairing): DCMK (CoAi) Title: Déjà Vu Summary (Word Count): Overwhelming sense of familiarity with something that shouldn’t be familiar at all. For the prompt: “A cheesy fake marriage couple who broke up and found each other again.” (1277+?) Links: AO3 and FF

Part 1 (Current) | ?

Kudo Shinichi stands by the entrance of the cafe, looking for his w—fake wife for the third time that day, and for the twenty-second time that week. He spots her instantly, as he always does, sitting by the window drinking coffee while on her laptop. He knows she knows he’s here.

He straightens his coat and walks over to her, waving off the waitress approaching him.

With each step he takes, he feels a vague sense of déjà vu. Of course he would, having chased after her relentlessly the past days across halls after her lecture, across rooms when she’s just about to go off work, across restos on days she doesn’t have time to cook—across bars, even, that just so happen to have so many indecents leering!—and, like right now, across cafes on sunny afternoons she has time off.

It always starts the same. He approaches her and apologizes. He gets a hum of acknowledgment in reply, and that’s it. Just like that, it always ends the same as well. He mails her, but she doesn’t reply. He calls her, but she doesn’t answer. So he goes to her. And when he does, she doesn’t even look at him.

His last five tries though, he found that she doesn’t look away anymore when he positions himself in front of her, as long as he slowly does so from her periphery. Quite crafty of him, he thinks! It’s a small victory, but he’ll take what he can get up against his cold boss of a wife!

—Fake wife, he reminds himself.

...It doesn’t matter. He did something wrong so he should fix it.

He had tried waiting it over if she’d come around, like their scuffles before, but she didn’t. He’d been annoyed at that so he had tried to play it off, but after a while, her absence just felt too weird... Or rather, her presence, while not being physically there with him, was too weird! He could hear her nagging everywhere. He is hyper-aware of the space, that’s suddenly too empty, beside him, and sometimes he sees a strawberry blonde mop of hair only for it to disappear in a snap. He decided, days worth of chasing is a cheap price to pay for his sanity!

He didn’t expect it to drag this long though. Along with a sense of déjà vu is… a fear? No, no, just a worry that things won’t ever be back to the way they were. A minor worry is all it is.

But he isn’t Kudo Shinichi if he gave up easily.

He reaches her table. Miyano Shiho brings the cup of coffee to her lips and takes a sip. Leisurely, as if to say, she could care less about him.

It always starts the same. Shinichi is about to apologize. To his surprise, however, she speaks first.

“It was supposedly our anniversary.” She brings down her cup with a clink. She doesn’t spare him a glance.

He gets in her line of vision anyway. He sits across her, replying, perhaps a bit too chipperly, “I know, and I told you, I’m sorry!” He’s a bit excited, a bit more hopeful. She’s finally initiating conversations again!

She avoids his eyes, and looks outside. “Hmm,” is all she said.

With that hum, his heart plummets. Truthfully, It’s been grating on his nerves, but if he got angry again it’ll just turn into another shouting match and, this time, he just knows there’d be nothing of them left.

But this time, surprisingly—and thankfully! he thinks—she continues, “It’s obvious you’re sorry, given the way you’re hounding me.”

Sarcastic, annoying Shiho is back! If he was told two weeks ago that he would ever be this happy hearing obnoxious side comments from Shiho, he would laugh hysterically. This feels unreal—

“That, or you need me for something. What is it? Spit it out.”

He hadn’t even noticed he’d been smiling until he felt his face freeze on her words. That’s what she thinks? That he’s here for a favor?

He’s angry. He’s disappointed. It’s painful because in a split-second, recalling what he’d done for the past days and observing from her view, it would really only look like he’d been trying to curry her favor for something he wants done. After all, if he were to put himself in her shoes, it had always been that way between them, and he had given her no reason to believe otherwise.

His self-loathing can wait until later though. Not right now, when she’s finally speaking to him. “What, I can’t be sincerely sorry for—”

Her voice in monotone carries on, “—ditching your dearest wife in favor of tracking a sleeping suspect yourself? But why does it matter? It’s fake anyway.” She had turned to look at him. Her eyes are calm—but he can tell.

“You’re upset, and I’m sorry for making you feel that way.”

“And why does that matter? Everything’s fake.”

“Shiho—”

“Miyano. It ended.”

“Shiho, the deal’s for six months—”

“You’ll only be short a day, Kudo-kun. That deal ends tomorrow. Never knew the great detective to be so stingy.” She raises her hand to call over the waiter. She’s ready to leave.

But he isn’t. He grabs her hand, gently bringing it down on the table, his fingers entwining themselves into hers. His eyes never left hers.

She scoffs. “Consider this special service, Shin. How many minutes would you like to hold hands this time?”

He doesn’t waver. “I’m sorry.”

She says, venomously, “I’m not an angel that waits, Shin. Don’t treat me like you treat Ran, because I am not her.”

His eyes bug, the expressions in his face switching, mixing, and he almost shouts, “I never—!”

She cuts him off, “You solved the case, Shin. No more need for dear wife Shiho.” She had put her free hand on his shoulder to placate him. Her other hand, she untangles from his and raises it to call over the waiter.

She continues, “It’s over. Aren’t you glad? You won’t have to hear me nagging you to wash the dishes again.” She ends with a smirk that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

The waiter acknowledges her, and he goes off to prepare the bill.

Once he does so, she clasps her hands together and looks outside, ignoring her fake husband’s pointed stare. Ex-fake husband, she corrects herself. Does that make her a fake divorcee? She entertains herself with idle thoughts just so she can bear his gaze.

But he won’t let her. He reaches out, again, for her hand. He wraps them in his. He says, “One day.”

She almost sighs. “Kudo-kun, I’m done—”

“Just one day, Shiho.”

“Why?”

“Say yes.”

“What for?”

“One day.”

If she’d just been stronger, just been a little less in lo—a little less attached, she wouldn’t have talked to him today. Hell, she wouldn’t be in this predicament at all if so, because she would never have accepted the deal, never would have dug a hole so deep that in just six months she can’t snap out of the role she was tasked to play. Perhaps, she was such a good actress that even she, herself, got fooled into thinking she can swim and not drown. Now, if she was an even greater actress, she just needed to make herself believe nothing had ever happened.

But she wasn’t.

And she isn’t.

She closes her eyes. Gently, slowly, her fingers tangle themselves with his. Out of habit, she tells herself. Just a troublesome habit.

She replies, “Tomorrow, then.”

She curses herself for being so weak. To him. Always to him.

[marigoldbaker]

very really married (6/?)

read it on ao3!

“That sounded like a really bad come-on, didn’t it?”

“Not quite as terrible as introducing yourself to a gentleman with I’m really not interested,” said Giles innocently.

Jenny raised her head, giving him a crooked smile. “Hey,” she said. “I married you, didn’t I?”

finally just like. buckled down n finished another chapter in a 3 hr writing spree. i like to think this means i’m feeling better? :D

Getting out of the car, Giles caught sight of a new and very pretty substitute teacher stepping out of a taxi, one who appeared to be creating quite the stir among the boys playing Frisbee in the front courtyard. Rolling his eyes a little, he crossed around to open the door for Jenny, who—was giving the substitute the once-over. Good lord.

“We’re married,” he said.

“So?” said Jenny, not even bothering to look at him. “I could have an affair. Hey, Rupert, that’s how we get divorced!” She beamed up at him as though thinking herself an absolute genius. “I seduce the unbelievably hot substitute, you find us in bed and throw a hissy fit—”

“Thank you, no,” said Giles, thoroughly bothered by how very little he appreciated this concept. “We’ve not been married a month—”

“Oooh, hey, it’ll be our monthiversary tomorrow,” said Jenny brightly, slipping her hand into his as they began to walk. “Gotta think of something to do to celebrate—oh, there’s Buffy!”

Giles blinked. Buffy was getting out of a car near them. “Jenny,” he began, about to rattle off an excuse that might allow him to speak to Buffy alone.

“Hey, Buffy,” said Jenny, a strange lightness to her voice as she tugged Giles to meet Buffy by the car, “I know it’s not my business, but word on the street is you’re talking to a guy named Angel?”

This was the exact last thing that Giles had expected Jenny to say. He stared first at her, then at Buffy, who was looking at him with wide, indignant eyes. “Well, don’t look at me, I didn’t tell her,” he said, holding up his hands.

“I mean, yeah,” said Buffy cagily, “he and I talk. Why?”

Jenny hesitated, then said, “He’s not—he isn’t dangerous, but I think you should exercise some caution, okay?”

“You know him?”

Jenny hesitated again. “Not directly.”

Buffy looked again at Giles, like she expected him to know something about this. Helplessly, Giles said, “I—Jenny, how did you know about Angel? Buffy’s only mentioned him in passing.”

Jenny shrugged. “Word gets around,” she said evasively. Then, “Listen, Rupert, I have to run ahead and set up the lab. I’ll see you at lunch?”

“Um—yes,” said Giles, still quite bemused.

Jenny gave him a quick, professional kiss on the cheek, then hurried on ahead, stopping by a nearby bench to say hello to Willow.

“You said you didn’t know Angel!” said Buffy indignantly. “And now your wife’s telling me he’s bad news?”

“I don’t know Angel,” said Giles, watching Jenny with a frown. “Frankly, Buffy, I’m as surprised as you are. She’s never mentioned Angel.”

“That’s kinda weird,” said Buffy, tilting her head at him. “How come your wife knows Angel’s bad news but she never told you?”

The truth was, of course, that Giles and Jenny barely knew each other, but telling Buffy this would mean telling Buffy about the mess that was their marriage. Now that Giles knew Buffy, he knew that telling Buffy about his marriage might open him up for a world of teasing. And that was the best-case scenario. “Jenny can be a bit secretive at times,” he said finally. “I do my best not to pry.”

Buffy frowned a little, but the answer seemed to satisfy her. “Okay,” she said. “It’s just that it’s kinda weird timing. I was just about to tell you that I saw Angel again last night.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” said Buffy, and began explaining what, exactly, Angel had warned her about.

But Giles’s mind was still on Jenny, and not in the pleasantly aggravating way. Angel had indeed given them some unusual and helpful information, enough to make it clear that he was rather involved in the supernatural scene. Jenny knowing him, and knowing something about him, might indicate that Jenny knew more about what really went on in Sunnydale than Giles had previously expected.

He wasn’t entirely sure whether or not this could be counted as a good thing.

The day progressed as it generally did until thirty minutes into the lunch period. Giles and Jenny were having a surprisingly good-natured argument regarding the merits of iced tea, and then the library doors opened and Buffy stumbled through, shaken and sniffling. She was closely followed by a similarly upset Willow and Xander, the latter looking vaguely nauseated.

Jenny turned, smiling, but her smile faded as she registered their faces. “Is everything all right?” she asked.

