#i got an x ray done this september and yeah...they sure are there!

[cryptidsurveys]

Wednesday, December 18th, 2024.

Are both of your blood parents still in your life? They are now. I was estranged from my mom for around ten years, but we got back in touch during the summer of 2023 and things have been going fairly well between us since then. I thought I might either have to or prefer to break contact with her following the family drama instigated by my sibling back in September - which didn't directly involve me, but put me in a very difficult position - but things…uh…worked out. I guess you could say.

Were you tired when you woke up this morning? Tired and a bit headachy, but I felt better once I got going.

Have you ever made out on a couch? Yeah.

What does your last text say? Random gibberish from my dad - a response to me letting him know I was on my way home on Tuesday night. We've gotten into the habit of just sending random key swipes.

Someone asked you what you wanted, what would you say? Mind ur own fvcking business!

When’s the next time you’ll be drinking? I'm not sure, but probably not until next summer. The animal shelter puts on a fundraising event that involves beer tasting, so I might have a few sample drinks.

Captain Morgan or Smirnoff? Neither.

What are you doing on Halloween? I was at the animal shelter in the morning, put up a few decorations once I got home, then handed out candy to trick-or-treaters in the evening.

Have you ever been drunk at school or work? No.

Have you lost friends in the past years? How many "past years" are we talking about here? I've definitely lost friends over the course of my life, but if we're talking about the past few years, then my friend group of ONE (Ollie) has remained intact.

Have you finished school yet? I never really finished school. I dropped out and got my GED, then made it through a couple of rocky semesters of community college before calling quits on that as well.

Do you know anyone who still doesn’t have a smartphone? No.

Have you ever been on a cruise? I haven't. I might consider something like an Alaskan cruise (to see the glaciers, icebergs, etc), but the whole idea of a cruise isn't particularly appealing.

What is your favorite kind of fruit juice? Cranberry.

Have you worn a necklace today? Yes.

Have you ever had an x-ray? I've had x-rays of my teeth and chest, as well as a DEXA scan (to check for osteopenia / osteoporosis due to my eating disorder).

Do your parents smoke cigarettes? They used to smoke, but not anymore.

Did you leave the house today? If so, where did you go? Yeah. I went grocery shopping this morning. Picked up some goodies for the cats at the shelter as well as some snacks and coffee for the workers. I recently found out just how much walking the dog people do on a regular basis and the little granny in me came out. Oh, you poor dears, are you hungry? Have you eaten? You must be famished! Lol, I already bring snacks and things I've baked on occasion, but now it feels even more important. No wonder they give off very similar vibes to long distance backpackers…they practically ARE.

Do you know how to whistle? I do.

Have you eaten cake today? No.

Have you ever tried Turkish coffee? I haven't.

Do you know anyone who was born overseas? People online.

What was the last hot thing you ate for breakfast? Oatmeal with peanut butter, half of a banana, a piece of snickerdoodle chocolate, pecans, and some Christmas sprinkles.

Do you have to go to school or work tomorrow? No.

Have you been to the movies lately? What movie did you see anyways? I saw Wicked with my mom on the day before Thanksgiving.

Have you ever used a muscle stimulator before? Did it hurt? No.

Have you ever owned a pet bird? What was this bird’s name? I haven't.

Have you ever seen the really old movie, The Birds? Did it scare you? I think I might have seen it…but no, I don't remember being scared by it at all.

Have you ever done anything dangerous enough to have risked your life? Mostly self-destructive behaviors. But really, even relatively normal activities like driving or backpacking or taking the stairs right as a cat darts underfoot could end me just as easily if something went seriously wrong. Just being alive is a risk to my life, lmao.

Do you ever watch MTV? What shows do you normally watch on there? I watched it when I was younger. Mainly reality TV shows.

Do you consider yourself egotistic? Do people call you egotistic? No and no.

Do you get embarrassed when your parents talk about when you were a baby? Not at all.

Do you have any children? If so, how old are these children? I don't.

How many times a day do you brush your teeth? Is that enough in your world? Twice a day. I probably should start brushing them after eating certain types of foods - don't want anything stuck in my toof cracks. :B

Do you get horny a lot? No.

What gives you anxiety? What indeed. I'd love to tear that thing out at the root and be done with it.

[highwaydiamonds]

Um. Excuse me. You had cancer??

Yeah... I mean I guess I really haven't discussed it much on tumblr. I have a little bit, but only in vague ways, or rarely made veiled references in tags.

SO, get a drink, get a snack, because this is a bit of a saga, and you already know I am longwinded at the best of times. I'm going to do like Vizzini said, and go back to the beginning. I hope you're ok I'm making this public Shells, it seems easier to? And I'll put this behind a cut because I really do wax on ( and on).

It's the end of August 2018 and i appear to have gotten some kind cold/respiratory infection. I'm at work the first day of it and it feels like a cold. No big deal. (Also this is all pre-COVID so no I didn't have COVID). The next day I feel really awful, so I call off work, and figure all I need to do is rest and I'll be ok. Turns out, NOPE. The next day I feel worse- now I can tell I have a bit of a fever, my appetite was basically, " eat one baby carrot and my appetite is exhausted." Finally, I get to the point that I am having trouble lying down - as in I am becoming short of breath when I try to lie flat (sorry if I am using the wrong word - lay/lie was always a grammar issue that eluded me.) So, I decide, ok, i will be sensible girl and go get medical attention. But I am stubborn and feel the ER is overreacting, so I go to urgent care. i park in the front row of urgent car parking, but by the time I reach the intake desk I have to put my head down because I am so winded and a bit lightheaded.

They take one look at me and tell me, point blank, "we're getting a squad for you to take you to the ER." I say, " what? no, I don't need that, this is not that big a deal." They counter, " you could barely walk in the door and you you are having significant trouble breathing. We don't have the ability to see you here." So, for the first time in my life I have to go via ambulance from urgent care to a free standing ER.

I get to the ER - where they decide, OK, lady, you're a mess. Let's get some chest x-rays and we're gonna slap some IV fluids and I can't even recall if they immediately put me on IV antibiotics or not. But after two hours there they informed me, " hey.... So, we think you need to go to the hospital-hospital not the freestanding ER." I tell them well you better hand me my laptop ( I'm that bitch who takes the laptop with her juuuuust in case I am stuck in the hospital. you never know.) Because i am not going to a hospital until I figure out if they're in my health plan. I do so and then for the second time in my life, all in one night because sometimes I am an over achiever i guess, I go via ambulance to the hospital.

They admitted me and over the next few/couple/ hours ( it was hard to tell) I progressively felt worse. I had trouble breathing if I didn't sit absolutely straight up, and at that point I hadn't gotten good sleep for around 60 hours or so. Me being me I started to get teary and panicky, because I was so tired and wasn't sure what to do. I called for the nurse and she came in and then within the next half hour your girl got taken down to the ICU. By the time we arrived down in the ICU I was really getting panicky. My mom died in the ICU ( different hospital but still) and I knew the fact they took me down there was no laughing matter. I started to think about, " ok is this what death is like? this isn't what i thought it was going to be - this is panicky and scary and not all white lights and peace."

The next thing I knew - it was two days later, and I woke up intubated. Did you know that you can be conscious and intubated? I did not. I'll speed things up a bit here. I spent a total of 8 days in the ICU - I had one hell of a case of pneumonia, and there were a couple of other diagnoses thrown in ( nope, not cancer. promise, we will get there.) . The nurses I had were AMAZING. I was intubated for about 6 of those 8 days. Then I got weaned off of it. Funniest moment on the ventilator: Physical therapist comes around and says, " Hey let's get you up and walking, you think you can?" I nodded and shrugged my shoulders to try and communicate, " sure, ok!" It went totally fine, but there were nursing students, residents, other doctors and who knows who else looking out of rooms and over desks at the two of us just y'know... *walking down the hall*. I gestured to the people because it was just flipping weird. I had an audience at the exact time NOBODY wants an audience and it confused the hell out of me. PT advised me, " there aren't too many times ventilated patients are ambulatory. You're a bit of a curiosity so people want to see."

Once I got out of the ICU and was put back on a regular floor, I got to meet with other doctors re those other diagnoses I mentioned ( chronic things I just have to manage) I also mentioned that it had been a really long time since I had been to a GYN and as had been noted in the ICU I spotted quite frequently ( I have never, ever in my life been regular period-wise and it just got weirder over time, but I just didn't really consider it. So I asked while they were setting me up with new practitioners ( my previous doctor had retired) too please set me top with a gynecologist.

So I'm out of the hospital by September 10th, 2018. The gyro appointment occurs i want to say by mid- to late September. I go in and meet her and she's lovely. While I'm up on the table she says, " hey let's do all the things and get a uterine biopsy!" I say, " excellent, do the things!" We agree it's likely going to be nothing but hey we're smart people and we will play it safe. Huzzah Gyno visit accomplished! (if I were a gamer I'd make some kind of ladybits achievement unlocked now, but I'm not a gamer.)

Two or so weeks go by - or however long it takes to get those test results back (some of these spans are lost in the mists of time). Dr Boyle calls me and apologizes that the test results that she was sure would be nothing... they are not nothing. Turns out, it's endometrial cancer.

At that point you could have knocked me over with a feather. Shells, I wanted my mom to be there so badly, I can't even express it. She would have understood how I felt - she'd been there with her breast cancer. But at the same time, I was glad she wasn't there? I remember how heartsick my mom was to tell Grandmommy when Mom got cancer. I didn't want my mom to have to hear that news, to worry about that. Dr Boyle advised me that she would be referring me to a good oncologist and i should hear from them in a week or two.

Thus began MRIS and PET scans and ultrasounds, and blood work etc. The oncologist diagnosed that he figured I might be stage three, but it depended on my lymph involvement. It brought back memories of when Mom was diagnosed and when she told me she was stage three. I asked my Dad later, "what does that mean?" He told me, " there are only four stages, so what do you think?" This time around I knew what it meant. So, we put me down for surgery November 9th, 2018. That's two days before my birthday - so I joked that I was getting my cancer out for my birthday - hooray! My best friend actually flew in from texas for my surgery ( my best friend is a SAINT, and I love her more than pearls and rubies.)

Best surgery story from this experience: For my total hysterectomy (uterus and ovaries go sayonara and then also two signal lymph nodes in the chain of nodes on either side of the pelvis to se if there is any lymph complication.) I had to be tilted back - so with my head down to move as many organs away from the uterus etc during the laparoscopic procedure. I knew this going in, However, when I woke up back in my hospital room I looked at Bestie and said, " I hurt in places I didn't expect to hurt. Oh wait. My shoulders hurt because they're not used to being weight bearing, but the procedure was laproscopic - so why the heck does my vagina hurt?" Bestie in one of her best moments ever says, " I know why." I replied, " wait, YOU know why MY vagina hurts?!" She said, " yep. So your surgery was supposed to take 3-3.5 hours ended up taking 5 hours instead. Your uterus was really big. The oncologist told us they need up having to cut it in half to pull it out of you." bestie admitted she joked with the oncologist that it was like I had just birthed a baby, he looked back at her (NOT laughing) and said, " yes, that's basically what she did." I laughed so much at that ( i mean i was also well medicated, but still) I told Bestie, " I had a Uterus! Let's call it George!" ( In retrospect I am disappointed in myself that I misgendered my own uterus, I should have called it Georgina.)

So, after healing from the surgery, by about January of 2019 I started two courses (each with a few rounds) of chemo. First came what the doctors and I called "low-pro" chemo - that we did along with radiation. Honestly, though i was making a heck of a lot more bathroom trips, you wouldn't have generally known I was sick. Most of my coworkers had no idea. I just was a bit more tired than usual. After the low pro rounds - then we moved to the bigger guns. Radiation was done but I moved to more significant chemo drugs, This wasn't because things were bad - this was the plan all along :) But I knew the "high-pro" chemo was going to make me lose my hair. THAT was a psychic struggle. I cried so much knowing that was going to happen. I got hats and caps and I even got a very nice wig. I mean, I planned as much as a girl can plan when she hears that news. I even preemptively cut my long hair. It was about half way down my back at that point. So I went in and asked the stylist please braid it and put it in between two hair ties - and then cut it - so i could keep my braid. I couldn't do locks of love anyway as it was colored, and I know it's selfish, but I wanted my hair. So, the hair went from half down my back to a face framing bob. then I just waited. And then in a few weeks it happened. I could put my hands through my hair and easily, painlessly pull it out. I am not a cute bald girl. That's when people KNOW you have something going on.

I was very lucky though, there ended up NOT being lymph involvement, and even the high pro chemo didn't make me nauseous or lose appetite. I did have HORRIBLE bone pain usually the first week after chemo ( i'd get it every three weeks). I learned a hell of a lot from that. I also was able to get some meds to help alleviate it a bit, and I took time from work when the pain was at its worst. But I have never experienced pain like that - where no matter what I did - no position changes helped. Even ice packs or heat pads didn't help or do much. It was just a waiting game, a painful waiting game. Oh also - I learned that IV benadryl is nothing like oral benadryl. IV benadryl is like walking right into a brick wall made of sleep. That stuff knocked me the hell out right quick - amazing.

Right before COVID started and the world shut down I got the flu because my immune system was in the toilet- and so I spent another week in the hospital and except for the bone pain that comes with chemo, you know what is worse than chemo injections? POTASSIUM injections. Among other things, my potassium levels were low and so I got those injections with other meds. Those suckers HURT. they BURN, and so i spent a week in the hospital only to eventually come out and find out the world was starting to shut down from COVID. Not my job at that point, but my oncologist told me, " GO HOME - YOU KNOW YOU ARE IMMUNO COMPROMISED - DON'T STAY AT WORK." So, I went home until about a month after I finished chemo.

Since finishing chemo it's been about scans, which have gone ok so far... I'm not willing to talk about the R word. I just think I'll have to be careful the rest of my life - My mom always said, "once you've gotten cancer, you always have cancer." So, maybe it's the anxiety talking, but it's kind of like waiting for the other cancer shoe to drop. In the mean time though, it's business as usual - try to find good stuff in the midst of the hot mess. Cancer has been a crisis but not a reason to lose my sense of humor. I've needed it more than ever :)

So, sorry for the SERIOUSLY LONG ASS answer, but sometimes it's just better to lay it bare. I'm not ashamed of this stuff. It's been a lot. It's been a journey... It still is... it's part of the rest of my journey, which i hope isn't over by a long shot yet. I don't believe things happen for reasons - the world is WAY too absurd for that in my opinion, BUT good gravy have i been able to learn so much from this whole three ring circus. I'm not grateful for cancer, but I am grateful for the lessons.

Thanks for checking in, Shells. You're a complete sweetheart.

[proximaamidnightt]

FORGET ME NOT

Pairing: Ray x Virgin!Reader 

Summary: Reader finds the only thing missing in her life

Word Count: 4,693

Warnings: Language, smut

Note: I’m bad at writing but who cares as long as I enjoyed :p I hope you’ll like it. Feedbacks are welcome! Thank you! :3 AO3 Link

It was almost midnight you still didn’t close the shop beucase you were dealing with the calculation and forget the locked the door then you hear the bell hanging on the door, you lifted your head, saw a tall blonde man with glasses. He was looking like he came from 30s. You looked at him for a while, you probably looking like a little girl who looks at the candy she really wants. You licked your lips and cleared your throat, “Welcome, can I help you?” He slowly come sloser to the counter “Your open at this hour?” He glanced over around, your florist shop not that big. It was a little shop in the corner of the street. Your shop was little but there were rare and almost all kinds of flowers. This was your dream job. Little store with full of flowers. You had two more shops from different locations, sometimes you design beautiful bouquets or garlands for big organizations with that you make enough money to for your living and bought the things you like.

“Yes actually I forgot the time” you smiled each other, if you keep looked at him a little bit more, you were gonna blush so hard. This was a problem of yours, you can’t talk with a handsome men for long because you were blushing all the time. You’re not used to looking at someone for long looking like this beautiful.

“Oh, I should go then” he turned around wend his way to the door “No!” you said a little excited “I mean it’s okay” You got out the back of the counter “What do you need?”

“I want to grow flowers at home but I don’t know anything about flowers. What do you suggest? Which flower easy to take care?”

“Well…” you headed to the side with flowers in the flower pot. You gently touched the Jasmine flower’s leaf “I can suggest the Jasmine Flower. It needs to stand in a bright and airy place, can adapt to any soil. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight. It can tend toward the dayllight direction it takes. You need to turn the sun the direction that doesn't get the daylight with that the tendency of the flower can be prevented. You should give water twice a week in summer time and once week in winter. It will blooms in June-September and you know you can make tea with it” When you turned your head to him he was already looking at you. You stopped for a bit and smiled at him “But of course there is a lot to be done for maintenance, no matter how easy it is.” He laughed, took his hand towards his hair “Yeah, I noticed that.”

You step aside and show the Narcissus Flower. “It smells really good, generally like mild weather, it's also resistant to cold weather. You can give water every other day. It doesn't need that much daylight, can be satisfied with indirect light. If you try to grow a closed area it needs airing.”

“What’s the name?” He asked, arched his right eyebrow “Narcissus. The most beautiful mortal ever. I think this is the one you should take it.”

“Is this a compliment?” He smiled, you try to understand what he was talking about, then you noticed what you’ve said and you felt your cheeks burned. He laughed as he put his hands in his pockets “Relax, I know why you said that” you smiled and bent your head forward as you were playing with your fingers “So, if you want that I can give you the seeds”

“Yeah sure.” You get back of the counter looking for the Narcissus seeds. He was still looking around the store, studying the flowers, smelling some of them. When he finally get close the counter he asked “What is it?” You turned around and looked at the flowers on the counter, you smiled yourself. “Forget-me-not flowers”

He looked confused “Is there a story behind it?” slowly touching the flower’s leaf “Of course. I know like two stories about this flower. One is about two lovers and the other one that one day God was walking in the Garden of Eden then he saw this flower and asked its name, flower whispered that he had forgotten his name and then the God renamed the flower as the forget-me-not flower, he will not forget the flower.” You told the story directly looking at his eyes, you studied his face down to the last detail you cleared your throat “And like I said the other one is about lovers, takes place in the Middle Ages. According to the German legend, a Knight and his lover, who went for a walk on the banks of the Danube River, see a blue flower that is about to float by the river. The Knight, tries to take the flower for his lover but he falls into the waters of the river, throws the flower towards his lover and says “Vergissmeinnicht!” Meaning “Don’t forget me!” Since then people in Germany, for express for their love and commitment they wear on their clothes forget-me-not flowers.”

He smiled, looked at you with his beautiful hazel eyes, you felt like your heart going to burst out of your chest, you were taking deep breaths for not to faint “I like the story about lovers” You smiled “You know I like that one too and it’s my favorite flower”

“So if I want you to sell it to me, you won’t?”

“If you want this flowers I can give an order for you?” said as you prepared the seeds, put it in a beautiful package “No, no need thanks” he smiled you put your card in it “Here you go. If you have any questions you can contact me from the number on the card. Sorry again.”

“Thank you, darling. It’s okay don’t worry. I’m Ray by the way, nice to meet you.” He thrust out his hand, you shaked his hand “Y/N. Glad to met you.” He slowly let go of your hand and left the shop.

You looked after him and sighed “Hey Ray! Wait…” You took a ribbon bottom of the counter, tied the ribbon beautifully on the flowerpot went to Ray “Take it”

He looked you smiling “It’s okay darling, you don’t have to.”

“But I want to give you as a gift. Please. If you take it you’ll make me happy.”

He nod his hand as said thank you, took it the flowerpot then left. Even if you’re not gonna see him again, you want to give something that remind him of you.

***

Before go to work, you stopped by your favorite coffeehouse. It was your favorite place because it had a warm, friendly and peaceful atmosphere. The employees -which there were two employees- were so kind and respectful. The most important thing for you in this life was being respectful to the others.

When you entered the coffeehouse, Mel smiled ear to ear and welcomed you. She was the cutest person you’ve ever met. She was so positive, cheerful all the time. If you had a bad day, you always came here to talk to her. She always find a way to make you happy or find a solution your biggest problems that you feel like you will never find any solution. She had a different perspective. “Want my special cake with your drink?”

“Of course, Mel. How can I say no to that?” You smiled and sat at the bar. She was preparing your order. You always drink hot chocolate because it’s like you were drinking a melted chocolate. It tasted very different and beautiful, wherever you go, you knew you can’t find hot chocolate tasted like this. While dealing with you business on your phone, Andi appeared at the storeroom’s door. He and Mel with together for a while. It’s like most cutest and kindest people find each other in this big world.

“Welcome, Y/N did you get your flowers today?” you smiled at him. “I haven’t stopped the shop yet.”

“Oh, I’m sure he left your flowers.” Mel prepared your cake, gave it to you and turned to Andi “Babe, how do you know it’s a he? Maybe “she” left her flowers.” You were smiling ear to ear, they were talking about the god knows who’s flowers left for you at your shop door everyday.

While you were thinking of this, Mel and Andi giggling at each other, “Love birds! Can I go if my hot chocolate is ready?” Mel blushed and smiled “Sorry honey, here…” She gave your drink, you said your goodbye’s to them and left the coffeehouse.

You easily get used to this flowers left by at your door. It felt like you were matter to someone. But sometimes the paranoid in you tells you, you have a stalker, maybe it’s a bad thing. You shake your head as try to shake the bad thoughts from your mind.

When you finally arrive at your florist shop you saw the flowers again. You smiled at yourself, took the little bouguet in your hand, it was beautifully wrapped with light grey craft paper, there was a little white ribbon at the bottom. There was no note of course but when you saw forget-me-not flower you always thinking about him. About Ray. Maybe it’s not him that who left the flowers but you feel that way. You smiled to yourself, opened the door and went directly the back to find a cute little vase for your beautiful flowers.

***

You were counting the materials in the shop early in the morning, you were not in the mood, maybe it’s because you didn’t receive your beautiful flowers. The flower sent continuously for three weeks didn’t live by your door today.

Even if there is no note you knew the flowers from Ray and you thought after three weeks probably he got bored of you. How stupid of you to think man like Ray will like you. This was the most hated feature of you, to blame yourself in the slightest negativitiy and you making yourself feel depress more.

As you were promising yourself that you never gonna let yourself feel like that the door bell’s sound took your attention back from your thoughts, you said “welcome” as you were still counting the materials and taking notes

As you heard the beautiful deep voice, you noticed who is here. Turned to door, you almost dropping your notebook because of excitement. Your inner voice swearing at you, just five minutes ago you promised yourself, you’re not going to feel like this again, as soon as you see Ray, you feel like a silly lover. You want to be near him, you couldn’t help but getting close to him. There were a few centimetres between you.

Yes he was a good looking man; tall, blonde, beautiful eyes, had a long beard which that you badly want to feel it’s friction on your inner thighs… but most important thing that attracts you is his scent. The scent is like a metaphor to you.

You always believe that if you love someone’s scent you found something about yourself in his existence or you can get used to everything he have. You can love every flaw he has. Maybe you are still being stupid, maybe he just came here for buy another flower but then you remembered forget-me-not flowers. Remembered that they were sent for 3 consecutive weeks, just today you can’t reach the flowers and today Ray came to the shop. You wanted to act brave for just one time, don’t want to feel any regrets for not trying or saying anything.

You cleared your throat, “So this is the why there is no flowers today” smiling ear to ear, your cheeks were pink, you were smiling mutually, he bite his lip “Hmm, what flowers? I don’t know what you are talking about but…” he straightened his hair “I’m here to ask you out.”

“Oh…” It was the first time someone asking you out, of course some boys flirt with you but all they wanted just hook up or they didn’t give you the respect you want it. They’ve always crossed your bondries, they were all like little boys, teenagers… You’ve always liked the older man, you think older man is more mature and Ray has the things you’ve always wanted. Maturity, politeness, thoughtfulness…

Your stupid lover side were talking again, of course you just can’t get to know a man just talking to him for half an hour, here is the opportunity, he wants you to get to know him better. So you nod your head smiling. He told you the where to meet and when to meet, then left.

***

You couldn’t sleep properly because of excitment, you dreamed Ray all night, when you finally sleep, it was like 4-5 hours long. So that’s why you woke up early, you feel more vivacious then the other times. Yes, there is nothing wrong with your life, there is no problems in your life, but you felt different happiness this time. You were like a little child that smiles all the time, have an unstoppable energy…

You were at the kitchen, dancing with the songs play on the radio and making yourself a beautiful breakfast. You don’t do breakfast usually but today you were rewarding yourself. While you cutting the tomato, shaking your booty, your head and singing along the song.

There was more time before you meet so you were just trying to kill some time. When you done with your breakfast you went to your room directly, you decided to choose your cloth because you knew it would take a long time to choose a dress.

You were sure you want to feel beautiful and a little sexy so you chose your clothes according to this. You took all of your clothes from your closet and throw it to bed. You were looking the clothes mountain on your bed but still find nothing to wear. You changed your mind, you’re going to start your make up first, it’s the hard part for you, so you sat down vanity table and started the choosing some nude colors. You didn’t want to do so apparent colors.

When your make up done, you give your attention back to the clothes, you finally find a red mini dress with little flowers on it, there is a fastening belt on the waist of the dress. The front of the dress there is revealing v line. A cute summer dress with white converses. Every opportunity you found you wear highheels but not this time, you didn’t want to overdo it.

***

You’re going to meet infront of your florist store, you didn’t determine which place to go, you just gonna walk trough the street if you see a place that nice you’re going to get in. When you were walking, you saw him waiting infront of the store. He was wearing jeans, a shirt with waistcoat, he folded the sleeves of the shirt and a claret red tie. Such a gentleman.

“Hey…” he said, he grip your waist and kiss you on the cheek. You smiled, felt like your legs not going to carry you anymore. How you wish he embrace you with his big arms as you faint on his lap. “You look beautiful darling”

“Thank you” you put your hand on his chest slowly seeing he wear forget-me-not flower on his waistcoat. “It looks cute on you.” You giggled, looking directly in his eyes. “We are matching now, huh?” he pointed out with his eyes flowers on your dress. “Yeah, goals” you winked at him and started to walk together.

***

“I still don’t know what do you do?” he frowned his brows “I’m working for a business man”

“Oh…” you nod your head as understanding “do you like your job? It sounded like a little boring” you bite your lip as heard what you just said out loud “Sorry”

“It’s okay, sometimes it’s really boring but sometimes it’s the most enjoyable job” he said, thinking the complexity he is in. Maybe one day he’ll tell you the truth about his job but he really wants to get to know you, spending time with you, laugh with you, sleep with you… He didn’t want you to scare you about the whole marijuana empire his boss have.

