#i can't believe i haven't seen anyone gif this so i did it myself

[magicaldreamfox1]

watch the heart killers ....

[allthingsfangirl101]

*Perfect Revenge – Steve Harrington

Warnings: cheated on and cheating with, underage drinking, rough sex, unprotected sex, language

I walked around the house, not entirely sure whose house I was at. With my one and only beer in my hand, I roamed the house looking for my boyfriend. Johnathan and I have been together for about three months. This party was his idea. I'm not sure why he insisted on coming. He usually hated parties.

I headed down the hallway and opened random doors. I wish I had never checked the last door. I covered my mouth as I gasped when my eyes adjusted to the dark.

"Johnathan?!" I yelled when the shock wore off.

"Y/N," he stuttered. "It's not what it looks like."

"Really?" I scoffed. "So you're not fucking Nancy Wheeler?!"

"Y/N. . ."

"Shut up, bitch!"

I turned around and stormed out of the room. I ignored their calls and focused on getting out of there. My mind was racing as I rushed down the hallway. I gasped when I bumped into someone.

"Whoa," Steve laughed. "Are you okay, Y/N?"

"I'm fine," I said, slowly and softly.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"I don't really believe you," he mumbled, "but anyway, have you seen Nancy?"

"Yes," I whispered. "But you're not gonna want to know."

"Why?" He paused. "Y/N," he elongated, "what's going on?"

I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. So instead, I pointed. He sent me a look before walking into the room I just left. I knew he was there when I heard Nancy gasp his name.

Wow. . . They didn't bother stopping.

When he reappeared in front of me, I could see the anger in his eyes. He looked at me and that anger softened.

"Let's go," he said through clenched teeth.

"Where?"

"Does it matter?" He said harshly. He cleared his throat and changed his tone. "I'm sorry, Y/N. When I said 'let's go', I meant let's get out of here before I beat your boyfriend's ass."

"Ex-boyfriend," I mumbled. "I mean I haven't actually broken up with him. He was a little. . . busy. But I think it's pretty obvious. Right?"

Steve smiled softly at me as he stepped closer and grabbed my hand. "Right," he whispered. "Let me try this again; wanna get out of here and go get a drink somewhere we aren't being cheated on?"

"I'd like that," I tried to laugh but my voice cracked. He intertwined our fingers and led me to his car. He turned it on but didn't leave the house.

"I don't know where to go," he mumbled.

"I know a place," I said softly.

"What do you mean? Neither one of us is twenty-one."

"My cousin owns a bar," I explained. "He'll serve us if you're with me."

"Good to know," he smirked.

As Steve drove us to my cousin's bar, I couldn't get the image of Johnathan and Nancy out of my head. I cleared my throat, trying to get the frog out of my throat.

"You okay?" He asked, pulling me out of my head.

"Nope."

"Me either."

When we got there, we got out of the car and headed inside. "Hey, Y/N," my cousin greeted us from behind the bar.

"We need a drink," I said, sitting on the bar stool in front of him. "Now."

"Wow," he laughed. "What's wrong with you two?"

"My boyfriend cheated on me tonight."

"Damn," he sighed as he instantly grabbed a glass and started making me my usual.

"With his girlfriend," I finished as I pointed at Steve.

"Double damn."

"Steve, this is my cousin, Mark," I introduced. "He's gonna get us drunk."

"Just don't tell anyone," Mark said, sending us a smirk. "What'll you have, Steve?"

* * * * *

About an hour later, Steve and I were deliriously drunk.

"What are we gonna do about this?" Steve drunkenly sighed.

"I don't know," I pouted. "But. . ."

"But what?" He asked when I didn't continue. He swiveled his stool toward me.

"But whatever we do. . ."

"Tell me, Y/N," Steve chuckled.

"Promise you won't judge me?" I asked.

"I promise," he said, crossing his heart.

"I want to make them hurt," I said, not meaning to make my voice sound darker. "I want to make them feel as shitty as we feel."

"What did you have in mind?" Steve smirked.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "We can't actually hurt them."

"True," he chuckled. "But we can do to them what they did to us."

"You mean. . ."

I held my breath as Steve grabbed my knees and spun me toward him. I gasped as he slowly slid his hands higher. I stopped focusing on how high his hands were going as he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.

As soon as my body flooded with endorphins, I grabbed his face and deepened the kiss. We scooted as close as we could get without falling off our stools. I gasped when Steve pulled on my legs, making my stool scoot closer to his. It still wasn't close enough to him so he slid off his stool. I moaned against his lips as he opened my thighs and stood between my legs.

"Steve," I moaned as soon as he broke the kiss and started kissing my neck. "Maybe we should. . . Don't you think. . ."

I gasped when he bit my neck, making me shiver with pleasure.

"Let's get out of here," I said quickly. Steve slowly pulled away with a dirty smirk on his face.

"I like the sound of that."

Without another word, Steve grabbed my hand and pulled me with him. The butterflies in my stomach went crazy as he led me to his car. We got in and started driving us somewhere. I didn't bother to ask him where we were going. The truth was, I didn't care where we were going.

I smirked when Steve pulled onto a hiking trail. My stomach flipped when I realized where we were going.

"I've always wanted to come here," I said under my breath.

"Johnathan never brought you to Skull Rock?" He asked, smirking in a way that made my whole body burn.

"He thought it was your spot," I whispered, "and he didn't want to run into you and. . . Nancy."

I looked away when I connected the dots and figured out the real reason he never wanted to come here. With tears in my eyes, I looked down and started playing with my fingers. I held my breath when Steve reached over and put his hand on top of mine.

"Let's not think about them," he whispered. "Besides, we're here."

I looked up to see Steve had parked. He got out and sent me a wink before opening my door for me. He grabbed my hand but I didn't go with him.

"What's wrong?" He asked, his face dropping. "I thought you. . ."

I got out of the front seat but immediately turned and started getting in the back seat. Steve smirked as he leaned against the car.

"Y/N," he said in a sing-songy voice, "you know the whole point of Skull Rock is to make out at, on, and against Skull Rock?"

"I know," I shrugged. Steve swallowed hard when I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it into the front seat. "But what's the harm in getting started here?"

"Nothing," he said through clenched teeth. "Absolutely fucking nothing."

I laughed when he got into the back, instantly climbing on top of me. When he was straddling me, he tore his shirt off and tossed it toward mine. Steve made me gasp as he pressed his lips roughly to mine.

We didn't waste any time. Soon, we were only in our underwear, our bodies dancing against each other.

I gasped and arched my back when Steve leaned down and pressed his face between my breasts. I have never wanted to get rid of a piece of clothing as much as I have wanted to tear off my bra.

Luckily, Steve beat me to it. He slid his hand under my body and was able to undo it with one hand. The second he got it undone, I tore it off and tossed it somewhere.

"Fuck!" I moaned loudly as his lips wrapped around my nipple. "Shit, Steve Harrington," I moaned. "I used to hear about what you did to the girls you brought here."

I gaped when he roughly pulled away. He looked me straight in the eyes as he said, "All of them were nothing compared to you, gorgeous. They were just pointless and useless fucks. Not you."

Steve leaned down and smashed his lips onto mine. I ran my fingers through his hair, slightly pulling on strands until he groaned. When I couldn't take it anymore, I grabbed the hem of his boxers and tore them down his thighs. The second he was free, I kicked off my underwear.

Before either one of us could really think this through, I opened my legs and Steve positioned himself. I gasped, breaking the kiss and arching my back when he pushed into me. Things sped up as our lips moved in sync as our bodies danced. We did different things, changing whenever we made the other moan.

We lost track of time as we only focused on each other. Out of the different sexual experiences I've had, Steve Harrington was something else.

"I know why all the girls at school call you the King of Hawkins High," I moaned. My moan turned into a gasp when he pulled out of me.

Steve chuckled as he leaned down and returned his face to my favorite spot. "Fuck," I groaned as he started massaging my breast with his mouth.

Without moving his mouth, Steve grabbed my leg and wrapped my thigh around his waist. I swore under my breath when he was able to push back into me while making out with my chest.

"Oh Steve," I moaned. I grabbed his face and brought it back to mine. Our lips instantly started devouring each other and our tongues battled for dominance.

"Squeeze," he moaned into my mouth.

"Harder," I moaned back. It seemed like we both held our breaths as we fulfilled the other's request. We let out releasing moans as we gave into our rising orgasms.

As we slowly pulled apart, we looked into each other's eyes. The butterflies went crazy as he reached up and moved some hair out of my face. I wanted to say something sweet, something to tell him how much the night meant to me, but nothing came to mind. So instead, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Guess we never made it to Skull Rock."

* * * * *

After Steve and I got our revenge, he drove me home and I figured it would end there.

It didn't.

A couple of days later, I was in my room finishing my report when someone knocked on my window. I looked up and my heart jumped in my throat.

"Steve?" I panicked. I quickly stood up, went to my window, and opened it. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you," he shrugged like it was obvious. I watched as he climbed through my window.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask. When Steve turned around, he grabbed my waist and pulled me into his chest.

"Because I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," he said, his voice low. "You, my backseat, and the hiking trail parking lot half a mile from Skull Rock."

I moaned when he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back. Without breaking the kiss, Steve walked us toward my bed. We gasped, slightly chuckling as we fell backward.

Instead of kissing me again, he stopped. He reached over and moved some hair out of my face.

"You really haven't stopped thinking about me?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Of course not," he whispered. "I have thought about absolutely everything that happened that night."

"Everything?"

"Well, not everything," he smirked. "But only the important parts."

"Like?" I baited. I moaned when he slipped his hand under my shirt, searching for my breast. When he squeezed, I let out another moan.

"Like the feel of your skin against mine," he started listing off. "Like the feel of your body underneath mine. Like the feeling of my lips on your skin. Like the feeling of other body parts pressed and intertwined."

"But what about. . ." I started to ask but couldn't get myself to finish it.

"I broke up with her after I dropped you off."

"Wait, what?" I asked, slightly readjusting under him. He sat up and pulled me with him.

"After I took you home the other night," he explained, "I went by her house. She wasn't there, so I waited. The second she got home, I went to talk to her. I demanded answers and asked her about her and Johnathan. I won't tell you. . ."

"Please," I cut him off. "Tell me."

Steve sighed as he reached up and moved a piece of hair behind my ear. "I'm so sorry, Y/N," he started, "but they've been hooking up for months."

"Months?"

He slowly nodded. "Wow," I whispered as I looked down.

"I know this sucks," he said gently, "but it's a blessing in disguise."

"How?" I asked, my voice breaking. Steve used his finger to lift my head. Without saying anything, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.

"Because it got us together," he whispered as he broke the kiss and kept his forehead pressed to mine. "It made me realize that you are so much better for me than Nancy Wheeler."

"Really?" I asked, the butterflies from a couple of days woke up. He didn't kiss me. Instead, he started kissing my jaw. I felt the hickeys form as he explored my neck.

"What did you say?" I stuttered, trying to get my head back on straight.

"What do you mean?" He moaned against my collarbone.

"The other night," I barely got out, "with Nancy."

"Oh yeah," he smirked as he pulled away. "I ended it. I also told her you and Johnathan were over so she could have him." His smirk dropped. "Was that okay?"

"Yes," I said softly. "It is. Besides, those two cheaters deserve each other."

Steve leaned in but didn't press his lips to mine. Instead, he whispered, "Just like how we deserve each other."

"You really believe that?"

To answer me, Steve closed the gap between us and kissed me. I ran my fingers through his hair as our lips moved in sync. We broke the kiss with matching moans.

"I really do," he whispered. "I know Johnathan hurt you. And honestly, I want to beat the shit out of him for making you cry. But I won't do that. Instead, I'll get back at him by treating you better. Way better, Y/N. The way you deserve to be treated. I promise."

Steve put his hand on my stomach and laid me down, hovering over me. I arched my back when he started kissing and biting my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut as he explored my skin.

"Have you ever done it in the shower?" I asked between moans. Steve pulled away and smirked down at me. "I've never done it, but I hear it's pretty amazing."

"It's fucking unbelievable," he growled, grinding his body against mine. "I can show you the ropes."

"Ropes?" I teased. "Is that your kink, Harrington?"

"Not really," he shrugged teasingly. "My kink is more sneaking around and doing it when and where I know I shouldn't."

"Well then," I moaned as I slid my hands under his shirt and started slowly unbuttoning his pants. "I can show you the ropes."

[sunnyie-eve]

1 | All grown up

Series: Odds Together

Paring: Ryan Dunn x OFC Margera!

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: Mention of an abusive relationship

| MASTERLIST |

~

Today I was returning home to West Chester after living in Ireland for a few years and LA for a few months. I practically had to begged my parents to let me leave because they wanted me to stay close. I was the only child they had faith in actually doing something smart with my life because I wasn't 100% like my brothers. My older brother was in a band and twin brother did stupid videos for a living along with skating. I mean when I was young I did videos with Bam but over time I wanted to focus on other things too.

When my plane landed I didn't see anyone waiting for me so I had to called my mom. "So am I supposed to get a ride home from the airport by myself or did you forget?" I ask her as I take a seat in a corner.

"I completely forgot! I'll have Bam come pick you up. I'm so sorry. Can't wait to see you." She ends the call so I just sit alone in a airport.

I don't know how much time passed till I heard someone calling out my name, "Annabelle Quinn Margera!" I get up from my spot. As I get closer to who was calling my name I realized it was Ryan Matthew Dunn.

"Do you really have to yell my full name out? It's very embarrassing." I say as people were looking at us walking, sitting, or standing by.

He turns around to face me and his jaw drops as he blinks at me, "Bam was busy so he sent me." He gives me a smile.

"Out of everyone... he sends the worst driver. And busy doing what? Screwing things up?" I ask not surprised as we start to walk towards the exit.

"I'm not the worst. And haven't changed have you? Well, I mean since the last time you changed." He chuckles.

"You mean me being mature and not a child? And yes you are... the accident." I come to a stop.

"You can be mature and still have fun. Have you seen Ape? Also okay... lets not talk about that. Ape still hates me for that." He stops as well to face me.

"Yes, I've seen her because she's my mother, Dunn." I say starting to walk again till we get to the car.

The drive back to the house was quite till Ryan decided to start asking questions, "Why did you leave? And so suddenly to?"

"Other than schooling... just to get away."