Buffy swallowed, hard, then said in a small voice, “They found—Doctor Gregory—in the freezer.”

Giles’s first thought was god, I hope I misheard. “What?”

“Just his body,” said Buffy. “His head’s missing.” She crossed the room in two steps, all but falling to sit on the stairs leading into the stacks.

Next to Giles, Jenny drew in a shaking breath, gripping the library counter to steady herself. Giles, feeling a bit sick, looked to Willow and Xander. “Are you two all right?” he asked gently.

“No,” said Willow in a small voice. “I don’t like this, Giles.”

“Frankly, neither do I,” said Giles, attempting to laugh. It didn’t really work. “Sit down, all right? I’ll get you both some—something to drink. What—that is, how did you find out?”

“We, uh, saw,” said Xander uncomfortably. “The body.”

Jenny’s eyes widened. “God,” she said softly, and, without hesitation, hurried over to kneel in front of Buffy, awkwardly squeezing her shoulder. “Are you okay? Stupid question, you’re not okay. Okay. Hold up. God, I’m bad at comforting people.”

Buffy sniffle-laughed. “No, you’re doing okay,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “You’re really nice, you know that? Giles totally hit the jackpot with you.”

Jenny grinned a little exhaustedly, looking up at Giles. “You could say he…gambled and won,” she said, and that made Giles almost laugh outright. It didn’t seem at all apropos, under the circumstances, so he bit his lip instead.

“I think they’re holding a little memorial service after school,” said Willow distantly. “I think I kinda want to go to that.”

“We’ll probably go too,” said Jenny, pulling herself to her feet. “He was a good guy.” She brushed off her skirt, awkwardly readjusting herself, but she still looked a bit discombobulated. Understandable, Giles thought, given the news they had just heard. “I should probably set up my class,” she said. “Figure out what to tell my students.”

“Probably don’t lead with they found Doctor Gregory in the freezer,” said Buffy dismally. “Wasn’t my best entrance.”

“You were under a lot of stress, Buffy, you’re completely okay,” said Jenny patiently.

Buffy’s face instantly softened, and Giles felt a twinge of irritation at that; he’d been getting argumentative glares and determinedly bouncy quips from Buffy, but never that absolutely adoring trust. His logical side was pointing out that, in comparison to his own strict, disciplinarian ways, Jenny was most certainly a nurturing breath of fresh air, but his rational side was pointing out that calling Jenny a breath of fresh air was ridiculous when she had once locked him out of the house during an argument and then acted like that counted as winning.

And—and anyway, it was all ridiculous. Buffy wasn’t going to look at her Watcher like he was a mentor, she was going to look at him like he was a teacher. The difference had been stressed many a time by Travers, and it was particularly pertinent now. Obviously.

Then Buffy turned to Giles. “You have a nice wife,” she said in a small voice, then, “Can I have that thing to drink?”

“Of course,” said Giles. “Jenny—”

Jenny stepped back over to him and pressed a butterfly-soft kiss to his cheek, one that reminded him of tangled sheets and plane rides and you’re not that bad a husband, Rupert Giles. He swallowed, hard. “You’d better not lose your head at any point during this day, Rupert, I’m serious,” she said, eyes locked on his. Glancing one last time at the children, she turned, heading out of the library.

“I’ll get that water,” said Giles, feeling a rather convoluted mess of emotions that he really couldn’t sort through at this juncture.

They stayed late for the memorial. Buffy had promised to go home and be reasonable, and Xander was still rather annoyingly enraptured by the lovely Miss French, but Giles, Jenny, and Willow all headed down to the faculty room, where Flutie was stumbling through an awkward, uncomfortable speech about Doctor Gregory that really didn’t capture any of his finer points.

“So this is what it’s gonna be like when this town inevitably kills me, huh?” said Jenny to Giles, quietly enough that Willow wouldn’t hear. “A bunch of people who didn’t know me sitting around and talking about how I was always diligent and never late.”

“Don’t talk like that,” said Giles. Something deep in his chest had twisted, hard, at the thought of this being Jenny’s memorial.

“Why not?” Jenny leaned against him, eyes distant. “Odds are we’re going to end up dead,” she said, half-laughing, but it was clear that she wasn’t really joking at all. “It’s mathematics, Rupert. There’s a murder every two days, half the time it’s a teacher—”

“That dead fellow in the gymnasium, that was four days ago—”

“There was still a dead guy in the gym.”

Giles took another look at Jenny, and felt, if possible, much worse. He’d been infuriated by her stubborn convictions, her optimism regarding technology, and her utter refusal to back down from any fight, but the tired, dispassionate look on her face was something he didn’t at all like seeing. “I’ll protect you,” he said, softly, stupidly.

She didn’t say anything, but she took his hand.

Jenny was quiet for the entire drive home. He turned on all the radio stations he knew she hated, but she didn’t rise to the bait and start an argument. She just stared out the window until they reached their house, and then she got out of the car, headed up the porch steps, and turned, waiting for him by the front door.

Giles didn’t like seeing her like this. Getting out of the car himself, he hesitated, then walked up and towards her, watching as she turned to unlock the door.

Their house felt strange, still, and rather unpleasantly lifeless. Jenny sat down on the couch without turning on the light, tipping her head back and staring at the ceiling. Giles turned on a nearby lamp and sat down next to her. “If there’s anything I can do,” he began.

Jenny turned to look at him. “I kind of want to leave,” she said, but she said it distantly and without much conviction. “Can we do that? Can we just—pack up, go to England, meet your parents, live in a dumb cottage by the sea where there are no creepy deaths and no missing heads? I want to do that. Let’s do that.”

Giles reached out and squeezed her shoulder. She looked at him, mouth trembling. “All right,” he said. “Let’s go to England.”

“Okay,” Jenny whispered. She didn’t move.

Giles was quite tempted to pull her into his arms and hold her, if only because she looked so uncharacteristically fragile. But he didn’t feel quite ready to be rebuffed, so he said instead, “What do you need, Jenny?”

To his complete surprise, Jenny tackled him in a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. “I hate this town,” she said, her voice shaking. “I hate every single part of this town. Doctor Gregory was one of the nicest teachers on staff, and now I’ve gotta deal with the fact that literally anyone I know might be dead in two days, and—and I’m scared. And I hate being scared. And I hate that you’re being so nice right now.”

“Would you like me to be terrible about something?” Giles asked weakly, hugging Jenny back.

“I don’t know,” said Jenny helplessly. “I just want some kind of fucking normalcy. I mean, god, we’re hugging right now, and this morning I was contemplating pouring syrup all over one of your rarest manuscripts to get you back for boxing up my computer again.”

“Oh,” said Giles, wincing. “I was hoping you hadn’t noticed that.”

Jenny exhaled, a sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh. “For all your academic austerity,” she said, “you can be really, really stupid sometimes. I use my computer daily, Rupert, it’s important to me.”

“I mean, I’d use my desk daily if I had a desk,” said Giles before he could stop himself, then winced. “Um. Sorry. Do you still need gentle handling?”

“Use gentle handling in relation to me again and I will not-so-gently handle you straight into a broom closet,” said Jenny, then groaned. “That sounded like a really bad come-on, didn’t it?”

“Not quite as terrible as introducing yourself to a gentleman with I’m really not interested,” said Giles innocently.

Jenny raised her head, giving him a crooked smile. “Hey,” she said. “I married you, didn’t I?”

“You did, at that,” said Giles, smiling too. Gently, he removed himself from her embrace. “Feeling better?”

“I—” Jenny blinked. “Kinda,” she said, sounding honestly surprised.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“You’re being so nice,” said Jenny, nose wrinkling. “It’s weird. Can you go back to being terrible and technophobic and rearranging the kitchen cupboards obsessively to hide my plates?”

“I contain multitudes,” said Giles, a mixture of touched and annoyed. “It’s not as though I can remove my better qualities just so you can pretend not to like me.”

“I don’t like you,” Jenny objected, then stopped, eyes widening in horror. “Oh, god,” she groaned, falling back into the couch. “Oh my god, I like you?”

“Clearly, you’re coming around,” said Giles, patting her shoulder. Jenny swatted his hand away, glaring. “If it helps,” he added, his grin fading, “I think I—like you too.” He winced. “God, that’s awful.”

Jenny bit her lip, grinning.

“What?”

“We finally agree on something,” said Jenny. “What are the odds?”

Giles smiled a little. Jenny smiled too. There was a quiet, charged feeling that hung in the air, enough to make him turn towards her on the couch. Of its own volition, Giles’s gaze dropped to her mouth.

“It’s nice,” said Jenny, her voice softening. “To have a friend.”

The word jerked Giles back into reality. Jenny was grappling with the horrors that surrounded her, and she was smart enough to recognize the possibility that one such horror might end up killing her. Lovely as it would be to move just a bit closer, it would be self-centered, selfish, and taking advantage of her need for comfort. “I’m glad,” he said sincerely. “Regardless of how often we find ourselves at each other’s throats, Jenny, I, I think you’re a rather incredible person.”

“Ugh,” said Jenny, making a face in what was a very clear attempt to disguise her blush. “Still not used to you doing the whole nice thing.”

“Hey, Giles?” Buffy poked her head into the library, then stepped up and around the checkout desk. “Can we talk for a sec? I saw something really weird while I was out in Weatherly Park—”

Giles frowned. “You went hunting last night,” he said stiffly.

“Yes,” said Buffy, unbothered.

“When you assured me you wouldn't,” said Giles pointedly, taking a sip from his cup of tea.

“Okay, I lied, I'm a bad person, let's move on,” said Buffy, waving a hand impatiently.

This bit of his life, at least, Giles was getting quite used to. Buffy did have a carefree approach to Slaying, but the fact remained that she always got the job done, and that fact made him much more willing to put aside Buffy’s disobedience. “Did you see someone with a fork?” he asked.

“More like a jumbo claw,” Buffy answered with distaste.

“Oh,” said Giles, and the image of Buffy, pale and weak on the chemistry lab table, flashed quickly and painfully across his mind. “Well, at least you're not hurt,” he managed.

“And I saw something else,” Buffy continued, not noticing Giles’s brief moment of discomfort. “Something much more interesting than your average run-of-the-mill killer vampire.”

“Oh?” said Giles.

Buffy hesitated. Then she said, “Do you know Miss French, the teacher that's subbing for Dr. Gregory?”

The name rang a bell. Miss French…that was the attractive substitute teacher who had caught Jenny’s eye. “She’s not that attractive,” said Giles stiffly. He was suddenly thinking of Jenny’s suggestion of bedding the substitute and cheating on him with her, and yes, Jenny did joke about those things, but frankly it wasn’t unreasonable to assume that Jenny would be attracted to such a lovely young woman over an austere, tweedy librarian—

“Um, interesting take,” said Buffy, looking like she was trying not to laugh. “Is this ‘cause you’re married and you don’t want to talk about other ladies if your wife might hear?”