“Well, I was studied communication at college, but it wasn’t for me, I dreamed owning a flower store when I was little, it’s the what making me happy” you said smiling at him

You talked every little thing as you walked trough the street, you notice you were walking like forty minutes and still you didn’t choose any place to eat, you were close to your house so you decided to make an offer

“Why don’t we go to my house, we can prepare together, if you want?”

He put one hand in his pocket with the other one he played with his beard “Actually that would be great.”

***

You two were in the kitchen, deciding to make creamy pasta with mushrooms, it was quick and easy to make, maybe these are not the only reasons making this, you directly come home, didn’t visit the market so there are just pasta and beers but for two of you it was more then enough.

When water boiling you want to change the atmosphere a bit and opened a song, Unwind by Healy, Ray took a beer from the fridge while you were cutting the mushrooms, he leaned against the fridge, watching you from head to toe, he think how cute you were looking in that dress, looking the shape of your lips while you were cutting the mashrooms, hair falling off your shoulder, your hands full of rings… He studied every little details for a while, he slowly put down his beer, he rubbed his fingers your upper arms, you flinched at the sudden touch. Then he took your hand, pulled you to him, your hands were on his chest looking directly in his eyes trough your lashes, your brain went panic mode, you shallowed hard, taking deep breaths.

“Hi” you say glancing at his lips then his eyes. He smiled “Hi” you were slowly swinging trough the rhythm of the song. Being this close to him woke up your whole body. You couldn’t dare to move, your mind was freaking out, you don’t know is it because you are virgin or you want him to fuck you right now and right there on the counter.

While you were hadding this conflict in your brain, he kissed you in the softest and slowest way you can feel. You whole body was on fire. Your hands went to his neck, caressing his hair, his beard tickling your upper lips, you smiled through the kiss, his hand went to your waist and pulled you to him so tightly. Your heart was melting every touch of him. You can kiss him forever. It felt like heaven, if just a kiss felt like it then you can’t imagine how its gonna feel his being inside you.

You widened your eyes, pulled away a bit, bite your lip “I need to tell you something.”

“What’s on your mind?” you were holding his arms tightly “I… I didn’t do… I mean…” you cleared your throat, closed your eyes as frowning your brows “I’m virgin.”

You didn’t open your eyes but you felt softness on your eyes, he was slowly kissing every part of your face, one by one, your eyes, your nose, your lips… You giggled involuntarily.

“We can do whatever you want when you feel ready, baby.”

“Actually, I’m feeling ready, I want you.” He was kissing your neck when you were talking “You don’t need to feel…” you stopped him kissing his lips “I. Want. This.” You said word by word as kissing him.

You didn’t have to say anything else, he took you on his lap, squeezing your butt, it felt more good then you can imagine. He got out from the kitchen you said “turn right” as giving the direction to your bedroom.

When you were finally in the bedroom he throw you to bed, quickly untied his tie, unbuttoned his waistcoast and shirt, took his glassess off and clung to your lips, your hand directly went to his belt, try to open as you were kissing but he held your hand, kissed you one more time. "Just leave all this to me baby, I'm gonna make you feel really good." You nod your head, looking at his eyes, the voice of him was making you high, he can talk nonesense 24/7 and you won't stopped him to just to hear his beautiful deep voice.

He didn't take off your dress, he was on you, kissing your lips so passionately, holding your throat with his big hand. His every touch burning your skin more, sliding his hand he cupped your left breast squeezing, you separate your legs wanting to more friction with his big bulge on his pants, he held your thigh clicked his tongue "Nuh-uh babygirl, be patient..."

"Well, I'm a weak person" you hung your face he smiled kissed your nose "I want this to be special for you" he slipped the chest of the dress with your bra, when your skin felt the cold in the room your nipple hardened. The led lamps on the wall illuminated the room dim but enough to see your face, every gestures you were making. Every little touches of his tongue, he was making eye contact with you.

You were taking deep breaths, your heart was pounding so fast you think you're going to die in the middle of foreplay. It was just the beginning, you sure as fuck he would make you crawl. How will you resist this, resist him.

He slide down and kiss your ankle all the way up to your hips, slowly rubbing his beard, making sure you to drag down with this friction. He held the hem of your dress lifted when he saw your pink lace panties he started to take off it with his teeth when he’s done he separate your pussy lips “Mmmm… Baby you are so fuckin’ wet…” Fuck, his accent you believe that you can just be orgasm right now as hearing his voice, he bite his lip, eye contacting with you “Can’t wait to eat this sweet pussy”

If you bite your lip a little bit more you were sure it’s going to bleed. He licked your clit with that sudden move, you shuddered. He laughed hold your legs in place. One more time he licked from the bottom up, then he started to suck your pussy slowly, you were breathing heavily, dropped your head back to the pillow while you were sucking your lower lip, he growled against your skin, you can hear the sound of your juicy cunt.

You arched your back while he was sucking you out, you hooked your fingers Ray’s blonde hair. You let out a cry, you feel like you can’t stand the pleasure he was giving. You were squirming, tightening the cover with your other hand.

He slowly pushed his index finger in you, “Ray…” he shushed you “Don’t worry baby” circling your clit with his thumb you feel his warm breath on your inner groin. He added his middle finger, you flinched when he began to push it back and forth. It was hurtful a bit but then he started to sucking your clit again, now it was all pleasure.

He continued to groan against your skin, you clutching his hair, tugged on it harder and threw your head back. Your body began to shake, clenching around Ray’s fingers you let out a loud moan as you came, shut your eyes, your chest rising and falling heavily while Ray slowly kissing your thighs.

Your body was shaking uncontrollably, you shallowed trying to control your breathing, now Ray kissing his way to your neck, he raised his fingers up to your lips, you wrapped your lips around his fingers, Ray pushed his fingers back and forth as watching every moves of yours closely, you cleaned up your wetness from his fingers. He smiled, clung to your lips.

You two kissed for a while passionately and softly, he began to take off your dress, you held his hand, not wanting to say anything, just looked him in the eye, you felt a little shy about your body, like he sensed what you were thinking he take your hand in his hand, kissed your knuckles looking at your eyes. You smiled at him, while he was taking off your dress you unbuckled his belt.

When you two were finally naked you glance at his penis, widened your eyes “Relax, doll. It’s just gonna hurt a little, but if you don’t want it, we can still stop baby…”

“I want this, I want you” as you began to kiss, he positioned himself at your entrance slowly pushing inside, you couldn’t help but tensing up. “Try to relax darlin’ or it’s going to hurt more”

You bite your lower lip “Can I be on top?”

“Sure, if you feel more comfortable.” With that you changed positions, he was sitting at the edge of the bed and you were on his lap. Taking his cock in your hand pumping up and down slowly, when you felt it slippery enough with his precum you began sit on slowly, his hands caressing your hips sucking your nipples, you lowered your hips over his, as your walls tightening around his cock, you felt a little pain, you eyes were tearing up, he held your chin “Kiss me baby, focus on me”

You started to kiss him listening his words Ray’s deep moan felt against your lips. “You’re doing fine”

“You’re so big” you whined you began to breath faster than usual. “I promise, it’s going to start feeling so good.” He continued to kiss you passionately, with his thumb he was circling you clit. You carefully pulled your hips up over his length and then lowered back down, Ray was helping you to rock over his length.

More you rocked your hips over his, you felt less pain, more pleasure. When you take the control, Ray dropped back against the bed and you put your hands on his chest, brace yourself over him. You licked your lips and hold your head up slowly closing your eyes. Ray’s hand went to your throat caressing “The most beautiful view” as you quickening you two were become moaning mess. He got you under him, began to licking and sucking your neck. He connected his fingers with yours, thrusting harder and faster

You were crying out with pleasure, your legs wrapped around his waist, your hips arching up toward him as he got deeper inside of you. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders to cling thightly to him.

He was feeling the tightening your walls, “You wanna come baby?” you nodded, biting down on your bottom lip, he stand straight, thrusting more harder and faster, gripping your legs, he throwed his head back, you can see the veins his neck, he was biting his lip, sweat flowing from his chest turned you on more, you squealed into the pillow feeling Ray’s movements slowing down as another moan fell from his lips.

He was breathing heavily, laughed “You made a mess all over my cock babygirl, it’s so hot” he bucked his hips against yours one more time, then he let go of himself on your side.

Your legs felt like jellyfish, you were smiling to yourself, he pulled you over to him and embraced you. You felt so safe and peaceful. You suddenly raised your head your eyes widened “Shit, we forgot to eat.” He laughed and hugged you tightly as kissing your forehead.

You made sure that he was the only thing missing in your life.

***

[magic-and-moonlit-wings]

Chapter 53: Identity

Becoming The Mask

Barbara was at work when her phone buzzed. She didn't have time to check it – she was busy with a toddler who had swallowed a paperclip.

If it had gone into the kid's stomach, things might have been okay. There was some risk of the sharp point doing damage, or the wire catching and tangling in the intestines, but the rounded ends of the paperclip meant there was also a chance it would simply be passed through.

Unfortunately, instead of ingesting the paperclip, the child had aspirated it, so it needed to be removed from her right lung.

Immediately after Barbara got out of surgery, she had to work up the x-rays of a teenager who'd crashed his Vespa into a tree. Nothing was obviously broken and he didn't have a concussion, but there was a risk of hairline fractures.

And then, (because why not,) there were three successive cases of people who had stuck odd things up their butts and gotten those things stuck.

By the time she was able to sit down for two minutes and gulp some coffee, she had forgotten about her buzzing phone.

She didn't even look at her phone until she was leaving for the night. Barbara got it out to turn the ringer off, since she wasn't supposed to be on call that night, which never stopped anyone when they were short-staffed, which was often, and she was tired enough it would probably be dangerous for her to be treating patients again until she'd had some sleep.

(Also, she was probably tired enough that she shouldn't be driving, but Barbara never let herself think about that.)

After finding out she'd missed something as big as her kid sneaking around to fight a secret magical war, Barbara was trying to reassert some boundaries between her time at work and the rest of her life.

Her phone announced that she'd missed a notification.

It was just an exclamation point. What had that been supposed to mean?

Barbara turned her phone off and drove home.

"I'm back, kiddo!"

"We're in the kitchen!"

'We' meant Jim and Toby. Jim was pulling a shepherd's pie out of the oven. Toby and Barbara both inhaled appreciatively.

"You said it's lean ground beef, right?" asked Toby. Jim smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, Tobes. You know if you cut all the fat out of your diet you'd get protein poisoning, right? Mom, back me up."

Barbara took a moment to remember this. She wasn't a nutritionist – she'd encountered this concept in a novel a few years ago and looked it up to see if it was true.

"He's right," she said. "It's the rarest kind of food poisoning. Not much risk of it happening here and now." Not in a city in the United States, haven of processed and instant foods.

Jim portioned out the steaming vegetables and meat and mashed potatoes. Barbara added some sour cream to hers.

"Is Nana out tonight?" she asked Toby.

"Yeah, she and some of her chess buddies are doing a tournament. Informal, I think, but maybe a prize? Like, a gift certificate or something."

"We should see if we can get her and Mr Strickler to play a match sometime," said Jim. "I think I heard once that he's a grandmaster, but I don't know how often he plays anymore."

That combination, Nancy and Walt, made Barbara's brain click and remember the significance of that exclamation point she'd sent herself.

"So … it's been a month. Have you made any progress on telling your friends' families about trolls?"

Both boys froze.

"We gave Vendel a bunch of family stories," said Toby. "Once he's done reading it, we'll find out if we have permission or we're going behind everybody's backs."

"Guess I should warn him the clock's ticking again," said Jim.

"We could maybe tell people now and say we're LARPing, and tell the whole truth later?" Toby suggested. "That's what my therapist thinks is going on."

"You told your therapist?" asked Barbara and Jim together, in very different tones.

Jim's eyes were huge. He had a white-knuckled grip on his silverware. "Tell me you didn't use the word 'Trollhunter' in front of her."

"… No?" said Toby in confusion. "I just said your character was a magic knight on a quest to fight an evil troll."

Jim sighed. "Okay, that's generic enough it's probably safe. Don't use any specific names or terms, though."

"Dude, you seriously think someone is spying on a random high schooler's therapy appointments?"

"Someone is spying on a random high school's entire history class," Jim pointed out.

The rest of the meal was tense. After they were done eating and cleaning up, Toby went back home, and Jim went upstairs to do homework.

Jim's yearbook from the previous year was on one of the shelves in the living room. Barbara brought it over to the couch.

She could use this to get an idea of who Jim and Toby's classmates were, at least.

Jim didn't have many signatures in the book. There was Toby's, of course. The rest all had generic messages – "Have a great summer" from Eli Pepperjack, "Have fun this summer!" from Shannon Longhannon, "See you in September" and a doodled smiley face from Claire Nuñez, and "Enjoy summer break" from Seamus Johnson.

People Jim knew? Or random classmates he approached so he wouldn't look 'weird' for not caring about yearbook autographs?

Barbara made note of all the names. She felt like Jim had let slip that the other children who knew about trolls were girls, early on, but she couldn't quite remember for sure and didn't want to rule anyone out. She flipped to the class photos to match names to faces, so she could keep watch for the signatories hanging around her house or across the street.

+=+

Enrique carefully printed the English alphabet. It hadn't been that hard to mimic from a reference image, but this was his first time writing it independently. He haltingly hummed the song to keep track of his place.

"Pretty good," said Claire, reading over his shoulder. He fought the urge to turn and strike. He was (supposed to be) safe. Claire wasn't purposefully lurking in his blind spot to attack him. "Definitely way better than my first scribbles. I guess next you should learn to write your name."

On another piece of paper, she printed it for him to copy.

The first letter was N. Sensible enough. Except wasn't that one pronounced 'nuh' instead of 'en' when it was in a word and not the alphabet? He shrugged. Claire knew this writing system better than he did – if she said Enrique started with N, he'd go with it until he had some evidence otherwise.

The second letter was O. He frowned. That … didn't feel right. Shouldn't it be an R?

The third letter was T. He stopped.

"Read it," he said to Claire, trying not to growl.

"Not Enrique," she said, without shame. "You only copied the 'Not' part so far."

Angrily, Enrique scribbled out the letters he'd written so far and the bit he'd copied from. In fast, shaky letters he copied out the rest of it and underlined it.

"No," said Claire, getting angry in turn, "you don't get to use that name. That's my brother's name, not yours."

"The kid can share. It's mine now."

"Oh, come on," Claire scoffed. "You're, like, hundreds of years old. I get that Jim's used to being called 'Jim' after sixteen years in deep cover or whatever, but you can't possibly have gotten that attached to 'Enrique' in just a few months."

… Did she really not know?

"It's the only name I've got."

"Bullshit. Other trolls had to call you something when you were in the Darklands."

Now he growled for real. "That wasn't a name."

"What, some kind of codename system? Then I'd think you'd welcome the chance to start using your real name again."

"I don't know what it used to be!" he snapped. "No one exactly kept track of who they were grabbing. And if we lived, it was 'Changeling' this and 'Impure' that if it wasn't just 'hey you'! Enrique's the first name I can remember having and you don't get to take it away from me!"

He stood there breathing hard for maybe a full minute. He'd cracked the pen. There was gloppy ink on his clenched fist. He licked it off before ink could drip on the floor, and popped the plastic into his mouth.

Claire's voice, when she spoke again, was a lot softer.

"How did anyone tell the Changelings apart, if … if you didn't have names?"

Enrique snorted. "You think they bothered? One Changeling's as good or as bad as any other. S'probably part of why Jim and the big Boss Man were so quick to change sides when they had the chance."

"Even the other Changelings?"

"The rule about not getting attached starts early."

Claire looked like she was about to cry. That … that wasn't fair, she didn't get to make him feel bad for her when they were in the middle of a fight …

"We give each other nicknames, sometimes," he admitted. Imp had been a popular one, if nothing else about a Changeling stood out. "Us or the goblins. But then when we get up top, it's like a rite of passage, you know? We get a name then. Using the old nickname's … like an insult. Saying you weren't worth making a surface agent."

Claire blinked rapidly a few times, then hugged him. He almost clawed her before realizing it wasn't an attack.

"Oi, easy!"

"You can't have my brother's name," she said stubbornly. "But we'll figure something else out."

"Not exactly your call to make," Enrique retorted.

"Don't ruin the moment."

"What moment–?!"

+=+

Previous Chapter (Troll Dads become official!)

Table of Contents

Next Chapter (Angor Rot’s debut!)

Not featured in the above chapter: Jim's internal panic, as he frantically tries to figure out how much Toby has already told Dr Archenn and how to warn Toby off telling her anything else, without exposing yet another Changeling's identity to humans.

Featured in the above chapter: my headcanon that Otto addressing Not Enrique as 'Imp' in early Season 2 was a deliberate insult. I've actually got a different nickname in mind for Not Enrique, it just didn't feel natural to bring it up in this scene. Imp, short for Impure, is basically a 'starter nickname' that all Changelings have in the Darklands, until and unless something about them stands out enough that the other Changelings start calling them something else.

[solecize]

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘. you never forget your first love. sometimes you don’t want to. other times, you can’t. 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆. yuta x reader 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄. fluff / angst / high school au 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒. mature language, death, mentions of a car accident, violence and verbal abuse 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓. 7.7k words 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒. i finished this at 5am so its a little wonky and definitely not proofread

FOURTEEN.

the sun barely peaked out from the far horizon of the osaka skyline and the sweet smell of morning dew filled your lungs. a heavy backpack weighing down your shoulders, you hated walking to school in the mornings. clunk. clunk. clunk. the sound of your shoes drumming against the pavement guiding your path became a steady rhythm and your concerns of the day to come drowned within them; a physics test in the morning, a presentation at the end of the day, and the fact that you forgot to pack yourself a lunch. again. these thoughts settled into a roaming and wandering pace as you made your way to school.

wisps of golden rays broke though and in between branches and houses that you strolled past. specifically, the one house that you continuously walked back and forth in front of. ‘come on,’ you thought, waiting for the right moment. this routine that you’d been practicing since elementary school occurred at the almost exact same time every single time.

then, you heard the front door click. with that, you rushed back a couple steps and ignored the army marching through your chest. punctual as ever, yuta was ready. thankfully for you, that meant that you could ‘casually’ run into him on your way to school and walk together. that was the only thing you liked about walking in the mornings.

“oh, hey. good morning.” yuta bore a small smile, as he looked at you over his shoulder and locked the front door. the boy had yet to caught on to the fact that your presence was suspiciously always on time for him to exit his house.

your expression lit up when the eyes of the boy who you so deeply admired met yours. “good morning, yuta.” your smile leapt to your eyes.

as he did every morning, he jogged his way over to where you were and began walking at your side. the mere presence of him just an elbow’s touch away caused the bottom of your stomach to not just do backflips, but an entire gymnastic routine. somehow, you managed to catch your breath.

SIXTEEN. 

“and then, he went all ‘bang!’” your hands waved wildly, the words were overflowing from your lips and the rush of adrenaline still fresh in your veins.

miho watched you with a single raised eyebrow, half used to your antics, but was still bewildered at your longstanding crush on soccer star nakamoto yuta. even under the dim streetlights of that hazy and humid september evening, the rogue flush glowing at the apples of your cheeks was too obvious. she simply giggled and looped her arm around yours.

the narrow streets were littered with clusters of students from your school, laughter and chatter being heard from a mile away. the joyous buzz in the air was due to the soccer game that just occurred against the team’s arch rivals, which was won in a last minute dramatic fashion. the saviour of the night? he was walking towards you.

wait, what?

although surrounded by other team members clad in navy blue tracksuits, yuta easily stood out. everyone and anyone bombarded the guy as soon as he came within sight, wanting to congratulate and praise him for his talent and efforts. for some reason, though, there was a different gleam of purpose in his bright eyes.

your heartbeat quickened, but your steady walking pace remained. this was mostly due to miho’s pointed look, as she saw the way you nearly froze up at the sight of yuta��as you always did. up until this point, you weren’t sure what got to you. his charming smile, his kind heart, the way he poured passion into everything he did . . .you were a goner. however, you also had a pile of homework waiting for you when you got home and couldn’t slow down for him, who probably had a celebration to get to.

still, that didn’t change the fact that yuta was making a beeline in your direction. you thought you were imagining it, until you heard him call your name. then, a second time. at this point, you turned around without even realizing that you’d lost control of your body.

“oof—” he ran straight into you the moment you turned around. you wobbled for a second, but yuta’s strong arms caught you almost instantly.

his eyes widened. “oh, shit, i’m so sorry—”

“—no, it’s, um, it’s okay, really!” you exclaimed and wanted to shrivel up when you realized how high your voice became. miho snickered behind you, but you ignored it.

a grin stretched across yuta’s face and the butterflies in your stomach awoke. something about his presence, his spirit lit a spark inside of you. he absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair and opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and proceeded to play with the words on the tip of his tongue. you weren’t sure what was going on.

yuta asked, “did you enjoy the game?” at this point, he was full on ignoring the passerbys, save for the polite head nod for the congratulations he was receiving. all of his attention was on you.

“yeah, of course,” you nodded, maybe a little too vigorously. “you were really great out there. i mean it.”

“couldn’t have done it without my trusted medic.”

FIFTEEN.

you weren’t sure how exactly you were coaxed into this, but it seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye. everyone in your study group slowly began to flow out of yuta’s home, until it was just the two of you and studying wasn’t the main priority anymore. you weren’t in any rush to go home, considering your home was just a five minute walk away, and, of course, not wanting to pass up the opportunity to spend time with yuta.

“i don’t think i’m exactly fit for this,” you told him nervously, as he lead you onto the empty street by hand.

the evening went from homework to goofing around on youtube. the two of you had been exchanging music and favourite artists, which finally came down to stumbling across soccer clips. yuta then had the brilliant idea of teaching you soccer after you reminded him how much you loathed sports. for whatever reason, that brought you here.

yuta scoffed. “trust me, you’ll get the hang of it easily.”

the breeze blew softly, a relief on a hot summer night like this one. you sighed at the humidity and watched yuta. he dropped the soccer ball onto the ground and it hummed against the concrete, as he started to dribble it.

“you gotta pass with the inside of your foot,” he explained, though you were a little too mesmerized by his gorgeous calf muscles. “like this!” yuta demonstrated and passed the ball over to you like second nature.

somehow, you managed to stop the ball. it had to be either luck or the fear that it was going to crash into one of mrs. nakamoto’s potted plants. your eyes widened in shock. considering you could barely walk without tripping, this was an accomplishment.

he beamed. “great, now pass it over to me.”

what was intended to be a soft, gentle pass ended up being a hard kick to the, well, danger zone. it all happened so fast and before you knew it, the ball hit him with a loud smack! and yuta was trying to resist doubling over. his face contorted and body folded over in swallowed down pain, wincing.

you gasped and rushed over, endless apologies coming out. “oh my god, ohmygod, ohmy—”

“it’s okay, it’s okay!” yuta was gasping for air and you wrapped your arm around his shoulders, trying to help him stand up.

despite being in obvious distress, yuta still managed to laugh upon seeing your reaction. he didn’t realize how much he liked being aided to until you went out of your way to help him back inside and give him an ice pack. he didn’t realize how much he liked teaching his favourite thing to another person until he forced you outside and taught the basics of soccer to your clumsy ass.

most importantly, he didn’t realize how much he could like a person until you.

SIXTEEN.

you rolled your eyes, but you were, without a doubt, dying inside knowing that he remembered that day. “ha. hilarious.”

others continued to weave around you two and you were certain that it looked a little odd, probably annoying, that you were just standing in the middle of a crowded sidewalk. even miho had whispered that she would catch up with you later and snuck away. however, yuta didn’t budge.

“can i walk you home? it’s getting dark and i’m sure you can handle yourself, but just to be extra safe. . .” yuta offered and this took you by surprise.

“you guys just won the most important game of the season, isn’t there some sort of team celebration that you have to get to?” you raised your eyebrows, but allowed him to lead the way to your neighbourhood.

he shrugged. “everyone’s tired. besides, i wanted to, erm, talk to you.”

looking behind you, it seemed that the boys from the team were indeed dispersing, but strangely enough, were all looking in your direction. as if being caught red handed in a robbery, they all froze on the spot when they met your eyes and turned the other way immediately. yuta noticed this and grumbled something under his breath, but you didn’t catch it.

“about. . .?”

“uh, well, we’ve been friends for a while now, right?” yuta scratched the back of his neck with a tension in his movement.

shit. he found out about your crush on him. surely, he just wanted to let you down easy or something. you chomped down hard, teeth grinding against each other in pure agony. this was not happening. you managed to nod your head slowly.

he continued, “well, there’s something i’ve been meaning to tell you.” his eyes, full of fire, wandered all over, except to meet yours. “ask you, er, actually.”

you blinked, trying your best to ignore the bubble of hope forming in your chest. “what do you mean?” because there was no way he was talking about what you’d been dreaming of for god knows how long.

he slowed down in his tracks and for a few moments, there was a calm.

“i like you.” yuta finally spat out, the wind knocked out of him and you nearly fell over attempting to halt in your route. “and i wanted to ask if you’d go out with me.”

cashmere moonlight illuminated the aged roads of osaka where joy danced in the air—the joy of victory, youth, and, now, first love. time seemed to suspend just for a few moments and it tasted like fireworks. a round of whoops emerged from where yuta left him teammates behind, but it was all white noise to you.

everything was blurry and unimportant, except for him.

SEVENTEEN.

“why did we invite these two?” miho groaned, watching the two of you from the other side of the room.

it hadn’t even been a minute since entering the karaoke lounge, but you and yuta were already cuddled up in the corner of one of the couches. he had pulled you onto his lap and you let out a loud giggle at the contact. snaking his arms around your waist, you knew that you were not leaving this place for the rest of the night.

yuta raised an eyebrow. “that’s awfully rude. we’re your friends.” his signature cheeky smile formed and you couldn’t help but press a kiss on his cheek.

“you guys have been on this lovey-dovey honeymoon shit for, like, a year now,” one of yuta’s teammates groaned.

“sucks for you guys.” you grinned in response and began flipping through one of the song books.

it was the middle of the summer going into your last year of high school and you were certain of it—you didn’t have a single care in the world. it was the last summer of pure freedom and everyone felt it all around them. it was a ticking time bomb, a countdown that result in late nights out with all of your friends. tonight it brought you to karaoke.

yuta tucked a piece of stray hair behind your ear. “i like this colour on you.” you’d just dyed your hair a few shades lighter than your natural shade a couple of nights ago as apart of a dare. of course, you did it, but the more you looked at it, the worse it seemed to look.

