#i guarantee he runs through lavender like crazy

[puckinghischier]

https://www.tumblr.com/puckinghischier/768893285591924736/nico-being-an-essential-oils-girly-was-not-on-my

where did he say this 😭

he has oils and a diffuser in his auction bag for the devils youth foundation!!!

it just made me giggle bc it really does make sense, but it just surprised me that he wanted to put it in his auction bag hehe

[han-shinsuke]

t o b i o k a g e y a m a

He strikes three consecutive points against the opposing team. Those hits guaranteed their victory. You cheer with the Adlers’s fans, clapping gently with a proud smile on your lips. Far from the front row, from where his friends and team members and some of the significant people in his life, you are in a place where no one would notice your presence. Again, you pray to the Almighty that even just for once, just this once... to get noticed by Kageyama.

You throw yourself a mocking laugh in your head. The players headed back to their locker room. Since the day of the birth of your fascination towards player number twenty, you can’t even try to get his autograph and have a selfie with him. You’re just too shy, terrified and you really lack in what they called 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, to put it simply, you bear no ounce of privilege and power to get close to him.

You are just a stone in a sea of diamonds.

You left the stadium defeated.

[ three months later ]

You stop seeing his matches live, but still supporting him through online streaming and purchasing their team’s merchandise. It’s not the tiring land travels and late night troubles getting home that pushed you to end the fascination you 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 carry in your heart for him rather, it is your way to prevent a terrifying adoration from growing further. You had crushes before and they were all unable to return your feelings. All of them were now memories. And soonest, he would be, too.

“Uncle Moro has visitor?” there’s a pair of man-sized shoes on the doorstep when you get home from the University you currently attending. Moro Haida is your mom’s new live-in partner. He’s a tailor and he made you clothes like you’re his daughter.

Your mom handed you a glass of water, “yeah, he’s upstairs, resting in your room.”

That news instantly deprives you a clearer air and you ended up coughing the water you just gulped.

“Mama! Why in my room?! You could have offered him the attic! It would be better in there! My posters! He probably thought I’m a stalker!” rushing to your room, you left your mother humming in the kitchen.

As soon as the door knocked open, you bow your head and apologize, “My apology for the mess you have witnessed, sir! I assure you, I intend no harm to the person adhered on the walls of my room—”

He’s milky white and his smell masked the original lavender scent of your room. The aroma coming from him reminded you of the cold season. His hair looks so soft in person and his eyes... they’re the darkest shade of night. And his lips–you pry your eyes away from his alluring charisma. Hands on your chest, a sob escaped your mouth.

“Your mom brought me here because she thought I looked like the guy on your wall and she was right, I’m the athlete on your wall.” He speaks so calmly.

“Ka–Kageyama... why are you here?” in every words, there are consecutive skipbeats of your heart.

“I’m Moro’s client.” He pushes himself off your bed, admiring how you look right now. Tensed. Frozen on your spot.

Kageyama Tobio towers your height.

“O–okay? Would you like to relocate to the attic? It is the coolest place in our home.”

“You do not want me here?” Kageyama tucks your hair behind your right ear. There was a faint electricity when his fingertips brushed against your skin.

“No!” unaware, Kageyama notices how you bit your lower lip. “I just want you to feel comfortable.”

“Y/N, I’ve missed you,” first hit, he kisses the corner of your mouth. Your body shuddered. “I was worried. I thought about you and why you stopped seeing my matches. I thought about you getting tired of supporting me in silence but I also thought you’re not that kind of person. You’re so passionate. You were so brave going home late at night after every game. I watched you wait for the last trip at the terminal. I’ve seen you struggling keeping yourself warm in the cold while you wait for the cab you booked.”

He kissed the other corner. ”And I was there when you spent a night at the shed because you missed the last bus.”

You started sobbing and he thinks his kisses would work so he claims your lips, slides his tongue inside and basks with your warmth. Your hands find the ends of his shirt, you hold there and give him freedom to kiss you properly. Kageyama grabs the back of your head and pushes you closer to his mouth, he swipes his tongue along the width of your upper lip before sucking you inside, nipping the pinkish flesh you deprived from the other men who’ve tried. He withdraws from your mouth, looks you in the eyes and smiles.

“I even signed a contract for endorsing a transportation line company just to ease the distance and time if you decided to watch me play again through your eyes and not through those screens.”

He pulls you much closer to him, to his body and to his warmth you would always miss.

“You knew about me?” still in tears, you look up to him with your swollen lips he locks in his gaze.

“Uh huh, I saw you first at the bus stop when you decided to sleep there to wait for the first morning trip.” Kageyama pecks on your lips, “at first, I didn’t know whom you cheered for but through my continuous observations, you were there for my team, you were there for me. I always knew you would cheer for me, in victory or in defeat.”

“Kageyama—” your cries goes down in cage when he caves on your lips again, lifting your chin up high his chest so that he could kiss you better than earlier.

You feel his tongue running all over inside your mouth while brushing his lips against yours as you try to keep up with his heated kisses.

“How would I explain this to Moro?” He was smirking after the kiss. His thumb on top of your really swollen and reddened lips.

“I like you so much, Tobio,” instead you say.

Obviously, you’re still 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 from his intoxicating kiss that you didn’t even bother stopping him from unlocking the first button of your blouse. His fingers brushed against the skin of your neck down to the top of your chest.

“Oh, Y/N! Meet my client, Tobio Kageyama from our National Team.” you heard your step-dad’s voice, you remain under Kageyama’s spell so he answers for you.

“Hello, Moro!” He holds you firmly, careful not to show your flushed face and swollen lips. “Can I have more moment with my girl? You know, she’s got mad because I stepped up and introduced myself as her secret boyfriend. She really wants to keep this as a secret.”

What? You snap your head upward and give him a what-the-fuck look.

“Oh, sure! Let me close the door for you two!” When you heard the door closed, you ask immediately, “what? You told them you’re my boyfriend when you aren’t?”

“You do not want me as your boyfriend?” He asks as he continues popping the buttons of your uniform.

“Wait—No—I mean, you would choose a rock over a diamond?” you slap softly his unstoppable fingers doing business with your clothes.

“I would choose you no matter what you become, Y/N,” that left you breathless and powerless as he drags you up to your study table and dips his face on your neck, sucking your skin, leaving soft kisses. “I would not bridge this town to where I reside if I’m not this crazy over you.”

•💕

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Major Updates to My Weird Idea (that includes my Nightside OCs)

Go check my previous post on this - HERE

This is mainly an update for @schizoauthoress , @the--blackdahlia , @spacelizardtrashboys , @enigmaticandunstable and @piratewithvigor and I personally think @nattinngrst might like this.

I went on a trip to the beach yesterday with my parents and my older brother (who I bored and annoyed with this idea and you'll see some of his influence in this here post)

Anything written in italics is meant to be taken as a joke as you read through this wall of text, sending good vibes as always, hope y'all are doing well.

The show is set in Canadian, Texas (real place: Wikipedia). I'm thinking of this show starting in the mid-to-late 90s (1996/1997).

I've managed to do several things with that weird sitcom idea, so, where to start, how about with the three potential titles:

1 - Neighbourhood Watch

2 - First Call

3 - First Round (Which my brother likes)

Here are some options for bar names, starting with the Cop bar:

1 - The Donut Hole

2 - The Roasted Hog (which my big bro suggested)

3 - The Sherriff's Outpost

And the Biker Bar:

1 - The Handlebar Inn

2 - The Steel Horse Saloon

3 - The Rebel Room

Next on the list of updates: Cast additions, character roles and (Finally after 2 days) Names for Everyone!!

I'll start with the Cop Bar's owner & staff:

Rosalina Asturias 'Rosa' (Played by Billie Martinez) an employee of the local cop bar. Didn't grow up in the town, moved here for work.

Violet Croft (Played by Eli Herne) an employee. Grew up in town, never left, has the hots for one of the guys in the local police.

Sunshine Crawford 'Sunny' (Played by Holly Di Antonio) an employee. Grew up in town, left for college and came back.

Roscoe Power 'Ross' (Played by Jimmy Hart) the loudmouth who owns the bar, grew up in town, used to be a car salesman.

Olesya Pavlovsky 'Olivia' (Played by Penelope Voronin) an employee who grew up in town and has immigrant parents, goes by 'Olivia' because she would rather you don't f*** up her actual name.

Winona Vance (Played by Sam Griffin Silver) an employee who moved here from New York, for unknown reasons, and doesn't really understand the small town, everyone knows everyone lifestyle.

Lavender Whittemore (Played by Victoria Lucifarian) an employee who grew up in England but moved to live in America, settled in Canadian, Texas due to her love of westerns.

Next: The Local Police Squad:

Sergeant Valentine Gautier 'Val' (Played by Bret Hart) recently promoted before the series begins but still on patrol duty, watches over his younger brother.

Corporal Buck Morris 'Buckshot' (Played by Davey Boy Smith) the gun loving corporal of the squad and the only one to have both 'work' and 'home' guns.

Captain Napoleon Cooper 'Crazy Cooper' / 'Captain Crazy' (Played by Jim Neidhart) the police captain, recently reassigned to Canadian, Texas as there were rumours abut him which interfered with his work in his previous location.

Officer Duke Gautier (Played by Owen Hart) the young, recently recruited brother of Sgt Gautier, often put on patrol alone to ensure less arguments, but always checked on by his brother.

Next: The Biker Bar's Staff:

Ozzy Rains (Played by Charles Wright) A biker and member of the staff who grew up just outside of town but loves his fellow staff members like family.

Brock Martel (Played by Henry Godwin) a biker and member of the staff who grew up on a local ranch and loves beer, football and the current Mayor's down-to-Earth style.

Vincent Gore 'Vinnie' (Played by Kane) the owner's son and a known fire loving 'freak' often protected by his surrogate family, the bar staff, Vinnie knows no better than 'ooh, cool looking fire' and must be restrained or have his hands swatted away to stop him burning himself trying to touch campfires.

Raven Knight (Played by Kirby Roussimoff) the only female staff member, but also the girl who does all the tough jobs when needed, has a side business of making and selling artwork, such as portraits to locals, has designed some of the bar staff's tattoos.

Harlow Gore (Played by Paul Bearer) the owner of the bar and a loving father to his son, took Murphy (Undertaker) under his wing when they first met and also treats him, and the rest of staff, like family.

Hunter King (Played by Phineas Godwin) Brock's cousin and a member of staff, taught Raven how to shoot a shotgun and his father owns a local tattoo parlour.

Sequoia Reed (Played by Rikishi) an employee and Frankie's (Yokozuna) cousin, also a surrogate cousin to Raven, having been best friends since childhood. Reed loves his job and his staff family and will defend both at any cost.

Lupe Zapatero (Played by Savio Vega) an employee at the bar and possibly the shortest member of staff, towered over by the tallest staff members but is not any less of a fighter because of his size, a former mechanic who loves nothing more than taking things apart and putting them back together while listening to metal / rock.

Murphy Graves (Played By The Undertaker) Manager of the biker bar and an excellent member of staff, has an outlaw rules vibe, as in he would say to the police "Your jurisdiction ends when you walk in my bar." Very protective of the staff, and the owner.

Frankie Wolf (Played by Yokozuna) the most relaxed and laid-back of the staff, Frankie would prefer to be in the kitchen making potential 'Culinary Masterpieces' as he would call them. Sequoia and Raven's (surrogate) cousin, views his staff mates as family.

Next: The Local Band (Named: Exoskeleton Samurai)/College Students

Quinn Thorn (Played by Jeff Hardy) the bassist to Ros' (Lita) vocals / lead Guitar and older brother Garth's (Matt) Drums, a face paint enthusiast and an English major in college who never seems to find time to study, but always has time to date somehow.

Roz Jerome (Played by Lita) the vocals and lead guitar for the band and an art major who actually studies, dating Garth (Matt) and met Quinn through him. Roz also studies Spanish and French.

Garth Thorn (Played by Matt Hardy) Quinn's older brother and the band's drummer, a major in psychology and a horror movie lover, Roz' boyfriend and almost totally devoted to her, even at the cost of his college work.

Next: The Local Townsfolk of Note:

Mayor Robert Sweet (Played by Jim Duggan) rarely seen, but apparently a good man with good ideas, helps out in volunteer projects and absolutely loves the town. Trying his hardest and people know this, and they love him. (did I meme correctly?)

Rusty Jarvis (Played by Mick Foley) the local hippie who has never left town, somehow managing to know both everything and nothing at the same town. (Very Dude Love with hints of Cactus Jack and Mankind) Does know how to fight when he needs to.

Redd Wayne (Played by 'Sycho' Sid Vicious/Justice) the local baseball/softball star, helps out at the local school/college teaching sports and likes Raven's artwork, he watches her draw when he can, runs the local little league & minor league baseball/softball games.

Earl Black (Played by Steve Austin) the most often seen regular at the biker bar, absolutely loves both the bar and the town, a hardworking guy who has befriended the entire staff (including Harlow and Vinnie) of the biker bar.

Lex Aston (Played by The Rock) a local struggling actor, teaching an acting class to pay the bills and an absolute ladies man, and for that reason he goes to the cop bar, to try and pick up one of the bartenders who works there, often favouring Rosa as she will jokingly flirt back.

Finally (for this section): The Degenerates and Their Benefactors:

Reign Yates (Played by Billy Gunn) Leon's (Road Dogg) best friend, often the getaway driver for the group and a scout for locations, often getting all the info on a place before telling Matty (H.H.H) and Dell (HBK). Often leaves town with Leon to get the heat off them. (and make out in secret)

Zelda Hooper (Played by Chyna) the only female degenerate but possibly the toughest, has a rap sheet as big as her arms, not to be trusted when around the other degenerates as she is usually the actual brains of the operation.

Matty Battle (Played by Hunter Hearst Helmsley) the co-leader of the degenerates, often protected by Zelda or Mark (Kevin Nash). does most of the talking but has the piss taken of him for his looks often by either other degenerates or locals who don't care for the degenerates.

Romeo Colombera (Played by Mike Rotundo/I.R.S) the right hand man of the mysterious benefactor, and often the lawyer for the degenerates as well as a taskmaster for them, telling them what the boss wants done and by what date.

Mark Rake (Played by Kevin Nash/Diesel) the tallest degenerate with a rap sheet as long as his leg, a former bouncer at a now closed nightclub, alongside best friend (and possibly boyfriend) Galo (Scott Hall) and now a bodyguard (when needed) for Matty and Dell (HBK, also boyfriends).

Leon Rose (Played by Road Dogg) best friend of Reign and a scout for the group alongside him. Has found every possible way to piss off other townsfolk and often in the most fights because of it, always on the police's radar for one thing or another and constantly leaving town because of it.

Galo Villalobos (Played by Scott Hall/Razor Ramon) the only (supposedly) Latino degenerate, raised in Canadian, Texas but his parents are from Cuba, Galo is a former nightclub bouncer (alongside Mark) Galo is known (for his ability to give minus fucks) as the most relaxed member of the group.

Dell Pain (Played by Shawn Michaels/HBK) the co-leader alongside Matty, a known flirt with people regardless of gender or sexuality, just to piss them off on some occasions. Dell grew up in town, knowing it like the back of his hand.

Giles Rennell (Played by Ted DiBiase) the mysterious benefactor of the group, bailing them out if needed, he stumbled across the group after seeing a police bulletin and decided to use them to cause enough chaos to guarantee a chance in the next mayoral election.

Zac Noel (Played by X-Pac) the shortest and youngest degenerate, Zac is often treated as the child of the group, being taught how to get away with crimes and trick the police into just letting him go by clerical error and tomfoolery.

Next on my list of updates: Season 1's episode list, episode titles, episode synopses, some spoilers, and the revolving door idea a bit further explained.

Series running order:

Biker bar episode

Cops on Patrol episode

Band/College Students episode

Cop bar episode (yes these are different)

Degenerates episode

(last episode of each season/series only) town meeting/town get-together (E.X: town hall meetings, the town getting together for a sports game or barbeque or restaurant opening)

1x01: Insert Coin to Start: The pilot episode of the series sees the local biker bar of Canadian, Texas installing two, brand new, arcade machines. After leaving for the night, the team finds the bar broken into and both machines missing with no evidence or possible suspects to the robbery. The team finds the machines relatively undamaged in an alleyway nearby. By the end of the episode there's still no suspects. B plot includes an argument between father and son, Harlow and Vincent which ends when Murphy gets involved.

