#i am rooting for casper

[mousemannation]

where was this energy two sets ago casper

[nancywheeeler]

i can't believe it's so tayover for taylor fritz when taylor swift is in the house supporting him

[presdestigatto]

NOOOO WHYYYYYYYY 😔😔😔😔😔😔

i just watched the video and I just- have no words. how are you doing 😔

😔 i think I'm going a little insane 😔 not even in a good way 😔

😔 y

my heart has broken into a million tiny pieces and will never recover

I HOPE YOU'RE FEELING OKAY. im sending u all the love possible. when i first saw the news i was devastated but i think like watching the video, and hearing him speak so contentedly about his career and being at peace with retiring made it better for me. like these are his terms yk 🥲 and this year was a joy to watch even if the results weren't what he's used to expecting. the fact that he SHOULD play doubles w carlos one last time is helping me process this a lot haha. if i take a step back it's a good way to end things. like the 250 final run in bastad, doubles w casper ruud, olympic doubles w carlos, playing pretty decently against zverat who despite his obvious character flaws has really been a top4/5 player this season, defeating ADM!! all after such a long break is not shameful in the least. it made me as a fan really happy. his fighting spirit has never once waned. it's just a special quality of rafa that i don't see in any other player, and maybe i never will! he's so inspiring and im always going to be thankful to have watched him play.

i eulogised a lot because i have tremendously big feelings about rafa gah but i hope spain wins the DC and rafa gets to spend the rest of his life happy w his family!!!

oh AND it may not feel the same but having carlos to root for does soothe the hurt a bit haha. i dont feel the same way when i watch carlos ofc but i am still am immensely fond of him and i think he brings a very different but similarly intense joy to his fans

[sayafics]

Ghost - Chapter VIII

I feel like this chapter might have taken quite a turn from the last, but it's to hopefully give more of an insight into the individual struggles of Rick and Casper. They both rely on each other and they have this incessant need to make sure the other is safe, they both came into the the post-apocalypse world in a similar set of circumstances and that is what helped them form their bond and trust each other so quickly. But when it comes to finding 'safety in numbers', they both have different perspectives on it, whether its a gut feeling or guilt or fear influencing their opinions. I hope I did this chapter justice. Enjoyyyy <333

Hopefully, we will get to some Daryl interactions soon! I don't want to miss any scenes out as I think it helps to build connections to other characters, so I do apologise for no Daryl moments as of yet❤️

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

Masterlist

When they had gotten onto the roof of the building, Casper had stayed back. She watched the scene unfold with curious eyes - the group begging a raving Dixon to stop shooting into the crowd of walkers turned to a fist-fight between T-Dog and, who she now knew as, Merle.

She had debated getting involved, pulling a gun on him or even her knife. But Merle looked seasoned in his fighting, and with the way he ran circles around T-Dog she knew he had much more experience than she did.

There was no sense of autopilot now, no push for her to rely on forgotten instincts and lost skills. For once, since stepping out that hospital room, after facing walkers, lost memories, abandonment, and so much more, it was only now Casper truly felt out of her depth.

Even when Rick pushed himself forward to help T-Dog, even when Rick was thrown back and Merle continued railing on T-Dog with every ounce of anger and prejudice that he had forced himself to hide, Casper found herself rooted to her spot.

She didn't know what to do, how to help. She didn't know how she fit into this. With these people, in this situation.

With Rick, it was easy.

Casper protects Rick. Rick protects Casper. They have each other's back, and they trust each other.

Sure, Glenn was nice. He had helped them escape being mauled alive. But the rest? She didn't know them, couldn't trust them.

She didn't even know herself. How could she trust anyone else.

But she trusted Rick. Casper pretended she couldn't hear her traitorous thoughts.

Perhaps it was the thought that it was truly no longer just her and Rick. That instead of finding safety in each other's presence, they had to find sanctuary in numbers.

They were safer in numbers, but Casper didn't think she could live among them.

Casper doesn't know how long she zoned out for, but when she blinks herself back into reality, she sees Merle attached to a pipe on the roof and Rick leering over him.

She truly had to stop doing that. One day, it would be her own lack of caution that gets her killed.

She slowly made her way towards Rick, feeling tension obscure the air as the group tended to T-Dog and his bloodied face. She caught the end of their conversation, and the words that left Rick's mouth caused her own to dry up.

"All I am anymore is a man looking for his family and protecting her," his eyes find Casper's, the blue that was raging a dark storm only moments ago had calmed to a gentle ripple of sea water as he took her in. Safe. She was safe.

He looks back at Merle, and Casper swears she sees his eyes darken once more - as though Rick is so close to losing himself in the possibilities of his own capabilities, "anybody that gets in the way of that is gonna lose."

It was quiet, Merle and Rick locked in a heated battle as they glared into each other's eyes.

Merle tried to figure him out - he was a cop looking for his family. So what did that make her to him?

His wife? Sister? Daughter? Friend? Side piece? He snorted to himself at that before straightening at the cold expression that poured itself across Rick's face as he followed Merle's eyes to Casper.

Casper now stood behind him, a hand clasped on his shoulder. She didn't pull, nor did she remove it. She left it there and waited. Waited for him to do what he thought was best for them. "I'll give you a moment to think about it."

Rick patted Merle's shoulder roughly, standing up and taking Casper's hand into his own with ease.

It was like her presence was an anchor, something that brought him back from a dark place, a part of him that would be perfect in a world far more damned than the one they lived in. He couldn't lose himself. Wouldn't. Especially not whilst she was still here. Safe. Breathing. Warm.

With his hand still in her's, he made his way to the edge of the roof despite Merle's protests, throwing the small bag full of white powder that he had found on Merle, during their conversation, into the air off the side.

The action seems to set Merle off, causing him to finally set his target on Rick. And that didn't sit well with Casper.

"Hey! What are you doing? Man that was my stuff! Hey!"

Merle grunted roughly as he struggled against the handcuffs, his aggression causing Casper to pull at their enjoined hands and have Rick step back to stand closer to her. He was safe.

Rick could sense the apprehension rolling off Casper in waves, taking it as his sign to move on from Merle's dramatics so they could get back to more important matters.

Rick walks to the wall with Casper at his side, flexing his hand in pain. It only takes Casper a second to notice his grimace before she has him stop again.

She lets go of the hand she previously held, only to now cradle the hurt one in her palms. She peers up at him slowly, quiet with her words so as not to draw attention to them, "you okay?"

Her words may have been quiet, but with the compassion she spoke with, she could have been screaming directly at Rick's heart instead, he nods.

"I'm okay, sweetheart."

"You shouldn't have gotten involved."

"I couldn't let him hurt them, Cassie. It's not right."

"None of this is. The dead walking? The hospital turning into a mass grave? Whatever is happening now, it isn't in our control. Rick, we got out. Why do we have to stay? These aren't our friends. They're not our group."

Rick could hear the fear in her voice. They had brushed against the doors of death so many times in only a few hours. But they had escaped it too.

He understood her fears. Of course he did, he had the same ones. But he had to be hopeful, for them both.