“really?” you raised an eyebrow at him.

“duh. you look good in everything.”

you brought your face close to his ear, so that the conversation could only be heard between the two of you. “you should go sing something.”

“uh, what?” his face scrunched up jokingly, but you gave him a knowing eye.

it started off one day when you were chilling alone, just watching mamma mia on his couch. for whatever reason, yuta knew enough of the songs to be able to sing along. that’s when you discovered his gift of possibly the sweetest, smoothest voice you’ve ever heard. angelic, you insisted, but he was always too shy and didn’t acknowledge it.

since then, you’ve paid extra attention when you catch him singing under his breath, humming, or even just whistling. everyone told him how good he was, but he didn’t even consider it. nevertheless, it was the same glimmer in yuta’s eyes when he sang his favourite song as the one when he was on the field.

suddenly, the weight beneath you shifted. yuta had pushed you off his lap effortlessly, taking the song book. this forced you to stand up on your feet and left you confused.

he beckoned his friend that held the microphones over and took them from him. “what are you doing?” you asked.

“let’s sing a duet, then.” at this, all of your friends cheered in response to this unusual action from yuta. he’d always be the one to just sit in the corner with his drink, hype up everyone else, and maybe give some background vocals in the form of yelling.

“oh, really?” you laughed, not believing what was happening.

“what? i like trying new things with you,” yuta declared with a grin and passed a microphone to you, which you barely caught. “you better keep up.”

the night unfolded just like that, with nineties throwback jams and laughter all around. miho captured the memory on her polaroid and you kept several of these pictures to stow away, probably in some shoebox under your bed. however, for now, you lived these pictures. you lived them with yuta, always pushing each other to your boundaries and always with the best of hearts.

SEVENTEEN.

it started with that one time at the amusement park when you nearly lost your shit at the top of the ferris wheel. then, he noticed the way you squirmed trying to walk across the metal grates downtown where you could see just how deep it went past those holes. you never wanted to join your friends when they would have lunch on the school rooftop.

you had a fear of heights.

one promise was made clear between the two of you at the start of your senior year in high school: to make the best out of it. yuta figured that this meant pushing you to face what scared you the most. this was the first of them.

with a sigh, you suddenly found your shoes to be the most interesting thing in the world. “i really don’t know about this.”

“we took a three hour bus ride to get here and you’re not sure about this?” yuta folded his arms across his chest. “you’re the one that suggested we all go to the beach.”

you gnawed on your bottom lip. “well, yeah, but i meant to go swimming or tan or play volleyball! this—” you beckoned down to the aquamarine ocean line, “—is not what i meant, yuta!”

kicking a piece of rock, it flew right off the edge and deep down into the shore below. you watched it and the distance it made, which only caused you to stiffen up even further. the cliff had to be at least twenty meters high and despite the beautiful crystal waters, it felt like diving into a black hole. your eyes remained glued to the mocha dirt between your feet, as the sight only pumped your blood faster and faster.

yuta chuckled softly and you smacked his arm. “this isn’t funny!”

raising his hands up in defense, he approached you slowly. “come on. you’re the bravest girl i know.” your boyfriend tried to tip your chin up, but you tore in away. “you’ve been telling me for years about how you’ve wanted to get over this.”

“yeah, but we all know i’m a pussy ass bitch.”

he rolled his eyes, but wrapped his arms around you from behind and kissed your temple. “come on. if you do it, i’ll buy you food.”

you scoffed. “you think i’m that easily bought?”

even though he didn’t say a word, the look that yuta gave you was enough to indicate his agreement. you looked between him and the seemingly endless jump that awaited you just a few steps away. squinting at the sun, you let out a loud breath.

“well?” yuta asked hopefully.

you rubbed the ring on your left hand, a habit formed in the confrontation with your nerves, and braced yourself. in a twist of fate, you found yourself walking a few steps back and for a second, he thought that you were leaving. then, yuta saw the look on your face and grinned. it was enough for him to know. squeezing your eyes shut, you tried to steady yourself.

“you have to jump right after me, okay?!” you didn’t mean to yell, but everything began to muffle except for the pounding in your ears.

yuta said, “you got it, baby.” he began clapping and whooping, building up your energy at your side.

it was like flying. you ran and ran until your entire body was wrapped around blankets of air and freedom. you finally opened your eyes, wide and bright, to the world around you. it was pure lunacy. it must’ve lasted forever, because when you emerged from the sharp waters and gasping for air, yuta was already right beside you.

a boil of hysteria formed at the base of your throat. one giggle lead to another, until you were having a full on fest of laughter. you couldn’t stop and watching you, yuta couldn’t help but start laughing, too. you flung your arms around him in the tightest embrace, still shaking from the nerves, but in the best way possible. you planted a deep kiss on his lips and he groaned.

“i guess that wasn’t so—” you were cut off by yuta’s lips, capturing yours once again.

SEVENTEEN.

everyone knew you and yuta to be the couple that was late to almost everything. however, most were not aware of the fact that it was almost strictly because of him. sometimes, you had to step back and marvel at just how good he was at wasting time when getting ready for something.

“oh my god, is it possible to take any longer than this?” you yelled at him from his bedroom balcony, as you absentmindedly scrolled through your phone. at the same time, you ignored the angry messages from your friends, wondering where the two of you were.

the sound of the blow dryer finally came to a stop. “relax, there’s no need to rush.”

“it’s the last school festival we’re ever gonna have and you don’t wanna rush?” you quipped back.

this happened every time, so you weren’t nearly as irritated as you should’ve been. this was considering you woke up extra early to pick out your outfit and actually attempt real makeup on your face. it made you a little nervous, considering you made enough effort to brush your hair and throw on the nicest skirt you owned, albeit after digging through your closet for who knows how long. you arrived at yuta’s almost an hour before you were supposed to leave and without surprise, he was still in bed.

since this happened every time, you had one simple method that worked every time. all it took was one iced cube for nakamoto yuta, the mighty star player of your school’s soccer team, to squeal like a four year old and scramble out of bed. soon enough, he was in the shower and belting to chris brown at the top of his lungs.

he definitely didn’t get out soon enough.

you got up to bang on his bathroom door, but before you could do so, it swung open. yuta was fully dressed in casual attire of an oversized hoodie, a jean jacket, and black sweats. a baseball cap nestled the top of his pristine hair and you immediately swiped it off.

“hey��” yuta began to protest, but then his eyes scanned your appearance and his jaw was left hanging.

clearly, you didn’t notice, because you continued ranting. “if you took all that time to blow dry your hair, why the hell did you put on a hat?”

“you look. . .”

“we are so late and—”

he clamped a hand over your mouth, only getting a further rise out of you. “can you just listen to me?” but, this didn’t stop your attempts and yelling through his hand.

yuta didn’t let go until you had the bright idea to lick his hand, at which he let out a chorus of “yuck, ew, gross” and spun around to wash his hands immediately. you snickered at his reaction, but were still heated.

he gave you a dirty look. “damn, a guy can’t tell his girl that she looks beautiful?”

“not when the guy is the reason for them being an hour and a half late!” you cried. jaw set, you had to admit that this would normally get your heart pounding, but it was going to be your fist’s turn if he didn’t hurry. long gone were the days where you couldn’t speak the truth to yuta and now, you’d cuss him out at any given time.

he chuckled and placed a hand on your cheek. “well, you do. i don’t know what you did, but you look good, all dressed up and stuff.”

you let him bring you into a gentle embrace and melted into him almost instantaneously. “yeah, yeah, whatever,” you said into his chest. “by the way, i really enjoyed the concert you put on there.”

yuta’s ears turned slightly red, but he laughed it off. “thanks. i’ve been practicing.” he looked over and noticed the balcony door open, the curtains blowly softly against the wall. “were you just on my balcony?”

“yeah, it’s way too hot in here.”

“willingly? alone? at a high height?” he dramatically gaped and you hit his arm.

you replied, “ergh, yes, okay? let’s move on now.” you couldn’t bite back the small grin that was forming on your face and there was no way he didn’t notice it.

the two of you eventually raced out the front door and began a rock paper scissors competition to decide who would have to face an angry miho, who’d been waiting for you two for hours.

EIGHTEEN.

you shared all of the most painful moments of your life with yuta. he was there for you after every test you failed, every sad movie that pulled at your heartstrings, and every time you plucked your eyebrows. just thinking about him, you could easily remember the way his arms felt like home, when nothing else in the world seemed to matter.

“she’s going to be okay, come on. .  .” he murmured into your ear, as he stroked your hair. “please, just breathe, baby.”

“miho was on her way to see me! she shouldn’t have—” you couldn’t finish the sentence, a strangled sob choking your words to bits.

yuta rocked you back and forth in his arms as you tried to look for some sort of light, but the bland eggshell walls of the hospital corridor provided nothing to comfort you. there was no one else waiting for miho except you. you were all she had.

that day, she ended up surviving the fatal car accident. you were certain that you would have gone mad if it weren’t for yuta’s warm arms and the sweet nothings he assured into your being. he was your strength that day.

likewise, yuta shared all the most painful moments of his life with you. you were there for him after every injury he suffered on the field, after every screaming match with his hotheaded father, and every lost game that he took. you somehow made him laugh on his way to the infirmary. you found every way to cheer him up after a bad game. most of all, you were the one who cradled him and let him sob into your chest in the rare moments when he would lose all control after a fight with his dad.

it was about one in the morning when you awoke in a startle. the sound of a pile of your textbooks toppling over from your desk created what seemed to be an earthquake at an ungodly hour. you awoke to your heart beating wildly, unsure of what to expect.

thankfully, it was just your idiot boyfriend, who had no idea how to climb into a room through a window. unsure of what was going on, your first instinct to whisper yell at him about whatever the hell he was doing and the fact that your parents could have woken up, but then you saw. you saw his dead eyes and his slumped over figure.

“did he. . .”

you hadn’t seen yuta in about a week, ever since his father was hospitalized. he didn’t elaborate on any details when he explained the situation to you, but you knew it was fatal. he didn’t even want you visiting.

“yeah. he went real quick and just like that,” yuta took in a deep breath, “it was over.”

you immediately sat up on your bed and made room for him, to which he immediately occupied. all you wanted to do was reach out and touch him, to enclasp his hardened joints and cold skin. looking over at him, though, it seemed like the hardest thing to do. you’d never seen yuta so empty before.

you cleared your throat, while eyeing your bedroom door to ensure all lights remained off. “shouldn’t you be with your mom and sister?”

“i dropped them off at home so they could sleep. i wanted to call you, but,” yuta shrugged, “i’m here now.”

after that, yuta didn’t talk for the rest of the night. though he stared blankly at your popcorn ceiling as if he was in another world, you kept him grounded. you talked about anything and anything to distract him. the soccer game on television that evening, the new, hideous curtains that your mother put in the living room, how you just learned to do some basic sewing, the neighbourhood gossip. you talked until your throat strained and begged for you to give up. but, you didn’t give up until the first streams of ginger orange and rose emerged from the horizon beyond your tiny window.

by then, he coasted into a deep sleep into the crook of your neck and one arm slung over your torso. you buried your face in his hair, hand clutched in his. pain always hurt, but neither of you ever had to hurt alone.

EIGHTEEN.

you shared all of the most painful moments of your life with yuta, but you never anticipated the day when one of those moments would be because of him.

“what do you mean?” you felt like you’d just been punched in the gut, your lips parting in shock.

yuta pushed his tongue to the inside of his cheek and set down his soda on the rooftop ledge. “i mean, i’m leaving. i’m going to accept their offer of admission.” his eyes were downcast and he felt like he was holding onto all of the weight in the world.

“but-but, i—” you started, but couldn’t find the words.

nothing seemed real in that moment. you shook your head and turned away, finding the door to be the only option. however, watching even your smallest of movements, yuta knew you too well and easily predicted what you were going to do next.

he grabbed your arm before you could walk away. “can we just talk about this first?”

“like the way you talked to me about applying to schools overseas?” you shot, though your voice was quieter than usual.

like every other couple in the graduating class, your future was up in the air. it was floating and it seem like every time to made a move to reach out and grab for it, all that slipped through your fingers was pure nothingness. void. you didn’t want to think about it, instead opting to live in the moment.

however, with the changing leaves and the aforementioned ticking time bomb became the background music to your every day life. there always seemed to be something that popped out of nowhere to remind you of what you dreaded—the fact that you were running out of time.

yuta ran a hand through his hair. “it wasn’t the plan, i just kinda did it on a whim and i never expected. . .” his shoulders slumped.

it was then you realized that yuta was no longer living by the same hour.

although you avoided talking about it, you and yuta were with each other every step of the way since the year began. you thought the happy ending plan you concocted in your plan was officially set in motion and absolutely nothing could go wrong.

wrong.

though you knew deep inside that this wasn’t a bad thing, that you shouldn’t be upset at yuta, there was a nagging feeling at the pit of your stomach. every bad scenario that could possibly be generated suddenly flashed before your very eyes and at that, your entire body stiffened.

your heart ached and you couldn’t help but step forward to place a hand on his chest. “listen. i’m happy for you and i’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but,” you shook your head, “that shit really hurt mine.”

before he could say anything, you took off the sweater he’d given to just a few minutes earlier when the two of you arrived. the cold breeze felt like knives against your flesh, but you ignored it. for your entire life, you knew that you were as fragile as glass. however, you never truly felt it up until this moment.

“come on, it’s not that serious,” yuta said, eyes widened.

you replied, “it doesn’t matter. this is, um, just a lot to take in.” shaking your head, you broke free of his grasp.

just as you approached the stairs to return back to the school building, you hear yuta’s voice from behind you.

“i’m not letting this be the end.”

EIGHTEEN.

when the guests began pouring out of your front door, you took this as an opportunity to sneak out the back and around to escape the dreadful atmosphere. this wasn’t to say that you weren’t grateful for the careful orchestration done to ensure a successful surprise party, you were really blown away by the plan made by your family and miho. walking into your living room to be met with a crowd of people to celebration your recent acceptance to university was the highlight of your day and the second last thing you expected.

the last thing you expected had followed you out your back door, having kept a close eye on you since the start of the party. yuta had not spoken to you in a week, not since the reveal on the school rooftop. you stated that you needed space and he respected that, but there was no way he wasn’t going to celebrate your massive academic accomplishments, especially when he was the rock to keep you stable all of this years.

plus, miho would’ve killed him.

“hey, hey, hey,” yuta’s unmistakable voice chimed in behind you, “where are you going?”

“i needed some air,” you said, without turning around.

he jogged up to you and began walking by your side. you didn’t look at him. you weren’t sure why.

yuta said, “it’s crazy how fast everything’s going now,” he shoved his hands into his pockets. “it seems like yesterday we were just fourteen and screwing around, doing whatever without caring about tomorrow.”

“. . .yeah. i think i’m going to go crazy thinking about what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the day after.” the confession tasted bitter and it showed crystal clear in your features. “like, obviously, the party was great and all but it was just another reminder of all this shit building up.”

“you have no reason to worry,” yuta scoffed. “you have so much to look forward to. i know you aren’t afraid to be on your own next year.”

“but, that’s the thing, yuta!” you bellowed. “i’m not afraid, i’m terrified. i wasn’t going be afraid because i wasn’t going to be on my own, i was supposed to have you.” it took all of your strength to even attempt to stop your voice from shaking.

like you’d always done, you found yourself immediately melting back into his arms, like they were your rightful place. “believe it or not, i am so fucking ecstatic for you. i just—”

“—wish we wouldn’t have to go our own ways?” yuta finished for you, a sad smile playing on his lips.

you nodded. “it’s stupid, but you’ve been by my side forever. and i want the best for you and trust me, i know this school is perfect for you.”

“you looked into it?”

“of course i did,” you managed to laugh. “and it checks off every single box for your dream school.”

the conversation was a volcano, waiting to erupt in the shadows for quite some time. thankfully, it wasn’t destructive. the two of you sat down on the edge of the sidewalk, still not letting go of each other. similar to leisurely flowing lava, it was warm and of beauty unlike any other.

yuta cupped your cheek and you swore you would have given anything to freeze those few seconds of time to keep. “you know, no matter what happens, you’ll always have my heart.”

that night, yuta took you to the same arcade he brought you to on your first date at fifteen. you shared laughter and exchanged music like you had for many years. the fear settling deep into both of your bodies seemed to fade for that one night. because, although he wanted to be strong and reject it, yuta was as scared as you were.

“you aren’t making the wrong decision,” you assured him, over and over again.

just like that, the magma begun to settle. the fog started to clear, but you weren’t sure if whatever hid behind it all was what you wanted. regardless, for those few seconds in time, everything seemed to be okay.

EIGHTEEN.

"stop crying, loser.”

“i am not crying!” you insisted with a laugh, as you hastily swiped at the tears brimming in your eyes. “i am totally fine, this is totally happening.”

standing in the middle of the parking lot of the ceremony hall, you looked a little ridiculous. you’d long given up on wearing heels and opted to go barefoot, your makeup was smeared, and you already ripped your gown by accident when you stepped on it going down the stairs. yuta didn’t see you that way, though.

he saw you for what you were: the smart, strong, gorgeous girl that he’d been in love with for the past four years of his life. the first girl he’d ever loved. he’d gone on believing that you were going to be the last, too, but that dream was shattered into pieces now. somehow, he accepted this with a smile.

“i guess this is goodbye,” he jokingly extended his hand, to which you slapped it out of the way and nearly jumped on him for a bone crushing hug. yuta laughed and hugged you back just as tight, beginning to twirl you around and ignored the way his cap toppled off his head in the process. 

all of a sudden, you heard a loud honk. he let go of you and you noticed that your family was waiting for you to get in the car. you sighed. his eyes met yours and the silence was enough.

he pressed a kiss against your cheek, one last time. “bye, angel.”

TWENTY FIVE.

nothing was the same. your parents had long moved out of your childhood home and to the other side of the city. you lost contact with all of your high school friends and as far as you knew, they’d all moved to different points of the country. upon returning to your hometown, there was nothing left for you anymore.

dropping the last of your cardboard boxes, thankfully not one of the ones marked with ‘fragile,’ miho let out a loud huff. “finally! i thought this shit would never end,” she grumbled.

you kicked the box aside to the back wall of you brand new apartment. “thanks for helping me out.”

she was the last of your old friends to remain in osaka, having built her life here after graduation as a police officer. in fact, miho was the last of your old friends to stick by your side ever since. some were appalled at the turn of events that occurred  in your life and ostracized you. others simply faded away naturally. miho was the first of them to enter your life and you were in pure relief when she promised that she wouldn’t leave your side.

miho was the one you dragged into your washroom to take the five tests to see if they were really accurate. when yuta was long gone, she was your rock. when you had to go through school with a young kid, she was your source of encouragement through strings of letters, phone calls, and text messages.

she was the last constant in your life in the ‘before’ and the ‘after.’

“duh, do you know how excited i am for you to be back?!” miho squealed, hugging you for what seemed to be the hundredth time since you arrived back in town just a year before.

you beamed. “i just. . .can’t believe it.” looking out the window, you realized that you left so much of yourself when you left at eighteen. now that you were back, you weren’t sure if you wanted to pick up where you left off.

your oldest friend nodded in understanding. suddenly, there was a loud chime and miho checked her phone immediately, frowning at her screen. she shoved in back into her purse and sighed.

“i really don’t want to leave you alone, but i have to go,” she said.

you nodded in understanding. “it’s okay. go. i have to go grocery shopping for me and the little dude over there anyway,” you replied. “i’ll catch up with you tomorrow for lunch?”

the small boy sitting at your newly moved couch looked up at the mention of himself. he’d been occupied the entire time with power rangers reruns and you walked over to him, scooping him up in a cuddle. yosuke was at the age where he whined at every form of physical affection from his mother, even if they were the best of friends like the two of you were.

“of course,” miho said and followed you. she cooed at yosuke, who’s eyes were still glued to the tablet screen in his hands. taking his chubby cheeks between her manicured fingers and pinching them, the kid let out a loud groan and you gave him a pointed look.

you cleared your throat. “say bye to auntie miho.”

“bye auntie miho,” yosuke mumbled with a grimace painted across his face.

standing up, you began to walk miho to the door. she slipped on her heels, ranting about the warm weather in november, but to be honest, you were mostly tuning her out in favour of just appreciating miho’s presence in the first place. just like old times.

you opened the door for her and waved her goodbye. however, just as you were about to close it, the door beside your apartment opened. whether it was out of curiosity or some cruel trick by destiny, you look out to greet your neighbour.

what came next couldn’t have happened in your wildest dreams.

everything was the same. sure, he grew out his hair a little bit longer, but yuta looked exactly the same in that dusty parking lot, when the two of you were eighteen. a lollipop dangled from his mouth, like before, and his surroundings were drowned out by earphones plugged into both of his ears. he still wore his late father’s titanium watch, no matter how aged it was. yuta’s eyes met yours and you were a goner, like you always were. it was more than a punch to the gut, but a full on blow to the face and a kick to the shins. your entire body felt like it’d just been battered. you couldn’t breathe.

for half a second, he glanced away. then, the nooks and crannies of his memories that hadn’t been touched in years became triggered. yuta looked up and he could’ve sworn, everything in the world stopped. his mouth ran dry and the vulnerability that settled in his bones felt as though he’d been caught in the middle of a crime.

yuta wanted to say your name, to see if it was really you, but nothing seemed to croak out.

“this can’t be real.” you didn’t know you were saying this out loud, but the words just spilled out of your mouth. you felt like a wax candle, eventually vanishing the hotter your flame grew. this couldn’t be happening.

he sputtered, “i can’t—”

you suddenly became aware of your appearance and wanted to just hide away. with your hair twisted into a half-assed bun and clad in an old t-shirt and denim overalls, you looked more like the visiting plumber than a tenant.

“—believe it,” you finished for him, trying to let the oxygen enter your body. “um, sorry, i just moved in, so i’m not really fit to be seen by actual humans.”

neither of you were sure how to go about this, both wanting to go in for a hug, but hesitated. after a few awkward attempts, yuta eventually went ‘fuck it’ and just completely squashing you into an embrace. you weren’t sure how long the hug lasted for. maybe an hour. a couple minute. a few seconds. but even just a quarter of that was enough for you. the smell of musk and teakwood filled your senses and you were lost again, forgetting about what this reunion meant for you.

“you look great.” yuta just saw you the way he’d always remembered you. “you still look the same.” he chuckled, taken aback and blown away.

you scrunched your nose. “do i?” there was no way he was being serious.

“just like the night of the spring festival.”

that was what took you by surprise, the fact that he remembered that night, much less what you looked like. still, the whole situation was not fully processed in your mind. you shook your head, blinking your doubts away.

you tried to form your words. “what, erm, are you doing here?” the awkward laugh that came out of your mouth was enough to say it all. “i mean, last i heard, you became a big shot, working for some company in europe.”

“i moved back to japan a few weeks ago,” yuta revealed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “i wanted to work back home.” though the smile on his face was small, it was enough to bring you back to the bliss of your relationship with him.

none of this was real.

you were dizzy. seeing yuta felt like seeing a ghost from your past. this wasn’t supposed to be what moving back to osaka was about. seven years away meant seven years of growth and even harder, moving on. you finally snapped yourself out of the fragrant, intoxicating daze that was nakamoto yuta and realized you had to confront the reality.

“what—” you started,

he shrugged and leaned against his door frame. “why travel the world when you feel like you’re, well, missing something?” yuta asked. “i mean, i had a lot going for me. but, something felt wrong.”

this was just honesty from yuta. after years away from his roots, there had to be a reason why he traced his footprints back to home. maybe it was after pleading to the stars for an answer, but standing in front of you seemed like the twist of fate he’d been seeking.

“nothing beats home and family, right?”

it was too late. from the ringing in your ears, you didn’t hear the tiny footsteps plopping right behind you on your new, carpeted floors. you didn’t hear the distant video music come to an abrupt pause. you didn’t hear any of it and then, you felt a tug at your pant leg.

“i’m hungry,” yosuke yawned, looking up at you through his long eyelashes.

all the colour in yuta’s face drained. you rubbed the ring on your left hand and tore your gaze away from yuta and instead focused on your son. “okay, yosuke, go back inside and i’ll make you lunch, honey.” you forced a smile, but yosuke just gave a confused side glance at yuta. nonetheless, he retreated back inside.

yuta always imagined what it would be like if he crossed paths with you again. in most of these fantasies, you’d fall right back into his arms. he rarely considered the idea that you would have someone else. he didn’t even entertain the notion at all, the dead clutch of hope still remaining within him.

“yosuke?” he asked slowly, trying to memorize the details of the little boy’s face and all he saw were your features.

it was the hardest thing for you to say.

“yeah. my son.”

𝐌𝐔𝐒��𝐂.

i like you (exo remake) - weathercast severely - ft island milk - f(x) at the end - chungha you were beautiful - day6

[renaxwrites]

Eleven

.05 - Girl Almighty

synopsis: the number Eleven had always appeared in milestones of your life. it was a constant, and you didn’t know why. but you would soon find out when you study abroad in japan and meet Him.

pairing: tsukishima kei x fem!reader

warnings: mentions of death, depression

masterlist: here :)

a/n: this honestly was such an endearing chapter to write. we finally learned what happened in y/n’s past, and her bond with mizuki grows strong. also, for this chapter and the next, I’m doing a lot of cultural research to try and incorporate it in the story, and it feels really cool to be exploring the culture! hope you guys enjoy this one 🥺💕 yes I cried at one in the morning finishing this and what about it

previous || next

Her light is as loud as as many ambulances as it takes to save a savior.

Sleep. School. Practice. Home. Repeat. Soon, you were nearing the end of September without even knowing it. As the weeks had flown by, the tension between you and Tsukishima had only grown. Only, it wasn’t a ‘bad’ or ‘awkward’ kind of tension. It was more like a ‘something-is-happening-between-us-but-neither-of-us-know-what-it-is-or-how-to-address-it’ kind of tension.

As if the universe was tired of this ‘tip-toeing around each other’ crap, a special event was coming up that was definitely going to stir the pot. The Harvest Moon Festival.

“Tsukiiiii! Are you excited for Tsukimi tomorrow?” Yamaguchi teases. Tsukishima knowingly groans.

You look up from your camera, contemplating whether you should keep the last shot even though Tanaka photo-bombed it. “The moon-viewing? You guys do the festivals here, right?”