1x02: Hot Pursuit: Newly instated chief of police Chief Cooper [Neidhart] makes changes to the patrol teams before tasking them with looking for any persons involved with (1x01)'s robbery and break-in, leading to a high speed chase later in the episode. B plot includes the squad coming to grips with the new, and much crazier, police chief.

1x03: Making Noise: Local band Exoskeleton Samurai [Team Extreme] are writing new music late at night while Roz [Lita] tries to study for a class the following day but, during a moment of quiet, they hear a break in a couple of doors down and attempt to see who it is. The group get a glimpse of Zac Noel [X-Pac] and Mark Rake [Nash] but not a full glimpse. Now aware of the local degenerates, the band try and forget about it and focus on their own lives until their apartment gets broken into when they're not there.

1x04: Donuts & Beer: The new cop bar opens on the other side of town, serving mainly (both savoury and sweet) bagels and donuts as well as beer (on tap and bottled), the fact it's slightly more risqué gets (both good and bad) attention on the place. Winona Vance [Sam] gets in a fight with Zac Noel [X-Pac] as she's locking up. Winona [Sam] being put in the hospital with a broken arm makes the rest of [Cop Bar]'s staff double down on getting justice for the near break-in.

1x05: Dirty Work: The first episode from the degenerates perspective. The degenerates are just causing general problems for the town without reason because it's fun' but it's quickly losing their interest as the heat on them rises. The end of the episode has Matty Battle [Triple H] receiving a call from 'Mister R' [DiBiase] offering him a deal.

1x06: Blue & Black: A brawl breaks out at [Biker Bar] following whispers that the people who broke in are in the building. The bikers who work at the bar threaten to hurt anyone who works for the rival bar if they try and mess with business while in the biker bar.

1x07: Captain Crazy: A rumour that the current captain was moved location and promoted to smooth over allegations that he may not be fully sane, Officer Duke Gautier [Owen] is determined to find the truth while Sergeant Valentine Gautier [Bret] and Corporal Buck Morris [Davey Boy] are determined to keep the peace and catch the local degenerates.

1x08: Broken Strings: following an argument with an ex girlfriend Quinn Thorn [Jeff] finds his guitar smashed and has to work odd jobs to buy another one (starting a potential series c plot). Garth Thorn [Matt] ends up in a fight with Galo Villalobos [Hall] which ends when Roz Jerome [Lita] smashes a table leg over the back of Galo's [Scott's] head, knocking him out and giving him over to the police.

1x09: Badges & Bottle Tops: Captain Cooper [Neidhart] stops by [cop bar] to talk with owner Roscoe Power [Jimmy Hart]. Meanwhile the Gautier boys [Owen & Bret] interrogate Galo Villalobos [Scott Hall] about what the degenerates are doing and why, getting no information about the mysterious benefactor over than he pays them a lot of money depending on what they do.

1x10: Paid off: The mysterious benefactor 'Mister R' [DiBiase] pays Galo's [Scott's] bail, getting him free for a while but side-lining him too. The benefactor remains hidden in shadow but Matty & Dell [Triple H & HBK] have a meeting with him to discuss money and the next job.

1x11: Written in Ink: the tattooed bikers on the staff encourage regular customer Earl Black [Austin] to get a skull tattoo on his back and even take him with them to the tattoo parlour they frequent, finding it to be burned to the ground with a 'freaks get lost' sign planted in the wreckage. Murphy Graves [Undertaker] dismisses the rumours that the arsonist is the fire fascinated Vincent Gore [Kane] and even gives him an alibi when the cops come looking for answers, putting blame on someone in town who knows about Vinnie's [Kane's] love of fire, which is nearly every person in town.

1x12: Sergeant Heartbreaker: Sergeant Gautier [Bret] is accused of flirting with the staff at [Cop bar] leading to a paid two day leave to get heat off of him while he's ordered to remain at home. Officer Gautier [Owen] and Corporal Morris [Davey Boy] are put on patrol together, leading to a high speed chase of Reign Yates, Leon Rose & Zelda Hooper [Gunn, Road Dogg & Chyna] after witnessing a mugging, assault and graffiti from the trio, the cops eventually lose them down a back road on private Giles Rennell's [DiBiase's] land they would need a warrant for.

1x13: Failing Grade: Quinn's [Jeff's] lack of sleep leads to him getting a fail on an test forcing him to do the semester again. Enraged by this Quinn [Jeff] considers leaving the school but is encouraged to continue following Garth [Matt] ending up in hospital following [1x12]'s assault and mugging on Garth & Roz [Matt & Lita].

1x14: Microphones & Megaphones: [cop bar]'s owner Roscoe Power [Jimmy Hart] installs a stage for local acts in the bar, leading to Violet Croft [Eli] performing later that episode (the closing of the episode into the credits) and the night before the first performance the bar is covered in graffiti, leading to a massive clean up effort from the staff and local volunteers (like Mick Foley & The Rock).

1x15: Trench Warfare: Romeo Colombera [IRS] the benefactor's [DiBiase's] right hand man and go-to lawyer gives the degenerates an list of jobs, run the police chief out of town by the end of the year, run the bikers out of town, and ensure that 'Mister R' [DiBiase] the benefactor wins the next mayoral election.

1x16: Fuelling Up: after closing up [biker bar] Raven Knight [Kirby] narrowly avoids being burned by her motorbike exploding in a ball of fire. Her boss, Harlow Gore [Bearer] tells her to take the week off, leading to her coming into the bar and sitting at the back of the bar, sketching the regular customers and having a long conversation with local sports star Redd Wayne [Sid].

1x17: Brothers in Arms: Together: the Gautier brothers [Bret & Owen] are put on patrol together leading to the arrest of Zelda, Matty & Dell [Chyna, Triple H & HBK] before the trio are bailed out, the brothers interrogate Dell Pain [HBK] (leading to a very 'basic instinct'-esque scene with Shawn in assless chaps and boxer briefs) who gives them no information on their behaviour and why they are doing the things they've done.

1x18: Night Time Fun: the band attends a college party, unknowingly with Zac Noel [X-Pac] also in attendance, leading to the trio being high and drunk and the Thorn brothers [Matt & Jeff] end up in a fight, almost being thrown out of college entirely for their actions the next morning.

1x19: Head or Hart: Violet Croft [Eli] and (officer) Duke Gautier [Owen] meet properly for the first time on a blind date, leading to them walking through the streets of Canadian, Texas at night. The date is quickly ended after Duke [Owen] spots Leon Rose [Road Dogg] spray painting [cop bar] and gives chase after handing Violet [Eli] his number.

1x20: Grunt Work: The degenerates have a group meeting about how to sabotage the town meeting, leading to Rennell [DiBiase] coming out of the shadows to lead the degenerates in a coordinated attack on the town hall. Leading to the degenerates waiting until the town meeting to begin the next day.

1x21: Town Meeting: Mayor Robert Sweet [Duggan] conducts a town meeting, leading to everyone airing their grievances with the degenerates recent spree of activity. At the end of the meeting, paint bombs hidden above the townsfolk go off all at once, covering everyone in bright, almost neon, green paint.

[cialbi]

Boy with Hope: Lavender - Chapter Two

Summary: Severely depressed and addicted to alcohol, you had given up entirely on life. Your passion was gone, your friends had left you and you found yourself completely alone. As you closed your eyes for the last time, the smell of lavender wafted through your nose and a boy with purple wings appeared above you.

Genre: Angst, Romance, Fantasy

Pairings: Angel Hoseok x Reader

Warnings: Language, Depression, Alcoholism, Future Smut

Word Count: 2105

⤎Previous

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You did it. 

You're dead.

You're dead, you're dead, you died, you're dead. 

That was the only explanation, because seriously, gorgeous men with beautiful smiles don't just appear in your room, cook you breakfast and heal you with their magic hands. And they most certainly don't sprout enormous, sparkly purple wings from their backs. That shit only happens in romantic fantasy movies and you're movie genre was most certainly a mix of angst and horror. Magical stuff doesn't happen in those kinds of movies.

Yes, being dead was the only logical explanation.

This is what you wanted right? To be dead. 

Life had been so dark, the pain so unbearable, you could barely walk through it each day. Everything you did was to alleviate some of the anguish: the drinking, the drugs, but it was never enough. You had needed peace. Now, finally, for once in your life you had gotten what you wanted--you should be happy!--so you didn't understand why, instead, you felt so... empty.

"I can't believe it..." You whispered, clutching your arm for some kind of support. "I actually did it, I actually--"

"Wait, no!" Hoseok started, grabbing your arms with his big, warm hands. "That's not what I--"

"And this--" You angled your face to meet his eyes. "This must be my punishment!"

The orange-haired man searched your face frantically for some kind of answer to what you meant. "I'm sorry, what are you talking about?"

Laughing shakily, your expression fell blank. "You know, my punishment. In Hell."

Hoseok's head cocked to the side as he observed you, curiously waiting for you to provide some kind of followup to your statement. When you gave none, he huffed, trying to hide his exasperation. "I don't think I understand Y/N. How is sending an angel to help you a form of punishment from Hell?"

"No you see, that's just it!" You huffed back, prying his hands off of your arms and thrusting them back and away from you. "You say you're here to help me, and maybe, maybe, that's true. But sooner or later, you're gonna realize."

Hoseok sat back, leaning against his elbows. "Realize?"

"That I'm unhelpable." Your voice dropped so low it was barely a whisper as you averted your stare to your hands clasped in your lap. "Just like everyone else did."

A silence fell across the room of your tiny apartment, the air growing thick with a tense energy that dropped low on both your shoulders. Hoseok's sparkly eyes narrowed to slits as he watched you closely. You could hear the soft breathing blow through your noses as you busied your gaze on the silver cross that rose and fell with each movement of the angel's chest.

Slowly, Hoseok broke the silence. "Y/N. I guarantee you're still very much alive." The serious tone mixed with the stern stare he fixed you with had you looking up to meet his face. His expression was soft and smooth, but his eyes twinkled with sincerity. Considering his next words, he continued. "But you should know, it was very difficult to bring you back after all those pills you swallowed. I tried to take away the pains of the aftermath, but it looks like it's going to take much more time for the effects to completely go away." He paused again. "And then there's still the withdrawal period. That, I can't take away."

Oh. 

Withdrawal. 

You were so caught up in the action that you hadn't even stopped to think about that. 

According to Hoseok, you had been asleep for two days, and usually withdrawal can kick in within thirty minutes of sobriety, especially for someone who had become so reliant as you had. Symptoms are usually worse at night--something to do with your brain getting sleepy--but with just the mention of withdrawal you could feel some of them begin to rear their ugly heads. Muscle pains, racing heart beat, the sweats...

You'd become painfully conscious of them now.

As if sensing your awareness, Hoseok sighed. "You're going to have to go through them without my magic, even the hallucinations... I'm sorry. But--" He flashed you a beautiful, reassuring smile as he tucked a piece of hair behind your ear. "--you don't have to go through it alone."

A new realization dawned on you. You hadn't considered that either. That all of this was just a-- "Hallucination..."

Hoseok blinked. "What?"

You laughed a little, suddenly feeling stupid for believing any of this magical nonsense. "This is all just some fucked up hallucination. Those floating lights weren't real, those wings weren't real. You're not real."

"That's not--"

"Man. I really did a number on my brain this time. I mean, I can't believe I fell for it! Angels? Hah! What is my mind going to mess me up with next?" You yammered.

"Y/N, please just---"

"Hahaha, oh my god. I've been talking to a hallucination this entire time!” The speed of your voice was picking up as you went on, the words meshing together in an incoherent babble. “I guess I've had hallucinations before, but they've never talked to me. I must be going crazy.” Your eyelids became extremely wide. “That's it, I'm crazy! I'm totally and completely cray--"

"Ok! Let me just stop you there!" Hoseok interjected strongly, placing a firm hand on your knee and bringing you out of your downward spiral. You immediately snapped your attention to him, the look on his face making you gulp. It was dead serious, lips pursed into a thin line and ivory skin so smooth that not a laugh-line nor dimple was visible. "Let's get something straight.” He held up one finger next to his cheek. “One. You're not dead. Two.” He added a second digit. “You're not crazy... don't ever say you're crazy in front of me again. And three." He held up three fingers, this time in front of your face. "This is not a hallucination. Me... this..." Placing a hand on your shoulder, he looked you square in the eye, the silver chains around his wrists dipping cool against your skin. "Is real."

For a few moments you both just sat there, staring at each other for the thousandth time in one morning. It was like he had you in a trance with those deep chocolate eyes, so it took all you had in you to tear your gaze away and lean back up against the wall to steady yourself. You felt completely thrown off by his sudden change in character and it was making you feel a little woozy.

When you didn't say anything, Hoseok took your chin gently between his fingers and moved you to look at him again. The sunny smile was back on his lips. "Hey. It's going to be ok Y/N. We're going to get you through this together."

The withdrawal symptoms were more present now, and your body had begun to grow hot and cold at the same time. Little beads of sweat began to pool around your forehead and your muscles groaned in dehydration. Maybe it was from all the adrenaline you exhausted while trying to get away earlier, but you were suddenly very burnt out. And still very much in denial.

"You're not real. And I can't get through this. I don't want to get through this." Your head lulled from side to side against the white brick of your wall as you said that. You really didn't. Sobering up took a lot of discipline and work--you just wanted the easy way out and you knew exactly what you needed to get there. So with a voice barely audible, you declared. "I need a drink."

Like, you really, really, needed one.

Hoseok rubbed your shoulder in soothing circles. "Yes. I am. And no. You don't." the angel assured, then snorted softly, running a hand through his sunshine colored locks. "Man, when he said you were stubborn..."

You ignored him, the rapid thumping of your heart distracting you from anything outside of yourself. You needed to quench these symptoms, to dull the noise. You needed to be numb again, and there was only one way to do that. 

“I’m sorry but, I just can’t.” You said weakly. 

“Hm?” Hoseok hummed, lowering his arms to rest on each of his knees. “Can’t what?”

“I can’t do it.” 

‘I can’t stay sober.’

Swallowing thickly, you pushed yourself from off the wall, first into a sitting position, and then, with Hoseok watching curiously, you forced yourself into a standing position, legs spread in the shape of a V atop the bed.

His eyes widened, realizing what you were about to do. "No, Y/N. Please! Don't!"

But it was too late.

With as much energy as you could muster, you lept over him, dodging as he made a dive to stop you, and landing on the floor, just barely keeping your balance. Your bummed knee howled in pain at the impact but you ignored it. Hallucination or not, nothing was going to get in your way. Nothing, no person, no angel, was going to stop you.

Looking over your shoulder, you stuck your tongue out at Hoseok. "Don't touch me, featherbutt! And don't try to stop me either!"

"Y/N, wait! I need to tell you--"

But you didn't waste time for him to finish. You turned on your heel and made a break for the front door, still dressed in your soiled clothes from two days ago and completely barefoot. The adrenaline was beginning to pump through your veins again, giving you that extra boost as you swung the door open and raced down the hall of your apartment complex. Your knee hurt like fucking hell, but you willed yourself to disregard the pain and keep pressing forward.

Glancing triumphantly behind you--haha! Sucker--oh shit!-- you caught a glimpse of an orange head before you collided into something firm and warm, sending you flying back onto your butt.

You winced, clenching your eyes shut at the new pain in your backside. "Goddammit!"

"Woah there. Language." A deep voice bellowed from above.

Cracking an eye open, you made a note to send your steeliest of glares at the person standing over you, but instead, you gasped. There was another good looking man with jet-black hair towering over you, a cigarette clamped between his lips and a long stream of smoke blowing from the dull orange light at the end. His face was young looking, which mixed in a shocking manner to the maturity of his profound, onyx eyes. 

Goodness, he was painfully handsome.

And scary.

He was wearing a black cashmere sweater underneath a black blazer, bottomed off with loose-fit black jeans and a thick silver chain that looped through his belt. But what really caught you off guard was the array of silver jewelry glittering around his body, or, more specifically the detailed silver cross that refracted the light around his neck.

It was identical to Hoseok's.

"Oh great, there are more of you?" You glowered under your breath.

"Yoongi hyung quick! Catch her!" Hoseok called, slowing into a steady jog as he tried to catch up to you.

The man took the cigarette between his lithe, ringed fingers and flicked it off to the side, giving a heavy sigh as he fixed his eyes on you. His expression was suddenly very focused and alert, and you found yourself feeling like prey all over again. "Now where might you be going in such a hurry, princess?"