"You trust me."

It wasn't a question, but she answered it all the same. "Of course I do."

"Cassie, we need them."

"That bitch tried to kill you, Rick. And now that prick wants to as well. You're not safe."

"Baby..."

"Rick, please."

Her pleas came out as whispers, and Rick wanted to give in. God, he would listen to every wish she had, and he would race to the ends of the earth and back to grant them.

But, this wasn't about him. This wasn't about keeping himself safe. This was about her. Giving her a chance.

These people, they were a chance for her.

He shook his head slightly, the sight causing Casper to let go of his hand and take a step back. She didn't wait for him to speak. She knew he had his mind set. So, she rolled back her shoulders, and just like that, Rick saw all the emotions that had been festering within her wash out. Now, in its place, sat a look of indifference.

A grim smile pulled itself across her face despite her best efforts, "we should figure out an escape plan then."

She brushed past him and peered over the edge of the building as she took in the view. The streets were full of walkers, and there was no way for them to get through.

"God, it's like Times Sqaure down there."

Andrea stood a distance away from her, Jacqui at her side as they peered over the edge. Her voice prompted Morales to ask, "how's that signal?"

"Like Dixon's brain - weak."

Casper couldn't help the snort that escaped her, the sound causing T-Dog to look her way and exchange cautious smiles.

It seemed her amusement of the insult only pissed off Merle even more, "y' think tha's funny, bitch. I'll show you funny when I get outta these cuffs."

The threat caused anger to strike itself through Rick's body. The whole group could see how his shoulders had raised, and his eyes narrowed at the words. His face twisted in silent fury as he turned his way back to Merle, but Casper's words seemed to beat him to it.

"Well, until then I guess your just a bitch on a leash. I'm sure we could find you a treat," Casper faced Merle, leaning her hands on her knees as she bent forward to be level with his eyes, "if you behave. Give us a bark, Merle."

Merle's face turned red in fury, an enraged growl leaving his throat as he tried to control his anger. A sound Casper only used to rile him up more, "good boy."

T-Dog and Glenn couldn't hold their laughs. Even Andrea seemed to be amused by their antics. Casper could see Rick's shoulders shake as he held back his laughter, and when he looked her, she saw how his eyes lit up for a moment.

She was ready to smile back, as though smiling at him had become a second nature. But remembering she was upset with him, she had turned away quickly, missing how his eyes dulled and his delight dwindled in the absence of her's.

The comment had caused Merle to fight against the handcuffs harder, spitting slurs and threats her way as she straightened up to her height, hands in the air in false surrender.

"Okay, Dixon. Chill, before you hurt yourself," as much as she hated to admit it, she did feel a bit of guilt at her words. Even more so at the effect they seemed to have. But it was worth the short-lived satisfaction she had felt, at least that's what she told herself.

She stepped back away from the man who was still frothing at the mouth as he seethed with anger, her movement encouraging the others to follow as they created a larger gap between themselves and the leashed man.

Deciding to change topics, Casper suggested an idea for their escape, "if we can't go through the streets, is it possible to go under? Like, through the sewers?"

Morales spoke up, "hey, Glenn, check the alley. You see any manhole covers?"

"No, must be all out on the street where the geeks are."

Geeks. Walkers.

She still didn't understand why everyone didn't just call them what they were. Zombies. I mean, there's only been like hundreds of movies made about an apocalypse just like this.

It was probably the first time Jacqui spoke up, hoping to provide a useful option, "maybe not. Old building like this built in the twenties. Big structures often had drainage tunneled into the sewers in case of flooding down in the subbasements."

Casper was impressed, "how do you know that?"

"It’s my job – was. I worked in the city zoning office."

If the rest of the group was impressed by the revelation, they didn't let it be known.

At the suggestion, the group decided to make their way back down to the building, Casper doing her best to stay away from Rick as she tried to accept the circumstances of their situation. She couldn't leave him. She didn't want to, so if this was what he thought was best, she would accept it. It would just take time.

She couldn't be mad at him, and even if she was, she could never stay mad at him. There was just some part innate part of her that told her she couldn't stay with this many people. A part of her that knew she didn't do well with people, and she was better off on her own, or even just with Rick.

But she trusts him. So she'll do this, she'll try. For him.

Unbeknownst to her, Glenn and T-Dog had fallen back, their curiosity of the girl causing them to go to the one man they believed to be an expert on her.

Glenn nudged his shoulder against Rick, the action causing him to receive a raised eyebrow in question.

Glenn nodded his head towards Casper's figure, leading the group back to the lower building - "what's her story?"

"I think that's somethin' ya gotta ask her."

Glenn scratched the back of his neck, his head ducked down as he reluctantly admitted, "I would. But I'm also terrified she'll try to stab me."

The confession drew out a soft laugh from Rick, he had also been surprised when she pulled out the knife, her behaviour so different from the girl he knew before that moment.

But in the back of his mind, he liked to think moments like those were when the parts of herself she had lost in that hospital were just trying to make their way back. And whether or not that was the case, he would accept her as she is and beg her to stay regardless of who she turned out to be.

"Well then," it was T-Dog who spoke now, "you said you're here for your family, right?"

Rick nodded.

"So, she's your wife? Who are you guys looking for? Your kid?"

Rick looked at him in surprise before turning towards Glenn, and seeing that, he also looked at him expectantly. The silence only prompted Glenn to continue for his friend, "I mean, it's the way you guys look at each other. And even all the touching, the knife thing with Andrea, the way you guys are always whispering to each other. We're not blind."

Rick could feel a twinge of guilt as Glenn spoke. Here he was so close with his Cassie that these people had mistaken her as his wife.

The darker part of Rick, the part that didn't feel any guilt and begged to lose himself in his desires and escape his morals, felt pride dwell in his heart and delight swirl around lower down. His possessiveness, his protection, his compassion, and her own had convinced them- tricked them that they were one. Husband and wife.

Rick sighed deeply, having the decency to look at least a bit ashamed as he admitted, "I'm looking for my son, and my wife."

If T-Dog and Glen were surprised by the admittance, they kept it to themselves, even then Rick found the sudden urge to defend Casper, to justify his relationship to her, to show that what they were wasn't wrong, it was just different.

A bond forged by the end of times.

"But, Cassie. Cassie helped me, helps me. She got me all the way here, came with me when she didn't have to. She was the first person I found in this world, and when the world is as broken as it is right now? Well, that means something. At least, it does to me. She's important." To me.

They could hear the plea in Rick's voice, for them to understand he wasn't a liar or a cheat, he was just a man who was losing hope and strength and he found that in Casper. Even if she didn't have much herself.

He found it in her honeyed eyes, in the sound of her laughter, in the presence of her warmth, in the feel of her soft hand fitting perfectly into his own calloused palms, in her intoxicating scent, in the way she looked towards him for guidance and support and comfort.

She was an anchor to him in a world that was begging him to lose his mind and give up.

It may not be right, but it was all he had. All he wanted and all he needed, even if he tried to avoid that truth himself.