Yamaguchi nodded. “Yeah, it’s kinda ironic, isn’t it? The festivals usually fall around Tsukki’s birthday, so we usually do a joint-celebration! But this year, it’s a little earlier, so we won’t celebrate his birthday at the same time, but it’s still exciting!”

Tsukishima peers down at your camera, pressing the delete button faster than you can react. “Shouldn’t you know about it? You are Japanese, right?”

Pettily, you recover the photo from the recently deleted section. You were going to delete it anyway, but you just wanted to spite him. “I did celebrate, but I’ve always wondered how much more authentic it would be to celebrate it in my mother’s home country. It sounds like a lot of fun!”

Yamaguchi realizes you haven’t gone to the festival before, so he cheerily invites you to come along with him and Tsukki, to which Tsukishima replies, “My mom would probably force me to drag her along anyway. Might as well.”

His statement and tone implied that he didn’t want you to join, but you felt his gaze on you with a slight glimmer of hope in his eyes.

You agree, but are quick to come to a devastating realization.

“But I don’t have anything to wearrrrrr!” Cue two clueless-looking boys not knowing how to react.

Upon hearing distress, Yachi comes dashing to your rescue. “Y/N!! I heard your cry! I’m actually going shopping tonight for a new festival outfit, did you want to go with me?” She really was a savior at times.

You throw your arms around her in gratefulness. “You’re an angel! I would like nothing more than to accompany you! I’ll just text Mizuki to let her know where we’ll be…”

Yachi ponders for a moment. “Actually, do you think she would mind coming? I don’t want to bother her at all, but my mom’s staying late again, and I like having an adult’s second opinion…”

Fortunately, Mizuki was more than happy to bring you two to the downtown shops later that night. Once practice was over, you and Yachi bid your farewells to the boys and met up on the street corner, with Tsukishima trailing behind. Mizuki began to wave from under the streetlight, letting Tskishima know that dinner was already made, and that you won't be back too late. And so, the three of you were off!

                                 ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Although your current location was quaint and serene, downtown was the opposite. There were endless amounts of shops, stands, and everything in between. Shoppers were bustling about, kids were frolicking in groups, and the smells of various foods wafted in the air. The energy in the downtown district was definitely lively and contagious.

Mizuki took a deep, content breath and turned to the two of you. “Alright ladies! I have a few shops in mind, so we can stop by those first just to ease into it. Let me know if you need anything! If you want to even stop for a snack, I certainly won’t hold you back, not when it smells as good as this! Alrighty, let’s goo!!”

The first shop was very quaint, but you were a bit clueless as to what you should be looking for. Good thing Mizuki and Yachi was there to guide you! You apparently were in search for a yukata, a more informal traditional robe that is similar to a kimono, but not quite. Great! Now that you knew what you were on the hunt for, how were you supposed to decide what color or pattern? Every shop you stopped by were overflowing with more patterns, colors, and combinations than you can possibly imagine.

By the third shop, Yachi had already picked hers, and was currently being fitted. She chose a radiant yellow, decorated with white carnations and pink morning glory flowers print.

“You look like a ray of sunshine, Yachi! Yellow definitely suits you,” you and Mizuki shower her with praise, causing her to flush pink.

You laugh as you admit, “This must be what prom dress shopping feels like, haha.” The two ladies curiously look at you, and you’re quick to explain how back at home it’s a huge deal to find the dress, since prom is the most anticipated formal event for American high schools.

Needless to say, the pressure of finding one that spoke to you began to worry you. You bring your hand to your locket. Mizuki noticed this, then eyed your locket for a brief moment.

“I think I know the perfect one that would go along with your locket. We’ll stop by once Yachi’s fitting is done,” she offers you a warm smile to calm your nerves.

Once Yachi’s outfit was purchased, the three of you head to a shop that was in an easy-to-overlook nook. The second you step inside, you’re greeted by two eager women, ready to meet your requests. You browse, but begin to feel a bit of gravitation towards the back of the shop. The invisible force brings you to a halt. In front of you is an absolute masterpiece.

The overall color was navy blue, as dark as the night sky above. But the design was what made it stand out. The yakuta was sprinkled with constellations, and thousands of silver stars were scattered around the fabric. Around the waist was a deep red obi, a wide silk sash designed with light moons and stars lined all around it.

You were speechless. It was perfect.

Mizuki looks over and finds you with your jaw slightly agape, looking entirely mesmerized.

She turns to the women and tells them, “That’s the one for her.” And they get to work on your fitting.

During your fitting, Yachi went to buy a couple of snacks for you to share, leaving you and Mizuki alone, with the two women helping. You raise your arms over your head as they measure your waist. Suddenly, you catch her drying what looks to be a couple of tears.

“What’s wrong, Mizuki? Are you alright?”

She tenderly looks over and chuckles, wiping another tear that managed to escape.

“It’s nothing, really. I just always wondered what it would be like to go dress shopping with a daughter…” she looks down at her hands, wringing them deep in thought. “My sons are wonderful, and I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world, but I always loved shopping with my mother, even if it was buying a mere hair accessory. Her calling me beautiful... and, I don’t know...it kind of felt like that for a moment.”

She looks up at you and smiles. “You haven’t been with us for too long, but I speak for both myself and my sons when I say we are grateful that you’ve been led into our lives.”

You jump off the pedestal and tackle Mizuki into a tight embrace. “I’m glad I came, too.” She hugs you back, and you look at each other, and suddenly burst into laughter at your tear-stained faces.

“Alright, that’s enough baby tears. Now, get on up there so we can see the finishing touches,” she gently urges you. Just as the last details were being made, Yachi comes back, just in time.

She does a dramatic gasp. “Y/n, you look beautiful! It’s like all the stars wanted you to wear them!” She almost drops her snack out of pure shock, but manages to catch it.

Mizuki helps her carry them and agrees. “She’s right y/n. It also matches your locket color perfectly. I can see that it’s important to you, so it’s like both a piece of home and a piece of here going hand in hand.” Even the two women who fitted you were quick to offer their praise.

You look down at your outfit and tenderly put a hand on your locket. “It’s perfect.”

                                  ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The three of you drop Yachi off at her house, and once you were sure she was safely inside, you and Mizuki begin your trek home. There’s a comfortable silence between you two. The stars in the sky were glistening and drowned you in tranquil light.

Mizuki thoughtfully looks over at you. She’s carefully thinking of something she wants to say.

“Is there a story to the locket?”

You stop in your tracks and look up at the stars twinkling above you. The moon’s serene appearance gives you the courage to respond.

“This is the first gift my parents gave me, on their official wedding day. And now it’s the first and last thing I look at every day. It’s one of only things remaining from them that I own.” You look over to find sad eyes.

Mizuki’s eyes were not viewing you in the sense of pity, which you have always gotten for the past year. Instead, she was looking over with the most wholesome look in her eyes, wanting to help and protect you.

That encourages you to go on.

“My mother and father went out on one of their weekly date nights. They liked to go out on Friday nights to get ice cream down the road. They’ve done it since even before they got married. It was normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

You choke up.

“Almost a year ago now. My parents were on their way home. They got hit by a drunk driver. Eleven at night. I open the door to complete strangers telling me that their passing was instant, that there was nothing that could be done. November eleventh was the day that my life fell apart.”

You look up at the stars again.

“My relatives took care of me for the rest of the year. I wallowed in depression. Hardly moving, hardly eating. Hell, it even hurt to breathe. Knowing that my dad wouldn’t pop his head in my room just to tell me a joke to annoy me on purpose. Knowing that my mom wasn’t there to drink tea with me while she told her favorite childhood stories. Knowing that I wouldn’t see them dancing in the kitchen to their cheesy love song. Knowing they weren’t there.”

Your eyes are so clouded with tears your vision is extremely blurry, but you manage to lock eyes with her in understanding.

“My relatives thought it would be a good idea for me to transfer somewhere new for the start of high school. I had always wondered at the beauty of my mother’s home country. The way she would light up whenever she mentioned something as simple as the cherry blossoms floating in the breeze, or how the stars seemed to shine differently. Well, she was right about that,” you chuckle at the thought.

“So here I am, in Japan. Here to discover myself, but more importantly, I’m here for them too. I know they are always watching me from above, but this locket keeps me grounded at times when I need them the most. It reminds me of the times we’ve had. I think of the future they wanted me to strive for, it pushes me forward. I would give anything to heal the heartache, to fill up the emptiness of their missing presence. But I know they want me to be happy. It’s why I was brave enough to travel to a new place I’ve never been to, because in the end, I know I’m not alone. This locket reminds me of all that.”

More comfortable silence follows. Mizuki puts a warm hand on yours.

“Y/n, you are the bravest soul I have ever come to meet. If fate is what brought you here, then I am glad for it. You have such a bright, intelligent, endearing and determined soul. And I know for a fact that your parents are looking down on you right now and are smiling at the sight of their brave little girl persevering the odds. And there is absolutely nothing in this world that could demolish the love your parents have devoted to you. You really are special, y/n, don’t you ever forget that.”

The two of you embrace once more. You check the time, and the lateness caused the slow trek to a brisk walk back home.

It was Eleven o’ clock.

There’s something happening here. I hope you feel what I’m feeling too.

taglist: @jiminslonglostjams @fantasymirror @shewastheriot @lukes-princess @iamthepenguinwhosearseisonfire @its-bnha-babe @desi-studys @shootooooo @noya-senpai-imagines @animefan7420 @anpancari @tsukkx @cadabby @thoebe-fly @it-was-just-a-ship

[defschoice]

The Foreigner Part 3

Youngjae's POV 

Me, Yugyeom, and Bambam are taking care of Crystal until the other boys are back again, hopefully with Jaebeom. Bambam is currently in the shower and Yugyeom is trying to cook some dinner while I'm watching some TV to Crystal's mind off of everything that's going on and that's when I get a call from Jackson...

"Hey Jackson have you found him?" - I said walking a bit away from Crystal

"Yeah that's what I wanted to talk with you about..." - He said sounding scared

"What happened?" - I ask getting worried now as well

"The doctor called and said they have just gotten Jaebeom Hyung in and they want us to come as quick as possible" - He said when I could feel my eyes started to tear up

"Okay, we will be there in 10 minutes. Should we take Crystal with us?" - I asked trying to remain calm

"Idk, we don't know how bad his condition is but if you bring her one of us will have to stay outside with her" - He said as I just said okay and hung up.

I walked over to Yugyeom as Bambam came over as well.

"Jackson just called and Jaebeom is at the hospital. They don't know how bad his condition is but they want us to come as quick as possible, so I'm thinking if me and Bambam head off now then Yugyeom you can feed Crystal and then come afterward, okay?" I said as they nodded their heads when Crystal suddenly stood next to us.

"Is Jaebeom appa okay?" She asked looking at us with her big brown eyes.

"Appa needs our help right now, okay? So me and Bambam will have to go see him and in the meantime, Yugyeom will take good care of you, and then he will bring you to us later, okay princess?" She just nodded her head, I don't think she fully understands what's going on which is good.

Yugyeom's POV

As the boys left I was now alone with Crystal.

"Is appa dead?" Crystal said looking up at me tearing eyes.

"No no appa is alive, don't worry. He just needs a bit of advice from the other boys. I promise you will get to see him soon" I said as she now was sitting on my lap.

"We're going to eat some food and then we will leave to see appa okay?" I said as she just nodded her head.

She started eating some ramen and pork belly while I went to clean the kitchen bit.

"Are you done?" I asked looking at her as she nodded her head.

I walked with her in my arms down to my car.

"Why are we going to the hospital?" She asked tearing up again.

How do I explain this to her?

"Your appa has gotten a small injury but he's okay, don't worry," I said as we arrived and I took her out and we walked inside to be greeted by the other boys so was sitting and waiting.

"Where's Jinyoung?" She asked now fully crying as Jackson went up to take her into his arms.

"Shh it's okay, Jinyoung is in talking with the people who are going to make Jaebeom feel better," I said as she clung to my chest and nodded her head.

A short time after Jinyoung came out and a doctor and a nurse also came out.

"Hello I'm Doctor Jung and this is the Nurse. I want you guys to come with me for a second" He said as we all stood up and he saw Mi Cha with Jackson.

"I will have to kindly ask you to leave your child out here with our nurse as she can't come with you guys in," The doctor said as we looked nervously at each other.

"Sweetie, you'll have to wait out here for a bit, okay?" Jackson said placing her on the chair but she didn't seem to like that idea.

"I want to see appa!!" She screaming jumping up and down when she fell and started crying making a whole tantrum in the hallway.

"You have to wait out here with me and brothers and dad will be back before you know it" The nurse said holding her down as we were told to just go.

We followed the doctor down the hallway and then into a room where Jaebeom was laying hooked up to all kinds of machines. He didn't look good.

"As you can see he's badly injured. We did an x-ray on him to see that his arm is badly sprained and he has hit his head when he reached the ground" The doctor said as we looked at him just laying there breathing lightly.

"How did this happen?" Jackson asked looking at the doctor.

"He was very drunk when he came in and mumbled about the girl out there and cats before he then passed out" The doctor explained as Jinyoung walked over to take Jaebeom's hand.

"Oh Jaebeom..." he said looking at him.

"Is the girl out there his daughter?" The doctor asked.

"Yes, he adopted her a week ago," Jinyoung said smiling a bit while holding Jaebeom's hand.

"She seems to be a lovely girl. How old is she?" He asked looking at us.

"She's 10 but it's been a bit hard for her recently and everything is still a bit confusing for her," Youngjae said looking up at the doctor.

"Well, you can go back to her now if you want," The doctor said leaving the room.

As we came back she was sitting with a lollipop "Uncle Jackson look what I got!" She said running up to him as the nurse just smiled at her.

"Good thing that Yugyeom gave you dinner before you came here," I said kissing her cheek as she smiled leaning into my chest.

"She's an adorable girl. I was looking in her journal and wondering if we could take a few tests on her?" The nurse said as Jackson walked with the nurse.

Jackson's POV

I followed the nurse and walked with Crystal into a room that was decorated for kids.

"Have you seen her journal?" The nurse asked looking at me.

I shook my head as she handed me her journal.

"Name: Seo Yoona

Age: 10

Birthday: September 15th, 2010

Condition: A good and healthy girl but there are a few scars on her back that should be taken care off

Diseases: PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), suffers from anxiety due to abuse when she was younger

Relations: Mum, Dad, and older brother but she was taking away from at a young age"

I handed her the journal back as I just looked at Crystal and smiled.

"So should I just call you Crystal?" I asked as she nodded hiding in my chest.

"It's okay princess she's not going to hurt you," I said sitting her straight up on my lap.

"Okay Crystal I need you to lay on his bed so that I can check you properly," The nurse said as I lifted her up but she just nodded her head as a no.

"Is okay if I lay with her?" I asked looking at the nurse who allowed it.

I laid down on the bed but she still didn't want to come up to me.

"Sir is it okay if I show on you what's going to happen?" She asked as I nodded my head.

"Crystal, look here. I'm going to show you what is going to happen. Okay?" The nurse said as I took my shirt off so she could do it properly.

She started checking my heartbeat which seemed to be fine. Then she took my pulse which was a little high.

"Sir, are you stressed or anything?" She asked looking worried at me.

"I'm a little nervous for my friend," I said as she just nodded her head.

Then she went on to feel my stomach and everything seemed harmless until she reached my hips.

"I'll have to look more into this later on," She said with a little smirk.

"Jackson it looks as to that you're healthy," She said reading and writing in my journal.

"Crystal it's your turn now," I said lifting her up on the bed as the nurse started checking her while I got a shirt on again.

A few minutes after she was done.

"See that wasn't so bad, was it?" I said smiling at Crystal.

"Okay if you go out to the other boys then I'll just talk a bit with the nurse," I said as she nodded her head and ran out to the other boys.

"Now we can start the real check-up," she said smirking slightly while preparing some stuff.

"Jackson if you would take your clothes off and lay on the bed," She said I started removing my clothes.

Jinyoung's POV

After a while, Crystal came running out of a room where to take her up on my lap.

"Where's Jackson?" I asked looking at her.

"He's talking with the nurse," She said leaning her head on my chest yawning.

It's getting late I think it's best if she comes home again and gets some sleep.

"Mark and Youngjae can't you take Crystal home and make sure she gets some sleep?" I said as they nodded and Mark went over to her up in his arms.

Sometime after Mark and Youngjae had left two doctors came walking out with Jaebeom supporting him on each side.

"I will get him a wheelchair and then he's ready to go home. He just needs to take it to slow the next few days" The doctor said leaving for then to come back with a wheelchair.

"Have a save trip home" He said as we started walking when Jaebeom suddenly asked, "Where's Jackson?" As he looked at all of us.

That's right, the last time I saw him he went with Crystal in for a check-up. Damn it I can't even ask her what happened in there.

"I will go look for him," I said as I went into the room he went into with Crystal at first, only to see him shirtless tied to a chair. 

"Jackson wtf are you doing? Let's go. They have released Jaebeom" I said tying him up from the chair as he took his shirt and we went out when a nurse came up to him. 

"Where are you going, Jacky?" She asked putting her hand on his chest obviously flirting with him which we don't have time to right now. 

"Jackson needs to leave now and he won't be coming back," I said taking his hand dragging him with me to the others as we left the hospital. 

Mark's POV 

As we arrived at our dorm I took Crystal out of her child seat when she started screaming and a short time after Youngjae came running down as he was up in the dorm with some stuff. 

"What's happening?" He asked looking worried as he took Crystal over in his arms and he leaned into his chest grabbing onto him. 

"Let's go up and get you in bed," He said walking up in the dorm with her. 

I just want to be close to her as well as the other boys are...

[songtoyou]

Chapter Three: Need The Sun To Break

Would You Call That Love

Pairing: Chris Evans x Raina Morrison (OC)

Rating: PG to PG-13 (Might be 18+ for some chapters)

Description: There was always that one person Chris Evans tended to turn to when he was not in a committed relationship, Raina Morrison. He could confide in her about things going on in his life that he did not feel comfortable talking to his family or close friends about. Chris and Raina were able to establish a way to openly communicate with one another, but also being respectful of the other’s time and needs. It was the only constant “relationship” he had, but without all the nonsense of trying to build a life together. A “friends with benefits” situation. However, what happens when Chris starts rethinking his “relationship” with Raina and if either are willing to pursue something more?

Chapter Rating: PG

Warnings: Mentions the death of a loved one.

Word Count: 3,161

Author’s Note: This chapter was tough, particularly the beginning, since it is very emotional. I hope this chapter provides a little bit more insight into who Raina is as a person. 

Feedback is always welcomed. If you want to be tagged, please let me know.

Sadly, I do not know Chris Evans or anyone in his family, and this is just a fictional take on his life. I do not permit this fic to be reposted on other platforms.  

Again, thanks to @southerngracela​ for the support.

*Note: Updated for edits on grammar and punctuation.

September 26, 2010

Returning to the home ground after their loss to the New York Jets, the New England Patriots were looking to rebound with a win against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots were able to score a 7-yeard touchdown thanks to the star quarterback, Tom Brady. Anyone from New England loved Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. He was their golden boy, despite not even being from the area. A west coaster who grew up in California could melt the hearts of any contemptuous New Englander. 

For Chris Evens, just saying the name ‘Tom Brady’ around him would result in him turning into a blushing schoolgirl. Tom brought pride back the Patriots with six Superbowl championships, nine Conference championships, and seventeen Division championships. For any New Englander, it was a feeling they were going to hold onto and cherish.

“Go…go…go…YES!!” Chris cheered as he got up from his couch to cheer Tom Brady’s second touchdown.

“What happened?” asked Scott as he rushed back from the kitchen when he heard Chris celebrating.

“Brady just scored a TD,” replied Chris.

“Fuck! I mean, yes! This is the last time I get up to get you a beer from the fridge. You get them yourselves from now on. Another commercial! Give me a break.” Scott scolded, taking his seat next to Chris on the couch. 

“The Pats need to win this. The team has already lost to the New York Giants and Jets. If they lose to the Bills, then Raina will never let me hear the end of it. She loves to gloat and rub it in my face whenever New York wins anything,” Chris shared as he took a sip of his beer.

Scott was aware of how Chris would essentially light up or blush whenever he talked about Raina. One had to pay attention, or it would not be visible, but Scott was a master at reading his brother’s body language and emotions.

“Speaking of our favorite chanteuse, you ever going to ask her out, or are you just going to pine for the rest of your life?” asked Scott bluntly. He was never one to beat around the bush when getting information, especially with his older brother. 

“What are you talking about? Raina and I are just friends. Good friends. Men and women can be friends. Just like Tara and me,” Chris defended strongly, “Why are you always pushing this narrative that I like Raina more than merely a friend?”

“Because you do. I can see it. Ma can see it. Shanna and Carly see it. Blind people see it,” Scott proceeded to enlighten Chris. 

Chris scoffed and reiterated as calmly as he could to Scott, “Okay, hold up. Do you guys just sit around and gossip about Raina and me? We are friends! That’s it! Nothing more, nothing less.” 

When the game returned from commercial break, Chris’s phone rang. He was inclined to ignore it, but when he saw it was from Raina, he answered.

“Speaking of Raina, here she is calling, probably to talk smack about the game. ‘Hello?’” Chris spoke into his phone happily. However, his mood changed when he heard sobs on the other end.

“Rai, what’s wrong? What happened?” Chris asked, concerned as he sat up straighter.

Scott perked up and asked, “What’s going on?”

Chris merely shrugged and asked Raina again, “What’s going on? Are you okay? Talk to me!”

When she was able to catch her breath, Raina cried out, “My mom died.”

“WHAT!” Chris yelled, jumping up from the couch and began pacing back and forth in his living room. Scott straightened up and watched Chris intently in the hope of finding out what is going on with their close friend.

“She died last night… in the hospital. It was a heart attack,” Raina choked out as best as she could while crying over the death of her mother, “We thought it was just the flu. She was feeling well all day…throwing up…not looking great. My dad called the paramedics, and when they got to the house, they told us that it was just the flu and that it would best not take mom in as she would only be waiting in the ER. But then we had to call them back an hour later because she got worse. She was barely incoherent and was drooling,” Raina stopped to catch her breath and sob but went on to share, “It was awful, Chris. You should have seen the look on the paramedics’ faces when they came back and saw her condition. You could see that they realized they fucked up. Oh my God! My mom is dead, Chris. What am I going to do?” 

Chris was at a loss for words. He had no idea what to say or what to do. All Chris could do was listen to her desperate sobs. It was not long before he felt tears begin to sting his eyes. Chris sat down at the dining room table, put his head in his free hand, and cried along with his best friend. 

July 24, 2019

“Only one more night to go. You excited, kid?” asked Jerry, Raina’s manager, as he sat on the couch in her dressing room. She was on break from rehearsals. 

“I go back and forth between wanting to throw-up to crying. I am not quite sure if it is crying out of joy or because I am so nervous,” she revealed honestly.

“What do you have to be nervous about? You have done this show a bunch of times. You have gotten raved reviews from the workshops and the previews. You are going to kill it,” said Jerry and continued with, “When are you going to realize that you are one of the best performers out of your peers? Hell, Variety magazine referred to you as the ‘the best vocalist of her generation.’ That is a huge praise. You wouldn’t have come this far if people thought you didn’t have what people call ‘it.’ You’re no flash in the pan, kid.”

“Thank you, Jerry. I love you; you know that. I am so lucky to have you in my corner,” Raina replied with a smile, but then asked, “What am I going to do when you leave me, though? Who am I going to get to watch out for me?”

“That is not something you have to worry about today. I am not going anywhere, Raina. You talk to your dad lately?”

“Uh…yeah. He’s doing alright,” Raina said as she sat down next to Jerry on the couch and shared that her dad was coming to see the show.

“Wow! No offense, but I am surprised he is leaving Long Island to come to see the show.”

“You and me both. Dad is making a trip the week of his birthday in August. I think I am going to ask Chris to join, if he can, that is. He and my dad have always gotten along, and I am sure both would be happy to get to see each other….and why are you giving me that look, Jerry?” asked Raina curiously.

Jerry just chuckled and shook his head, “Nothing, little one. I am simply happy that you and Chris have managed to stay friends for this long. Just friends, right?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Raina responded, “Just come out and say what you want to say, Jerry. Lay it on me. Don’t hold back now.”

“Okay. Have you ever thought about being more than friends with Chris?”

Taking a deep breath in and letting out, Raina contemplated her thoughts about Chris. Had she ever thought about being more than friends with Chris? Technically, they were more than friends. They started a friend with benefits relationship five years ago, but no one knew about it, especially people in their inner circles. Their relationship was just for them without the fear of anyone’s judgment and scrutiny.

She got a taste of that when she dated Tom Hiddleston back in 2016. Neither fully comprehended how much their coupling would turn their worlds upside down. The media frenzy was something she and Tom had never experienced. For some reason, people could not wrap their heads around the notion that this English actor who was posh and well-educated would date a songstress from New York who had a reputation of being reserved and reclusive. It did not help when both fandoms got involved in the mix. Tom’s fans were brutal in their critiques of Raina. If they were not ragging on her clothes, hair, or overall looks, they were ragging on her music or personality. Social media allowed people to smear Raina’s reputation to the extreme. 

None of this she blamed on Tom as there was not much she could do. She knew he did not condone the horrid behavior of some of his fans. However, there was a small part where Raina wished he said something to get them to back off during that time. It was an eye-opening experience for Raina in certain areas but mostly left her confused about what she wanted in a partner. 

With Chris, their friendship grew naturally. It was as if the universe intervened and made sure these two individuals were important fixtures in each other’s lives.

“Jerry, you know better than anyone that if you find a real friend in this business, then you hold on to them. That is all I am going to say on this matter.”

Jerry put his hands up in surrender, “Fair enough. I trust you know what you are doing, kid.”

Later that night, while Raina was lounging on her couch in her penthouse, she went through the text exchange she had with Chris throughout the day. 

1:30 p.m.

Chris: We’ve landed. After we get our bags, we’re going to head to the hotel. 

2:45 p.m.

Raina: Hey, been super busy with interviews and last-minute rehearsals this morning and afternoon. Glad you guys made it safely. Where are you guys staying?

Chris: The Frederick Hotel.

Raina: That is a nice hotel. Not far from where I live too. Only a few blocks away from each other. Do you all want to come over for a nightcap?

Chris: Shouldn’t you be resting up for tomorrow?

Raina: Please, no amount of rest will help ease my worries. Murphy’s Law, remember. If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. I guess I just have to accept that some things are out of my control. 

Chris: You got nothing to worry about.

Raina. I have to get back to rehearsals. Talk to you later. Bye.

6:30 p.m.

Chris: You home yet?