"Get away? Away from what exactly?" He looks over at me for a second.

"Life here. Living in Bam's shadow, losing your best friend to his ego, your parents expecting you to do something great with your life, you ex making up rumors, fall-, I could go on." I stop myself from saying the last part.

"No one believed those rumors, Anna."

"Yes, people did. Bam did at first and so did my parents because they adored him. I had to tell them my side of the story and make them believe I was telling the truth." I start to get upset thinking back to that day.

"I never believed a word that dick said about you. I was always on your side, and the other stuff I can kinda understand."

"No, you don't. You're apart of Bam's shadow making it bigger. He's still your best friend because you have an ego too." I look out the car window.

"Why come back if you left to get away?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." My voice cracks so I try to cough it off.

"Bels, what happened?"

"Please don't. I really don't wanna talk about it. Let's just pretend it's because I miss home." I look over at him and he nods his head.

When we got to the house Ryan helped me take my bags in. As soon as my mother saw me she let out a scream. "My baby girl! Look at you!" She runs over pulling me into a hug. "You're all grown up. Such a beautiful young lady. Don't you agree Ryan?" She smiles at him while I cringe.

Ryan looks at me getting embarrassed, "Yeah, she grew up." He says making me laugh at him.

"Where's the demon child?" I ask.

"Didn't he pick you up?" She asks me so I shake my head and point at Ryan.

"Bam!" She yells making him walk into the room.

"That's not my sister! Who the fuck are you?" He walks over to mess with me. "What the hell happened to you? You grew up. Now all the guys are gonna talk about how hot you got." He says making me shake my head.

"Please don't say that. You basically said I got hot."

"I'm not blind, you got better looking. Now I gotta watch the guys because I know how they are. Now let me show you to your new room." He grabs my hand dragging me up the stairs. "It was a wreaked room because I fucked it up so I fixed it for you." He opens the door showing me my new room.

"What's the catch? Everything is too nice." I cross my arms looking at him.

"The catch? Nothing. I fixed the room for you so you would have a room. I had my whole crew help out. Don't you like it?" He says with a big smile.

"Thanks. Now let me settle in." I shove him out shutting the door. I look around the room checking it out to know if it's really safe. When I figured out it was I get comfortable and unpack things. Laying on my bed my stomach started to growl so I go downstairs to get a snack and see the whole crew.

"Who's the beautiful lady?" Raab asks eyeing me.

"Hello Christian, Brandon, Edward." I smile at them going to the fringe.

"Annabelle?!" They all yell my name.

"I thought you said she was coming soon and not as in today." Raab looks at Bam.

"Why did you think we finished up her room today?"

"I-I... Whatever." He shuts up making me laugh.

"Anna, what's your plans for the day?" Bam asks me.

"I wanna stay in my room but I need to ask mom for her car so I can go shopping to fill my closet." I grab an apple closing the fridge.

"Let's all go shopping then. Operation get Anna clothes. Let's go." He grabs his keys and the guys run out of the house. "It'll be fun." Bam drags me with him.

The drive to the nearest mall Bam played all the metal music he liked. I didn't have a problem with it because my taste of music was basically a huge mix of everything. Bam also asked along the way what size do I wear so I told them. As soon a Bam parked my shopping trip turned into a competition. Everyone was to buy whatever, preferably what I'd wear, and when we get home I was to try everything on. I'd then have to choose who picked out the best options that I liked.

"The rules are no asking for help. If you see her you avoid her. We start now and don't stop till Anna is done shopping for herself. Go!" Bam says and they all take off.

I walk into a store and automatically see Rake looking through racks. "Would you wear this?" He shows me a top that was ugly to me.

"God no, and you aren't supposed to ask me." I walk away going to look at jeans.

I end up shopping for some clothes but also shop for other things just to make the room more homey for me.

"I tried my best to actually pick something you would wear compared to Raab. Dude saw anything he considered sexy and took it." Ryan walks up to me with his bags.

"I had that fear and I gotta try on all this shit on." I groan taking a seat with him.

"Annabelle Margera? Funny seeing you back." I look up to see a few girls I hated back in school.

"I don't understand why it's funny." Ryan speaks for me.

"Because you just disappeared and here you are years later." She laughs then starts to smirk. "Baby look who it is." I turn around to see who she was talking to behind me and see my ex.

"Anna..." He eyes me. "What brings you back home?"

"I missed my parents and brother." I start to feel uncomfortable.

"Why did you leave in the first place?" He asks making the girls giggle. "Was it because you were embarrassed about what happened? Oh and did you actually come back because you tried playing a victim wherever you were?" He lets out a deep chuckle.

"Fuck off, you dick." Ryan spits at him.

"Look fat boy still has a thing for his best friend's sister. You two would be cute pathetic losers together." They walk off laughing.

"I fucking hate them. Six years and they still act like they're in high school." Ryan says not noticing I was quietly cry. "Bels?" He leans forward to look at me trying to see my face. "Don't let him get to you." He pulls me into his side.

"I came back home because of a guy I was dating. I thought I could trust him... but slowly he got physical. Controlled me and forced me to do things. I was scared to do anything because he threatened me anytime I didn't do or say what he wanted." I break down to Ryan finally causing him to hold me in his arms as he rubbed my back.

"Ready to go because I've spent more money on clothes and other stuff than fixing your room." Bam walks up to us. "What happened?" He gets serious.

"Austin and some girls from high school." Ryan lies to him which I appreciated.

"Let's go home." Bam says helping me up and we leave to go home. Bam told the guys we would do the next part tomorrow since I wasn't in the mood anymore.

Back in my room I leave the clothes in the bags because the guys wrote their names on it so I know who bought what. "Knock, knock." I look over to see Ryan in the door way.

"You can come in."

"Why did you tell me? You said you didn't wanna talk about it earlier." He shuts my door.

"I trust you still. You were the person I told everything to before moving away. I mean, I was gonna tell you the truth much later but you were standing up for me... and I was crying."

"It's good to know after six years I'm still your person." He smiles coming to take a seat next to me on my bed.

"You've been my person since I was 13 because that first year I hated you for taking Bam away from me." I say making him laugh.

"Can you imagine if we never got along because I can't." He lays back on my bed.

"It would've been hell because you were always around and still fucking around." I lay back too. "So we're lucky we got along. Plus your my favorite out of the crew."

[emocxnteddie]

Prompt Fics

A/N - Just to make it make more sense as to what this is. This is something I've seen other people do however I don't know the name of the whole thing as a subject. Though it is basically I make prompts which you guys can pick up to 3 and I'll have to include them in a fic of the character of your choosing and it'll fit the theme of the prompts. Are we on the same board? Okay!<3

"We aren't made for one another, it is clearer beyond belief."

"Sometimes, words can't describe you and I."

"Put your hand in mine and I'll show you just how much you matter to me."

"What is life without a goal but a pointless reason to live?"

"Honestly, last night was the most..thrilling experience i've had."

"The moon shields our forbidden act, so we shall take cover by it's beauty tonight."

"I couldn't take my eyes off of you, you were truly a natural earlier, though of course, you are also a natural at pleasing me.."

"Life is short, my sweet, which means there so much to experience before it ends."

"The only reason to hold on is alcohol, yet I hold on for you, it's stupid."

"My love, I promise, we will meet again, under better circumstances, please be safe."

"You should watch your tongue, i'm quite good at making pets obey me."

"Never let them know your next move, ey~"

"This is your end, thief, now face the consequences or my blade through your throat."

"I'd never settled myself for someone to get down and dirty with just anyone, yet here I am with a nobody, good for you that you're handsome."

"None can ever take you from me, you belong to me, you better know that."

"You never think before acting do you, pup? Oh, no need to be a sour pup, be good."

"I know, I know, my love, it'll be fine, it's gonna be okay."

"Oh god! So much fucking blood! What happened here? A bath bomb gone wrong!?"

"I hate this, couldn't we just have stayed home and eaten shit food instead of going outside?"

"Hey, I got a date idea, let's take you to therapy!"

"You know, I've never felt loved before however, you made it..possible, thank you."

"Yeah, no, we are not fucking in there, now if you want to fuck, we are going back home you horny bastard."

"This tastes like ass, did you put mouldy fucking salt in this or some bullshit like that?"

"Listen, I love you, but I am not having a chi- oh? maybe i will."

"Marriage is fucking stupid, I believe in branding your lover to show people that you love them!"

".. I hate socializing, can't we drink at home instead of going to the bar?"

"You look as pretty as the first day I saw you, every day you remind me how much you mean to me."

"Calm down, we will fix this, you haven't done anything wrong."

"Who hurt you? WHO HURT YOU!? I'll make them fucking pay, none hurts you, my darling."

"Why did you talk to him? What did he say? You know you shouldn't talk to others, why did you do it? Do you not love me anymore?!"

"You sing beautifully, my love, I could listen to you forever."

"..Did you just slap my ass and call me 'my pretty princess'? What the fuck."

"Test my patience and I will not go easy on you."

"You've been bad, bad behavior has consequences, now get on the bed."

[bluestar22x]

You Had Me From Hello

The Writing Contest - Chapter 1: You Had Me From Hello

Summary: Unexpectedly, small town woman Nora Delaine wins a writing contest and is flown first class to Salinas Valley to meet her new screenwriting partner.

Pairing: Javi Gutierrez x Female!OC (Nora Delaine)

Rating: 18+ Series

Word Count: 5,500(ish)

Warnings: Second person POV, mentions of drug use/addiction/loss and troubles with unhealthy family dynamics.

Author’s Note: I took inspiration for Javi's new home from this moodboard made by @wildemaven.

xxx

This is insane. I can't believe I'm actually going through with this.

That's what you were thinking as you settled into your seat in first class on a Southwest Airline plane headed for the airport in Monterey, California where you would then take a taxi to Salinas Valley, arguably the capital of the wine industry in the United States. But that's not why you were headed there. Nope.

You were headed to one of the vineyards, but it wasn't to taste test wine and forget your troubles, it was to write with an apparently well known up-and-coming screenwriter named Javi Gutierrez, who up until last week you personally hadn't known existed. Your best friend, Sierra Washington, however, had apparently heard plenty of him.

x

"You didn't!" you gasped, letting the letter in your hands float down to your kitchen table.

"I did!" your friend Sierra confirmed, grinning ear to ear.

"You entered my short story into a writing contest without my permission?" you hissed. You didn't feel that it had been anywhere near ready to be seen by anyone outside Sierra. When you'd sent her the document to proof read you'd trusted her not to share it with anyone else, and she'd betrayed that trust. You were furious.

"Aw, Nora, you were never going to release that document to anyone else if I didn't do it myself," she argued, placing a hand on her hip. "How many stories have I proof read for you? I loved every bit of them, yet every single one eventually ended up hidden in a file on your laptop and forgotten."

"They weren't good enough," you told her.

"Nothing ever is," she said, throwing her hands up in frustration. "You were stuck! You needed a little push. This is it. An opportunity to turn your story into a movie. Your dream!"

"I can't go to Salinas Valley for two months," you howled. "I haven't even found a new job yet!"

You'd recently been laid off from the pet magazine you'd been writing for since you turned twenty-five, nearly ten years ago, because of budget cuts a month ago and were having difficulty finding another job like it. You feared you might end up having to take a local job, instead of an online one, most likely waiting on tables. The thought of that made you cringe. You didn't like having to deal with the public. Even in a town as small as yours.

"Precisely!" Sierra exclaimed. "You need to work, and that's what this would be. You'd turn your story into a properly lengthy script with his help, and when it is bought you'll get money for it, along with some profits later on when the film is successful."

You snorted. "When?"

She narrowed her eyes at you. "When." Her tone was firm, certain.

You couldn't understand why she had so much faith in you when you'd spent most of your life failing. You'd struggled in college and you'd struggled to find a job and keep it for years. Writing for the pet magazine had felt mundane as far as writing went, but you'd been good at it and you'd finally felt like you had secured your future.

You should've known better with how the world was changing. Your generation and younger didn't read magazines anymore. You'd entered a dying industry that likely had an expiration date that would come before your retirement age.

"I can't afford to pay for another rent while I stay there," you continued.

She huffed. "Did you not read the part where it says all expenses will be paid? You'd be staying at his vineyard for free. You'd just need cash for extras. Like if you want take out or something."

"Staying at his vineyard..." You shook your head and met her copper brown eyes with your emerald green ones. "You really think I should be staying at a strange man's house, by myself?"

"He has tons of staff," she argued. "It's not much different from going on vacation and staying in a hotel by yourself."

You gave her an exasperated look. "That's way different! It's a private business and his staff aren't going to be there at night unless his runs it twenty-four seven."

"He knows Nic Cage," Sierra informed you, like that would make a difference to you. "They're friends. Javi's first screenplay was co-written with him."

You rolled your eyes. "Just cause you had a crush on Nic Cage in high school after you watched City of Angels and researched him, doesn't mean you know him and his friends."

"I did NOT have a crush on him," Sierra nearly shouted. "He's like three times my age."

"You did then."

"I did not."

You smirked and lifted your brows. "Thou protest too much."

She gritted her teeth, knowing full well that she wouldn't be able convince you otherwise. Because she had, in fact, had a celebrity crush on Nic Cage in high school.

She sighed. "Look. Sometimes you've got to take risks to gain the rewards. You can buy pepper spray when you land in California or something if it'll make you feel better. But I haven't heard anything about Javi Gutierrez that would suggest he'd be dangerous. And you wouldn't be sleeping in his mansion. You'd be in a guest house on the opposite side of the property. It overlooks some beautiful hills and valleys apparently. I did some research on Valley View Vineyard. That's his vineyard's name, fittingly. Anyway, it's apparently gorgeous in that area."

You had to admit to yourself a part of you was very tempted to say yes, not just to having help making a screenplay and selling it, but also to living in a California vacation destination for a while. You could use a break from your hometown.

"I can't," you said stubbornly. "I can't leave Buttercup and Tux with no one to watch them, and it wouldn't be fair to them to travel them out to California by plane. I wouldn't feel good about them being in cargo either. They're delicate creatures."

Buttercup and Tux were your two pet Lop rabbits, who you'd adopted as a bonded pair from a nearby animal shelter three years ago.

"I can watch them," Sierra offered. "I've done it for you before when you stayed in the hospital last year for food poisoning."

"Don't remind me," you groaned. That week had been the worst in your life and had put you off of salmon permanently.

