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fruitcoops · 4 years

Note

If you’re up for more of a series could you possibly write the part of Remus recovering at home after leaving the game (the one with the stick to the face) and Sirius having to take care of him and all that?

Yes, I can! I’m so glad you guys are enjoying the continuation of something I wrote so long ago <3 Side note: I would give my left foot to be part of the Lions groupchat. Sweater Weather credit goes to @lumosinlove!

TW for bruises and blood

Sirius was worried. Even though Remus claimed he felt fine, he was just fine, everything was fine, a small seed of doubt lingered in the back of his mind. He had dozed off in the car on the way home—Sirius’ heart had stuttered for a moment before the swelling-enhanced snores started. His phone lit up every few seconds, but he didn’t dare take his eyes off the road for even a millisecond, just in case.

Remus woke when the car stopped and immediately winced. “What’s wrong?” Sirius asked, taking the hand that rested on his thigh.

“Just hurts.” Remus kissed his knuckles as best he could. His skin felt strange, and the edge of the tape was an unfamiliar sensation next to the softness of his lips. Sirius collected their gear from the trunk, then helped him up the front steps; just as he went to unlock the door, he felt Remus’ hand tighten on his forearm. “I hate not being able to see well.”

Sirius kissed his temple. “That’s what you’ve got me for.”

Hattie stopped in her tracks as soon as the door opened, and Remus frowned. “Hatters? Where are you, sweet girl?”

“She’s here.” Sirius whistled for her and crouched, setting their bags aside while Remus sat crosslegged on the floor and held his arms out. Hattie’s tail wagged low, almost as if she was afraid; she glanced up at Sirius, who tilted his head back toward Remus. “Go on, mon chou, he’s not going to break.”

“C’mere,” Remus said softly, shifting in her direction. “C’mere, babycakes. I need some cuddles right now—there we go. Okay, Hat Trick, okay.”

Sirius carefully closed the door as Hattie climbed into Remus’ lap and let him hug her, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Good girl,” Sirius said softly. A quiet sniffle led to a flinch. “Re? What’s wrong?”

“I fucking love our dog.” His voice sounded even more clogged than before.

“Are you alright?”

“It really hurts.” A shuddering breath made Hattie nuzzled closer. “Hey, good girl. I love you.”

Sirius sat down next to them and wrapped his arm around Remus’ shoulder, tracing a pattern with his thumb. “Deep breaths. You can take more Tylenol in a few hours. Let’s go get some ice, yeah?”

“Can I stay here with her?”

“Of course.” Sirius kissed the top of his head and gave Hattie a gentle pet before walking into the kitchen and grabbing an ice pack out of the freezer, as well as a towel to wrap it. The last thing Remus needed was a freezer-burned bruise. They were in the same position when he came back, though Remus raised his head from her thick fur when he heard him coming. “I’m going to put it on your face, okay?”

“Okay.” Remus sighed when the ice pressed against his eye and one hand came up to cradle Sirius’, running carefully down to his wrist. “Love you.”

“I love you, too. I was thinking about making some soup if you want to hang here for a bit.”

Remus nodded silently, though his lower lip wobbled in the one spot it wasn’t puffy. Sirius carefully transferred the ice pack to his hand and ran his thumbs over Remus’ cheekbones—usually they were sharp enough to cut glass, but now they were purple and overheated under his touch. He kissed each one before going back to the kitchen.

After grabbing some soup from the freezer and turning the stove on, he finally took his phone out. You Have: 20 New Messages

Message From: J ;)

Did you get home safe?

Call me when u can

Lil is worried ☹

Tell Re we send big hugs

Message From: Tremz <3

Lmk when you get home

Leo is making soup for u

Bringing it over demain matin and won’t let us have any :(((

Message From: Bliz

Nat sends her love for Re

Remember ice packs and NO IBUPROFEN DUMBASS

Ily

Message From: Dumo

Sa mère est inquiète

Send text when home safe, love you

Message From: Walkie Talkie :P

U okay? Sending lots of love

Lmk if you need soup or smth <3

Message From: Hope <3

Thank you for the call honey <3

Tell Remus not to look at his phone and keep us updated please

Love you so much <3

Message From: Baby Rookie

I’m bringing y’all soup and that’s a threat

NO IBUPROFEN OR I’LL TP UR HOUSE

Big hugs for Re <333

Sirius laughed under his breath.

Message To: STANLEY CUP CHAMPS FUCK YES

Home safe. Re is fine, getting lots of cuddles from Hattie. Thanks for the messages.

He sent a few more texts to the individual people and, after a quick conversation with Hope, stirred the soup until it began to bubble. Remus entered the kitchen a few seconds after he took two bowls out of the cupboard. “Smells good.”

“It does. Are the lights bugging you?”

“Nah. At least I can see.”

Sirius poured out two portions and set one in front of Remus, handing him a spoon as well. “Careful, it’s hot.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Can’t cook it cold.”

Sirius’ phone began to ping several times in rapid succession and he turned the ringer off quickly, checking the screen to make sure there wasn’t an emergency. “Leo’s bringing us soup in the morning.”

“Neat. Is everyone else okay?” Remus blew the steam off his spoon.

“The guys are all worried about you.” Sirius glanced back up, only to see Remus staring down at his soup bowl, frozen in place. “Re? Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“Is this my mom’s?” he asked in a small voice.

Sirius wracked his brain. “…I think so? It was in the freezer. Is that okay?”

He nodded silently and a tear dripped down his cheek. “ ‘s fine.”

“Are you sure?” He reached across the counter and pressed Remus’ hand between his own, wiping his cheek dry.

“God, I miss them. You called her, right? To let her know I’m fine?”

“I did. She told me to give you something.”

Remus’ eyebrows drew together and he looked up. “What?”

Sirius scooted around the table and wrapped his arms around Remus, pulling him in for a tight hug and pressing his face into his curls. “This.”

“Thank you.” Remus went a little boneless against him. “I needed that.”

“I bet. Do you want me to give them another call so you can talk to her?”

Remus squinted at the clock. “It’s pretty late.”

“They’re still awake.”

“Could we?” Remus dug around in his pocket and handed it to Sirius, who dialed Hope’s number and put it on speakerphone.

The call connected on the first ring. “Hello?”

“Hey, mom.”

“Are you okay, love?” Hope sounded like she was on the verge of tears already. “You sound a little funny.”

“A little banged up, but I’m alright.” Remus gripped Sirius’ hand tightly. “We heated up the soup you left us.”

“Oh, I’m so glad. Have you taken any Tylenol? Ibuprofen is bad for bruises, but I don’t know how much pain you’re in.” Her voice hitched at the end of the sentence.

“Mom, it’s okay,” Remus said gently. “It’s okay, I promise I’m fine. It looked worse than it was.”

Looks pretty bad to me. “Hestia took really good care of him,” Sirius said instead. “We got home safe and we’re icing up now.”

“What’s the healing look like? Sirius said you didn’t have a concussion.”

Thank you, Remus mouthed before turning back to the phone. “About two weeks, mostly for the little scrapes.”

The ‘little scrapes’ were held together by strips of medical tape, but once again, Sirius kept his thoughts to himself. “The blood was just a regular old nosebleed and a cut on the lip.”

Hope paused and they heard a new voice in the background. “Alright. Is it okay if Jules and your father say goodnight?”

“Yeah, totally.” Remus sniffled and Sirius silently handed him a tissue.

The line crackled for a moment. “Re?”

“Hey, buddy!” All trace of pain and exhaustion disappeared from his voice. “How’s it going?”

“Are you still bleeding?”

“Nope, my nose is a-okay. I’ve got a pretty cool black eye, though. Kinda look like a pirate.”

“The announcers were saying you were really hurt.” Jules’ voice wavered and Sirius’ heart broke a bit.

“Well, they were wrong.” Remus leaned closer to the phone, as if he could reach right through it. “In two weeks I’ll be good as new. I was really lucky.”

“Okay,” Jules still sounded unsure. “Mom says I have to go to bed.”

“Yeah, it’s late, buddy. Sleep well. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

There was a rustling noise. “Remus?”

“Hey, dad.” The exhaustion returned and Sirius rubbed his back gently, letting him lean on his shoulder.

After a moment of hesitation, Lyall sighed. “Alright, they’re in the other room. What actually happened?”

“High stick from the Ravens caught me in the face. No concussion, just bruises and swelling.”

“Do I want to ask Sirius to send me a picture?”

Remus winced. “Probably not.”

He sighed again. “I’m sorry we can’t come out and see you.”

“Don’t worry about it, dad,” Remus said softly. “Really, I’m okay. It sucks, it hurts, I’ll ice it and be fine.”

“Sirius, are you there?”

“I’m here.”

“If he starts pulling some ‘go back to practice early’ bullshit—”

“Dad—”

“—don’t let him. If you have to lock him in the bathroom, I promise to cover for you.”

“Yes, sir,” Sirius laughed.

Lyall chuckled on the other end as Remus groaned. “Love you.”

“Love you, too. If Sirius locks me in a bathroom, I’m citing you in the court case.”

“There won’t be enough witnesses if he does it right. Sleep well, kiddo. Thanks for calling.”

“Love you,” Remus said again as the call ended. He blew out a long breath and leaned his forehead on Sirius’ chest. “Thank you for that.”

“Ne rien, mon loup. You should eat and then take a shower.”

“Are you saying I smell?” Remus teased.

“Yes, I am. I also think you’ll feel better if you do.”

They ate in silence; both were hungry, so it wasn’t long before Remus walked carefully up the stairs. Sirius checked the groupchat as he poured himself a third bowl of soup. You Have: 7 New Messages.

Message From: STANLEY CUP CHAMPS FUCK YES

DETAILS CAP

That is the blandest fucking response I’ve ever read

I’m guessing y’all are alive then???

Y’all

Haha y’all

Ok gator boy

Give Hattie lots of kisses from us and also GIVE US DETAILS

Message To: STANLEY CUP CHAMPS FUCK YES

What do you want to know??? We got home, ate soup, called parents, and now Re is showering

You’re so fucking nosy jfc

Also cut Rookie some slack it’s hard being so far from his swamp

Message From: STANLEY CUP CHAMPS FUCK YES

From the bottom of my heart, go fuck yourself.

He doesn’t have to he has Remus

Pots I’m going to remove your kneecaps

Sirius paused just before responding. Despite the quiet of the house, he couldn’t hear the shower running. “Re?”

“Up here.”

“Did you take a shower already?”

“Not yet.”

The bathroom door was ajar and the light was on when he entered their bedroom; Remus stood at the sink, staring into the mirror as he felt along the edges of the butterfly tape at his lip. “Did something happen?”

“It’s worse than I thought.” Sirius stepped inside and joined him, staring at their reflections. The stripes that marked the stick’s edges had turned almost indigo since they left the rink; no less than six pieces of tape decorated the places between mottled bruises. Remus reached up to touch his cheekbone and Sirius guided his hand back down.

“Poking it won’t help.”

“Two weeks, huh?”

“That’s what Hestia told me.”

“Will you help me get the tape off?”

Sirius patted the edge of the counter and Remus pushed himself up on it, leaning forward for easy access. The first one was easy—a small cut just below his brow. It slid away without an issue and Sirius pressed a gentle kiss to the spot, then moved on to the next one. They fell into a rhythm—one side, second side, slow pull, and a kiss, until only two were left.

Remus hissed in pain as he lifted the edge of the tape across the bridge of his nose and Sirius shushed him softly, moving to the other side. “Two more, sweetheart.”

“Just rip it off.”

Sirius gave him a look. “Absolutely not.”

“I’ll do it.”

“No, you won’t, because that would be a stupid idea.”

Remus huffed, but didn’t protest. His jaw ticked as Sirius pulled the last bit off. “Can we leave the lip one?”

“Not unless you want an infection.”

“You’d be a good PT.”

“I would be the worst PT.” Sirius worked the inner edge free. “I know, like, ten stretches and basic first aid. My bedside manner sucks, too, and I’d pass the fuck out if someone asked me to set a bone for them.”

“Good points all around,” Remus laughed.

The motion pulled the last of the tape off and Sirius held it up with a grin. “All done. Hey, your swelling is down. I can see your eyes now.”

The slight gleam of amber brightened as Remus smiled. “I thought I could see a little better.”

“Do you want company?”

Remus thought for a moment, prodding the cut on his lip with his tongue. “As much as I’d love to invite you in, I think I need a second to myself.”

“Cool.” Sirius kissed his cheek and stepped out of the bathroom. “Yell if you need anything. I’ll be in bed.”

He made a pit stop downstairs to gather Hattie and bring Remus’ ice pack up, and by the time he finally slid between the sheets it was nearly midnight. Remus came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, looking happier but still incredibly worn out. He took another Tylenol and snuggled up against Sirius’ side with a quiet hum, laying the ice pack over his face once again.

“Sleep tight, Re.”

“Love you.”

205 notes · View notes

writingsfromhome · 4 years

Text

A June Love Story (Pt 2)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Epilogue

June. Three years ago.

Harry: The outdoor garden is alight with laughter and happy greetings as everyone comes together for Jack and Jess’s baby shower. I try to find a familiar face as I walk through the gates, but I only recognise Jack’s family. My eyes continue scanning anyway, barely admitting to myself I was looking for one face in particular.

A small gasp from beside me lets me know my girlfriend had returned with our name tags. Leave it to Jack to have nametags at a baby shower to help everyone mingle. “This is lovely isn’t it?”

I look down at Alyssa, my girlfriend of seven months-the longest I’d kept a girlfriend in a while. Jack’s Jess actually made the introduction, she was her maid of honour at their wedding. And as cliche as it was, the maid of honour did indeed end the night in the best man’s bed.

Alyssa scrunchles her nose and loops her arm through mine, “let’s go find the parents-to-be!”

“Yeah okay,” I laugh. Alyssa was always a bubbly personality, never a mean word out of her. It was refreshing but the complete opposite of how I could get. I always had to watch what I said, she was too soft for harsh words.

“I heard there’s a secret baby wager going around,” Alyssa tells me as we make our way to the deck. “Don’t tell Jess though, I’m pretty sure it was Jack who started it.”

“Oh it was definitely Jack who started it,” I chuckle. “You can get him to bet on anything.”

“So?” Alyssa peers at me. “What did you wager?”

“Why did you think I wagered?” I laugh but Alyssa only raises her eyebrow; I give in. “A boy.”

Alyssa rolls her eyes but we stop the conversation as Jess nears, “There you are!” She hugs the both of us and the girls begin gushing over how big her bump had gotten. As much as I would love to have kids of my own someday, it wasn’t today. I zone out and look around the small garden, I almost don’t catch her.

Y/N, in the flesh. The last time I saw her was Jack’s wedding, she’d been a little cold. I didn’t blame her. After she broke down in front of me at her housewarming, I guessed she was embarassed again. But she stayed away the whole weekend, avoiding me until I cornered her on the dance floor on wedding day.

She’d confessed, she was avoiding me. And she also admitted she was confused anytime she saw me, it complicated her feelings, her relationship with Nate which she was sorting out. She didn’t want to put more strain on it. I told her to break up with him. She got upset and said I would never understand, things were complicated. She left. I decided Y/N was never going to leave Nate, I was putting my love life on hold for her but “we” were never going to happen. So I went to bed with the maid of honour.

When I realised a few weeks ago I was seeing her again, I couldn’t stop thinking about her again: all my old feelings resurfaced. And here I was trying to find her face in the crowd even though I was here with Alyssa. But there was a draw to Y/N I couldn’t deny. It was unhealthy.

She’s talking to Jack, I realise. And her hair was short. Really short. And dyed. She has on a white tee tucked into loose green trousers. There was no Nate in sight. I had to talk to her before he showed up and ruined things as he did.

“Look at Harry eyeing Jack,” Jess’ voice snaps me out of it. I didn’t realise how hard I was staring. “You can be excused from this boring conversation Harry! Go talk to him!”

Alyssa giggles and pecks my cheek before leaving with Jess. I push aside the guilt of what I was really looking at, I do what they say. My heart pounds the closer I get to her.

“The godfather to my unborn child,” Jack spots me first and rushes me. I grapple with his body and hug him.

“I will ruin your child if you make me the godfather,” I swear. “I don’t know the first thing about kids. I’m not worthy.”

“Nah I’ve seen you with your wittle fans,” Jack mocks and looks over at Y/N to include her. “He’s this big softie inside.”

“Y/N,” I acknowledge her, anticipating a cold nod. But surprisingly, her face breaks into a genuine smile and it takes my bloody breath away.

“Harry,” she moves to give me a hug. She’s warm from the sun and smells like lavender. I could stay there longer but we break apart.

“Look at the two of you,” Jack comments as we break. “No fighting, no rudeness. Almost like we’re all adults.”

“I can speak for myself, but I don’t know if we can call Harry that quite yet,” Y/N teases.

“There it is, I should’ve known it was coming.” Jack swings his arm and we all laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Alyssa comes up from behind and she joins the group. With the way Y/N watches her arm wrap around my waist, I realise she didn’t know. She didn’t know. And her face falls now that she does.