Raina: Yeah. What are you guys up to?

Chris: Getting ready to head out to dinner at Serafina. Do you want to come along to join us?

Raina: Thanks, but not tonight. It’d be best for me to take it easy for the rest of the night.

Chris: Gotcha. Do you mind if I stop by later? 

Raina: If you plan on stopping by, then can you please bring me some takeout please?

Chris: What do you want?

By eight o’clock, Chris was sitting on Raina’s couch scrolling through Netflix while she ate the minestrone he brought from the restaurant. 

“Goddamn, this soup is good. What did you eat?” Raina asked as she continued to slurp her soup.

“Cacio e Pepe. Then the three of us split dessert. Well, mom and Scott ate most of it. You know I’m not a dessert person,” informed Chris and continued with, “What do you want to watch and please don’t say Gilmore Girls. You know I can’t stand that show.”

“Don’t hate on Gilmore Girls.”

“Uh…you hate on Gilmore Girls all the time. If you can’t stand them so much, then why do you watch it?” asked Chris.

“Because, despite all of its flaws, the show has a lot of heart. No, don’t pick Schitt’s Creek. You haven’t seen it yet, and we need to do a proper marathon viewing party. No, not Friends or The Office. I’m not in the mood to watch Parks and Recreation. Ooh, Derry Girls! Pick that one,” ordered Raina.

When Raina finished her dinner, she got up to put her bowl in the kitchen sink and asked Chris if he wanted something to drink. 

“Just water.”

Opening the fridge to retrieve two bottles of water, she saw the gift she got from Chris nestled on the top shelf. It brought a smile to her face seeing the gift box. While she did open the box to see what was inside, she had yet to open the fortune cookie.

“Thanks for the gift. The fortune cookie looks good. I can’t wait to eat it,” said Raina as he handed Chris his bottled water.

He took the water from and replied,” Oh, you haven’t opened the fortune yet?”

“Nah, I was gonna wait until you got here.”

The message that Chris included in the gift was still very much on his mind. He was continually wondering how Raina would perceive it. Would she be happy? Mad? Upset? It was driving him mad, not knowing.

“Maybe you should open it now?” Chris suggested hesitantly. 

“Yeah, sure. Can you get it? I’m going to brush my teeth. I need to get the minestrone taste out of my mouth.”

Raina sprinted from the couch to the stairs as Chris slowly stood up from the sofa. He continued his slow pace to the kitchen and opened the fridge to take out the top shelf’s gift box. As Chris stared at the box, he realized that the content of what was inside could change his relationship with Raina forever. It could bring them closer or put distance between them.

“All you have to do is be honest. Just be honest about your feelings. Even if Raina doesn’t feel the same way, she won’t drop you as friends. You mean a lot to her, and she values her friendship with you,” the voice in Chris’s head reassured. 

The sound of excited clapping broke Chris out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see Raina skipping over to him happily. He pushed the box towards Raina, and she began opening it. She carefully pulled out the fortune cookie, which was wrapped in a clear plastic bag. Slowly opening the plastic, she pulled out the cookie and placed it on the clean counter. 

“Oh my God. It’s so pretty. A chocolate lover’s dream,” she admired and hugged Chris.

“You’re welcome, my little cookie monster.”

“I almost don’t want to ruin it.”

“Well, you going to have to see my message inside,” Chris told her.

“Oh right, there would be a message inside it. I was too amazed by its beauty that I forgot about that part,” said Raina and began to break the fortune cookie in half. 

Before she could read the message, Chris spoke up, “Raina, wait! Before you read that, just…” 

However, she proceeded to read the message before Chris get his words out. He could not breathe while she read and stared intently at her as he mouthed the words he wrote. 

Lips trembling and eyes watering from the tears about the form, Raina immediately hugged Chris. He was shocked at first but instantly hugged her back. 

When pulling back, she said, “Thank you. This is so sweet,” wiping the tears from her eyes, Raina continued, “I’m going to keep this forever. I’m going to frame it one of those fireproof picture frames, you know. Or the one that is used to hold the U.S. Constitution. I’m going to get one of those, and this will go in it.”

She went in for another hug and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Raina took a piece of the fortune cookie and popped it into her mouth. “Alright, I’m going to put this in a safe place so that it won’t get ruined. I’ll be right back.”

 Chris stared at her retreating back and was left confused. That was not how he expected it to go down. “You were worried she’d be upset. She was happy. More than happy. But did she get the underlying meaning of his words?” Chris’s inner voice asked himself. 

The relationship between Chris and Raina was so blurred that she could not see a declaration of love when it was literal in front of her. However, Chris could not blame her for not being able to read between the lines. She had so much on her plate at the moment that maybe she was able to process his words. 

“Okay, I placed it in a clear file holder so nothing can spill on it,” said Raina when she came back into the kitchen area and asked Chris if he was okay when she saw a worrying look on his face. 

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m glad you liked your gift. You deserved it. I should start heading out. You need your rest for tomorrow, and I don’t want to keep you up.”

Raina was taken back by his sudden change in demeanor. She noticed he looked a little sad and defeated for some reason. “You don’t have to leave just yet. I mean we can still watch some TV and relax. You okay, Chris? She asked again.

“I’m good. Tired is all. It’s been a long day.”

Raina nodded and followed Chris to the front door. “Chris,” she spoke and looked at him. His ocean blue eyes were one of her favorite things about him. Often, she could find herself lost in staring at them. Reaching out the tenderly grab his face, she placed a kiss on his lips. It did not take long for Chris to reciprocate. He pulled Raina closer to wrap his arms around her. Opening her mouth to allow his tongue inside, she allowed Chris to take the lead. 

Raina slowly began to walk them both back over to the living area, but Chris proceeded to step back. 

“I should go. I don’t think it would be a good idea if we, we shouldn’t…not tonight,” Chris professed, although it killed him to turn her down. Chris wanted nothing more than to stay the night. 

Feeling a little defeated, Raina nodded and said, “Okay. I understand.”

Reaching for the door handle, Chris said, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep tight.”

With a small smile on her face, Raina countered with, “See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Christopher.”

“Goodnight, Raina,” he said, but Raina could hear a hint of sadness in his voice, and she for the life of her could not understand why. 

When Chris finally left, Raina went back into the kitchen and put away the fortune cookie. 

“I love you too, Chris. More than you realize,” Raina said to herself. Once again, she could feel tears about to form. 

“It’s going to be a long and sleepless night,” she said to herself as she prepared to get ready for bed.

[editorialsonlife]

Chilling on a midday train because I have to head home to get an X-ray which is sweet so I figured I’d post a life update here since I haven’t for a while.

Finally went back to the doctor last week for my stupid ribs. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor for the last four weeks and while my back and neck function is great (who knew it was so tight?!) my ribs are still so fucking painful I can’t roll over at night in bed or sleep on my side. Having now exhausted the tier one options, we’re moving onto tier two (specialists etc) to see what they’ve got going on. So xrays today, ultrasound later on and then the musculo skeletal specialist after that once I’ve been referred on. Hopefully it doesn’t take too long.

I’ve also organised another hormone retest because one of the things that’s become apparent over the last three months is how shocking my anxiety and energy levels are around my period. It’s been quite eye opening to see just how bad it is even if the physical symptoms have chilled out a bit over the last year probably. So that should arrive this week and do the test in the middle of the next cycle and get the results in a month so maybe six weeks away before we know where we stand with that.

Dave and I have finally been tackling some house projects again lately which has been awesome. We’ve been waterblasting the drive and pruning trees and having a decent clear out of all the accumulated junk and rubbish and FINALLY got rid of the last of the recycling from lockdown which was a momentous occasion. It’s nice to be back to doing things again and feeling connected. Sex still isn’t quite happening yet but we’ll get there anyway.

And I guess underpinning all of this is just consistent self care and managing myself which is ridiculous but also what’s been needing to happen. I had my first relatively anxiety free week in I don’t even know how long last week, and it was such a relief. Weekly counselling has been good for staying on top of stuff and managing all the shit that’s been going on and messing with my brain. Anne has been harping in about fight or flight and then shutdown mode and how hard it is to go back to social connection mode when you’re in shutdown and I’ve kind of just been nodding along like yeah whatever and then a week like this happens and it’s like, oh, this is what it means for my entire body not to be in hyperdrive right now, or even further and in shut down mode. It’s kind of amazing.

I still don’t know what the rhyme or reason is for snapping out of it though. I don’t know why this week in particular my brain and body have decided it’s ok to relax again. But oh my god am I ever grateful for it. It’s such a novelty to have capacity to do shit again and not feel like I’m trying to swim against a rip the whole time. I’ve also been taking stress care and magnesium consistently which I have no doubt they’re helping infinitely. Need to find some time to go and book in another float as well. Gunna be so sad when I run out of all my stacked up ones in a few months.

Dave and I have made some progress on wedding 2.0 since we need to get the families back on board somehow. So we’re off to see two venues this week and next but I’m pretty sure we’ve settled on what we’re doing and where it’ll be - just need to check it looks as good as the photos online basically. Still unsure how I feel about it all but also don’t really have much of an option either way so it is what it is. Stupid covid ruining our stupid wedding. So fucking cheated.

And finally, we’re off to Auckland for a week to have a fake Melbourne trip and just hang out and see something different in August which will be good. Melbourne is definitely off the cards this year so that’s done and dusted and it doesn’t sound like the islands will be opening up either which sucks. So Auckland it is! Hoping to get good weather and maybe go see some of the beaches and get out of the city while we’re up there and I’m gunna try book us a beach break sometime in September/October as well to get some nature in. Not sure where I’ll land with my goal to save $5k (thanks medical costs) but anyway, we’ll keep pushing for it.

I’m just so grateful to have the resources and flexibility to manage all of this. Like, without my pay check I couldn’t get all this medical shit done, I couldn’t afford counselling, I couldn’t be taking all the supplements etc that I do. And having a job with the flexibility to leave the office whenever I need (within reason) is great. And I’m so grateful for it.

Also in love with the weather we’ve been having this week even if it is unseasonable and weird. But man it’s good to have some sunshine and clear days and crisp cold nights. Although 0 degrees was a bit harsh walking to the station this morning I must confess.

It’s just so nice to feel on an even keel again. Part of me is like DO ALL THE THINGS WE MUST CAPITALISE ON THIS and another part is just like TAKE A BREATH AND ENJOY IT MATE DONT RUSH THROUGH THIS. I’m glad that currently the take a breath side is winning. It’s been so long. SO LONG. and I don’t know how long it will last or when it will go back but man, is it ever just fucking nice to exist for a while. So so so nice.

[melonkooky]

the art of love [kim taehyung]

not requested

word count: 3576

genre: art school/college!au, taehyung x female reader (mainly 3rd person), fluff

warnings: no warnings 😊😊

author’s note: decided to enter into @btsboulangerie‘s september prompt contest. i’ve been working on this the past few weeks since september started. i know it’s early and there’s still a few weeks before the deadline but i just thought i’d put it out there (mainly because i might forget to post it). also, i’m apologizing in advance for any grammar or spelling mistakes that i didn’t catch!! 

please do not copy my work. but please like and reblog it. thank you!!!!

taehyung raised a soft, half-asleep hand up to his face in order to rub the sleep from his eyes. he yawned in the process, soft sigh falling past his pink lips. he was exhausted to say the least, but that was because he had stayed up majority of his night finishing his most recent project.

it was a painting. he was attempting to mimic vincent van gogh’s style of art and integrating it with his own style. it was a simple painting of some buildings that he took a picture of while he was vacationing with his family a year ago in the united kingdom.

the painting was being held in his other hand as it was due today. taehyung walked onto the school campus, not expecting a lot to happen. but he noticed a small crowd of his fellow art students. it was hard to see as they were forming an uneven semi-circle directly in front of a brick wall. it was near the entrance.

quite intrigued by the matter, the tired look in his eyes vanished and his curiosity was peaked. being extra cautious of his painting, taehyung maneuvered through the crowd of students, mumbling tiny “excuse me”s every so often. finally, he reached the front and got a good view of what every was gawking at.

taehyung had to crane his neck back in order to get the full picture of what he was looking at, literally. he was close to the wall. at first, he noticed the shade of purple that was used. obviously it was graffiti, judging by the unique style of letters. it was a statement, a quote, that had been spray painted onto the brick wall. it read: “be the change you want to see in the world.” taehyung shyly smiled. he believed strongly in that quote.

after admiring the artwork on the wall, one that he knew would for sure anger the professors, he was about to turn around when his ears caught wind of some conversations.

“i wonder who did this…”

“it’s so pretty.”

“imagine mr. khan’s face when he sees this.”

taehyung also wondered who had done this. he was intrigued, drawn to the unique style of art, and the choice of canvas. still, he had to get to class.

taehyung forced himself through the crowd once more, checking to make sure that his piece of art hadn’t been ruined or contaminated in any way. once he was sure that it was fine, he hurried into the building, excited to get to class. taehyung had always admired art, it was a passion of his. for as long as he could remember, he would use whatever writing utensil he could find and draw on whatever was in front of him. his mom would always get mad at him when it happened to be a black pen and a placemat at the dining table. sometimes it would even be crayon on the walls. but with all the practice, taehyung’s art majorly improved. he loved how beautiful art was, and he always admired the deep, hidden meaning that some of the pieces had.

taehyung walked into the classroom, the life-changing quote still in his mind. that’s how to start a good day, he thought.

upon walking to his seat, he noticed that the classroom was completely empty. he was a bit early, he noticed when he pulled out his phone to look at the time. but, as he glanced around the vacant classroom, he noticed that there was a girl over in the corner. a section of her hair fell onto the side of her face while she used a pencil to seemingly shade something in. her eyes were trained onto the paper, not even leaving her sketchbook as her free hand came up to brush the section of hair behind her ear. she looked beautiful.

suddenly, she glanced upward, nearly giving taehyung a heart attack. he gasped. strange noises left his mouth as his cheeks changed from their typical sunkissed, golden color to a deep, cherry red. the girl remained staring at him, looking at innocent as ever. “h-hey.” taehyung finally managed to say, hesitantly moving around a few tables to get closer to her table.

“hi.” she replied, eyebrows raised slightly.

taehyung’s hand moved to the back of his neck. “sorry for staring.”

she blushed, a shy smile coming to her face. “it’s okay. you probably were just surprised to find someone else in here.”

or because you were absolutely beautiful…

taehyung cleared his throat. “yeah.”

suddenly, she glanced downward. “is that your project?”

taehyung’s eyes widened, cheeks red once more. he smiled proudly and help up his painting to her. “yeah. my reference was a picture i took when i was in england.”

her eyes were wide with amazement. taehyung noticed a particular sparkle in her eye, and he couldn’t help but feel even prouder. she seemed genuinely amazed at his piece of artwork. “wow!” she said quietly while running the tips of her fingers along each stroke. “it’s beautiful. so unique.”

taehyung grinned. “thank you!” then he glanced around. “do you have your final project?”

she looked down at her sketchbook before gasping suddenly. before taehyung could even blink, she was flipping her sketchbook over, causing her pencil to fling off of the table and onto the floor. when taehyung looked at the pencil, then her sketchbook, and then back at her face, she was bright red in color. taehyung’s eyes widened. “are you okay?”

“uh… yeah.”

she flashed taehyung an unconvincing smile, but taehyung didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. then, he bent down, picking up the stray pencil, and then handed it back to her, a smile on his face as he did so. “well, then.” he laughed shyly. “i’ll see you around i guess.”

she was still blushing, and seemed extremely flustered, but she still managed to say, “see ya.”

----

you sighed in relief as you watched his back while he walked away from you. your heart was still pounding against your ribcage, and your face still felt hot. once he was sitting down in his seat and became distracted by his phone, you flipped over sketchbook and found that you had accidentally creased a corner of the paper. it wasn’t too bad, but it still made your pout slightly. after one glance at your fellow art student, you picked up your pencil and continued sketching.

----

taehyung was proud that the teacher liked his painting. every time he looked at it, he remembered the countless amount of minutes he had spent on it, how he painstakingly painted each stroke. careful not to make any mistakes. his hard work paid off, he got a 100%.

after class, taehyung was ready to go back to his dorm. he planned on calling his parents and asking them if he could visit on the weekend and give them his painting.

while standing up from his seat, just after the bell rang, taehyung glanced behind his shoulder, catching a glimpse of the girl he had met earlier. for a split second, he wondered why he had never seen her before. but his question was quickly answered. she sat in the very back corner of the classroom, an entire desk - that could fit four people total - all to herself. she was also extremely quiet and mainly kept to herself.

taehyung felt like he was very similar to her. he did have friends that attended this college, but they had completely different majors, therefore, he didn’t have any friends in his art class.

the young art student glanced back over in her direction, only he caught her looking at him. surprised by that, taehyung looked away, feeling all of his blood rush to his cheeks. his hands froze, being in the middle of packing his sketchbook into his backpack. he wanted to look at her again, to see if she was still looking. so he did, only she wasn’t there anymore. she disappeared, as if nobody was there to begin with.

his shoulders relaxed, but his heart sunk. a strange feeling.

----

the next day, taehyung showed up at the same time. he wondered if she would be there already, just like yesterday. he was actually really looking forward to seeing her again, and he was wondering if he should try talking to her again. as he walked towards the building, he noticed that a few janitors of the school were working on cleaning the purple graffitied wall, although they had hardly made any progress. he felt the corner of his mouth tug upwards as he walked by, just as he slipped into the building.

the door to the art classroom soon came into view. as he approached the entry to the classroom, taehyung grew nervous. there was nothing stopping him, he had no reason to turn away and come back later. and yet, here was was actually considering it. why was he so nervous? he loved meeting new people, he loved making friends. taehyung found it easy and enjoyable.

taehyung shook his head, as if to shake away all his anxiety. with a deep, calming inhale, he grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. he looked around, finding the classroom empty once again, with the exception of the quiet, artistic girl sitting in the corner.

taehyung stopped, time seemingly to follow his en suite. the morning sun coming in through the tall windows was enough light for the classroom, and while it enveloped everything in a golden ray of light, taehyung easily took in the scene of her in front of him. how the sun gave her skin a mesmerizing golden hue, how he allowed him to see all of her. taehyung was falling in love.

the girl looked up, her beautiful eyes meeting his own. when she recognized who it was, she quickly turned a page in her sketchbook, attempting to hide her sketch. taehyung didn’t necessarily notice, his mind was far too occupied to think.

taehyung came out of his trance, his cheeks burning. he swallowed hard. “h-hi.” he spoke nervously.

the girl blushed as well, although it was hardly noticeable underneath the sun’s glow. “h-hey.” she replied.

taehyung walked closer to her desk. he kept his gaze away from her eyes, her face. he was too worried about how he had basically stared at her for a solid minute. “i noticed that you sit here by yourself.”

she nodded, a shy smile on her face. “yeah. i don’t have any friends in this class.”

taehyung felt himself smile. “yeah, me too.”

a silence fell between them, and it pained taehyung. what else should he say?

“um, do you mind if i sit with you? that way you won’t be alone.”

her eyes widened, her blush coming back. “yeah, yeah, go ahead.” she gestured to the seat across from her.

taehyung felt his heart skip a beat. she was so nice, and kind. it was hurting taehyung. he smiled as he pulled out the seat across from her, placing his backpack in the empty chair next to him. “so,” he said, pulling his sketchbook out of his backpack. “did you see the graffiti outside, by the entrance?”

she looked up, having started to doodle variations of flowers on the corner of the blank piece of paper. “o-oh, that. yeah, i did.”

“i wonder who did it.” he paused. “i liked the message, a lot actually. it’s always been my favorite quote.”

she smiled, “me too.”

“do you have an idea of who did it?”

the girl seemed to avoid his gaze. her eyes were trained on something outside the window now. taehyung stared at her, waiting patiently for an answer. she cleared her throat, “about that… that graffiti was actually me.”

taehyung’s eyes widened. “wait, that was you?”

she nodded.

a wide grin showed on taehyung’s face. “wow! you’re just good at all forms of art, aren’t you? graffiti, painting, sketching-”

she blushed as taehyung complimented her. “although, i wouldn’t say i can watercolor.”

taehyung laughed. “yeah, i have problems with watercolors too. it’s either too dry or too watery and then i can’t really blend or overlap or get the right color, so in the end, it’s just a mess.”

“exactly!” she agreed loudly.

“you know,” taehyung began, still laughing slightly, “i don’t know your name.”

“it’s y/n.”

taehyung smiled and reached his hand out. she gently took it, another blush coming to her cheeks. “taehyung.”

until the art professor arrived, taehyung and y/n talked about many other things, finding that they had a lot of things in common. and on the things that they didn’t agree with, they would playfully argue, and it only brought them closer together.

after class, before y/n could leave, taehyung called out to her. he quickly swung his around, reaching for her arm in order to stop her from walking away any further. she gasped in surprise, cheeks turning a bright red. taehyung himself was surprised. his cheeks gradually began to match hers. he coughed into his fist, releasing her arm. “sorry, i just had a question.”

she smiled at him. “yeah?”

“do you want to get lunch right now?”

she grinned widely. “that sounds nice. where do you want to go?”

“that’s a good question.” he replied, a shy laugh following after.

“how about…”

taehyung watched as her gaze moved around the room. she was thinking, trying to think of a place to eat at. the aspiring artist seemed to space out as he studied her, wondering how she managed to look so cute, because suddenly, she was waving her hand in front of his face. “taehyung?” the way she said his name caused his heart to skip a beat.

“sorry.”

“i said what about [restaurant name]?”

“yeah, that sounds wonderful.”

----

“i have another question.” taehyung spoke, swallowing his bite of noodles.

y/n looked up at him, attempting to slurp her noodles faster so that she could give him her full attention. “hm?” she managed to say.

“why did you flip your sketchbook over so fast? you were so flustered by it.”

y/n almost choked on her noodles. she hurriedly swallowed her bite, sitting up straighter. she prayed silently that her cheeks weren’t as red as the booth they were currently sitting in. “why do you ask?”

taehyung shrugged. “i don’t mean to pry. i’m just curious.”

“are you sure you want to know?” she asked him.

a weird, fuzzy anticipating feeling erupted in taehyung’s stomach. “yeah.”

she seemed hesitant, and taehyung wondered if he was making her feel uncomfortable. he surely didn’t want that.

y/n reached next to her and opened her backpack. she pulled out the sketchbook that taehyung was talking about. after she pushed aside her half-empty bull of ramen and made room to set down her sketchbook, she looked at taehyung. “please don’t feel weirded out by my drawings.”

taehyung’s eyebrows furrowed. he started to picture what he was going to see, both appropriate and inappropriate. he felt his cheeks heat up at the thought of inappropriate sketches.

slowly, she turned over the cover, allowing taehyung to see the first page. the first page was not what he was imagining. instead of nude drawings, there were sketches of birds, ones that he’s seen many times on campus. “wow.” he whispered, a smile on his face.

she continued. the next page was of a few realistic faces, some of the students he’s also seen in classes and on campus. a few pages later, he saw the rough draft of the graffiti on the wall. he spotted the written note in the top corner, reminding y/n to use the color purple.

“this is where it gets weird.” she warned.

taehyung didn’t understand. why was she being so shy? she drew amazing sketches and pictures, so realistic that it almost looked like they were just simply black and white photos.

y/n turned over the page, revealing a sketch that shocked taehyung. it was a picture of him, talking to one of his friends from another class. he was surprised how much detail she drew; the box-shaped smile, squinted eyes as he grinned, the shading on his face, everything about it wasn’t able to be described in words.

another page was turned and he recognized himself again, this time sitting in his chair in the classroom, drawing in his sketchbook. taehyung was in awe.

he glanced up at y/n, finding that she wouldn’t meet his eyes. her cheeks were still red, now matching the red used on the booths. taehyung’s jaw was hanging open and his eyes were wide. he definitely was in love.

seeing his reaction, y/n felt shy. she felt the need to slam her sketchbook closed and run out of the restaurant, away from taehyung. but she also felt a burst of confidence in her work. he didn’t seem disgusted or weirded out from her drawings of him. she often times felt like a stalker, convinced that he would never notice her.

but taehyung, he was in love. “wow, these are amazing.” he managed to say.

she smiled, “really?”

he nodded. “i could never match this skill.”

“you’re not, like, disgusted by me watching you and drawing you in my sketchbook?”

taehyung blushed. “not at all. i’m just surprised, and amazed.”

“taehyung,” she spoke quietly, “i don’t know when it began, perhaps it started on the first day of school when you first walked into the classroom, but, i like you. a lot.”

taehyung’s jaw dropped again. his cheeks were bright red, looking like someone has attached two giant apples to his face.

she giggled in response, afterwards biting her lower lip.

“i must be dreaming.” taehyung whispered. “i like you too.”

y/n smiled happily. “that’s a relief.”

“can i have your number?” taehyung asked shyly.

y/n nodded. she grabbed her phone from her backpack and handed it to taehyung, who put his own number into his phone. “you should probably text me, so that i know it’s you.”

taehyung grabbed his phone, just as the screen lit up. it was a message from an unknown number, but he easily recognized who it was from. it was obvious given the moment. it was a simple heart emoji, and taehyung swore he stopped breathing when he looked at her again.

----

months later

y/n cursed to herself as she glared at the painting in front of her. she had managed to mix the wrong color and in return, it ruined part of her painting. she needed to fix it. the only issue was, she had mixed that color in the first place because the white acrylic paint bottle had gone missing. she thought that she wouldn’t need it, but boy did she thought wrong.

with a sigh, y/n stood up from her stool. taehyung glanced over from y/n’s bed, attention pulled away from his phone. he had a small, mischievous grin on his face. y/n hadn’t noticed.

“what’s wrong, babe?”

y/n glanced at her boyfriend. she gestured vaguely to her painting as she walked over to the shelf across the room where all her art supplies were located at. she wondered if she had left the white paint bottle there by accident. “i messed up.”

taehyung watched eagerly. you wandered over to your art shelf and began moving things around, taking a random box off the shelf, searching through it, and then putting it back with a huff. you would check the same spots again and again, until your gaze gradually traveled up the rather tall shelf. and there, as the only item on that shelf because you couldn’t reach it, was the white acrylic paint bottle.

you heard a stifled laugh from the opposite corner of the room. you didn’t even need that sound to tell you who had done this. you turned around, an angry glare on your face. “kim taehyung.”

he finally released his cackle. he definitely was not holding back, and he was clearly enjoying this. “what’s wrong?” he asked while feigning innocence.