Rick knew he had to find his family, and he would. He would risk every ounce of his being, sell every fraction of his soul to find them. Carl was his son, his flesh and blood. And Lori, she was the person that knew him inside-out, the person he had loved since high school, and there would always be a part of himself that was attached to her, a connection he could never break. She was the mother of his child.

But there was a growing part of Rick that couldn't fathom the idea of leaving Casper, of leaving her to fend for herself. Maybe that's why he chose to stay with this group, because if he had to face the inevitable decision between his family and her, at least there was a possibility he didn't have to leave her alone.

But he hoped it didn't come to that, his mind roiled in agony at the idea of abandoning her the same way her folks had in that hospital bed. Except this time, there was no forgetting the past.

No, if he had to leave her, he would be haunted by her ghost until the end of his days. And still, he would find himself grateful that he was graced with her presence in some form.

But would she be destroyed? Broken? Or would she thrive without him there?

Rick was desperately avoiding thinking of the upcoming decision he would have to make, but considering how Casper was avoiding him now as she tried to come to terms with one of his decisions already, he wouldn't be able to avoid them much longer.

[macravishedbymactavish]

That's Casper (Simon "Ghost" Riley x GN! Reader)

TW for light swearing

| Blog HQ | Modern Warfare 2 Masterlist |

"Or you could, I don't know, try being nice to him?" You offered, not looking up from your book. Feeling the hand on your lower leg stop the mindless patterns it's been tracing.

"Be nice to Soap? I already am!" You raised your gaze to meet his eyebrow raised.

"No. You're nice to me. You seem to tolerate Johnny, " you deadpanned. Book now placed aside, gaze fixated on your boyfriend. Who has been complaining venting about a comment made between his teammate and another sergeant.

He's a fucking hardass. Always on me about everything.

You knew Soap quite well and would even consider him one of your closer friends. When Simon mentioned the comment, you were sure it wasn't said with any malice; Johnny isn't like that. If he wanted to talk shit he'd say it to your face, probably through a riot shield. You know, protect his face and all.

But that did nothing to quell Simon's mind. He was stubborn and anxious that his sergeant now held a deep-rooted hate against him.

"Then, since you're already nice to him, this isn't a problem. He doesn't hate you, " you shrugged, returning to your book. Silently thankful that Simon seemed to agree and drop the subject entirely.

--

"Yourboyfriendisgoingtokillme" Soap rushed out a few days later, tilting the book you were reading out of your line of vision.

Can I not have a single moment of uninterrupted reading?

"What do you mean?" You asked, bookmark placed and novel placed to the side. Eyes tracking the visibly nervous man in front of you, who was pacing while running his fingers through his hair.

"He's being nice to me. Not even normal, act like a human being, and be kind to others. He's been going easy on me, complimenting things I've done well. This isn't Ghost. This is bloody Casper!" You bit your lip, using every fiber of self-control not to smile or laugh.

Simon really took my words to heart, then?

"Unless he's dying!" Soap concluded, stopping his pacing. Concern washing over his features, eyes meeting yours with a silent plea.

Tell me I'm wrong.

"I mean, we're all dying at varying rates. But no, Simon shouldn't die any time soon, " you assured, "and I don't think he's planning on killing you. Why not take this as a win? He likes you, " you shrugged, not expecting anything to come of your suggestion.

--

"I hate it," you heard Simon call the moment he walked into your shared apartment. "I tried the being nicer than normal thing. Except Soap is being overly nice to me now. "

Why is everyone taking my advice all of a sudden?

"That's what friends do, love. They be nice to one another, " you smirked, as your boyfriend rolled his eyes.

"We're teammates. No friends in this line of work"

"No, I think you're friends, by definition" you teased, watching your boyfriend roll his eyes once more and turn to leave, muttering a soft fuckin' 'ell under his breath. Your stomach ached from the laughter racking your body.

"No, don't go! Tell me about the friends you made at work today!"

Taglist: @bloodonmyhands-1221

[notquitedeadpod]

Does Neige speak any other modern european languages?

Maybe Czech cause of Casper? Maybe German, Spanish or Italien cause of their close proximity to France?

Also the new episode killed me, i love it

Bye :D

I think Neige can probably approximate a LOT of the Slavic, Romance and Germanic languages because he spoke root languages they stemmed from, and would likely be able to understand people speaking most of them even if he would not be able to construct a sentence in them himself. I don't know how many of them he would be able to speak fluently, but he definitely speaks at least functional Italian, Spanish, Czech, Romanian, Wider Venetian, French, and English. He can probably speak some Brythonic languages fairly well, like Bretton and Welsh. It's likely easier for him to pick up languages related to or descended from languages he already speaks.

I am so glad you enjoyed getting killed by the new episode! Thanks for stopping by and giving me a chance to babble about this!

--- Eira xxx

[islerouxsims]

Dizzy Isy Update

Hi guys,

I swear I am not dragging out the release of the next version of my Dizzy Isy Save File...it’s just I have no time for it. I really do try. I have created some new creations since my last update on here about version 6.

Here are (in order) a renovation of 13 Acacia Avenue.  This will be the house for the Browne family.

“This house has 3 adult bedrooms, a teen room and finally, a room for a cute little infant. The master suite has its own bathroom and walk-in-closet. There is sizeable terrace with a bbq and bar area for summer dining.The verdant garden is treehouse ready and equiped with activities for the little one.”

Captain Crankbait's Cabin

“A stone's throw away from the marina sits Captain Crankbait's cabin. Built from local timber & furnished with love, there’s a treasure trove of intriguing bits & bobs. It may not blend in with the new SanSequoia but Casper adores his little piece of paradise. It's tranquil, boasts its own fishing pond & twinkles at night. He knows of plans to knock it down, but it will have to be over his dead body!”

Cap'n Crankbait & Salty

“Old Captain Casper has shunned conventional life for a while now. He has deep roots in SanSequoia but he is horrified by the gentrification of the area. Luxurious rentals have replaced single family homes and his tumbledown log cabin stands out from the trendy cafés & businesses. Many want to knock his cabin down but he thinks it reflects the true unshakable San Sequoian ethic. One that is slowly being eradicated.”

Celebration Way Shops

“This charming strip is the newest hangout in SanSequoia. Pop into the flowershop to spoil that special sim in your life or enjoy a cupcake & sip of coffee from the cafe while watching the world pass by from the terrace. Or if you prefer the scent of books, find yourself in a comfortable chair in the bookshop & get lost in the written word. When these three mix, there's no way of having a bad day.”

For any of you waiting (patiently) for this update, I hope this wets your appetite.

Bon appétit et merci,

Isy x

[minumi-chan]

Let's do, for the ask game... 22, 32, 37, 51? You can pick and choose as you wish tho <3 There's no pressure to answer all of those!

Hee hee!! Let'sa go!! (Ask meme questions here)

22. Are there certain types of writing you won’t do? (style, pov, genre, tropes, etc)

I've tried my hand a several styles over the years to explore, learn, grow and find my preferred methods. The thing that I consistently try to stay away from is 1st person POV. I just find it so hard to maintain, and I dislike the limited perspective of only that character's viewpoint. I used to write a lot of horror and I do not now because it's not healthy for me anymore.