“These two finally getting along,” Jack says when nobody talks.

“I don’t think we’ve formally met,” Y/N sticks out her hand. “You’re Jess’ bridesmaid right?”

“Maid of honour,” Alyssa corrects and I watch my worlds collide as they shake hands. “But most people call me Alyssa.”

That earns a laugh but as the group eases into small talk, I avoid looking at Y/N. I didn’t know what I expected today, but the reality of it makes me realise I was in some deep shite.

Y/N: The one time I’m finally single, Harry’s not. It’s my bloody luck! I’m single after years and the one guy I thought I might reconnect with, is taken. The worst part, by a kind and gorgeous woman.

The last time I saw Harry was at Jack’s wedding. I was still with Nate then, we were on the cusp of another breakup. But it felt different that time. Seeing Jack marry the woman he was so clearly in love with, the same woman who’d broken his heart after their split...it made me realise things. Nate and I broke up again and again and every time we got back together, we were just more broken than before. We were papier maché of broken bits acting like a perfect whole-Jack and Jess broke up once, and soon as they got back together, Jack had proposed and she’d said yes. And I was still in the same shitty relationship from my early twenties. I couldn’t even imagine Nate proposing. It was pathetic how I fooled myself into thinking we were worth something together.

What was more pathetic was it took another month to officially break up with Nate. Convince him it was for good, forever. It took a week for him to move on to a girl he met at a club. And another four months of living in the empty house he’d moved out of because it was my name on the lease. As soon as the year was over, I’d found the first decent flat and that marked the end of a shitty almost decade of my life.

And today, it seemed my shitty decade persisted. It was clear I was fated to be alone and miserable.

“So where’s Nate?” Harry asks me and that gets a string of swear words out of Jack. Alyssa looks on confused.

“We broke up,” I say simply, carefully watching Harry’s barelt hide the shock and something that almost looks like regret. I wondered what was going on in his head, and immediately feel like a bad person. He was in a happy relationship, I shouldn’t interfere.

“Thank fuck,” Jack says just as Jess walks up. He winces and covers her stomach.

“You know you’re not covering the baby’s ears, right?” Jess says to Jack.

“I am-I’m a doctor honey, I would know.” Jack says and kisses Jess. My heart twinges, I can’t help it. I missed the feeling of being so in love.

“So as a doctor can you figure out why Alyssa is so afraid of children,” Harry asks, the conversation fast moving away from my breakup thankfully. But moving towards Alyssa and Harry having a baby and the thought makes my stomach drop.

“I just don’t want to bring another human into this world!” Alyssa defends herself, it sounded like it was an argument they’d had before. “I’ll gladly be the godmother though. I just don’t want any of my own.”

“Isn’t it nice the godmother and father of our children made it easy for us, they’re already a couple.” Jack comments.

“Thanks to my matchmaking skills,” Jess says. So that’s how it happened, I think.

***

My cramps kick in later in the day and I scramble to find a painkiller. The intensity makes me sit out of the games, so I settle down on a picnic blanket near a garden patch, happily watching the competition between Jack and Jess’ friends. Three girls and guys stand as their groups try to make diapers out of TP before they tag the next person to change a doll’s diaper. A baby-themed obstacle course, which was probably Jess-inspired. I smile at the thought.

Lost in thought, I pick up a few of the fallen flowers just as a pair of sneakers come into view and breaks me away from my thoughts.

“Can I join you?” Harry’s low voice asks.

“Sure,” I brush aside my mixed feelings and shift to make room. He sits down, leaning back to watch the games. One of the girls being dressed was Alyssa. Her back is mostly to us but he watches her fondly.

“It’s been a while,” Harry finally says, looking over at me.

“Yeah,” I twirl a flower in my fingers, a couple petals fall off. “Feels like a lifetime ago though since we last saw each other. Congrats, by the way, on your awards.”

I’d watched every second of that awards show, attentive to every moment Harry was on screen. I’d gone to text him later that night and realise I never even had his number.

“Thanks,” Harry skims past the accolades humbly. “Seems like a lot has changed between now and then.”

“I know,” I try not to sound bitter. “I finally broke up with Nate, you got together with Alyssa-who is lovely by the way. Let’s see...you won an amazing award-your career’s really taking off, I moved into a flat in central and got a promotion and...am I missing anything else?”

“You changed your hair,” Harry says like duh.

I laugh and point to his buzzcut, “Yeah. I did, so did you.”

It was a rash decision on my part. When I moved into the new flat, I wanted to be done with every part of my old life. So I’d done something drastic. Remembering it dredges up unwanted feelings: loneliness, anger, insecurities, and unhappiness. I go quiet as Harry laughs at something that happens with the obstacle course. It takes me back to when we first met, how I wanted to hear that laugh for the rest of my life. And that wasn’t something I could have anymore.

“Earth to Y/N,” Harry says gently. I’m too lost in thought to look up but he calls my name again, his fingers lifting my chin up so I’m looking at him. He’d shifted closer to call my name, leaning on his hand that’s splayed right beside me, the tips of his fingers a breath away from my thighs. The pain of being so close to him yet not being with him is palpable.

With his fingers still on my chin, my eyes meet his and I realise I’d never seen them this close up with the sunlight leaving no shadows in sight. They ask me a question I don’t know how to answer, they ask if I was okay. But I really didn’t know anymore.

I put on a smile for his sake, so he wouldn’t ask out loud, and push the flower I was playing with behind his ear. He looks cute, and my smile widens as I drop my hand down to lay beside his. His smile stays in place, his pinky reaching out to touch me while his eyes still watch me, asking the same question. My smile drops away and I look down again to our hands so close together. I couldn’t let him see me cry like he did once. I was stronger than I was then-I couldn’t cry.

“Harry there you are! Do you like it?” We both look up as Alyssa comes running up to show off her TP diaper and sash. Harry leans away and I immediately miss the feeling of him being so close. God, what was wrong with me.

“Wow what a look,” Harry stands up and walks towards her. She grins, so clearly in love with him. Like his eyes were only for her-and they probably were. I think I pushed Harry away one time too many. Our chance was gone. Yet to think all he had to say was “yes” four years ago, we could have had our chance all this time.

June. Two Years Ago.

The crowd was huge and I grab Jack’s arm to avoid getting lost. The sun was relentless, shining down her rays until I was sticky and sunburnt.

“Can you believe this?” Jack shouts to me. I mouth an I know as we grin at each other. It was the first festival we’d been to in years, the feeling of hot bodies packed together in the sun was not as fun in your late twenties than your early twenties. The only reason we were here was because Harry was playing and we were stoked, ready to scream with the crowd as he performed. I told him I would wear the neon cowboy hat so he could find us in the crowd.

“Our boy’s a bloody rockstar!” A giddy laugh bubbles up as we make our way into the crowd to find Jess and Alyssa.

It had been a year since I found out about Alyssa and Harry, I was crushed about it. But Harry really was incredibly happy with her, and the more time I spent with her the more I liked her and got over my petty feelings. Jack usually invited me to be their fifth wheel on double-dates or would set me up with a friend of his and Jess’. None of the setups were as good as Harry but a couple did last a few months. I was feeling better than I had in a long time though, and finding my freedom in being single. And Harry and I were actually friends, often texting each other stupid memes and videos.

“There they are!” Jack points to two girls. I slow down as Jack rushes to surprise Jess from behind. I slowly approach and Jess pulls me into her famous hugs.

“It’s so he can spot us,” I say when Jess asks about my choice of hat. “Speaking of the devil...” I look to the front just as Harry walks onstage and the crowd around us becomes one large megaphone.

And the experience is pure magic. Harry becomes otherwordly on stage as he performs the songs I knew every word to and we all shout the lyrics back to him. During his slower songs, the crowd quiets down and my heart bursts realising just how much I loved the man onstage. How loved he was by the enormous crowd.

“I’m so telling Harry he made you cry,” Jack says in my ear and I startle; I didn’t realise I was crying.

“I’ll kill you-“ I say as Jack already snaps a picture. I stick up my finger for the second and he takes a selfie with me for the third. I roll my eyes as Harry introduces his last song.

“It’s not on my album, or any platforms. I think it’s my first time performing it...”

I assume it was a song about Alyssa, he’d already sang two about her. I glance at her to see her reaction but her head is bent over a phone. Curiosity gets the better of me-who would she be texting while Harry was performing?

I could barely make out the name but it’s definitely not Harry’s; I can only see hearts. The texts themselves...I quickly bounce back on my heels and look away just as Alyssa looks back at me. I pretend to be interested in Harry, only glancing at her because she was looking at me. She smiles but she looks guilty and my heart thuds, louder than the crowd, ready to fall out of my chest as I fall back into his fans. I try to push away the ugly truth of it.

“So the working title is Speechless, but don’t hold me to it.” Harry says and I swear he’s looking right at me. My heart takes another beating as the name clicks, I didn’t know how much more my heart could take as it flutters along with the opening notes and into the chorus

Mouth open, shut, she’s speechless. Heart open, shut, I’m speechless.

I listen to his lyrics. They’re about me. About a strong woman who he left speechless, that being the only power he had over her. Because I might love her but she didn’t love me, she gave herself to another and left me lonely.

Harry was with Alyssa, I remind myself. Alyssa might be...cheating on Harry? But they were still together. Harry and Alyssa. Together.

So why was he performing this, in front of me?

***

“You sure you don’t want anything?” Jess asks me, as they order food from a stand. I couldn’t think about eating, I make an excuse that I was staying hydrated. Harry told us about a private area we could meet him, he’d told security we were coming so we were just getting a bite to take to him. I wasn’t sure what I would do when we got to him.

He’s a sweaty happy mess when we do, listening to everyone’s praises with a big grin, laughing and acting shy as we all hug him. This was his first festival!

“How did you like the new song?” Harry asks, his eyes lingering on mine.

“I was speechless,” Jack jokes.

“I’m curious who the inspiration was,” Alyssa teases Harry, I try not to act as flustered.

“Someone long ago,” Harry winks and they pretend to be scandalized.

“I’m starving,” Jess lifts her container. “I’m finding a place to sit.”

Alyssa and her head to an empty spot while the three of us head to the water station first.

“So when are you going to do it?” I hear Jack asking Harry as I fill my bottle.

“Do what?” I ask, looking from Jack to Harry.

“Uhm, I was going to-I was thinking today was a good time to finally-“

“He’s bloody proprosing to Alyssa!” Jack whispers to me. If I thought the song or Alyssa’s texts were going to end me, I was wrong. This was worse. It felt like a trainwreck I could only watch, and not stop. This was going to end horribly, and Harry. Harry...I didn’t want him to end up in a relationship like mine. I had to stop it somehow.

“Y/N?” Jack waves his hand in front of my face.

“Woah!” I try to cover up. “I was waiting for the punchline! Harry, really? You’re ready to-to commit?”

“Yeah,” Harry shrugs. “I think it’s time.”

“Have you guys talked about it?” I ask curiously.

“A couple times. But I know it’s the right time.”

“I asked Jess to marry me before we talked about it,” Jack says, and I know he’s eyeing me suspiciously. He knew me too well. “And look at us now.”

“You and Jess are a golden exception Jack,” I roll my eyes. “I just want to make sure Harry isn’t springing it unexpected.”

Jack’s phone rings-Jess wondering what was taking us so long and asking if he could get her another drink. That leaves Harry and me walking back together alone and the guilt of knowing his girlfriend may be cheating on him eats me up so I burst after we walk in silence.

“Harry, I don’t think you should do it.”

“What?” Harry heard me but he looks confused. “Why would you say that?”

“I just...I can’t...I can’t say. Just trust me.” I didn’t want to be the one to break it to him. But I didn’t want him to fuck his life up either.

“Trust you? Give me something to trust Y/N! Why wouldn’t I propose to the woman I love?”

Ouch. “Just trust me Harry please,” I stop and grab his arm. “I never interfere with your love life unlike you do with mine, but I just think you should wait. Talk to her about it first. I don’t want you to make a mistake.”

Harry scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Why don’t you tell me what this is really about Y/N.”

“What?” Now it was my turn to be confused.

“I know we’ve had a history, and you’ve been out of a relationship for a while. But that song was one I wrote years ago, when you were still with Nate. I was in love with you then-not-not now. I love Alyssa, not you.”

My jaw drops, that was not what I meant but Harry’s bluntness is misdirected, his old mean streak coming out. I wanted to tell him what I saw on her phone even more than before, how did he think I was that...jealous that I would stop him because I wanted him?

“What the fuck!” I finally sputter out after Harry turns to continue walking. “D-do you really-who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? You really think I’m petty enough to try to stop you because I think we belong together or some-you’re a self-centered dick, Harry! I’m just looking out for you!”

“I don’t want you to! I never asked you to!” Harry shouts back. “I don’t need you in my life Y/N! I don’t need your judgements or your advice. I want nothing from you. Unlike you, I have a healthy relationship with an amazing woman and I plan on bloody marrying her whether you want me to or not!”

“I-“ his words sting the back of my eyes and the lump in my throat feels like a tennis ball lodged too tight. I don’t need you in my life. He was right, we weren’t as close ever since he got together with Alyssa...we only ever hung out because of Jack. Harry moved on from me. “You know what, whatever. I cared about you as a friend Harry, that’s why I look out for you. Maybe you should ask yourself why your performed that song in the first place if you love Alyssa so much. But whatever. If I’m nothing to you, do whatever-just do whatever you want. I’m going to find Jack.”

I force my wobbling legs to turn around and go in the direction that Jack left. I find him just as he pays for his drinks and when he sees me he knows something’s wrong but I deny it until he gives up. I claim I felt sick, to let the group know. I let myself cry when I reach my car, not knowing Harry was proposing at the exact same moment.

June 21, One Year Ago

Harry: “Have you spoken to Y/N recently?” Jack asks me over the phone. I could hear Jack’s kid crying in the background, his daughter born in April-who they also named April.

“Not since your baby shower,” I reply. “You know we don’t talk anymore. After I fucked it all up.”

“I thought you patched things up at the baby shower?” Jack asks.

“I tried but Alyssa was there and I was distracted. She was just polite. I think I ruined anything between us for good.” And I felt like an idiot. After the whole disaster between Y/N and I at the festival, what was supposed to be the happiest day turned into the worst when I got back home.

Alyssa confessed to me that night she’d said yes because we were in front of all our friends but she couldn’t marry me. She’d met someone else, nothing actually happened between them but she couldn’t marry me. And it tore me apart. I finally understood why Y/N was trying to stop me, she must’ve known somehow.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realised how hard I was trying to force Alyssa to be my perfect girl. She wasn’t. I could never let go around her, always had to make sure I didn’t offend her. She never wanted kids, one day I did. I wasn’t enough for her, I forced her to be enough for me.

But at the time, I was heartbroken. I drank myself into blackouts and missed so many important meetings. I lost an album deal and set my bloody career back. I lost the only girl who maybe was enough for me, told her she was nothing to me. And I only apologised to her a few months ago. By then, it seemed like she moved on.

“Mate, what the hell are you doing feeling sorry for yourself and not trying harder for her? She doesn’t have a boyfriend, she’s still in love with you-“

“How do you know?” I demand. “She treated me like she was forced to talk to me. She’s over me. We were over before we had any chance!”

“Whenever I bring you up, she flinches Harry. She’s still hurt by what you said, that means she’s not over you. Just talk to her.”

“Is that Harry? Tell him I’ll put these babies down and kick his arse if he doesn’t go after Y/N! Did you see her last time she came over for dinner...” Jess in the background interrupts the conversation. Maybe the worst part of all this was I did give up on Y/N. I was embarassed that she knew about Alyssa and me before I did. And I’d said such stupid things to her. I didn’t think I was redeemable.

Y/N: I check my hair in the mirror one last time before I grab my purse. I was meeting Jack and Jess at a nearby restaurant for dinner, ever since they had their baby in April I had only seen them once. They’d secured a babysitter-Jack’s sister-and we were all planning on just catching up.

On the tube ride there, I can’t help but think about Harry. Usually dinners with J&J meant Harry was there too but ever since the festival, his proposal...the four of us hadn’t hung out. We talked for a bit at Jack’s baby shower, I had tried to act like I moved on and was doing really well. I don’t know if he bought it. Alyssa was there with her new boyfriend and she seemed happier than ever, I noticed how Harry kept looking at her. That had done it for me, he was still hung up over her. Even though Jack told me he was in a bad place after the breakup but better now, it was right before me. And I was done reading in between the lines with Harry.

I get to the restaurant just as Jack’s pulling out Jess’ chair. It was a fanicier restaurant, our table in the middle of the space. Jess springs back up to give me a tight squeeze and we settle in but I notice they glance at each other frequently.

“Is something the matter?” I ask after the fifth time.

“No? Why?” Jack looks at Jess again and I point it out.

“There! Why do you keep looking at each other?”

Jack and Jess’s gaze moves above my shoulders and I feel a presence behind me. I turn around and Harry stares back just as shocked.