“you know what’s wrong.”

taehyung hopped off the bed, doing a slight skip afterwards, and then walked over to your side. he glanced up, a grin still seen on his face. “did i do that?”

you rolled your eyes. you shifted all of your weight on one leg before crossing both of your arms over your chest. “can you please get that down?”

taehyung reached up, easily grabbing the bottle, only he didn’t give it to you. instead, he opted to hold it up on the air. you groaned, “taehyung!”

“i need a reward.” he suggested.

you blushed slightly. “for grabbing the bottle that you put up there…”

taehyung wrapped his free arm around your waist, pulling you closer into his side. his lips were puckered out, and you were feeling yourself slipping. why did he have to be so damn cute?

finally, you pressed your lips to his. immediately taehyung deepened the kiss, clearly wanting more. you obliged, only while he was distracted, his arm came down. in the blink of an eye, you grabbed the bottle and pulled away from taehyung, a loud smack resonating after the two pairs of lips parted. taehyung stood there, surprised, as he watched you skip towards your canvas, pretending as if nothing had happened.

he sighed in defeat, shoulders evidently relaxing. “gotta love her.”

[withasideoficing]

Chapters (Part One)

Chapters- Part One- Things Change in the Blink of an Eyelid

Part One Summary:  Cora Owens was raise on the ball fields of New Jersey. Now living in Columbus and a member of the US National Softball Team, a potentially career ending injury at the World Championships puts her dreams on the line. Cora’s had only one focus since she was a kid, and that’s get a medal at the Olympics. Enter Seth Jones. 

Features: Backstory and brief introduction of Seth. Non-graphic depiction of injury; mention of surgery and physical therapy 

Notes: I’ve been kicking this idea around for a while. It started as your typical imagine, but I opted to make it a story with a named character. I added some more detail. Forgive any conversions from “you” and “Y/N” that a missed, because like I said, it was originally going to be a normal imagine. I just kinda jumped right into it with some of it. 

Word Count: 2k

From the time Cora Owens could walk, she had a glove on one hand and a ball in the other. She was a Jersey girl through and through, raised on the Mets, the Jets, and the Devils. Her father had played ball, but injury had sidelined him from the big leagues when she was five. He had coached her through her childhood. If Cora was on a ball field, her father was there watching. 

Summers were made for being out on the ball field. Softball was her life. There was nothing like the smell in the air on a spring morning. The fresh morning dew that signaled a perfect day to play ball.  The ball field was a second home. As a kid, she dreamed of being in the Olympics, only for that dream to end up on the back-burner when it was removed from the Olympics after the ‘08 games. But with the sport set to make a return in 2020, Cora and the women she played with were determined. 

Cora had been on the national team since she was eighteen. Cora had played for Oklahoma State, bringing home the national championship twice while she was there. She had settled in Columbus, Ohio, finding a job that was flexible with her schedule while playing for the national team. 

Until the World Championships in Japan. In a game against Australia, everything came crashing down. Cora had been caught in a rundown. That wasn’t abnormal. What was abnormal was the pain that ran up her leg after she slid back into third. Cora curled up as she bit back a scream. She had broken bones before, but it had never felt that painful. The training staff and coaches jumped into action to get on the field and get to her. 

“Can you sit up?” the trainer asked her. In spite of her pain, Cora nodded and sat up with the trainer’s help.  

“Let’s try getting you to stand now,” the trainer said. With the help of one of the coaches they got Cora up. When she tried to put pressure on her leg, she almost collapsed back down to the ground with the pain in her knee. For the first time since the announcement about softball being back in the 2020 games, Cora saw her dreams slipping from her grasp. She could only imagine the disappointment her father would have.

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When all was said and done, Cora was done for the tournament at the very least. Having to sit on the sidelines while her team played? That wasn’t something she was used to doing. The victory for her was bittersweet. The team had gone to dinner to celebrate, one of their last nights in Japan before heading home. 

“Hey, at least we won, right?” Sarah asked. Cora just glared at the bubbly redhead. Sarah had a knack for trying to find the silver lining in everything. She shrunk back, feeling the annoyance radiating off the captain.

“Yeah. At least we won,” Cora said flatly. She grabbed her crutches from where they sat beside her and went outside. 

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Cora was quiet the whole journey back to the US. Once she was home, she finally let herself break. Her childhood dream was within reach and fate was standing right there, seeming ready to snatch it away from her. Hot tears slid down her face as she curled up on her couch. 

“It’s not fair. It’s not fair!” she cried. She could almost hear her dad’s voice saying “Nothing is fair kiddo. You think it’s a ball and the ump says it’s a strike and you’re out. Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes. You just go out there and do your best next time.” Her dad had always been one to try to come up with an analogy tied to softball, even if it didn’t make much sense. 

“Pops, I need your advice,” she said to the empty room. A sob escaped from her. Days like that were the hardest. Almost on cue, her phone lit up with a call from her mom.

“Hello?” Cora asked, her voice low from crying.

“Hey sweetie, just checking up on you. You never texted that you got home,” her mother’s voice came. 

“Yeah...yeah got home not too long ago. Didn’t mean to make you worry ma. I had things to do the second I walked in the door,” Cora said. ‘Like wallow in self pity,’ she thought. The two fell into conversation, her mother asking about the trip before she asked about the injury. Cora was quiet for a minute.

“Now, Cora Grace, I know you’re not going to just give up just because they think you’re done,” her mother said. Evelyn Owens was many things. She was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and above all else, she was where her daughter got her stubborn streak.

“What if they’re right ma? What if I never play again? What then? If I can’t play, who am I? I want to make Pops proud,” Cora said, the words flying out of her mouth rapidly. Her mother sighed. 

“He would be so proud of you. Cora, even if you can’t play again, he would be so proud of you. Captain of the US National Team, you brought a national title to your school. Baby, you’ve accomplished so much. Your father would be so proud of you, Olympics or no Olympics,” she said. Cora let out a sob.

“I just wish he was here,” she cried. She heard her mother sniffle, a telltale sign that she was crying too.

“Me too, baby, me too,” her mother said quietly. Cora spoke to her mother for a while longer before she had to hang up. As she looked around her apartment, her eyes landed on the picture frame that sat on the entertainment stand by the television. It was one of the last photos she had with her father. She stood in her maroon jersey, her parents on either side while she held a bouquet of flowers on senior day in high school five years prior, the frame inscribed with ‘Cora Owens #19 Class of 2013’ across the bottom. Cora sighed as she stood up and grabbed her crutches, ready to go take a nap. 

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The next morning, Cora awoke bright and early. She still had a few days off work for recovery from travelling. The first thing she did was make an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor. By some miracle, she was able to get an appointment that day. 

She was worried. One of her friends was driving her to her appointments, because driving, as it turned out, was difficult to do with a messed up knee. She filled out the paperwork when she got there and sat waiting, her hand tapping her thigh to the beat of the music that was playing softly in the waiting room. 

“Cora, knock it off,” Cassidy said. 

“Sorry...just, nervous I guess? What if he says I can never play again?” she asked, voicing the fear she’d had since you went down. Cass’ expression softened.

“Cor, I doubt that will happen,” she said, trying to reassure her. 

“I’m not so sure,” Cora replied. She had had a restless night of sleep. Between the pain if she moved the wrong way and the nagging thought that her time as a softball player was done, it had been a long night. 

“Ms. Owens? Dr. Ashford is ready to see you,” a nurse said. They were taking x-rays first. When the doctor came in, he put the images up for her to see. 

“Even with surgery, I’m not sure you’ll be able to play again, at least not competitively, without aggravating the injury. Torn ACLs can be career ending, as I’m sure you know. We’ll have to see how your recovery goes, but with how severe the tear is, I’m not sure a full return will be possible for you,” he said. Cora just nodded. 

She felt like everything was crumbling around her. It was, without a doubt, the worst case scenario for her. Softball was part of her. If she couldn’t lace up her cleats and play anymore, who she? Softball had been her world since she was a child, looking forward to the weather breaking in the spring each year. Now everything was in jeopardy, including her Olympic dreams. 

“So, when can we do this? Because I’m not giving up,” Cora said. 

“The earliest we can get you in for surgery is Monday morning,” he said. She took a breath, trying to steady herself.

“Let’s do it,” she said.

“We’ll get you sorted up front,” he said. Cora took a moment to collect herself. When she returned to the waiting room, she didn’t say a word to Cassidy before setting up the appointment for her surgery. It wasn’t until they got to Cassidy’s car that she broke the silence.

“What’s the verdict Owens?” the shorter woman asked. Cora sighed. This was not a conversation she wanted to have. Not with Cassidy, not with anyone. 

“Surgery. Even then...Dr. Ashford isn’t sure I can play again. I did quite a number on my knee,” Cora said. She was trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. 

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August turned into September. Cora had her surgery and were in the midst of therapy to rehab it. She were frustrated with her progress. It seemed for every step forward, it was another two back with setbacks. 

Cora was at her usual Monday appointment, but this time, one of the other patients had someone with her. He looked vaguely familiar but she couldn’t place it where she knew him from. 

“When can I start playing again?” she asked. Her physical therapist sighed. 

“Cora, you might not play again. We’ve talked about this,” she said. 

“I will play again,” she told her, the tone of her voice even and sure. Cora wouldn’t accept any other outcome. 

“With how much damage was done...going back out there could do more harm,” she explained. Cora just stared her down. 

“I don’t care what happens. All I know is in 2020, I will be at the Olympics. I will be the captain of the team. And we will bring home a gold medal,” Cora snapped. Cora was in a mood and her physical therapist wasn’t about to argue with her. Cora was far from the first stubborn patient she’d had. As her session went on, the woman who was with the other physical therapist took her spot on the next table next to Cora. 

“Oh, don’t pay any mind to her, she’s a bit of a pessimist,” the woman said. Cora laughed.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she replied. 

“What brings you here? Some kind of exciting story I’m sure,” she said.

“I messed up my knee playing softball in Japan,” Cora told her. 

“That’s definitely more exciting that what I did. I slipped taking the trash out and hurt my knee. Embarrassing really,” she said. The two of them fell into conversation,  the person who had come with her sitting silently. Cora still weren’t sure why he looked familiar.

“Oh, where are my manners. My name is Amy. This is my son, Seth,” she said.

“I’m Cora,” Cora said. That was when it clicked for Cora. Seth was Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets.  She wasn't sure what to do with that information. She followed hockey, but her main team was the Devils and she wasn’t too up to date on the rosters of other teams. 

“How long have you played softball?” Amy asked. Cora smiled.

“My whole life. I was practically raised on the ball field,” Cora told her. The two of them fell into conversation about her softball career and what had led up to her injury. She was easy to talk to and for once, someone wasn’t telling her to consider the possibility that she wasn’t going to be able to play again. 

Before long, her appointment was over. Cora was waiting for her ride to show up. She hated the loss of independence that came with not being allowed to drive for a while. When Cassidy showed up, Cora just shook her head when she asked how the appointment was.

“If one more person tells me I might never play again, I’m going to scream,” Cora said to her. 

“You do realize that is a possibility, right?” she asked.

“Cass, I’m not accepting it as a possibility until never playing again is the only option left on the table,”she said as Cassidy pulled out of the lot.

[purpleillusn]

Returning After the Reveal

Phic Phight attack 3

Prompt: “A post Phantom-Planet (or post reveal, if you hate PP that much) fic in which Danny is getting used to his new fame and recognition as a superhero. His teachers, classmates, and even former bullies are all suddenly treating him differently, and Danny’s not quite sure what to do with that.” - @love-ly-ish

Words:  7143

Danny pushed his crutches down again, supporting his weight as he made his way over to the X-Ray room. He was pretty sure that he could have walked, but doctor’s orders said he couldn’t, hence the crutches.

Whispers erupted as he traversed the labyrinth of corridors. Onlookers either appeared to be in awe, admirers and fans of his Phantom persona, while others scowled, moving out the way, many fearful of the teen in front of them, or rather his powers. He supposed he hadn’t been expecting anything different, the world probably hadn’t been ready for the existence of halfas, but had been introduced to them anyway.

A mother pulled her child away and close to her chest just as he’d tried to go up to Danny, attempting to shield the boy from him. Danny sighed and his mom placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

They entered the room, and Danny lay on the table as per the previous X-Ray, while Maddie joined the radiologist further away. If there was one thing Danny was grateful for in this great big mess of a situation, it was his parents’ unwavering support. Without them kicking up a fuss it would have been entirely possible for the GIW to cart him off to their labs, labelled as an ecto-based threat, while he was unconscious and wounded. Danny suppressed a shudder at that idea.

“Danny, you can come over here now,” called the doctor, a kindly old man who looked somewhat like a walrus.

On the computer screen was Danny’s leg, his tibia and fibula completely intact, just as expected. “Jeez you heal fast, kid. Most people would take months to recover from that,” commented the doctor, clicking into the image to zoom in. “Not even a hairline fracture anymore.”

Danny cringed - he’d had one hell of a compound fracture. On top of that apparently they had to pick fragments of bone out of his leg. Nope, he was not going to imagine that. The surgeons had been slightly freaked out even after he came around post-surgery, his healing factor having caused problems with treating his injuries.

“Does this mean I don’t need crutches now?” Danny asked hopefully, lightly kicking the leg in its brace.

“Yes, you’re free to go. Just don’t go breaking more bones on us,” the doctor chuckled, his belly shaking as he did so.

“No promises,” Danny responded, flashing him a smile before sitting down to phase the cast off his leg. “Uh, so, what do I do with this?” He waved it in the air. This was nice, being able to use his powers around others without having to fear exposure.

Maddie took the cast from him and placed it in the appropriate bin as they left the hospital. “Well, that went well,” she said, trying to maintain an optimistic mood despite the countless pairs of eyes on them, passing their own individual judgement.

Danny muttered something under his breath and Maddie asked him to speak up.

“I’d have preferred for none of this to happen in the first place,” he said barely loud enough for her to hear properly. “I should’ve handled the attack better.”

Maddie sighed. “You can’t be perfect, Danny. I wish you hadn’t got hurt like that, but it’s all we can do to move on from it now. You saved a lot of lives that day, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.”

“So I’ve heard,” Danny said spitefully, immediately resenting himself for taking that tone with his mom. “Sorry, I just-” He trailed off.

“It’s been a stressful few days, hasn’t it?” she said, unlocking the car and opening the door.

Danny mirrored her in opening the door on the passenger side, slipping into his seat. “Yeah.”

They backed out of the parking lot, the sound of tacky pop music coming from the radio while Danny picked at the fabric of his jeans. “Mom? Do you ever have times when you feel you could have done better?”

“Of course I do. Regrets are part of life, and no matter what you do, there’ll always be that nagging voice in your head,” Maddie said as she turned onto the highway.

“How do you deal with it?” Danny enquired.

Maddie glanced at Danny, then cast her eyes back to the road. “I remind myself that my mistakes are in the past, and I can’t change them. Plus focusing on the positives helps, like people you helped and ways you can do better in the future.”

Danny contemplated her words for a few seconds. “Thanks, mom.”

They were now approaching Amity Park, which did not have its own hospital due to the risk of ghost attacks. Craters, Danny-shaped and otherwise, marred the landscape and they passed a sign reading ‘Amity Park: A nice place to-’ The rest of the sign having been destroyed by ectoblasts, leaving it illegible.

Maddie cleared her throat. “But even I have regrets I can’t forgive myself for.”

“Oh,” Danny said, knowing full well where this conversation was heading. They’d had this conversation once already, in which Danny adamantly defended them, though admittedly he had been pretty drugged up then, so he couldn’t blame her for talking about it again. “I still don’t blame you for anything. I chose to lie to you- I shouldn’t have, and there was no way you could’ve guessed that your living son was a ghost.” He breathed before continuing. “You can’t change the past.”

Maddie conceded and continued the drive without bringing it up again, instead choosing to talk about space and recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics.

They stopped in the driveway of the Fenton house, now with a metal fence to fend off rabid reporters, fans and those who despised Danny and his entire family. They’d probably have to upgrade the security system at some point soon, but for now it would do.

The house was a lot cleaner than the night of the ghost attack, but was still somewhat disheveled, albeit without fragments of glass around the place now. “Good to see you Danny-boy!” Jack engulfed Danny in a one armed hug, his left arm being covered in bandages. “Can’t keep you down, eh?”

Danny chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Speaking of which, Danny, we’ll need to do a check up on your core,” Maddie interjected, catching Danny off guard with how naturally the words came from her mouth. They seemed to be adjusting about as well as one could to the revelation that their son’s half ghost, going so far as to lock up their most powerful weapons and program all of the inventions they could to ignore Danny’s ectosignature, including the ghost gabber, much to Danny’s delight. Sam and Tucker had managed to convince the Fenton parents that separating Danny’s ghost and human halves would be a terrible idea by explaining the Fenton ghost catcher incident, that and it didn’t take a scientist to know that ripping away part of someone’s body wasn’t good for them. If Danny was healthy and happy, that’s all that mattered to them.

The core check-up went similarly to an X-Ray, just in the lab, and with a different machine.

Danny pulled his t-shirt over his head, ignoring the fact that his hair was now even more messy than usual, and walked over to the computer screen displaying the scan.

A look at the display wouldn't mean much to someone without knowledge of ectobiology, but both the Fenton parents and Danny could see that it had thousands of tiny marks of damage, like the tears that form in a muscle after excess exertion.

“It looks like it’s healing. See? Snowfang was right,” said Danny.

Snowfang, the head doctor in the Far Frozen, had assured them that it would heal with time, as long as Danny did not overexert himself again.. Naturally the Fenton parents had still been worried, and coming up with ways to aid healing.

His dad grinned at him, while his mom had an unreadable expression of thought.

“You’ll still have to drink ectoplasm until you’re better,” she ordered, before quickly adding, “but maybe don’t bring it to school tomorrow.”

Crud. School. Danny cringed at the thought of his phan club following him around. “I’m not sure if I want to go back there. I mean, what if people…”

Maddie crouched slightly to be eye to eye with Danny. “It’ll be fine, just give it a try, okay? And if it’s too much for you, or you get bullied, we can always look into home education.”

Danny nodded, eyes downcast.

The ring of the doorbell pierced through the quiet and momentarily drowned out the whir of machines from every angle of the basement.

Jack was the first to reach the door, opening it only to remember that there was also a tall metal fence and gate between the street and the living room. “Jazzypants! Elle!” he bellowed as he opened the gate, letting two girls in. Elle gave him as much of a hug as her short arms could manage, channelling some ghost powers to jump up. Jack patted Danielle’s back and closed the gate. Danny’s face lit up at the sight of his adoptive sister, now dubbed ‘Elle’ both to avoid confusion and due to her sense of individuality, still clinging onto their dad as he came back into the house. The adoption would be going through quickly after they’d ‘convinced’ Vlad that it was best to let them adopt her and for him to leave her alone. It hardly seemed like she’d only lived with them for less than a week, yet that was undeniably the truth.

Elle, grinning broadly, dropped to the floor. “Hey, Danny, you’re all better?”

Danny made a more or less gesture with his hand. “Pretty much.”

Jazz announced her presence by dumping a large bag of books on the floor with a thud. “Well, that’s book shopping done.”

Danny glanced at the bag, stunned. “Did you buy the entire bookstore?”

“Ha, ha,” Jazz deadpanned. “Elle’s starting Middle School in September, that’s only five months away, so she’ll need to catch up on any material she missed out on by then.”

Elle was less excited by the idea of school, and instead pulled out a book titled ‘How much poo does an elephant do?’. “I got to choose some books I wanted too.”

•     •     •

Sweat poured from Danny’s brow as he tried his best to hold up the beams of a near-collapsed building while the last inhabitants ran for safety. After the last person escaped, guided away by Maddie and Jack Fenton, he intangibly passed through the building, letting it collapse through him, and turned his attention to the gruesome ghost currently being shot at while trying to chase down the Red Huntress. She looked worse for wear, her suit not repairing the scratches in it like it typically did. The fight had been drawn out for too long, and everyone knew it, but the ghost just didn’t seem to have a weak spot, all shots ricocheting off its armored skin. And worst of all it had a fire core, leaving the pavement melted under it with each step it made.

“Oi! Ugly!” Danny shrieked, a lot more shrilly than he than he originally intended. The taunt had the exact effect Danny wanted, all of the dozen or so eyes of the beast turning towards him and narrowing. Its nostrils flared, and it made a beeline for Danny, stomping down anything that stood in its way.

Calling on the power of his own core, Danny sent out a blast of ice, which encased the ghost for mere seconds before melting under the extreme heat of its flaming breath. Danny created an energy shield, doing his best to block the attack, his palms burning as the fire was redirected around him and into the building, exciting the embers floating in the air and on the ground.  

The flames stopped abruptly as yet another fighter flew into the fray, blasting the beast in the side. “Leave my cousin alone!” Elle yelled, unleashing another energy ball, which knocked the creature back.

It was then that Danny saw something, a weakness, an opening. The ghost opened its mouth and Danny took this opportunity to shoot a beam on ice into it, giving the ghost the worst possible case of brain freeze experienced by any being. Without hesitation, Danny tackled the ghost to the ground, glancing up at Valerie who was pulling out her thermos.

Unfortunately, Danny really should have kept his attention on the ghost, as it grabbed him by the leg in its vice-like grip and hurled him into the rubble of the building he’d been trying to hold up just a minute earlier. A sickening crunch of bone shattering could be heard as Danny’s body crashed against the hot concrete and brick. He tried to climb to his feet, only to realise that one of his legs was practically snapped in two, and instead hovering weakly. Elle flew over to him like a rocket, putting an arm under his shoulder to support him, seeing his exhaustion.

Danny evaluated the situation, noting that the ghost appeared to be much more sluggish, cracks showing in its skin, revealing what looked to be swirling magma underneath.

“Cover your ears! Now!” he shouted and unleashed an unearthly wail, rippling through the air, peeling through the armor of the ghost with each wave that came its way.

Danny collapsed, ears ringing, desperately fighting back white rings while Elle held him just above the ground.

A blue light engulfed the magma ghost in front of them, and the Red Huntress landed, hoverboard retracting into the soles of her shoes, now-full thermos in her hand. “Phantom? I just wanted to say thank you, both of you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Danny offered her a tired smile before falling into the black, a ring of light passing over his head as he dropped like a rock.

Danny awoke with a start, glancing at the time on his alarm clock: 6:45 am. Could be worse. Of course he’d just had to have that dream, that memory again the night before school. The universe was simply unkind to halfas - not even permitting them to sleep until their alarm would have gone off.

He dropped out of bed and headed to the bathroom, figuring that if he was going to face his possible doom today, he might as well be presentable while doing so. The cold shower was nice - just another reminder that he was weird. Jazz always complained that he’d left it on the cold temperature when she went to shower.

Speaking of Jazz, she was already downstairs when Danny entered the kitchen. “Ready to go back to school, little brother?”

“No, not really” Danny sighed as he poured a bowl of cereal for himself, reminding him of the day when he’d almost told his parents his secret early on after being picked up by the ghost detector.

“I’ll be with you when we go there,” Jazz comforted. “Take deep breaths and try to focus on what could go well today.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “I know, I know. Thanks.”

The Fenton parents came into the kitchen soon after, one from downstairs, and the other with a very grumpy looking Elle - apparently she was not a morning person. Maddie guided the sleep deprived halfa to the table, and she immediately brightened up at the prospect of breakfast, inhaling a bowl of Cookie Crisp.

“Remember your ectoplasm,” Maddie said to the half ghosts, placing a glass of the glowing green liquid in front of each of them, much to Danny’s chagrin. It wasn’t that it tasted bad, it was just weird, like sweet tasting batteries that prickled his tongue with its energy.

Elle seemed not to have inherited Danny’s dislike of the sensation, and downed her glass like orange juice. This was just one of the many differences between them that she had embraced, along with her love of toast.

Danny sipped his ectoplasm, reminding himself that it was just filtered from the atmosphere of the zone.

“What does it taste like?” Jack asked, like a curious puppy. He knew better than to try and drink some himself - ectoplasm was decidedly not suitable for human consumption. The only reason halfas could drink it was because their biology was different to a human’s on the molecular level.

“Kinda like honey charged with electricity,” Danny answered before taking another gulp of it.

“It’s nice,” Elle chimed in. “Danny’s just not used to it - that’s why he’s scared of drinking it.”

Danny shot her a playful glare and glugged the rest of the glass, which she cackled at.

The energy rippled through his core, like a concentrated energy drink, which wasn’t actually far off the mark as a description of it.

Jack hummed, and began tinkering with an invention he’d been working on on the side for the time Danny had been hospitalised. It was a small plastic wristband, with a glowing green light and small amounts of exposed circuitry where he’d unscrewed a panel on it. It was slightly rough looking, but for something thrown together over just a few days, it was impressive.

The band was a failsafe, in case the school had concerns about him harming other students that could not be remedied by their word - it suppressed Danny’s powers, namely his ectoblasts. It wasn’t great, but if worst came to worst it at least wouldn’t hurt Danny.

Pocketing the band, Jack and the rest of his family, including Elle, who was still worried that Vlad might come for her, clambered into the Fenton family RV (Maddie was driving as it was decided that property damage would not make a good impression).

They reached the school too early for Danny’s liking, and he wiped his clammy palms on his jeans before exiting the vehicle.

Mr Lancer was waiting outside, visibly surprised that nothing had been destroyed while parking until he noticed that Maddie had been driving. He shook the Fenton parents’ hands, and guided the family into the building.

Danny noticed the news van was parked in the road by the school, evidently not allowed onto school property, but figured it was best to ignore it - he’d honestly expected far more people following him around, but apparently he’d passed out of the news with the next big thing.

The early students gawked as the group passed them through the corridors on their way to Mr Lancer’s office, but Danny once again did his best to ignore it.

The office door was agape, and Principal Ishiyama was sat in a small plastic chair next to Mr Lancer’s desk. Mr Lancer closed the door after the group, sitting down in his worn padded chair and indicating to the plastic chairs arranged by the entrance. He surveyed the odd group as they lowered themselves to their chairs, eyes lingering momentarily on Elle, taking in the unfamiliar, yet familiar face.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, there has been protesting against Daniel returning to school,” Mr Lancer began, voice steady and calm, as if talking about any other issue at school, “however, we, as a school, and as people, will not discriminate against an individual based on their, biology. I am glad to see you healthy Daniel, and would like to make it very clear that you are welcome at this school.

“Your teachers, myself included are prepared to give you leeway and accommodate your ghost hunting. We do expect that you work hard to keep up with class work, and attend extra sessions if necessary, but you will not be punished for leaving lessons to deal with ghost attacks. I’m well aware that you are capable of doing well, and all you need to do if ask for help whenever you feel that you’re falling behind.”