32. Name three of your favorite fanfic writers.

Only three??? Fuck...... I'm going to stick with my current hyperfixation, TMNT (Mainly Rise) Okay, let's go //cracks knuckles// I'm picking three writers that have consistently made me bawl my eyes out to the point of running out of tissues. I'm gonna be brave and @ people.

@taizi -- Holy shit, some of the most beautiful, heartfelt, emotional, family centric TMNT fic you will find out there. Gawd. Every story Taizi has ever written has brought me to tears. I love 2012 TMNT family because of Taizi's work. And the most recent ROTTMNT stories are just-- I want to hug them to my chest if that makes sense? Go read everything they have ever written, you will not regret it. Bring tissues.

@last-hourglass -- If you have not read Last Grain of Sand in the Hourglass, then please come sob with me over the way Teej so beautifully writes the Rise!family fighting their way to each other and a happy ending. My GAWD the way my emotions have been trampled by this fic. Also Teej makes INCREDIBLE art pieces to go with the story. Brilliant storyteller and artist. //throws a million roses their way

@bluepeachstudios -- Ame is a prolific TMNT writer with so many amazing stories OMGAWD!! I am currently absolutely completely intensely enamored by all things Ghost in the Shell. If you love 2003!Don, THEN OH BOY YOU'RE IN FOR A HEARTBREAKING TREAT!! 8DD But what I love about the story is that there is also healing, and family, and learning to trust again, to love again, to recover from and grow through the hurt. Ghost's history is a fantastical fiction, but the way Ame writes his struggles is so raw and real, and I will forever be crying for my favorite peepaw in the multiverse, Big Papa aka Gogo aka Casper aka Ghost, and rooting for his happy ending. I trust in Ame to give us that in the end. Please also come sob with me over Ghost's stories if you have not already tried them.

37. How do you choose where to end a chapter?

Depending on the story style, I try to choose an impactful moment for the ending. Sometimes that means a cliffhanger if it's the continuous style of story. Others it's trying to find an emotional beat to leave the reader on, especially if the chapter is more self-contained kind of moment. I focus on how the ending line feels a lot, so the chapter closes with a specific emotion evoked.

51. What’s your total AO3 word count?

I had never looked at this before this ask! Apparently it's: 160,872 words 😯

[lucidpantone]

i read on twitter that Nhungi told one fan that someone from the writers wanted to make Isi and Constantin a couple, but then gave up this idea because of the actors' opinion on it, in particular because Eren "hates being with straight men". but i also know nothing about Eren and Casper despising each other personally. so @druck anon if you would like to spill some more tea about the cast you're welcome ahah

I got a controversial opinion and am dying on this hill.Constantin should have been the last main because it was the best narrative to close out with.

For Isi's season I would have leaned into isi being a very grey character who is indeed questioning their gender but at the same time is still a total dick to sacha and a strait up bully at times . It would have flipped the season on its head because it would have made the character complex in whether you wanted to root for them or not. I would have ended it with them realizing how shitty they have been to Sacha and had them begin to create boundaries with constantine because they were toxically co-dependent. This would have lead to a constantine season that without Isi at his side anymore he completely spiral into drinking and partying and lost total control. It would have been a very thought provoking season about alcohol abuse in young males but druck didnt have the balls and gave us the driest malin season ever. It was such a snooze fest. Zzzzzzzzz

[moose-mommy]

Hidden Healer/ Chapter 3

______________________________________________________________

Chapter 3

Casper

Casper sighed. He was glad that James was more relaxed. It took the pressure of keeping him calm and kept him mostly compliant with treatment. Casper wanted to put James to sleep for this part, but he had used that spell to get him here. The spell can’t be used to close together, or James might not wake up. Casper turned back from the table to look at him. 

“I’m done making the medicine.” Casper started moving towards the bed.

“I don’t want to eat it again.” James grimested 

“No, you don’t have to eat it. This one goes on your leg.” he continued, unraveling the bandages from his thigh.

“Stay still.” he scolded when James started to squirm, “Are you in pain?”

“No, it stings.” James shifted again as Casper continued with the bandage. 

Casper noted that the bleeding had stopped. The skin surrounding the wound was still warm but not as hot as before. When the wound was fully uncovered, he took a moment to study its nature. It was ugly; the lips were raised where the teeth had punctured the skin. There were bits of puss leaking out, James’s fever keeping the worst of the infection at bay. The infection had only set in a day or two ago. This made Casper breath easier. James would recover quicker than he first anticipated. He had thought the worst when he first saw James. Casper still had no idea how long James had been out there.

The scraps he initially was using for a bandage were hastily done. The shape of the bite was consistent with the wolves in the area. They were around 25 to 30 miles from Casper’s hut. When he first settled out here, he had distanced himself from them. James must have passed through their territory and got close to the den. The wolves were fiercely protective of their cubs and would attack without question. Casper began to clean the wound with warm water before putting on the medication. James's muscles spasmed violently as Casper started cleaning. 

“Are you ok?” he paused to look up.

“It stings bad. It's bad.” James's face twisted, and his hands gripped the blanket beneath him. His face was slick with sweat.

“I have to clean it so it doesn't get worse. It will be over in less than a minute.” Casper promised.

James paused, composing himself before talking, “Ok,” he said tensely. 

“Try to relax if you can.” Casper moved back to his work, and James leaned away from him. Eyes fixated on the wall.

Casper worked quickly. He knew part of the reason James was uncomfortable was because the Liepocant root could only take so much away. He had taken too long with the second salve. Casper mentally kicked himself. While he was talented in healing, he had little experience. So he worked quickly. Wiping away the bits of dirt and debris. It looked like it had been hastily cleaned, which was better than nothing.

It looked like James was able to yank himself away before the wolf fully bit down from how the teeth marks dragged against his skin. Casper turned and grabbed a needle, thread, and the last medication.

“I am going to put the medicine on now that it's clean. This will numb it. So you won't feel me doing the stitches. You need not move, even though it may feel like tugging. Tell me if you have any pain so that I can fix it.” Casper instructed.

“Hgn,” James put his face in the pillow with his other hand clenched to the pillow.

Casper put on the medicine and threaded the needle. He made quick work of the stitches, focusing on the deepest parts of the gashes. James was tense, clearly unsettled by how the thread pulled and tugged on his skin, but other than the involuntary twitching, he gave no indication he was in pain.

“All done! How are you feeling now?” He tried to look closer at James's face, but it was smooshed in the pillow. James didn’t answer. His body relaxed at Casper's words. His breathing fell more slowly, and in a few moments, he fell asleep.

James

He blinked awake, not moving much other than his eyes. He was uncomfortable, and his body ached. His skin was sticky from sweat. There was minimal pain in his thigh, which was mostly numb. The pressure from the swelling was mainly causing the discomfort. Lifting his head, he glanced around the room, his headache pounding in protest. His head was still a little fuzzy from whatever that lizard had given him.