She winced sympathetically. "Sorry."

"Look, even if I wanted to part from them for two freakin months," you started, sighing again, "Even if I wanted to go to California and write a script with a legit screenplay writer, my parents wouldn't approve. You know how worried they get."

"Yeah, I know," Sierra said with another huff. "I grew up with the product of their paranoia."

You couldn't help but laugh a little at that. Paranoia was a fitting word for it. Your parents were worry-warts. Especially since your older brother had died, leaving you as their only living child. Saying you were overprotected seemed to put it too simply. And you in turn were very wary of the world. Maybe too much. You'd turned down a lot of interesting parties and adventures with friends in favor of safety. You'd wanted to join your high school's travel club but had chickened out. Girls got kidnapped in foreign countries, after all.

The little voice in your head telling you such things sounded more like your mother's than yours.

"They'll say no," you added.

"Good thing you're a grown ass adult," Sierra reminded you firmly. "And you could lie and say you're staying at a rental to ease their minds."

You gave her a lopsided smile. "You're a bad influence on me, Ms. Washington."

"Somebody has to be!" she claimed.

You raked a hand through your shoulder length wavy brown hair as you silently debated over what choice to make. Stay or go. Safety or risk. You chewed your lip. "Fine. I'll do it."

Sierra jumped in spot and clapped like someone half her age. She squealed for you. "Oh my god, my girl's finally breaking rules and making her dreams come true."

You pursed your lips and silently hoped she was right. After all, there were no guarantees in life.

x

The next day you'd emailed Javi's manager, Walter, who was in charge of overseeing the contest and had helped Javi narrow all the submitted stories down to one. He'd immediately booked you a flight and told you to pack your bags, after reassuring you that Javi's intentions were good. He was going to co-write with you, but you'd be the top billing writer to the screenplay. He wasn't looking to take any credit that wasn't his.

Still, as you boarded the plane one week later, you found yourself nervous about the whole deal. You'd had to sign a contract, and part of that contract had protection for you and your script, saying you had all the rights, and therefore would have the final say over how it was written and what film company got to buy it. All nice things to ease your troubled mind, but you were worried now, a bit too late, over whether or not Javi would be a good fit as a writing partner. You'd seen his first film The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent the same night Sierra had handed you the letter, having wanted to make sure he'd be helpful and not be a bad influence instead when it came to your writing, and that had ended your concerns over his talent. The film was a little too out there for your liking, but you saw the heart behind it, and that was something you could work with.

The main concern you'd had since then was rooted in personality. You had no idea what he was like. He was clearly rich, anyone with a successful vineyard and a mansion was, and that concerned you, a child of two full time working parents who'd struggled to provide you with everything they'd wanted to give you. You'd been taught work ethic, you'd been taught to be polite to coworkers. What were the chances he'd been too? You shouldn't assume he'd be the typical rich person seen in media. You didn't know how most rich people actually behaved, and even if most were dramatic snobby leeches, that didn't mean he was.

That didn't stop you from thinking about how he might be during the entire time it took for the plane to take off.

"Would you like some wine?" a flight attendant asked some time later, drawing you from your inner thoughts.

You glanced up at her and blinked. This was new. You'd never been offered drinks on a plane, though this was only your second time in your life, the first time being when your family took a week long trip to Disneyland. "Is it on the house?"

"Of course," she replied with a knowing smile. "First time in first class?"

"You could probably guess that just by looking at my clothes," you reckoned. Most of the people seated around you were in suits or fancy business dresses, while you were dressed in a simple pair of light blue jeans, a bubble gum pink sweatshirt, and plain white sneakers.

The flight attendant shrugged. "We don't always get people in here who dress expensively. But most know about the complementary wine."

"I might as well take some," you said, "For the full experience. Don't know the next time someone will pay a ticket for me."

She laughed. "Would you be interested in a Pinot Noir?"

You had no idea what that meant, only really knowing wine as red or white, but decided to roll with it. "Sure."

As the flight attendant poured you a drink in a proper wine glass, you noticed the name on it. Valley View Vineyard. You wondered how widespread Javi's wine was as you accepted the drink and took a cautious sip.

It was good wine. Good was a lacking word. It was excellent. Smooth, flavorful. Better than any other wine you'd ever tasted. You could only guess that it was fairly expensive and aged well. You had to restrain yourself from downing the whole thing in under a minute. Wine wasn't meant for that, even a lower class small town girl like yourself who usually drank wine from a box knew that.

You did, however, make sure to have enough time for another glass before your flight landed.

x

Monterey Regional Airport, where you landed, was twelve miles from Salinas Valley, or around twenty-five minutes away. It took you an extra five minutes to actually get to Valley View Vineyard, totaling the cost of your taxi ride to nearly one hundred dollars, something that would've made you shudder if you hadn't just flown for free. You'd have had the ride for free if you had accepted the limousine Walter had offered you, but you hadn't been about to get in one of those things with what you'd been wearing for your flight. Besides, you didn't like feeling like you were leeching, having a real need to pay for some of your trip expenses. If you and Javi were successful, you'd get way more money back in profits anyway.

Salinas Valley was cooler than you'd expected, the temperature hovering around fifty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. It was a vast improvement from the thirty-two degree average in North Dakota, but not as hot as you'd imagined the middle of California would be, even though it was coastal.

They did have plenty of sun that day, something you knew your hometown wasn't going to get for the next a few days, a couple days of clouds and a severe snowstorm expected for most of the state.

On the way to the vineyard you cracked the widow to breath in the fresh air and you stared out at the landscape as the taxi drove by it at precisely the speed limit.

Salinas was gorgeous, as Sierra had promised. You passed many luscious green fields, farmed and unfarmed alike, several vineyards, and plenty of rolling hills and valleys, the latter expected, considering the name of the county.

You were excited by the time you arrived at Valley View Vineyard, anxious to see what the property itself looked like. You'd known it was fairly massive for a vineyard, sitting on one hundred and ten acres, but when you'd looked it up online the day after you'd gotten the letter, there wasn't much photos of the place anywhere, even on the official website. Mostly it had been photos of the grapes, the wine, and the wine making process, and mainly had detailed that process and how to get your hands on a bottle. You'd avoided looking at the history page, wanting to find out from Javi himself how he came to own it.

The vineyard was gated, with elegant iron bars, and your taxi driver had to press a speaker button on a fence post to be let in. Both sides of the tarred driveway was lined with bushes, leading up to the mansion, a Spanish styled home with arches you'd never seen before outside movies and TV shows that had taken place in Spain or South America. Beyond that were grape vines in every direction until they met the hills that bordered the area.

Walter was waiting for you on the front porch, a man in his sixties, with surprisingly thick gray hair and a considerably youthful face. You imagined he had several more decades left in him if his appearance was anything to go by. It was probably in spite of his job. You couldn't imagine a manager of any kind having it too easy.

The dark gray pinsuit he was wearing made you feel very under dressed, but he shook your hand and introduced himself without even twitching an eye, and helped you carry your belongings to a yellow Jeep in the corner of the driveway.

"Javi will be here soon to personally show you around," he informed you. "I'll drop your bags off inside the guest house."

"You don't need to do that," you proclaimed, not wanting to be a burden to anyone. You didn't think it was part of a talent manager's job to bring suitcases anywhere.

"It's no problem," Walter promised you, hopping into the Jeep's driver's seat. "We will talk more later, when you are done touring, to sort out some more paperwork. Legal stuff. Stick by the front porch. That's where Javi asked me to tell you to be."

"Okay," you said, waving at him. "Thanks."

He nodded at you, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You're welcome, Miss Delaine."

"Nora," you corrected him. "I don't like formalities."

"That's something you'll have to get used to if you want to take part in Hollywood," Walter warned you, "But I will call you Nora by default, when appropriate."

Then he was on his way, leaving you to kick pebbles off the tar by the porch. It was nearly ten minutes later when you spotted a man approaching at a brisk walk from a large industrial looking building to your left.

He was wearing sunglasses, a thick long sleeved orange button down shirt, dark blue jeans, and tan boat shoes. He appeared to be in his early forties, with limited gray hair in his patchy, but well trimmed beard. His dark brown hair was short, but wildly curled, and his skin was golden, tanned from spending most of his days out in the sun.

As he neared you and pulled off his sunglasses, you noticed his eyes were dark like his hair, and that he was at least a half a foot taller than you, probably just shy of six feet. Taller than most people you'd ever been around, especially family, but not untypically tall for someone in Hollywood.

He was worthy of Hollywood, you'd thought. He was handsome, and that was an understatement as far as you were concerned. No boy in your high school graduating class could've held up beside him and you felt your insides warm as you studied him.

Easy, you silently ordered yourself. You're just here to learn script writing from him, hopefully make a movie, and go back home. Besides, looks aren't everything.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," he apologized in a rush when he got within earshot of you, "I was helping my employees clean up a wine spill."

He spoke smoothly, with an accent that was far from any you'd heard before with your own ears. South American, maybe? Spaniard? You could definitely hear an infliction there that suggested he'd grown up speaking more Spanish than English.

"Oh no," you said earnestly. "Hope it wasn't too bad."

"Nothing we can't recover from," he assured you. He broke out into a bright smile and outstretched his right hand. "Javi Gutierrez."

You shook his offered hand and beamed back at him, putting on your best friendly demeanor. "Nora Delaine."

"It's so lovely to meet you, Nora," he said, covering your hand with his left one briefly before pulling both his hands away from you. His hold on you was long enough for you to notice how large his hands were in comparison to yours, and softer than you'd expected. You tried not to think about them too much.

"Let me show you around," he continued quickly, "It will give us a chance to get to know each other, no?"

"I'd like that," you replied honestly. "I've always been curious about how wine was made."

His lips tugged back even more, and in that moment he looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Excited and wide-eyed. You wondered if he was always this happy to meet guests. "Great! This way, then."

He guided you on a stroll around the main parts of the vineyard, showing you inside the buildings where the grapes were stored, turned into wine, and where the wine was aged in barrels. He also took you through rows of grapes in the fields behind his home, detailing the care that he and his staff had to put into them before they were ready to harvest in the autumn season.

"You know your stuff," you noted as you walked shoulder to shoulder with him. "I take you're not one to observe while your employees do all the work?"

"I used to be," Javi admitted, "But when I bought this place I decided I wanted to change that. Made a point to spend some spare time helping harvest the grapes and pour the wine into the barrels. I still have much to learn. Wine making is actually interesting to watch and inspired the last script I wrote, as you might tell."

You did not mention you'd only seen his first movie, afraid to insult him. You focused on the other tidbit in his confession. "You didn't grow up here?"

"No," Javi confirmed, in the way Spanish speaking people pronounce it. "I grew up on an olive estate in Mallorca, also called Majorca, it's an island off the coast of Spain."

"Why'd you move here?" you inquired. You'd seen pictures of islands in the Mediterranean Sea, watched movies that were filmed there. Who'd want to move away from that?

He hesitated for a second before answering, shoving one of his hands into a side pocket of his jeans. "I guess you could say I needed a fresh start. And this place being a lot closer to Hollywood, I thought the move could help my career."

"Has it?"

He hummed. "I think so. But even if not, I like it here."

"So how long have you owned this place?" you asked.

"A little over two years," Javi replied. "It was already a very successful vineyard when I bought it from the previous owner's daughter who wanted nothing to do with it after he died. I kept on most of the staff, including the manager, Enzo. He's the only reason it's still successful. I hardly know enough to dare participate in the business. He's taught me everything I have managed to learn about it and I'm very grateful. He's helped me gain financial independence from my family."

There was something about how humble Javi was being about his lack of experience that made it hard for you not to like him already. He definitely did not seem like he had a spoiled rich man's attitude.

"Does your family visit?"

Javi's brows knitted together and his smile fell. "No. We do not get along, unfortunately. Not anymore. My family...they are, as some people say, toxic."

"I'm sorry." You felt bad for being nosy about it. "My parents aren't easy either, they're a bit too overprotective. In fact, I had to lie about some of the details of this project to get here. Otherwise, they'd have talked me out of it. But at least we get along enough to still care about visiting each other."

"It's a shame you had to lie," he said, "But selfishly I am glad you did whatever it took to get here. When I read your script, it drew me in like witchcraft. The way you write...it's compelling. Poetic. And for such a simple premise, you made it exciting. It made me look at a so called average life with new appreciation I did not have in my youth."

"You can thank my friend Sierra for everything," you told him. "She submitted my work. She convinced me to come."

"I owe her a debt then," he concluded, and you blushed. You knew he was saying that because he was excited to work with you, but a part of your brain had jumped to the conclusion that he owed her for you. Not like you hadn't just met.

"If you want to repay it have Nic Cage send her a message or something," you suggested. "She's a big fan."

"No way!" he exclaimed giddily, halting suddenly. "I must meet her someday! I'm a huge fan myself."

"Aren't you and Nic friends?" you quizzed, confused.

"Being a friend now does not negate the appreciation I had of his work before," he declared. "But it does mean setting up a meeting between them would be fairly easy. She could even stay with us for a time."

Us. Oh, his choice of words. You ignored the flip of your stomach. It was absurd. Javi wasn't really your type. Rich and energetic. Earnest and puppy-eyed. Right? You frowned.

He led you out of the rows of grapes to the far corner of the property where beautiful rolling hills back dropped a cozy looking two story ranch styled house that had recently been painted white. It was far more modest than his mansion, but still twice as big as your childhood home.

"That is where you'll be staying," he declared. "Do you wish to see it first or the space we'll be working in?"

"House first," you decided quickly. "I want to grab a few things from my bag to put on my desk. Assuming I'll have one?"

"Of course!"

The inside of the house was rustic. It reminded you of home, minus the buck antlers your dad had hung up on the living room wall. Not that he'd hunted a day in his life. He'd found them while hiking through the forest with the family dog in the dead of winter, the pair having naturally shed off of the deer they had once been attached to.

"This is wonderful," you commented as your eyes fell on your bags by the staircase. Walter had dropped them off as promised.

Javi beamed at you. "I am glad you like it. I admit, it's not my style."

"It wouldn't be, would it?" you mused. "This is very western themed, not island."

"It was once a place for temporary employees to stay," he informed you. "It was remodeled and decorated this way before I bought it. I just haven't bothered to change it."