“You guys bloody did not,” I stand up and face them. “Is this just an elaborate hoax to get me to talk to him?”

“I didn’t know anything about this,” Harry raises his hands in defence. But he still moves towards the empty seat. Like he was okay with this.

“We didn’t mean to parent trap you two but...” Jess looks to Jack.

“You have a lot to talk about. We hate having to see you guys separately, we miss the gang. Just have one dinner that’s all.”

I want to whip my glass across the wall, I was angrier than I should be. But it wasn’t like they didn’t mean well. So I drop into my seat like a child after a temper tauntrum and glare at Harry. I ignore him up until we order when Jack gets a “text” from his sister about an emergency and just like that, they rush off and leave Harry and I alone.

“We haven’t even ordered yet,” I say. “We could just call it a night ourselves.”

“J&J went through all this to get us to dinner, we could just...have dinner.” Harry looks at me from his menu. It’s like my life had come full circle, Jack setting me up to have dinner with Harry. Except this time, it’s Jack and his wife and I already know Harry would just be a waste of my time.

“You’d like that,” I mutter as I stare at the words without reading them.

“What?” Harry leans in. “Are you talking shite under your breath?”

My brows shoot up, taken aback by Harry’s abrasiveness. I hadn’t seen this side to Harry in a while. “What if I am?”

“I’d like to know what you’re saying,” Harry moves to the seat next to me. “Lay it on me.”

I stare at Harry’s strange behaviour, glance at his glass but it’s untouched.

“This dinner?” I stare him square in the eye.” “Really for your benefit. Jack probably pitied you and decided to try to rekindle the flame he lit in the first place, I don’t bloody care to be here. I’m fine if you’re not in my life.”

“Who said I want this?” Harry asks. “I’m fine if you’re not in my life.”

Even though I’d just said those words to him, when he says them back they sting a little. And it must’ve shown in my face because Harry backs down a little. He reaches for his glass and takes the first sip. The waiter takes our order and I’m left staring at Harry’s side profile as he burns a hole into his glass. I open my mouth to talk but he speaks first.

“I’m sorry for being so horrible to you. All these years, not just at the festival.” Harry finally makes eye contact and it’s my turn to look away. He waits for me to say something and when I don’t he speaks again. “You don’t have to forgive me, I understand if you don’t. But I did lie right now, I wouldn’t be fine if you weren’t in my life. I haven’t been fine. I don’t know what else to say except I’m sorry.”

Tears spring up and I hate them. But remembering Harry’s words from that day, how often I did recall them. And I think he’s done but he continues:

“I really thought I had it all figured out with Alyssa. When I think about it now I know we would never have lasted. I don’t know how you knew she...but she couldn’t...it just wasn’t meant to be. With her and me. And I wish I believed I wasn’t such a dick that day. I think I was just scared what losing her would mean. So I lost you instead.”

I would never admit it, but life was a little less dull without Harry. I missed when we hung out with J&J, the four of us had fun. But I didn’t want my life to be a pattern of crawling back to any man I had history with.

“Thank you for apologising,” I say formally, it was the only way I wouldn’t cry. “But I don’t think we can be friends again.” It’s too painful, too much had happened between us.

Harry doesn’t speak for a while, I thought he wasn’t going to until he does: “Okay, if that’s what you want.” I see him lean back in the chair from the corner of my eyes. He pinches his nose and sighs, “I’ll respect your...what you want.”

It’s awkwardly silent between us as we wait for dinner. Jack texts me just as it arrives and I check it discreetly.

I’m sorryyyy!! False alarm but we decided to take the babies home. Give him a chance Y/N, he’s always asking about you. Don’t shut him out!!!! Xxx

I want to facetime Jack just to flip him off but I turn my phone over and focus on swallowing my food without throwing up.

“So,” Harry starts. “Since we’re havig dinner we should talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I decided to stay polite.

Harry looks intensely at me, “What you’ve been up to? Unless you don’t want to get...personal.”

I shrug. “I haven’t had much of a life outside of work. But I booked a month off next month, I’m visiting some American friends.”

“Oh? Where are they located?”

“Some in New York City, LA, Seattle, and one in Chicago.”

“You’re going to visit all of them?” Harry sounds surprised.

“Yep,” the excitement for the trip flares up again and I can’t help but grin. “New York first, then make my way to Chicago and then Seattle. But the most exciting part is I’m going to drive down to LA after that-“

“Alone? That’s cool!” Harry joins in on my excitement.

“Right?! I just needed...” I sputter out as I remember it was Harry I was talking to. But then, I say screw it. “I just feel like the last few years with Nate and stuff, I needed an adventure. To just go out and explore.”

“I think that sounds perfect.” Harry smiles and he looks genuinely happy for me. The way he looks at me, I feel flushed as I concentrare on my food and throw the question back at him.

“Catching up on studio time,” he says. “I missed out on a lot after...Alyssa and I split. I’m going on tour in a month.”

“Local tour?” I ask.

“America, actually.” Harry says and I raise my eyebrow.

“Maybe we’ll bump into each other,” I say without thinking. We pause as we stare at each other. I break eye contact.

“It’s a big country,” Harry says. “But if we’re destined to meet...I’d like that.”

We talk some more, Harry telling me his plan for his new album and accepting my crticism. We decide to skip dessert, I claim I was getting tired but the night was just growing heavy. I missed Harry like you miss a childhood friend. It felt like we might have outgrown each other, I wanted things to go back to simpler times, but it was so easy to fall back into a familiar pattern when we were together. It was confusing and upsetting.

Instead of an Uber this time, Harry had driven himself and he offers to drop me off. He was passing me on his way home apparently.

The ride is silent, but not awkward. An unspoken agreement to just exist beside each other and not force a conversation. As we near my flat, his song comes on. He goes to change it but I swat his hand away and turn the volume up. I catch him glancing at me but I turn my head out my window and let Speechless wash over me. The only song anyone’s ever written for me.

Before I leave, I turn to him, the goodbye a painful one. “Goodnight Harry.”

“Goodnight,” he watches me with sorrow and it makes me pause as I hop out.

“I had a nice dinner even though we were parent trapped together.”

He laughs, relief coating his features. “Me too, it wasn’t as painful as you looked when you first spotted me. I thought you were going to run out of that place.”

“I was not,” I laugh. I decide to lean back in the car and peck his cheek goodbye. “I’m really proud of you Harry. You’re definitely going places.”

He smiles, but his eyes give away the truth behind what he was thinking. It was a thought I couldn’t entertain.

I wish him goodnight again and head to my doors, making sure I didn’t turn around. I wasn’t sure I would have the strength to walk away if I did.

I drop my keys by my door and head to my room, shedding the day as I step out of my oufit and into my sweatpants. My tickets to JFK in two and a half weeks greet me as I open my freezer for ice cream, I might have refused dessert tonight but my heart needed the sweet relief that I was going to be okay. In under three weeks I was going to be halfway across the world tasting freedom and a new adventure! I couldn’t wait. As I dream about what was waiting for me, I begin to think I really was going to be okay.

#harry styles fic #harry styles x reader #harry styles angst #harry styles #fic #yearly #harry styles imagine #harry styles fanfic #this took so long because I kept changing things #but it WILL be okay #😌#and if there are any mistakes or plotholes #i've been staring at this for so long #it really doesn't matter anymore

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silver-kitsuneneko · 4 years

Text

Writing 101: How to Deal/ Accept Criticism

Well, this one has been a long time coming but I decided to add more to this post from the one I wrote some years back. I’m a little older and wiser and had learned how to be a little more thick skinned when it comes to this. And sadly no matter what you do even if you post something online or where people just have to voice their opinions on something, criticism is a part of life. But there are two types of criticism and recognizing which one is good and which isn’t can be a little hard. Today I’m going to try and give some helpful advice to just starting out writers and artists.

Rule One: Never assume that everyone is going to be sweet and kind. It’s a sad truth, especially with the age of technology, that it’s a given that people can be complete assholes online for no reason other than they can. This has started to spill out over time in real life because many people want to be edgy or cool or have that “no filters” persona about themselves. Is it right? No. Does it happen? Sadly yes. But for this critic, your best bet is to not feed into their “I’m so edgy asshole I’m not going to sugarcoat anything for you” behavior. You don’t have to take it and 9/10 they most likely just want that negative reaction out of you. Advice is to just ignore if you’re online by blocking if need be. In person, the same things happens but also try to play dumb and comeback in a way where they’re confused or otherwise upset that you’re not playing into their hands.

Rule Two: Know the Difference between Constructive Criticism and Destructive Criticism. Constructive Criticism is criticism that aims to help out the writer or artist. This could mean helping with syntax, grammar points, wonky language, missing words or even helping with world placement. Most writers LOVE this type of help because we’re so focused in getting the story out, we sometimes forget things and always appreciate the help.

An example of Constructive Criticism would be: “Hey, love your story but I think you meant to put pitcher instead of picture.” Or “Ummm I’m a little confused, there’s a lot of character talking but you’re not specifying who is who. Can you fix it? It’s a little confusing. Thanks in advance!”

Destructive Criticism is the exact opposite. Destructive doesn’t help the writer; it just nitpicks and just saying something negative just for the sake of it. This is to really just mess with the writer to get under their skin and pretty much just to get a reaction.

An example of Destructive Criticism would be: “Ugh I hate this story, it’s SOOO Cringe!” or “I stopped reading this story because I don’t like the pairing! Can’t believe you wrote them together! Change it to this pairing! Better yet I’m going tp copy and paste and put them together!”

Please don’t be Destructive. Just don’t.

Rule Three: Don’t Feed the Trolls. Seriously. I can’t stress this enough. Please do not feed into rude commentor or critics. All they want is a negative reaction from you. That’s it. They have something to prove and just want to pick a fight. Why? Mainly because of jealousy, because they have no talent so they want to pick on someone just to make them feel as miserable as they do. Also many just want to stir up trouble because of boredom. Sometimes and it’s usually rare, they’re really trying to help but lack the social skills of “I can’t be blunt to someone who doesn’t know me”. The best advice is to delete their comment, block, and ignore. No matter what you do, this way is just the easiest way. The moment you engage you lose and they got what they want. I know this may sound a bit childish. Like “you’re telling writer to block people when they don’t want to be criticized. This is the internet, if you don’t want to be criticized don’t post anything!” Well it’s a two way street. You as the writer have the right to not allow negativity on your page just like someone has the right to critique whether you want to or not. Sometimes it’s just better to ignore and block. I decided to fight back and unfortunately the person was mentally unhinged to a terrifying degree and for three long years I had to deal with an on and off cyberstalker and bully. It only ended when I had to get the FBI involved after she posted a death threat. Because I told her to leave me alone and came back with something else and I decided to retaliate, she blamed every last one of her problems on me. Thankfully she was also very stupid and posted her real name and location and it was easy to file a report. So yeah, it’s better to be safe than sorry about these types of things.

Rule Four: If someone asks to Correct and Critique your work, hear them out. As writers, we need an extra set of eyes in most things. Having someone who wants to do that for you is a great and valuable tool. Don’t forget to thank them for it. It’s also a great honor that someone loves your work just as much as you do and wants to make it better. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Rule Five: If you don’t want to critique, be honest with the person who wants to do it. Sometimes you’re just not emotionally ready for a critique. You had a bad day at work, school, life, you’re just not feeling up to it, you had an awesome day and you just don’t want the vibe to be ruined, and that’s perfectly fine! In a perfect world, a critic would ask before tearing down your latest chapter but sadly this isn’t the case. So if someone decides to write something in the comments, just ignore it until you’re ready to see it. Then ask that person privately and politely to privately message you in the future. Remember this is by your own terms. If they can’t accept that, then that’s them.

Rule Six: If you really don’t want critiques, turn off comments. Once again, there’s no shame in that, especially if you’re thin skinned or just don’t care about feedback in general. It can come off as rude or standoffish but once again, you have the right to do so. A lot of people can’t take criticism even constructive and would rather just have it where they can write and post without anyone badgering them. This tactic is also used by those who write controversial things or “attention seeking” pieces just to rile up a group of people and with comments off, all the can do is stew.

Rule Seven: there will always be someone to complain about something. No matter how hard you work on your story or how much you poured your heart into it, there will ALWAYS be someone to kill your vibe. But you can’t let that one person ruin your day or make you doubt yourself. Because if it’s just one, over thousands, then you must be doing something right. One bad review or criticism can ruin an otherwise good week or day. Don’t dwell on it, learn from it. If it’s constructive, learn from it and be glad someone cares about your story enough to make it better. If it’s destructive ignore it, delete it, and forget about it that’s it. Always look at the positives over the negatives.

There that’s all the advice I can really give without it becoming too preachy. This is just some advice I know many should hear. Readers, always remember writers are people too. They have their good days, bad days off days and some days they just need some affirmation that what they’re doing is worth it. Yes a bad review can make us feel horrible because many of us still have doubts about our writing and that review is like a stab of reality that maybe we’re not that good and everyone is “humoring” us. But you shouldn’t have to feel that way about yourself but if someone is genuinely offering help, take it. It’ll help you in the long run and make your other readers able to understand your vision better.

#writing #writblr #just writing stuff #criticism #critique #writing and editing #writing and writers #writing advice #silver-kitsuneneko #shut up kitsune #constructive criticism

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imagining-supernatural · 6 years

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I’m Totally Into Anatomy

Chapter 1 of Life Changes (Hopefully For The Better)

Summary: I mean, this chapter starts with Bucky Barnes waking up still handcuffed to my bed, so if that’s not an attention grabbing way to start off a story, I don’t know what is (And if my 8th grade English teacher is reading this, first: kindly fuck off, perv. Second: My friends and I totally didn’t TP your house after you failed me on that creative writing piece. That was definitely someone else).

Warnings: Think about the phrase “still handcuffed to my bed” for a second. (For all you innocents out there, I’m talking about sex stuff. So don’t read if you don’t wanna read conversations about that shit.) Also, my 8th grade English teacher would warn you about bad writing, but he’s a crusty old man so...

Word Count: 1602

Human bodies have bones, few people would argue that. But when I woke up that morning? Well, it sure felt like my bones had liquified and settled into piles of well-satiated sludge. My room was lit up with a soft glow from the string of white lights I hung up, meaning I hadn’t gotten around to unplugging them last night. It definitely hadn’t been a top priority, and the bare chest I was laying on reminded me of the reason why.

Waking up next to Bucky was becoming familiar and expected. However, what was not familiar was the absence of his arm that was usually curled around me, since he was an extreme cuddler. I’m talking gold medalist cuddler, if that was an Olympic sport.

It took a moment of silent pep talks to convince myself to finally open my eyes, and even longer to convince my eyes to stay open for more than a few seconds. Of course, that was nothing compared to the effort it took to convince my neck to move enough to look up and see where his arm was. The effort was well rewarded and I couldn’t help the giggles at the sight that greeted me. My laughter, combined with my vain attempt to control myself in the form of pressing my forehead to Bucky’s chest woke him up

“Wha’s goin’ on?” He mumbled, trying to shift. My laughter only grew when he froze, realizing that he couldn’t move his right arm more than a few inches, courtesy of the handcuff still anchoring his right write to my headboard. “Fucking shit.”

“Hold on, Bucky,” I somehow managed to wheeze out. “I’ll find the key.”

The small grin toying with his lips was at odds with his groan of frustration. It took a few more giggles and some more mental pep talks before I managed to shift enough to start the journey of reaching over his body to the side table where the key was. God, moving had been a mistake. After everything we did yesterday, my muscles aggressively did not want to move and were screaming at me to stop. Bucky’s left arm tightened around my shoulders when I grunted and I could see concern written in his eyes.

“So fucking sore,” I reassured him with a smile to let him know that he hadn’t hurt me or anything. I finally managed to move until I was on top of him, far enough to reach the table and the key.

My words had that self-assured smirk growing on his face and he relaxed back onto the pillows. “Too sore to move, still cuffed… Damn, I’m good at this.”

“Careful, Barnes. I might just not let you out of those cuffs if you keep being a cocky bastard.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing, doll.” The mischievous gleam in his eyes didn’t give me enough time to prepare for the cool metal of his prosthetic arm sneaking under the covers to pinch my ass, and the squeak that escaped my lips and jump of my muscles in response just fed the fire of his smirk. “I wouldn’t say no to you keeping me here all day.”

“Well, my body is saying no. I need a breather.”

As a testament to my words, I kept fumbling with the key in my attempt to free Bucky from the cuffs. Man, I was worn out. The simple task of unlocking some handcuffs was almost too much, and Bucky’s eyes stayed locked on my face. Each second that passed made his smile grow.

“Shut up,” I mumbled. “This is your fault, you know. You’re the one who asked me to call in sick to work and didn’t give me a moment’s rest for the rest of the day.”

“And I’m the one who gave you, how many orgasms was it again?”

“Shut up.” The handcuffs finally fell away and he stretched out his arm in relief before wrapping it around me and rolling over until I was firmly tucked into his side. When we started fucking a few months ago, I hadn’t expected him to stay the whole night, much less cuddle all night long. Who knew that Bucky Barnes, the badass, cocky, war-hardened son of a bitch was the cuddliest little fucker I’d ever met?