James moved his elbows under to get a better vantage of the room. There was a curtain partially blocking him from the rest of the room. There was a small kitchen, maybe eight paces from the bed. The whole hut was maybe fifteen paces across. Everything was built with a slightly smaller person in mind. James was surprised he was able to fit on the bed. It took up the length of the wall with a bookshelf on the end. The table in the middle of the hut with one chair. There sat Casper draped over the table asleep, the medicine and herbs still littering the table.

James rolled onto his side, careful of his leg, and brought his head to his hands. He harshly rubbed his palms into his eyes, trying to make sense of everything that had transpired. He still didn't trust Casper, but he had helped him even when he had been an absolute jerk, so he felt some thrust was owed. Casper had also taken care of Dawn, from what he could remember.

James had been tricked to come this way. His informant insisted that this was the fastest way and that the woods were easy to navigate. He also told him that there was a shortcut. He had been traveling through this region but was not familiar with how dangerous the area was. James had been following the direct path laid out for him on his map. He saw the wolves too late when he realized he was too close to their den. The dense forest obscured his ability to see the signs. The fact that it had been pouring rain did not help. 

The wolves ganged up on him, surrounding Dawn. Poor thing slipped in the mud. He fell off at the initial attack when they caught him by surprise. The wolves surrounded Dawn until he started throwing rocks at them to draw their attention. If Dawn was hurt, there was no way he would have made it out of these woods alive. He managed to fight off some of them with his sword and made his way to Dawn’s side. He saw an opportunity to jump back up and get the hell out of there, but he missed one. When he turned to get on the saddle, the wolf he had missed took the opportunity to get his thigh.

He was able to yank way and climb the rest of the way on Dawn. Kicking the wolf away, he pulled himself up and shouted at Dawn to run. All he could do was cling to her as she ran like hell. He didn't even bother guiding her. He let her run deeper into the woods. Once the wolves had run off their territory, they let on their chase, wanting to return to shelter. Dawn slowed down once they were completely clear of the wolves, allowing James to think more clearly. He was shaking as he drew her to a halt. He looked at his leg, which was bleeding heavily. James took the edge of his shirt and tore the bottom for a makeshift bandage. He still had adrenaline coursing through his veins. The sun had already set, and the moonlight barely broke through the tree, worsening his panic. He blindly wrapped the wound, not even getting off Dawn. With a deep breath, he urged her on in hopes of finding some shelter from the pouring rain. So he could bandage himself properly. 

There was no shelter, just more trees. James opted for the largest tree he could find and sat down at its base. It did keep some of the rain off him. He tightened the bandage some more to stop the bleeding. He was tired, so tired. He was far from the wolves and decided it was safe to rest, at least for a little while.

The sun was high in the sky by the time he woke up. Dawn shoved him with her nose enough to push him to his side. He couldn’t stop the cries that escaped his lips as he tried to sit up. Still damp from the night before. He was thankful the days were warm enough to where he would not freeze to death. Though the warmth was useless. James cursed to himself as his body violently trembled. He glanced at his leg. He knew it was infected. He had some medicine. Out of his mind, delirious from the fever, he didn’t think to put it out and use it. With no idea where he was, he had to keep moving. With Dawn's help, he could stand and guide her so that she could crawl onto him. He could barely hold on as she stood, sucking through his teeth. The last thing he needed was for her to get spooked. 

The movement from Dawn walking was excruciating, but James knew he would probably get worse if he didn’t find help soon. Dog bites are bad enough. He didn't want to imagine what was happening to him right now. He doesn’t know how long he rode for. The hours felt like minutes, and the minutes felt like hours. 

“THUD!”

James barely registered that he hit the ground. He used all his strength to lift his head to see where Dawn was. She began shoving him. Immediately, he cried out in pain. His whole body hurt. All he wanted to do was curl up and die. 

James grabbed the whistle he kept in his pocket. He gripped it tightly against his chest and battled whether he should use it. He had no idea if someone or something would hear him and whether they would have good intentions towards him. James held it up and looked at the whistle. He knew he had to keep moving. He had to keep living, and he needed to find her. No matter what happens.

______________________________________________________________

Chapter 2 : Chapter 4

[georgiapeach30513]

Regarding makeup and lack of inclusiveness. It may not be direct racism, but it’s rooted in racism. The simple fact I can always guarantee shades for white and Latino women will be available in the makeup section but rarely am I able to find anything related to my skin tone. The fact that companies like Sheer Cover claimed to have shades for all and the application kit for the “deepest” skin tones had my ass looking like a Casper the ghost.

Makeup companies don’t cater to dark skin or act like we don’t exist for a reason and it stems from racism and colorism. Dark skin isn’t seen a beautiful in many parts of the world, especially ones catered to bleaching. It’s ludicrous and pisses me off. But it’s not shocking because we have to see truth….To think laws had to be put in place for black people to get treated like decent humans really goes above the heads of many who act like racism is minor or a thing of the past. Majority of the stuff going on now and various things are rooted in racism but it’s not always blunt in your face.

Rihanna Fenty beauty wasn’t the first makeup line for shades for us, Rihanna is just popular and thus people think she did something new. God Bless her for using her platform to light fire under the asses of others, but there are a few brands that are actually fully black owned who have been around a while but just not popular. (Iman, fashion fair, bobbi brown cosmetics, etc)

I’m glad the convo is being had but it’s a damn shame that it’s 2024 and this is even an issue.

Thanks for letting me vent. The audacity of that company to just be like here is a black shade now do something with it. Fucking idiots.

Thank you, anon! While I can’t speak on personal experience with makeup because I am part of the beige crowd, I can speak from a professional point of view. And the fact that there are very few companies that cater to the deepest of deep skin. And not in throwaway shades. I don’t think people get that. Deep skin has undertones too. They have olive, red, golden, etc. and I feel too often there’s four shades in the deep range, at best, and they’re all the same undertone.

And I do think there is racism rooted in it. Or at least complete ignorance. I hate that there are people out there scrounging around for a foundation that meets their needs. That’s despicable. I only use Fenty as an example. You gave a few more and might I add Pat McGrath Labs. Haus Labs. Saie. Juvia’s Place. Beauty Bakerie just to name a few more.

I thank you for coming to me with your experience. And you’re right, it’s a damn shame this is 2024 and we’re still having this conversation. It’s not about makeup in the end. It’s bigger than makeup.

[forensicated]

Gina: Ah, just the man I want to see. Has the new superintendent arrived yet? Smithy: Well if she has, I haven't seen her. Erm, just wanted to remind you that I'm booked off early today, it's the er, the erm dentist. He said that er that it's really important that I get my tooth done, cos er, it's a ro-root canal. Gina: Right, well I'll just have to do without you then, won't I...