"There's nothing that needs changing," you told him surely. You weren't going to allow anyone to insult the taste of most of your hometown.

He chuckled. "Maybe not."

You reached for one of your smaller bags and pulled out a stuffed giraffe and a photo of your two rabbits, plus another of a man your age, military short hair and a wide grin on his face.

"Is that your boyfriend?" Javi inquired curiously.

You shook your head somberly. "No, this is Kip, my brother. Was, rather. He overdosed on opioids last April."

Javi expressed honest dismay. "Oh no. I am so sorry. Were you close?"

"Very," you answered, chewing your lip, remembering the last time when Kip was alive and truly happy. It was far too long ago to be comforting. "He was only older than me by a year. Was quite different than me though. Very independent. Whenever my parents told him to do something he did the opposite. That's how he ended up in the military. It's how he ended up a war veteran with a bad back, which led doctors to treating him with strong drugs and in turn got him addicted to them."

"There are no words," Javi said gently, squeezing your arm at the elbow. "Is he going on your desk?"

"The fire mantle," you told him, heading for the fireplace in the living room and placing the framed photo on the shelf above it, carefully setting it there. You returned to Javi's side after. "Now I'm ready to check out the office."

He must have sensed that you didn't want to discuss your brother anymore because he just nodded and followed you out of the house.

x

The inside of Javi's mansion was...excessive. Six bedrooms, six full sized bathrooms to go with them, another two basic bathrooms (one for each floor), a massive kitchen and living room, a dining room, a personal office, a game room, a movie theater, and a sun room. There was a double stairway of course, and the rooms were mostly white, with some gold and black accents.

While you weren't a huge fan of overly sized houses and lack of color, you had to admit it was impressive, and some of the rooms were charming, likely thanks to a talented interior decorator.

One of the most charming rooms was the sun room, with all of its natural light and green house plants in vases. There were even a few vines hanging from the walls. It was the last room on the tour.

"This is where we'll be working," Javi informed you, nodding at the two desks set up in a corner. "I like writing out here. Feels too stuffy in the office. What do you think?"

"It's beautiful in here," you commented, awe in your voice. "I'm sure I'll get plenty of inspiration from it."

"Great!" Javi exclaimed, clapping his hands together, startling you. "I'll give you some time to fix up your desk to your liking, the one closest to the door, and have you meet me out back for dinner when you're ready."

"Dinner?" you questioned, frowning.

"Is it supper where you're from?" Javi asked when he noticed your confusion.

"Yes, but it's not that," you replied, explaining, "I didn't know I'd be eating with you tonight."

"Is that a problem?"

"No," you said a little too fast, cheeks threatening to turn red. "I just didn't expect it."

"As long as you're on this property you will never need to cook unless you wish to," Javi told you. "The chef here is excellent and always cooks up way too much for me. You'd be doing me a favor by joining me. And I'd like to get to know you a little more before we start writing together tomorrow."

"Would it be rude to ask what's on the menu?" you inquired.

He grinned. "Not at all. It's shrimp scampi tonight. Though there are alternatives available if you are allergic or vegan."

"I'm not, and I would never say no to shrimp," you declared.

He chuckled at your enthusiasm. "Good. Dinner will be served in thirty minutes, until then -"

"You'll be out on the back patio area," you finished for him.

He nodded. "Just through the doors."

He backed out of the room through a pair of beautifully detailed white doors and you could see him sit down in one of the patio chairs. He pulled out his phone and made a call you could not hear from inside and you forced yourself to look away, not wanting to be caught staring like a creepy stalker.

You placed your stuffed toy giraffe on the center of your desk next to the tape and stapler, along with the framed photo of your rabbits, before plopping down in the chair behind it to open up the new laptop you'd been gifted.

It was sooo fast to start up, and the perfect size for you. You hoped at the end of the two months you were staying that you'd be able to keep it. Especially after you went on to spend the half hour Javi had given you setting up the laptop, which included adding giraffe wallpaper to the main screen.

Once you were done, with a few minutes to spare, you stepped outside.

The back patio was made of gorgeous red brick and covered with more plant vases. The standard pool and hot tub were beside a four person outdoor table with an umbrella for shade.

The area looked so peaceful and dreamy that you weren't sure a space could get better until you laid eyes on the mini pond a yard away from the glass table, and noticed the brightly colored fish swimming in it. Fish splattered and patched with reds, oranges, blues, and blacks on their white bodies.

"Koi fish?" you quizzed when Javi glanced up at you from reading an email on his phone.

"Came with the house," he told you. "But I kept them cause I decided I liked them. Do you like Koi?"

You nodded. "I always wanted to have some of my own someday. But North Dakota winters would be hard for them to combat and Koi are expensive."

"Well, you can come back here and watch them whenever you like while you're staying here," Javi said. "Maybe they'll inspire you."

"A sun room and a Koi pond." You smirked. "Careful, you might not be able to get rid of me."

Javi parted his lips and closed them like he was going to say something but decided not to, and you blinked curiously at him. What had he been wanting to say but thought was best not said?

"Dinner is served!" a woman who was most likely Javi's chef, shouted.

He beamed at you. "Prepare to have the best shrimp in your life."

x

Javi was right, the shrimp was amazing, and the company continued to be pleasant. It was just you and him for an hour, the chef checking in briefly on occasion to offer wine and water refills and several well spaced out courses of Mediterranean food. You were stuffed when you were finished, and you wanted to sit by the Koi pond and digest, but you thought it would be best not to overstay your welcome.

"Well, I'd better go," you announced, trying to sound casual, as you stood back up. You were about to fish for some answers to questions that had been dancing around in your head all day. "I'm sure your girlfriend - or boyfriend - will want me out of the house when they get here."

"Neither," Javi told you, smiling as if he knew you were digging for information. He probably did. You were rarely subtle. "I'm not dating anyone right now. My last girlfriend moved to America with me but after living together for a month we realized we were better just as friends and she went back to Spain."

You winced. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay," he assured you. "We're still friends."

Friends? The word shouldn't have made your stomach flip as it did.

"Good," you murmured, not sure what else to say to a statement like that. "Too many of my past relationships ended nasty or by ignoring each other awkwardly."

You sighed and stretched your right hand out. He stood and shook it again. "Goodnight, Nora."

"Goodnight, Javi."

With that, you left him physically, but your brain didn't. For half the night you couldn't help replaying the time you'd spent with him, committing it to memory.

It had been a great first day, but you feared that you were already tempted to enter a dangerous game.

The kind of game that could break your heart.

xxx

Tagged: @harriedandharassed

xxx

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

xxx

[couragehopelovefaith]

As an answer to @carladuquette:

Mike Flanagan character draft

Rules are simple: pick your top 6 characters from the Flanaverse. Series only! If a character appears at different ages, specify which one you want on your team. Can be characters you love, love to hate, whatever. Ready? GO!

(There will be no Midnight Club-characters, because I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it since I know that the cancellation would frustrate me to no end, if I got myself engaged to it.)

This was way harder than I thought it would be! So many others would deserve to be here as well. If you haven't seen these shows and want to avoid spoilers, stop here.

But okay, here we go...

Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford, Midnight Mass)

It tells a lot that I saw Midnight Mass for the first time just this Easter, but I couldn't imagine anyone else getting the first place. Such an underrated character. He had such a sad backstory and a kind soul...he truly did his best and helped so many people when he had every possibility to be selfish. His relationship with Erin was very special too. I guess he got his happy ending in a way, but all the possible could've beens and fix-it-fics about him that I will probably never write haunt me.

2. Luke Crain (Oliver Jackson-Cohen, The Haunting Of Hill House)

I debated with myself for a long time, which Crain-twin I should put here, but Luke and his journey just moved me deeply. I'd like to write much more about him, but it would become an essay so I'll pass. It would be so inspiring to see Riley and him to have a conversation, now that I think about it. During my every single Flanagan deep-dive, I am awed how Oliver could play both Luke and Peter - such opposite characters - so believably. *standing ovation*

3. Hassan Shabazz (Rahul Kohli, Midnight Mass)

I had an eeny, meeny, miny, moe whether the third prize should go to him or Owen, but I had to pick this loving father and a wonderful sheriff. In this case, I can't even fully explain why, but he just managed to stand out from the middle of all these other fantastic characters in an unique way.

4. Verna (Carla Gugino, The Fall Of The House Of Usher)

I feel like I don't really even have to explain myself when it comes to this choice. Carla has always been talented and beyond, but she really exceeded herself in this role. In the wrong hands, this character could've become very corny and comical, but with her behind the wheel, there was no fear of that. I lost count how many times I got shivers, was lifting my jaw off the floor and crying while watching Verna. I almost wanted to include a gif of her and Arthur (since I love him too), but I thought it might be cheating, so...

5. Hannah Grose (T'Nia Miller, The Haunting Of Bly Manor)

Okay, listen... I love Dani and Jamie, both as a couple and as individuals, and their story is very bittersweet and heartbreaking. But when I think of Bly Manor, my mind always travels first to Hannah, her relationship with Owen and to episode 5. She is amazing and deserved the world. A little restaurant in Paris, with the love of her life... Gaah, even writing about it makes me tear up!

6. Tamerlane Usher (Samantha Sloyan, The Fall Of The House Of Usher)

I almost feel bad for not putting Lenore here, because she obviously was the purest one of the Ushers and didn't deserve what she got in the end. But I can't help being intrigued by Tammy and her complexity. Surely, she is far from perfect - quite a despicable human being, actually - but the episode centered around her made me feel a bit sorry and sympathetic towards her. She is my favorite Usher-sibling (Leo being a really close second) and belongs on this list. Samantha deserves way more recognition of all her roles, to be honest.

Phew, I did it! *victory dance*

Anyone can participate. Let's show appreciation to this marvelous saga, pretty please.

[oh-my-damn]

The Eras Tour (Folklore Set) - A Lyrical Conspiracy

Okay so I've watched The Eras Tour movie three times in cinemas and now finally had the time to properly watch it without being in the cinema in a space where I had time to properly analyze and reflect

And I've realized something regarding the Folklore set. I don't know if everyone else has realized this already - maybe I'm just really slow - but watching it tonight gave me a certain clarity regarding the set and why it's in the order it is, and what purpose each song that is in it, serves.

So the actual set in the concert (not the movie because Cardigan was cut out) goes as follows:

invisible string/The 1 (The 1 replaced Invisible String from march 31st and onwards. The 1 is the song included in the movie)

betty

the last great american dynasty

august

illicit affairs (shortened)

my tears ricochet

cardigan (Not included in the movie but is in the set permanently)

So here is where my conspiracy comes in, considering not just the order, but also what she sings from each song....

Her doing Invisible String as the first song for the first month and a half (or so) is a hint that there is a string, it makes a shit ton of sense. Then it's replaced by The 1.

The 1, in this set, is sung from Betty's perspective. So is The Last Great American Dynasty (this is Betty imagining her life in the future without James)

Then we go straight into Betty. That song is self-explanatory, it's written from James' (the cheater) perspective and the placement of it directly relates to Betty singing about how "it would have been fun if you could have been the one" and her imagining what her life will now be like without him.

This is when it gets interesting.

Betty pivots into August, which is written from Augustines perspective. August is a song about how you fall in love with someone who isn't fully there, who sees you as a summer fling while you see him as an eternal love. How you can fall in love with someone who still loves someone else.

And then the set continues in Augustines perspective.

Because after August, we go straight into a shortened version of Illicit Affairs, most importantly the lyrics "Don't call me kid, don't call me baby, look at this godforsaken mess that you made me," and "and you know damn well, for you I would ruin myself, a million little times. That's the thing about illicit affairs."

This is Augustine dealing with the aftermath of their summer fling/affair, once learning that James is now actively working to get Betty back. He doesn't want her, he never did, she was just a distraction, but she truly adored him.

Then it goes from Illicit Affairs once again directly into My Tears Ricochet, STILL from Augustines perspective. The lyrics that stand out is "And if I'm dead to you why are you at the wake" and "you know I didn't want to have to haunt you, but what a ghostly scene" which tells you that James, as a surprise to no one, still had one foot in with Augustine while he was trying to get Betty back (as August alludes to) and that he tarnished what they had and downplayed it a lot (which is again proven in Betty)

Sidenote: I know My Tears Ricochet is probably about the sale of her masters but I truly believe it is being used in a different context for the Eras set.

Then we pivot into Cardigan, which is from Betty's perspective (again) and famously hold the lyrics "I knew you'd come back to me."

But once analyzing I do truly believe she is singing August, Illicit Affairs and My Tears Ricochet from Augustine's perspective. Which is just so incredibly deep and profound in a way I can't even explain, because I'm sure those songs have deeper meanings, too. But the fact they can be so effortlessly applied to the love triangle she created?

And maybe they were always meant to be interpreted this way. I don't know. But I haven't seen anyone talk about it, if that's the case. I've always seen that people believe My Tears Ricochet is about the sale of her masters.

Either way I absolutely adore this set, Folklore and Reputation are my fave sets of the Eras Tour, and even if no part of my theory is true, it's still so fun to imagine!!