Speaking of the sides of him people rarely saw… I pressed closer to him and spoke up a few minutes later. “What happened yesterday?”

His chest under my head rose and fell with his deep sigh. “Just… I don’t know. It was just shitty.”

Someone braver than I might have pressed the issue. But what Bucky and I had was… complicated. But simple. Simply complicated.

It started out simple. See, I had this roommate my freshman year of college, Natasha. I was halfway in love with her. Massive crush. Too shy and cowardly to do anything about it, though. And a few months later, she got a boyfriend, Steve. So, there went my chances.

Then she dragged me to a party and I met Steve’s roommate, Bucky. It didn’t take too long for me to realize that he was crushing on Nat too. Honestly though, who wouldn’t crush on her?

It wasn’t until I found my own place, a cheap studio apartment, and Natasha still dragged me to a party that I was just tipsy enough that when I caught Bucky checking out Nat’s ass, I made an offhanded joke about the two of us fucking around with each other to get our minds off of the unavailable redhead. He laughed it off, but a week later he called and I woke up with him in my bed the next morning.

That was six months ago. When watching his roommate and Nat around his apartment got to be too much, he would find his way into my bed with our clothes thrown all about my apartment. Then he would call when he had a bad day, even if it wasn’t related to Nat. It was always just sex, but somehow, the arrangement worked.

See, I usually couldn’t do casual sex. I was too shy to initiate that kind of conversation, usually. And I needed something more. I needed some sort of connection. I suppose Bucky’s penchant for cuddling made up for any emotional connection I usually needed. Sex with him was fun. Still is. Usually alcohol-fueled conversations ended with regret, but that conversation that started this whole thing was something that I definitely did not regret.

This no-strings-attached thing was pretty great. And a month ago, I would have said that I was sticking to the no-emotions part of it too. He’s a friend. Nothing more.

Well, he is still a friend.

Nothing more.

But there are definitely some emotions sneaking in. And I’m pretty good at ignoring them, for the most part. Every once in a while, though, they slipped through like they did that morning and I’d ask him a personal question, like what shitty thing prompted him to slip between my sheets. Though the fact that he came to me when he was having a shitty day had to mean something, right? I’m the one he came to for comfort.

That meant something.

Still, though, we rarely talked about anything deeper than philosophical discussions on why the Chinese place on Eighth had better eggrolls than the takeout across town.

What a long-winded way to say that it wasn’t a surprise that he didn’t answer my question.

“You coming to Steve’s party tonight?” He asked after a few more minutes of comfortable silence.

“I doubt I’ll be able to walk by then, so no.”

He chuckled. “You’re welcome for that, by the way. But seriously, you coming?”

“Probably not.” Parties weren’t my cup of tea. That’s why I only ever went when one of my friends dragged me to them. If I was going to be around a crowd of strangers, there better be live music and a hell of a light show.

“Hey, if I have to watch Nat and Steve sucking face all night long, then you—”

“That’s not it,” I cut him off. “I… well I’m pretty sure I’m over her. I just don’t feel like being around people today.”

“Or you just don’t feel like losing beer pong to me again.”

“That game was fucking rigged.”

“You were just drunk.”

“Fucking. Rigged.”

“Sore loser.”

“Just plain sore.”

The tightening of his muscles was all the warning I had before he had me flat on my back, his face barely a few inches above mine with a devilish grin on his face. “You know, the best cure for sore muscles is to use them again.”

“Bucky,” I warned weakly, but dammit, I couldn’t resist that damn grin and sparkle in his eyes.

Then he had to go and lower his grin to my neck, peppering kisses along my bare shoulder and down my chest, stopping at my stomach to look up at me. “How about a wager, doll?”

“For what?”

“The party tonight. If I can make you come in less than five minutes right now, you have to come to the party tonight.”

Don’t get me wrong, Bucky’s mouth was a thing of wonder. But I’d barely woken up after hours of fucking him yesterday and I was exhausted. Even he couldn’t be that talented. “And when you can’t, I get to stay home and you have to buy me pizza before you leave.”

“I’ll buy you pizza on the way to the party tonight, doll,” he said with a wink just before disappearing under the sheets.

Did Bucky with that bet with his magical mouth? Do I have to go to the party with him later that night? Find out here in the next chapter:

Sometimes You Gotta Make A Bet To Get Drunk. You Just Gotta.

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fearofaherobrine · 6 years

Text

Roleplay Server Log #374

“Sneeze Tp, Stevie Gets Stuck, Baby Shower, Kidnapped!”

[Lie] Once full of wonderful food, she's considering what she needs to do for the day-

[Karla] Walked back to tell Ever what was going on-

[Dawn] Is using Lie's swing and glancing over to check on her every few mintues.

[Lie] - I think I'll take some more vanilla to the village, I messed up last time

[Dawn] Shrugs- I guess? But you shouldn't go by yourself.

[Lie] - Oh all right, the green house is right there though

[Dawn] Glances over at Cp running around doing chores-

[Lie] Heads right for the green house, the plants perking as she gets closer-

[Lileep] Happy noises-

[Blake] Generally bothering Cp-

[Lie] - Hey there- She starts picking some of the vanilla but as she does her nose starts to itch and before she can stop herself, she sneeze teleports

[Dawn] Hears the noise and goes to investigate.

[Lileep] Confused tentacle wiggles-

[Dawn] Ummm.... -Yells- Cp!!!

[CP] Comes over- What?

[Dawn] Lie went in here, and now she's gone! - points at the Pokemon- Is that thing dangerous????

[CP] - The Lileep is harmless, did you hear anything at all?

[Dawn] I heard a sneeze, but that was all.

[CP] Curses- Damn it, she teleports whenever she sneezes!

[Dawn] Really???

[Karla] Comes back with a casual saunter- Are we gardening today?

[CP] - Lie sneeze teleported

-CP begins making his way towards Notch's house. Apart partway there his red zone heart suddenly flats brightly, becoming visible even through his back and he stumbles a little-

[Dawn] What in the world?

[Karla] I'm going to guess its nothing good...

[CP] - She's cold... Too cold...- He hurries to Notch's house and bangs on the door

[Notch] opens the door in such a hurry Cp almost knocks on his head- what's going on Cp???

[Dawn] is there any rhyme or reason to where she teleports to when it happens?

[CP] - Where's Flux? And no. Sometimes she teleports far, and sometimes it's only a couple of feet

[Notch] She's downstairs... - calls for Flux-

[Flux] Comes upstairs- Is everything alright?

[CP] - You can see the entire server at once and we don't know where Lie is

[Flux] - I understand- Both Karla and Dawn feel a slight pulse of magic as Flux disapates

[Dawn] Oh... so that's what she meant... I can see how that would be a mood killer...

[Notch] Huh?

[Dawn] Nothing.

[Flux] Within seconds she has located Lie and sends CP an image of the location-

[CP] Teleports there and quickly returns with his shivering wife who has a dusting of snow on her-

[Flux] Reforms next to Notch-

[Dawn] Well that was easy.

[CP] - Are you okay?

[Lie] - Y... Yeah... Just, really cold...

[CP] - Are you sure?

[Karla] Best warm her quickly or she might sneeze some more.

[CP] Teleports to the bath house-

[Flux] Smiles a little- Glad to see that little trick still works

[Karla] Trick? You mean manipulating him? That's fairly easy.

[Flux] Shakes her head- What I did was send him an image of where she was. It's the same thing I would do when he would lose track of his brother on their original server

[Dawn] You're way of helping without revealing yourself I suppose.

[Flux] - Yes- She pauses briefly- Notch? You may want to go check on your other son

[Notch] O-okay?

[Dawn] I'll go with you- points at Karla- you stay here!

[Karla] VERY sarcastic- arf.

-At that point a giant spike of ice erupts from Stevie's house-

[Notch] Starts to run- shit!

[Alexis] Comes running up as well since she had been out hunting- Stevie!

[Dawn] still in her robe and pjs from the night before- should i have brought a weapon???

[Flux] - No

[Notch] Reaches the house first- Stevie!

[Stevie] - I'm okay! Just a little stuck!

[Notch] pulls out his notched pick axe and knocks the icy door off the hinges - I'm coming!

[Dawn] Well that's something you don't see everyday.

[Stevie] Winces in pain, his shoulder being the source and his leg is stuck in his own ice-

[Dawn] I hate to say it, but I think we need someone with less subtle powers then mine....

[Stevie] - Well, brother is usually the one who has to get me out... I'm sorry, I don't think we've met...

[Dawn] I'm Dawn.

[Notch] oh I know who can help! Hang on. - he starts typing in chat and speaks to Stevie over his shoulder- she's a witch with some powerful allies.

[Stevie] - Oh, okay. I'm Stevie

[Alexis] - Stevie... What did you do this time?

[Stevie] - I'm not sure... My shoulder just started hurting pretty badly though...

[TLOT] tps himself and Steve to Notch and clips him for a second- yikes, that is bad...

[Steve] Is just staring at the ice spike- Geeze

[TLOT] You just relax Stevie, I'll get you loose- advances with a little swirl of cloak-

[Stevie] - Thanks TLOT- He winces again

[TLOT] He grabs all that he can reach of Stevie and gives him a huge hug, turning his glitch up higher to melt the ice and filling the room with steam-

[Steve] looks at Dawn- your boyfriend threw a banana at me. That was weird.

[Dawn] Chuckles.

[Alexis] Just watches the air become more appropriate for Stevie's mushroom collection-

[Stevie] Watches as the ice melts away- Sorry for disturbing your morning guys

[Dawn] It's okay, we'd just finished dealing with a different emergency.

[Steve] Smells the mushrollems - mmm I take it Yaunfen shared a bit of their gardening with you?

[Alexis] Laughs a little- Switched all the mushrooms for the dessert ones

[Stevie] - A different emergency?

[Steve] giggles- Cute jokes are the better then regular griefing by far.

[Notch] Lie sneezed away and Cp had to go get her.

[Stevie] - Is my niece okay?

[Alexis] Giggles a little at Stevie calling the baby his niece, knowing just how unfamiliar it still is on his tongue-

[Notch] Should be. Lie tped once with a hand on me and took me with her.

[Stevie] - That's good. I don't even want to consider the amount of damage my brother might cause if anything were to happen

[Alexis] Sighs as she considers how all their food is currently buried under the ice-

[TLOT] That is quite a mess...

[Dawn] Will it melt if we leave it alone?

[Stevie] The ice finally melts enough for him to get free- Well... It looks packed ice, so no

[TLOT] I could change it into something else for you?

[Alex] - That would be helpful, thank you

[TLOT] Gives his knuckles a little pop -any preference?

[Alexis] - Something easy to remove?

[Stevie] - Something useful?

[TLOT] That's at cross purposes, but I think I know what Stevie would like. - He sweeps in arm out and there's a slight flicker as the blocks flip from to #174 packed ice to #56 diamond ore. - That should also keep you happily occupied for the rest of the afternoon.

[Stevie] Grins a little-

[Alexis] Groans a little-

[Steve] Offers an iron pick- If you don't have one on you.

[Dawn] That was impressive.

[Stevie] - Nah, I'm good- He pulls out a diamond pick

[Steve] Gives him a high five instead. - yeh!

[TLOT] Gives Alexis a sideways look like - 'Steves. Heh'

[Stevie] Begins figuring out where he should start-

[Alexis] - I'm going to go hunt down some spare food in case we don't reach the food chests by dinner time

[Steve] Literally? Or go borrow something?

[Alexis] - Literally, it's what I was doing anyways

[Steve] Do you want some company?

[Alexis] - Sure, if you want

[TLOT] You guys have fun. I'd rather do some fishing.

[Stevie] - Do you need any diamonds father?

[Dawn] I'm going to go check on Lie and Cp.

[Notch] Same, and no thank you Stevie. I appreciate the offer though. - Gives him a little hug. - You be careful okay? Call one of us again if you start feeling weird.

[Stevie] - I will, and we need to have dinner sometime soon, we haven't done that in awhile

-Le little time passes-

[Lie] Is watching her animals wander their pens as CP deals with some mob stuff-

[Doc] Is hunting for Glitchy so they can retrieve some of the baby shower things and go visit Lie.

[Notch] Slips up on Lie - how are you feeling?

[Lie] - For the most part? Tired, and cold, always cold now

[Notch] Aww. I'm sorry Lie. - He wraps her up in hug. - Can't be too much longer, can it?

[Lie] - We'll know when I enter the last stage. Dawn told me that for the last month or so she's gonna gain a pound per week

[Notch] Yikes... maybe you should just stay in bed at that point?

[Glitchy] -Sitting with his Mew in the sun-

[Lie] - I know that's what CP would prefer too

[Doc] There you are, feel like delivering those presents today?

[Glitchy] Hmm? Oh sure!

[Notch] I hate to agree with him on something like that, but... it's not like he won't run himself ragged fetching you things.

[Doc] Calls for Deerheart over the chat- I found him, can you meet me there?

[Lie] - I know, but I also know my mood swings are putting him off guard too, and I don't want him to strain himself...

[Deer] - Sure!

[Yaunfen] Runs up with Waffles in tow- I've got all the stuff from the house mada!

[Notch] Bah, he's tough. And learning more responsibility can't hurt him. No reason for you to try doing it all yourself. It's his kid too.

[Doc] Come on Glitchy, let's go!

[Lie] - Now if only he'd actually ask his brother for help...

[Notch] I think Stevie might be quite afraid if Cp asked him for help directly.

[Lie] - This is true, maybe their father should give them a push?

[Notch] Wry look- Just putting it all on me huh?

[Lie] - Only because CP will notice if I slip away to talk to Stevie... Mostly because I probably wouldn't make it there

[TLOT] Joins up with Doc, Yaunfen and Glitchy at the spawn - I got the food. Steve is coming too, he's just a bit behind.

[Deer] Comes up- Are we getting Hera or GK?

[Glitchy] -Null the mew chirps at everyone from Glitchy's shoulders-

[Doc] Don't have too- Points up just a giant red dragon buzzes them from overhead.

[Yaunfen] Hey no fair! - They shift and run after Gk-

[TLOT] Hey Glitchy, your kitty looks bright eyed and bushy tailed today. Ready to go do some good?

[Glitchy] You bet!

[Steve] Runs by them, he's trying to catch up with HG and mostly failing-

[Crim] - hears all the commotion and wanders toward the sound.

[Yaunfen] Spots him- Crim! I love your new scales!

[Deer] Takes Doc's hand-

[hg] hello everyone

[Steve] Blows past Hg since he slowed down to talk-

[HG] -giggles and steve's taking a while to stop-

[Waffles] Stops to sniff Crim- Mrr?

[Doc] Come on, lets get this party roling- Heads towards Lie's house.

[Crim] Yaunfen! Whoa.... Large meow... Hello - reaches paw out to pet

[Gk] Lands on Lie's roof and tip toes on his little hooves. Herabrine is on his head-

[Waffles] Allows petting with a curious expression.-very deep meow

[HG] -is jumping up and down excited for the party-

[Notch] Notices the dragon and side-eyes him without alerting Lie-

[Lie] Giggles a little as CP yells at Blaze Blake who still hasn't gotten the new blazes to obey him-

[Doc] Helps pass out presents to everyone who's giving something.

[Crim] - scratches - Ah, nice kitten. Where is you goings?

[gem] -fly's over head she has cookie and the two small enders-

[Yaunfen] Prances happily in place, - Baby shower! We're going to give Lie a bunch of stuff for the baby. You should come!

[Endrea] Is having some difficulty resisting sneaking up on GK-

[Crim] - is confused but nods - Not know why get baby wets, but I comes.

[Gk] Sneaking and peeking.

[Yaunfen] Good one! I don't get it either. But it should be fun.

[TLOT] Lets hope shes home.

[Deer] - I doubt CP would let her go far

[Doc] It's okay, I was whisper chatting to Markus. She's there.

[Notch] Kind of pats Lie's shoulder supportively and stays close to keep her from turning around. He can see Steve throwing down chairs and such around the side of the house.

[Endrea] Shifts to her dragon form behind GK, it's a little cramped on the roof, but her tail comes around to poke GK-

[Gk] Jumps a little and almost throws Herabrine off his head- SHHHHHHH!

[HG] -puts down a chest and fills it with a lot of food he had grown-

[Endrea] Smug look-

[gem] -lands and puts cookies in another chest and eddy and Edward climb down and run around-

[Doc] Helping lay stuff out -

[Glitchy] -Helping too-

[CP] Is a bit amused as wolf Blake tries to chase blaze Blake-

[TLOT] Waits until they're all done to signal to Notch-

[Notch] Solem pat - Either way. We should probably find you a comfy spot to sit Lie. Cp can take care of this stuff. -

[Lie] - Yeah, maybe near some lava?

[Notch] That's a good idea...

[Lie] Turns around to head for the house-

[Gk] Flares his wings hugely- SUPRISE!

[TLOT] Amplifes everyone elses echoing calls-

[Lie] Is very much surprised- Um... What?