Reg: To be fair, the man did die... Dan: So? You're supposed to sit there whilst some nutter attacks you? Gina: Sergeant! Smithy: Ma'am? Gina: A word. Why didn't you tell me Superintendent Prosser had arrived? I ended up looking a right prat. Now she thinks we're all incompetent and we can't communicate! Smithy: *looks lost for words* Gina: Thank you very much Smithy... *gestures for him to leave*

Zain: Hotel security have managed to corner him, but he's loose somewhere in the hotel. Dan: Cool. Zain: I'm glad you think so, because your job is to knock on every door and make sure he isn't hiding under a bed, or shower curtain. What? Did you think CID was all glamour and girls? Chop Chop! Smithy: Y'know what? If I could spend the rest of my life in this hotel room with you, I would. Living off the mini bar, and the complementary continental breakfasts. Louise: *laughs* You're such a romantic. Smithy: I do my best. Smithy: I should take the afternoon off work more often. Louise: I bet you do this kind of thing all the time. Smithy: Oh, every day of the week, different hotel with a different bird. But none of them mean as much to me as you do. Louise: Dale? Any idea why there are police cars outside? Smithy: *runs over and looks* Dan: *knocks* Mr and Mrs Smith? It's PC Casper from Sun Hill. Smithy: Erm, it's Dan... Louise: You know him! Smithy: Of course I know him! Louise: I can't be seen here! Smithy: What! And I can? Louise: You haven't got a husband...Just a minute, we're not decent. Smithy: What did you do that for! Now he knows there's someone here! *sighs and hurries to the door, looking through the peep hole, pulling the dressing gown on* Dan: *opens his mouth to speak and laughs* ...Smithy! Thought you were at the dentist? Smithy: Yeah, well I'm here with a friend. Dan: A woman? Smithy: Well yeah, course it's a woman! Dan: *looks over Smithy's shoulder* Very nice! So who is she? Smithy: None of your business, what you doing here? Dan: There's been a series of breakins, in the rooms here...Security guards had the guy cornered, but he got away. ...He's still on the premises. IC 1 Male, about 5'8 Smithy: Yeah, but he ain't hiding in here, is he! Dan: Oh, course not...sorry. Smithy: So who else is here? Dan: Roger, Steve, Zain... Smithy: Right, ok...do me a favour, keep this to yourself. Dan: Mate, my lips...*mimes a zip* Anyway, look, I owe you one for keeping quiet about the *whispers* Rochelle thing... Smithy: Well I hardly think this is the same as you and your affair with the Borough commander's wife. Dan: Married's maried, Mr and Mrs Smith! Seriously, your secrets safe with me. By the way, nice legs... Her that is, not you. Louise: Great. How am I supposed to get out of here with your Sun Hill mates swarming around the place. Smithy: They're not swarming!

Zain: Still, it's good you're doing your homework. If you're going to steal the mans wife, the least you can do is find out who he is. Smithy: *shakes his head and glares at Zain* Don't push it...

Louise: You're scared of how you feel. You're scared it's too good to be true. Smithy: Well....yeah. *nods* ...It is.

Smithy: So how'd you feel now your treatments over? Gina: You know me...strong as an ox. Smithy: But how long you gotta wait to get some results? Gina: One month. Then a quick checkup. Smithy: Alright... Gina: 3 months till D-Day, but who's counting...We're here for a celebration, not to talk about my cancer.

Tony: Hello Merv! How's it going! Merv: Never have met a Sun Hill copper who could hold his drink... Smithy: And you ain't gonna find one in here! Merv: Manager called, said there was a bunch of troublemakers bothering his customers. Smithy: Er, you just missed 'em... Smithy: Oh come on Merv, what you after?! Plonker of the year or something?

Merv: So pay the bill and then we can avoid any embarrassment *takes Gina's arm* Smithy: OI! Easy Merv *goes to get Gina who throws a drink over Merv* Gina: It was a joke! No! It wasn't a joke... it was an accident!

Smithy: *slumps against the bar* Sheelagh: *chuckles and slaps his back* Smithy: You were bloody lucky you got a result today, you know that! Sheelagh: Could have been a lot worse if I hadn't had Gabriel talking sense to me... Smithy: *scoffs and downs his drink* Gabriel... Sheelagh: No, seriously, he was right there when I needed him...I keep telling him he should push for Sgt... Smithy: Sheelagh? Do me a favour, stop banging on about Gabriel. Sheelagh: Smithy, what is your problem with Gabriel? You've never liked him, have you! Smithy: I mean it. Shut up. Sheelagh: Even after he risked his life pulling you out of that fire, you still won't give him the time of day... Smithy: What? And you think he's the Archangel, is that it? Sheelagh: No. But I do think he'd make a damn good Sergeant, what's the matter with that? Smithy: The day they give three stripes to a rapist is the day I hand mine in. Sheelagh: What? Smithy: You heard. Kerry accused your boyfriend of raping her. How else do you think she was pregnant with his kid?

Yvonne: Losers can by the beer all night, and you can chuck in a curry... And I'm talking quality, not quantity, Dan. Dan: Whatever you say *grins*

Dan: Easy tiger, you wanna think of your blood pressure. Roger: Actually I'm thinking about all the beers we're going to have to buy. Dan: Why'd they leave the car? Roger: Didn't have much choice. They had a puncture. Dan: Oh, what a shame...

Bloke: Come on...you're not gonna do me for them? It wouldn't be worth the paperwork... Roger: Well normally no, not for me...but my friend here, he lives for form filling. Dan: Oh he's right...love it!

Dan: We're at that location now...and if you see Yvonne, you can tell her she just lost the bet... Dean: Will do... Prosser: What did he mean she just lost the bet? Dean: No idea, ma'am

Dan: Makes him a nut job if you ask me Gina: The income tax that nut job has paid has been spent on your education, PC Casper. Not money well spent if you ask me!

Dan: Is there nothing else we can do for them ma'am? Gina: Careful PC Casper you're in danger of developing a conscience... Smithy: *to Gina* Drinking on duty, and now smoking on duty? Smithy: ...Shall I buy you a cup of coffee? Gina: Maybe later, I'm going to take early refs... Smithy: *sees Gina arriving after the SO19 cock up* *smirks* You're a good half hour too late...

Gina: Oh! And where have you been for the past hour? Smithy: You're not the only one who use the old 'I'm on ref's' excuse... So er, how did it go with the er ...Super? Gina: Surprisingly well. Not only did I get an apology, but also 'well done'! Smithy: Blimey...I was expecting blood and guts. Gina: Well I should stand by with the mop and bucket, because she has an interview with the Borough Commander. Smithy and Gina: Oooooh!