[septembersghost]

Sorry for sending so many negative asks and you don’t have to answer the last two, or if you want to you can answer what I said about Gen Z on here. I had a hard year last year and can honestly say watching the Elvis movie in theaters, Austin’s great performance, and getting into Elvis helped me get through it. It just sucks going online for the past year and reading nothing but hateful and negative comments about Elvis and Austin on the internet, especially from holier than thou Gen Zers who have no problem stanning people who are way worse :/

going to begin with this screenshot i saved the other day, that truly just encapsulates a lot to me:

also this gif my friend chelsea shared with me of el banishing haters for us. 😊 begone!

i have a lot to say to this and am unsure where to begin, so allow me to start here:

I had a hard year last year and can honestly say watching the Elvis movie in theaters, Austin’s great performance, and getting into Elvis helped me get through it. <- first and foremost, WITH ALL MY HEART, this is the point. this is what's important. that experience belongs to you, and it's BEAUTIFUL and meaningful, and there's nothing that can or should take that away from you. i am SO glad you had the film and austin's stunning performance, and then discovering more in e himself to help you. the value in that is unbelievably special, and it's unique in all of us who discover that solace in art and hold onto it in our own ways. the film has come to mean more to me than i can express in silly little posts here, and i haven't had that for a long time.

i'm so sorry you were having a hard time, i understand in my own way. i didn't expect to even make it through last year myself. there is a particular depth of connection and some measure of healing that came with this that i can't explain except to say it exists on some spiritual level. idk if you were here when i wrote a post on the night of the grammys, but there's a significant part of myself that i'd been without for a long time, and maybe didn't even fully know was missing, that e almost immediately set back. as if that broken piece of stained glass mosaic was there, but had been knocked out of place, and when it was restored, the picture was more whole again, and i could breathe a bit easier. like a bridge over troubled water. you don't know what's lost 'til you find it! i sincerely hope that you're doing better now <333

i have to cut this because it's long. 💗

i don't know where exactly you're reading negative comments, maybe i've just been very fortunate to avoid them since i've encountered them so rarely and block the few i've seen immediately (and anyone who has anything negative to say about aus is deranged on some level, when he's unequivocally humble and kind in every interaction he has. the only things i've seen about him are inane voice comments, and not only is that not funny, and was never funny, it's also clear anyone who thinks that has never listened to a clip of elvis speaking for two seconds in their life, as they sound nothing alike! i hate that something which should only have been joyful and made him feel proud has made him self-conscious because the media can't ignore trolls on the internet. austin is such a genuine soul). regarding elvis himself, he was certainly a complex human being, but he was unquestionably a GOOD one. it takes so little time to discover exactly who he was and all that he stood for, all he did.

it's like i read a story yesterday about how, when he performed at the houston astrodome, the owner told him he didn't want black people onstage and to leave the sweet inspirations behind, and elvis was like, absolutely not, they're included or i walk, period. and then he had had them driven in a car around the arena so that everyone could see them. it's such a typical story for him (standing up for people he loved and what he believed in with a delightful dose of king shit defiant behavior). it's why it's so easy to dispel ANY claim of racism because he was distinctly anything but, and there are countless stories recounting why.

you said: To add to my comment, I can’t stand reading most zoomers opinions of Elvis because the takes are almost always misinformed and hateful yet they worship artists like (he who shall not be named, I sent you a previous anon about him) 🤷‍♀️

speaking as your millennial elder sister here, i assume they either erroneously believe he somehow mistreated people of color (could not be less true), "stole" his music and/or misappropriated culture (absolutely not the case, and if anything, he succeeded in BREAKING a lot of barriers), or the situation with priscilla. i've addressed cilla before, but anyone making that into a more salacious situation than it was is not HEARING her specifically. they victimize her without listening to a word she says about the life that is HERS. about things that were in place before they got married, about the love they had for one another. they victimize her without her consent and i find that really upsetting. they're also not hearing any of the other women he was ever romantically involved with who have shared about him extensively, nor the women who were around him platonically who adored him. or they're listening to GROSS unfounded lies perpetuated by alanna nash, who i'm on record despising. did he have some ingrained patriarchal concepts? sure. he was a white man born in 1935, but none of those ideas were outrageous and it's not fair to even weigh that against our social mores in 2023, when we've been without him for 46 years. he had tremendous respect and love (not merely in the physical way) for women. he had tremendous respect and love for PEOPLE. i think of myrna saying elvis would've loved her just the same, no matter what color she was, because of who he was. it's infuriating for that to be taken away from him by people who don't even bother to do their research or try to spend a moment lending him compassion and understanding.

not to play the whatboutism game, but the person you mention has FAR worse and actually credible allegations, and yet that gets waved off all the time. i could name...a number of very famous men who have concrete abuse allegations or stories of very dark/disturbing things, and it simply gets ignored. i could mention someone who's oft-revered who was also a misogynist, racist, antisemitic homophobe and gets very little criticism. it's crazy to me that elvis gets any of those accusations when there's documented proof of his charitable work for black people (and literally growing up with and attending church with and learning alongside of and befriending and defending!), for jewish people (including being a shabbos goy as a child!), his generosity and care for others, and so on. someone sent me an anon the other day saying they feel like people online hold him to an unfair double standard (and they referenced a different famous musician who is far more problematic), which i responded to here. the fact of the matter is, a lot of it is rooted in caricature and parody and unfair jokes/stereotypes, some of which is incorrect judgment of elvis as a human being, some of which is this idea that anyone from the south must be stupid and racist, which is wildly unfair. remember: YOU KNOW MORE THAN THEM. i KNOW it hurts and is depressing and feels bad to not be able to fight back and defend him and prove his worth to everyone who discounts him, but that's on them and they don't get it, which is their loss. tbh anyone who doesn't get it can fuck right off. you know what he means to you.

the thing about elvis is, he had this...all-encompassing need for connection and understanding, and there was some part of him always seeking that. be that spiritually, and in his deep faith and interest in many avenues of philosophical study/thought, or in his approach to love of any kind. he didn't want to be just one thing to people, he wanted to, in some way, be everything. which maybe is too much for anyone to strive towards, but it was in his essence. chelsea also recently told me elvis was very interested in all the different definitions of love - the greek words, storge, philia, eros, agape, etc, and i personally feel a strong connection to that because that's always captivated me too, not merely the differences, but the way they inform each other. how we express love in this world.

el having a temper or making some mistakes in his life does not negate the artistry he possessed, nor, on a much more personal level, the amount of good he did and heart and soul he shared with people. loved ones, family, romances, fans, he had this boundless sense of love.

which brings me to us. i mean it when i say i believe it would mean everything to him if he knew how many new people, ESPECIALLY young people, are discovering him and embracing him and remembering him.

going to quote chelsea again: "it's like the people who find him are the good ones, you know? the thoughtful, loyal, interesting ones who see him as a full person. which is all he ever wanted."

i believe, without question, that he would love us so much. i believe he was meant for us to find him. i believe it would touch his soul to know he's had an impact on us, or helped us make it through, or healed something in us in any way. that would be worth everything to him. and he's so alive in our hearts, and i know he's going to stay there. that's what has the meaning, that's what remains.

to repeat this post from the other day:

i was having a discussion with tam like five minutes before this tweet was posted, about the people who dismiss him or belittle him not understanding the truth of who he was, not loving him for the whole of him the way that we do, so when this was tweeted, it felt almost like a sign from the universe. no matter how loud the clamor of denial, WE know what that love truly is.

you decide where to put your love. you know what restores your spirit. that matters through everything. i believe he reached out to and moved austin for a reason, that that performance was meant to happen. and deep in my heart, i believe there's some light of his reaching back that sparks in ours.

[lilyevanstan1325]

✨ Astral Lovers ✨

Chapter 7

Steve POV

"I'll find you, honey.I'll find you"

I stand still in front of the river for an indefinite time.

I don't know if it's been minutes or hours.

I just know my head is exploding.

Millions of thoughts pass through it at the speed of light, a thousand ideas to put into practice.

But the only thing I can do is stay glued in place, unable to even look up to the sky.

I look incessantly at the body of water in front of me.

Like her eyes.

Dark.

Mysteriou

How the hell did I get into this situation?

The rational part of my brain tells me to let it go.

I've known this woman for how long?

Just a week?

Why should I make my life so complicated?

She's gone, that's okay.

I can find other women.

Hundreds of other women would love me.

I'm Steve Rogers.

I'm Captain America.

I sigh.

But any other woman wouldn't be her...and to speak is my instinct that dominates over my reason.

I can't do without her now.

Absurd?

Very.

But I know I'm willing to turn the world upside down just to find her, if only to hug her again for a minute.

To know that she is fine.

I'm worried about her.

She is alone in a world that she believes is real and I have to understand why.

I need to figure out how to find her.

I need some answers and I know I'll be alone on this journey.

I absolutely cannot involve my teammates in all of this.

Nor Bucky or Natasha.

They are not just my friends and my team, they are my family and I could never expose them to such a great unknown if it were not strictly necessary.

Lily is a necessity only for me.

I can risk for her, and I will.

But I can't ask others to do the same.

I've done this before, to save Bucky, and I nearly destroyed the Avengers.

I put my friends, my family, in a horrible situation, pitting them against each other.

It was worth it?

Absolutely yes.

Would I do it again?

No.Hell no.

The feel of guilty would devour my soul.

I am brought back to the present by the sound of my phone.

I take it out of my leather jacket pocket and read the name on the screen.

She knows that there is something that worries me.

Natasha.

And that's why she is one of my friend.

She's not breathing down my neck, she's not trying to get the news out of my mouth.

She waits patiently in a corner until I am the one ready to open up.

I try to gather all my strength and be calm and carefree.

"Hey Nat, what's up?"

"Hi Steve, we're ordering a pizza.Are you one of us tonight?"

I know I'm acting like a bad friend.

I can perceive the underlying meaning of her question, which is Will you deign to honor us with your presence tonight at least?

"I don't know Nat, I'm already in my apartment"

It's not really the truth but my plans are those.

On the other end of the phone I can hear Bucky exclaim "Look I'm here and I can hear you, Romanoff!"

"C'mon Steve!" I hear her sigh, "We haven't seen each other in days!Please don't leave me another night alone with Barnes!"

A smile touch my lips.

After all, I could go.

"Look, there's nobody in the tower tonight.It's just me and Barnes.Tony is in Miami with Pepper, Bruce is in Washington and Clint is with his family.Come on don't make me get beg you!"

It's true I'm not in the mood to see anyone but Bucky and Nat are my best friends.

"Ok, I'm coming.Give me 30 minutes and I'll be there"

When I'm about to hang up Natasha's voice stops me.

"Steve...I know there is something you're not telling me and that's okay, I swear!"

I hear a smile in her voice.

I close my eyes, God, she knows me very well.

"And whatever it is, I want you to know I'm on your side.No matter what, I will never judge you.Whatever it is we can work it out together.I love you, you know?"

"I know Nat, thanks.I love you too.See you soon"

I feel the tears wet my eyes.

I know I can entrust my life to this woman, she'll always watch my back.

I walk briskly to my apartment.

I need to take a shower.

I have to clear my head.

Once I get home I quickly head to the bathroom, I begin to free myself from my clothes until the reflection of something small sparkles on the floor catching my attention.

I bend over to my knees to be able to observe closely and understand what it is.

I reach out under the sink and there I find a small and delicate earring.

It is shaped like a butterfly and has wings covered with shining marine waters.

My heart begins to beat faster and faster.

This is Lily's and if she wasn't real I never could have had anything of her with me, right?

I remain crouched in this position to observe this little jewel resting on the palm of my hand.

Then I stand up holding it in my fingers.

A little hope brightens my heart.

Maybe there is a chance that I will find her.

I enter the shower with my heart a little lighter.

After all, nothing is lost.

I know she exists, somewhere she is living her life unaware that I am real.

The hot water flows through my hair, wetting my back and running down to the drain.

I can't help but think about her.

I feel obsessed with this woman.

I think to the kisses we exchanged just before she disappears.

A kiss so full of passion that I can't get out of my mind.

I lift my hand to my lips, with my thumb I stroke my lower lip.

The lip that she bit and sucked.

I immediately feel my erection grow.

I can't help it but my hand goes down my abdomen and then wraps around it.

I feel it throbbing, impatient for relief.

I close my eyes and at the thought of her, naked and compliant, I start pumping up and down with my hand.

I imagine my body buried in her warm fold.

I hear her moan my name as I move back and forth inside her, mercilessly.

My face sunk into her neck as I breathe every inch of her skin.

My hand squeezes harder and the pace increases.

I'm close.

I guess I lift my gaze from her body only to meet her beautiful eyes begging me to give her more.

To not stop.

Our hips bang against each other violently making a sinful sound.

And I don't.

I cum wildly into my hand.

I'm out of breath, with my head down and my heart pumping in my ears at a furious pace.

I open my eyes.

I look at my now relaxed and satisfied cock in my hand and a wave of anger takes over.

I rinse nervously and get out of the shower.

I pass a hand on the fogged mirror and see my reflection, shining eyes and parted lips from the still panting breath.

My chest rising and falling trying to regain the normal rhythm.

I should be worried about her, trying to find a solution.

I shouldn't be standing here in the shower jerking myself off like any other teen.

I quickly put on a pair of jeans and a blue shirt, grab my leather jacket and the keys to my motorcycle.

After that I leave the house.

Once on the road I get on the saddle and as soon as I hear the engine roar under me I relax.

Riding my beloved motorcycle relaxes me every time.

And so in the time of the road ahead I mull over my life.

Since I woke up in this new era I believed I had to resign myself to living a life in solitude and instead I found new friends.

A family.

I found again Bucky, my best friend.

I thought I was ok.

That all this was enough for me.

After losing Peggy, I didn't think I'd be able to feel anything for anyone else.

It was my choice to leave her but I would do it again a thousand times.

With my gesture I allowed her to have a better world, a safer place where she could live her life.

And she did.

She found love, she became a mother.

She lived surrounded by people who loved and respected her.

She lived to the full.

Over time, I got used to being self-sufficient.

Until I met her.

From that moment on I realized that maybe I'm not so complete on my own.

That maybe even the great Captain America is nobody without a great woman by his side.

With all these thoughts in mind I arrive at the Avengers tower.

I park my motorcycle and right in front of the entrance I find the delivery boy with the pizza.

I'll take them and hand him the money.

"Do you have a girl, son?" I ask him straight away.

He looks a little surprised by my question but then answers with a huge smile.

"Yes sir.She is at home now.We used to work together but now she is on a forced rest period.She has less than a month to give birth and I try to do a few more shifts to earn some extra"

Although visibly tired I can hear all the pride and joy in his voice.

I smile at him.

"Keep the change"

"Thank you Captain Rogers, I wish you a good evening" he replies back happy to have just earned a $ 20 tip.

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make someone else happy.

I enter and walk towards the elevator.

Once inside I think to that delivery boy.

He sacrifices his every moment for his family.

That boy will soon look his son in his eyes for the first time and he will know it was worth it.

All his hard work will be rewarded.

Love is sacrifice.

And I'm ready to sacrifice all my time and energy if that would mean finding her and being able to hold her close to me.

The elevator bling brings me back to reality.

I enter the large living room only to cross it and head towards the kitchen.

In the meantime, I try to put on a calm and relaxed expression.

Bucky and Natasha are from behind and they are laughing, I lean against the door and watch them.

It's nice to see how much they have bonded over time, they are both very important to me and I'm glad they get along.

"Anyone hungry?Buck you owe me 25 dollars.I'm tired to always paying for you!" I tease him.