[CP] Picks up on her emotions and turns towards the group as well-

[Doc] Hope you don't mind us dropping by Lie!

[TLOT] Laughs- You're about to have a lot less storage space...

[Steve] We brought baby stuff!

[Lie] - No, I don't, but... Why?

[Herabrine] Flies down- Because you're getting a baby shower ding-dong.

[Gem] yea can't have the baby with out getting a baby shower first

[Glitchy] Hell yeah!

[HG] we even brought food

[Lie] - Ooooh, right... That's a thing...

[CP] Flew over and lands next to his wife- Now what is everyone doing?

[Steve] Having a party?

[CP] - Oh joy...

[Yaunfen] Starts unloading pastries onto a row of wood blocks-

[Deer] - Come on Lie, sit down

[Notch] Chuckles- You have a lot of stuff to go through, best to sit.

[Lie] Does go to a chair to sit, dragging CP with her so she'll have a heat source-

[Doc] Nudges Glitchy- do your thing, I know you've still got more in your bag.

[Glitchy] -Jazz hands before he starts pulling the gifts out of his bag. There is NO way all of it fits in there, but he keeps pulling them out! At one point a bike handle peaks out of the opening. Don't ask.-

[Lie] - Wha... What all did you guys get us!?

[Yaunfen] Peeking in the bag- Nice trick!

[Notch] I got you a carrier- Pulls it out. - It's too big to conceal.

[Steve] Hey Crim, want some food?

[Lie] - Oh, you didn't have to, although I suppose it will be useful whenever we go out

[Glitchy] So much stuff.

[Glitchy] -Goes in up to his shoulder in his bag to dig around a bit before pulling out a little hat.- So much.

[Doc] I got a crib. - Sets it down in front of her. - I'm still weirded out by the idea of putting a baby in a cage though.

[HG] -takes some of the food off the table to nom-

[Lie] - That will probably be in our room for awhile

[CP] - I'll find space for it

[Gem] -give eddy and Edward each a cookie-

[Lie] Starts looking at some of the things he others got for her-

[TLOT] So I was privy to a discussion about baby gates? I think I get it. - He solemly hands Lie a half stack of metal gate pieces that have been meticuliously coated with wool pixels in several clashing colors so there aren't any poky edges.

[Lie] - Oh, right! These will be good for helping to keep her from falling down any stairs or ladders

[TLOT] Grins because he helped-

[Crim] - nods - I try... Not sure like.

[Gk] Hey Lie? When do we get to steal Cp and get him blind drunk?

[Steve] What do you usually like Crim?

[Lie] - When you supply a heat source of equal or better heat levels

[Crim] Coal and Redrock.

[gem] -tries to offer endrea a cookie-

[Gk] Aww, man...

[Endrea] Lounging on the roof, she politely declines-

[Steve] Oh. I think I have some coal! - digs in his inventory and comes up with a small stack. - Here you go!

[CP] - Why do you need to get me drunk?

[Crim] - takes happily - Much thanks!

[Gk] Because you didn't get a bachleor party! And you won't have time once the baby is born.

[Herabrine] Does a little turn in the air and steals the cookie from Gem-

[CP] - Well it has been awhile since we got absolutely drunk...

[Lie] Starts opening the packages containing the onesies and laughs aloud at some of them-

[gem] -giggles at the at hera stealing the cookie-

[TLOT] I might be up for getting drunk...

[Crim] - looks around while chomping and leans toward Steve - Why is baby gets wet?

[Steve] I don't know? It is a weird name for a party though. You're welcome. Hey, hows you're little friend? I heard you two have been spending a lot of time together.

[Gk] Perks up- what little friend?

[Crim] Pinwheel? Is fine, fine.

[Gk] Sneaks closer- You've been hanging out with Pinwheel?

[Steve] I heard she can talk now.

[Doc] Is pulling out more baby stuff-

[Waffles] Saunters over and rolls on Lie's feet-

[Deer] Grabs a bit of food for Lie as she opens gifts of clothes and blankets-

[Lie] Smiles and pets Waffle's head-

[Crim] Yes, she is talking very well. - looks up at GK - Yes, She friend. We like to be around each other.

[Waffles] puuuuuuuurrrrrr

-Distant sound of Blake being annoyed that the cat is near his human-

[Gk] Well I'm glad she's made a friend. She seemed pretty determined to avoid everyone.

[Doc] OH! Hey Glitchy, guess what I got?

[Glitchy] What?

[Doc] I got Deerheart a Porygon. It seems like old tech, but I heard they're kinda rare?

[eddy and Edward} -they are running around- they haven't finished their cookies either-

[Glitchy] What evolution? -Definitely interested-

[Doc] First, I think? They're really angular. It seems comfy in this resolution. It also beeps at me when it wants attention.

[Crim] She was... Not happy to not have people listen or understand her. Now she can speaks, is much easier. But she still like to be alones - snorts and scales flash.

[Glitchy] That's cool. Yeah, regular Porygon would fit right in here.

[Deer] - So Lie? Have you and CP considered any names for your daughter?

[Doc] It's a lot calmer then the Goomy. It felt like giving up to trade it away but it wanted to fight all the time and I'm just not... well that's not how I want to spend all my time.

[Lie] Little knowing smile- Perhaps

[HG] -has wandered a little and is now watering all of lie's plants-

[Glitchy] That's understandable. I got my Lopunny from a friend who said it liked fighting a lot. It just really wanted some attention. -Shrug-

[Gk] Gives Crim a friendly nudge- You're doing good kid. If you can calm her down so she doesn't bite people randomly everyone will owe you.

[Lilleep] Waves at Hg with it's tendril arms-

[CP] Tosses a bit of meat in Blake's direction since he won't get close to Waffles-

[Doc] It was starting shit with the loose Gastly most every night and I certainly couldn't turn her out with all those babies.

[Blake] Happy woof and grabs the meat- rarrrarrrrarrarra!

[HG] -pets lilleep then water's them-

[Doc] She what are you going to name her? I know that look.

[Lie] Glances at CP- Should we tell them?

[CP] - Careful, your griefer is showing

[Lileep] Streches under the water and pops itself out of the ground- Lil!

[HG] i'm glad you like the water

[Lileep] Waves tendrils at the bucket-

[TLOT] Come on Lie, what's the name?

[HG] oh you want more sure -waters it more-

[Lie] - Aether, her name will be Aether

-There's a bit of fanfare and the greenhouse fills with light-

-Lileep has evolved into Cradily! -

[Deer] - Oh, that's a pretty name!

[Lie] - ... WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN MY GREENHOUSE!?

[Doc] Uhh.

[Glitchy] Oh sweet! Something evolved!! -There he goes for the greenhouse-

[Steve] Worried look towards the greenhouse-

[HG] -pops head out of green house- sorry I was just water your plants to help and I watered your pokemon and it evolved

[Cradily] Bouncing around on it's four stubby feet.

[Lie] Just sighs-

[Notch] That's a good name Lie. And that is also a weird looking plant.

[Glitchy] Nice! I've never had a Cradily before.

[Yaunfen] Lie? Do you want more failure plants?

[HG] -pets the cradily-

[Cradily] Weird noises, but it seems content-

[Doc] A bit proud- I traded a prospector for the fossil. And even more weirdly, a scientist brought it back to life for me and they didn't even get in trouble for doing it!

[CP] Is gathering all the stuff Lie as already opened-

[Lie] - Sure, I like their shifting colors

[Glitchy] Why would you get in trouble? Archeology is a respected class type and bringing things back from the dead is childs play.

[Yaunfen] Gives her three. - Mada and I have been doing science. It doesn't always work out...

[Glitchy] -Offers Cradily a berry-

[Lie] - That's alright, that's part of the fun of experimentation

[Doc] Looks very touched and resists the urge to hug Glitchy- I'm just... I'm not used to people being so open-minded... Cp tried to kill me when he found out I made a body from a little bit of his code and Lies...

[CP] Growls a little-

[Glitchy] Well CP is kind of a prick...

[Cradily] Takes the berry and noms it-

[CP] - You do remember that I can mess stuff up in your room at the manor, right?

[Glitchy] ... Fair.

[TLOT] Don't be like that, you're proud of your status as a mean person Cp.

[Lie] Finds the blankets- Aww, these are so soft!

[CP] - Fuck you

[TLOT] Laughs a little-

[Cradily] Scares the fuck out of Blake.

[Blake] Goes yiping into the barn-

[Lie] - Oh dear...

[Doc] Doesn't someone else in your group have a fossil type Glitchy? I have an Archen, not sure if you've seen them around the castle.

[gem] -just calmly lays in the grass-

[HG] -takes a cookie from the chest gem put down-

[Glitchy] Uhhhhh...

[Lie] - Hey Hera, before I forget, CP met a glitched Alex recently

[Gk] Pokes Gem- Hows the budding romance going? A little birdie told me you were hanging out with an ender.

[Herabrine] Really?!?! I thought I was the only one.

[Gem] oh it's been going great she is so sweet

[CP] - She's rather new though

[Doc] It's more complicated then that as well. She should have been a normal Herobrine. She told me herself that she incarnated wrong.

[Herabrine] Geeze, that sucks...

[TLOT] She may be a he by the time you meet her Hera, I saw in her mind she was considering it. I'm sure she'll be back to ask me or Doc.

[CP] - She has to learn how to seed jump first

[Gk] No wonder you've been so scarce. Feathering your love nest, ha!

[Doc] Maybe, maybe not. I gave Licht my number before I dropped her off.

[gem] yea and our house hold is also very busy all the time

[Cradily] Wanders too close to Waffles.

[Waffles] Grabs the pokemon and busks on them while they cheep in a panicky way-

[Lie] - Ah! Waffles! Be careful!

[Waffles] Gives the Cradily a light bunny kick before letting it go.

[Cradily] Visibly huffy, jimmies have been rustled-

[Lie] Looks up to see what time it is-

[Steve] We should eat before it gets late- Starts passing out food-

[Lie] - Thank you Steve

[CP] Is repairing a bit of fencing the next day after feeding Lie's animals-

[Sammn] - comes stomping by, muttering under her breath. She's followed by Helm, frantically signing at her and Legion, hopping noisily on their heels.

[CP] Cocks a brow- Well that's quite the little circus you have following you

[Sammn] - comes to a sudden stop, making Helm stumble back almost into Legion - They are something... I will give you that.

[CP] - So what are you up to?

[Sammn] Heading toward Doc's. I may have to take them up on their suggestion... As - she waves at Legion - has not been able to fix my memories as it promised.

[Legion] - coils it's tentacles on top of itself - We did what we said we would. We can't fix what others broke.

[CP] - Joy, I may as well come with you

[Sammn] If you wish, I'm getting overly used to having a group on my heels.

[CP] - I'm coming because Doc will probably want to see if my dream abilities can do anything

[Helm] - signs and waves at Legion, clearly not happy. Then points at CP.

[Legion] - snickers and opens its blue eye - You should learn better manners, beast.

[CP] - Do you know what it's on about?

[Sammn] Which? Helm.. Is worried that Legion is scheming and has something horrible planned. Legion... Is Legion. It's bound by our deal, although Helm refuses to belive it will honor it.

[CP] - Can I set it on fire if it doesn't?

[Sammn] At this point, I'm almost willing to let you... Karla has offered to help with it as well.

[Legion] - bristles at Karla's name

[CP] - She's handy too, had a lot of fun destroying that town with her

[Sammn] I can only imagine. She strikes me as someone who is quite inventive when it comes to inflicting pain. - Leers at Legion, who leers back.

[CP] - Just watch your backside with her, she tends to pounce

[Sammn] Another thing I'm used too - sighs and starts off again. Helm darts after her, making sure to keep themself between her & Legion, who is leasurly hopping behind.

[CP] - Yeah, well, can't say I didn't warn you

[Sammn] - mutters softly - At this point it might be welcome

[CP] - Well I'm pretty sure she wouldn't object...

[Sammn] Always an option if things don't work. According to Legion, dying was what messed things up the first time.

[CP] - Dying is not what I'm talking about

[Sammn] - sighs and keeps walking.

[Doc] Walks out on the side porch and gives a happy strech, hir little pleasure is ruined by Traveler striding up-

[Traveler] YOU.

[Doc] What did I do?

[Traveler] It's not what you did. I just need you. Come with me now.

[Doc] Umm, but I'm-

[Traveler] NOW.

[Traveler] Heads for Lie's house in a huff-

[CP] - Well, at least we're almost at the castle

[Doc] Follows with a resigned sigh.

[Traveler] Sees the other group approaching- Even better. You guys come with me too.

[CP] - The fuck are you on about?

[Traveler] Business.

[Sammn] Business is vague is it not.

[Doc] But if it's something official, why don't you ask TLOT?

[Traveler] Pauses to give Doc an unhappy scowl, and then keeps walking- You'll see.

[CP] - Oh this should be entertaining

[Sammn] Do I want to even ask?

[Traveler] Is headed for the cage at a very fast clip-

[Doc] Probably not....

[CP] Glances at his house before sending a quick message to Notch, letting him know that he'll be occupied for a bit-

[Sammn] - turns toward Helm - Stay or come, choose now.

[Notch] Perks and then reports for babysitting, of a sort.

[Helm] - looks at Legion, CP, Doc then sighs and signs they'll come.

[Traveler] Already heading down into the cage-

[CP] Teleports down ahead of everyone-

[Sammn] Great. Legion you are coming no matter what. (Legion huffs but keeps quiet)

[Traveler] Slams the door open and stalks past him to open a way into TLOT's seed-

[Doc] Hangs back to wait for Sammn and her associates-

[CP] - And why are we going there?

[Traveler] Like I said, you'll see. I don't feel like repeating myself.

[CP] Walks into the portal with a shrug-

[Doc] Waits for everyone to get through and then closes it.

-On the other side is a small desert village, it looks fairly remote and only has one large building. It's daylight and the Testificates are mostly in a huddle nattering fearfully to one another.

[CP] - Oh joy, what now?

[Traveler] brushes past them in annoyance.

[Testificates] Notice the others and a hush falls over them, one breaks away from the group. She's a rather matronly herm-

[Candy] Oh! Have you come to help us?

[CP] Shifting into diplomatic mode- What seems to be the problem?

[Candy] Our blacksmith was kidnapped! We hope he's still alive, but... none of us are brave enough to go after his abductors.

[CP] - Do you know who kidnapped him?

[Doc] And why would anyone steal a blacksmith?

[Sammn] Either they want something made or something destroyed.

[Candy] Please come with me... she leads them around the large building, which is obviously an elaborate forge and behind it is a bad spot of chunk. There's a portal to the nether and a scattering of netherrack around it as if it was teleported there.

[Doc] Angry hiss-

[CP] Grins- Well this will be fun

[Traveler] Is just tapping her feet like they're wasting time-

[Doc] Looks at the forge thoughtfully and then... - What's their name? Your blacksmith?

[Candy] Sniffles - Bismuth.

[CP] This immediately catches CP's attention- What?

[Candy] Is that, important?

[CP] - It could very well be

[Traveler] Are we going or what? They were only taken last night.

[Helm] - signs at Sammn, then pulls sword and ready themself. Sammn just stares at Helm for a second before shaking head. - Might as well.

[CP] Moves swiftly, slipping through the portal-

-It's the Nether. It's hot as balls. There is lava. And a few magma cubes bouncing down a hillside.

[CP] Floats up, looking for any sign of where Bismuth could have been taken-

[Doc] This sucks... - they start hunting around for traces.

-There's a bit of a path a little farther on where someone cut through a slide of soul sand -

[CP] - I think I see something!

[Doc] Follows Cp from below-

[Traveler] Is holding her dirtblock and scowling as she follows.

[Sammn] Follows. Helm is looking everywhere, on edge and Legion has its Green eye open (scouting).

[Ghast] Wanders closer-

[CP] Summons his weapons-

[Doc] Ends up dodging a fireball - I hate the Nether!

[CP] Swoops at it and digs his sword into the ghast, slicing it open and leaving it to die-

[Magma cube] Is sneaking up on Legion curiously-

[Legion] - hears the plopping sound of the cube and opens the Orange eye on its back to stare at it.

[Magma cube] Amourous noise-

[Legion] - growls deeply and waves several tentacles in an odd pattern. The ground around the Cube darkens and seems to liquidify.

[CP] - Let's go!

[Magma cube] Makes a break for it-

[Doc] Geeze, just leave it be. You do look like it.

[Sammn] Legion, leave it.

[Legion] - huffs and reopens green eye - For now, we shall.

-The path leads around an outcrop and towards a bridge across a lava lake-

[CP] Just keeps flying-

[Traveler] Starts to go across-

-Several blazes rise out of the lava and toss a few fireballs-

[Traveler] Angry dodging-

[Doc] Just runs to avoid them-

[Helm] - darts forward and slashes one, knocking a rod off.

[CP] Fireballs back at them-

[Sammn] - mutters something and the ground rises up toward one of the blazes, collapsing ontop of it.