“Ooh, now seems like the perfect time to make my entrance,” said Jenny, sounding thoroughly amused herself. Giles jumped. “Honey,” said Jenny patiently, “I brought you tea, stop looking like I caught you making out with the substitute teacher.”

This was so utterly unfair. “Making out—” Giles sputtered.

And then Jenny stood on tiptoe, still holding the tea carefully in one hand, and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to the corner of Giles’s mouth. The soft brush of her mouth against his was so startling in its intimacy that Giles found himself speechless when she pulled away.

“Tone it down, you two,” said Buffy, “I am still here,” but there was a giggle in her voice.

Jenny had looked quite confident, leaning in, but as she pulled away, she was beginning to blush. “I, um, you should, I should—okay,” she managed, looking a little stunned, and left, completely forgetting that she was still holding Giles’s tea.

“God, you two are such newlyweds,” said an amused Buffy. “It’s nauseating.”

She’d kissed him. She’d kissed him. She’d kissed him. She’d kissed him.

“Uh, earth to Giles?” said Buffy pointedly. “We were talking about Miss French?”

Giles did his best to compose himself, running through all the logical reasons why he should not be so hopelessly flustered. Jenny’s kiss had made sense, within the context: a teasing gesture between husband and wife. Public displays of affection were necessary to support the illusion of their marriage. And her blush…was because…why on earth had she blushed? Jenny Calendar, unflappably composed…had blushed because she’d kissed him?

Buffy cleared her throat.

“Yes, um, Miss French,” said Giles a little too loudly, blushing furiously. “What about her?”

Miss French was a giant insect. This rang quite a few alarm bells when paired with Carlyle’s claims back in Oxford about some insect-woman who preyed on the pure of body. Giles was hanging up the phone, rather exhausted by the arduous process of getting coherent information out of his old friend, when Jenny stepped in, shutting the door behind her. He looked up, startled, then said, “Um, I-I realize it is a bit late—”

“Can you just, I don’t know, give me a schedule for your little study group thing?” There was clear frustration in Jenny’s tone. “I didn’t want to drive home without telling you, but you had the library closed for maintenance sign up, and you get all weird if I interrupt you while you’re in the middle of reorganizing—”

“I—what?” Giles blinked, then blushed. “You—noticed?”

“See? Weird.” Jenny waved a hand at him. “It’s been three hours, Rupert. Which ended up being okay, since I had some papers to grade, but not every night is gonna be like this. If this thing is going to work, we need to at least communicate our plans to each other a little.”

“I’m sorry,” said Giles.

Jenny stared at him. A moment passed before she said, “You’re sorry?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” said Giles a bit testily. Talking to Carlyle had been stressful, and it was extremely likely that Xander was under the thrall of a giant praying mantis, and he didn’t have time for whatever the hell Jenny’s problem was with him being sorry.

“It’s just that you don’t usually apologize to me,” said Jenny stiffly, an embarrassed flush rising in her cheeks. Too late, Giles realized that he’d misinterpreted her. “It’s not—look, just, just get me a schedule for your study group thing, I’ll go, okay? Obviously you’re stressed and me being here isn’t helping even a little—”

Giles caught her hand in his before she could leave.

The door was shut, he thought. There was no possible way he could explain this to her if she asked. No one was watching, no one knew they were arguing, and there was no reason to take her hand, rubbing his thumb quietly against the side of her finger. “I am sorry,” he said awkwardly. “I’m not pleasant company at this time of night, especially not when I’m working overtime. I’ll get you that schedule, Jenny, and—and I’ll pick you up something nice from the supermarket. Frozen pizza? Microwave meal?”

Jenny’s eyes were very wide. Worried that he had overstepped, Giles tried to drop her hand, but she was holding on tight. “Yeah, okay,” she said.

There was a hammering on the door. “GILES!” Buffy shouted. “Giles, we need your help with the mantis—”

“He’s in there with Ms. Calendar!” Giles heard Willow hiss.

“Uh—” Giles could all but hear Buffy’s mind working overtime to come up with a plausible excuse. “Mantis—um, project! For science! Because Ms. French is talking about insects in class!”

“Fitting, really,” said Giles a bit derisively.

Jenny gave him an amused look. “You really don’t like that poor, pretty teacher, huh?”

The phrase poor, pretty teacher didn’t seem to fit a giant insect that was most likely eating virgins, but Giles couldn’t very well tell Jenny this. “Well, you seem to like her enough for the both of us,” he shot back, and was mortified to find that he was blushing.

Jenny’s little grin faded, replaced with a slow comprehension. “Wait,” she said. “Is this because I said I wanted to sleep with Ms. French?”

“What—it—the—” Giles stammered. “That’s—”

Jenny looked down, very clearly trying to hide her smile. “Rupert, I’m a married woman,” she said. “And I’ve never been the type to cheat on people, even if I am the type to joke about it. We made a sacred vow, remember?”

“A drunken vow,” said Giles quietly.

“A vow’s a vow no matter how you slice it,” said Jenny, and her other hand moved to lightly rest on his shoulder.

Just as Giles was about to place his free hand over hers, Buffy slammed the door open with all her Slayer strength, nearly hitting him in the back of the head. “Giles,” she said, “as great as it would be if we all had time for you to be lovey-dovey with your wife, I seriously need your help right now.”

Giles felt certain that he was smiling rather foolishly. Softly, he said, “You’re quite right, Jenny. A vow is a vow.”

“Giles!” said Buffy. “Mantis! Okay, you know what, Ms. Calendar?” She moved forward, tugging Jenny bodily away from Giles. “You are a bona fide distraction,” she was saying, steering Jenny out of the library, “and as cool as that is when we want Giles a dorky, swoony mess, we really need him teaching us stuff right now, so thank you so much and please come again when he tells me not to put my feet on the table.”

“You’re making a pretty valid point there,” said an amused Jenny, gently extricating herself from Buffy’s grip. “See you at home, Rupert?”

“Much so,” said Giles, who wasn’t quite able to form words at the moment.

“Yeah, cool,” said Jenny, her smile softening as she looked at him.

“They’re doing that weird married thing again,” said Buffy knowledgably to Willow, and pulled Jenny all the way out of the library.

Jenny was reading a book on the couch when Giles came back from fighting the mantis, and hissed through her teeth when she saw him, shutting the book and getting up immediately to place a hand gently on his cheek. “What happened?”

Giles blinked. “What?” Belatedly, he remembered scrambling against the floor for the tape. “Oh, um—do I look bad?”

“There’s a scrape down the side of your face,” Jenny informed him, giving him a bemused frown. “Did you just not notice?”

“In my line of work, one gets used to quite a lot of pain,” said Giles without thinking.

Jenny snickered, then pressed her hands to her mouth, trying to compose herself. “Sorry,” she managed. “Just, uh—you’re really out there fighting the good fight, huh? Dodging stacks of falling books, bandaging papercuts, making sure you don’t climb too high on the bookshelves?”

“Indeed,” said Giles, and grinned a bit himself. If one assumed that his job didn’t extend beyond that of a librarian, his description of it was quite amusing. “If you don’t mind, I’ll, um, go patch myself up—”

“Sit down so I can fix your face,” said Jenny, in a tone that allowed for no argument.

“Yes, dear,” said Giles without thinking, then blushed. His cheek stung.

As Jenny rummaged through the kitchen cabinets for the first-aid kit, Giles sat down, watching her and feeling something strange in his chest. This was now the third time she had patched him up without question, and the first time in his life that someone had consistently done so for him. Not all of this could truly be chalked up to her trying to prove she could pretend to care about him. He was beginning to get the very strong sense that this kind of care was something that Jenny did for people, just because she could, and that was…admirable.

To say the least.

“Okay, so I’ve got a wet cloth and some extra soapy water,” Jenny announced, rounding the corner with a dish and placing it down on the coffee table. Giles’s favorite teapot was filled to the brim with said soapy water. Jenny saw the expression on his face, then winced, genuinely apologetic. “Should I not have used that one for first-aid stuff? I just—yours were all up front, I didn’t want to keep you waiting just to prove I wanted to use mine—”

“Um, no, it’s, it’s fine,” said Giles, blushing more, which made his cheek feel even worse. “Just—this is very kind of you, Jenny, thank you.”

“Sure,” said Jenny, giving him a small smile as she pressed the cloth to his cheek. Involuntarily, Giles closed his eyes at her touch; though he was beginning to get accustomed to gentle touches, he still wasn’t quite able to stop himself from savoring them. He had been very alone this last decade.

Jenny’s hand wasn’t moving. Giles opened his eyes and saw that she was looking at him with shy apprehension. “I’m not usually this close to people,” she explained awkwardly. “It’s easier when we—I mean, when you—” She made a squiggly gesture with her free hand, then finished sheepishly, “Had a whole bunch of hot sex without knowing each other.”

“Ah,” said Giles, and tried not to laugh.

Jenny huffed. “It’s not funny!”

“No, it’s—it’s sweet,” said Giles, and meant it. He felt all fluttery, knowing that Jenny knew him—not the Watcher bits, but the important bits. The parts of him that counted. “If it helps, I’m a bit off-kilter myself.”

“From the terrible book that attacked you?”

“Oh, completely,” said Giles. “I am a delicate man, Jenny.”

“I’m aware,” said Jenny, and he felt her fingers splay against his cheek, cupping his face like he was something precious. He had never been looked at like this before—as though he was worth protecting—and though he was certain that Jenny couldn’t possibly still be thinking about protecting him, it was what he felt under the quiet, determined intensity of her gaze.

Just as he had become fully aware of how very close their faces were, Jenny startled, then began scrubbing gracelessly at his cheek with the wet cloth. “Ow,” said Giles. “You could—be gentler, Jenny.”

“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” said Jenny in a high voice, and turned her haphazard scrubbing into light patting. “God, sorry, just—sorry.”

“It’s all right,” said Giles, unable to keep a chuckle out of his voice. Jenny gave him an annoyed, good-natured smile in return.

“You and Ms. Calendar are so cute,” Buffy informed him the next day. “When did you two get married?”

“Over the summer,” said Giles, which was mostly the truth, “and I am not in the habit of discussing my personal life with my Slayer.” The abashed look on Buffy’s face made him immediately regret his cover-up, and he flushed. “I’m sorry,” he said. “That was harsh.”

“No kidding,” said Buffy, who looked rather injured by the brush-off.

Her genuine hurt made guilt twist in Giles’s stomach. She had asked a real question; she deserved a real answer. “It’s just that marital commitment is very new to me,” he said. “It isn’t something I’ve had much practice with, and it’s a bit frightening to get used to.” He glanced over at the open door to the computer lab as they passed. Jenny was laughing with a student, chatting about some homework assignment, and as she raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, her wedding ring caught the sunlight. “A Watcher is supposed to spend his entire life alone,” he said. “Getting married is…a foolish, foolhardy thing to do.”