"Sure man, thanks!" he replies without turning around.

I roll my eyes knowing it will never happen.

I smile at Nat , she has turned towards me now.

She returns my smile even if the look she gives me is veiled by a certain concern.

"Hey hunk, are you okay?"

Maybe I'm not that good at hiding my thoughts after all.

Now even Bucky has turned in my direction and from his gaze I know that now I can no longer hide my real feelings.

Great.

"Not again, buddy..." my friend sighs in frustration, "Why are you letting her treat you like that?"

Now he's mad at me.

"Woah woah woah!What are you talking about?Who are you talking about?" Nat interjects, placing a hand on Bucky's vibranium arm, just enough to get his attention.

She knows that if she asked me I wouldn't answer her.

Instead my best friend apparently can't wait to share my secrets with the entire world.

I look down at my hands that still hold the pizza.

I hear Bucky sigh.

"Captain Idiot is getting treated like a idiot by a stupid little girl"

I feel the blood rising to my brain.

I take a step in his direction and slam the pizza on the counter.

"Don't you dare.Don't you dare talk about her like that.You don't know anything!"

I turn on my heels and walk out of the room.

Bucky is one of the most important people in my life and I would never want to tell him something that can hurt him, something that I can regret.

I feel suffocated.

Obviously they both follow me.

If Natasha on one hand tries to calm me down and try to understand what is happening on the other hand, Bucky keeps teasing me.

I know he just wants to provoke me to finally let me vent...and he does it very well.

"Ok, Rogers who is this woman?" Nat asks me.

She is now between me and Bucky, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

She seems worried that I might hit my friend at any moment, I mentally roll my eyes.

As if I ever could.

But shouldn't he be the one who should always support me?

"I met her a short time ago" I reply but Bucky doesn't give me time to continue, which he immediately adds "And he fell in love with her like an idiot without even knowing who she is"

"What is your problem?"

"My problem is that I don't want to see you suffer!You really don't get it?Jesus Christ Steve, wake up!"

I am petrified by his words.

But I calm down.

I know he only wants my good.

"I know man.Sorry, sorry if I yelled at you"

"Don't worry.I behaved like a real asshole.Sorry!"

"Okay, lovebirds.Save this for when you are alone.Now would someone explain to me what the hell is going on?"

Now Natasha Romanoff is angry.

I gather all the courage I have and tell her everything.

She listens all the time in absolute silence.

"Okay.And what happened tonight?Did she go away again?"

I don't know where to begin.

I'm afraid of their reaction but I try.

"She told me that she can't stay with me because...because we belong to two different worlds"

God!

Only the thought tears my soul apart.

"What do you mean?" tries to understand the redhead.

"She is convinced that I, this reality, are a dream.In the evening she falls asleep in her bed and wakes up here in New York.She doesn't know how or why"

I see Bucky roll his eyes.

His response was not long in coming.

"Are you serious, man?"

Exactly.

I look away from his eyes.

Mine are full of shame now.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Nat punching him in the center of his chest and my friend immediately after massaging the affected area.

"What makes you believe in her words?" Natasha asks me softly.

That's why we are friends.

She always knows how to get me.

"Because she disappeared into thin air just as I was hugging her.One moment she was in my arms and I was kissing her" I answer embarrassed, "and the next moment there was a glow and she disappeared.Gone"

Both of them are speechless.

Torn between the desire to believe me and the desire to laugh.

But from my expression they understand how serious I am.

Especially how I feel destroyed by it all.

Unexpectedly, the first to speak is Bucky.

"Damn man, I'm sorry.What can we do to track her down?"

I look at him without understanding

"What?" he continues, "I saw her, I talked to her.She is real.I know you are telling the truth and I want to help you.Besides, I don't think you want to give up like that so tell us your plan and we will help you"

I see Natasha nodding.

"I only know her name.And her hometown" I admit disconsolately.

"This is a great starting point.You'll see that we will find her" saying Nat and hugs me.

I feel a little more confident in the future.

Togheter we let's go back to the kitchen.

We sit around the table and start enjoying our pizza.

For a while we remain silent.

"So...Rogers fell in love, huh?" chirps Natasha happy.

"I'm not in love"

"Oh yeah, you should see when he's with her, he looks like a fish!"

Bucky teases me while he continues to chew a piece of pizza.

I remain silent, impassive.

I try to focus only on my food.

Nat obviously continues.

"Is she cute at least?"

"Choose your next words carefully, Buck..."

Only when I see two heads turning towards me at the same time I realize that I have spoken aloud.

Damn.

I can't help it and I smile too.

"No, he's not in love" Bucky replies to Natasha and together they burst into laughter.

"Soul mates" the redhead say solemnly.

"I don't know if it's love but I feel connected to her inexplicably.From the first moment I saw her I realized that if I didn't try to know her I would regret it all my life" I admit candidly aloud for the first time.

"Do you really believe in this nonsense?" Bucky teases her.

She looks at him but not worthy him of an answer and turns to me as if Bucky hadn't even spoken.

"Come on, give us all the details" Natasha says as she serves up another slice of pizza.

"Not very much.I know her name and her city, or at least the city where she thinks she lives"

"What makes you say this?Do you think that if we go she wouldn't be there?"

"Exactly" I reply letting me get a bit of discomfort.

"The first time we spoke she told me that she would like to live in New York but she couldn't move"

"So something or someone is stopping her"

Bucky comes to the same conclusion as me.

I nod.

"Plus she seems to have temporal knowledge but she had no idea who I was.Who Captain America was.Or who the Avengers were.I think she lives in a deliberately modified reality"

"Ok, but why?What is the reason?Is she dangerous?She has a powers that need to be kept under control?" she murmurs thoughtfully to herself.

I had never considered this hypothesis.

A shiver runs down my spine.

"Some time ago I heard Strange and Stark talking about the multiverse and astral travel but not understanding very much, I couldn't follow the speech" murmurs Bucky thoughtfully.

We are at a standstill.

We finish eating in silence.

"Tomorrow morning we'll take a jet and head to Brookville.Why are you looking at me like that?" Natasha asks, "Fury owes me a favor, he won't ask questions"

"Listen Steve, Romanoff is right!We have to start somewhere and Brookville could be a good starting point" says Bucky.

"Do you think this is a good idea?"

I desperately need their approval.

I get up to clear the table and my friends help me.

I start to go to my room but I stop at the door.

"Ok, see you tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock".

And so saying I go to my room hoping to be able to sleep at least a few hours.

??? POV

Unknown location

I am sitting at my desk.

Doctor Avery standing in front of me.

"Give me the latest updates"

"Subject 94941 was revived twice in the last 30 minutes.No intubation required.It does not seem life threatening but the subject is weakening much faster than we estimated.The Stone is slowly absorbing all them life energy.If we want them to survive we should wake them up"

"Absolutely not" I reply with all the authority I am capable of.

"Doctor l, remember what happened years ago?Remember why the subject was placed in cryogenesis until we figured out how to sit them down without compromising they vital functions?Remember that they nearly killed you and two of your colleagues?We can't risk them awakening or even run away"

"I know sir but we don't have much time left.It is true that the stone protects the body that hosts it by attacking everything that tries to damage it but in these particular conditions the stone is just limiting itself to feeding on this body.And maybe...maybe the way to have the stone for us involves the participation of the subject actively"

"Explain yourself better Doctor Avery, I'm afraid not to follow you..."

"From our numerous researches it has emerged that the extraction of the stone it takes place through some magical rituals that we are not aware of, let alone know how to implement.But perhaps there is another way.That is...that the subject voluntarily decides to give us the stone" concludes the doctor.

"The subject will never consent" my voice trembling with anger.

"Then we should make sure that them wants it" admits my interlocutor candidly.

"To use something they love to bend them to our will"

Steve POV

I can't believe it.

It's 2:00 AM.

For hours I have been observing the ceiling and the city reflecting on it.

As soon as I got into bed, much to my surprise, I fell asleep right away.

Only to wake up after 45 minutes and not be able to go back to sleep.

I feel nervous about this trip to Brookville.

What if everything ended in nothing?

What if there's no answer for me?

I don't know how to behave.

Steve Rogers, the self-confident one, the man who always has a plan, now...now he doesn't have a plan.

I feel like I'm groping in the dark and about to drag my friends down with me.

Maybe I shouldn't let them, maybe I should get them to stay.

Convince them that the best solution is to go alone.

I can't stay in bed anymore so I decide to get up.

Barefoot, I head to the kitchen to drink some water but as soon as I get down I notice that there is already someone in the kitchen sitting in the dim light.

"Trouble with sleep, pal?"

I recognize his voice immediately.

"Yeah.You?Why are you still awake?"

I see Bucky sighing and looking beyond the large windows where the New York skyline expands as far as the eye can see.

It's no longer the city we two belonged to.

It has changed, it has grown.

A bit like the two of us.

He turns to me, he is trying to analyze my state of mind so I try to shift his attention to something else.

"If I asked you a question would you be honest with me?"

I can see the confusion in his eyes.

"I am always honest with you"

"What did you say to Lily, in front of the door of my house just before I arrived?"

I am genuinely curious.

Bucky, on the other hand, is uncomfortable, I perceive it from small gestures.

He shifts his weight from foot to foot and repeatedly runs his hand through his hair pulling it from the root.

He can't look me in the eye.

"Buck I'm not angry, really!I'm just curious" I smile trying to give him some courage to make him answer.

"I...I told her I didn't believe her.I didn't believe in her real interest in you.And that I would protect you from her at all costs"

His words are full of embarrassment.

I squint my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingertips.

I love Bucky but he is overly protective sometimes.

I think he still sees me as the skinny guy from Brooklyn.

He unexpectedly keeps talking.

"I really thought so, until I saw how her look at you when she saw you coming with Sharon.Nobody can fake such intense pain"

I feel dizzy.

How could she have thought even for a moment that I wanted someone else when I could have her by my side?

"And then man, when you kissed her she literally went up in flames"

We both laugh.

"So if you want to know if it's worth it to me the answer is yes.You two could be really happy together.And I just want that, you happy.I want you to put yourself ahead of everything else for once in your life.And if you need her for that, so be it!"

"Does that mean you like her now?" I tease him a little bit.

"And you Bucky?When will you think to find someone to love?" I ask him worried.

"Nope" he laughs, "But I'm willing myself to give her a chance"

Bucky is a good and righteous man.

He is just a victim.

Yet he continues to see himself as the villain, as the man to be punished for all the crimes committed by the Winter Soldier.

As if he had a choice.

"Nah...I don't have time for this.I have an idiot friend to help"

We both laugh out loud and head to our rooms.

"Rest Steve, tomorrow you'll need all your strength.And me and Natasha will be there for you"

"Thanks Bucky, thanks for everything.Goodnight, brother"

"Goodnight, bro"

So saying each of us enters our own room.

I lie on the bed closing my eyes and praying that everything will be for the best tomorrow.

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@deansapplepie

[chloexquinn]

"Wow..." Was all Chloe said after hearing Tyler's first sentence. "That's crazy..." Of course she was going to be repeating everything that he was saying back to Jake, it was just interesting to take in. She was very well aware Tyler could be lying just to lie, or due to his hatred for Jake given everything Jake had told her about him, but she still was curious to hear Jake's side of things. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll be sure to steer clear if I ever run into him. I haven't really seen him around here much though. I guess lucky for us he doesn't come around often." Chloe didn't want to give Tyler any reason to think that he was on Jake's or knew him as well as she did, but she also didn't want to bash him too much either. There needed to be a balance for this to be believable.

Chloe let out a small scoff that was really a laugh with a small smile. "Yeah. Thankfully I don't make it a habit of doing that." Shaking her head and blinking as if all this information was too overwhelming, she let out a breath. "I have a headache now...How does everyone keep up with all this without getting winded? I feel like I've just gotten caught up on the past 3 seasons of a soap opera. This is why I keep to myself, honestly.." It was almost hard to push the information away when she so desperately wanted to dig for more. To Chloe knowledge is power and the more she knew the more resourceful she was. Oh well, she was sure she could get the latest scoop on everything from someone else. Damien? Absolutely not. He wasn't the kind of guy to get caught up in all this but perhaps someone else at school would be able to tell her what she needed to know. "So, stay away from Jake and stay away from this Nina person..,Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I should make a list or something." She joked.

Chloe let out a long sigh. Thankfully she'd prepared her little innocent act in case anyone she needed to warm up to had questions so this wouldn't be too difficult. Even if she hadn't, she could do this with her eyes closed and hands tied. "Well, that's a really long story. Brooke and I are kinda...Complicated. I was at a party one night and some people were talking about what was happening with Brooke at her old school. I wasn't too sure what was going on but I listened. The next time I saw Brooke she confronted me thinking I started the rumors. I put two and two together and figured some people from the Northside were there that night, heard what we were talking about and ran with it. I still don't know why she would think it was me but I just guessed they saw me there and decided to use me as a target. I didn't start the rumor but I guess not stopping people from talking about it didn't really help. I've felt like shit ever since but she's never forgiven me. I guess her seeing Jake and I talking after that didn't help the situation much either. I mean, if I saw someone talking to my boyfriend when we were together and I felt I had reason to believe they were saying false things about me i'd feel pretty uneasy. I mean, not to the point where I'd punch someone but, yknow.. I can't really blame her for thinking it was something it wasn't but I've always stayed away from Northsiders since then. I guess some of em seem nice but it's like you're caught up in a web of drama before you can even blink, y'know?"

Tyler knew he shouldn't talk so much about Jake and Lakewood. It was a different time. A brutal time. Nina raised the nine circles of hell and turned their school into the devil's playground. They were all at fault for following her into the darkness. It was that need to be somebody. The comfort of validation. None of them were inherently bad people but under her influence they were diabolical. "Money. Jake robbed him for money. So trust him as far as you can throw him." Tyler wasn't mad at Jake. His warning wasn't coming from a place of resentment. He truly thinks Jake is a double-crossing ego maniac. Every one of Jake's actions were driven behind some form of selfish gain. Brooke was the most important person in Jake's life and he still betrayed her time and time again.