[emma-radfemcanu]

I am once again begging Novak Djokovic to retire from tennis

I mean I was kind of rooting for him today, once we got to semi final stage I was in the camp of ‘anyone but Zverev but I’d rather it wasn’t Alcaraz’ and so I got the final I wanted out of the available options. I actually like Casper but the petty part of me does not want him winning a slam before Stef does, so I wouldn’t have been heartbroken if he did win but I’m sort of glad he didn’t (sorry Casper)

But it was also for the greater good- Djok is getting on a bit and his ego is huge, I cannot see him being one of those who fades away, it wouldn’t surprise me if he decides to go on a high some day. He’s now ahead in the slam race (nobody needs 23 it’s selfish smh) and Nadal is most likely retiring next year, so if he wins a couple more he’ll be comfortably ahead- he’s said recently that he’s thought about the end with Rafa’s news and Federer retiring last year, so hopefully this means he’ll go away and stop terrorising us soon

It’s crazy really- the vast vast majority of players won’t be that successful, even winning one slam is a huge deal, 23 is objectively insane. And yet at this point I think ‘ok whatever’ bc I am bored of seeing him. I’m bored of Rafa too tbh but at least he isn’t horribly unlikeable lol

[atdutiesend]

"The trees don't usually sass me." Grim glowered at the offending root, accepting Casper's help up. He winced at the sudden bright light, hissing in discomfort before he turned his head to let his eyes adjust.

"A client's spells need components gathered on the new moon or it won't be as effective. I'm not going to half-ass it." Someone wanted to hide as thoroughly as he had, turn a deadname into a truly dead name. "And I am aware of the dangers, oh wise and infallible birdbrain."

The sound of the raven following would be heard for a couple of minutes, before a soft scoff was heard. Particularly, after Grim almost tripped over a upturned root that had seemingly ‘appeared out of nowhere’. “Hopeless,” Casper announced as he helped Grim up to his feet. “Utterly hopeless.” There’s a moment before his phone light flashed in the darkness.

“What are you even doing out here this late at night? Don’t you know the dangers?” Of course Casper did. He was a grim reaper after all. “If you’re going to do anything, wait until the full moon. Idiot.”

[phantomrose96]

Fenton Fact

Danny leaned back against the red brick chimney of the Casper High roof, and he looked across the stretch of land rolling far off from the building top. For a place so off-limits, so hidden-away from the normal bustle of the school, the view really wasn’t anything special. Sure, the school was decently tall, but it overlooked the staff parking lot, and the empty Casper High tennis courts, and the back of a strip mall two blocks over with the recently-haunted laundromat.

Not that it mattered. It took more than tall-building-views to impress Danny anyway, even the nice ones. And he wasn’t up here for the view.

Danny let his eyes drift shut.

“Sup loner, room for one more?”

Danny startled, and it wasn’t Sam’s voice specifically that startled him. (He’d grown used to her bursting from his Fenton Phone earpiece during most nightly patrols.) He’d just lulled himself a bit too comfortably into the idea that no other human could follow him to the top of the locked rooftop of the Casper High building.

“Did I just surprise a ghost?” Sam asked. “Should I do it again with a ‘boo’?”

“Haha,” Danny answered with a fake chuckle. He blinked himself back to prickly awareness, drowsiness batted away like dust bunnies, and stared up at Sam. “I’m not surprised. I just wasn’t expecting anyone else to be on the roof. How did you even—”

Sam was a few steps ahead of him. In explanation, she waggled the Fenton-branded grappling hook gripped in hand.

Danny leaned back with a faux-exasperated sigh. “Since when do you even have a grappling hook?”

“Since I told your mom it would be a wildly cool line of gear to add to the Fenton brand.”

“Does this mean my mom now has a grappling hook too?”

“Yes. And your dad. And Jazz. And Tucker.”

“Great. When I go home and all the ceiling fans are torn down I’ll know why.”

A gentle silence lapsed over them, punctuated with the swell of fall wind.

“So…” Sam continued. “Can I sit here?”

“Huh?” Danny looked at her, anchoring his drifting thoughts once more. “Oh, yeah. I thought the ‘yeah’ was implied.” Danny shuffled a bit to the side, back still resting against the chimney. He patted the spot he cleared. “What am I gonna tell you? No?”

“Just making sure.” Sam stowed the grappling hook to the side of her belt and settled into the spot beside Danny, feet outstretched. “In case maybe you wanted some alone time.”

“’Alone time’ isn’t really something I get anymore. I’ve had about a hundred-too-many ghosts crash through my bedroom for that.”

“So why the roof?”

“Roof is more for uh…” Danny twirled his hand, “‘less adoring crowds’ time. ‘Less classmates ogling me’ time. You can stay so long as you don’t ask me to sign anything.”

“I was never interested in the parasocial or capitalistic value of celebrity signatures. Besides, you cross your ‘t’s weird.”

Danny replied with a half-hearted chuckle. His line of sight drifted into the middle-distance again, unfocused.

“Is it getting to be too much?” Sam asked.

“Hmm?” Danny answered, eyes shifting back to her.

Sam gestured broadly, hands and arms outstretched. “You know just. All this. Everything.”

“…Nah.”

Another small silence grew from the cracks in the concrete between them.

“Paulina and Star are looking for you. You know that, right?”

“Oh, are they?”

“Danny. You knew that.”

“Maybe.”

“…And you’re not interested in seeing what they want?”

“I figure Tucker is keeping them busy.”

“You’re unfortunately right.”

“Phantom Phacts?”

“Phantom Phacts.” Sam nodded. “I made him promise to leave out any embarrassing trivia from the trivia section.”

“Thanks for that,” Danny answered. “Is his presentation any good?”

“You think I’ve ever stuck around to hear it?”

“Fair.”

Sam pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs and set her chin to her knees, staring forward.

“You’re really not interested in sitting with Star and Paulina for lunch?”

“Not really. Why? Is that bad?”

“No, it’s absolutely great. But I’m…” Sam shrugged, “surprised, I guess. I feel like usually you’d jump at the opportunity. And I kinda don’t think you’re refusing because you’ve suddenly recognized the banality of A-lister status.”

“Maybe that is what happened, you don’t know that. Down with capitalism, Sam.”

“Danny.” Sam tilted a fraction to face him. “I’m worried that this is all too much for you, and you just won’t admit it.”

Danny sat with the silence that followed. “I don’t think it’s too much. I’m just—I dunno. I mean. I’m just not feeling it.”

“…You can admit if it’s overwhelming, Danny. I’ll be the first to shut down ‘Phantom Phacts’ if it is.”

“Nah, nah let Tucker have his fun. He’s not the problem. It’s… I dunno.” Danny pushed himself taller against the chimney, upright now and unslumped. “It’s a little bit overwhelming, I guess, maybe. But it’s kind of what I expected. Maybe even a little easier than I was expecting. I thought I’d be dealing with a lot of Phantom-hate once everyone knew but, I guess that kind of died down a long time before everyone knew.”

“Valerie holding you at gunpoint in the cafeteria wasn’t Phantom-hate?”

“We’ve had a lot of good talks since then, okay?”

Sam let out a quiet laugh. “So then… why aren’t you sitting with the popular kids right now?”

“I just didn’t want to, I guess?”

“And why didn’t you want to?”

“It just didn’t really feel right.”

“Is it because of me?” Sam asked, another side-long glance cast to Danny. “Because you can sit with them. I’ll still make fun of you if you do, but you don’t have to… not sit with them because of me.”

“What? Huh—no. Nah, nah I mean I do care what you think Sam. But I mean if I wanted to be sitting with them then I would so. I mean. You don’t have to worry that it’s you.”