Scooching away from him, you picked yourself up off the ground and started a slow walk backwards, turning your head every few seconds to see Hoseok inching closer and closer. You didn't have the stamina to take on two of them in this state, hell, you wouldn't have had the stamina regardless, and by now your knee was throbbing in an angry rage. You had to find an opening somewhere between the two of them.

The blacked-haired man made the first move, lunging forward with his arms outstretched, attempting to restrain you but you just barely slid past him. In comparison to Hoseok, he was much shorter, which made it easier to weasel your way around his grasp. He cursed rather colorfully by your evasion and you couldn't help the victorious smirk that pulled on your lips as you continued your stampede down the hall.

And he scolded you about language.

"Fuck Hoseok, she's fast!" You heard him yell from behind you. "She's not even wearing shoes!"

"Quick hyung, after her!" Hoseok's voice replied.

Hearing their words only fueled your speed, racing down the winding staircase that led out into the alleyway and where a few steps ahead laid the mainroad. You could hear the clatter of their footsteps from above as they raced to keep up with you, and by the sound of it they hadn't quite made it to the staircase yet. You paused for a moment to catch your breath, gathering what was left of your bearings as you turned to look down the alleyway. There's a liquor store just around the corner, about three minutes by foot; somewhere you frequented on especially hard days and you most certainly considered this to be one of them.

"Y/N wait! Please!" Hoseok's voice came again, this time from the landing of your apartment complex.

But you didn't wait.

You ran.

━━━━━━━━━▼━━━━━━━━━

Next⤏

A/N

Again, completely unedited!

I hope you enjoyed this next part, the story's just heating up! I wonder if I should make the chapters longer....

[dragonrajafanfiction]

Tokyo Tower (Part 3) Spy Games

Fingel is an unexplored character in most of Dragon Raja Novels. His past is shrouded in mystery and is revealed little by little in hints and tidbits across the novels. So even though there are five novels out, I still can’t say I know that much about him.

The phone rang twice by the time you crossed the room to get it. It was an ornate metal phone standing on lion paws with a turn-style dialing wheel and an earpiece that looked like the brass handle of a castle door. Still when you pick it up you answer. “Pizza Hut. How can I help you?”

Caesar’s smooth voice carried a smile over the line. “Hello MC. I take it you’re all settled in?”

“There wasn’t much to settle. I could rattle around in this place.”

The premier suite of the Takamagahara was second in luxury only to Whale’s own full floor living quarters. This area was nearly one thousand square feet. Coming into the entrance, the floors were covered in mahogany reclaimed from an old dojo. The silk wallpaper shined bright from the walls all the way up to the ten foot vaulted ceiling that hung with a magnificent chandelier.

The sitting and dining rooms were furnished with antique World War II era wood furniture. A grand piano occupied a space near an arched window. The kitchen area was the smallest area as most people who could afford to stay here didn’t bother cooking for themselves. Half that area was just the expansive wine rack and liquor cabinet.

The bedroom floor was a rosy Berber carpet. The king-sized bed took up most of the space. Its tall ornamental posts were overlaid with a silken canopy of gold. The walk in closet was bigger than the entire area you’d stayed in until now.

The bathroom had marble tiled flooring, heated of course, a jacuzzi tub big enough for four people and an infinity shower with more buttons than you knew what to do with.

You roll your eyes around the room, sitting on the bed in your satin lavender night dress, your wet hair wrapped up in a towel. “It’s quite the upgrade.”

“You don’t sound that enthusiastic.”

“I’ll miss falling asleep to voices outside my door.”

Caesar paused at that, silent.

“A wise young man told me that… the world… as it pertains to you, is only composed of the people you know. Even though I have gotten the privilege of staying here, my world has gotten a lot smaller. You boys get on my nerves a lot. And we don’t always see eye to eye. But you are my entire world. Don’t forget it.”

“I bet you say that to all the guys.” Caesar replied.

“Yes! All the guys in my world.” You laugh at his throwing your words back at you. “Anyway… How did the meeting go?”

“Smoothly, much to my surprise. The main target is the King General. Ruri Kazama will be the assassin, Lu Mingfei will be running a sniper position. Fingel will be providing a listening point by laser sensor on the windows. Chu Zihang and I will both be guarding the perimeter in an underground garage from a nearby building to avoid infrared detection. Our job will mainly be to stop the King General from escaping. There are two places you can be. Either with Lu Mingfei as a second sniper, or with Chu Zihang and I on perimeter watch. Take your pick.”

You think seriously on this point. “Hmmm… where will Mingfei be stationed versus where you guys will be?”

“Mingfei will be on top of one of the surrounding buildings with his rifle. Having you up there might be a reassuring second shot should he need backup or suppressive fire. Snipers need teams but we’re low on manpower. Chu Zihang and I will be fine underground. There’s a cable duct we can crawl through. That said… being underground is right in your Soul Skill’s wheelhouse. Either way you choose will enhance the team.”

After a moment more thought, you say “I’ll go with Mingfei.”

“...Dammit.”

“You deserve it. Have fun on your date with Chu Zihang.” You stick your tongue out at him through the phone.

“Hey, he and I are on good terms now. It’s you I worry about. Don’t you think seeing the men who took everything from you not that long ago might shake you up?”

“You don’t go into a rage every time you see your father do you?” Caesar was silent and you waited for him to speak but he didn't. “Do you?” ask again with some surprise in your voice.

“Not...externally. I didn’t think of Herzog as your father.”

“A cold hearted person who kills without much thought doesn’t sound familiar? There’s a reason I am the way I am.”  You slip under the heavy comforters on the bed while holding the phone to your ear. 

“You’re not cold-hearted.” Caesar’s voice was more of a command than a statement.

“I can be.” You respond. “Hearing his voice again will be like going home.”

Caesar sighed with exasperation. “Let’s change the subject. Have you thought about my proposal yet?”

“I think... it’s crazy that you’re willing to lie to the Academy about my bloodline problem then install a know-nothing freshman to the rank of Leader of the Japanese Branch, but yes, I have thought about it.”

“Good, then your training starts now.”

You squint. “Training?”

“You need to know some basic things about Dragons, but you’ll catch up on that knowledge at your leisure. More importantly, you’ll need to understand how to navigate around the Yakuza here.  Remember that Fingel is assigned to monitor the Japan Branch for the principal?”

“Yes.”

“You just happen to be the beloved of the Devil Clan commander. That makes you a valuable information asset. Fingel may seem to be a numbskull but he’s a master spy. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s wiretapped this phone and installed listening devices and pinhole cameras all over your room.” Caesar said this in a growl. “He was evasive when I asked about it so I can guarantee you he has. I don’t want him to be looking at any lewd pictures of you.”

“Are you serious? But I’m a fellow student?” You’re completely appalled.

“He does this on campus! He’s a dog with no morality! But he’s useful, that’s why I keep him in the Student Union. I know him well. If you’re going to be the leader of the Japan branch, learn to find bugs and hidden cameras. For every one you find, I’ll fine him five thousand dollars and give it to you. This phone is probably tapped so I know he’ll hear me say this.”

You flip back the covers. “Oh my gosh…” You start opening drawers and looking inside. “Thanks  Caesar,” you sigh.

“No problem. Just looking out for you as always. Go to sleep in an hour regardless. It’s a big day tomorrow. Fingel, 5,000 for every one she finds.”

You start with the bathroom.  Given his love for racy photos that would probably be a hotspot. In 10 minutes you managed to find three. Fingel needed to find good angles of the Jacuzzi and shower and there weren't that many places to hide and get good shots.

There’s a loud knock on the door. You grab your claw-dagger and creep forward, flipping off the lights. “Who is it?”

“R-r-room service.”

Fingel. The phone really was tapped. You straighten up in disapproval. “You’re too late, I already found three.”

“No! Wait, please. I… uh…”

“In the bathroom…” Your voice is low but it carried enough threat through the door.

“A just leader shows mercy?” came Fingel’s whimpering voice. “I don’t have 15k okay?”

“Wait a moment.” You cover yourself in a long robe and return and open the door. “Fingel, you’re dressed as a waiter. Taking cues from Ruri Kazama already? You probably infiltrated the room while I packed and talked with Caesar.” He was tall but cringed away from your icy stare. 

“H-how could I not, right? I’m a quick study! But let's not talk in the hall, the first rule of being undercover is not breaking character!”

You let him in and shut the door. “In that case, I can understand why he gave you a stage name so quickly,” you say.

“The lady has a very clever boyfriend!” Fingel seemed pleased even though he had no say in the matter. 

“I’ll give you the devices and say you found them. But only if you remove all the devices from the room. Understand? Remove all of them and show me where you hid them and how you did it.” Caesar wasn’t going to teach you about spy objects and hidden devices, the master spy, Fingel would!

“Of course! Of course! But I have to keep an eye on you right? Second rule is knowing where everyone is at all times!”

“You will not know when I got to the bathroom!” You hiss.

“I will know because that is now a blind spot.” He sighed mournfully but then ducked when you reached for your knife. “Okay, okay! You have to be quick on your feet. Assume you’re being watched at all times and observe everything! Caesar already warned you right? I’m on assignment from the principal to watch the Japan branch!”

“So this will be an ongoing lesson!” Your eyes widened.

“Precisely.” He winked.

“You’re wearing a wire.”

“What? No, I’m not!”

“Don’t worry I can’t see it but I assumed it after you said that. You are. Am I supposed to search you too?” You start walking towards him. “Five thousand dollars…”

Fingel for a moment, looking for an exit. He finally reached into the inner lining of his jacket. The listening device was just a small button-like object and a little copper wire pinned to his shirt. “Wow… it’s so small!” You marveled.

“You… probably wouldn’t have found it if you looked!” Fingel said with a rueful grimace. “But I can’t afford to take that chance.”

“How did you know this is the room I would be in?”

“Oh that was simple, prepping a room this size for occupancy requires a lot of staff. I just looked natural enough to be co-opted automatically in the work. If anyone asks questions, I just pretend I don’t speak any Japanese!”

Fingel walked the room. “None of the surveillance devices are in anything that can be moved easily.” He paused by a light switch, took out a tiny screwdriver and removed one of the screws. A listening device was right behind it! “People can move furniture or cover it. Any good spy will put a device in an area that’s more permanent. There are exceptions of course. It depends on the target. Usually, I will spend as much time as I can studying my target and her habits. I have to fit into her world.” His smile was surprisingly gentle. “Since you are a Cassell student, I didn’t need a lot of information to fit into your world. I just needed to show that I was with Caesar and Chu Zihang and you automatically assumed I was clear and never thought of me again. Right?”

You sigh, completely and utterly overcome. “You’re right. I immediately let my guard down and assumed I could trust you.”

“Caesar knows me better than that.” He pocketed the device.

Caesar called him a dog with no morality. Your pupils sharpen like a knife. No way he would remove all the devices. He was going to leave a few for you to find.

Fingel’s eyes meet yours. “You’re a quick study.”

“You’re going to decide how much this costs you.” You say coldly. “You have money. You can afford it. You’re conspirators! This is a game!”

“Woah! Woah! I do not have money!” He holds up his hands. 

“So the devices you leave will be the hardest ones to find.”

“Bingo!” He winked. “I gotta keep an eye on you. No offense. But now you’re thinking like you should be. You need to test people, even Cassell personnel from the Academy. Remember that I came here as an intern. There is little trust between the Japanese Branch and the Main School, so I was tested thoroughly as to my credentials. They knew me better than I knew myself on arrival so my acting started long before I arrived.”

You nod. “That’s right. Our rooms were extremely tailored to our needs on arrival to Japan. They only knew I was from Northern Siberia, but they knew that because of the way I spoke.”

Fingel tilted his head. “Good. This isn’t going to be as difficult as I imagined. You understand now that this is a normal thing, to intensely spy on each other. I had to do whatever I needed to do, to prove to the Japanese students that I was one of them.”

“You do bad things?”

Fingel passed up the kitchen and went right to the bedroom. “I do my best not to. An easy way to get out of doing something really terrible is to pretend to be completely incompetent. So they’ll assign something like that to someone else.” He pulled the night stand from the wall and unplugged the phone wire from the jack. The wire seemed to be inserted normally into the wall but it wasn’t! There was another phone jack cover under the first one. The first phone jack cover had a small computer chip that was intercepting the phone information and diverting it to where he was. Fingel had successfully installed this listening device in plain sight.

You’re not sure you would have found it.

“You answered the phone as a Pizza Hut employee. Where did you learn that?” He tosses the device to you and you catch it.

“I liked to watch James Bond. He always had a special way of answering the phone so that only people who should be calling him are calling him. If it's an outsider who doesn’t really know me, then they will assume they dialed wrongly.”

“Yeah, that surprised me. But Caesar knew it was you so he wasn’t surprised. That’s a good technique. Keep doing that. But change it up a bit so it fits the area you’re in and it’s not so obvious.”

He straightened up. HIs demeanor had changed while talking to you into someone much more serious and quiet. “I’m all done. If you find the last device? I’ll give you the 5k myself.”

[yandere-daydreams]

A Yandere!Momo/OC commission for the wonderful, perfectly-named @lesbiansportsanime! I went a bit,,, absolutely crazy,,, with the flower metaphors and her OC’s background, but I couldn’t help it. Ren was just so fun!

Word Count: ~2.1k

TW: Implied Stockholm Syndrom, Toxic Relationships, Kidnapping and Implied Trauma. 

Poppies were an odd choice, for this time of year.

Momo couldn’t help but focus on the black and yellow flowers, intermittently dispersed throughout an otherwise unnoticeable bouquet. It was a rare sight, especially in the summer heat, the flowers already starting to dry-out despite the over-filled vase they’d been placed in, the container alone nearly blocking the sight of the girl across from her. She had to peer around it just to see Ren, a problem not helped by the girl’s apparent disinterest in her company. Instead, Ren chooses to occupy herself with the delicate petals, running her thumb over the closest black-spotted poppy, hardly noticing when the mug in front of her ran empty. Momo was the only one who minded the set-up, apparently.

But, Ren was the one who’d chosen this cafe. The least Momo could do was try to enjoy it, all things considered. Already, the guilt ate at her nerves, biting and tearing and burning at whatever it could reach, her resolve the only thing standing between her current mindset and a complete breakdown. It’d taken more time than it should’ve to fix her make-up after the last incident, only hours before her and Ren were supposed to meet. Momo’s reputation would never recover, whether or not she was in costume.

Hands encircling the ceramic tea-cup in front of her, Momo attempted to peer over the poppies, breaking the silence proving to be harder in practice than it was in theory. “Have you been doing well, Ren?” She paused, after the question, smiling despite herself. She could never help it, not when she remembered how passionate Ren had been after graduation, her internship already having guaranteed her a rescue-based career. She’d been vague about the details, but Ren had been happy, so Momo was happy too. “I haven’t heard much from you, not since your new job was finalized. You know how worried radio-silence makes me, I can never trust you to take care of yourself.”

There was a heavy sigh, Ren straightening her back and leaning into her chair, tearing herself apart from the bouquet with quite a bit of effort. “I’ve been… busy, that’s for sure,” She started, shaking her head. “I’m not great at making plans, you know that. But, my agency decided to give me more solo-missions and leadership roles, and… the change was a little forced, I guess.” There was a lapse, a laugh, a timid fidget as she tugged her jacket’s sleeves over her hands. “I don’t think I realized how much it would bring back, but I’d like to say I’m handling it. As well I can, anyway.” Suddenly, Ren’s gaze focused, flickering from the table to the girl in front of her. Momo went stiff, automatically, but the response was quickly covered by a calm smile. “What about you, Yaoyorozu? You look like you just ran over a puppy.”

Now, that was her Ren. As blunt as she was observant. Momo’s smile widened, her hands coming to rest in her lap. "Are you still using such a formal name? I thought I was ‘rozu, to you.”

“Are you still avoiding the question?” She mocked, rolling her eyes before leaning forward. “Be honest with me, ‘rozu. You could never hide it, not when you’re planning to do something terrible. What is it? A new, morally-dubious mission? Is Creati taking on a vigilante persona? Or…” Ren drummed her nails on the tabletop, smiling conspiratorially. “Or, did my favorite heroine slip a little something into her tea, recently?”