[Doc] Sees the others fighting and throws a cobble chunk into the face of one of them, sending it back under the lava with a gooey -plunk!-

[CP] - Let's keep moving, I don't want to be here long

[Traveler] Is already at the other end of the bridge-

[Doc] I'm coming!

[Sammn] - follows with Helm & Legion.

[CP] Keeps searching ahead-

-There's a male voice from ahead of them- Unhand me you zombies! Somebody help me!

[Doc] Hears it and motions for the others to go quiet.

[CP] Slips behind an overhang-

-There's a small party of pigmen with black masks carrying a very old and tied up Testificate-

[CP] Grins and without asking for permission he races forwards, weapons ready to kill-

[Helm] - signs - I don't recognize those kin, why are they wearing masks?

[Doc] Peeking - I don't know. It's creepy. But we've certainly found our quarry.

[CP] Slices into the back most pigmen, taking them by surprise-

[Traveler] Clocks one with her dirtblock and the broken sword is briefly visible as it slices into their face-

[CP] Is just having fun murdering most everything-

[Sammn] Hang on, let's see if I can judge this right...*mutters* and a single lightning bolt arcs down and strikes one pigmen, dropping it.

[Pigmen] Fight a bit stiffly, as if sleepwalking.

[Legion] - takes the chance of Sammn casting to hop closer to the fray. As soon as it's close enough, it snakes out several tentacles and impales the closest pigmen.

[CP] - This is way to easy

[Legion] - stares at lifeless pigmen before tossing it aside - These beasts have no minds of their own.

[Doc] Well they are zombies.

[CP] Is covered in fetid blood and dispatching the last few pigmen-

-The Testificate is wiggling around trying to get free. He's obviously scared shitless of both Cp and Legion-

[Sammn] - runs toward them - Legion, back off!

[Traveler] Looks at him critically-

[Testificate] HOLY CRAP A NOTCH!!! HELP!!!

[CP] - You're fine! I'm your freaking god of war and that one back there is the healing god or whatever

[Testificate] Passes the fuck out-

[Doc] Well shit.

[CP] - Well at least he's not struggling anymore

[Sammn] - comes to stand over Legion. Helm comes over to examine one of the dead Pigmen's masks.

-It's flat black and featureless, probably obsidian-

[CP] Reaches down and picks up the testificate, tossing him over his shoulder-

[Doc] Well considering that murdering zombie pigmen tends to piss them all off, we should probably leave...

-The old man is quite light under his layers of leather clothing-

[CP] - Let's go then

[Helm] - picks up a mask before signing - I've never seen something like this. Wonder why they were wearing them.

[Traveler] We've got company! Let's go! - there's a growing noise that sounds like more pigmen-

[CP] - I could teleport everyone?

[Doc] Please do!

[Helm] - tucks the mask away

[CP] Focuses his energy in the area and teleports the group back out into the overworld-

[Candy] Comes rushing up followed by several other villagers- Is he okay???-

[Sammn] Just scared senseless, here. - pulls out a potion bottle.

[CP] Puts him down-

[Doc] Is already destroying the portal-

[Candy] Bismuth? - patting his face-

[Traveler] Cuts the old testificates bindings-

[Sammn] - motions to sit him up so they can give them the potion.

[Candy] Helps him upright and puts the bottle to his lips-

[Bismuth] Coming around- Gracious me....

[Doc] Comes back over-

[CP] - Now then, who are you exactly?

[Bismuth] Suddenly looks cagey for his years. - Nobody...

[CP] - Then why did those pigmen grab you?

[Bismuth] I don't know?

[CP] - Then what is your specialty?

[Bismuth] Fire and... other things.

[Candy] No. You remember what happened last time you played with fire. No fire!

[CP] - Fire?

[Candy] Shoos away the other villagers- We should go inside.

[Doc] But he's a blacksmith? He can't have fire???

[Sammn] Playing with fire? That could be why he was dragged to the Nether.

[CP] - What does he do?

[Candy] Helps Bismuth up and starts walking him inside- He should be in bed.

[Doc] Come on Cp- follows

[Traveler] reluctantly follows

[CP] Follows with a scowl-

-The inside of the forge is spacious and there is a lava spawn block but it's got a metal grate to keep anything being put into it.

[Sammn] Follows but back a bit cause of Helm & Legion.

[Candy] Helps the old Testificate onto his bed. - He's a great help to us. - She pats his shoulder-

[CP] - What does he have to do with fire?

[Bismuth] I like fire..... - there's a dangerous glitter in his eyes.

[Doc] Oh dear.

[CP] - Can you do something unique with it?

[Candy] He can't have fire because the last time he had access he made a terrible thing out of it.

[Bismuth] Offended- It was beautiful...

[Legion] Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder - it's orange eye is open & watching.

[Candy] He somehow turned a bow, some tar, gunpowder, a torch, and a flint into a thing that throws fire from a distance. So we encourage his other hobby instead.

[Doc] That is horrible!

[CP] - Other hobby?

[Candy] Smiles - he's good with making flexible things out of dehydrated slime.

[CP] - Flexible things?

[Bismuth] Hehe saved my ass a few times. Wish I woulda thought of it when I was younger- huffs.

[CP] - What exactly are they?

[Candy] Old pervert. They're sleeves. For preventing children.

[Doc] OH.

[Bismuth] Giggling like the ancient fucker he is-

[CP] - Oh for fucks sake, that's it, I'm going home

[Doc] Why would it have made a difference at a younger age?

[Bismuth] Because then I'd have left fewer children behind my exploits ya whippersnapper.

[CP] - Do you know all the names of your kids?

[Bismuth] Nope. Got run outta town before most of em were born.

[CP] - Doc? Can you look at his coding?

[Doc] What do you want me to look for?

[CP] - The equivalent of a genetic marker

[Doc] Okay???

[Bismuth] You leave me alone. I don't trust weird looking librarians.

[CP] - Oh for fucks sake, if my hunch is correct then we might know a relative of yours, possibly a child or grandchild

[Doc] How about I just make a copy and you can look at it later?

[Bismuth] Annoyed - Don't touch me

[CP] - Do you really think I'll have time for that?

[Doc] Then I will look at it! Geeze. - They place a command block and grab the old mans hand to lay on it for a moment- There.... annnnnnnnnnnnnd done. Lets go home.

[Traveler] Finally.

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margarethelstone · 7 years

Text

It’s hard to stop worrying: Chapter II

“I don’t know, Tobes. It’s just strange to see the sun.” A week after his coming back from the Darklands, Jim still cannot fully readjust. With more unexpected things happening in Arcadia, the process proves to be even more challenging - although it might’ve been easier if Claire wasn’t acting so awfully indifferent.

previous chapter / next chapter

fanfiction.net / AO3

Chapter Two In which some things happen but it’s still not enough to call it a plot

She arrived at the class fifteen minutes late, an incident that had never occurred in all of her previous education. That obviously caused the whole class – Miss Janeth included – to stir with agitation, making it impossible for the girl to sneak in quietly and pretend that her lateness wasn’t as much of a deal as it seemed to be in everyone else’s eyes.

Before she’d come in, they all assumed she was either ill, or that she was excused from the lesson for some other valid reasons. When she stepped into the room, however, the group understood she was indeed late, and sadly, none of them bothered to hide the satisfaction they felt at the realization.

It was somehow nice to know that the Perfect Miss Nuñez wasn’t so perfect after all.

Claire tried to ignore the curious looks everybody was giving her, and having mumbled an excuse, she almost ran to her place in the back. It took a lot of her good will not to turn on her heel and leave the wretched classroom for good – but she knew that she was still not rebellious enough to do that. Stealing the Killerhead Bridge, deceiving the Troll Tribunal, walking into the Darklands… those were the things she could do; playing the drama queen at school was an entirely different level of foolishness.

She silently put her purse her lap, took out the necessary books and almost threw it on the floor.

“Hey.“ She heard someone whisper a moment later. She glanced to her right, and noticed Jim, who was grinning at her shyly. “Nice of you to show up.“

What a dork.

“Not now, Jim,“ she cut him off mercilessly, struggling to understand what their teacher, who finally decided to stop glaring at her, was talking about.

“Hey, easy,“ the boy answered, trying to think of a way in which he could ease her mind at least a little. “It’s not like I can afford much talking, either. I still haven’t covered those topics I missed and… well, she’s just started another one. The fourth, I think?”

“The fifth,” Claire corrected him.

“How did you even manage to cover so much so quickly? I was gone for two weeks, not a year.”

“Honestly, I feel like you covered more in the last fifteen minutes,“ the girl mumbled, shifting her gaze from her notebook to the teacher and the other way round. “Besides, didn’t you say you loved homework?”

“Oh, yeah, now that’s funny.”

“But seriously. This is insane.”

“I know. Although, if that makes you feel any better, I for once have pretty good notes of my own, so I’ll gladly share.”

“Wait, you mean you were actually listening to her?”

“Yup. That is, I had been until TP started to share his opinions about Janeth being a Changeling – but then she just started reprimanding us and obviously stopped explaining anything.”

Claire rolled her eyes but refrained from saying anything in response.

“Also, she spent about five minutes wondering on how it was possible for you not to show up in her class without any earlier information. She ended up asking each and every of us if we knew what had happened to you.”

The girl jerked up her head in a reflex action and sent her interlocutor a shocked, anxious look.

“Now you’re making this up,” she pleaded quietly, hoping against hope that she had misunderstood his words.

“Just exaggerating.” Jim’s grin widened a little, while his glare was fixed on the notebook before him in a poor attempt of making himself look devoted to the lesson. “But she was surprised.“

Claire groaned quietly.

“Why is it like this? You and Tobes come in late at least once a week and no one ever says a word. It happens to me once, and everyone is freaking out.“

“That’s the point. It’s normal for us, and it’s totally extraordinary for you.”

“This is not how -”

“Guys! Quiet!” they were silenced by Toby, who suddenly decided to join – or better said, kill– the conversation that was going on between them. “The she-devil has already scolded us today, and she won’t be any more understanding now! And you were supposed to be working, Jimbo!”

“Okay, okay,” Jim waved his hand at his nervous friend and got back to scribbling, making an inward promise that he would not let himself lose his focus again. He was quite determined to do that, and seeing how dedicated to her own catching up Claire was, he believed the task would not be so difficult to fulfil after all.

Which obviously didn’t mean he could help glancing at her every now and then, as if making sure she’d really made it to the lesson. Her absence had made him feel uncomfortable at least, especially with his acute imagination stubbornly suggesting the most pessimistic scenarios of her fate. Now she was there, right next to him, and he had to admit that the sight was simply relieving.

Claire peered sideways at him.

“Yes?” she asked innocently, making sure her voice would not be heard by anyone except them two. Her neighbour found himself blushing slightly when he realised his staring had been noticed, and that it was bad enough to make her respond with an actual question.

“Nothing,” he muttered and fixed his sight on the whiteboard, and yet, the smile on his face didn’t falter. “It’s just good to know you’re safe.”

Claire raised both of her eyebrows at him, unable to understand why her friend would say such a thing. True, they were living a life of constant suspiciousness, ready to meet worst of enemies at every minute of their crazy, teenage existence, but she still couldn’t find a reason why he’d assume that she was in any particular danger that day. Angor Rot was gone, the Killerhead Bridge was too, and unlike the Trollhunter, she was still pretty convinced that Gunmar had stayed in the Darklands and thus wasn’t a threat for the group. So why would he be worried?

Except of course, she had been late.

She still hadn’t got rid of the unpleasant feeling that had been accompanying her ever since that morning when she realised that this once, she would not make it on time. She knew she wouldn’t get away with it, not with her reputation of the most punctual girl in Arcadia Oaks High School. And in all honesty, Claire didn’t even care about her good name so much – but it was not her belatedness that was a problem. It was the fact that it truly was the very first time it happened.

Jim was right when he diagnosed the causes of the flurry between their classmates. Everyone loved novelties.

She knew it was a trifle, a little thing of no importance, and somehow, she still couldn’t get over it.

‘Like being late is the end of the world’, she mused angrily, absently following Miss Janeth’s movements as the latter was covering the whiteboard with more and more figures, blind to the fact that hardly anyone in class was paying attention to what she was trying to explain. ‘Worse things happened. Besides, I shouldn’t even be here in the first place -’

“Well, that’s what I thought, too. Not that I’m not enjoying the company,” Jim whispered unexpectedly, making her choke on her own saliva. She covered her mouth trying to calm down the cough that followed directly after. Jim frowned a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“What did you just say?” she hissed between the coughs.

“I said I don’t understand why you’re taking these classes. You passed algebra on the previous year, you weren’t here during last semester, and… You know, I was just wondering why. I have been since the winter break, actually. Tobes even started to make bets.”

“But why?”

“Because he’s a nerd?”

“No, why would you talk about it all of the sudden? Are you mindreading now or what?”

The boy turned to her for the first time for almost a quarter and looked at her in disbelief.

‘Mindreading?’

“Claire, you’re mumbling.”

“Mumbling?”

“Well, you know, speaking in a way that makes it impossible to understand and -”

“I know what mumbling is,” his interlocutor bridled and tightened her grip on her pencil. “But I don’t mumble.”

“Well, the facts prove something else.” Against his better judgement, Jim let a grin appear on his face once more. Little did he know that it would only make the girl less eager to agree; just like the words he was going to voice next. “Funny, though. Most people mumble because they turn their voice down. You do it because you turn your thoughts up loud.”

Claire gave him the coldest glare she could muster, now plunging the pencil into the desk; it broke, and she quickly turned away too look at the damage she’d caused.

“Anything else you’d like to add?” she answered edgily. She didn’t mean to snap at him like that, and she didn’t understand why his little jokes were affecting her so much – but they were, and as much as she regretted it, there wasn’t much she could do about it.

In the corner of her eye she saw Jim slouch a bit. He definitely was taken aback, and honestly, how could she blame him?

She sighed.

She just really wanted to go home.

“No,” her friend muttered under his breath a moment later. She wanted to turn to him, tell him she was sorry, and that he shouldn’t take her annoyance too seriously; he didn’t give her the time to do it, though, deciding to share one more thought. “I just wanted to say that you shouldn’t care about it so much. I promise you, in an hour they won’t even remember that you were late.”

“Won’t they?” she asked.

“No. Don’t get me wrong, but there are more exciting things to do in high school than wondering why one Claire Nuñez didn’t arrive on time for an algebra class she doesn’t even have to take.”

He glanced at her, and to her surprise, gave her another warm, reassuring smile.

Before Claire had managed to return it, his smile turned into a mischievous grin as Jim leaned towards her a little, and in a conspiratorial whisper, he added, “besides, at least you don’t have to worry about any formal consequences. Janeth adores you too much to even think of giving you a detention. But just imagine how much trouble Steve will be in when he meets her after missing her lesson like that.”

She rolled her eyes and got back to work.

The rest of the class passed in a perfect order, as both Jim and Claire resolved to make the most of the time they had left, and finally carried out their plans of staying focused on what Miss Janeth was telling them. The rest of the class weren’t too eager to cause any problems, either, so except a little chiding now and then, even Miss Janeth didn’t need to say more than the syllabus required.

The bell rang eventually, making the half asleep teenagers leap on their seats before hastily gathering their belongings and leaving the class at the highest speed they could allow. Jim was watching them in amusement while packing his own books; he didn’t feel the need to rush. Not when his pretty neighbour didn’t seem to be hurrying anywhere herself.

He zipped his bag and turned towards her.

“So, do you think you’ll need those notes after all?” he asked lightly.

“I think I’ll copy them from Darci. I’m kinda used to the way she makes them, so it will be easier for me to learn from them.”

“Oh, right.”

“I’m still impressed you’ve made any.” Claire laughed for the first time this morning, and nudged him playfully in the arm. “Wouldn’t that be like the first time ever?”

“Not exactly, but you’re close.”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Pretty much.”

She laughed again and slung her purse over her shoulder. She glanced at Toby, who was waiting for them near the exit. “You two should go. I need to talk to Miss Janeth about a few other things than being late, so it will take a while. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Jim wanted to protest, but she didn’t give him a chance. As soon as she finished the last sentence, she set off towards the teacher’s desk, leaving the slightly confused boy behind her. He followed her with his sight, smiling sheepishly, and if it hadn’t been for Toby, he probably would have stayed there until Claire would leave, too.

She had a point. He was hopeless.

Only school didn’t have much to do with that.

He felt a soft strike on his cheek when Toby, having lost his patience, threw a paper ball at him. He grabbed his bag and made his way to the door, sending Claire one more smile she couldn’t see. They still had a couple of classes coming, most of which all of them attended – and after that, they would all go to the Troll Market together, making their day as perfect as it could possibly be.

Why, if Claire knew that she wouldn’t be going anywhere.