“So then what is it?”

Danny took a moment to answer.

“It’s just… it’s a feeling. I dunno. Like.” Danny spread his arms out. “The invitation is wrong? Or the invitation isn’t actually for me?”

“…The invitation is for Phantom instead?”

Pensive indecision set into Danny’s eyes. “That’s not totally it. Because I mean I AM Phantom. I’m not not me when I’m Phantom. Maybe I trash-talk a little more in ghost form but I’m not… not me. That’s still just me. You know that.”

“Right, yeah, no Danny. It just sounded like that’s what you were saying.” Sam let her legs slide out a few inches. “So what are you saying?”

Danny sat with the question. “When the news first picked up on Phantom, way back when—Inviso-Bill?—that wasn’t really anyone, you know? They made up some spooky icon to make the news about. Which was just like, whatever, not me. I didn’t even take ‘Inviso-Bill’ too personally because that just wasn’t me. And even when I stopped being an enemy and started actually being ‘Danny Phantom’… no one actually got it right, you know? They kind of came up with a character for me. Just some hero. I listen to the news and how they talk about me and I think, even now, I think ‘That isn’t me.’”

Danny pulled his knees in, a mirror to Sam, and stared down into his tattered jean fabric. “And when everyone learned I’m Phantom I guess I kind of expected them to be like ‘Oh it’s Fenton’ and then that fake version of Phantom would go away.” Danny raised his eyes to Sam, far more bothered than before. “…I think the opposite happened. They don’t look at Phantom and think ‘oh it’s Fenton’. They look at Fenton and think ‘oh it’s Phantom.’ I think Danny Fenton got put away. I think the person I was for 14 years doesn’t exist to them anymore. Whoever they invited to lunch isn’t me. He doesn’t exist. But I’m suddenly responsible for him. And it’s not even me.”

Danny paused. “And now I’ve been wondering like… how long until I disappoint them? You know? How long until I do something that makes them angry because I’m not doing the thing they expect ‘Phantom’ to do? How long until they start seeing there’s too much ‘Fenton’ in me and they start to hate me for it all over again? For them to really like me, I don’t think I can be me, and I don’t know how to do that. I don’t know how to be someone who doesn’t just disappoint everyone in the end.”

A long gust of wind swept between them, stealing away the seconds.

“…So now you’re hiding on the roof.”

“It was the easiest solution to my problem.”

“But not a lasting one, if you ever want to get down.” The wind settled, and Sam swept a lock of hair behind her ear. “…Do you care if you disappoint them?”

Danny shrugged. “I. Yeah. I think. I don’t—I don’t think I totally know for certain, but I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“Well, you’re not going to disappoint me, or Jazz, or Tucker—and if Tucker does act disappointed over any lost Phantom Phacts ventures I’ll whap him over the head. But I mean, we know who you are. We’re not going to be disappointed realizing you’re not ‘Phantom.’ The worst you can do is land right back where you started.”

“And what if I started acting like ‘Phantom’ instead. Would that disappoint you guys?”

“Do you want to act like ‘Phantom’?”

Danny paused. “…No. Not at all.”

“Then don’t. It’s that simple.” Sam stood, and she stretched until her back popped. “It’s not your responsibility to uphold whatever delusions people project onto you. I won’t hesitate to call them out on it. You know I’m good at being direct, and you know I’m even better at making enemies.”

“I don’t wanna be mean to them though when they’re finally being nice.”

“They’re not being nice, they’re projecting. If their niceness to you is conditional on you fitting to the box they created for you, that’s not nice, that’s manipulation, and it’s exactly the root of my ever-frothing disdain for popularity. It’s always some element about popular people that people latch on to, and they can fit the box that people give them, or they can reject it and find themselves wallowing amongst us outcasts. Don’t do that to yourself, Danny. Don’t live in their chains.” Sam tilted her head to Danny. “You spend all day trapping ghosts into tight little boxes and you can’t even recognize when it’s happening to you. I think you’d be better at spotting this.”

“It’s a cylinder, really. The thermos. It’s a cylinder. And don’t say ‘box’ so much. You might summon company.”

“You just said ‘box’ though.”

“I did say ‘box’.”

“Box.”

“Box.”

Sam laughed, noise trailing light on her lips. “…Feeling any better?”

“A little, I think… I still… I still think I... it's not as easy to just say 'I don't care if I disappoint them.' It's still scary. I don’t want to end up proving them right that they were right to hate me all along.”

“Are the opinions of Dash Baxter really the ones to be holding on a pedestal? Is his opinion of you really more important than what you think of yourself? You’ve been through this with the A-listers already. Don’t torture yourself again just because the door is wide open. I promise you Danny, it won’t make you happy.”

“So I should just do whatever makes me happy?”

“Every time.” Sam nodded.

"Even if I'm a total disappointing loser?"

"All the better."

"Even if I blow any chance I have with Paulina out the window?"

“Wouldn't have it any other way. Got any idea what you intend to say to her when she finds you?”

Danny paused. He pushed himself standing. “Maybe I could talk her ear off about NASA until she gets bored of me?”

“Excellent. Can I join? I have a lot to say about SpaceX and private capital encroaching on space exploration.”

“Does that apply to me? I’ve been to space. Am I private capital?”

“You’re not private capital.”

“Then what am I?”

“Annoying.” Sam locked arms with Danny, and dragged him along forward, her combat boots clunking against the rooftop. “And my friend. Come on. I’ll brief you on everything wrong with privately-owned space exploration while we’re rappelling down the side of the building with my sick and cool as hell grappling hook.”

“I can fly.”

“And I have a sick grappling hook. What’s your point.”

“It’s probably called a ‘Fenton Hook.’”

“Is that a Phantom Phact?”

Danny shook his head, and a smile pulled on his lips. “Nah. I think it’s a Fenton Fact.”

[birgittesilverbae]

Hey there, I'm loving your dads au so much, your snippets make my day! Just curious, is there a specific country/region that the story is set in? I think your earlier stuff mentioned that Libby's strong British (?) accent is made while in school. Thanks, and have a good day!

glad you like it! it's a pleasure to write!

the answer is uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh *waves hands about vaguely* probably mainly North American vibes because I'm not gonna make a fool of myself by trying to set it somewhere else in that regard.

Libby's school stuff will likely trend Canadian for reasons

Lilith's career is more firmly rooted in the US political system

Shannon lives in a universe where women can make a living playing pro hockey and where I don't get into a rant about the clusterfuck that is the state of North American women's hockey

Bea and Lilith grew up in England, and Bea, Lilith, and Shannon went to boarding school together somewhere in the Northeast US maybe? somewhere with a good hockey program. idk, handwave this

Libby's got a strong accent because that's what she's been exposed to most at home and in media consumption (I am resisting the urge to go research accent development in children right now I am so brave and strong)

I cannot overstate how little pre-planning I do for any of this AU. I'll just say the first bullshit that comes into my head, or someone else will say it, and boom, that's canon (thanks Casper for Shannon's Oreo obsession)