"It's best not to get caught up in ancient drama. If I were you I would just avoid Jake and steer clear from Brooke. Just live your life. Seems you've been doing fine so far. You know, minus getting punched in the face. Being in that circle isn't worth it. The girl who started all this isn't even around anymore. I mean, barely. Yet everyone is still under her influence. It's like a nasty drug. You can get away from Nina and get clean, but she'll always find her way back. So if you ever come across a redhaired bitch named Nina — run the fuck away and don't look back. She is not a normal girl. That bitch is the devil incarnate and I don't say that lightly. Trust someone who's seen it all. From foster families to living on the street, her brand of evil is the worst I've ever come across. Reapers, Vipers, Lycans. The gang's on the southside are boy bands in comparison." A less informed person might think Tyler's over exaggerating but he isn't. If anything, his warnings weren't enough.

"As for Brooke... Who knows." He didn't want to say too much. There was an undying loyalty to the blonde despite her bipolar whiplashes. One minute, she's adorably smitten and the next she's chewing him up and spitting him out. "That's something I'll have to work on. I wish she would have stuck around so we could've cleared the air. Is that really everything? Like, your side of the story. She's THAT mad because you've hung out with Jake while they were dating? There's nothing else?"

[your-regina]

About stubbornness and will power

Despite what it may look like sometimes, I'm actually not the kind of person who gets easily discouraged or leaves truly important tasks unfinished. It is true that I get tired or bored unusually fast, but still, I think I compensate for that with an equally uncommon amount of stubbornness. I stand my ground mainly because of pride and not because I can't possibly see other alternatives around it, although that happens quite often as well. Even in the most dire situations I'm willing to get through till the very end, even after complaining endlessly and swearing to give up later on, you know I'm staying, don't you?

As a testament to this fundamental truth of my life we could always look back to the thousand letters stored away somewhere, where everything was so pessimistically described, waving goodbye everyday so dramatically. But don't I still come back to complain the next day as well? I might be sturdier than I appear to be.

It is certainly a very conflicting trait of mine, and one which I haven't yet decided if it's helpful or more of a burden. It keeps me firmly planted into places which I rarely want to be in and forces me to never refuse to do things that I truly don't want to do. But on the other hand it is probably what has kept me alive so far, so it's probably a good deal after all.

But you see, as a teenager many adults and authority figures questioned my behavior, and it annoyed me to no end. I believed I was over it, I was leaving sooner or later so whatever anyone thought of me didn't matter too much. But life went on and I stubbornly stuck to it, and words needed to matter. I vaguely remember some remarks, such as a teacher telling me to "change my expression, smile more" and asking me why I always looked so angry. During the last semester of highschool, as I did my best to come out of my shell, a teacher kept on saying I was too pessimistic and that I had to change my mindset if I wanted to overcome my limitations. I didn't dismiss these opinions anymore, as I was so willing to change myself completely in order to see the better version of life everyone else could see. I figured that I couldn't possibly be the only one on the right, the chosen one who had magically discovered a universal truth, I wasn't that great, so I had to start piecing the truth together from everyone's words.

I remember hearing from an artist that everyone's art had something you could learn from, even if you were arrogant enough to believe you were above them technically, if you observed attentively you could always find something they were doing right and maybe you could incorporate it into your own art. By no means was this about life or attitude but of course I had to find some meaning behind it, so I went into adulthood with this in mind. Not only did I notice that everyone had a lot of strengths I hadn't seen before, but I realized that, in fact, most people were light aeons ahead of me in terms of living skills.

I still can't seem to hear the end of the subtle complaints about me, and maybe it is my fault for always reading so much into people's words, but it really gets anoying at times. I want to listen, but do I really want to listen to that? It's not like it's news to me.

I keep revising conversations in my head, going through the words to figure out the intention behind them, but since I'm not a genius I can very well be wrong about all of my assumptions. So, do you think I'm constantly being attacked, or could it be that I'm actually attacking myself? It wouldn't be the first time. The world doesn't revolve around me and people could be inopportune and inconsiderate with an additional lack of awareness, but why does it seem so intentional? I'd like to say for once that even if I show myself as mild I don't have any issues defending myself, as I am a naturally defiant person.

I lack the courage to leave once I've committed to something and I have to make a great effort to overcome the fear of doing things that others may find easy, even more so when these go against the standards I've become accustomed to by my overly sheltered life. Still, I don't aspire to depend on anyone, and if I lean onto someone it's just because I find that it's within my possibilities, and I wouldn't duel over the loss of most of that support, even if it's very much appreciated. Just because I don't speak like I'm reading the dictionary doesn't mean I don't have something to say, it's just that I'd rather save myself the fuss.

I can deal with a lot, albeit not bulldozing through every single struggle like some people often recommend, but in a more subdued way, simply withstanding. I am quite resilient, after all. I think often of the purple flowers that bloom at the end of summer and then die in autumn, but never truly leave, as you see them again the next summer as if nothing had ever happened. Can I be like that?

- Yours, Regina

[debatenarutooocs]

It seems to me that Yumi Art and Seleene had a personal conflict. I have been watching Yumi Art for a long time and I myself ordered several commissions from her. I also waited a long time, but I got them. It looks like Celine is encouraging Yumi to be bullied. I don't believe that Yumi is a fraud. In addition, she wrote that she was seriously ill and her illness began to progress with the seasons. It's normal for her to suddenly disappear, but she always comes back and paints. I have also often seen that artists who are very popular take a long time to paint. At one time I ordered a commission from Dannex009 and waited for my commission for 3 years. He also continued to open new commissions. It seems to be a common practice. I don't blame Yumi for not being able to return the money, although it used to be possible. Yumi is not to blame for what is happening in the world. People should just wait and not fall for false accusations. When I received her price list, it was written there that she does not issue refunds and may have to wait a long time for a commission, so I was ready for this when I made an order with her. Seleene, also had to read this.

Whether she had conflict or not with seelen, she has no excuse for making people wait 2 years! Some didn't even get a sketch in two years... are you kidding me?. How long did she make you wait?.

Sure anyone can get sick, if she feels like she can't do her job then she freaking refund them. She had opportunities to do it before Ukraine- Russia war. Now Allegedly she is using VPN for her paypal.

"It's normal for her to suddenly disappear, but she always comes back and paints"... yeah she comes back and paints personal arts and ych..... she doesn't give a damn about people who commissioned her.

This is a buisness for her and she should it take it very seriously because the word of people is going to impact on her buisness whether she likes it or not. She has to understand she can't screw around and has to respect her clients.

And are you saying she doesn't do refunds ... you kidding ? So she doesn't do her job, some of her clients haven't gotten a sketch for two years, they complain about it she comes up with so many others excuses . And still doesn't want to refund? And you want to convince me she is not a scammer????. And you want to say she is falsely accused????.

She needs to change that " non refund" clause, lots of artists do say they refund at least half of the money after doing sketches/ line art. She didn't do any of that until anons started to call her out on our blog and suddendly she remembered she has been making people wait for two years and drew them sketches.

What you are trying to say anon is that according to you basically clients can't complain about Yumiho's horrible buisness practice and if they criticize her then it is bullying??? No one has falsely accused her of anything, her clients complained, she didnt deliver any sketches for two years, and even you said she doesnt do refunds. Tell me what are they supposed to do??? wait for more years? hell no, it's unfair to them.

"Celine is bullying yumi ho" You are using strong words anon, do you even have any proof that seelen is bullying her? And are you always accusing seeleen as if other clients aren't complaining ( sarcasm inserted).

You want to compare dannex with yumi ho? Dannex is far more popular and has long extensive list of client. Many of his clients order 5 to 10 cms at once. Go check his list, and he does update his clients. All he does is posting his cms art, he doesn't do personal arts and Ychs. He even closes his commission just to finish up with rest of his remaining commissions. She should learn from him.

[honeysuckleharringtons]

"I truly can't control my heart around you" (I think that's what it was lol) with Billy, plssss <33

hello anon that i definitely don't know irl 😉 i ~definitely~ haven't told you this already but i am so sorry it took me so long to post this. ily, thank you for being patient with me 🫶🏻

"The L Word" ~ B. Hargrove

Summary: When Y/N asks Billy why he likes her so much, his answer is a much different outcome than she'd expected.

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1,031

Content Warning: Billy smoking cigarettes, swearing, i think that might be it?

Genre: Fluff. i mean, i guess Angst if you squint but i'd say it's mostly Fluff.

Extra Notes: hmmm, none that i can think of right now!

Based On the Prompt: "I truly can’t control my heart when I'm around you."

Originally Written: between 09/17/22 and 09/19/22

Beta Read By: @reidsbookclub 🫶🏻

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"Hey, how come you're so nice to me?"

This question had been prompted by what was probably seen as the smallest gesture in any other relationship—the simple act of Billy wrapping his jacket around my shoulders.

His right hand was laced with mine as the other held a cigarette, nearly dropping it as he registered my question. "What?" he asked, seeming genuinely confused.

"I mean, I don't know of any other girl in Hawkins you'd willingly lend your favorite denim jacket to," I further clarified.

Billy was quick to bounce back with, "Well, no other girl in Hawkins is as smokin' hot as you are, now are they, pretty girl?"

Normally, I would've blushed at his usage of a nickname, but instead, I found myself letting out a light scoff. "Seriously?" I asked, sliding myself up further onto the hood of his car.

He continued to lightly lean against it, taking in a whiff of the mixture of night air and cigarette smoke. "Yeah, seriously. Everyone else is either a blonde bimbo or just looks like straight up dog shit."

I cut my eyes at him sharply. "Not what I meant."

He slowly raised the cigarette to his lips, taking a long inhale. He slowly exhaled, the smell of smoke quickly wafting into my nose. "You're not gonna let it go, are you?"

I looked at home straight faced, shaking my head.

He let out a deep sigh, his expression slightly softening. "You know… it's like… I…" he struggled to collect his thoughts.

"You OK? I didn't break you, did I?" I giggled, reaching up to run my hand through his hair.

He grabbed my hand mid-stroke, moving it to his chest. "You feel that?"

I could feel the light thumps through the white cotton that sat tightly against his skin. "Uh huh," I answered, unsure where this was going.

"That only happens when I'm with you."

"What? Your heart beating?" I asked sarcastically. "Because if so, you should definitely go see a doctor because your heart stopping that often is definitely not supposed to happen."

This time, he cut his eyes at me. "Not what I meant, smartass."

I looked over his face as he began to collect his thoughts once more. He licked his lips as he searched for words, his eyebrows ruffling in perplexity.

Finally, he spoke up once more. "I don't know… it's like, I can't really control my heart when I'm around you," he said, taking a long pause. Eventually, he continued with, "If I have to be honest, it kinda scares me."

"Bills," I started, my expression gentle as I moved my hand back to his hair, "I think what you're feeling is a four-letter word that begins with L."

Despite being together for a few months, I was the only one who'd ever said the L word. Ever since Billy was a kid, he'd had this misperception that love was rare—that it was something you had to earn, not something that was inherent in everyone. I tried not to push the L word on Billy, but I believed I'd loved him harder than I'd ever loved anyone before. What was the harm in telling him so? After all, even if he couldn't verbally say it, his actions said it—he loved me too.

He scoffed, raising the cigarette to his mouth once more. "I think I'd know if I felt that way, sweetheart," he commented before inhaling again.

I sighed, hopping off the hood of the car. "You know you're not as tough as you think you are, Billy Hargrove."

He rolled his eyes, a sarcastic look appearing on his face. He leaned in and exhaled, blowing smoke just inches away from my face. "And you're not as smart as you think you are," he replied, almost daringly. "You think you've got me all figured out, huh?"

I ran a hand along his chest, patting lightly. "Trust me, big boy, I've had you figured out since the second I saw you step out of this Camaro and into the parking lot of Hawkins High."

"Is that so?" he smirked, lingering ever-so-close to my face.

"Uh huh," I nodded, "And I've figured out that what you feel for me… it's called love, Hargrove."

He rolled his eyes, licking his lips once more. "You're not gonna let it go, are you?"

"Never," I answered, shaking my head. "I mean, I've been waiting months for you to say it. I don't get why you're so scared of it. It's just a word, it's not gonna hurt you."

"It's more than just a word, Y/N," he protested. "It's actions. It's showing someone that they deserve to be loved. You don't just go throwing the L word around like it's confetti. In my eyes, it has to be earned."

I moved my arms up, dangling them over his shoulders. "Are you saying I haven't earned it?" I inquired, one eyebrow cocked upward.

He took a deep breath, eyes wandering for a few seconds. "No, I suppose you have earned it."

The air stayed silent for a beat, a comfortable silence. He ran a finger through my hair lightly, brushing some loose hairs behind my ear. I would have stayed like that all night if the universe had allowed me to.

"So?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

"So?" he replied, his tone filled with sarcasm.

"I think you owe me something," I stated, "A certain four-letter word, perhaps?"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Woman, you are so persistent," he chuckled.

"Thank you. I've heard my persistence is one of my better qualities," I told him, a giggle threatening to fall from my tongue.

He let out a long sigh, moving his hand back to my hair. "I guess I do—L word you, I mean."

I leaned in, placing my hands lightly against the material of his white tee shirt. I left a long and sweet kiss on his lips, feeling nearly dizzy when I registered that of all the mouths in Hawkins I could've kissed, I'd had the pleasure of kissing Billy's. "I guess I L word you too, Billy Hargrove."

-> Taglist: @ducky-is-dead-inside

[thepassionateapathetic]

"You can ask around all you want." He called after her. "No one knows my actual name and anyone who has ever seen me has only seen me in my wolf form!" He made a point to tell her before he found himself jogging after her. "And I don't kill people. Only one..." his voice took on a somber, sad tone, "when I was a child but I had just been bittena dn didn't understand what was happening to me and I couldn't control it. Believe me I was punished horribly." He followed her keeping stride. "You watch the news, right? Tell me when was the last time you heard of someone getting mauled in Hell's Kitchen? Never. Right? That's me. It's all me. You might have heard of the Werewolf of Hell's Kitchen, that's me. The living legend. People have been interviewed about being saved from muggings and stuff by me. Me. Why would I turn around and eat people?"

He wish he knew why he was trying so hard to convince her he wasn't dangerous. Maybe it bothered him when people thought of him as a crazed beast. He wasn't!

"The kind of lycan I am is very old, one of the oldest kinds in Europe that's where I was bitten. We can control are shifts. Growl is-he's a dick sometimes but he's not dangerous either. I recently got off suppressants and he reappeared he was around when I was younger for the first seventy years or so but then I went on suppressants like I said and he vanished." Why!? Why the word vomit? He'd never talked so fast in all his life. Why did her thinking he ate people bother him so much? Moving until he was in front of her he stated what he had always believed.