“I think it’s really brave,” said Buffy.

Giles stopped walking, turning to look at her. Buffy gave him this small, almost sad smile. “Her connection to me could end up hurting her,” he said quietly.

“Yeah, but you guys love each other,” said Buffy. “And let’s face it, Giles, this thing we’re doing is going to end up with both of us dead way before we’re supposed to be. You could have spent your whole life like my first Watcher, just thrown yourself into books and prophecies and stuff, but you’d never have ended up getting to be with someone as cool and funny as Ms. Calendar. She makes you super happy, and that’s…really, really awesome.”

There was a note of wistfulness to her voice, as though Buffy wished she could do things like grow up and get married. And it hurt, all of a sudden, to know that Buffy was wrong about him; that this facsimile of a marriage was the closest Giles would get to wedded bliss. It didn’t seem fair for him to be her beacon of hope, but he couldn’t bring himself to destroy the look in her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll find that same happiness someday,” he said instead, and in much more gentle a tone than he usually used with Buffy.

It felt…right, somehow, to speak to Buffy like this. Better than the determinedly professional demeanor he’d been attempting, at least. The feeling of rightness solidified when he saw the sadness in Buffy’s eyes—not disappear, not exactly, but lessen. “You think?”

“I’m certain of it,” said Giles. “If a stuffy old academic can land a woman like Jenny Calendar, your prospects are sparkling.”

That made Buffy laugh.

[dramioneasks]

Popular fics on AFF:

These fics have more than 20k dragon prints (story hits).

The Given Choices -:- By : JesstinaMalfoy -:- M, 26 chapters - Bellatrix Black and Remus Lupin. No one would think they had a duaghter together. How and Why would this effect Hermione Granger so much

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A MATE FOR LIFE -:- By : tas -:- M, 25 chapters - HG/ eventually HG/DM. Draco can't seem to get Hermione out of his thoughts and dreams. Updated Truth and Dare Game. Sequel to this story is 'LIFETIME MATE'.

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Come Dowsed in Mud -:- By : Tarie -:-  M, one-shot - Draco brought Granger's knickers up to his face and buried his nose in them to become acquainted with her scent. As he inhaled deeply, he knew his trousers were tenting out over the curve of his cock. (Draco/Hermione)[] Het, What I've Always Known -:- By : Elara -:-  M, 24 chapters - Hermione is returning to Hogwarts for her 6th year. She is made prefect along with Draco Malfoy, and of course, they are at eachothers throats. Until a romance blooms between them.

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You Raise Me Up -:- By : DragonFyre -:- M, 41 chapters - Through the war, Draco and Hermione were on different sides. Can one act of kindness banish a thousand acts of hate? Language, AU, Heart And Soul -:- By : Tassana_Burrfoot -:- M, 26 chapters - Dear Miss Granger, I understand and sympathize with you, however there is very little else I can do. While I know how difficult Mr. Malfoy can be, you are his last hope... Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore AU/AR, Sold -:- By : Gryffindorclutz -:- M, 10 chapters - Reworking of another story. Typical Marriage law fic rules N/C, Muggle Marriage Law 51599 -:- By : dmbball73 -:- M, 38 chapters - �Hermione, Draco is going to be wed, � Mr. Weasley said. . .�Please tell me the reason that I�m here is because he wants me to cater his wedding, " Hermione said wide-eyed. Language, N/C, AU/AR Thanks for reviews A Wonderful Caricature of Intimacy -:- By : Countess of Abe -:- M, 25 chapters - Draco loves his son more than anything in the world. So, when his exwife plans to take his son away, Draco asks the most unlikely person for help. Hermione must decide whether changing her entire life is worth helping the man she loathes. On All Hallows Eve...... -:- By : Snapes_Goddess  -:- M, 12 chapters - On Halloween night a wicked storm brings two hearts together. Come join the fun and tell your ghostly tale!!!!! AU/AR, Challenge, Language, 23 Positions In a One Night Stand -:- By : Snapes_Goddess  -:- M, 2 chapters - Draco and Hermione make a friendly wager. Inspired by the song Get Off By Prince. AU/AR, Language,

Upside Down -:- By : DragonFyre -:- M, 50 chapters - When an eccentric American cousin comes knocking on Hermione's door, the witch's world is turned upside down. And how does a certain blonde fit into this equation? Death, F, M Mate-Bonding -:- By : fan8225 -:- M, 2 chapters - Draco Malfoy is a veela in full mating frenzy. His chosen mate is Hermione Granger and he finally has her cornered. One-shot, complete. Breathe Out, So I Can Breathe You In -:- By : WritingInTheDarkness -:- M, 20 chapters - Hermione is scared of sex. She wants to do it but is too afraid. What happens when a certain Slytherin finds out her secret? Will he tease her mercilessly or help? O don't care though! Language, F, M,

Her Shoes -:- By : margaritama -:- M, 19 chapters - Draco Malfoy has demanded Hermione Granger head up an important new Wizard and Muggle venture he's funding. They'll be working at his home. Why would he do this? It's clear he can't stand her. Isn't it? F, Count Your Blessings -:- By : ricerabbit -:- M, 27 chapters - Pansy wants to get even with Hermione for embarrassing her in front of Draco Malfoy. However, after her plan grows out of control, it is Hermione's sworn enemy who comes to the rescue. Language,

Struggling Through New Beginnings -:- By : HarryGinny4eva -:- M, 44 chapters - This is a story of longing, desire, friendship, and ultimately, of love. Just not with the expected. Language, New Beginnings -:- By : Glowing Ember -:- M, 29 chapters - Hermione returns to the muggle world after the war. A chance encounter changes everything for her.** ** Language, Their Greatest Mistake -:- By : suzan_bones -:- M, 19 chapters - What do a drunken marriage, scheming seventh years, House unity, royalty, and amazing clothes all have in common? They're all in this fic! H and DH excluded. Language, F, M, Accidental Magic -:- By : margaritama -:- M, 7 chapters - Marriage Fic with a twist � a fun experiment in marriage, contrasts and distaste. Language, A Future Seduction -:- By : Dreamweaver -:- M, 12 chapters - He didn't know how she had managed it but that mudblood bitch was going to pay for what she had done to him if it was the last thing he did. AU/AR, Second Time Around -:- By : RynStar15 -:- M, 18 chapters - When Hermione realizes her husband has been cheating on her, she only has one person she can turn to to fix her sordid life. Too bad she didn't anticipate how far he was willing to go... Language, !

Uncoffined -:- By : lady_of_clunn -:- M, 13 chapters - When all is lost, we are willing to do whatever it takes to survive. ! AU/AR, F/ N/C, Only One Night -:- By : tarador -:- M, 8 chapters - A treacherous predicament that Malfoy has set up. In her mind she cursed him. "You must be crazy!" she finally spat at him furiously, but he just smirked. "Only one night, Granger, one night with you." DM/HG - You Won't Know -:- By : Lady Jane -:- M, 16 chapters - Hermione wakes up in a room where nightmares become reality...

A Dish Best Served Cold -:- By : Mistress_Lynn -:- M, 8 chapters - Someone is out to get Hermione. Draco gets caught in the middle, and doesn't mind one bit! Language, F, M, Need -:- By : Wickeddisaster -:- M, 26 chapters - Hermione is attacked by her nemesis, but what should have become a traumatic experience turns into the catalyst of a very complicated relationship... AU/AR, N/C Sexual Expression -:- By : Dazzlious -:- M, 8 chapters - Hermione decides to take a class to understand her body's response to stimulation....

Instinctive -:- By : goldhorse -:- M, 3 chapters - Voldemort has discovered a new punishment for his victims. Will it make or break them? Locked In -:- By : goldhorse -:- M, 60 chapters - During the war, the Room of Requirement was badly damaged. It no longer works. Or does it? Beyond the Pale -:- By : goldhorse -:- M, 40 chapters - When Hermione takes a walk, she gets more than she bargained for. She has a choice: Die or become undead to help Harry.Vamp!fic. (contains SS/OFC) Bittersweet -:- By : valkyrie136 -:- M, 28 chapters - REPOST/CONTINUATION Malfoy takes advantage of Hermione at school...will he come to terms with his obession? Deception -:- By : valkyrie136 -:- M, 47 chapters - VEELA FIC ...!! A dark and twisted romance unfolds... M Fooling Fate *sequel to Bound* -:- By : goldhorse -:- M, 61 chapters - It's been 18 years since Voldemort's demise and now a new threat has come into light. But it's not just the wizarding world that's affected now.

Drinking Buddies -:- By : Mr. Benzedrine -:- M, 8 chapters - Hermione and Draco find solace in each other as drinking buddies, but so much more develops. Rated M for graphic lemons. Post Hogwarts. Complete

Suppressed Emotions -:- By : hopelesslydevoted.xx -:- M, 36 chapters - "Granger what the hell?" Draco asked looking at her ruffled clothes, and her face covered in blood. Hermione let out a loud sob and threw herself into his arms. Opposites Attract -:- By : hopelesslydevoted.xx -:- M, 37 chapters - "So we're back to using last names again are we Granger?" Malfoy snapped. "You know what, pretend I didn't acknowledge you, and better yet, continue to ignore me like you have been." Love potion revenge gone wrong. Tuition Money -:- By : cpetnm -:- M, 19 chapters - The horrors of the war behind her, Hermione thinks nothing will stop her from pursuing her education. But money is scarce and she struggles to pay her tuition. What kind of assistance will come from an unexpected wizard? Sex Ed -:- By : Mr. Benzedrine -:- M, 31 chapters - Hermione Granger has come to Hogwarts to educate the children on a much needed lesson in Biology. Draco Malfoy, the Potion's teacher, doesn't approve of the sex ed. A bet ensues. Who will come out victorious? Rated M for future lemons. **FIRST PLACE: BEST FLUFF/HUMOR 2017 Dramione Awards**

Let There Be No More Curse -:- By : lexiatel -:- M, 47 chapters - 100 years ago, The Malfoy Heirs were cursed by only enabling them to provide just one heir for each generation after. That is until two people fool around, after having consumed too much alcohol. COMPLETE His Relinquishment -:- By : lexiatel -:- M, 34 chapters - The Dark Side won. Many were left dead. Their numbers had decreased as the Dark Lord had warned would happen. But when the remaining Pureblood women are found to be infertile, all plans of blood purity must be ceased immediately. Else they would all perish. COMPLETE

[chaoticneutralwriter]

Fic Recs/Writers *updated 09/12/2019

THE LIBRARY IS OPEN DARLING....for some actual reading.