At this, Momo couldn’t help but cringe, her expression faltering for the blink of an eye. Still, Ren didn’t miss the nervous tick, her grin fading as a frown took its place. She opened her mouth again, but closed it just as quickly, the chuckle Momo let out clearly catching her off-guard. “I’m sorry,” She mumbled, hesitantly, averting her eyes. “But... it wasn’t my tea, Ren.”

She only had a fraction of a second to express her shock, moving to say something before her features relaxed, muscles losing their constant tension as she made an attempt to stand, only for her knees to buckle as soon as she put her weight on them. There was an attempt made to scream, but Ren lost the ability to before she had the chance, collapsing and colliding with the table, knocking over that hideous vase along the way. Flowers scattered, water spilling, the resulting crash drawing the attention of the cafe’s other customers. But, it only took a flash of her Hero’s License and a few disconcerning waves to dismiss the forming crowd.

Momo could only hope no one noticed how careful she was while lifting Ren’s body, how she did her best to hide the blonde’s face from anyone who got too curious.

She never really could disguise how much she hated it when people looked at someone else’s property.

~

Ren was never where she was supposed to be, when Momo came home.

Momo hadn’t told her to... be anywhere specific, no, that would be too cruel. Ren was her lover, not her pet, her treasured jewel meant to be looked after and maintained until its caretaker was no longer capable of doing so. Still, her room had been set up in a way that would let Ren comfortably sprawl out in bed or sit at her vanity or lay on the love-seat without straining her tether, and yet for the past week, Momo’d been met with the sight of the damn thing taunt and tangled, it’s wearer leaning into the windowsill on the other side of the room.

Escape wasn’t a concern. Every exit was locked, the glass was bullet-proof, and the aforementioned chain was firmly attached to Ren’s ankle, its cord unbreakable, even against Ren’s Skism. Not that she could use it, of course. The quirk-canceling bracelets had been difficult to find, but it’d be worth it. No one should have a power that self-destructive, as far as Momo was concerned.

And with Ren, Momo was always very, very concerned.

Regardless of her skepticism, she took a step into the room, stopping to admire the collection of houseplants on Ren’s bedside table. Despite her reservations, she’d been caring for them meticulously, even the most recent aloe (the poor thing had been half-dead when Momo brought it home) green and thriving under such an angel’s care. But, in Momo’s presence, Ren didn’t look away from her fixation, not until there were arms wrapped around her waist, the Heroine’s head resting on Ren’s shoulder, trying to spot whatever had Ren so anxious. "You’re here every time I check on you,” She explained, when Ren moved, trying to get a better look at her captor. “Is something wrong? I’ll fix it for you, but you’ll have to tell me, first.”

There was a shrug, a deep breath, but no verbal reply. Ren hadn’t been speaking much, lately.

Momo sighed. “I know you don’t like it here, and I’m sorry about that. If I could keep you safe willingly, I would, but… you’re too determined, Ren. If I tried to tell you the world was dangerous, you never would’ve listened to me.” She let herself pause, checking for any signs of acknowledgment, but if Ren could hear her, she certainly didn’t seem to want to. Unperturbed, Momo continued. “There are people, out there, bad people. Terrorists and murderers and Villains, not that I need to tell you that. All I want to do is keep you safe, from yourself as much as everyone else. You understand that, don’t you? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let anything happen to you.”

Holding her breath, she waited, closing her eyes and digging her nails into Ren’s tank-top and waiting, until tears had begun to form. Momo knew this was necessary, she knew she had to do this, but… fuck, she didn’t know if she could, not if Ren was going to be miserable because of it. One dark thought led to another, the plans she’d tried to repress resurfacing. Terrible, awful ideas, rope and riding crops mixing in with Ren’s smiles or her screams, whichever Momo managed to rip out of her first. It wouldn’t be hard. Ren was helpless, here, weak and fragile and moldable, if Momo put her mind to it. It would only take a few days, a few hours if she used the right-

Just as quickly as Momo’d begun to spiral, she was pulled out of it, perking up as Ren turned, shifting, repositioning herself until Momo’s cheek was pressed into her chest, Ren’s fingers starting to card through her hair. It was comforting, caring, more so than she deserved. The affection was cold, joyless, but Momo leaned into it nonetheless, content to nuzzle into the gesture as much as Ren would allow.

“You’ll keep me safe?” She asked, quietly, her voice hardly audible. “Promise, ‘rozu? Don’t lie to me about this.”

Momo didn’t hesitate, she didn’t even think. 

“I promise.”

~

The orchids were a little much, honestly.

They were nice in theory, their majority being the only requirement enforced when Ren asked for a greenhouse, but the sheer number of bleeding red and white petals, of dark green leaves. of hanging pots that were so easy to walk into was damn-near overwhelming, some days. She’d tried to suggest bring in a spike of gladiolus or lavender, but Ren had dropped the topic once Momo’s enthusiasm wavered. It hadn’t taken her much time to catch onto her captor’s… temperamental streak. 

Either way, the orchids stayed.

Now, she cared for them dutifully, doing her best to ignore the shock-collar wrapped snuggly around her neck. The humidity had been perfected, a complicated ventilation system keeping the shed from overheating, and Ren had spent so much time watering each individual plant, she was afraid they’d start to wilt from the attention alone. The boredom wasn’t what bothered Ren, she’d gotten used to hours of nothingness when he was in charge of looking after her, but she couldn’t fight the emptiness that captivity left, nor the irritation that came with Momo’s constant buys for her favor.

It was something that lingered in her mind as she leaned down, taking a better look at the greenhouse’s corners for the third time that day. Tiny sprigs of forget-me-nots could be seen emerging from under the walls, eating away at the cement floor as they found their way into the greenhouse. Ren wasn’t sure why it irritated her so much, she just… couldn’t stand to look at them, for whatever reason.

It was the light blue, how harsh it seemed, she supposed, grabbing at the stems and jerking them out of the cracks they’d filled. Their eyes, too, brown and black and dark, like they’d never seen a ray of sunlight in their lives. Even after the visible portions of the infestation had been ripped up, Ren couldn’t help but stare at the weeds, glaring down at them. Why were they still following her? She was safe, now, why couldn’t she forget them? When were they going to leave her mind and, more importantly, when were they going to stay gone?

When was Shigaraki going to stop hurting her?

Before she realized it, the flowers were on the floor, torn apart and crushed as Ren’s heel ground them into the pavement. She used more force than she had to, determined to rid her world of something so disgusting, pulverizing the plant and its repulsive, obedient leaves under her foot. Ren was tempted to glare, to spit or do something to show his disrespect, but she managed to pull herself out of her rage, clenching her fists at her sides and forcing herself to take in a breath, if only to calm herself down.

Luckily, the greenhouse door took that moment to swing open, Momo having undone the locks quietly enough to avoid drawing Ren out of her thoughts. The blonde didn’t waste time, spinning on her heels and rushing into her partner’s arm, hardly even taking notice to the light sparks running down her spine as she got closer to the door. She slotted herself against Momo perfectly, hugging her as tightly as Ren could manage, a surprised giggle only encouraging Ren to force herself closer, to fall deeper into strong, secure, safe arms.

“Someone missed me,” Momo laughed, her hands finding Ren’s back, rubbing small circles into her rigid shoulders. “Everything alright, princess?”

She forced herself to look up, biting her cheek at the slightest of separations. “I… can you stay here, for the rest of the day? I don’t want you to leave me so soon.”

There was another laugh, another soft touch, one of her hands coming up to cup Ren’s cheek and tilt her head back. The kiss was sweet, delicate, everything Ren wanted from a protector.

She almost managed to ignore the fact that Momo hadn’t answered her question.

[voltage-vixen]

A Reassuring Reminder----Part II

(This is featuring Gavin from MLQC) Part I

MC was starting to doubt her decision, when she glanced around and saw all the clutter that was tossed around her apartment. Gavin must have seen the concern flash across her face, because he blocked her path before MC could scamper around trying to squeeze in a brisk clean up.

“Whoa there, you dork,” Gavin groaned in disbelief, “You’ve had a long day, and you need to take it easy. Where’s your bathroom?”

She meekly pointed her finger in the direction, and Gavin wasted no time gliding over to the other room. MC heard the bath water start to run, and once she was figured that Gavin was distracted, she quickly tidied a few areas, and stopped when she heard the evolver’s heavy footsteps approaching her.

The two shared a brief moment of eye contact, before Gavin grabbed her wrist, and began to fiddle with the gingko bracelet. “I ran you a bath,” Gavin informed, “I hope you don’t mind, but I rummaged around your cabinets and found a lavender bath salt. I added some in, so make sure you take your time and just relax.”

Gavin finished removing her bracelet, and lightly nudged her towards the topped off bath. “Take your time,” he insisted, “I’ll be waiting right out here when you’re finished.”

Before shutting the bathroom door, MC saw that Gavin had settled himself down on the couch and began flipping through some magazines that were piled on top of the coffee table. Grateful for his kindness, MC smiled and closed the door. She stripped from her clothes and sighed while submerging her tired body into the bubbly warm water. Her head rested back down on the edge of the tub, and MC let her worries soak away, feeling safe knowing that Gavin was just on the other side of the door.

About fifteen minutes had gone by, and MC stepped out of the tub, and began to pat herself dry. She reached into the closet for her spare pajamas and changed while running a comb through her dripping hair. Eager to return to Gavin’s company, MC rapidly brushed her teeth, and was about to return when the sounds of glass breaking left her frozen in fear.

“You won’t get away this time little one,” an eerie voice croaked from behind her.

A bony hand clamped down on her shoulder, and MC was about to cry out in fear, but like the speed of lightening, Gavin had kicked down the door.

“Get your filthy hand off of her, you son of a bitch!” Gavin snarled, before using himself to shield MC.

Once he ensured that MC was safely behind him, Gavin lunged in to attack the intruder. The assailant was fully prepared for the officer’s strike, because he pulled a taser gun, and stunned Gavin before fleeing out the broken window. Gavin hissed in pain and crumpled down to the ground.

“M-M-MC,” he wheezed, between a few violent coughs, “Did he hurt you?”

No longer paralyzed, MC dropped to his side, and she soothingly held him to her chest. Her delicate hands tenderly stroked Gavin’s head, and she tried to choke back her sobs of hysteria.

“It’s all my fault,” she whimpered, “Please tell me you’re going to be alright. I don’t want you to leave me Gavin!”

Gavin squeezed her hand reassuringly and rubbed his head against her chin. Her watery eyes stared into his hazel ones, and MC stretched her fingers out to touch his soft cheek.

“I won’t go anywhere,” he consoled, “I would never abandon you. Besides, I’m a lot tougher than some coward, who would try and hurt an unarmed woman.”

Gavin pushed himself up from the ground, and MC helped aide him, by allowing him to use her body as a prop.

“You can’t stay here tonight. Your apartment has been compromised, and I can’t guarantee your safety,” Gavin flipped into his police captain mode. “Leave your phone behind for now and pack an overnight bag. I need to make a call, and then we’re heading out.”

Although he tried to be discreet, MC immediately noticed that Gavin was walking with a slight limp in his right leg. She needed to take him to a doctor to get treated ASAP!

“Gavin, you shouldn’t push yourself,” MC chided, “We need to make sure that you alright before any-.”

Gavin pounded the wall in frustration, and he instantly regretted his impromptu action, when he saw the look of despair appear across her face.

“I’m sorry,” he painfully agonized. The last thing that Gavin had ever wanted to do was to cause MC any harm or pain. He was supposed to be the one protecting her, and instead he was frightening her! “Please, I’ll explain everything later, but I need you to trust me right now.”

Gavin extended his hand and gestured for MC to latch on. Pausing for a few seconds, MC could see the fierce determination in his eyes. He had always been there to protect her when she needed him. There was no reason why MC wouldn’t trust him. MC placed her hand into his, and gave him a small nod, indicating to him that she would follow wherever Gavin led her.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later, Gavin used an alias to check them into a hotel room. He managed to nag a small room with two separate beds, and MC was peacefully reading a book, while the officer was staring up at the ceiling in his bed. Despite his apology back at her apartment, there seemed to still be some hostility lingering between the two. Using his peripheral vision, he saw that MC had placed the book on the nightstand and crawled underneath the covers. Gavin could no longer stand the silence, when he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and whisper sweet reassurances in her ear. Clearing his throat, he broke the awkward tension in the room.

“MC?” Gavin called out. “Earlier this evening, I didn’t mean to startle you when I punched the wall. The truth, I was terrified of losing you. Even just the thought makes me feel helpless and drives me crazy. All I ever wanted was to protect you, and you almost managed to get hurt on my watch tonight.”

Gavin sighed in disappointment. Now feeling too embarrassed to face her, he turned over to face the direction of the plain wall. He was not expecting to hear the shuffling of her feet, and then MC to climb into his bed with him. Pressing into his back, she wanted to try her best to comfort him.

“Gavin, I know you’ll always be around whenever I need you. The truth is, I haven’t been as talkative, not because I’m upset, but because I wish I wouldn’t be such a burden on you. You do so much for me, and I can hardly ever return the favor.”

Gavin flipped himself around, and was now straddling her, intensely locking eyes with MC. “Don’t say that. You’re never a hindrance to me.”

At this point, suppressed feelings were beginning to slowly erupt, and shockingly MC tugged on his shirt.

“Can I stay with you tonight, Gavin?” MC pleaded. “I would feel much safer with you, and this feels right.”

Gavin didn’t answer, and instead leaned down to initiate a kiss, and brushed his lips against her soft ones. Romantic, sensual, and loving-all perfectly appropriate adjectives to describe this wondrous sensation, they felt during this intimate exchange. Soon, Gavin changed angles to deepen the kiss, and a small mewl escaped from her pouted lips. His hand rested on the front of her top, and he checked to gauge her reaction. MC met his gaze with a minuscule bow, and Gavin’s fingers ventured to slide the strap down her shoulder. She reached her hands up to tug Gavin closer, but he uttered a small gasp, and he pulled away.

“Wait, there’s something missing.”

Part III

Please let me know if you would like to be tagged in future chapters. :)

@agustd54

[shochmonster]

84 Questions

original: https://fuckyeahsurveys.tumblr.com/post/61049002526/84-questions

Put your music player of choice on shuffle and list the first 10 songs Guns of Brixton - The Clash Holiday in Cambodia - Dead Kennedys  Chainsaw - Nick Jonas California - Joni Mitchell Make It Wit Chu - Queens of the Stone Age This Woman’s Work - Kate Bush The Bad Thing - Arctic Monkeys Between the Bars - Eliot Smith Drown - The Smashing Pumpkins Different People - No Doubt

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Would you take anyone with you? I’d take @duoloopo to the UK. I’d like to see places other than London.

What is your preferred writing implement? (eg. Blue pen, pencil, green pen)  I use my iPad stylus the most, but I have this heavy mechanical pencil I really like for drawing. 

Favourite month and why? October. I just love the fall vibe. 

Do you have connections to any celebrities (even minor)? List them. I went to undergraduate school with Rebecca Sugar. We used to ride the bus between NYC and DC together on holidays. 

Name 3 items you could pick up from where you are. Can of seltzer, pencil case, stack of bills

What brand logo is closest to you currently? REAL Skateboards

Do you ever play board games or other non-computer games? Got any favourites? I love Small World and Munchkin. 

A musical artist you love that isn’t well known Laura Stevenson and the Cans

A musical artist you love that is well known Red Hot Chili Peppers

What is your desktop background currently? Thomas Barrow on the beach in the Season 4 Christmas Special

Last person you talked to, and through what you talked to them @duomaxwell02 with my face :O 

First colour name you can think of that isn’t in the rainbow White

What timekeeping devices are in the room you are currently in? Two wall clocks, though one is very old and doesn’t wind anymore. I also have a clock @duoloopo ‘s dad made for me. It’s on the piano. 

What kind of headphones do you use? JBL Bluetooth, noise canceling 

What musical artists have you seen perform live? Foo Fighters (3x), Incubus (3x), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Audioslave, Justin Timberlake, Troy Sivan, Arctic Monkeys, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Queen (but with Roger Daughtry, not Freddy... for obvious reasons.). Probably a whole bunch of others I’m blanking on. 

Does virginity matter to you? Not really. 

What gaming consoles do you or your family own? PS4, PS2, PS1, XBox 360, N64, Gamecube, Wii, NES, SNES, various Gameboys, Nintendo DS, PSP

What pets do you have? What are their names? Two cats, Hemingway and Renji

What’s the best job you’ve ever had? I like freelance art gigs the best. As for ‘normal people jobs’, I once was a sign painter for Whole Foods. That was pretty fun, minus the work drama. 