"I'm not a monster." His expression almost pleading. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for being rude but I don't know you and the hunters that come after me normally are very skilled and very scary and often can't be reasoned with. I have to protect myself and I haven't done that by having many friends." He sighed. "Once I trust you I will give you the name I now call myself as well as the name of my wolf. Again, I'm sorry."

Surprise Audience | Closed

Atilla was finally done with his patrols. This was his territory after all and if he wasn't vigilant. Another wolf could swoop in and set up shop and then they'd have to fight and it would be a whole thing. So Atilla resumed his patrols as quickly as he could despite the run in with that hunter a week or so ago. He just decided to be extra careful - or so he thought. Being two hundred plus years old and having done this since before The Prohibition, no one could fault the wolf for getting lazy, growing lax, becoming complacent. Which is exactly what he was the moment he stepped off that building. It had to be an easy eight stories tall. He stepped off and landed in a crouch before straightening up. Shaking himself he let out a half growl, half snort like a satisfied dog. Rolling his shoulders he sighed happy to be heading home before the smell of adrenaline and the sound of a quickened heartbeat caught his attention making him stiffen. He swallowed hard and turned slowly, ever so slowly to see a young girl standing, half hiding among shadows. The quick puffs of air being expelled from her nose and the wide eyes let him know that there was no doubt she had witnessed what he had done.

Atilla breathed out one single word in response to all this information hitting him at once. "Shit."

@faery-revelry

[nightswithkookmin]

I'm not a jikooker because I prefer jimin with another member I ship him with..jimin is someone so affectionate and caring towards the people around him. With this jm is close to each member but somehow for some reason its always jikook who are spotted hanging out together off schedule. so many sightings from army spotting them in a restaurant and restaurants confirming this.the DVD memory 90% is jikook ofc the company favors them more that's why they film only their moments. because honestly as I ship jm with another pason I tend to always spot jikook together that it pisses me off so much.have had enaf of them together.no hate to jk but he should leave jm alone sometimes not hovering around him all the time duh!my question the latest run bts suga said "that's smth a couple would do" I mean why do they feel the need to highlight that all the time? Thats weird 😭if jikook are real and closeted isn't this exposing them?outing them just for a content lol it doesn't work that way.this is putting them at risk given they are in a homophobic country? or maybe the company wants to push this narrative of jikook as a couple?.also have mentioned about them spotted many times hanging out but we never see any other member hanging out off schedule just recently I saw jihope watching soccer. And its very rare.feel the company is pushing this fanservice even in their private lives.they want people to believe jikook are a thing.

Excuse me, you prefer Jimin with who??? 👀

If it's V or Suga or Namjoon I understand but anyone else and I'll snort😆

And I agree. Jimin is ship compatible with every one including himself. Yes. If he were a twin I'd ship him with his twin too and I'm not ashamed of that.

If you can't picture them making out I can and it's hot

Honestly I don't know if I should be flattered or mad or both or neither at this Ask so I'm just gonna be as respectful as I can be.

I haven't watched the run episode. I've only seen snippets but I will watch it this weekend. I have a ton of analysis to do and I hate commenting on stuff I haven't consumed.

This is not the first time Suga has said something of that nature. He's been alleged to have said "You weren't even a couple then" during Festa when Jikook shared the rain story.

Jin has made similar statements as have Namjoon and the others. When it comes to Jikook that is. He'll jikook have called themselves a couple too.

Since I don't speak their language and can't understand the nuances of it myself, I refrain from depending on any linguistic analysis for validation. I just take notice of it and carry on with my life.

Karmy can be a bit prudish and wow at everything because it's bold and daring and so out of the norm and gosh did you hear that? that's so gay, and sensationalise almost everything because they are so shocked easily by the prospect of two men "acting gay" when gay is so such taboo in their culture.

They are like me when I stare at a vagina that isn't my own.

I've said this over and over, but perhaps the company gravitate towards Jikook not only because what they have is authentic but because it's the best content they have💀

Best in terms of content production, engagement with fans, conversion of that engagement into monetary value, their chemistry is great, they self produce or come up with independently thought of and creative spontaneous moments that the best of hybe CCs couldn't conceive if they tried.

Which is strange because Vmin have awesome chemistry too and frankly I'm trynna see it. Jimin is a whole other mellow character around Taehyung sometimes. He steps back and let Tae take it away. Whereas around Jungkook most times, he gets so animated and hyper you'd think he swallowed a dynamite.

Not sure how much of his hyper activity is triggered by a subconscious awareness of Jungkook's proclivity towards introversion on screen. Whereas with V I feel he's more trusting of his co-workers ability to engage the audience on his own and come up with exciting and unique ideas for them to engage in without him necessarily worrying about censorship and worrying Tae's nerves will cause him to slip or make mistakes.

With Jungkook he gets lost trying to loosen him up and get him to relax on screen and not be soo aware of the cameras, or not read too much into anything he does while also trying to rile him up to get a reaction out of him because he's often fascinated by Jk's visceral response and reaction to him. He acts like there's no camera around, JK it's into it but soon forgets that millions of people are watching and so Jimin has to be on high alert around him. They give me headaches but I'm toxic so I love it. Bring it on Jikook.

Anywho, that was old Vmin. And old Jikook. These days Jungkook is the one that tries to loosen JM up.

And these days VMin can't play or keep it going for more than 5minutes without boring us to death with whatever weird vibes and inside jokes they have going on between them.

Case in point

Exhibit B

Don't get me wrong, they have impeccable chemistry and are also very good friends but let them be alone for an hour and you start blinking blankly at the screen- like you know there's something they not telling us and they matured and they all acting like grown ups with so much self respect and admiration for eachother.

Like when Tae confessed he liked Jimin alot I didn't expect Jimin's reaction at all, certainly not Suga cringing cos if those two are besties and face time eachother everyday I love you should be something they both should be used to hearing from eachother by now and their friends should be used to their shenanigans too by now.

Besides Taehyung confesses his love for Jimin more than he breathes oxygen in the air and this is Bangtan raised to the power Kpop- gay isn't exactly new to them if you know what I mean.

Yet no one said well that's so something a couple will do for that VMin moment. They cringed harder than a ma cracks his knuckles. Like friends would if another friend started acting homo around the bro table. There's a scene from Boys over flowers where Lee Minho goes to kiss another one of their friends- note to self, gurl, you have to rewatch those dramas you loved it. We loved it. Cool? Cool.

That moment with vmin and Suga reminds me each time of that scene from the drama.

Where's if actual couples did it, the reaction would be one of just pure awkwardness because no one knows how to react around couples. You can't stare at them on the bus when they kiss cos you feel you are the creep creeping up on private moments. It's just awkward and you don't know what to do with yourself.

Then if they are your friends you try to play it up by teasing them, mimicking them, hooting at them

Or you just exchange awkward glances and smirk

And to put things into perspective, Namjin cringing and bursting out a romantic soundtrack over Jikook's rain fight narration was warranted.

It was the first time they were hearing this from them and their reaction was as anyone would- yet Suga didn't find that cringing AT ALL like he had found VMins moment to be- just a smirk like it's just ridiculous with those two. See how similar Jin had reacted to their hickey story too?

Hobi forgets to react at all sometimes💀

He just smiles warmly and stares or laugh his brains out. Except for that one time Jungkook let it slip he wanted to be handcuffed by Jimin🥺

And why was it necessary for Tae to say that? Why was it necessary for Tae to make that confession? And why did the members intuitively assume JM was going to choose Jungkook for that? Namjoon went with V but only because he voided his gut instincts and used his head. We've all been there.

Jimin have said Tae has matured so much and we only see glimpses of Old Tae but he's different. Of course that's gonna impact the way they interact on screen.

They keep saying that's something a couple will do because THAT'S SOMETHING A COUPLE WILL REALLY DO.

There's no beating around the bush about it.

The ironical friends sharing a couch or they look exceptionally close today does not explain why they sneak into each other's hotel rooms or why cameras were placed in their rooms without their notice and Jikook had to walk in blindsided.

Jimins reaction was priceless.

You frankly don't need to see or hear them going out to restaurants to know something's up with those two. You don't.

Anyone who claims otherwise is just in denial.

Personally, if a Korean were to ask me about Jikook I'd say to them they are friends fuck off. If an Iarmy were to ask I'll say they are more than that. I see them for what they are and I celebrate them, I appreciate them, I love them and I support them. But I will protect them against anyone that posed a threat to their safety their well-being and their essence.

It's just the gay way.

And I feel this is often the conundrum people are faced with when it comes to Jikook. On one hand, they want to be celebrated- who wouldn't -but on the other hand their safety careers and lives could be as stake and they would want to protect that too.

And the best way to do that, if I were a company, would be to hide them in plain sight. Which is what everyone and their momma does with Jikook.

Jikook have not always been the creme de la creme of ships and hybe have not always used them as their go to fanservice ship. Granted fanservice is part of Kpop.

The Busan Brothers have split. The sun and moon duo blah- jikook don't nearly get marketed as a couple as much as other ships in bts to be frank. Editors have called Tae Kook romantic or a couple with chest in content, Sope get called couples almost everyday, they deliberately put members together to promote stuff because THEY ARE ALL THERE TO WORK.

This is somebody's business. They invest real money Into all of this. If ships were hurting their business and hard earned or borrowed money, they would dead that shit two dinosaurs ago. The fact they ain't said nothing means it's serving them. We are the puppets and they are the puppeteers.

They pull the strings and we go. Not the other way round.

As to whether they are doing this at the expense of Jikook, Jikook would be the best determiners of that. They have agency and in the past where they were "too young" to comprehend the consequences of their actions they had their hyungs to look at for them- hence all those tensions and allegations of members breathing down their necks.

Bighit was acting like Kris Jenner, encouraging them to strip and gyrate metaphorically for the cameras while they smiled all the way to the bank to cash out.

But it's 2022, a year where BTS have gone up against the government of Korea itsself and decided by themselves to call off any postponement to their military service and serve.

This is the same year you want to peddle the Hybe making Jikook do fanservice in their PRIVATE LIVES???

Girl BYE. Can't take you seriously.

I won't lie you lost me there.

WERE YOU IN THE FANDOM WHEN THEY ISSUED A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT JUNGKOOK'S PERSONAL MATTERS IS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS DURING HIS ITAEWON SCANDAL??

What they do off schedule really is none of our business or company's. Just as you get to go off work and your boss don't follow you home. It's reasonable to assume same for these boys.

YOU DIDN'T SEE HOW THEY SAID JACK SHIT ABOUT TAE JENNIE RUMORS?

There's been so much history and so much growth and the boys have accumulated enough socioeconomic capital to be reduced to such nonsensical levels of ridicule and bad takes.

And I'm sorry but what do you mean Jungkook should back off Jimin sometimes??

THE ANSWER IS A GRAND NO.

Read my lips, NEEEEEEUUUUUUUU

They are two legal adults half way through and almost 30, who determine whom to give their time and energy to and they choose to do that with each other- Oh look, I found something. Respect. Have some. For them.

Jimin has been spending his time with various persons both in a professional capacity and non professional capacity and we should be grateful that he is a functioning human being capable of functioning outside his group dynamic.

Going solo is pretty scary and they are all transitioning well and adjusting well to it. That's all that matters. Let's be glad that in spite of their personal projects that they make time to connect with their members and keep the spirit of BTS alive.

Real heartache is them finding BTS outside BTS and forgetting how precious their friend group once was.

But I get where you are coming from. rather than try to manifest Jungkook out of the picture, try manifesting your fave into the picture and go nag them until they call him up m- don't worry I'll put them through when the call comes. Wink.

Jimin is an extrovert and honestly he is well adjusted. I don't think he needs much help connecting with ppl.

My good sis, let's just enjoy the breadcrumbs while we can, before Jikook officially ties the knot🤧

Once they do it's game over for you and I and all the jm side ships on the black ship market🥺

I wouldn't say the company want ppl to believe Jikook are a thing. They only want you to believe they aren't a big deal. It's called normalization. The oldest trick in the books.

I'm high on pain meds.

I made sense some where I hope. Deadass💀

[bellarkeselection]

She's my World

Trask managed to capture the reader but Erik rescues her making them regret it. Check out She's Human or Weapon if you haven't yet

I release a scream but I can't hear it over the level of pain that followed with it. My brother Charles and I were born with the ability to read minds. Except we don't believe about the world the same. He believes that we can co exist with the humans but I don't see how. Twisting in an attempt to free myself from the machine the guards watching me and Trask by the door suddenly fell to the ground. The men were wearing metal which could only mean my boyfriend Erik was responsible for it. The doors bursts open for me to see Erik clutching his hands into fists at his sides tightly. "I've never seen someone like you with the ability to control metal." Trask spoke in awe of him as I groaned getting zapped in my brain tracking every time I read a person's mind.

Erik waved his left hand removing metal from the wall wrapping it around Trask's body. He shoved him against the wall rushing forward to free me. He twisted his right hand crushing tha metal restraints until they break dropping to the floor. My body started collapsing onto the ground luckily Erik catches me into his strong arms. He lowered himself to the stone ground feeling my hands weakly gripping his jacket. "Y/n, look at me. I'm here...you're safe now." He reassuringly spoke tilting my head up so I'd look him in the eye. Burying my face into his chest I felt my eyes starting to get heavy from all the hours long testing they did on me. At some point he lifted me up right before I passed out into his arms exiting the lab.

Blinking my eyes opened I felt a soft bed underneath me where I looked around the room recognizing it as my room back in the house my brother and I lived in. Moving my gaze around the room I saw Erik laying with his head on my bedside sleeping in a chair. Using my power I entered his mind since he wasn't wearing the helmet. "Erik, I'm okay now." He rubbed his eyes waking up immediately crying happy tears. He climbed into the bed wrapping his arms around me. Wrapping my arms around his neck I stained his shirt with my tears. "I thought I'd never see you again...I thought I was gonna die!" Erik cups my face with his freehand kissing my forehead. "Don't worry sweetheart. I won't let anyone harm you again." Laying my head against his chest he eyes my brother sitting in the doorway with his wheelchair. Smiling at his friends vow to protect his little sister always.

Comments really appreciated ❤️