A list of fics/writers I’ve come across that got some of that pretty sweet stuff. And also because I’ve read around too much and can’t remember names or fics to save my life. THE UPDATES MAN!

Warning: Some fics (as will be indicated) are +18/rated M for Mature/take me to church kinda deal

@versigny

I’d say almost all of their stuff is worth a read (whoever your bias may be, they got stories on them), but my personal faves are their vampire au series, some +18 stuff there but majority of the stories are oneshots and drabbles

@honeyedhoseok (I think now @tawnytaehyung)

I’m sure everything they wrote is worth a read from what I’ve read thus far but because of that, I can really only recommend the three fics I actually read.

Series: Besitos (ta!Jimin) rated M for recent developments hoho~

Bruh why is this not reality? Why don’t we get really hot TAs to crush on? It would’ve made my school life hella easier and I’d get that perfect attendance. Jimin is your hottie creative writing TA who you can’t help but crush on (but can anyone blame you) and envious to all, he likes you back too. College au shenanigans, teacher/student dynamic, and dorky wingman ta!Taehyung friend.

Oneshot/drabbles (Crossroad demon!Jimin): Crossroads + Hunted + Captured Part One *NEW + Captured Part Two *NEW

I’d sell my soul to satan if he looks like bs&t!Jimin. You basically make a deal with crossroad demon!Jimin and can’t help but actually grow fond of the supposed devious, soul eating creature of hell.

Series: The Black Book (CEO!Hoseok) rated M

My heart can’t take the drama but it’s still a really good read. CEO!Hoseok may be young and rich but he definitely has some questionable methods of relieving stress, one that you’re all too aware of which makes things super awkward cuz you in love with the man. Does CEO!Hoseok eventually change thanks to you or do old habits die hard and just leave you in a world of hurt? Again if it’s Hoseok he can be the biggest jerkface and I’d still be charmed.

@dovechim

Shorts/Drabbles: the ocean (mermaid!Jimin) + drabble

Because goddammit mermaid!Jimin is cute okay??! (and I love me a good supernatural au of any sort) You’re a ballet dancer going to Busan Arts and stumble upon Jimin chillin’ in the water by the beach. You mistake him as fellow peer but hey he shows up to your class anyways (totally rocks the dance thing) but then as time passes, you find that something is quite...fishy about him.

Series: It’s okay, that’s love (splitpersonality!Jimin)

No not the drama. Okay so a shrink is still involved and that’s played by you and you’ve got water polo player!Jimin who has split personality disorder (he’s scary when he’s angry...) as your patient, except he doesn’t know about this ‘other self’ of his. As if feelings aren’t already making things complicated, imagine accidentally finding yourself rooming with him (along with your other favourite boys).

@hobibliophile

Okay so I might’ve read all of their Jimin stuff and yes. All yes (warning: they’re +18 stuff soooo)

The only other fic I’ve read from them is Ambrosia (M) starring Fallen Angel!Hoseok....I like supernatural au fics alright. Fallen angel or not, Hobi is still super sweet and since this is a series, we don’t know what the reason was and MAJOR CLIFFHANGER!

@jimlingss

Series: Beyond Reach (ghost!Hoseok) ft. Reaper!Namjoon and other ghosties

This shit made me nearly cry five times....FIVE TIMES. I say nearly because I don’t like crying so it took literally all my willpower to not (ended up with a runny nose though). ANGST AS SHIT. Has some triggering stuff involving death so be warned. It’s a good read though....BUT SAD AS HELL (at least it’s completed :’))

One Shot: Head Over Heels to Hell (reverse soulmate!AU, Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers! Hoseok x reader)

Oh yes, this was a WILD RIDE. Goddamn it’s like you hate the man but then in the end that shit got me emotional for some reason like djgskh good shit good shit (you have gone through multiple different lives meeting Hoseok, all of which he screws you over somehow but in the end of it all... perhaps things could still work out??)

Series: The Deli Diaries (produce! Jimin x Deli worker!you) fluff, slow-burn

Holy shit this is cute af. It’s so mundane (guess that’s a fair warning??) but just reading the way the relationship develops is just....ahh!!! I want my own cute Jimin who pines after my dumbass TAT

Series: Jungle Park (Workplace Romance AU, Lawyer! Hoseok x New HR Manager!Reader) fluff, slow-burn, slice of life, a little angst **NEW

A long series for those of you who love to read chapter fics! Oh my God this was a thrilling ride of emotions! The pacing is amazing, each chapter you’re hooked on wanting to see more development on the history between these two so it’s worth a read! I love how Hoseok is portrayed here; it’s like a piece of how he would be in real life is put into just another scenario (Also hate how reader is like... relatable in a way where I also majored in HR so...WHERE’S THE OFFICE ROMANCE LIFE TRAIN GONNA HIT ME WITH THAT??)

Three Shot: Magic & Mysteries (Familiar/Hybrid!Jimin x Witch! Reader) fluff, a little angsty, comedy, romance **NEW

A three shot series involving what the title says! Magic! It’s a little adventure tale of our reader who’s a witch struggling to find her place in terms of specialty and overcoming some fears and insecurities with the help of sassy (but secretly cares a lot) Jimin who’s a wizard cursed to be a dog (that looks like Chimmy!) It’s cute and pretty wholesome in my opinion :)

Also an honorable mention from them is the Service Series (it’s fluffier dw) and honestly their other fics are definitely worth a read :D

@7cypher

Oneshot: Devil’s Advocate (devil/demon!Jimin)

Ironic how despite being a devil Jimin is still the sweetest being to exist. Devil!Jimin walks into your life abruptly and worms his way into your heart with his devilishly good looks and sweet charms. It’s hella cute, a slightly angsty ‘defining’ moment that actually had me tearing up a bit??? (I’m a sap for sweet, tender affection like the ones that happened in here okay??) but it all ends well :)

@seokkbuns

I’ve read most of their Hoseok and Jimin stuff but I think all of their fics are worth a read!

@boymeetsweevil

Oneshot: Cover You In Constellations (Hoseok x reader fic)

I’ve read this a while ago but keep coming back to it because oh god this was cute, so domestic and so fluffy like this is the kinda shit I would pull if I had a boyfriend like Hoseok like skdjfskgha. I like the way writer portrays Hoseok because it feels so like what I imagine he would react. Hoseok deserves all the love ;_;

@kittentaegu

Series: My Boss, The Vampire (Vamp!Jimin x reader fic)

Two parts are out so far and I’m loving the premise! New office worker with notoriously hot CEO Park Jimin who has a secret to hide (guess what it is). One day, you find out what it is and so now what?? Things get steamy ;D Also, the title of it is so K-dramaesque and I don’t know! I like the charm it adds to it!

@readyplayerhobi **NEW

Honestly all of their fics are worth a read because they flawlessly combine story building with any kind of genre you can think of. Some are smutty, some of fluffy and some are just downright angsty but you just want to read them all regardless!

@yminie **NEW

Series: Nine-One-One (Detective!Jimin x First Responder! Reader) fluff, angst, romance, old flame au, future smut, and other mature themes!

This is thrilling! In both romantic and story aspects! The base story line is that there’s a serial murderer on the loose who’s been stalking reader and Jimin and his team are on the case about it. They’ve both got romantic history with each other and as old feelings resurfaces, so does the situation as things hit a little too close to home. Obviously with serial murderers involved, there is mentions of death, suicide and well...the warnings there!

A03 Fics

*will be pretty rare on this list; am I the only one who finds it super hard to find good fics on there?

Author: kimtrain

I swear they had a tumblr before since that’s the only reason why I remember them and their fics. Thankfully they’re all there still and all of them are 👌👌👌 Mermaid!Hoseok AU and the Hybrid!AU are my faves.

Fic: Warm Blood by ARMY_BRAT

The one instance where my weakness for supernatural AUs + wanting to read something paid off. MC is an ARMY but also a grim reaper so what happens when BTS shows up on her list, destined to die? Well, she says NOT TODAY but that just throws EVERYTHING out of the loop, leaving her to fix it.

Went into it with a grain of salt (ngl description was...ehh) BUT was pleasantly surprised! Digging the writing style which made MC really likeable so far and the AU strongly reminds me of Goblin: The Lonely God but focusing more on the grim reaper side of things which, personally, I was WAY more interested in even with the drama so yay! :D Glad someone took inspiration from it. Still ongoing and fairly new so dsfajdkas

Fic: Three Pints Full by Valkook **NEW

Woah it’s a vampire/supernatural fic! A little on the mature side because there’s well...blood...a little bit of death mentioned...and smut... BUT a really compelling story! Set mainly as a Cop/Detective! Reader who’s been assigned to solving some mysterious deaths/murders happening in the wild parts Montana joined in with appearances by Hunter/Tracker!Yoongi, Partner!Hoseok and Vampire!Jimin, Jungkook and more!

[jos-corner-of-the-world]

HELLO it's me ur lhotl anon :'D i hope ur mom gets better and her condition stabilizes soon :'( and omf ure right the healthcare system sucks balls. i dont think ive ever had a good experience w american healthcare itself ((although some doctors and nurses are fr angels)) and how it works as a system. still, dont worry about the update!! ur family should always come first ❤️ stay safe always and get plenty of rest when u visit ur mom! ❤️❤️ also i hope the vaccine's side effects arent too harsh on you :'( stay hydrated and remember to take ur vitamin c ❤️❤️

Oh there are for sure some amazing nurses and techs where my mom is. The Dr...no so much 😬

They're doing a cat scan and MRI of her heart today so we'll see what we can find out, hopefully good!

I have been getting plenty of rest. A whole week of average 4.5 hrs a sleep made me sleep early last night

I have no side effects except for a slightly stuffy nose today (could also be my allergies because I'm outside and living around shit ton of crops) and a vicious bruise at the injections side (probably the anemia) lol

Vitamin c huh? C as in coffee? Cause got the more than covered 🤪 if not....yeah should probably take some vitamins today.