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? Food service. 

What magazines do you read, if any? I’ll pick up Time once in a while

Inspiration behind your URL? My classic original URL was LinkWorshiper and had been since AIM first existed. I picked it because Zelda was the first fandom I ever joined. Now I’ve changed all my handles (except on AO3) to reflect my actual name, as my literary agent thinks it’s more professional. 

Inspiration behind your blog title? Mean Girls. I always chuckle imagining Thomas and Jimmy as some Edwardian version of the Plastics. 

Favourite item of clothing? My Downton livery waistcoat. And the stiff bosomed shirt and collars I have to go with it. 

Are you friends with any exes? Nah. By the time I felt comfortable enough to possibly try, I also didn’t care enough to. 

Name at least one book you loved as a child. His Dark Materials (the trilogy by Philip Pullman). I still love them and am jazzed that he’s writing more these days. 

What’s your native language? If that language has distinct regional variations, which variation? (eg. AU English, US English) US English, mostly a northeastern dialect/accent

What email service do you use? Gmail

Is there anything hanging on the walls of the room you are currently in? So much stuff. I have a mood board full of Downtons stuff over my desk, various DA posters and memorabilia, plus some artwork I’ve done, and some of my JC Leyendecker collection. The aforementioned wall clocks, a San Francisco cable car bell, Sailor Moon and a few other little knickknacks, like my hamsa. To name a few lol. 

What’s your favourite number, and why? 212 because it’s Manhattan’s area code and also because it used to be the notation for one of my favorite ships in an old fandom. 

Earliest moment in your life you can remember? Sitting under the table and looking at my grandma, who was wearing a Cruella Deville dress she’d knit herself. Like, it had the actual Disney character on it. Pretty cool to a little guy, I guess!

What did you have for dinner yesterday? Quesadilla 

How often do you brush your teeth? Whenever they feel gross

What’s your favourite candy/chocolate? Lately, I’ve been into Junior Mints. 

Have you had other blogs on Tumblr? Do you have any other blogs currently? This blog used to have my old handle, linkworshiper. I did a small Whole Foods blog when I worked with them, but it never went anywhere. 

If you were suddenly really hungry, what would you choose to eat? Sushi

What fandoms would you consider yourself a part of? Downton Abbey, though lately I’ve been crazy busy and not as active as I once was. Casually still poking at old fandoms like Zelda and Gundam Wing to name a few. 

If you could study anything, what would it be? More art education can’t hurt. Maybe some formal history education. 

Do you use anything on your lips? (eg. Chapstick, gloss, balm, lipstick) Chapstick 

How would you describe your sense of humour? Seinfeld 

What things annoy you more than anything else? Mouth noises

What kind of position are you in at the moment? Sitting

Do you wear much jewellery? Nope

Who is the leader of your country, currently? Any other levels of government with leaders? (State, region, province, county, district, municipality, etc) Three supposedly equal branches of government, currently being run into the ground by a clown 

Last 3 blogs on your dashboard, not including any of your own @halcyondaze @mab1905 @lavender-hued-melancholy

What do you carry your money in? I try to never carry cash, but I carry a small wallet 

Do you enjoy driving? Why or why not? I like it but sometimes it feels like a chore, especially during a commute. @duoloopo thinks I’m a shit driver so she tries to drive whenever she can, which has pluses and minuses. 

Longest drive you have ever been on? Savannah GA to San Francisco, CA in a UHaul

Furthest away from home you have ever been? Germany 

How many times have you moved house? God, I don’t even know. More than ten. 

What is on the floor of the room you’re currently in, not including furniture? Cat toys, unused canvases

How many devices do you own which can access the internet? Phone, computer, iPad, various game consoles 

Is there is anything that is guaranteed to always make you happy? Thomas and Jimmy <3 <3 

Is there anything that always makes you sad? Thinking too hard about being a failure

What programs do you currently have open? I just rebooted, so only Chrome, Spotify and Photoshop

What do you associate the colour red with? This line in the Kate Bush Song Blue Symphony, which goes, ‘I associate love with red, the color of my heart when she’s dead.’ 

Last strong smell you can remember smelling? The Greek food I ordered in for dinner

Last healthy thing you ate? Roasted veggies

Do you drink tea or coffee, and how much per day? I prefer tea, and I drink coffee for energy, though sometimes I think it just makes me crash harder. 

What do you associate the colour blue with? The sky

How long is the closest ruler you can find? 12 inches

What colour pants/skirt/etc are you currently wearing? Dark blue

When was the last time you drank water? About a minute ago

How often do you clear your browser history? Rarely

Do you believe nude photos can be artistic, rather than erotic? Yes

Ever written fanfiction for anything? Oh God, yes. You can still find it under Link Worshiper on AO3, though some of my ‘classics’ have been removed since I turned them into original manuscripts 

Last formal event you attended My cousin’s wedding

If you had to move your birthday to another date, which one would you choose and why? Maybe inch my birth year up just by two so that I’d stop being called a damn millennial. At my age, I really just don’t relate to the generation even though technicalities make me a part of it. 

Would you prefer to be at a beach or in the countryside? Beach

Roughly how many people live in your town? 52,000

Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you? Leonard Nimoy :D 

Favourite place to shop? Can be a certain store or a place where there are multiple stores I haven’t really gone shopping since the pandemic. Right now, it feels like the only place to buy anything is Amazon XD

Do you have a smartphone? What kind? If you don’t, do you want one? Samsung. It’s not a Galaxy but is a new model and a fraction of the price. 

What is your least favourite colour, and why? I don’t think I dislike any colors honestly. 

How do you spell grey/gray? Grey. I’ve got too many British online associates to ever go back. 

Go to your dashboard and describe the image shown in the radar section (below the “Find blogs” link) It’s Umbrella Academy fanart of Klaus. He’s in black and white with this hands over his eyes and the background is red. It’s very graphic. 

What difference is there between how many followers you have, and the number of blogs you follow? 736

How many posts do you have? 8,859

How many posts have you liked? I can’t find the stat D: 

Do you post mainly reblogs, or your own content? Mainly reblogs but I pepper in my own content when I can. Lately, I haven’t had time to do as much fanart though, and I kind of feel like it’s not worth bothering to post my original stuff. Nobody follows my blog for that. 

Do you track any tags? No. 

What time is it currently? 7:33 PM CMT

Is there anything you should be doing right now? Waking up @duoloopo. TIME TO JUMP ON THE BED. 

tagging, if they feel like it: @abbys-little-whippersnapper​ @bumblebarrow​ @irrationalgame​ @downtoncat​ @mab1905​ @duoloopo​

and everyone who I’ve forgotten

[peachblossomss]

Hearth- a Naruto Fanfic (CH 2)

Hi, I don’t own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13035782/2/Hearth

Two

SASU

“Strip down here.” Sakura ordered. From my place just inside her household door, I could not help but immediately halt. I could feel my jaw drop. Sighing and quickly looking away, she elaborated. “Sasuke. You look like shit. You are a mess. You’re full of mud, stinky, and to top it all off, I just cleaned my house last night. So please. Take off those filthy rags, and I’ll show you to your room.” The tips of her ears were dusted in a light rose, as were her cheeks. Was it because she was upset, or because of the implications that her telling me to strip could provoke, had she not elaborated? “I’m sure all your clothes are dirty, I think I might have something sitting around that’ll fit you…” she trailed off, or I stopped listening. “Hn.” was all I could manage to say. If I opened my mouth further, I could not guarantee that I wouldn't be harsh with her. Who’s clothing would I be wearing what man would she-, no, what man would DARE to stay in her home? Her home is off limits. Sakura is off limits. I would have to have a little chat with whoever decided to stay here. I’ll have to somehow get her to tell me who was here last. Almost as if she was reading my mind, the next words out of her mouth answered my questions.

“...Naruto was here about a week or so ago” she smiled slightly, and my previous rage and determination to beat the man who stayed in her home to a pulp was slightly forgotten. The dobe was in for a beating. Didn’t he have his own place to stay?? More importantly, I was stuck wondering about the fact that her small, wistful smile affected me so much. Gods, what is happening to me? Tuning back in from my inner ramblings, she continued on with her little anecdote. “Hinata had just left for a diplomatic mission to Suna, and he claimed the “house was too empty without her warmth”, and he didn’t want to stay there alone...he was soo mopey. It was kind of cute, actually.” She giggled, and with that, it was back to Serious Sakura. “Leave your pack by the door, I’ll get your laundry started. You know where the bathroom is. There should be towels and washcloths in the cabinet next to the sink. Your room is the first left in the hallway, there’s fresh linens and everything. I’ll leave Naruto’s clothes outside of the door, for when you’re done. After that, we’re having tea. Did you eat already? Well...we don’t have to have tea, I’m sure you’re tired and all, since you’ve been travelling so long…” She trailed off, looking slightly unsure. The entire time she was talking, I was just staring. It was quite amusing, how quick she could go from rambling about Naruto, to bossing me around like a wife would to her husband, to being shy and unsure. I didn’t like that Sakura, the one without confidence. It reminded me of the times in which I had made her think she was anything less than strong and important. I didn’t understand what she could be unsure about, though. Of course I want to spend time with her.

Without a thought, I found myself raising my hand to poke her forehead. “Sakura...thank you”. As I walked away, I wasn’t sure if i could hear a slight gasp, or if it was just my imagination hoping so. On my way down the hall to the bathroom, I stopped in front of the room that was to be mine for the next couple of days/weeks/months. How many men has she helped? Does she boss them around like she did with me? Does she demand that they have tea together, and then become shy after? Does she was their laundry as well?  I hoped these small little things were only for me, but I could not be mad at her if they werent. Sakura is a caring and affectionate person by nature, and she would never turn down a comrade in need of help.

SAKU

It was hard to believe that Sasuke was here in the flesh, I mean, he had been gone only for 5-ish months, but he never told me when he would be back, or really if he planned on coming back. It crushed me. When he left, he did say he would take me with him next time he came to the village, however, he was extremely vague on when that would be. Knowing him, it could have been years before he returned. Then again, he proved me wrong by returning here. On top of that he returned to me before seeing anyone else. Why did he come to my house rather than seeing Kakashi sensei? Perhaps he needed healing of some form.

 “Sakura.” a deep voice broke my internal musings, making me drop the mug I was grabbing from the cupboard.

“OH! Sasuke, I didn’t realize you were already out of the shower, what kind of tea would you like? I have camomile with lavender, irish breakfast tea, or jasmine. I can run out and get a different kind if none of these are to your liking…” UGH why does this always happen to me around him? I am always a nervous blubbering fool and it drives me crazy. He must think I’m insane.

“Tch, you’re a kunoichi, you should be more aware of your surroundings, Sakura. Camomile is fine.” Sasuke reprimanded as he walked further into my tiny little alcove of a kitchen.

“Are you sure? I know you like matcha the best. I’m fresh out, actually….” Nervously I began rummaging through my fridge. “As for food, I have some rice, some fruits, and I know for a fact that I have some dried cuttlefish somewhere. Are you hungry, Sasuke-kun? I don’t have much- today is my grocery day.”

“...Sakura, how can such a renowned healer only have leftover rice and dried fish in her house? We’ll go shopping. At the very least, I can cook in return for your letting me stay here.”  

I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks. Not only was he teasingly reprimanding me, but he also was offering to cook for me, too? Run my errands with me? Before I even had time to respond, I felt Sasuke’s presence right behind me. “Annoying girl, do you even eat?” Leaning over my crouched form into my fridge he picked up an old soggy looking stalk of celery and tossed it on the kitchen counter. “Lets go, we’ll go shopping now.”

In a sudden bit of clarity, I could only see two issues with our little outing. “Sasuke-kun, what about letting Kakashi know you’re here? And Naruto? If he finds out from someone that you’re here, he won’t shut up for daaaays. I mean it! When I left for a mission without saying goodbye he cold shouldered me for two weeks after I got back. Of course, he came burling into my house the moment I returned. I suspect he just wanted to know I was okay.” I said with a light giggle. “He then turned up his nose and stormed out of the door he just threw open. Didn’t even say a word!!”

“Hn. The dobe can come to me if he has an issue with my being here. I’m not his boyfriend. I don’t have to come to him right away any time I step foot in this village. As for the old man, I suppose we’ll stop on the way to the market. The guards probably told him I’m back the thirty seconds after I stepped through the gates.”

In the short hour and a half that Sasuke has been back, I’ve noticed a change in him. What happened in those months he was gone? I can almost feel the lighter aura coming from him, when once, in his presence, all I could feel was his self loathing and bitterness towards the world. Maybe he found love on his travels? Oh my god...maybe he has a girlfriend and she’s helping him restore the clan? Or maybe he found out he is terminally ill and decided to live his life to the fullest??? One thing I know for certain, I would not take this new, lighter Sasuke for granted. I mean, for the most part he has always been more open with me, but today, it’s like he has let down all of his walls with me. A slight poke on my arm snapped me out of my ramblings. “Sakura, what’s going on with you today? You’re out of it. You should see Tsunade.”

“I’m fine, Sasuke-kun. I guess I’m still processing the fact that you’re, well, here. I expected you to be away much longer than this...I missed you.” I said, gathering my cardigan, wallet, and my keys. We should get a move on, the market will be getting busier this time of day, and we want the best options. Tally-ho!!” And with that, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of my little slice of heaven and into the bright midday sun of a calm Spring day. Instead of taking his hand out of my grasp like I expected him to, he grabbed my own and gave it a light squeeze before dropping it to my side. The blush that adorned my face was out of my control. Why is it that the simplest gestures caused me to spiral into a mess of emotions? We walked lazily to the Hokage tower, soaking in the first real day of sunshine and temperatures above 45° that Konoha has seen in about three months. Sasuke’s shoulder would occasionally brush mine as we avoided the bustling citizens wandering the streets. It might have been because Sasuke was here at my side,walking close enough that our hands were touching, but I felt as though everyone and their mother was out today, and they were all staring at us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The trip to see Kakashi-sensei wasn’t as momentous as I had thought it would be. As Sasuke said, Kakashi already knew of his return.

“Ah Sakura! My favorite student! To what do I owe this visit?! And Sasuke too?” His eyes crinkled up above his ever present face mask. “Is there some love advice you two are in need of? I can lend you a copy of my Icha Icha books!”

With a glint in my eye I was about ready to throw one of the many stacks of papers on his desk to the ground. “Actually, Sensei,” I said with a sarcastic sneer, “Sasuke just stopped by to let you know he has returned to the village for the time being.”

“Ah yes, I knew the minute he walked past the gates. As you know, we just got new and improved security systems that can help detect chakra signatures from 5 miles away!! Although I am happy to see you two...I was getting a bit bored with all the paperwork here. Heh. Are you sure you don’t need those books? Could you maybe tell Shizune that you need them anyway? If you don’t I can take them off your hands...please? Sakura, my favorite! I need just a tiny tiny break from all of this dreadful Hokage business, and she’s taken that one escape away from me! She trusts you! She’d tell you where she’s hidden them in a heartbeat!”

“Sasuke,” I whispered, “We need to leave. Now. It’ll only get worse from here…”

“Some Hokage you are, old man. Lets go, Sakura.”

“No! Don’t go! Unless...are you going to get my books?!?!”

As we quickly made our way out of the Hokage Tower I made sure to stop by Shizune’s office.

“He’s getting worse, Shizune. He’s up to his neck in paperwork. Maybe offer Icha Icha Paradise as a reward for getting some of his work done?”

“Sakura! Sasuke-san! Was it that bad? When I left him about twenty minutes ago he was doing alright….” The poor girl...she got stuck with two Hokages who hated paperwork. One who had a drinking problem, and the newest one who had an addiction to his porn books. I could see the wrinkles from stress forming on her forehead. I sure dodged a bullet with that one, as Kakashi asked me to be his assistant when he first got elected into office.

“Yeah, Shizune, it was that bad. Anyway, we’re off. Lots of things to do, places to be, horny Hokages to avoid….you know, the usual!” with that I dragged a stunned Sasuke out of the doors and into the crowded streets. Sasuke stopped in his tracks, and stared at me with wide onyx eyes.

“What the fuck just happened?”

“Honestly Sasuke, I’m not too sure myself. He’s usually not this bad. Shizune always takes his books away for a little bit to try to goad him into working. He sets up elaborate schemes to get them from her. It kinda feels like we stepped into an alternate dimension for a bit, right?” I said, tiredly. “Let’s get to the market. I could really use a quick cup of coffee and maybe a light snack while we shop. And to forget about whatever that was.