#fanfiction #my writing #trollhunters #jlaire #jim lake jr #claire nuñez #toby domzalski

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rickjsposts · 5 years

Text

Sunday Corona Virus stats, Trish Regan, Susan Collins, updated political odds. My thoughts for a Sunday

New Post has been published on https://www.rickjshandicappingpicks.com/sunday-corona-virus-stats-trish-regan-susan-collins-updated-political-odds-my-thoughts-for-a-sunday/

Sunday Corona Virus stats, Trish Regan, Susan Collins, updated political odds. My thoughts for a Sunday

I woke up this morning and the first tweet I came across was this one:

Per statistics, number of worldwide deaths, Jan-Feb 2020:

2,360 : Coronavirus 69,602 : Common cold 140,584 : Malaria 153,696 : Suicide 193,479 : Road accidents 240,950 : HIV loss 358,471 : Alcohol 716,498 : Smoking 1,177,141 : Cancer

Now, this list does not mention:

Flu this season in the U.S.

370,00 to 670,000 hospitalized 22,000 to 55,000 deaths 75 to 150 a day 17 million to 24 million medical visits 36 tp 51 million with flu illnesses.

And yet flu does not qualify for the technical definition of an epidemic as The % of the population is 7.1% and has to be over 7.3%

Next Gang-related deaths: 2,000 a year Almost 50% of these come from LA and Chicago.

Illegal immigration in the U.S.

Deaths 138,000 400 a day Rape 118,000 250 a day Kidnapping and extortion 26,000 75 a day Human Trafficking 27,000 75 a day Assault and Robbery 76,000 100 a day Drug smuggling 526,000 4000 a day

Traffic deaths yearly

38,800 100 a day

Corona Virus: 41 Deaths in 3.5 months through 3/14. Less than 1/2 a person a day!!!

The CDC updates its death totals every day, Monday through Friday. So we will get a new death total from the Corona Virus tomorrow. I am still sticking with my prediction of fewer than 200 thirty days from now.

An excellent article I read this morning on this:

https://newcriterion.com/blogs/dispatch/compared-to-what

The media and some politicians report every death that occurs from the Corona Virus. Each and everyone makes front-page news. But the others related to things far worse are not reported.

You would think that every time an illegal raped or murdered someone this would be front-page news. Or human trafficking arrests. But no, crickets.

And then I see the headline yesterday that Trish Regan was suspended from Fox News, for essentially telling Americans the same statistics that you are seeing here. In other words, Fox News is now censoring the Truth.

A logical person would ask who had no real insight into what was going on, why is something as bizarre as this happening? I mean 41 deaths? And the media has intentionally turned Americans panic-stricken?

Well the MO has not changed. It’s the get Trump MO. First, it was 24/7 to get trump on Russia, Russia, Russia. With the news being fake news, and now we find out they knew it was fake within a week of the Mueller probe starting. Then it was Ukraine. Mysteriously, Schiff met with a future fake whistleblower, then Atkinson changes the whistleblower requirements, and Voila A Whistleblower complaint, a star chamber, and impeachment.

Now it is 24/7 get Trump by tanking the economy. Everyone said months ago that is what it would take, so now Voila, the media is 24/7 into tanking the economy. See how that works. And if you do not believe me just ask Trish Regan.

She said the exact same thing, and they immediately benched her. She was not on board with their program of destroying The economy to get Trump.

Moving on a bit:) I listened to Collins give her press conference yesterday and I immediately went to wager against her for her Senate bid. She has severely reduced the chance she has of winning her Maine Senate seat. I thought I might get some odds on this wager as she is a 5 term incumbent, and was ready to take the wager at even money. But the line has moved now to 3/2 against her. So I passed, for now.

Republicans will never learn. Bashing Trump is the surest way to lose you can find. Mia Love is the perfect example. I actually liked Mia Love. Young, intelligent, quick-witted. I thought she had a real future. But then she started bashing Trump. And what do you know, she lost her House seat.

Unfortunately, Maine and the RNC are not smart enough to recognize this and put someone in the Primary that might have a better chance. But they will be content to lose a Senate seat to the Dems.

Finally the political odds:

Dem Nominee: Biden 84/16 +6 Pts Sanders 9/91 +2 Pts Clinton 7/93 +6 Pts

Notice Clinton is creeping up a bit.

My wager against Sanders is looking solid, and I have bought it back for about a 50% profit. I still have left a small wager on Clinton and Bloomberg. My win on Sanders gives me a freeroll on the other two and then some:) Clinton I was getting something like 20 to 1 odds.

I view that wager as like betting on a fixed prize fight. If it’s fixed, then Clinton can get it. If not I will lose a small amount.

Presidential winner:

Trump 46/54 -8 Pts Biden 45/455 +6 Pts

Right now it’s pretty much a tossup. I like Trump at a tossup.

Control of the Presidency: Dems just a hair about 50% That has come down from 55/45 Republicans.

Again I believe the value is in the Republicans

Control of the House:

74/26 Democrats: I like the Republicans here. I rate it a tossup whether they regain the House.

Control of the Senate:

55/45 in favor of the Republicans

I do not think there is a lot of value in the Republicans here. Collins, in my opinion, is DOA in Maine, although Alabama is a certain pickup. Which gets back to 53. If the Republicans were united behind Trump, I would say they would pick up seats. But, they are fractured, and as usual, are trying their best to turn a solid winner into a loser.

Collins is the perfect example. But there are others. MAGA is not organized enough to get solid candidates in place in key races, so you have the establishment RNC sticking with establishment choices. In a year where populism reigns the Republicans refuse to change gears. This will cost them in November. Now, Trump could well pull them through as he did in 2016 and 2018.

The gained seats in the Senate in an off-election year. Historically that does not happen. The only one to give credit to is Trump, who had rallies every week.

One new bet I am looking at is you can get 5 to 2 on a recession happening during Trump’s first term. The definition of a recession under the wager is two consecutive quarters with a negative annual growth rate in real GDP. This is put out quarterly and the first quarter is not in. So under that definition, you could have a real GDP at 4%. And if it drops 1/10th of a percent two quarters in a row that would be a recession. But GDP would still be over 3.5%

With the Corona Virus and the manic reaction, I expect the growth rate to slow. But I do not consider the U.S. to be in a recession. A better measure is BCI or what is called the business cycle index.

Here is a photo of what I am talking about :

This is a more realistic definition of a recession. If this were the criteria I would take the wager in a heartbeat. But with the definition they have, I am staying away from it.

Using this the odds of a recession before the end of Trump’s term are less than 50%. Right now we are nowhere near recession territory.

No matter what happens the media will be saying we are in a recession and it is all Trump’s fault. I wish there was a betting line on that:)

That is it for Sunday.

RickJ RickJ’s Handicapping Picks rickjshandicappingpicks.com/investing Skype: riccja

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fearofaherobrine · 8 years

Text

Roleplay Server Log #151

“Jewels Sorrow, Hyrule gets a Bath”

[Mew] -Pops in and chirps a bit-

[Flareon] Flaaaree--- -Chases in after Mew-

[Doc] Hey, play nice you guys. I wonder who the fire dog belongs too?

[Flareon] On! On! -Grabs Mew's tail in it's mouth-

-Glitchy walks in and looks around, noting everyone in the room before spotting his pokemon.-

[Glitchy] There you are..

[gem] hello

[Shaymin] Gives a chuffing sigh by way of greeting

[TLOT] Hey Glitchy.

[Mew] -Trying to pull it's tail free-

[Glitchy] Hello! -Snatches Mew out of the air and tucks the blue cat pokemon to his chest quickly-

[Doc] I was wondering where you'd gotten too, how are your eyes? You should have seen some real improvement by now

[jewel] -has come through the house to the lava part of the kitchen and has unfortunately realized how many people are in the kitchen-

[Steve] Panics hard enough at the sight of her that TLOT tps right to him.

[jewel] -tries to stay in the corner of the lava part-

[Glitchy] I made myself a little place to stay off that longass stone bridge-If that's okay?- which was a trip and a half as my vision cleared up. -Pets Mew while Flareon bounces around examining everything.- I think I'll need glasses since I needed them before, unless my vision clears up past that.

[Mew] -Grumpy purring-

[Doc] No, that's wonderful! I want people to settle in. I like having houseguests but there's a whole seed out there to explore and spread out. I love building houses.

[jewel] -jewel trys to slide along the wall towards the counters trying to avoid contact of any kind-

-Flareon bounces at Jewel, barking happily-

[jewel] -only loud enough for flareon to hear shut the fuck up-

[TLOT] Jewel? Did you get lost in the house looking for someone? Or something?

[Flareon] !!! -Chomps on Jewel's leg-

[jewel] I am not lost -gets bitten- how dare you.

[Doc] Your eyes should keep improving Glitchy. Just be patient.

[TLOT] Bad dog!

[Glitchy] Alright, I'll keep that in mind. I'm gonna go though, I've still got a bit to do. Mew ran off in the middle of moving stuff around. -Flareon sneers at Jewel before bounding back to Glitchy- You'll know where to find me if you need me. Tree hanging out beside the bridge.

[TLOT] There's a village near there too. If you feel like saving yourself a walk, they'll trade with you.

[jewel] don't you sneer at me I have the right mind to throw you in the water you fire type.

This message has been removed.

[Doc] Are you familar with pokemon Jewel? Or just his?

[jewel] just the ones that the pokepastas have

[Doc] Ah, they're quite interesting. My little spider got very big quite recently. I'll miss their cuteness but they're far more durable this way.

[jewel] -make no response she rather stay quiet-

[TLOT] gently - Did you find a place yet Jewel?

[gem] -has her head down on the table her wings are fluttering every so often-

[jewel] yes.

[TLOT] Do you need anything?

[jewel] -stays quiet-

[Doc] Slides one of the pies on the table nearer to Gem and goes a bit closer to Jewel. - Are you hurt? Is that why you came?

[jewel] do I look hurt

[gem] -takes the pie and starts eating it-

[Doc] It could be emotional, or a non-obvious glitch. Look... I let the pastas that wanted to leave go back to the manor with an invitation to come back whenever they wanted. Would you like the same?

[jewel] I didn't even come to see anyone about anything.

[Doc] I'm skeptical, but I'll give you the benifit of the doubt. Do you want some food?

[jewel] -say nothing-

[Doc] Then we'll start there. - Xe goes intot he kitchen and makes a plate of chicken, potatoes and cooked carrots for Jewel and another for Gem and Deerheart while xe's at it. They go around setting them in front of their recipents and gives Jewel hers last before going back around on the other side of the counter. - coffee?

[TLOT and Steve] at the same time -yes

[jewel] -puts the plate in her inventory and is quiet- no.

[Doc] Is disquieted but patient and starts the coffee going while gathering ingredients for cookies. - Are you sure you don't want to talk to me?

[jewel] you wouldn't understand.

[Doc] Are you so sure?

[TLOT] I might.

[jewel] do you really want to try and understand me

[Doc] Try me. Granted I haven't been mistreated by life as badly as TLOT but I can still listen.

[jewel] I was born into a family who abused me and no human believed me I had no friends and everyone thought I was faking injury's to get attention I had to deal with this for 15 years of my life before my powers woke up along with insanity and I killed them.

[Doc] I've heard some bad things about what can go on out there. So I'm not suprised, just sad that that happened to you.

[jewel] -starts to do something she hasn't in a long time her mask shift as black lines fall from the eyes she is crying but very quietly it's not audible unless you get close-

[TLOT] Picks up on the emotion and approaches her. - It's over though Jewel. You're safe here.

[Doc] Yeah, as long as you don't murder everyone, you're welcome to stay

[jewel] so many humans did nothing my family was not just nobody so many people knew and did nothing millions maybe even billons of humans

[Doc] I don't know what to say Jewel... I haven't had a ton of experience with humans, but I've met a few that were really nice. Maybe...? I don't know. I'm sorry.

[TLOT] gently- Do you want a hug?

[jewel] -says nothing because she doesn't know if she does or not-

[TLOT] Does it anyway. He's confident she can't hurt him badly enough that it will foul his respawn. His body is very warm and though his armor is hard, his cloak is like soft wings around her.

[jewel] -does not make a move to stop him-

[TLOT] Holds her gently and after a minute Steve timidly joins their embrace.

[jewel] -looks at steve but not in a threating way but more of a pitiful way as if saying why would you act like you care your a human-

[Steve] -small voice- I care about anyone who is in pain. I know how it feels to be all alone.

[jewel] no human has cared about me before -jewel crumbles to the floor-

[Steve] Is suprised and loses his grip.

[Doc] Rushes around the counter as TLOT catches her and lets her gently to the floor.

[jewel] -is still sobbing she is awake but she is just super confused and sad she doesn't know how to feel-

[TLOT] Sits down next to her. - I understand. For a really long time, nobody gave a shit about me either. I was just a monster they warned their kids about. It's overwhelming when someone actually cares.

[jewel] -her body starts to glitch as all the emotion starts to make the glitch in her body worse-

[Doc] Shit... you have a glitch. Hang on Jewel, don't try to move too much- Xe pulls out a command block and scans her quickly.

[jewel] -she isn't moveing but she is still crying-

[Doc] Has found the errored lines and is reading them - Oh! This isn't as bad as I thought, it's mostly in your player skin, you have some redundant files interfering with one another. It's an easy treatment but it might have side effects. They're usually mild and don't last long

[Doc] Gets up and goes to a side trunk, xe digs around and comes up with a large root vegetable. It's green fleshed with even darker crinkly leaves. - Just eat this, not the leaves.

[TLOT] Webroots?

[Doc] They have a file cleaner function.

[jewel] -bites into it taste like red velvet to her-

[Doc] That's good. They're different for everyone because it works with whatever code you have. But they're usually tasty.

[jewel] -as she eats it her body starts to stop glitching-

[TLOT] Shakes his head- They're also weird Doc. You remember what happened when I ate one, don't you?

[Doc] Well... um... it's not like it hurt you and it did work the way it was supposed to.

[TLOT] Yeah, it also turned my skin pitch black for a full week, freaking Endermen kept hitting on me.

[jewel] -stands up after the webroot was fully eaten and fully fixed the glitch-

[Doc] A little smug - Feeling better?

[jewel] KIND OF -puts her hand over her mouth she wasn't trying to scream-

[TLOT] Holy crap. No need to yell.

[Steve] Is the glitch fixed?

[jewel] I AM NOT TRYING TO YELL I CAN'T STOP I DON'T LIKE THIS.

[TLOT] Oh great... your volume is turned all the way up.

[Doc] Turns white- for the love of-

[Steve] Well Doc did say there were side effects sometimes...

[Doc] I've seen worse actually, it's okay Jewel, it will wear off as you digest the root.

[jewel] -just shakes her head yes she doesn't like that her voice is so loud-

[Doc] Type in the chat. Pretty much everyone here can read it.

[jewel] -types in chat- I think I will head back home till this wears off

[Doc] Keep me posted if anything weirder happens. And come by anytime you need help or just get bored, okay?

[jewel] -shakes her head yes to show she understand before leaving the way she came-

[Grinny] Tries to wiggle out of the blanket-

[TLOT] Are you finally warming up Grinny?

[Grinny] Hisses- FUCK OFF!

[TLOT] Geeze....

[Doc] Don't be mean to him, he didn't do anything to you

[Grinny] Still wiggling-

[gem] -without anyone realizing had passed out after eating her pie-

[Grinny] Get's a front leg out-

[Steve] reaches over and loosens the blanket so Grinny can get out

[Grinny] Darts into a corner where he hunkers down growling and hissing-

[Doc] I know you're upset, but I swear I'm only trying to help you. Are you still hurting? Or just furious with me?

[Grinny] Grumbles, he's still in a bit of pain but also mad at Doc-

[Doc] I've got some cream if your skin is irritated... Don't forget I can see the words when you go to talk, just let it all out

[Grinny] - Don't you think you've done enough damage?

[Doc] it's just a healing paste. And I had no idea Insanity was holding back something so terrible

[Grinny] - Then perhaps you should stop interfering!

[Doc] But it's gone now, Flux and Deerheart purged the radiation from your body. With a little time your hair will grow back and you'll be perfectly healthy again.

[Grinny] - After making me go through that pain again!

[Doc] I gave you something if it helps you feel any better, you're now both digital and tougher then you were before. Critical damage can only make you faint now, and anything beyond that will make you pop up here, all healed and healthy again.

[Grinny] - I don't fucking care!

[Doc] Sits down on the floor across from him and watches him for a bit. - I don't know if you care but there are several other creepypastas here. Cp went home to be with his wife, but Silver, is here, and I can take you to BEN if you want. Lj is, well I guess you guys don't get along?

[Grinny] Is pressed as far into the corner as he can and hides at Doc-

[LH] Prances into the room with a ball in his teeth, he stops short as he spots the other cat and dances around excitedly. He drops the ball on the floor and slinks down low to get a bit closer to Grinny. - Mew!?

[Doc] Hey LH, I wouldn't get too close, he's kinda angry right now.

[Grinny] - Fuck off you imbecilic idiot!

[Deer] - Oh, TLOT, Lie made a new flower while out in the real world

[Doc] Hey, just because he's playful don't assume he's stupid.

[LH] Mow.

[TLOT] Really? Does it do something? Or is it just pretty?