Thanks lhotl anon. (You should give yourself a name. Doesn't have to be real or even a name...but an identifier if you want 💕💕)

[shinwnn]

college! jinwoo au

sokay jinwoo is s u p e r well known on campus because he's essentially the guy that’s always fun to be around and exudes confidence

he’s studying linguistics bc he’s fascinated with languages but also he just loves to talk and everyones always making jokes about how he’s so good with languages because he loves the sound of his own voice so much that he never shuts up

he also works at the campus radio station bc he just loves music so much!! AND he’s worked his way up to being a host so getting to play music & talk is basically the dream for him

everyone always tunes in during the hours that jinwoos hosting bc his taste in music is honestly amazing and he has the best radio voice and it makes everything he says sound interesting

you also listen to his show bc he honestly has never played a song you didn’t either already love or instantly fall in love with

but also you’re really beginning to hate this boy because the only reason you actually know him is because he lives right above you in the dorms

and he hosts the L O U D E S T parties that always happen to go till 4 am

usually you and your roommate fight over who has to go up and ask them to quiet down but tonight your roommate is out with some friends and its already 2 am you’re just laying in bed listening to the nonstop thudding sounds coming from above you & ur almost about to die because you have a 7:30 class tmrw

finally you force yourself out of bed and and into the hallway toward jinwoo’s room and you're so tired you're basically already half asleep

when you knock on the door and jinwoo comes out to see sleepy you in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings trying to form a coherent sentence ( it came out more like “the sound.. .too much.. please. stop.. the sound… theres a lot of it”) he can’t help but think you’re about the cutest thing he’s ever seen

and maybe if your eyes weren’t half closed and you weren’t entirely annoyed with the boy, you would’ve also thought he looked cute in his skinny jeans, t-shirt that was just a little bit too big, and perfectly messed up hair

but right now you're pretty much only focused on keeping yourself from completely collapsing in his door way

he feels really bad because you look like you're about to pass out but then his party has expanded to basically the whole floor and he’s lost the ability to control the noise level

he  looks around for a few seconds and without saying anything goes to try to shuffle people into rooms and closing the doors in attempt to quiet things down a little

in the meanwhile you're still standing there in the door way wondering if you should go back now but for some reason your feet aren't moving and wow the floor looks really comfortable right now

but then before you can go to ur final resting place on the floor, jinwoo is back in front of you and he notices that you're like not stable so he puts his hands on your shoulders to try and hold you up and he's like “sorry about everyone. i don’t know if i can do much more about the noise, but i hope that helped a little bit???... also are you okay???”

and no ur obviously not okay bc all you've wanted for the past 3 hrs is to go to bed but everything like 20x quieter now and its so peaceful so you just offer a sleepy smile and nod and turn around to head back toward ur room and ur bed

but then suddenly someones linked their arm with yours and its jin jin trying to be cute and gentlemanly and walk u back to ur room but mostly he's like 90% sure ur gonna collapse in the hall on the way back

ur initial reaction is !! heLLO STRANGER DANGER?? you've only talked to this boy like twice ??? and u sort of tug ur arm away

but jin jin reacts really quickly and like gently pulls u back and he's like “you look like you could use the help. c’mon-“

but even half asleep u does not want the pity of a random cute boy who throws loud parties and disturbs ur sleep so u slightly perk up and are like “ what’s that supposed to mean? are U trying to say I look BAD?”

and jin jin is kind of flustered and taken aback but immediately recovers bc pls this is park jinwoo

“actually i think you look pretty cute and id rather not wake up tomorrow morning to find that you tripped down the stairs to your death while going back to your room because you were too tired.”

so ur like annoyed but ur also like ,,,, fine, maybe i do need someone to make sure i don't die before i get back to my room and also you're kinda leaning into him while u guys are walking and its really nice not having to carry ur own weight

when u guys get to ur door jin jin leans against the frame as ur unlocking it and before u go in he decides to throw away any shred of pride he has and goes for the literally cheesiest line bc he’s never seen anyone look as cute as you do right now

“so, what about a good night kiss?”

u look up to see the brightest smile u have ever?? seen?? like how is he glowing right now but also ur like “did u really just say that”

and u see him get kinda embarrased and ur like woW IS PARK JINWOO THE GOLDEN BOY OF THE SCHOOL ACTUALLY BLUSHING RIGHT NOW??

he’s not really use to rejection bc he hasn't really met a girl he would put himself out there for (but lets be real even if he had, no one would've rejected him what are u doing??)

so he just looks down at the floor and puts his hand on his neck like “ha h a, , yeah, probably shouldn’t have”

but he looks really cute all flustered and you dunno why, tho its probabbly bc ur so tired that u don't actually know if any of this is really happening, but u give him a peck on the cheek and a quick good night before u go inside to ur sweet, sweet bed

n jin jin is just standing outside of ur room, stunned bc WOW ur an angel did that really just happen to him

by the time he gets back to his floor, the partying has pretty much died down to nothing since he really killed the mood when he started pushing people into their rooms for your sake

so he just goes to his room and his roommate mj is laying in bed on his phone (super calm for a change) and jin jin all but jumps on him like “you wouLD NOT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED”

and ofc mj immediately is as awake as ever dying to know what

after telling mj every detail he basically goes to bed thinking about u being cute whereas youve been knocked out for the past 20 minutes without so much as a thought about it

the next day you’re up by 7 bc u want to get some food and coffee before class so you hit up a cafe on the way to the lecture hall and order your food and sit down at one of the tables to wait

you're running on about 4 hrs of sleep right now so you're not exactly at your prime and you're leaning on your arm while scrolling through your instagram when suddenly your hair is being ruffled and you hear “morning sleepyhead!”

you look up to see jin jin smiling his goofy smile and you’re like “okay firstly, never touch my hair ever again. secondly, why on earth are u up so early, u probably went to bed like … an hour ago”

so he’s like telling u about how he’s helping out around the studio during the morning radio show today and you guys start talking about his radio show and he finds out you listen and it makes him feel all warm and happy for some reason

and you guys start talking about music and you guys have pretty much the same taste and he slips in that he’s been working on some music with his roommate and a few friends and he just gets so excited talking about it

when he can tell that you’re genuinely interested and you ask him questions about their group (which he says is called astro) you can literally see his eyes lighting up and you’re losing track of time bc this is honestly one of the nicest conversations you've had in a long time with one of the nicest boys like, ever

but then u get a notification and see the time on your phone and it’s freaking 745!!!  ur already 15 min late to class and you're still like 10 min away from the hall so you grab your things and are like

“shoot im sorry i totally forgot about the time im late to my lecture”

and while you're cleaning up you just keep rambling about how you're screwed bc the class isn't recorded or anything and you don't know anyone you can get notes from and you had like 4 hours of sleep yesterday (which u remind him is his fault) and oh my goodness why is everything bad happening to you

and jin jins just sitting and sipping his coffee looking at you with most amused look on his face and you're still all flustered from being late and u go to throw ur trash away and

when ur back jin jin has ur book bag over his shoulder and his hands are in his pocket as if this is like a normal thing that u do everyday and ur just like ?? are u robbing me? give me my bag and hes like

“no, cmon i’m walking you to class”

and u don't have time to fight it and really you don't mind at all so you just head out the door toward your hall when u remember that he has to go to work and then u forget that you're totally late for class bc now you're worried for him being late for work and u try to grab ur bag from him and are like “o  my goSH JINWOO ur gonna be LATE for WORK”

but he completely ignores u and just keeps on walking and ur like ARE U LISTENING and he finally turns around and is just like

“i can afford to be a little late, they wont miss me. plus i’d much rather be with you”

and ofc be freaking winks at u and ur like oh my goodness that was cute but u just roll ur eyes and are like “okay fine, but don’t get used to walking me to places”

and u suddenly remember last nights events very clearly ending with u kissing him on the cheek and u get embarrassed

and it only gets worse when he's like “why? i thought i was pretty good at it, especially after the kiss you gave me for it last night. i was getting ready to transfer majors to physical education so i could work on my stamina and walk you to even further places. it was supposed to be our tradition, walking places. man it was gonna be good”

and ur annoyed bc you've never met someone so irritating yet likable. how does that even work? i dk, but park jinwoo does

when u guys get to ur lecture hall ur suddenly not in a rush at all to go inside bc as much as u hate to admit it to urself, you’d much rather hang out with jin jin

so now ur just standing face to face and he’s looking at you smiling his angelic smile and now its ur turn to contemplate what to do before you leave

and u just wrinkle ur nose before finally deciding to give him a quick peck on the cheek again and then ur just like “maybe that can be part of the tradition”

before he can say anything you've already grabbed ur bag and run into the hall and left him smiling like an idiot

when he gets to work he's still so happy and he’s in a good mood everyday but today it’s just like, intensified all his coworkers can tell he's happier than usual and they’re just like “had a good morning jin jin?” and he's like “GREAT MORNING”

meanwhile ur sitting in class like omg did i actually just do that? also why?

and then like 20 minutes later ur like okay i like park jinwoo

after you get out of class you head back to your dorm to work on some essays for a couple of hours and you see that it’s around the time that jin jin is hosting so you tune in

and after the song that’s playing ends you hear jin jin’s voice and he’s talking about his theory on how toy story and finding nemo are connected and all u can do is roll ur eyes and laugh

but then u hear him go “you should be out of class by now, so i hope you're listening. this next songs for you sleepyhead”  

u can hardly believe u just heard him say that and find u urself blushing & even more so when u realize the song that’s playing is pretty u by seventeen

right as you hear the last lines of the song “does she love me, does she love me not…” you get a text from jin jin

“pretty cool huh? i think that deserves a thank you”

to which you reply “you want me to thank you for passive aggressively dedicating songs to me?”

he eventually gets you to agree to let him take u out for dinner and you're so amazed with how comfortable you feel around him and how easily he makes u laugh

it’s just really perfect since u guys started officially dating

a lot of the songs being played during jin jins hours have suspiciously been love songs so much so that he started getting complaints and u had to force him to start playing other things

and as far as those parties that last till 3 am, lately jin jins been finding it a lot more appealing to just sit on the couch with you sharing a blanket and exchanging sleepy kisses as you listen to music

[woodlenelf]

My Dream

So I've gotten a lot of asks about my dream saying they want to know like details or what happened in the dream specifically and so I decided to just write it out like a story and I hope that maybe if you're struggling this might be able to help you some too?

I was at my collage campus in my English lecture hall listening to my professor drone on about English literature and Shakespeare, trying not to die of boredom. As I sat there I glanced around to see if anyone was in the same predicament when I spotted a guy with green hair sitting across the room. I couldn't see his face but he was wearing a grey South Park hoodie and black skinny jeans, and had headphones around his neck as if he'd just gotten out of an intense gaming session. Intrigued I wondered if he knew about Jacksepticeye, or if he'd just settled on that style on his own. I decided to wait until the end of class to approach him.

As the lecture neared its end he started to pack up his bag, I followed suit and quickly got up to see if I could catch up to him before he left, but as he stood up I saw his face. There was no way I could mistake him for anyone other than he was... Jack was in my class!? My English class? Suspicious I followed him, albeit pretty far away as I was way too shy to actually approach him now I knew who he was. He walked through the campus, smiling and giving a little wave to every few people who past by. He walked to the Red Barn (a large area where students gather for parties and inspirational speeches on campus). I followed but made sure to stay out of sight. I saw him meet with the Dean and they were talking about getting ready for what was basically going to be jack speaking to campus students about PMA later that day. This went on for probably 20 minutes before Jack started to leave. I decided to attend the speech that night and went home to get ready.