Danny was ectatic. This was too good to be true! “Thank you Mr Lancer! I will.”

Ishiyama took this moment to interject. “But, we do have some restrictions we would like you to follow.”

Of course. There was always a catch.

“You are not allowed to abuse your privileges, and if it is found that you have been skipping class without a good reason there will be appropriate punishment. Additionally, you are not allowed to use your abilities to cheat or harm others. We do not take this lightly, and doing this could get you expelled from the school.”

Danny flinched imperceptibly at the mention of cheating.

“We will not stop you from using your powers altogether though. You may use what non-destructive or harmful powers you have as you feel comfortable with, we trust that you can use your judgement as to what is appropriate.”

“That sounds reasonable,” said Danny, relaxing slightly. “I promise I won’t hurt others, and I definitely won’t cheat.”

This seemed to satisfy the Principle, who smiled at the family. “Well then, enjoy your day. I believe lessons will be starting in fifteen minutes. Please ask myself or Mister Lancer if you have any questions.”

And with that Ishiyama pardoned herself from the room, leaving the family with just Mr Lancer, who shuffled a small stack of papers.

“One last thing, Daniel,” Mr Lancer called out to Danny as he went to stand up from his chair. “My door is always open if you need to talk about anything.”

“Thanks Mr Lancer!” Danny smiled up at his teacher, and left the office with the rest of his family.

“That went well,” commented Maddie, and Jack nodded enthusiastically. “We should really go home now. See you later, you two. I know you both find kisses embarrassing, so have a good day.”

“Bye,” both Danny and Jazz chorused.

“Enjoy your day of hell!” Elle shouted after them, a grin splitting her face from ear to ear.

“Same to you!” Danny yelled back as she rounded the corner and out of view.

Jazz and Danny said their goodbyes and went off to their respective lessons early. Waiting outside the science lab, Danny couldn’t help but keep an eye on every face that passed in the mass of students getting to class. His face lit up when he saw Sam and Tucker approach him through the crowd, their faces brightening an equal amount at the sight of their friend healthy and happy.

“Yo, how are you?” Tucker greeted, giving Danny a high five.

“Good. I’m all healed, and the school seems to be okay with me being here,“Danny replied. “What about you?”

“Pretty good. How’re your folks taking the reveal?”

“Great. They’re happy I’m going into ghost hunting, and they seem to have accepted my ghost half. They even adopted Elle!” Danny was practically bursting with joy, and it warmed the others through.

“Oh yeah, we saw her with your parents on the way in. She looks really happy - I guess she’s settling in well,” said Sam, smiling far too brightly for her goth aesthetic.

“Excuse me,” a small voice came from the right, and the trio turned to see Mikey, a small red haired boy, standing there timidly, with his nerdy friends behind him. “I, uh, I wanted to say thank you - for all the times you’ve saved us.”

Danny was dumbfounded. People knowing his not-so-secret identity was going to take some getting used to. “Um, no problem. I just did what anyone would do.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“So, how do your ghost powers work?” Mikey asked rapidly. “Are you a ghost? Does this mean you’re dead? You’re not dead, right?” He looked slightly horrified.

“Of course he’s not dead!” Sam said abruptly, the guilt of the accident gnawing at the back of her mind. The nerds flinched.

“What Sam said, I’m not dead, or at least I don’t think I am,” Danny spoke. “I’m not entirely sure how my powers work, we think I’m half ghost - um, when I got my powers, I think ectoplasm got bonded to my DNA or something.” Danny didn’t want to go into specifics of how he got his ghost powers. The memory was slightly traumatic, and he really didn’t want to risk others attempting to repeat it - that was dangerous, and painful.

“Woah, that’s so cool! Is it like a comic book origin story?”

“That’s enough.” Sam cut Mikey off, and he shrunk back.

The teacher soon emerged from the classroom to shepard the students to their seats. Mrs Bray, the strict, rule-abiding chemistry teacher, with a glare that could melt concrete, sat in her chair, back straight as the pole that was probably stuck up her butt. She read out the register, each student replying with a ‘yes miss’, until she reached Danny’s name and mutters broke out among the students. Her eye twitched, but she continued the register after Danny confirmed his presence

Once the register was over, she stood before the board, and took a breath before her lecture.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, Mr Fenton has been revealed to be somewhat of a celebrity, however, I would like you to respect his privacy, and there will be no discussion of him or anything of the sort in my classroom. I expect you to focus on your work, and nothing else while you’re here. Am I understood?”

“Yes miss,” came the drone of thirty or so students brought an odd sense of relief to Danny. In her own way, his teacher was showing her support, preventing others from pestering him during class. Unfortunately, she could not stop the glances that were sent his way throughout the lesson. Dash in particular seemed to be staring the most, a guilty expression on his face. Oh, Danny was probably going to have an awkward conversation after class, unless he turned invisible to escape, but that would probably just draw more attention to him.

Valerie, on the other hand, appeared to have a swirl on emotions passing behind her eyes as she occasionally glanced at Danny, as though wanting to talk to him, which she of course did. Okay, so that was going to be two awkward conversations after the lesson.

As the teacher told people to pack up, Danny psyched himself up for what awaited him out of Mrs Bray’s classroom. Valerie was aggressively stuffing her bag, and Danny feared what she’d do once they were out of the classroom. Scenarios passed through his head, each of them involving a way in which Danny’s life, or rather the next few minutes of his life, could go wrong.

The instant they were out the classroom a hand grabbed Danny’s arm and dragged him to the janitor’s closet. Valerie stood there, somehow seeming sad, worried and majorly pissed off, all the while managing not to scream. Sam and Tucker burst in, quickly tailing after the ghost boy. “Hey, Valerie, don’t do anything rash,” Sam implored, “wait, are you crying?”

Pearlescent tears were trailing down from Valerie’s eyes, and she wiped them away with her arm. “Tell anyone I’ve cried and you’re dead!” Valerie snapped.

“I wouldn’t think of it,” placated Sam. “Do you want us to leave so you can talk to Danny?”

Valerie shook her head. “No, stay, please.” She almost pleaded towards the end, the emotional strain from the past week bubbling to the surface.

“I’m sorry. For everything. For hunting you, for blaming you for everything that went wrong in my life,” Valerie cried quietly.

“It’s fine, Val I’m sorry for lying to you for all this time.” She looked up to see Danny putting a hand on her shoulder, ice blue eyes radiating comfort. Valerie shook her head again, a lot more violently than she intended to.

“I didn’t exactly give you much choice, did I?”

Danny just shrugged. The bell telling them lessons were starting chose that moment to go off, and panic quickly spread through the group before they conceded themselves to their fate of being late to English.

“Y’know, now would be a great time for a ghost attack we can blame for us being late to class.” Danny tried to lighten the mood, but quickly regretted it when his ghost sense went off - his face falling as the blue mist swirled into the air in front of him at the same time as Valerie’s ghost detector going off. “Okay, I was kidding, but I should probably take care of this.” He suddenly looked nervous. “Want to team up on this one, Val?”

Valerie looked taken aback. “What? You trust me just like that?”

“Well, yeah. You are my friend - our friend.” Danny corrected himself seeing Sam and Tucker opening their mouths to correct him on that point. “Danny’s right,” Tucker said, leaning against the closet door to listen out for the ghost attack.

Sam continued, “as much as I may have been reluctant to admit it, you have become a friend over this time. And by the way, we’ve known about your ghost hunting since the beginning - at the park. You might want to consider getting something to mask your voice if you want to keep a secret identity.”

Valerie felt a blush flush into the cheeks. “You got it,” she said, checking the radar on her ghost detector as she did so. “It’s by the sports hall. I’m new to this teamwork stuff, what do you three do about ghost attacks?”

“Uh, do you two want to handle this one?” Tucker’s hand clasped the door handle. “We can go tell Mr Lancer why you’re late.”

“I’m guessing you want us to keep your ghost hunting a secret Valerie,” Sam asked rhetorically. “We can just tell Mr Lancer that you’re helping Danny out or something and leave it at that.”

“Sounds good to me,” Valerie said, activating her suit, covering her face last. Tucker gave a low whistle at the show of electronics, and glanced to Danny, who seemed unfazed by her suit. Of course he was, this kid had seen it all before.

Seeing that Valerie was comfortable enough in his presence to activate her suit, Danny went ghost, rings of blinding white travelling across his body. Valerie’s mouth was practically on the floor - this much was evident even with her mask. Danny Phantom floated opposite her, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously.

“Ta-da,” he quipped, and Valerie collected herself enough to notice that Sam and Tucker were snickering at her reaction. They quickly scampered off to Mr Lancer’s lesson, and Danny extended his hand to Valerie.

“Wanna try navigating like a ghost?” he asked, eyes twinkling like stars.

She took his gloved hand, and screamed as she was whisked along through the wall. A feeling like being submerged in icy water sent a shiver down Valerie’s spine. Noticing her reaction, Danny landed on the other side of the wall in an empty classroom. “Sorry, I really should have warned you about that.”

“No, it’s fine - just felt cold,” Valerie tried to quell the expression of guilt that had wormed its way into Danny’s face. It was still weird seeing Phantom as Danny, even if his reveal had been caught on camera and broadcast on live TV. There was something innately wrong about seeing your friend as a ghost, and the odd glow he had to his skin didn’t help make him look like the human Danny Fenton she’d known., illuminating his features oddly and making him appear almost as a completely different person.

“Oh, yeah.” Danny fiddled with the hair on the back of his neck. “I kinda forgot - Sam and Tucker are both used to it, and I don’t normally make others intangible.”

“Really, it’s fine. Let’s go find that ghost before it hurts someone,” Valerie insisted.

Danny nodded with renewed determination, and took her hand again tentatively before turning them intangible again and speeding off towards the gym.”

This was certainly different to flying on a hoverboard, Valerie thought to herself. A hoverboard at least somewhat obeyed gravity - ghost flight, not at all. She could somehow feel the movement while at the same time not feeling anything at all, but it was fun nonetheless.

They arrived at the gym’s storage room in a matter of seconds, and another plume of blue mist emerged from Danny’s mouth, indicating that the ghost was near.

“BEWARE!”

The Box Ghost was levitating a crate full of footballs in the air, features alight with  menacing glee. He hurled the contents of the crate at the pair of ghost hunters, not realising that Danny had yet to drop his intangibility. Valerie flinched, Danny grinned, and the balls flew right through them. “Want to do the favors?” Danny indicated to the chubby ghost in front of them, now lifting a box of rackets.

“With pleasure.” Valerie activated a moderately sized gun that materialised in her hand, hitting the Box Ghost square in the butt.

He yowled and spun around just in time to be caught in the beam of the Fenton Thermos. He looked like a fat spider being sucked down the plughole, and the onlookers were torn between pity and entertainment at the sight.

“Well, that was anticlimactic,”Danny stated, landing firmly next to Valerie on the floor of the storage room, avoiding the balls scattered across it. “Should we tidy up the mess?”

Valerie looked surprised, recalling the copious amounts of property damage and mess both of them had created in the past.

Reading her expression, Danny explained. “I’ve been wanting to test out a new power, and this is a small enough scale that it should be fine.”

“You have a tidying-up power?” Valerie asked, eyebrow cocked, not that Danny could see it all that easily with her visor.

Danny chuckled, picking up on the heavy sarcasm laced in her tone, and his aura seemed to spark, every one of the balls in the vicinity gaining a bright green aura of their own and lifting into the air. He concentrated, eyebrows knitting together as the footballs drifted into the crate, all but one landing neatly inside it, which then lifted up as well and placed itself in its usual spot on the floor.

“Woah,” Valerie stood next to him stunned while he panted. “Was that telekinesis?”

Danny’s breathing went back to a more normal pace, still considerably deeper than usual. “Yeah. It’s something that most ghosts can do, but I only learnt it recently. As you can see…” He picked up the remaining football with his hand. “I need more practice, but it could be really useful.”

Valerie hummed. “You could use it to get people out of the way of debris, or stop the debris in midair.”

“That’s exactly why I want to perfect this skill.”

Valerie’s mind flashed back to Danny supporting the collapsing building, and she understood fully how important learning this new power was to him.

The two entered the classroom after a somewhat leisurely flight in the direction of the classroom and a stop in a closet to change out of their suit, and into their human form respectively. Mr Lancer stopped his lecture as the door opened, and every head in the room swiveled round to face the late duo.

“Mr Foley and Miss Manson already explained,” Mr Lancer said. “You can speak to me after class if there’s anything you need to catch up on that you missed in your absence.”

“Thanks Mr Lancer.” Danny kept his head down as he made his way over to his seat, which of course had to be practically in the middle of the classroom. He could feel almost every eye in the room boring into his head as he settled down and brought out his books and pencil case. Chatter erupted amongst the students, and Mr Lancer sighed in defeat, knowing that having a ghost hunting ghost as a classmate had not lost its novelty with all the news coverage.

“How’d it go?” Sam asked, leaning over from her seat, taking advantage of the sudden stop to the lesson.

“Fine, it was just the Box Ghost,” Danny dismissed.

“And Valerie was fine?” she hissed, barely over a whisper.

“Yeah, she seems fine with the whole Phantom thing,” Danny replied in a very slightly louder voice, if only so Sam could hear him (she didn’t have the luxury of super-hearing). “She was kinda shocked by the feeling of intangibility, but it’s not a big deal.”

Sam shivered involuntarily. “I can understand that,” she said, still wary of the ghost hunting girl but willing to put aside her hostility and protectiveness for now.

The lesson continued as per usual after Mr Lancer managed to get control of the class again with a cry of “The Adventures of Huck Finn” and continued with his lecture. They didn’t actually finish all the work from that lesson before lunch, but it was good going considering the circumstances.

Lunch was a whole other challenge for Team Phantom, and the trio chose to bag lunch it outside out of fear of being mobbed.

“Dead Teacher 2 is still the best,” Danny said, leaning against the tree they were sat under, mouth half full.

Sam quickly chastised him for talking with his mouth full, before arguing to the contrary, saying that the 1st movie was the best without a doubt.

“I’m with Danny,” Tucker contributed to the conversation, “the second movie was really where they perfected it. Oh, hey Valerie!”

“Hi,” greeted Valerie, walking towards the group, lunch bag clasped close to her body. “Is it okay if I sit with you?”

Sam and Tucker shuffled around to allow her into their circle, and she seated herself on the grass. “So, uh, what’re you guys talking about?”

“Which Dead Teacher movie’s the best,” Sam supplied. “These two think that the second’s the best, even though the first’s obviously better.”

“I haven’t watched the latest ones, but the first one is definitely better than the second.” Valerie opened her bag and fished out a sandwich.

“Betrayal!” Tucker exclaimed, mock fainting with his arm to his forehead.

Sam punched him lightly on his lowered arm, which prompted a cry from the boy. He rubbed his arm and shot her a playful glare, which she returned, complete with a grin.

Valerie observed their antics, somehow feeling like there was more of a sense of unity between her and the trio now that their secrets were out in the open.

“Oh, yeah, Val,” Danny said, sitting up straight. “How’d you like to join Team Phantom?”

“That’s your team name?” She raised an eyebrow and Danny just shrugged. “Sure, but that’ll take some explaining as to why I’m working with you.”

Danny waved off her concerns. “It’ll be fine. We can just say we talked if anyone asks.”

Valerie shook her head mockingly. “How the hell did you keep your secret for as long as you did?”

“We’re pretty sure it was just dumb luck,” interjected Tucker, “emphasis on dumb.”

“What was dumb luck?” an obnoxiously loud voice came from the direction of the school building, and Dash Baxter and his cronies approached them.

The trio tensed, ready for a confrontation, only for Dash to raise his hands in a sign of peace. He suddenly looked a lot smaller, nerves showing through his veneer of toughness.

“I’m sorry, for everything I’ve done to you. If I’d known I was bullying my hero…” Dash’s eyes remained fixed on the ground, inspecting the blades of grass with a pitiful expression, like they’d personally killed his family, which in Amity Park wouldn’t be the weirdest thing that’d happened.

“We’re all sorry, dude. We couldn’t’ve known that you were-” one of the cronies was cut off by Danny.

“I forgive you, but you should bully anyone in the first place.” Danny folded his arms, looking at each of them in turn with a forced hard expression. It really looked odd on his baby face, but Dash and co seemed intimidated nonetheless.

They muttered between each other, before turning to face Danny again with guilty expressions. “We’ll try not to,” Dash said, and Danny unfolded his arms.

“Can you leave us alone?” Valerie demanded, not even trying to hide her hostility.

The bully gang exchanged glances before returning to the main building.

“I can’t believe you’d forgive them just like that. You know they only apologised because you’re Phantom, right?” Val scolded, and Danny looked like a wounded puppy at her words.

“I know, but I don’t want to be a douche,” Danny shrunk back from her.

Sam snorted. “What he’s trying to say is that he doesn’t hold grudges, even when he should, and forgives far to easily, like he’d trying to be some sort of paragon.” Danny scowled.

The rest of the day passed largely uneventfully, if you ignored the frequent whispers, nervous faces and admirers coming to apologise to Danny, thank him, or ask how he got superpowers - something that he declined to answer fully, leading to word quickly spreading that people should stop asking about that because it was rude to ask how a ghost died, which wasn’t entirely wrong, just not the whole reason for why it was a touchy subject for Danny.

All in all, it wasn’t half as bad as Danny had been expecting. It was actually somewhat anticlimactic in his opinion.  

He sent a brief text, saying that he was going to talk to Mr Lancer because he missed some of the lesson, to his parents and knocked on the classroom door.

Mr Lancer answered the door, smiling at the halfa. “Daniel. Can I help you?”

Danny shuffled his feet. “Uh, I kinda wanted to catch up on the stuff I missed at the start of your lesson. Why did Arthur Conan Doyle have a recap at the start of the chapter?”

His teacher smiled, and invited him into the classroom, where Danny seated himself at the front of the empty classroom. “The Sherlock Holmes stories were initially serialized in magazines, each chapter in a different magazine, before they were compiled into complete books, so he would frequently recap the story for the sake of readers who may have forgotten the events of the previous chapters.”

Danny nodded, and took notes in his workbook.

“Is there anything else you wanted to ask?” Mr Lancer continued as Danny put his book back in his bag.

“No thanks,” Danny said, zipping up his bag. “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem at all, Danny,” Mr Lancer replied. “How was your first day back at school?”

“A lot better than I expected. I think I’ll be fine here.”

“That’s certainly good to hear.”

Danny made for the door, only to stop when Lancer called out to him. “And remember, my door’s always open if you need to talk.”

“Thanks Mr Lancer.” Danny radiated a cool warmth from his beaming features. “Bye, see you tomorrow.”

[varietywritings]

PROTEGO

Sirius Black x OC!Arden Walker 

CHAPTER ONE: BEGIN AGAIN

September 1, 1976

CRACK! A burst of crimson deflected off an invisible force field. The girl inside had a white-knuckle grip on her wand. She stood rigidly as her chest heaved with quick breaths. Her hands shook. The rush of her own blood sounded loudly in her ears. The mass of faceless witches and wizards closed in on her. She could not let them get to her. 

The girl flung every jinx and hex that she could think of at her adversaries, but nothing slowed them. Something pierced the translucent shield she had conjured, making it dissolve. She was vulnerable. A wave of curses crashed down on her. The girl flung herself over something, but not before a flash of emerald light covered her eyes.

✧✧✧

“Arden!” 

Arden Walker rapidly blinked her eyes, coming back to her senses. The bustling of Hogwarts students and their families filled the air with tearful goodbyes and grumbling teenagers. Arden shook her head. All thoughts about the dream she had last night were pushed to the back of her mind as she regarded her mother.

“Are you alright?” Gwyneth, her mother, looked at her warily. Arden smiled tightly. She could still hear the cracks of curses in her head. 

“I’m fine, mom,” she laughed, “You worry too much, you know?” 

“I have to.”

“Not really.”

“Arden May!”

Arden snickered to herself. Gwyneth attempted to give her an appraising look, but couldn’t help herself from smirking. 

“Torian would not approve of your snark.” she half-teased and all humor was snatched from Arden’s demeanor. The mention of her stepfather made her want to hex herself.

“He doesn’t approve of anything, mama,” she grumbled, tucking her caramel hair behind her ear, “You and I both know that.” 

“I know.” Her mother admitted quietly. “He’s not Ray—” Arden visibly tensed; she hated talking about her real father. “—but he’s also not the worst, either.” She knew her mother was trying to make light of the situation (a trait she did not inherit from her), so she suppressed any and all comments she had formulated about his too-handsome face or his absurdly expensive dress robes. 

“Of course, mom. I’m sorry.” Arden apologized. Her mother smiled sadly at her daughter, who was a near-spitting image of her father. Not including the slightly hooked nose and sea green eyes, those were Gwyneth’s. 

Gwyneth smoothed out the line that had creased between Arden’s eyebrows. She tilted her head upwards to give a swift kiss to her forehead as Arden hunched over a bit.

“Now, don’t grow on me even more while you’re gone, Arden.” Gwyneth playfully scolded, causing Arden’s lips to quirk up into a smile.

“Yes, ma’am.” Arden gave her mother a one-armed hug, the shorter woman only coming up to brush under Arden’s nose. She began to trudge away to the Hogwarts Express. 

“Don’t forget to write! I know you have enough ink and quills to spare.” Gwyneth playfully scolded. Arden chuckled to herself. She gave a half-hearted wave over her shoulder and stepped onto the Hogwarts Express. 

Arden briskly walked down the narrow corridor of the train car. She pushed past students idly standing, slipping her jet black robes over her t-shirt and jeans. She made sure her prefect badge was pinned directly above the Ravenclaw crest. Looking in the reflection of a compartment window, she straightened out her robes and ran a quick hand through her hair, making sure the shoulder-length strands weren’t too askew. Giving herself a half smile, Arden entered the almost-full prefects’ train car. 

“How nice of you to join us!” Lily quipped, snapping the book she was reading shut. “You’re late.” Arden closed the door behind her, giving Lily a sickly sweet smile. 

“I’m right on time.” Arden tapped the knicked face of her watch and plopped down next to Lily. “And that’s no way to greet the best friend you haven’t seen in—what—three months?” 

“Oh, shove it.” Lily murmured. Arden snickered but quieted down as soon as the Head Boy started the same prefect speech that was given last year. The gist of it to Arden was, “Don’t let anyone hurt each other and don’t get hurt in the process.” She thought she succeeded at being a prefect last year. How hard could it be this year?

✧✧✧

Much to Arden’s delight, things were running immensely smooth on the train car she was monitoring. No fights had broken out. Most compartments were at a manageable noise level. The hardest thing she’s encountered so far was a nervous first-year. 

“But what if I get lost?” The glassy eyes of the first-year boy made Arden feel sorry for him. 

“Then ask for directions. The professors are willing to help each student get to where they need to go.” She tried reasoning, but the poor kid still fiddled nervously with the hem of his pristine robes.

“What if I don’t fit in, though?” The boy squeaked out. Sitting down across from him, Arden smiled fondly at him. 

“What’s your name?”

“Michael.” 

“Well, Michael, that’s exactly what I thought when I transferred from Ilvermorny the beginning of my third year.” She crossed her legs at the ankle. “Turns out I worried for nothing; I met my best friend on the train ride to Hogwarts and Ravenclaw welcomed me with open arms.” 

“Really?” Michael looked at Arden hopefully. 

“Of course! You have nothing to worry about.” 

BOOM!

A sudden explosion rattled the train car. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Arden heaved a great sigh.

“What was that?” He asked frantically. 

“It seems your fellow students are really excited about testing their luck with me again.” Sarcasm coated Arden’s words. “Just stay here, okay? I’ll be right back.” 

She stepped out into the hallway, the smell of smoke immediately assaulting her senses. Coughing into her elbow, she maneuvered her way past the heads of students peeking out to see what all the commotion was about. “Everybody back in your compartments! Nothing to worry about here.” She shouted. The students grumbled as she made her way to the compartment that was clearly the source of the ruckus; wisps of smoke were easing their way out of the cracked door. “Merlin, give me strength.” Arden pleaded. She composed herself and slid open the door. 

James Potter and Sirius Black were stood at the windows, desperately trying to waft the smoke out of the compartment as Peter Pettigrew wildly pat himself down to smolder the embers on his clothes. With his mousy brown hair sticking up in all different directions and his eyebrows smoking slightly, Peter looked like he had poked a dragon one too many times. Arden crossed her arms and steeled her expressions. She cleared her throat. All three boys’ heads snapped in her direction. 

“It’s kind of hard to convince a nervous first-year that everything’s going to be fine when an actual explosion happens on the train.” She looked at each boy pointedly. 

“Jus’ a bit of Exploding Snap, Walker. Nothing to get your robes in a twist over.” Sirius said, shutting the window behind him. He gave Arden the most charming smirk he could muster, but that only made her jaw tick. 

“Exploding Snap shouldn’t shake the entire train car.” 

“So, we modified the deck a little bit.” James shrugged her comment off, cleaning his glasses with his shirt. “No harm was done.”

“Then why does Peter look like he lost a fight with a fireball?” Arden jerked her head in Peter’s direction, who was now trying to make himself the least bit presentable. 

“He’s fine! Right?” Sirius nudged Peter with his elbow. Peter nodded aggressively. He patted out another ember that appeared on his shoulder. 

If Arden was being truthful with herself, she felt bad for Peter. He seemed to follow James and Sirius around like a lost dog, but she couldn’t judge; she bet that’s how she looked with Lily. 

“Just, please don’t cause any more trouble, at least until we get to Hogwarts,” Arden asked as nice as she could. 

“Yes, Professor Walker.” James mocked. She bit her cheek to keep her from saying anything too rude. She didn’t want to feel the wrath of her mother across the UK.

Arden shut the Marauders’ door, not before silently performing the Mending Charm on Peter’s clothes. She checked in on everybody else and resumed her position across from Michael. 

✧✧✧

The Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt. The dark brick and mortar of Hogsmeade Station basked in the evening sunset, the ivory base of the station’s sign tinted a pale tangerine. Closing her eyes, Arden inhaled a deep breath. The crisp scent of pine and the chatter of the students embraced her. She was home. 

An easy smile bloomed on her face, the dimple on her left cheek becoming noticeable; she really hated that thing. Begrudgingly, she pulled herself back to reality to make sure all the first-years made their way to the prefects escorting them to the Great Lake. Making one more pass through the train car she had been monitoring, Arden stepped off the train. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her uniform pants and made her way to the carriages. Looking up she noticed the tall, lanky form of Remus Lupin a couple of paces ahead of her. 