SASU

As we walked through the village together, I couldn’t help but glance at the pink haired girl--no, woman, next to me. The years have been kind to her, and although we are still young, we have all been through so much. The young woman next to me is far different from the girl I knew before I left. Once upon a time, she was a tall, gangly little thing with bright green eyes, and a forehead too big for her face. Now, at almost 20, she’s grown into that forehead, her eyes still that bright, spring green despite all that she has seen.

“Sakura, you’re short.” I stated. She used to be taller than me. Now, she only comes up to my neck.

With widened eyes and a flustered expression, Sakura responded a little too quickly to hide her shock at my observation.  “Wha?! No I’m not! I’m average height, thank you very much! You-you’re too tall!”

“Hn.” I said, looking away. “It’s cute though..” I muttered into the breeze without a thought. I could feel the tips of my ears burning. Why is it that these thoughts come so easily to my brain? With a sigh, I couldn't help but wish that I was able to suppress them more.

“HUH? What was that Sasuke-kun? Do you care to repeat it? I am not short! Hey! Are you listening to me?”

“Sakura. Shut up.” I said, ruffling her hair, a slight smirk forming at the corners of my mouth. With a pout, she stomped off in the direction of the coffee shop closest to the market. “Annoying” I muttered to myself more than anyone. With a headstart to the little cafe ahead of us, I had to jog a bit to catch up. The place must have been newly built after Pein’s invasion. As the old Konoha had hardly any cafes. The only one being an old teahouse that hardly had any visitors. This place, however, had a new, yet homey feel to it, with large glass windows allowing the bright sun in, little tables inside of a delicate white fence surrounding the small patio, and green plants hanging everywhere. I could see Sakura spending her time here when she wasn’t working at the hospital, training, or reining in Naruto’s crazy antics.

I just got to her in time for us to order our drinks. Sakura ordering a chai tea with extra cinnamon, and a raspberry danish was no surprise to me. The girl had an insatiable sweet tooth, which was one thing that never changed throughout our childhood.

“Sasuke-kun, did you want anything? My treat!” Her previous annoyance with me seemed to be forgotten.

“I’ll take an iced coffee, no sugar, and room for cream. I’ll find us somewhere to sit.”

“Hm, okay! Somewhere by a window, please!”

For some reason, I felt light today. The biggest part due to Sakura’s presence. She made me feel calm, despite all of the worries floating in my head. I knew the moment I decided to come back to the village that I would ask her to leave with me, but I didn’t know how she would answer. Perhaps she has decided that she’s needed in the village, working at the hospital. She mentioned, one brisque fall evening before I left, that she wanted to open up a mental health ward for orphaned children. It was one of those nights where I found myself unable to leave her presence, although I couldn’t place why. Now, after months of being away I could finally realize it. Her presence was something I could no longer be without for more than necessary. Her smile was something I wished to see every day. The way she blushed and looked away smiling when she caught me staring, like just now, was something that comforted me on my travels. Sakura Haruno had loved me for a long time. I came to realize I’ve loved her just as long. The avenger in me shoved those feelings so far into the recesses of my soul for most of my life. The darkness shrouded so much love from my precious people, and I was blinded. Sakura deserves better than me, but I made an unspoken promise to her, and to myself that day five months ago. I promised to be a man worthy of the love she has curated for years. To be worthy of her. However, that didn't stop me from wondering, did she still want to travel with me? Did she still love me the way she did, all those years ago? My mind was heavy with the thoughts that she may not want that, or me, any longer. After all, I have left her behind so many times before.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sasuke-kun!! What should we make for lunch? I was thinking some sukiyaki? Or we could keep it simple and do miso soup and rice?”

“Sukiyaki sounds nice, lets go check Mr. Yuashi’s stand for the vegetables. He always has the best selection.”

  “Ah, Sasuke, he’s in the hospital currently...nothing to serious! Just a simple case of pneumonia...but I don’t think his wife was able to run the stand alone. Mrs. Uzuko however, has a nice stand as well. She grows all of her vegetables in a little garden outside of the village! That’s where I usually get your tomatoes from. She actually gave me a small cherry tomato plant since I was constantly buying them.”

“Hn, let’s go there then. It seems as though more is changing in the village since i’ve been gone. What else is new, besides the coffee shop?”

“Well, since the war ended, we were able to hire contractors from other villages to help us get back on our feet after the invasion. Beforehand, we didn’t have the manpower to spare anyone for those projects, and we couldn't ask anyone from other smaller villages for help, since they were all trying to stay safe from Madara and all that was happening. There has been an influx of small shops opening up now since we have more space. It’s been really cool, actually. Civilians from other villages have been moving here to try and expand their businesses, and it’s greatly improved our trade with different nations. Just recently, I found a new plant shop that opened up near the old Uchiha district. His name is Sechi and he’s from Suna. Oh my gods, Sasuke! He has some amazing herbs and plants that can only grow in the hot desert environment! I made a really cool salve that can help with sunstroke. The leafs can also be used to cure vomiting and heartburn. He also-sorry, am I rambling? I’m rambling. Anyway, the village always seems to be growing these days. It makes me happy.”

Sakura could talk for hours, and when that used to annoy me, I now found myself being pulled in by every word she said. I realized I hadn’t said anything since she stopped talking 45 seconds ago. She would probably take that as me not wanting to talk, solidifying her thought that I would presumably be annoyed by her ramblings. “The relationships between Hidden Villages and smaller ones alike seem to be strengthening. Change within the shinobi world is changing. That gives me hope. Thank you, Sakura, for telling me.I would like to see that shop sometime, but for now... Let’s get our ingredients and go home, I’m getting hungry.” With that, I grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the small line in front of the produce stand so we could finally get back to the solace of her small apartment.

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SAKU

Never in my life did I expect Sasuke to be such a proficient chef. The minute we arrived back to my house, he was a tornado of efficiency in the kitchen. Somehow, he managed to find everything he needed without any help.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“No.”

“Not even cutting the vegetables?”

“No, Sakura, just go do whatever. I’ll call you when the food is ready.”

. . .

“Actually, do you have any sake? I didn’t see any in your cabinets. That would go well with this dish.”

“Hah! You’re really asking me, the Fifth Hokage's apprentice, if I have any sake? Of course I do! You don’t train under Tsunade-shishou and not learn to have sake on deck, just in case. That woman would tear my house apart looking for some if Shizune even took it away from her for more than two days.”

“Off you go, then.”

With that, I was dismissed from the kitchen. Sasuke really seemed different, like there was a burden lifted off his chest. My earlier thought of him having a woman outside of the village floated through my mind, but I decided that he wouldn’t have held my hand earlier if he had someone else. I know with my heart that Sasuke is loyal to those he considers his precious people through and through. Although his past actions may contradict that, he isn’t leading a path of redemption for no reason. While Sasuke was busy cooking our lunch, I got to organizing a box of old pictures that my mother had dropped of the day before. As I was shuffling through them, I came across a picture of Team Seven in the Land of Waves. A picture I completely forgot taking. It was our first big mission, and we didn’t even know it at that point. It’s crazy how time has passed, how each of us has persevered against all odds. Although we don’t always get to see each other at the same time, what with Sasuke traveling, Naruto being with Hinata, and Kakashi being the Hokage, that family tie will forever be there. Those are my boys and they always will be. Lost in my reminiscing, I didn't hear Sasuke come up behind me until he was crouched down behind me, looking at the picture in my hand, his breath warm on my ear.

“We were such spring babies then. We had no clue how big of an opponent we would be facing with Zabuza and Haku. We didn’t know of the trails we would all have to face in the coming years.”

Gasping, I dropped the picture. “Geeze, Sasuke-kun, can’t you make some noise when you’re walking around?? But yeah, we had no clue then...I remember you being so unwilling to take that picture. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen it. After that mission, I didn’t even bring my camera with me anymore. I completely forgot about it. My mom must have developed the pictures for me...I would have liked to have this when you were gone.”

“Why’s that?

“So I could look back on times that were simpler. Times when you were still here. I now understand why you left, however I still don’t think it was the right choice. Part of me is greatful, still. Without your leaving, I think I would have stayed stuck in my old ways. Relying on you and Naruto to protect me…”

“I’m sorry Sakura. You deserved better than that. But I’m glad you’re stronger because of it.The food is ready. Let’s go eat.” he said as he pulled on a lock of my hair. “It’s grown out a bit, I like it at this length. It suits you well.”

With a slight blush, I made to get up, but not before Sasuke held out his sole hand to help me up from my position on the floor.

“Thank you. For being here, and for making lunch. Sasuke...if you don’t mind me asking...how’d you cut the vegetables and tofu with one hand?”

“Simple, I summoned a hand made from my susanoo.”

“Sasuke-kun, you’re ridiculous. I would have helped, you know.”

“Hn. Too bad.” he said with the slight smile he’s only shown in my presence.

--

The food was better than I expected. Not only was he confident in the battle field, but he was in the kitchen as well. Was this man skilled in every aspect of life? My imagination got the best of me as I imagined coming home from a long day to a shirtless Sasuke, adorned with the lemon printed apron I keep hanging up in the kitchen, inviting me to the bedroom...in this fantasy, he cooked me a lavish breakfast in bed, and he was the dessert. The blush that covered my face was impossible to hide.

“Sakura, is everything alright? You’re flushed.”

“Ha! Haa..yeah, I’m fine! Must be the sake getting to me. Although I know how to handle my alcohol, it doesn’t stop me from getting blushed really easily!!!!!!” I lied through a sip of said sake. “This is amazing, Sasuke. Is there anything you can’t do?” I let my inner thought slip out, despite my wish to keep those thoughts strictly to myself. Perhaps the alcohol was getting to me more than usual.

“Hn, you’ll just have to find out.” Voiced the smirking Uchiha from behind his own cup of sake, the somehow deeper vibrato of his voice cascading across the table. What exactly that meant, I wasn’t sure of, and I couldn’t help the shiver of a n t i c i p a t i o n that went down my spine.

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AUTHORS NOTE:

Helllooo lovely readers! I hope you like the newest installment of Hearth. I’m sorry I’ve been inactive for so long! I am hoping to update more frequently, however I am a super busy person and this is more of a passtime for me. I’m trying to keep this as cannon as possible, so pleeeease let me know if the characters seem too OOC (especially Sasuke). I want to show that through his short time on his travels, he has begun to change. That doesn’t mean his demons are gone and he is no longer the brooding Sasuke we all know. ANYWHO, please review/like etc. Thank you all so much! ***Pls see the authors note on my ff.web page for more in depth info about when this takes place and such.*** 

[suckonmybalz]

Nightmares - VM

It was super late. All day, he'd been out. From friends, to friend groups, to a mini-party and home. The time currently read 3:05 AM. Which was way past his common bedtime.

Vinny was a man of fun, a man of the hour or most hours at a party. He enjoyed being with friends, and liked to live the party life when he wouldn't be robbed of too much. It was exciting to even be on the guest lists, even if no one wrote those out anymore. It made him feel special, at the least.

Point being, undressing and showering rapidly was not his forté at such an ungodly hour like this. Hence why he referred to it as something to be acted upon quickly. Once he was done, he was bound to knockout. That was his favorite part of cleaning himself up before bed. The bed part.

Sliding his shorts off, and his hoodie off over his head, Vinny crawled into the shower. It was a bathtub, with a shower head that could be detached and used as a hand held, but he preferred it to remain on it's hook. There was also a huge spout for the bath! Crazy idea, using a bathtub for actually bathing. Wow, things never ceased to amaze. There was three bottles in the shower and a few shaving razors. A shampoo and a conditioner that were all nice and natural, rose scented. For some reason, he couldn't find the chamomile one he'd bought last time. It smelt like the perfect nap, or something along those lines. Beside the conditioner sat his little tube of shaving cream. Scented like lavender and vanilla, it was purple and it helped save his life so often. Shaving your crotch was scary enough, but have you ever tried to do it without any cream? We don't even talk about what happens when he forgot to buy shaving cream. Not appropriate, and there's no need to dig up old traumatic showering moments. Stepping into a cold shower after a super physically hot day was quite literally better than having a massage. It felt similar to one, in Vinny's case. So he aimed the little shower head at him, and made sure his hair was evenly soaked before pumping the shampoo to lather some up for his hair. Running his hands through his hair, and evenly getting that squeak from all sections was how he knew he was good to rinse. A nice sigh escaped his lips, when he stood there rinsing his hair. The solitude and the comfort of showering was an art. No one could judge his thighs that he disliked, or his messy hair that when wet made him looked like a trampled rat. It was so cold, too, perfect on his disgustingly and once awfully sweaty skin. Sweat like that risked acne, and he didn't even suffer that bad since tenth grade. Now moving onto conditioner, and making sure to use just a single pump of it. The reason being that when he used far too much, he couldn't stand his hair. It flew all over, and would end up even frizzier. He wasn't a hair specialist, but driving with windows down still requires you see the road to drive. He pressed it into his hair, making sure that he felt his scalp occasionally to check that he was evenly getting his head. The dude was a slight perfectionist when it came to his hygiene, what was wrong with that? After letting that rinse, he squeezed extra water out and gently tied it with a little hair tie to keep it away from his neck and back. So he could dry his body easier. The dripping hair only made things rough.

Leaving the shower was so awful. He was always left shaking and cold, regardless of the temperature of his shower and the rush for some clothing was traumatic. Grabbing his big hoodie, and a nice pair of sweatpants with new and clean boxers of course, he got all ready for comfortability in his bed. After making his way into the bathroom again, he brushed his teeth. Of course, making sure to clean every nook and cranny he could see and comprehend in his mouth— including his tongue. Before spitting and washing out the yucky water in his mouth. Yawning was the final straw. He needed to rest now.

Crawling into his bed, he tucked himself in with his comforter on top and his sheet close underneath. His feet under his comforter too, to keep the heat in. Not to mention, his cozy and fluffy special grey blanket his mother bought for him around his arms, chest and neck. It was a good babushka disguise when he needed one, too. He wrapped the fluffy blanket around himself too, and closed his eyes to rest. He was turned on his side into his big pillow, so he didn't deal with the sunlight of the next day.

The second he fell asleep, he wasn't aware he'd regret it.

The second he awoke, he'd never hated closing his eyes so violently.

The same scene to his fraction of his dream replayed in his eyes, like a broken player.

The man who visited the store he also visited had begun yelling at him. A customer who happened to get mad at him, while he was also a customer. After Vinny tried his hardest to calm the circumstance, and make enough light jokes to distract without being fully dismissive.

Yet this had turned out to be a crappy tactic, considering that this angry customer had hit him. Slapped him right across the face, his right palm colliding into his left cheek and making a nice noise too when it happened. It nearly knocked Vinny back, the shock alone could have completed that job though.

"You didn't have to do that dude, I didn't do anything wrong. I'm just being patient as you are—" On that note, Vinny can see himself in third person now, as if he's floating over his own self and watching these awful things happen as a ghostly figure would. The man had hit him right on the back of his head in the most accurate spot to directly knock him unconscious. With that, the man drags him right out of the building through the open back entrance. That very second the two leave, a worker of the store returns to the front desk. To see a dropped lightbulb, and a few PVC connector pieces on the counter. The lightbulb was Vinny's, and the PVC connectors and pieces were belongings or possible belongings of the other customer who had hit him.

The worker casually takes the connectors and tosses them into the restock bin, while the other grabs a broom and a little sweep pan. They work together, one holding the pan and the other gently and carefully sweeping the lightbulb's remains into the pan. One of them empties the pan, and unhooks the tiny to go vacuum from the wall to hand it to the other worker. They vacuum right over the area, and empty the vacuum's canister into the trash as well. The cardboard label to the lightbulb is scanned, and the bulb was damaged out. Not a single acknowledgement of anything wrong. No one saw anything.

What are the odds? Totally not in Vinny's favor.

This customer has Vinny in the back of his large van, a construction type van. The customer had clearly been some sort of worker, he had paint and dirt on his clothing and to be knowledgable about his purchase. If he needed PVC connectors, Vinny could guarantee having no knowledge about it whatsoever. The truck was speeding down a highway that they'd managed to get onto only moments ago. The leave from the store had been twenty minutes or so towards the highway.