Later than day, around 6 or 7 I started heading back to the barn for the speech, however when I got there, the amount of people there made me feel nauseous. I have severe social anxiety and the thought of trying to squeeze into the barn with all those people made me want to curl up and die. I steeled myself for a moment, summoning my courage and made my way inside.

Unfortunately though it only took about 10 minutes of being pushed around by other students as they tried to get closer to the stage to make me ready to have a full on panic attack. Jack hadn't even come on yet and I was already about to start crying from the pure terror of this many people. Giving up I ran outside and hid behind the building. I leaned against the brick wall and breathed hard, trying to calm myself down for another attempt, but before I could convince myself to go back, it started to rain. I looked up at the sky, glaring at the clouds, as if to scold them. Slowly, I slid down the wall and sat on the ground, not able to care anymore about the state of my clothes or even who would see me, and began to cry. It felt like the whole world was crashing down, like I was being punished for just existing... I couldn't breath, I couldn't think, I couldn't move, all I could do was sit in the rain and cry. I don't know how long I cried before the rain stopped. Well, it didn't stop exactly, it jut stopped raining on me. I looked up confused to see an umbrella over my head, when I followed the arm of the person holding it back to them, I saw Jack. He was standing over me, hair mussed from the rain and humidity, watching me with concern. "You okay?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. I hesitated then shook my head, looking down at the pavement. I saw him move beside me out of the corner of my eye and felt an arm drape around my shoulder pulling me into a hug. I don't know why but for a moment, the world seemed to vanish, like nothin g could hurt me as long as I stayed here. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, giving my shoulder a squeeze. I looked back at him, at first, no. I didn't... I didn't want to trouble him with my story or bore him with the details, but the way he seemed to genuinely care, his reassuring smile, it broke down my walls and I started to spill out everything I'd been holding in. From my family, my friends, out of everyone around me, it felt like I could trust him. I told him about ever time I had to move, about the divorces and heart breaks, I told him about my struggles to take care of myself, to convince myself to get out of bed, to eat, I told him everything. He listened quietly for the most part, nodding every now and again to show he was listening. Sometimes he would offer a small bit of advice or agree verbally, but mostly, he just listened. In all honesty, all I needed was someone to listen, someone who I knew wouldn't judge me for what I needed to say, and he let me have that. By the time I finished I was crying again, but not because I was upset, not out of sadness or desperation but out of relief. It felt good to talk to someone, especially someone who didn't have to be there, someone not obligated by some connection to me, the way a family member, friend or therapist would feel obligated... but just someone who cared enough to listen.

When I had finished he nodded slowly and looked out at the courtyard before speaking. "There isn't something I can say that will make everything better, or some magic pill I can give you to make this go away...." He paused as if calculating his next sentence. "but I can promise it'll get better. Things always have the potential to get better... sure they can get worse too, but in the end, it'll all work out." He smiled at me and continued. "Eventually, the struggles you're facing now will be behind you, you'll get past them and come out better for it... and while that may not sound very encouraging, or seem too far away to be worth fighting for, I promise you it's better than the alternative of giving up hope.... half of the battle with depression will be finding the little things that keep you going, the little things that allow you to smile and clear the fog for a bit." I nodded slowly and sighed softly looking at my hands. "So what do I do until then..." I mumbled. "Keep your chin up." He said simply. "As much as you can, keep a positive mental attitude. Instead of saying you can't say you can even if you fail. Life may be hard right now, but your struggles don't define you." He stood up, offering a hand to help me up. When I took it he pulled me to my feet and hugged me tightly. "You'll get through this, just keep pushing... and when it feels like you can't push ahead anymore remember there are people in this world that will help you. You aren't alone, even if it feels like it sometimes." I nodded and smiled a little, reaching up to dry my tears. "Thanks..." I said. He let go, taking a step back and frowned. "What?" I asked, worried I'd made a mistake and he shook his head. "You're soaked... and it's cold. You'll catch a cold if we don't get you dried off and warm..." he took my hand and guided me inside through a back entrance to get me cleaned up. The staff was nice enough offering me spare clothes they had on hand, a red t-shirt and some sweat pants while my clothes dried off. I shivered slightly, as my hair was still wet and wrapped my arms around myself to try to get warmer. Jack chuckled and shook his head, before pulling off his hoodie to reveal a burgundy long sleeve shirt and handing the hoodie to me. "Put this on" he instructed. I'm pretty sure I blushed, it was sweet of him to help me when he didn't know me. I slipped on the hoodie, it was way too big for me and the sleeves covered my hands. It was warm and smelled like coffee, mint toothpaste and deodorant. It was pleasant, like wearing a hug. I stuttered out a thank you and he hugged me one more time. "Now... don't forget there are people that are here for you okay?" I nodded dumbly. "And there are people who love you very much even if you don't think so.... so please take care of yourself. Eat, get up, walk around the house if that's all you can manage, but do something to take care of yourself for the day okay? Promise me?" He looked at me, concern laced into his features and I nodded. "I promise... I'll do my best"

That's when I woke up. For the first time in days I actually got up and ate a real breakfast, I had a Banana with some Raisin Bran cereal and a glass of orange juice. I showered and got dressed in some nice clothes I hadn't had the courage to wear in a long time and went for a walk with my dog around the neighborhood. For the first time in months I felt like I could breathe without the weight of the world resting on my chest and it felt amazing. I don't know what the dream was, if it was my body trying to keep me safe or if it was a message from a guardian angel trying to urge me forward, but it worked. And since the dream I've worked harder to take care of myself, because I made a promise to do so, and I'm not about to disappoint Jack, dream or not.

[kingcritter]

Short Story: BALLMER PEAK

Blink. Blink. Blink.

The little green cursor on my terminal screen, prompting me to write something -- anything! -- steadily blinked at me. Mocking me, I was sure of it. I slowly lifted my hands to the keyboard, feeling as though I was dragging them through molasses. Sweat beaded on my brow.

I can do this, I lied to myself. I knew I just needed to start, and then the floodgates in my brain would open and my fingers would dance across the keyboard and I'd finish this assignment before the deadline and I wouldn't be fired and blacklisted from any future programming jobs and my wife wouldn't leave me and my children wouldn't hate me and oh god I'm doomed.

With sluggish fingers I typed:

> print "hello world"

My brain's floodgates remained resolutely closed.

I slumped forward onto my desk, burying my head in my folded arms. I had a month to finish what I was becoming convinced was more than a month's work. I'd been so proud at the beginning, a year ago -- which now felt like a lifetime -- when I was selected to work with the renowned Dr. Sandburg on the task of integrating the nation's nuclear arsenal with the Strategic Defense Initiative network. It had all gone so well in the beginning, until disaster struck...

I missed Sandberg. In the 10 months we worked together, I learned so much from him. He was a brilliant man who never met a problem he couldn't solve. I wished I could talk to him now...

I sighed, slumping back into my chair, looking at the picture that hung on my office wall. Dr. Sandberg, myself, and the rest of the team, all looking so fresh faced and happy, unaware of the tragedy that lurked in our futures.

My gaze wandered around my office. No amount of interior decoration could cover up the suffocating blandness of a government office building, and to be honest I hadn't really tried. Besides the photo of better times that hung on my wall, I only had a few sturdy bookcases, a messy desk currently cluttered with reference books and three-ring binders full of technical specifications, today's newspaper ("NIXON ACQUITTED", blared the headline) and a few other odds and ends.

I had a polaroid photograph of my wife taped to the side of my terminal. I'd taken it last month when we had a picnic. Golden sunlight backlit the hair that framed her face, creating an almost angelic appearance. Her radiant smile, even frozen in time like this, was still infectious enough that I found myself reflexively smiling back. I sure was a lucky guy... well, in that regard, anyway. My smile slipped as I remembered my current predicament.

I heaved a dramatic, self pitying sigh, and stood up and trudged for the door. Perhaps a walk to the water cooler would clear my mind. It hadn't worked the last twelve times I'd tried it in the last hour, but maybe the thirteenth time would be the charm.

As I rounded my desk, my eye was caught by a knick-knack I had sitting on top of one of my bookshelves. It was a length of a miniature white-picket fence, made from toothpicks, mounted on a simple wooden platform. It had been a gift from a senior programmer, Devin Smith. Back when I first arrived at the agency, fresh out of MIT, I had discovered an off-by-one error during a review of Devin's code.

Off-by-one errors, popularly known as the "fencepost problem", result from incorrectly iterating over a collection of elements. It's an abstract problem that can result in very concrete real world problems. A computer-controlled machine at a Ford factory might miss a critical rivet; a fully computerized waste treatment plant might dump raw sewage into rivers when it tries to fill a tank it doesn't have; and in one very real, still-classified example, a seventy million dollar CIA spy satellite had plunged into the atlantic ocean shortly after lunch, when only twenty-eight of the twenty-nine decoupling explosives ignited.

The fencepost problem was one that had plagued programmers since the dawn of the computing age, and wasn't always easy to spot. Devin Smith had been so impressed (and, I suspect, slightly embarrassed) that a rookie had discovered a bug in his code, he made and gifted me the miniature picket fence. As I gazed down at it, I realized that since the deaths of Dr. Sandberg and the rest, I'd been so busy I'd barely talked to anyone else. There may not be anyone left with specific domain knowledge of my current project, but others, surely, had faced similar problems.

Who to talk to... Devin? I chuckled to myself and placed the toothpick fence back on my shelf. I wasn't that desperate.

I knocked on the open office door. "Larry? Do you have a minute?"

Larry Goldsmith looked up from his desk and peered at me over his spectacles. "Ah, Kevin! Come right in!"

In the programming world, older programmers are affectionately known as "grey beards." Larry Goldsmith not only had a literal grey bread -- a great big bushy thing that complimented his Santa Clause-esque physique -- but had also been in the business for most of his sixty years of life. He had worked on the Apollo project, where programming involved hand-weaving wires through magnetic cores. I

I took a seat and quickly explained my problem. The work was 95% done, but this last, critical five percent was proving to be intractable. Anytime I tried to work on it, I felt overcome with anxiety and helplessness, and I couldn't write a single line of code.

When I was finished, Larry leaned back in his chair and tugged his beard thoughtfully. "I see, I see... honestly, I'm surprised you haven't had a mental break yet, with the pressure you must be facing. To lose your team -- your friends, your mentor -- so suddenly and in such a tragic way, and shouldering the weight of the whole project, I can hardly imagine what you must be going through." His face twisted in anger, and pounded a meaty fist on the desk. "Damn communists! Dr. Sandburg was a good friend of mine, and to die in a goddamn Pizza Hut, of all places..."

"Well, we never proved it was the Russians --"

"Bah," Larry replied dismissively, "I don't believe in coincidences. A gas line explodes and wipes out almost an entire team working on nuclear response technology, and I'm supposed to believe it was just chance? Nonsense."