“I would ask if you knew who caused that deafening explosion on my train car, but I think you’ve already got a good idea.” She called after him. He stopped in his tracks, waiting for her to catch up to him. 

“You should know by now that they’re never one for subtlety.” Remus lightly defended his friends, looking more than slightly amused by their antics. 

“Yeah, but making an already pretty high stakes game even higher stakes? That’s just asking for somebody to get hurt.” Arden justified. Remus nodded along. “I mean, c’mon, who’s idea was it?” 

“Oh, that was all James—” 

“Should’ve known.”

“—but I helped—” Remus hummed in thought, searching for the right word, “—enhance the deck.” Arden looked at him incredulously. 

“Why? That could’ve done some serious damage!” Arden gestured wildly with her hands. 

“But did it?” Remus proposed and Arden grew quiet.

“Well . . . no.” She mumbled. Remus chuckled. 

“I’ll still talk to them about pulling pranks like that if you want me to. Dunno how much it’ll help if I’m being honest.” He offered, but she waved off his offer.

“Thanks, but I think it will make them want to cause more trouble, not deter them from doing so.” Arden tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Arden, let’s go! You move slower than Marlene in the morning!” Lily shouted to Arden from her seat on the carriage. 

“Hey!” Marlene exclaimed, shoving a giggling Lily. 

“See you around, Lupin.” Arden bid him goodbye. “And tell Potter to stop staring at my best friend like that; it’s weird.” She heard Remus bite back a laugh from behind her.

“I think Sirius has that covered for me.” Arden looked over at the trio waiting for Remus. 

“Honestly, Prongs, you look like the Giant Squid. You aren’t gonna win Evans over if you look like a big fish all the time.” Sirius lectured James frankly. Arden huffed a laugh out her nose and shook her head as James mussed up Sirius’ hair for the comment he just made. 

She climbed onto the horseless carriage, gaining a “Finally” from Lily. The carriage jolted forward, bringing the girls to the doors of Hogwarts. Jumping out, Lily and Arden walked swiftly to the Great Hall, ready to fill their grumbling stomachs. Arden made her way to the Ravenclaw table and sat down beside a couple of her quidditch teammates from last year. They greeted her and made polite conversation as the hoard of first-years filed in behind Professor McGonagall. 

The Sorting Ceremony breezed by pretty uneventfully. Each house gained a decent amount of new members and the boy that Arden had comforted on the train got sorted into Gryffindor. The excited chatter at each of the house tables ceased as Professor Dumbledore took his place at the golden podium. 

“Students, new and returning! Welcome to Hogwarts. I’m sure you all are pretty famished, but before we begin the Feast, I would like to first introduce your new Charms Master, Professor Filius Flitwick.” Professor Dumbledore gestured behind him, his half-moon glasses glinting in the light. At the table where all the professors resided, a dwarfish man stood up in his seat. His eyes crinkled behind his circular glasses as he smiled, a large mustache taking up residence on his upper lip. Professor Flitwick nodded courteously to the hall filled with students. He sat back down, taking his place between Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall. 

“I would also like to welcome Professor Bernard Janus, who will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.” A tall man stood up at the Professors’ table, clasping his hands in front of him. His chocolate brown hair was expertly coiffed and his navy blue waistcoat was tailored perfectly to his broad chest. With a sharp jawline, Grecian nose, and well-defined cheekbones, he captured the attention of everybody in the room. Professor Janus surveyed the Great Hall, as Arden took him in. He was handsome, that much she knew for sure, but she couldn’t help the sinking feeling that plagued her stomach. Their eyes met. His eyes were heterochromatic; one the color of nickels and the other resembling tree bark. The hair stood up on the back of her neck as he held her gaze for a couple more seconds and then moved on. 

“Good luck to you both, Professor Flitwick and Professor Janus,” Dumbledore said, earning the applause of the students and professors. “Now, dig in!”

Arden eagerly filled her plate with mashed potatoes, roast chicken, peas, and carrots. She dowsed her mashed potatoes in gravy and dug in, momentarily forgetting all the table manners her mother drilled into her and pushing the uneasy feeling to the back of her mind. She would worry about Professor Janus later. Now, she had a wonderful banquet to devour. 

✧✧✧

Arden trudged up the spiral staircase towards her dorm. Her hair dripped excess water from her shower onto her gray sleep shirt, but she couldn’t care less. All she wanted right now was to go to sleep. 

The Ravenclaw first-years, while rather endearing, were also tiresome. Arden had never encountered such a curious bunch before. They bombarded her with questions and part of her admired their inquisitiveness, however, the other, sleep-deprived part of her wanted them to direct their questions to the paintings that covered the stone walls. 

Rubbing her eyes, Arden crawled into bed. The soft navy sheets blanketed her in warmth. As she hunkered down into her covers, the clinking of the dog tags around her neck caught Arden’s attention. She lifted them up and read the debossed lettering for what seemed like the trillionth time: 

WALKER

RAY N,

113-07-2360

A POS

BAPTIST

Arden smiled sadly, her father’s name glinting in the moonlight. Her father passed away four years earlier, but to her, it only felt like four days. With a heavy heart, she tucked the dog tags back under her shirt. She always kept them hidden to stop any unwanted questions. 

✧✧✧

TAGS

@virgiill @yourfriendly-neighborhoodfuckup

A/N: Don’t be afraid to ask to be tagged!!

-Red

[analogical-trash]

learning disability rewriting

I’m writing this fanfic. the first three chapters will be mostly the same. I’m going to try something I’ve never done before and have an upload schedule new chapter every Tuesday afternoon. 

@logince @analogically-prinxiety @analogicalhell @analogical-messn @samthekoalabear98 @valeriebevill1999

ao3    wattpad

Chapter 1

Logan was in his booster seat listing to the newest books on tap that he mom got for him at the library. They pulled up into the parking lot, he mom turned off the story.

“Aww can’t we just finish the chapter?”

“Sorry Logan you just have to wait till after school to find out what happens next”

“Okay,” Logan got out of the car with his mom’s help. He gives his mom a kiss “Goodbye”

“Logan honey you forgot your backpack”

“Oh right” he grabs it and started walking away “bye for reals this time”

“Bye logan”

Logan walked to class he was thinking about the book and what could happen next when he was about to open the door to class he realized something. This was Mr. Sanders class his 3rd-grade teacher, he was in 4th this was his teacher from last year. It was already September he should know where he was going. He turned around and walked into the bathroom. And pulled out his notebook which had the school map printed on it. He had color in blue Miss, that classroom,

“Okay, room 306” he left the bathroom and followed the map to room 306. He opened the door and walked in

“Logan you're late again”

“Sorry miss. Tate”

“Don't let it happen again” Logan nodded and walked over to his desk. He pulled out his math notebook and started writing what was on the board. His hand was starting to hurt halfway through the lesson he gives it a shake and started writing again. Logan finished his math worksheet and was sitting at his desk thinking about his book and where it could go next. how would the spy get into the secret base would the bad guys find him. 

“LOGAN!” logan jumped and looked over at the teacher. Aaaannnnnndddd the whole class sitting on the floor. Miss. Tate didn’t look so happy she had a book in her hand. Logan quickly got out of his chair and sat down on the carpet “so glad to have you join us logan”

Miss. Tate started reading the story but Logan couldn’t pay attention he was so embarrassed about not being on the carpet when he was supposed to. This time he made sure to watch the other students when they got up he made sure to get up. 

Soon it was lunchtime logan grab his lunch box and walked to the cafeteria. He sat down at the table and ate his lunch, He ate his grapes in pares one on each side of his mouth. There was an old number he looked at it thinking about what to do. Then an idea comes to him he bit the grape in half and put one half on one side and the other on the other side. Happy with his solution he ate his sandwich. 

Then it was time for recess he walked out and started looking around for bugs he found a grasshopper and just followed it around for the whole recess. Once the bell rings, he followed one of his classmates back to class. He sat down and pulled out his language art notebook. class when on for what felt like forever. Once it was time to go home he walked over to the parent pick up. He waited for his mom. Once his mom came he give her a great big hug.

“Hey sweetie”

“Hi mom, come on I want to know what happens next”

“Hold on honey I have to talk to Miss. Tate”

“Why?”

“Not sure she just asked if we could meet after school” they started walking over to his classroom

“When?”

“Last week”

“Oh okay”

They walked into the classroom, Miss. Tate looked up from her desk.

“Glad to see you come in take a seat”

“Here logan” Miss. Tate gives him some color blocks that they had used to count. Logan starts to organize them into color. He found out that there was more purple then blues and not too many yellows. That was good he hated yellow. As he counted the blocks and play around with them he listens to what his mom and Miss. Tate was talking about.

”Miss Sanders I think that logan has a learning disability of some kind”

“What no logan is smart he understanding audiobooks in the car for middle schooler”

“Yes well he still doesn’t know how to read”

“He just a late blower he learns”

“I’m sorry but I would like to have him tested”

“I don’t think that necessary”

“Logan come here” Logan walked over Miss. Tate pulled out a paper and wrote some letter on it

“Logan don’t worry about reading this just tell me which letter is on the page”

“Okay, B I D K T L E Y X H Z and G”

“See he completely missed S and there was no Z written.” Logan looked back at the paper trying to find the S “logan can you tell me if the letter is moving at all even if it only a little bit” Logan was confused why was she asking this he nodded.

“See miss sanders logan needs to be tested”

“I...I don’t know what to say”

“It okay I know it's hard but sometimes these things happen”

“But he smart”

“Just because you have a learning disability doesn’t mean he isn't smart”

“Okay, when will he be tested?”

“We start testing him on Monday during recess”

“Oh okay”

“Thank you for understanding this is truly the best for him”

They walked to the car logan could tell his mother was upset but he couldn’t understand why. Once they got in the car he totally forgot all about the meeting as he listens to the book. Once they got home his mom turn off the car but didn’t get out.

“Logan honey what happened in the story today mommy wasn’t listening”

“Oh mom it was so good to see the spy used this X-ray to find the thumb drive and then was able to escape” and Logan keeps going on about how the spy escapes And even told his mother about what he thought was going to happen in the story next.

“Yeah he smart,” she said when he was done

“What that mom?”

“Nothing I just love you so much”

“Love you too mom”

[awesomeq1225]

6/24/19 

Narrative Draft  

The Daughter of Eden

“It’s alive, it’s alive” the performer exclaimed as he pulled the lever to activate the monster. Monster starts thumping around and breaking all the equipment with its large filthy hands. All the actors run away and the simulation ends when a burst of distant laughter grows near. “Heh lowlives, you think that is life? Or fantasy? Oh, how I wish I could see their faces when they see this.” a woman in half button up lab coat and remarks as she turns to look at a covered up preservation tank.  She flicks her half lite e-cigarette and signs as she shuts off her study. As she drifts off a cool calm gust blows through an open window, which causes the drape to flutter. It reveals the rim of an empty tank with a titanium plaque: “Aptrova “Eve” Curie N0.XXX-07”.  

“Lachia? Lachia?”  A Portal calls from the far side of the room. 

“Ughh what? What is so urgent that I miss sleep and at 3:00 am no less” The woman says as she drags herself out of her stasis vat.   

“Eve she… she's missing” her assistant calls out worryingly. 

“What? No, you’ve got… “ She remarks as she pulls the drape.

 “Oh no, just when I thought this version was full proof” She collapses and screams in pain with one hand slipping from the tank. All of her memories flood in as she starts to destroy her work leading up to this point. Her assistant tries to cheer her up by showing her all the accomplishments of her work but nothing would suffice.  

First holo video:  September 23, 2023; Yorkshire  Café___  A news Anchor with images of a potato with the headline “The new face of God” was broadcasted iridescently over the cityscape. While the people collectively roll their eyes and scoff, a much younger Lachia admires it in glee. Next to her is Claudia who almost spits out her tea with googly eyes. “What are you? Afraid? this is my calling! Its what leads to man's accomplishments to galactic recognition.” 

“But, BUT Lacy you know their right and what this leads to?...” 

 “Sure, sure autonomy but we are their creator we.. you know what you're too cynical”

 “Cynical? Cynical‽ have you not heard of AI, terminator, ex machina, Her?”

 “Oh those, those are just fiction like they ever..” A robot rolls over to pick up their trays.  

“Thank you,” Lachia says with a nervous laugh;  Claudia sighs and pets her head as she hums “Caged bird”. 

Meanwhile back at the lab, “ Cathy oh Cathy come back, I feel like a kid again; you were right all along.” Lachia mutters as she watches the memories go into the trash. She stops for a moment “Maybe I should just give up, or at least take a ‘holiday’” she sighs and drags herself outside and towards her old county.  “Huh?“ she exclaims sometime later in front of the café “It’s still here? ‘No matter how far away from home is always near’” A tear drift down as she swipes to next video in her holotablet.  

November 2nd, 2023 Charleston, NY- 

Frantic typing could be heard from a  dimly lit room on the far east side of the tristate area.  “ Whatcha doing?” Claudia asked as she lends over Lachia’s shoulder. 

“Oh, just signing up for labs. What about this one?” Lachia points to a webpage with a forest background ‘Eden: a new beginning”’ 

“Lacy, aren't you forgetting something?” '

'What?” “Nevermind, you know it requires you to have experience right?” 

“ What? Is assisting not enough... You don't think i can do it do you?  

“ No, I'm just being realistic” Claudia flicks to her own choice 

“ Synthetica: a critical take on playing God” Lachia scoffs 

“What's that another psych lab?” 

“So what if it is at least I can foreseeably achieve my future…” “OUT OUT.” 

“fine.” Claudia leaves and Lachia breaks her necklace in anger. 

 Lachia holds out the broken necklace as she goes to the center of the city.  She passes by digital posters of Apotrova each more disfigured than the next. 

“ No this doesn’t add up she couldn’t have been gone for this long” Suddenly, her necklace beings to ring  

“ wait April? April? Aptrova?” Lachia calls out  as the signal leads her to the tallest building in the city.

 “ isn't this Central park tower? If so it's all barren. Of all places, why would she be her?” Lachia mutters as she moves on to the next video. 

August 2025 

A virtual letter lands on the balcony of the house  one summer evening. Lachia picks it up and gasps “no way, I proved her wrong ?! sure it took two years but I knew I could count on it.” In  the honor of her getting to  the facility her family  went to Central park tower. Lachia stood there in awe and wished that one day she could be working in that building. As they rode in the glass elevator she marveled more and more in how small the city looked under her. Meanwhile unbenounced to Lachia, Claudia was standing at the door of the elevator in fear not only to heights but also of how some it made her feel. At the 39th floor, Lachia went to the gift shop and got a snow globe to encapsle how much power she felt.    

 “ Dr? Dr?” the assistant calls out while looking over at the snow globe. 

“She's been gone all morning and i'm worried that her work has gotten to her. I better call Claudia.” 

The assistant calls Claudia by patching it through the snowglobe. The snowglobe works like a satellite and can  work as a hub contact center.  As Claudia’s phone rings, Lachia keeping climbing up the tower leading to the top floor.  Claudia answers the phone and runs toward the rim of the town with her necklace tracker. “Only two more videos to go but cant i delete them”.  

A tank  can be seen on the far edge of Lachia’s lab with the label of EVE. “hmm i should be close to at least make a child but” Inside the tankis blob that barely has any resemble of any animal never to mention a human.   

“How? We've mapped the genome of the human and all i did was done a bit of my hair for stem cells.” “What i am I missing?” she exclaims while going through tons of books and sites. Her assistant dust and clean the area in order to make sure there are no particles that has interfered with the experiment.   “Think of what makes animals different from bacteria other than their complection.”suggests her assistant. 

“Wait I've been focusing too much on the small building blocks not what they create together”

 “yeah like tissues, system organs wait a heart” 

“what do you mean?” “ in addition to structures they also make it possible to have feelings” 

“That's it I’ve relayed too much biology that I haven’t realised what makes us unique. But Claudia is the only one I know who studies this stuff” she sighs as she glances at the tank. 

“Oh how stupid I was back then to think that biology was a stand alone and most powerful of the sciences”  Lachia shakes her head as she looks down form the top of the building  mulling over her choices.  She signs as she looks at the last memory and tries to delete it, but then she sees something at the corner of her eye, a light purple and black bow. She takes the bow as she moves to the last video. 

2040 

“One last touch”  Lachia puts the bow on the latest verizon of EVE -XXXX07 and opens the clapsue. “Success” Eve starts to walk around the lab as Lachia and her assistants creates tests to make sure that she's fool proof. 

“Movement check, organs check, simple problem solving check,emotions check, language” the assistants muttered as she performs each task with flying colors year after year.  “Speak eve” commands Lachia.

 *muffed robotic noises* “h___i” “hmm that's strange I made sure that none of the parts are robotic especially the vocal cords” She says as she tries to find out what's wrong. Eves vocal cords can be seen under an advanced x-ray machine and along with the other components of speech. The team zooms in to see blobs around those areas but aren’t sure why the voice is robotic.   

The last year : “ahh” Eve swallows a microsurgeon pill and as it works the assistants double check. After a few minutes the pustules decrease and they prepare to test speech again. “Say your name”

 “ev_Apotrova” 

“ wait what? You named your self?” Apotrova nods. 

“Let her play outside i'm going to think over some things” As Aptrova goes outside Lachia puts on Leaving while she silently cries. 

Lachia  looks over the city as she feels for the tracker in the ribbon. “Where ever she is hopefully she doesn't go over the gate or I could be in for some real trouble.” Meanwhile Claudia peeks through the gate and hears a distant  screams. She rushes inside the gate calls out Aptrova as Lachia is on the absolute edge of the skyscraper.  

 Lost in waste lands Aptrova is horrified at what she sees:  tons of   decaying tanks  stacked haphazardly in cold barren ground. This ground goes as far down as the eye can see without a sign of civilization. Aprtova shivers  as she  thinks back to all the warnings Lachia gave her about this place. How it is constantly dry  but right at the back of the lab with a rundown and uneven fence surrounding the perimeter. Although there is no civilization there are ruined houses littered throughout the area.  And sploses of slime and gunge can be seen everywhere.  However Aptrova couldn't help herself from wondering if these stories were true, so at the dead of night of her eighth birthday she fled. Unbenounced to everyone, the fence at that sector which was usually highly secured was broken. Which made her journey seen easier than she ever thought.  However as she traveled deeper and deeper the cloud fade away to reveal on the stars of the night. At the deepest point  stood a  house unlike any other, it was complete and full of life.  Aptrova was relieved to see this, she went in unexpectedly of what's to come.  As she went to prepare to stay for the night  a distant squelch could be heard from the corner of the room.

When she opened the fridge all she could see was slime with a putrid smell that almost made her gag. As she closes the fridge she started to realize that she wasn’t alone as slime kept popping up wherever she searched.  She knew that she wasn’t the first to escape and just as she thought of this a distant voice can be heard.   

 “Help squelch help squelch ”  Aptrova starts to  run but she goes near to the voice  and sees a slime made up of many faces and bodies. It is sloshing  around and it seemed to be building something. She looked up and there was a leak in the house 

“oh my who would do such a thing?, sure it's not the most applying or most intelligent but its still alive.” she thought.Then it came to her, all the memories of abuse by the city folk whenever Lachia brought her there. They would laugh throw food and tease her but Lachia would always take the blows.  Horrified she runs straight for the closest exit from the house which is just outside of Synthetica. As she leaves a teared up sign hanging in the wind read “Home of Eve”  which matched the empty tanks left in the dump.  

Aptrova arrives at the end of the path in a hot sweat and healthy breathing while looking back every few seconds. She tries to find a place to hide and soon realizes how viverant her surroundings.  Lush forest and gleaming lakes and abundant with wildlife with some rusted manmade objects. 

“Oh my where am I this is so beautiful, I could just live here” she thought as she went towards the lake  humming Sandbox.  

Some time after,  a high pitched scream can be heard from the forest as Claudia enter the forest. As she ran closer and closer to the river it picks up and there were alligators biting at Aptrova. “Give me your hand” she called out as she drags Aptrova out of the water and towards the gate. Aptrova shuts down and doses off as they arrive at the door of  Synthetica. Claudia lays April down when the sirens went off as  news flashes of a woman scaling the tallest building in the city. 

“Oh my word LACY?! What have I done?” Claudia rushes on to her hover bike and speeds off the tower.  

Meanwhile her assistants try their best to fix Aptrova as silently as they can. Most of her skin is gnawed away to reveal a carbon fiber skeleton and some body parts but most of her organs and appendages seem intact. The pleasant humming of the tools fade as Claudia draw near.  

At the center of the city, Lachia stood at the spock of the skyscraper looking down at the last to memories of her holotablet. “Hope im not..” Claudia thought worryingly as she looks up  while the crowd collectively call for help.  Lachia dives headfirst down the building straight on to the mattress between a sea of people with motor bikes with uniforms. As she lands Claudia rides up and tries to calm her down signing Caged bird. As the crowd starts to disparce,

 “ Claudia? Oh how I’ve missed you” Lachia embraces her hard as they both teared up at the foot of the mattress. 

A few weeks later, Lachia and Claudia meet up  in Yorkshire cafe and Claudia has a surprise for her. “How about now?” April whispered. 

“Yes come in we have a little something for you too.”Claudia whispers look over at her at the corner of her eye. As April walks in Lachia lights up and all of her assistants go fanfare. 

“We are reopening the Cafe and I want you to live as a normal girl and not an experiment.” The scientists say with glee and  the three of them go on a tour of it. Pointing out all the items that Lachia kept to make it encapsulate there legacy. 

“Thank you thank you… but I have two questions: How does Claudia know me and may I leave?”. As Aprotrova blurt out those words Lachia slienty nods and stands up to go behind the counter. She pulls out a secret stash of letters which were all sent to Claudia. As Aptrova leaves the woman open up shop and  customers flocking in while they smile in pure bliss.  

[energeticathlete-blog]

{{  IRL Update  }}

{{  Gonna put this under a cut cuz it’ll be lengthy and have images but IF YOU’RE CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE I’VE BEEN here’s my irl upate y’all  }}

So, I’ve been pretty exhausted these last several months, to the point where I couldn’t get to my sweet ol’ blog here. I honestly could barely keep up with my normal day-to-day activities. So, what’s been going on? A lot, honestly. Let’s start from the beginning, which was about February. My oral health stuff was overwhelming. If you’re new or need a refresher (cuz it’s been a hot minute no lie), I had some major dental issues back in August/September last year. I had an infection that was clawing it’s way into my jaw, which can be incredibly dangerous. They did an emergency procedure to remove all the infected nerve and issue, which is great. But there was still a lot of work to go through to get my entire mouth up to snuff. I’m still not done with it all if you can believe that, and it’s almost been a year since this started. I haven’t gone in a few months though for irl reasons (which I’ll list shortly) and because I got switched to a new dentist that has a hard time making time for me. But at least I’m at a point where I can operate without pain, so there’s that. I had one of two surgeries back in April, which I am recovered from, so now I just gotta wait for the dental surgeon to get a hold of me so we can make a date for the second one. Alright, so dental stuff sucks and ate at a lot of my time from February until now. What else, you might ask? Cosplay. I decided to take on a huge project for Anime Central this year, which was Sylvanas Windrunner from Blizzard’s franchise of games, but particularly her World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth version. I hadn’t taken on such an ambitious project before, so I was really sweating to get it done before the con. There was a lot of new materials and methods I had to practice with when it came to this costume. Some of it worked well, some of it ended in blood and tears. But, despite it all, I got most of it done. Most, because I didn’t make her bow/quiver, but honestly, what mattered is that the outfit itself was presentable and good. It...had some complications as far as making it sit properly on my harness. But that’s what I get when I rig it all together in the hotel room on Friday/Saturday. This is the fruit of my labor from about March through May:

Hard to see but I had working LEDs and everything! I was so heccing proud of this honestly. There’s a ton I want to improve and upgrade on what I have, but honestly, I was just happen to get this out in time. Many sleepless nights were had, but it was worth it. Okay, so I was busy through May with this dental stuff AND the cosplay jazz. What about from end of May to now? I started focusing on my Patreon more--yeah, I have one of those! I use it for cosplay shoots, life updates, art stuff, etc. I had to sit down and do tutorials, make sure I record my methods for art and cosplay, and fulfill jazz on there. Here’s a little tidbit of what I’ve worked on (that I can share lol):

So, what else? Well, wonderful question. I hacked my hair off at some point because I got liquid rubber in it from creating Sylvanas (Plastidip can eat my whole ass) which was pretty weird for me cuz I’ve had long hair since middle school.

It feels...weird, but I also kinda like it. I hated short hair in middles school and vowed not to chop it off since then, but getting liquid rubber in your hair has a way of changing your perspective. I’m also a different person and have evolved from the ugly duckling I once was, so it feels a bit better having shorter hair now that I’m an adult. I had some irl family issues that I had to mitigate (I tend to be the level headed anchor in my family, so people come to me when disputes happen). That, and my birthday was actually in June! Long story short, my birthday is smack dab between two of my friends, so I had my get together the second to last weekend of June so the other girl could have the June 30th weekend (my actual birthday) for herself. Sadly, my get together started with a trampoline park...where I rolled my ankle. Badly. The ER tech who x-rayed my foot said I'd be lucky if my ankle wasn’t fractured. Well, luck was on my side and the doctor on staff confirmed it wasn’t fractured. However, I severely tore my ligament. I have to see an orthopedic doctor about it to determine the full damage, but she made it sound like physical therapy should be discussed. That was two weeks ago now and it’s still swollen and injured. I can walk on it finally but I can’t put more than my own weight on it without pain. I also can’t fully twist or extend my foot without strain either, so while I can safely walk on it, I’m playing it safe by not driving (I don’t trust myself to slam on the breaks in the event of an emergency) or wearing heels. It’s still super bruised and eggplant-y but it’s gotten better. I won’t show pics of it because feet are gross and my right foot is particularly nasty with bruising and swelling. And now we’ve come to present time! I’m just about to leave for a convention for the long weekend and won’t be back until Monday, but I’m putting my best foot forward fucking irony by returning to this blog now that the craziness has died down some. I do have some busy days to come, as I’ll be moving into a new place next month, but I won’t let that stop me from resuming my role as the energetic athlete and socializing with all y’all. Those who have known me before my hiatus and stayed--y’all the real MVPs. Those who recently followed me and have taken the time to read this--y’all the real MVPs too. Now that I’m back, I want to put the peddle to the metal and interact with all of you. Sorry I’ve been gone for so long--I’ll do my best now that I’ve returned! -- Lenore  <3