Vinny lay limp, and weak in the back of this van. Which smelled of cigarettes, and very passionately of it too. His head hurt so terribly, and from the moment he'd gained any sense of not being stable and alone, he whimpered. His hands weren't to his own access, and his upper body swung so roughly with the car's motions. This highway was so torn up, and all the shaking was amplified by the speeding. It didn't help.

Like a dead pig in storage similar some sort of animal or such produce, his arms were hog tied up. Mass immobilization was the key here, and he’d no clue how long they’d really been in this van. Point being, he wasn’t stoked. Thankfully, his phone was in his pocket and shortly he’d request an update on the circumstance but couldn’t count on survival. This moment in time had to be the weakest one he’d physically suffered. There was no blood in his upper body, there was nowhere to go. The back doors to this truck had huge locks on it. Ropes and blood spatters from what he assumed were other cases where other people happened to have pushed their luck.

The van stopped and before he could say anything, the back doors were unlocked and popped open. A sharp inhale was managed, and...

He woke up, with a fit of heavy breathing and wide eyes.

Not a bone in his body desired to find out whether he lived through that or not, and he wasn’t seeking answers in a part two either.

Rushing to his bathroom to wake himself up became crucial. As he washed his face in cold water, he hoped that it was over. Nothing could hurt him now, generously did the man practically pray.

[kissmekissme-calum]

Lavender  (M.C)

Requested : No

Words : 893

Pairing : Michael Clifford x Reader

Warnings : None

-

“Lavender? Plum? Violet? They’re all purple!” Michael was shaking his head as you continued to press the various colors to the walls. “I can guarantee you that when the baby gets here, she’s not going to get mad because the colors of her walls aren’t plum.”

Finally letting the swatches fall to your hip you turned around, facing Michael, taking in his adorably confused look, a small smile forming on your face. “It’s like how you are with your music Michael. There’s various chords that to me sound the same but you know the exact difference between each and every one of them, I don’t. There’s differences between these colors that I can see that you cannot. And I know she won’t get mad at what color is on the walls, but I just want everything to be perfect for her. She’s our first baby, I want to do this right.”

Michael could only smile at you before taking a small step to reach you, bringing you into his warm embrace, his left arm going around your back and his right arm around your baby bump. “You can do no wrong when it comes to this, (YN), it’s going to be perfect for her no matter what color we do, no matter what theme we go with.”

“It’s not going to be long before we have her in this room, Michael. I guess I’m just getting more nervous the closer we get to her arrival. I’ve seen others go through this, but now that it’s our turn, I have no idea what I’m doing or what we’re going to do once she’s here. Our friends have said they’ll help but I still feel so lost.”

Michael listened carefully to your words, trying to form the response that would calm you down the easiest. “It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll figure it out. We always do.”

You’d always felt safe when you were in Michael’s arms, whenever he held you, you felt like you were home with no worries. And now that you were having his baby, the comforting presence continued to blossom into something you never knew could exist before. It was almost as if Michael could read your mind as he held you.

“No matter what happens, (YN), I will always keep you and the baby safe. You’ll always be safe with me.”

“I know,” you sighed, “it’s just like I said, I’m getting more and more nervous about being a mom. Our lives are about to change in the biggest way possible. We’re about to bring a new life into this world.”

Michael leaned down and placed a kiss to the top of your head before pulling back to smile down at you. “And she’s going to love her purple room, no matter what shade.” He finished his sentence with a laugh to which you quickly joined in and he sighed in content. “There you go. I love it when you laugh, makes me happy. You just need to relax before this baby gets here, just pick a shade that you love and I will get the boys over here and they’re going to help paint and make this the best nursery a baby could have.”

Another laugh overcame you as you began to think about the four boys all in this room, painting your baby girl’s nursery. “Are you sure that the paint will actually make it to the walls instead of all of the four of you? You remember when you guys helped paint the nursery for Ashton’s son. I’ve never heard of someone having to go back to the store six times just to get more paint because instead of painting walls you decided to paint each other.”

Michael chuckled as he grabbed the swatches from you and lifted the lavender one up. “That was not my idea just so you know, but this is.” He handed you the lavender swatch. “I like that one the most. It’ll go well with her name also, just a suggestion.” His words hinted at your baby girl’s name which was still undecided for the most part. “What do you think?”

Taking the swatch in your hand, striding over to the closest wall and placing the swatch to it, a warm feeling soaked into your bones and into your cheeks. “I love it! I told you that they were more than just shades of purple, Mikey.”

“Yeah,” He sighed and glanced around the room. “I’ll go to the store and grab the paint and I’ll be back with the boys in a little bit. Will you be okay til I get back?”

You sat in the rocking chair that sat in the corner of the room, a gift from Michael’s mom, before smiling at your husband. “Yeah, we’ll be okay.” Your eyes began to close as Michael started to leave the room, he was almost out of earshot when you spoke next but he managed to still catch your words. “We’ll be okay won’t we my little Lavender, we’ll be okay.”

Michael couldn’t get rid of the smile the entire time he was at the store getting the paint. When he was putting the cans of paint in the car, he couldn’t help but let his thoughts run crazy in his head. Lavender wasn’t just a shade of purple anymore.

-

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[halfhumanscribe]

Phone Call

FANDOM: Goof Troop

Synopsis:  Max wonders about growing up as an adult at the end of his college years and the future. RATING: PG - Some Adult Discussion ORIGINAL PUBLISHING DATE: 2018

WORD COUNT:  2103

Written as a daily writing exercise.

Forgive any formatting issues.  Review and critiques are appreciated.

Phone Call by Inganno

Max sighed, looking into the bathroom mirror.  He wasn’t looking at anything in particular – just himself:  clean shaven, hair washed, deodorant applied… but something was off.  More appropriately, it was that nothing was off.  There was nothing to be off about.  He was just sort of… clean.

“Hey, PJ!”

His chubby friend leaned away from the television to see his friend in the bathroom.

“What is it?” he squeaked, eyes darting back and forth between Max and the video game on the screen.

Max turned his head slightly and grabbed one of his ears.

“Do you think I should get a piercing?”

PJ groaned as he was sniped in-game.  “You think your dad would like that?” He asked, taking a big swig of soda while waiting for his character to respawn.

“What does he have to do with it?” Max asked

“You remember the last time you did something like that?”

“Well… yeah.  But that was different, okay?”

Junior year of high school.  The goth phase, or at least the wearing black phase, since Max could never afford anything designer.  His father didn’t seem to care for the most part, but when Max came home with black nail polish on, his dad went into overtime, wondering what was wrong with his son.

Of course, it didn’t help matters that PJ’s father just fanned the flames further.  It didn’t surprise Max that when PJ settled comfortably into college life after everything that went on, that he went full independent, and went a little crazy with his freedom.

“What about you?” Max yelled.  “Don’t you think your dad would flip if he saw what you’ve done to yourself?”

PJ shivered just thinking about it.  What his father didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.  And his father didn’t need to know about the tattoo on his ankle, the two hoop piercings on his right ear, or his sudden obsession with the color combination of pink, lavender, and blue.

“Anyways,” Max sighed as he left the mirror and bathroom, “I need a change.”  He jumped over the end of the couch and bounced onto it in a laying position, legs behind PJ.  “I look so boring, man.”

“You look like your dad.”

Right to the point.  PJ knew this conversation all too well.

It was the last year of college for them.  Graduation was only a couple of weeks away.  Both Max and PJ had already finished up the bulk of their work, so they were both guaranteed to graduate, even if they didn’t do so well on the final exams.  But with the work done, it gave Max more time to think, and with Bobby already gone to become a commentator on one of the ESPN channels (albeit at 3am on one of the offshoot channels), it left PJ alone with his best friend and his crisis.

“Yeah, I look like my dad,” Max repeated back to him.  “And you look like yours.”

“Yeah, but I’m nicer, so I look better by comparison,” PJ countered.  If his dad was around though, he wouldn’t even venture saying something along those lines.  At least not until he graduated and could afford a place of his own.

“But that’s the point, PJ!” Max argued.  “I look like my dad, and I’m not my dad, and I don’t want to be my dad. So, I need something to get people to stop saying, ‘Oh Max!  You look just like your father at your age!’”

He sprawled his arms out in frustration and groaned again.  When PJ didn’t say anything on the subject, he just turned on his side and watched his friend get killed again in-game.

PJ could have said something, but it would have just been the same thing he always told him.

“You’re not your dad, Max, you know that.”

Or something around those lines.  Though it was more long winded the first two times it was brought up. After the fourth or fifth it just got old.  Thankfully, it never dragged out too long, and was usually out of his head by the end of the day.

A phone on the coffee table in front of the couch began to vibrate and buzz. Max snatched it up and unlocked it, reading the text message that was just sent to him.  He replies almost immediately and puts the phone down next to him.  It doesn’t take long for it to go off with a reply.

“Louie thinks I should get a tongue stud.”

PJ couldn’t let that one slip by unnoticed.

“Are you really going to take the advice of a high school senior who’s been suspended twice this year?  Once for taking seven girls to prom at once and having them get into a catfight, and another for turning his high school hallway into the running of the bulls?”

“They didn’t kill anybody,” Max sharply replied, “and he’s the most popular kid in his class.  Those girls should have known better to trust him.”

“So why do you?  You’re five years older than him, if anything you should know better.”

That was true, but Louie had a sort of wisdom that you couldn’t get from other people.  It probably had something to do with his uncles and their record of child endangerment, but that was besides the point.  Louie had a good knack for catching things on a person that others missed.

“He was right about the bike.”

“Which you crashed and sprained your ankle with,” PJ added.

“Still… a tongue stud would be pretty cool to have I think,” Max said getting back on subject.

“Hurts like you wouldn’t believe though, Max.”

“And how would you…?”

PJ turned to him, opened his mouth, and stuck out his tongue.

“When did you get that!?” Max demanded to know.

“A few weeks ago.  She and I thought it would be a good idea to try.  Really, really hurt, and the period afterward was torture, having to take meds and everything, but she seems to like it.  A couple of friends do too.”

“Well see!”  Max exclaimed.  “They like it, and it gives you some extra personality, so why shouldn’t I give it a whirl?”

PJ chuckled as he watched his avatar on screen get killed again.  “Because they like it for a different reason than you think.”

Max immediately brought up his hands and closed his eyes, as if to try and block all sense of the world out of himself.  He didn’t need to hear that, and now he had a mental image.

There that whole conversation went.

“Told you not to listen to him,” PJ added as he went right back into the game.

Not wanting to talk about the subject out loud, he turned onto his other side and buried his face into the couch cushions.  Whatever he planned to do, he needed to do it quick.  His voice was getting higher… lower…?  Whatever it was, it was getting to the same strange pitch his father’s was.

He worried about his hair too.  His dad didn’t have much, if at all (it was hard to tell sometimes), and he worried if baldness or hair loss was a trait that ran in his family.

Then there was the fear of becoming a klutz and…

Max groaned loudly into the cushions.

How many times was he going to do this to himself in his life?  What was so wrong about being like his father?  He was kind, and brave, and empathetic to nearly everyone he met.  It was rare for anyone to see the good in everyone.  So why did he torture himself in high school and college about not wanting to be like his dad?

Max’s phone began to ring.

“Speak of the devil,” PJ said, eyeing the screen.

Max sighed and turned back onto his back to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Well, heya Max!” his dad chimed on the other end.

“Hey, dad.  What’s up?”

“Nothing really.  Was going through your old high school yearbooks and suddenly felt like talking to you.”

That combination of words never sounded good.

“Which year are you reading?” Max added.

There was a pause between words before his father answered.

“Sophomore year.”

The Powerline Incident.  And suddenly all those thoughts about being his father came rushing back, straight from the source.

“What brought that up?”

Goofy sighed on the other end.  Just barely, Max could hear paper crumbling.  Maybe a page turning?

“Oh, was just thinking about things.  I just saw your picture and wanted to call you.  Wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.”

Max paused on his end.  He smiled sincerely and answered, “Thanks dad.  That means a lot to me.”

“And you’re graduating soon.  You’re going to be a full-grown adult!  I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with myself when that happens.”  His voice was cracking, making way for light sobering, and the loud snort of a handkerchief.

Max’s father had the worst case of empty nest syndrome he had ever seen in an adult.  If it weren’t for Sylvia, who knows how Goofy’s further venting would have been handled.

Speaking of…

“I’ll take it from here,” she said as she snatched the phone away from her fiancé. “Max, it’s me.  Are you ready for your finals?”

“Yep.  PJ and me both.”

“Did you get that care package I sent you?”

“Sure did.”

“Did PJ get his?”

Max looked over at his friend, surprised that Sylvia would send him something, and asked.  PJ gave a thumbs up, revealing the pink, lavender, and blue bracelet that she sent him. Max was curious what else was probably in there, but didn’t want to pry.

“Yeah, he got it.”

“Good,” she said jovially on the other end.  She asked a few other bullet point questions, just to make sure the boys were taken care of, before getting to the subject at hand.  “Max, if you get the time, I think you should come home to visit for a day or two.”

“Why?  Is something wrong?”

“No, no, no, nothing’s wrong,” she continued, though followed it with a pause. “Your father just had a feeling is all. I think he’s worried about something, but he’s not telling me anything.  He grabbed a yearbook of yours a few days ago, and keeps going back to look at it every so often.”

“So, he misses me.”

“I don’t know,” she went on.  “It doesn’t look like he misses you in that sense.  But I think he misses you when you were younger.  I think he's just being really nostalgic right now.  I think the fact that you're an adult with your own life has caught up to him.”

It was catching up to Max too.  That was one of the reasons he wanted to stand out somehow:  he wanted to find a way to be his own person.

“Getting older is tough, Max.  I don’t need to tell you that.  I can hear it in the tone of your voice.”

Sylvia had gotten pretty quick to notice things in the Goof men.

“Yeah,” Max sighed.  “It's been catching up to me too.  I guess I’m still figuring myself out, and what I'm supposed to do after graduation. I thought that after high school I would get all of this stuff down straight, but I can’t even look at the mirror without thinking I need to constantly change something about myself in order to stick out to other people, you know?”

Sylvia chuckled on the other end.

“Our twenties stink, Max,” she said as a matter of fact.  “Heck, I think I hated mine worse than my teens.  We always want to try to be our own person, and not be who we’re expected to be.  Only advice I can give you AND your father is to just go with what you know and take the punches as they come.  Nothing wrong with changing yourself.  Nothing wrong with letting change come to you.  Change just sort of... happens.  With absolutely zero warning, and all at once.”

Max didn’t reply.  He didn’t know what to reply with.

"But, you know, it can be exciting and fun too, " she added. “Anyways… do you think you can come up this weekend?  PJ is welcome to come too.  I promise I won’t tell his father… maybe his mother and sister though.  I’ll even pay for the gas.  What do you say?”

Max paused there for a second and looked up at the ceiling.

“Sure,” he replied with an empty sigh.  “I’ll see what PJ thinks.”

[vintageneptune92]

Paladins- Chapter 3

Cami tossed and turned every night since Oliver's party. It had been 4 days and each night she couldn't sleep. She couldn't get the imagines of Oliver's scars out of her mind. She wanted to know what had happened to him. But she knew he wasn't ready to talk. And she was too busy being pissed at him to make him try. Instead she drove herself crazy and ignored his calls and texts. She leaned back in her office chair looking out the windows over the city. Something was coming. She had a feeling in the pit her of her stomach. She just didn't know why.

"Oh good- you're alive." she spun her chair around when she heard Oliver's voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I've been calling and texting you non stop for 4 days and you haven't bothered to respond. So I came here and when I saw that the building hadn't burnt to the ground and the business was still running I knew you were here. Just avoiding me." She couldn't tell if he was more angry or upset.

"Well I needed some time."

"You could have told me you needed time."

"Ollie-"

"It meant nothing."

"What?"

"The kiss, with Laurel. It meant nothing."

"I don't believe that for one second Oliver. It meant something. You just don't plan on doing anything about it."

"Why does it bother you so much? Me and Laurel?" She paused for a moment, afraid of what she would blurt out if she didn't collect herself.

"It's the drama of it Ollie. Your entire relationship with Laurel was drama. And look, I get it, you're all grown up now and mature. And maybe Laurel is too. But it would still be drama. Drama because of Sara, because of Tommy because of her father."

"So I'll prove it to you. I'll prove to you that there's nothing between me and Laurel. Come with me tonight."

"Come with you where?"

"Tommy didn't tell you?" Oliver swallowed slightly and Camille narrowed her eyes.