"Well, I'm only here because of chance. The only reason I wasn't there is because I came down with the flu the day before." I smiled bitterly. "You know, the only reason we were celebrating was because we'd just hit the final milestone before delivery. The last component needed -- the part I'm now stuck on -- was the integration with the Minuteman silos. Dr. Sandburg was going to write that part himself, because he had the most knowledge of the interface."

I fell silent, slipping back into depression. Larry studied my morose posture with a critical eye. After a moment, he broke the silence with an unexpected revelation. "I'm sure I don't look like the type, but I am a strong believer in the benefits of meditation, of becoming a more, ah, spiritually connected man."

I cocked a dubious eyebrow. "Really?"

Larry chuckled. "Really! In fact, I've gone overseas and spent time with holy men of various religions and practices. In fact, I even visited the bhudist monks in the Vietnam territories, after we won. And I have to tell you, getting in touch with your inner self can help in so many ways. I think your problem is that you're too stressed out to concentrate -- you need to cleanse yourself of your worries and doubts before you can move forward. Here, I'll lend you a book about it…"

Larry rummaged in his desk drawers for a moment. "I know it was here somewhere... ah! Found it!"

I took the proffered paperback. The cover featured the silhouette of a man in a lotus pose, and the title "Becoming the Better You," by someone by the name of "Thích Quảng Đức". The book was somewhat worse for wear; clearly Larry had gotten his money's worth out of it. I was doubtful, but... well, if it worked for Larry, maybe it'd work for me. I thanked him, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and returned to my office. I cracked open the book to page one and started my spiritual journey.

The deadline was in a week. I'd read the book, cover to back, and then back to cover, and tried everything it suggested. All I had to show for it was a few hundred lines of mediocre code, and an even worse case of depression. Okay, I thought with all the determination I could muster, one more time. I closed my eyes, then took a breath, counted to three, exhaled, and repeated. I cleared my mind the way the book had taught me, pushing my worries to the side, one by one. I felt myself becoming more relaxed. Maybe this time it was actually working. Maybe this time I would have a breakthrough. Breath in, breath out. Breath in, breath out. Breath in...

I opened my eyes. My terminal was still blank. I looked at the clock, and realized I'd just slept for four hours. I swore loudly and threw the book across the room. It missed the trash can, but I didn't care. Okay, I thought. Meditation isn't more me. I stood and headed for the door. If the world of spirits lacked the answers I sought, perhaps the world of science would have them.

I found Harvey Ketiel in his cubicle, sorting through a stack of paperwork. Harvey was a psychologist, and although we never saw each other on an average workday, I'd become friends with him through the company bowling league. Ah, bowling... one of a hundred fun things I hadn't done in months.

Harvey glanced up when he heard me approaching, then did a double take. "Kevin? You're the last person I expected to see today, but I'm glad I did!" I grinned and took a seat, and we chatted for a few minutes, catching up on what we'd been up to. The conversation soon moved to my purpose of being there, and Harvey listened intently as I described my problem.

"I think," he said, after I'd finished, "I know exactly how to help you."

"Well, that's a relief! Hopefully it doesn't involve shock therapy or anything similar?"

Harvey laughed. "Nah, man, just an egg timer. I just read about it, it's in one of these..." He shuffled through a stack of scientific journals, pulled on out, and flipped through it. "Ah, here it is. It's a focusing technique called the Pomodoro Method, and this study showed that subjects in the experiment that used the method became 83 to 240 percent more efficient at the tasks they were assigned."

"And all I need is a timer?"

"Yup! You simply set a timer for thirty minutes, do your work, then set a timer for five minutes and do anything other than work. The theory is that it's easy to concentrate and get past things like writers block when you set a time limit. Basically, your brain is terrified of working for an indeterminate amount of time, but you can easily convince yourself to work for a measly half-hour, and then another half-hour, and then another until all your work is done! It's like magic, except it's science."

"Well, it certainly sounds easy. I'll give it a shot!"

I took my leave and headed back to my office with a feeling of renewed optimism. I only had a week left, sure, but looking at it another way, I had a whole week! I could do this, I knew I could.

The deadline was tomorrow. It was 3:35 PM. I was not finished, not by a long shot.

The Pomodoro method had helped, for sure, but the core problem of self doubt remained. I found myself spending whole days writing and rewriting the same functions, unsatisfied with the quality of work and knowing I could do better.

Perhaps it was time to admit defeat. Grovel at the feet of upper management and hope I wasn't fired. I looked bleakly around my office. It wasn't a great office, but at least it was mine. I didn't want to start over in a cubicle somewhere else... my eyes alighted, as they had a month prior, on the model picket fence. Desperate times call for desperate measures, I thought. Time to talk to Devin Smith.

The elevator ride down to the basement was a quiet one, giving me plenty of time to think about Devin. It wasn't that I was scared of Devin, it was just that... well, he was unsettling, and everyone knew it. His office (called by some of us, though not to his face, his lair) was in the basement, near the mainframe that our terminals connected to. It was there because he wanted it to be there, saying that he liked the privacy. No one objected, because no one was even sure who he reported to or what projects he worked on.

With his long black hair and frequent sneering criticisms of the very government he worked for, rumours swirled that he was a homosexual or a communist, or maybe a homosexual communist. But someone higher up must have liked him, because he never faced any trouble for either allegation. And then there was the open secret that he kept a loaded .45 in his desk...

The elevator doors creaked open, and I made my way through the concrete hallways until I reached Devin's office. The door was closed, but I could see light seeping out from beneath it. I knocked, and entered after hearing a curt "come in!"

The overhead light wasn't on, the only illumination coming from a desk lamp. Harsh shadows engulfed the office, making Devin's angular face all the more sharper. He sipped from a coffee cup and motioned towards a simple plastic chair. "Sit."

I did as ordered. I knew Devin has served in Vietnam, and though he never talked about his time there, I was confident he must have been an NCO, because when he told someone to do something, you could hear in his tone that he expected to be obeyed.

"Well, well, well," he drawled. Kevin Schumer. I haven't seen you around recently, but I'm not surprised. I hear the Minuteman integration is kicking your ass -- that right?"

"Well, I wouldn't say kicking my ass," I started to say defensively, then stopped. "No, sorry, you're absolutely right. That's actually why I'm here..."

As I recounted my tale of woe, Devin said nothing, content to merely sip his coffee. His shadowed face was impassive and inscrutable.

"...and so," I finished, "I came here. I know you've done lots of great work -- I mean, I don't know what you actually do, haha, no one does -- but uh, it's, uh, I'm assuming it's good because you haven't been fired, haha..."

Devin sipped his coffee and continued saying nothing. I nervously cleared my throat, trying to forget the conversation I'd had with a coworker, in which she swore she'd seen a photograph of Devin in Vietnam, wearing a necklace of human ears. "What I'm trying to say is, do you have any suggestions for what I can try? I mean, it's probably too late now, but..."

I fell silent. Devin carefully placed his coffee cup back on his desk. He leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Do you think you lack the ability to write this code?"

"I... I don't know, honestly. I hoped I did, but it hasn't been working out so far..."

"You said that Dr. Sandberg was going to write this code originally, correct? What knowledge did he have that you don't?"

"Well, he knew the Minuteman interface better than anyone --"

"How did he acquire this knowledge?"

I frowned. "Well... I guess he just read through the technical specifications --"

"And you haven't?"

"Of course I have," I snapped. "Over and over again. But I don't have Sandberg's years of experience, or his deep understanding of system design, or --"

"I think you're wrong. Sandberg picked you specifically as his second in command, and he wasn't known for making bad decisions. I think you have both the knowledge and skillset to pull this off. What you lack is the confidence. Riddle me this: if the code you needed to write already existed, and someone were to read it aloud to you, how long would it take to type it in?"

I thought about it for a moment, comparing the expected work to previous projects I'd worked on. "Um, probably about eight hours?"

"Then it shouldn't take much longer to write it from scratch, because you know what? You already wrote the code in your mind, you just don't know it. All you have to do is turn off the thinking portion of your brain and let the code flow through you. And for that, I have something that will help you. This coffee mug isn't filled with coffee, you know."

I was momentarily nonplussed at the seeming non sequitur. "What?"

Devin opened a desk drawer and pulled something out. I saw a glint of silver, and was briefly convinced I was going to see the rumoured .45 up-close and personal. But then I realized it wasn't a gun, it was a silver flask. Devin spun the cap off and tilted the contents into his mug, refilling it.

"This is the secret to my success -- whenever I need to do something difficult, dangerous, or potentially risky, I get drunk. The part of my brain that thinks things like "your manager won't ever agree to this idea" or "maybe there's children in those huts" turns off, and I can focus on what I need to do. It's what got me through the war, and it's what's kept me employed." He held the flask out. "Here, take it."

The hours passed in a blur. Devin had been right -- my doubts were erased, my confidence was at record high levels. My fingers danced over the keyboard, producing code of amazing quality. When I began to get tired, I chugged a cup of black coffee and resumed work. After everyone else in the office had left for the day, I grabbed the coffee machine from the break room and sat it on my desk.

When I finally finished, real birds were chirping in the tree outside my window, and metaphorical early birds were beginning to arrive in the office. I copied my code onto floppy disks, addressed them to the appropriate office in the Pentagon, and delivered them to the mailroom for delivery. They'd be at their destination by mid day, and the code would be loaded into the Minuteman silos in the coming weeks -- the final part of the United State's complete missile defense and nuclear response system. Right on schedule.

I tried to take a victory swig from the flask, but it was now empty. Well, no matter -- it had served its purpose. I put it in my desk drawer and headed home.

I was asleep before my head hit my pillow.

I locked my car, tugged on the handle to make sure it was locked -- just a habit; it's never not been locked -- and headed towards my office building. It was a bright and crisp August morning, almost three weeks after I'd finished the Minuteman integration project. It may have been Fall, but I had a spring in my step; management had been very pleased with my performance, and I'd been promoted. Today would be the first day leading my own team.

I was blissful enough that it took a few seconds of hearing a low, distant rumble, before I truly registered what I was hearing. I spun around and looked out towards the countryside, through a gap in the nearby office buildings. A rocket was rising into the sky, atop a pillar of flame and smoke. I knew it was from one of the Minuteman silos scattered around the country, and the rocket was carrying a nuclear payload and destined for Russia.

I couldn't believe the crazy Russians had actually done it. They'd gone and started World War Three --

Wait. Something was wrong. I spun around frantically, looking in all directions. I knew the playbook -- a nuclear response wouldn't just be one rocket, there should be dozens of missiles in the vicinity launching simultaneously. But I only saw the one...

I watched it rise higher and higher. With a sinking feeling, I realized that its trail of exhaust looked for all the world like a single, solitary fencepost.