[Deer] - I don't know if it has a function, but it's a very pretty pink

[Doc] I think it just makes you feel loved by bringing out your soft feelings for your partner

[Doc] holds it out - what do you think Grinny? Does it make you think of anyone special?

[Grinny] Hisses and presses himself flatter before arching his back up and vomiting again-

[LH] sad meow-

[Doc] holds the flower up so TLOT and Steve can see it

[Deer] Calls LH towards her-

[Steve] it's so pretty

[LH] looks hopefully to see if Deerheart has food

[Deer] - Come here LH

[gem] -a thud is heard when gem in her sleep rolled out of her chair-

[TLOT] Checks on Gem before spawning a blanket and laying it over her gently- it is a lovely flower, it makes me think of Steve

[Grinny] Almost falls into his own vomit-

[snake] -a little tumbling noise mixed with kazoo noise is heard as snake accidently trips all the way down the stairs and come to a stop at the bottom shaking his head-

[Doc] oh no! - Rescues Grinny before he can fall

[Grinny] Weakly scratches at Doc-

[Doc] just winces - please don't do that

[Grinny] - I hate you...

[snake] -slithers over to the group- hello

[Deer] - Oh Snake! Hello

[Steve] hey Snake, are you okay?

[snake] yep I wanted to see gems new wings but now that she is asleep I think the others might come to pick her up

[Doc] I'm sorry Grinny, but I'm here for you anyway, even if you hate me

[Grinny] Weak little hiss-

[Deer] - Perhaps Grinny would benefit from one of your trademark purrito's?

[Doc] You're so sweet my love, - Xe takes the blanket off the table and bundles Grinny up before snuggling him close.

[Grinny] Weak growl-

[LH] come over to investigate

[snake] -goes over to LH and pets him or what he can because he is small-

[LH] watches Snake and leans into his petting

[snake] yay cat friend -keeps petting him-

[Deer] Goes to make some food-

[LH] picks up Snake and proudly drops him in Doc's lap

[Doc] um thanks

[LH] mew!

[snake] -makes a kazoo noise in surprise of the action-

[Doc] He's a snake, not a mouse. Silly cat

[Grinny] Retaliation pee inside of the blanket-

[Doc] hears the slightly wet noise, - why did you do that? I was trying to keep you warm, now your legs are all wet!

[Grinny] - Fuck you

[Doc] you're making me so nostalgic Grinny

[snake] -climbs doc to get to grinny and pets his head-

[Deer] Starts frying up a fish for both LH and Grinny-

[Grinny] Bites at Snake-

[snake] -snake surprised by being bit at tumbles back and fall back into doc's lap-

[Grinny] Smells a little from peeing on himself-

[Doc] Oh dear.... I'm betting your urine is full of what was contaminating you. Steve, I think we need to count this blanket as a loss.

[Steve] Awww... dammit.

[Doc] TLOT would you dispose of it safely please?

[TLOT] Yeah... okay. Sorry my lamb.

[Steve] It's okay, I can make another.

[TLOT] Takes the blanket and presses it against the magma block wall in the next room and burns it to nothing.

[Doc] Takes out a few spare pixels and fashions a washcloth. Xe spawns a bucket of water and starts rubbing Grinnys legs with it.

[Grinny] Yowls and hisses, trying to struggle-

[Doc] Is used to dealing with angry cats and cleans him anyway.

[Deer] Finishes cooking and brings it out to the table, placing bowls of food for the animals on the floor but keeps one in hand for Grinny-

[LH] Scampers over excitedly and starts gobbling his food

[vin] -the tall guardian comes down the stairs- hello.

[Deer] - Hello, would you like any food?

[Doc] Hey Vin, were you looking for Snake? He's a bit dazed.

[vin] no thank you deer and no I came to pick up gem and snake.

[Grinny] Is already exhausted-

[snake] -wobbly slithers over to vin who puts him on his shoulder-

[Doc] Gem needs rest, so that's probably for the best, she did just have major surgery after all

[vin] -picks up gem easily- we will make sure she gets plenty of rest even if she doesn't wants to push herself

[Doc] Finishes cleaning Grinny, and wraps him up again, this time with a towel.

[Grinny] Barely manages to struggle weakly-

[LH] Has finished his food and comes back over. He watches Grinny for a long moment and then gives him the tiniest friendly lick on the top of his head. - puuuuuuurrrrr

[Grinny] Hisses-

[LH] Bumps up against him anyway. - puuuuurrr

[Grinny] - GO AWAY!

[Doc] He just wants to be your friend

[Grinny] - I don't need him as a friend!

[Doc] Why not? There's nothing wrong with having friends. He doesn't want anything from you.

[Grinny] - I don't need him!

[LH] Goes away and comes back with his little ball, dropping it near Grinny.

[Doc] So? Cp is mean to him too and he still tries to play with the little red cat anyway.

[Deer] Brings Doc the bowl of fish for Grinny- Here you go love

[Doc] Thank you. - Xe sets Grinny down in his purrito with his head semi-near the bowl. - I know your tummy probably hurts, but in this game you need food to heal. I'll make you something else myself if this is no good.

[Grinny] - No

{Doc] No what? You want something else?

[Grinny] - I refuse to eat your filth!

[Doc] Why is it filth? I know it looks a little weird since you're not used to a low-res enviroment, but I promise you it tastes good. - xe pinches off a tiny piece and eats it. - Good job love. Your cooking skills have improved again.

[Grinny] - Anything you offer is filthy

[Doc] Would you feel better if I got another pasta to cook for you?

[Grinny] Huffs-

{Doc] I take it that's a yes? - types- BEN? Are you busy? I need a bit of a hand with a delicate situation.

[BEN] - LITTLE BUSY HERE! Hyrules being fussy

[Doc] Is he sick?

[BEN] - I DON'T KNOW!

[Doc] Then bring him over and I'll have a look, we can make it a mutual thing.

[BEN] - I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SAFE!

[Doc] Well what wrong with him might not be safe either.

[BEN] Unsure distressed noises-

[aven] we should go to doc ben.

[BEN] - BUT WHAT IF TAKING HIM THERE MAKES IT WORSE!?

[aven] ben it's doc we are talking about xe is a doctor how could they possibly make it worse?

[BEN] - FINE! But I'm flying ahead to get there faster!

[aven] then I will take one for gem's horses to keep up.

[BEN] - Then let's go!

[aven] -runs down stairs then outside and into the stable she grabs one of the normal horses and is outside ready to follow ben-

[BEN] Is already flying towards Doc's with Hyrule securely in his arms-

[aven] -is keeping pace with ben on the ground-

[BEN] Reaches Doc's and just kicks open the door, Hyrule is crying a little- WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!?

[Doc] Hears him yelling and types- I'll meet you in the vine room

[BEN] - I'm already there!

[aven] -after putting the horse in doc's pen is by bens side not to long after-

[Doc] Comes up the steps with TLOT and Steve in tow - So what's going on with Hyrule?

[BEN] - WE DON'T KNOW!

[Doc] Walk me through what you did right before he started crying.

[aven] we changed his diaper then fed him.

[Doc] Has pulled up a small window and is speed-reading- Did you burp him?

[BEN] - What?

[Doc] You just kinda turn him over against you and sorta rub and pat his back gently so he'll burp.

[BEN] - ... That's a thing we have to do?

[aven] yes apparently

[Hyrule] His crying is just getting louder-

[aven] -takes hyrule from ben and starts doing like doc said-

[BEN] - But... But... How hard do we do it!?

[Doc] Just gently.

[hyrule] -burps then calms down-

[aven] there we go

[BEN] Visibly relaxes before speaking softly to his son- Hey, don't scare us like that...

[Doc] That was easy. Whos a sweet baby huh?

[BEN] - So what did you want me over here for?

[hyrule] -makes little babbles-

[Doc] I had a cascading series of events that's culminated in a problem. ... Grinny is here. But he's not well.

[BEN] - Fuck that cat, I don't care

[Doc] Please BEN, I just need another pasta to give me a hand. He's so angry with me he won't eat. He says anything I offer him is filth.

[BEN] - He says that about everything, if you just leave him alone with it he will probably eat it

[TLOT] Is making a little sniffing noise. - Someone is a bit ripe...

[Steve] I wasn't going to say anything, but I smell poop.

[BEN] - Hey, we just changed his diaper!

[TLOT] Yeah, but you have to wash his butt when you do it.

[BEN] Glares-

[aven] -looks at his diaper he doesn't need to be changed again-

[Doc] BEN.... come on. Can't you just be a little bit nice to him? He's had a terrible day. Insanity was apparently holding off a serious case of radiation poisoning. He was in terrible pain, puking and seizing and all his fur fell out.

[BEN] - BUT HE PEED ON ALL MY CONSOLES!

[aven] console abuse.

[Doc] Well he was crazy back then. You tried to kill me, and I forgave you didn't I? Pay it forward.

[BEN] - Like I said, just leave him alone, he'll be fine

[Ben] Turns towards TLOT- As for you, Hyrule is going no where near water!

[TLOT] He won't be healthy if you let him be dirty.

[Steve] Yeah, babies are really weak. He'll get sick from germs.

[BEN] - No water

[Doc] Come on BEN, what do you want from me?

[aven] I would have gem help but she is asleep I don't want to get near the water.

[BEN] - Dude I'm fine, and so is the cat

[TLOT] I'll do it. You guys trust me don't you?

[Doc] Please BEN, we'll help you guys with the baby in return

[aven] I do but I am also worried I don't want him the drown.

[BEN] - Look, Grinny was only really friendly with Smile, he'll just be pissy with me too

[BEN] - No drowning... Bad drowning

[TLOT] I would never be rough with someone innocent and helpless.

[Doc] But Smile isn't here BEN, Jeff took him.

[BEN] - Well tough luck then

[aven] -give tlot hyrule reluctantly-

[Doc] Errrgh, part of the reason he's so mean is probably because he feels like no one gives a shit about him!

[TLOT] Nods respectfully and starts walking back down to the kitchen with the baby

[Steve] follows him-

[BEN] - Hey, we tried, he's just pissy with anything human looking because they're the ones who initially hurt him

[BEN] - WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HYRULE!?

[aven] -follows just to make sure hyrule will be ok- sush ben it will be ok.

[TLOT] I'm going to use the kitchen sink since it's just a tiny amount of water, it only needs to be a few pixels deep.

[BEN] Rushes after them-

[Doc] Goes after them sullenly.

[LH] Runs up to BEN - Mew?

[Grinny] Is pretty much asleep with a few bites of fish missing from the bowl-

[BEN] Ignores LH-

[hyrule] -is lightly banging tlots armor to make a noise-

[TLOT] Chukles and then hands Hyrule off to Steve. He cleans the inside of the sink with his glitch turned up so his hands are near burning.

[Deer] Smiles at Hyrule-

[hyrule] -starts to play with the ribs of steve's armor while babbling-

[Steve] Makes gurgling cute noises at the baby.

[BEN] Whines-

[hyrule] -giggles at the noises-

[Doc] Checks on Grinny. - well at least he ate a little. Poor kitty.

[LH] Sashays BENs legs

[Grinny] Ears twitch a little-

[Doc] Hey BEN, I think LH missed you

[BEN] - Why would the cat miss me?

[TLOT] Puts a little bit of warm water in the sink and Steve hands him the baby.

[Doc] I dunno. He likes people and you did live here for a bit.

[BEN] Groans and nudges LH away-

[LH] Puuurrrr

[aven] -kisses ben's cheek-

[Doc] Or maybe he just likes pastas and brines. Haha

[BEN] - Our kid... He's too close to the water...

[TLOT] Is humming merrily as he washes the baby.

[hyrule] -splashes the water he doesn't seem to mind the water at all-

[BEN] - He's gonna drown!

[TLOT] See? No big deal, look, he's smiling.

[Steve] Is laying towels on the counter for when they're done. - Do you have a fresh diaper on you Aven?

[aven] yes -holds out a diaper for steve to take-

[Steve] Thank you, - he lays everything out nicely.

[TLOT] We needs some powder.

[Doc] Use bonemeal.

[TLOT] Good call.

[BEN] Is whining again-

[TLOT] Finishes Hyrules bath and he and Steve start drying the baby off.

[aven] hush ben he seems fine all the maters is that he is safe.

[BEN] - But he's wet!

[TLOT] Cheerfully- Not for long. We're almost done.

[Steve] Takes the bit of bonemeal from his husband and powders Hyrule's butt before wrapping the diaper around him.

[hyrule] -is giggling he seems pretty happy he got to have fun in the water-

[TLOT] Helps Steve swaddle the baby and they offer him back to Aven - All clean and happy.

[aven] -takes hyrule- thank you.

[TLOT] Any time guys.

[BEN] Is immediately hovering over them checking Hyrule over-

[Steve] Yeah, he's adorable

[hyrule] -giggles at ben-

[BEN] Smiles at his son-

[Doc] Is watching him with a smile. - You're gonna be an awesome dad. I'm so proud of you BEN.

[BEN] - Shut it

[aven] he is an awesome mate as well.

[Grinny] Stirs a little and looks over-

[Steve] Whispers to Aven with a grin- So... is he good in bed? Seems like you guys are pretty happy.

[Doc] Pshaw

[Grinny] Frowns at the sight of Hyrule-

[aven] that and he is super sweet and careing.

[aven] -shifts hyrule just enough to see grinny-

[hyrule] -babbles at grinny-

[Grinny] Hisses at Hyrule-

[Doc] What's the matter now Grinny? It's just a baby.

[Steve] Awww, that's great. I'm glad you guys are so happy

[Grinny] - They're dumb and smell and poop everywhere... Plus they grab tails and fur

[Doc] Well this one doesn't live here, so don't worry about it. He's just visiting for a little check up.

[Grinny] - I still hate it

[Doc] Is there anything you don't hate? Besides Smile.

[Grinny] - No, and even that mutt is barely tolerable

[Doc] Now I feel like you're challenging me to find something you do like...

[Grinny] - I assure you I'm not

[Doc] Oh well, I'm going to be nice to you anyway. I feel bad that everyone has apparently been shitty to you.

[Grinny] - The manor has been the best home I've ever had

[Doc] eyebrow- That is also a challenge.

[Grinny] - As much free food as I want, I can lounge around all day, it's a very good life

[Doc] I can make that happen easily. Hell if you can communicate with regular cats, ask LH. He's a total loaf and no one cares. The only reason he's glitched is because CP broke my fridge.

[Grinny] - I will not talk with that imbecile

[LH] Gives Grinny a very intelligent look. It only lasts for a second and no one else notices. Then he gives a little wink and goes back to playing with his tail.

[Doc] I've always liked the saying, if cats could talk; they wouldn't. Since they're bright enough to see what humans make dogs do regularly.

[Grinny] -Good advice, I think I'll follow it from here on out

[Doc] Shrugs - It's up to you. I thought you'd appreciate being able to make your wants known plainly to anyone, not just the other pastas.

[Grinny] Turns away from Doc before laying his head down-

[Doc] Begins setting up a dispenser next to him.

[Deer] - What are you doing love?

[Doc] Well he's obviously weak so I'm setting up a thing so he can feed himself. It's just simple fare, but pressing a button is low effort when you feel like shit.

[LH] Sniffs around the dispenser and generally gets in the way.

[Doc] Fills the dispenser with cooked chicken, beef and fish. And then breaks a one block hole in the floor

[BEN] Remembers the water above them and whimpers-

[TLOT] Easy there BEN. You were able to forget about it for your son, just take deep breaths.

[aven] -pulls ben into the lava part of the kitchen-

[BEN] - No drowning, water bad...

[Doc] Puts a cauldron in the hole and fills it with water. - There now you have food and water. You can stay right where you are until you feel well enough to get up. - Xe adds a sponge into a fresh hole a few steps away. - Pee goes here.

[Grinny] Continues to ignore Doc-

[LH] Runs full tilt at the dispenser and jumps on the flat floor button, an entire cooked chicken flies out and he merrily chases the item and pounces it with gusto.

[Grinny] - Imbecile

[Doc] He knows what he likes. And he just showed you how to use it. There are a few different things in there and it's random what you'll get.

[LH] Noisy munching-

[Grinny] Huffs and ignores Doc some more

[BEN] - Should we go home?

[aven] that sound like a good idea.

[TLOT] Up to you. You're always welcome to claim a room if you're tired.

[Steve] Yeah, come back anytime. - Smiles hugely

[BEN] - Nope, we are going away from the water

[Doc] Well I'm glad you came over anyway. Call me if you have problems okay? My door is always open.

[aven] lets grab gem's horse before we go ben

[BEN] - Whatever

[Deer] - Love, anything left for us to do?

[Doc] I guess not. I mean, not in here. I do have several projects to work on.

[TLOT] How the smoke thing coming?

[Doc] Not done yet! Shush!

[LH] Creeps over to Grinny and lays down beside him.

[Deer] - Smoke thing?

[Doc] It's dumb and it may not even work, he's just giving me a hard time.

[TLOT] Snickers-

[Deer] - Hmm, I'll dig into this more later...

[Doc] You'll get to see it soon enough.

[Deer] - Okay...

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