"Tell me what?"

"That he's throwing a fundraiser for CNRI tonight. He really didn't tell you?"

"Of course he didn't. Because I guarantee you Merlyn Global is paying for it and he knows I would have said no to spending thousands of dollars so he can get laid." Oliver tried to hold back a smirk. "YOU may have grown up Oliver, but Tommy hasn't. And I get it. He and my father- it's, it's complicated. More than complicated. And they both make it worse on purpose. My father acts like a dick to him and Tommy acts like a party boy idiot. And I'm stuck in the middle." He could see her getting visibly upset. She swallowed hard as she watched him walk over to her and squat down in front of her.

"Look- I know things haven't been easy for you- ever. You've carried the burden of keeping your family together for a really long time and obviously that hasn't changed. I promise you that I will not add to that drama." He paused as she gave him a skeptical look. He laughed and took her hands. "Okay, I promise to try and not cause more complications and drama. But please- don't push me away. I spent 5 years missing my best friend. I can't lose you again." She stared into his blue eyes for a moment and he watched as some of the walls she kept up around her to keep herself safe come down a little bit.

"Ok Ollie. I'll come to the fundraiser I'm paying for with you tonight." She said it quietly. All she wanted to do is tell him she loved him. But she just couldn't do it. He grinned at her.

"I'll pick you up at 8." He stood and kissed her on the cheek and headed out of her office. She leaned back in her chair again. She knew this was going to be a mistake.

"Answer your phone Tommy!" Cami yelled into her cell phone. The more she thought about it. The more pissed she got. What was it about Laurel Lance that made her brother and Oliver act like such imbeciles. She didn't get it. She didn't see it. She had this feeling that Laurel would eventually come between Oliver and Tommy. She had spent the majority of her afternoon meetings lost in thought and daydreams. If anyone noticed, they certainly didn't say anything. It was lucky for her that her father had been absent from them. He most certainly wouldn't have let it slide. He expected a lot from her. A hell of a lot more than he did of Tommy. She paced in her apartment. Clad in a strapless sweetheart neck black dress. The bodice was leather and led to a sequined and jeweled covered pencil like skirt that stopped right above her knees. She topped it off with shiny blush colored pointed stilettos and blush pearl earrings. She carried a small sequined black clutch and a blush colored coat to match her shoes. She jumped slightly when she heard the knock at her door. She opened the door to a beaming Oliver Queen. His boyish charm shining through. She couldn’t help but push her irritation aside. He handed her a bouquet of lavender roses. After everything he remembered they were her favorite.

“I see you’re looking for bonus points.” She laughed as she took the flowers and stepped aside for him to come in.

“Cami you look...wow. You look beautiful.” She felt the heat rush to her cheeks. All she wanted to do was kiss him. But she pushed the urge back.

“Thank you.” She smiles. He picked up her jacket and helped her put it on. “Let’s go see how much Tommy is putting my company back.” Her skin felt like it was on fire when he put her hand on the small of her back and led her out of the apartment.

“That is some dress.” Tommy let out a low whistle as he approached her. Cami swing her purse at him.

“Thanks for ignoring my calls dick. And for shooting me an email about this AFTER Ollie told me. Do you know the song and dance I had to give to get this approved? I made MYSELF look scatterbrained that I forgot to send it through so you could get into Laurel’s pants. Our last name may be on the building but we still answer to a board of directors.”

“You’ve been holding that lecture in all day.” He rolled his eyes and started to walk away but she grabbed his arms”

“No- you don’t get to make me the bitch. You know we have protocols to follow. If you don’t give me the details and a heads up it pisses me off. Because I’m going to have to answer to our father. And I know that you don’t care what he thinks but it doesn’t just affect you. The two of you constantly put me in the middle and it’s not fair. Grow up Tommy.” This time Cami was the one to walk away, except Tommy didn’t stop her. She headed outside to get some air.

She was outside for a little bit when Oliver came looking for her. “There you are. I thought you defected on me. It’s not very often a date hides on me.” She snickered.

“Not so much hiding from you but avoiding my douche bag brother” he laughed. “Date?” She was sitting on the side of the building, feet dangling.

“Well what else would you call it?” He was standing in front of her now. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and she shivered. “You’re feeezing. We should go inside.”

“Not yet...” she whispered. He was studying her face. “Ollie...” she was about to tell him to kiss her but then Oliver’s phone went off and it ruined the moment.

“Hey- it’s Diggle. I’ll see what he wants and I’ll be right back. Meet me inside okay? Don’t fight with Tommy. It makes you miserable” she smiled and nodded. He took a few steps away and she headed back inside to get a drink.

As she approached the bar she saw Laurel. She had successfully avoided her for until that point. “I was surprised that you agreed to do this fundraiser.” Cami looked up from her phone and stared blankly at her. “Excuse me?”

“I just know you don’t like me, that’s all.” Cami rolled her eyes hard.

“Is this high school? This isn’t a fundraiser for YOU. It’s a fundraiser for CNRI. Which is a great business to support and I’m proud to sign a check to donate to the cause. So don’t make this about you.”

“But you don’t deny you don’t like me.”

“You know what Laurel I spent years trying to kick some sense into Oliver. Get him to treat you better. But you didn’t make it easy. And now that he’s back home you treat him like dirt. And look I get he did a really jackass thing. But he didn’t kill Sara. And you said some reeeeeal shitty things to him. Then I see you all over him. And then you have something going with my brother and it pisses me off. You don’t get to string them both along and make them fight over you. That’s not okay. So right now, no, not your biggest fan.” Laurel nodded. She went to walk away but turned back around.

“I understand where you’re coming from. I hope you know that I spent my entire relationship waiting for Oliver to realize how in love he was with you. I was so intimidated by you. No one was more important to him than you. I saw the two of you outside. I think he’s realizing it. And I’m glad he is. He needs someone like you to love him.” She turned back around and walked towards Tommy. He mouthed “sorry” to Cami and she nodded. Oliver was right. Fighting with Tommy did make her miserable.

A while later she was still waiting for Oliver. He was no where to be found. He wasn’t answering his phone and neither was Digg. She saw someone approaching out of her peripheral vision. She glanced to the right and she saw Moira. Cami gave her a warm smile.

“Hello Camille. He did it again didn’t he?” She gave her a questioning look. “Oliver. He vanished again.”

“What can I say? He’s Oliver.” Moira nodded. “Cami I think we can both agree this is more than that. Perhaps one of us should try and figure out what he’s up to.”

“You’re very subtle Moira” Cami laughed. Moira patted her arm. “Whatever it is he’s doing, he needs you Camille. You were always his steady in a storm. May I suggest checking some older Queen properties?” And with that Moira was gone. Camille texted a company driver to bring her a car. She was livid that he had left her there. It was time to figure out why.

[sithlordintraining]

Galactic Space Gentlemen, Honey

A/N: I honestly can’t even space or contain the last two chapters. I literally am so happy and proud that I finished a series. A series I wanted so bad to happen. A series without @lilacs-lavender would’ve never continued. I went from legit 7 notes to reblogs, likes, and comments. Thank you for everything and support since all the craziness, I love you guys!

Previous: I Can’t Be the Only One, Honey

Narrator: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away; Ben Solo: he's a dandy guy in space. He combs the galaxy like his hair on the hunt for aliens and any other things that people need smuggling. Planet after planet he searches, discovering bizarre relics and new creatures, both friendly and not. These are the spectacular adventures of Ben Solo and his brave space crew in space.

You woke up in the darkroom from the sounds of low voices. You were so tired you couldn’t even be scared. The door started to shake and you heard someone straining to push it open. You crawled into the corner of the little cell, slightly nervous of waiting on the other side. The door slides back to reveal Chewie. The small smile that graced your lips only grew when you saw a sweaty, disheveled Ben coming to your rescue.

“Baby,”

Ben ran to the corner and scooped you up in his strong arms. He held you so tight, fingers digging into your skin as he tried to hold back the tears that were starting to fill in his eyes. He took deep steady breaths as everything around him seemed to stop because the only moment that reunited was being here with you. He pulled back and stared into your (y/e/c) eyes.

“Oh, Y/N” He sighed hugging you once more until Chewie roared.

“Yeah come on, we don’t have all day, we have to get Rey!” Maumau exclaimed.

Ben rolled his eyes at his obsession with Rey as he pulled Y/N out of the cell. The four of them ran down the hallways trying their best to avoid stormtroopers and officers. They all began to run until they bumped into Rey.

“REY!” “BEN!”

“How’d you escape?” Ben asked his cousin.

“They had me strapped to this upright table and Ben, you wouldn’t believe it-”

Rey was cut off by Ben running through a corridor and the others followed. Looking on the lower level, Ben saw his father with the infamous Kylo Ren. Ben was shaken that the infamous Kylo was sneaking up behind Han. Snatching Chewie’s weapon, he blasted at the black-clad figure and watched him double over. Han looked up at his son and back at the man who was trying to compose himself. Han sprinted to make his way back to the group, only to find himself struggling. Rey used the force to break the connection allowing Han to escape. Kylo was soon on their trail as soon they made it out into the harsh climate outdoors. Rey being the most trained, unsheathed her lightsaber and began to fight Kylo Ren.

“We’ll get the Falcon! Stay with Rey!” Han yelled.

“Okay,” Ben nodded. “Take Y/N!”

“No!” You objected you didn’t want to leave his side; very scared what could happen any moment. “Ben, I don’t want to leave your side.” And by the way, clung to his arm, he really didn’t have a choice. Ben shrugged off his jacket and put on you as the pair made their way into the deep forest where green and red illuminated the dark scene. Ben held your hand tightly weaving you two between the tall trees. A piercing scream echoed through the forest as Rey fell to her knees after Kylo Ren had slashed off her right hand. Kylo used the force to fling her body aside. Immediately you went running to her side trying to calm her. Ren’s mask fell on an angry Ben, his hand lifted and Ben was being held against the tree. A growl escaped the mask before he went charging at Ben. With all his might Ben tried his best to use the force to call for Rey’s lightsaber. The red crossguard flew up the ready to slice through the Solo only to clash against the green sword. Ben could feel the winds and snow whip around him as the force and anger began to rise in him. Every blow he delivered was harsh and careless swings; Kylo was impressed with his skill regardless of his training. So caught up in observing Ben, he fell backward giving Ben the upper hand. Ben was clouded by rage as he continuously hit the black mask until a guttural scream pulled him from the darkness. Ben peered down with confusion as he saw himself with a bleeding laceration from his brow down all the way down to his face. Identical brown eyes stared at each other; Kylo always knew this day would come, but Ben had too many thoughts swirling. Before he could speak, he heard a crack.

“Ben,” you whispered as you looked down at the crack that just formed between you and Rey. Ben looked at you and then followed the crack that met between him and Kylo. The planet was falling apart and everyone would die if they didn’t leave. You pushed Rey as some of the ground began to fumble under her. Ben rushed to pull his cousin. He looked up at you as the ground began to shake.

“Y/N, you have to jump!” Ben yelled at you.

“I can’t!” you said stricken with fear.

“Come on, Baby, please!”

Taking a deep breath, you got a head start to jump, but the ground started to fall underneath you. Your high pitched scream pierced his ears, as Ben’s eyes involuntarily shut. When he opened it he saw Kylo straining hold to keep you from falling into the dark pit below. Using all his strength, Kylo pulled you up and rolled the two of you away from the crumbling edge. A light illuminated on the other side as if searching for someone. As much as Ben hated it, in order to keep you safe, he needed to leave.

Narrator: It had been sometime before the Resistance and First Order had seen each other in months. Both sides were still recovering from the wounds they suffered during the destruction of Starkiller. The Resistance, however, had a bigger time because of Rey, Ben, and Y/N. Rey got a new hand, which definitely sealed her being a Skywalker as Luke put it. You had yet to be rescued which drove Ben to be distant and miserable. And Ben, a very dramatic Ben, took his Uncle’s route: becoming a hermit and isolating himself.

Rey, C3-PO, and Maumau made their way up the green hill and passed the cascading waterfall, into the dark cave. The darkness began to wash over them as the moved further in.

“Are you sure he is in here?” Threepio asked as his eyes illuminated the way.

“Yes,” Rey nodded. “I can feel the force pulling me here.”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”

Turning a corner they saw the dark robed figure with long black hair. They jumped as his voice bounced off the cave walls. The man got up turning to reveal his deep eyes with darkened circles, gaunt face, and growing stubble. The sight of him even made Threepio feel heartbroken.

“There’s a job, Master Solo.” Threepio chirped.

“I told you I am not a smuggler anymore!” Ben roared causing everyone to jump. Rey’s eyes flickered down to his hand. She shifted forward in excitement.

“Ben, you completed it!” She said staring at the brass hilt held in his large hand.

“What color is it?” Maumau asked and soon it was illuminated, revealing the beautiful glow of (y/f/c) illuminate the walls and echoed with angelic hums.

“Ben, it’s beautiful.” “Truly wonderful, Master Solo.”

“Yeah, it’s great.” Maumau cut to the chase. “But this job, you have to do it!”

Ben stomped towards the Loth-cat clenching his jaw read to scream until he started the holovideo.

“My name is Finn L/N from the planet Demeter in the star system Thesmophorus. I’m originally from planet Earth.” The man looked down sadly. “My family was from the planet Earth. When I was younger there was a terrible war going on and the only guaranteed safety of survival was to leave. My parents sent my sister and I-” The man took a deep breath before continuing. “I haven’t seen her in years but whe-when I saw her wanted pictures I knew it was her. She’s my little sister and I just want to bring her home” Finn finally looked back up with tears brimming. “Help me, Ben Solo. You’re my only hope.”

The video ended; Ben’s chest felt like it was on fire. He didn’t believe it at first but after watching the video a hundred times once he screamed at them to get out he could see the small resemblances the two of you had. The more he watched, the more he hated himself. It was his fault you being wanted, being captured, you being with him. Gritting his teeth, he knew what he had to do. Rey was busy practicing with the saber and her new hand to recognize Ben walk out of the cave. His eyes squinted as he did his best to adjust to the light. He walked up to C3-PO handing him the video.

“So, we’re taking it?” Maumau asked.

“Yes.”

Narrator: While Ben was getting his groove back, Y/N was somewhere on a ship under the watchful eye of the First Order’s Commander, Kylo Ren. After he saved her from the pitfall of Starkiller Base, Kylo had become very protective, even more than Ben. Hux wanted to leave her to die, but Kylo refused to let her out of his tight grip. Due to the lack of proper clothing, the poor girl contracted hypothermia. Every day he checked in on her in the bacta tank as she slowly gained her health back. Once she was back to normal, she was moved to his room where you slept in his bed and basically becoming her caretaker. But things took a turn when she began to notice the darkness that started to consume and how he barely took care of himself. The man, who was only really a year old, had found someone to teach him how to live.

Y/N sat braiding his raven hair back so it wouldn’t get caught in his helmet while he trained.

“Did you eat?”

He simply nodded. You couldn’t help but smile as the large man nestled between your legs. Your fingers threaded through his long hair with such ease, almost jealous of how easy it was. You’d really hope you and Ben’s daughter got his hair. A small smile fell on your lips thinking about a little girl that was the perfect mix of you two with Ben’s dark waves and how you would spend your nights brushing your fingers through both of their hairs as they fell asleep. Your teeth bit down on your lip to suppress the giggle of picturing Ben with colorful barrettes and ribbons to match his little girl.

“You’d make a great mother.” Kylo’s voice made you come back to reality.

“Oh! Oh, thank you.”

“Did you guys perform coitus yet?”

You tensed and accidentally pulled his hair. He hissed turning to look at you. Your face was somewhere between embarrassed and angry. Anger, an emotion he hadn’t seen from you and still wondered how you still remained so composed, unlike him.

“Kylo, you shouldn’t ask people that.” You scolded. “It’s inappropriate and very personal.”

His brown eyes looked down as he muttered an apology.

“I just assumed since he is your significant other...do you miss him?” He asked slowly.

“Very much.”

“Do you think he will come back for you?”

You knew it was just a question with no malice behind it, but it hurt as your hands fell into your lap. But it had been a few months and there was no rescue, communication, and to make it worse the First Order was annihilating the Resistance at almost every chance. You didn’t even know how you were holding it together. Especially since you were hidden in Kylo’s quarters, if Hux or Snoke found you, you’d be killed in an instance.

“I won’t let that happen to you,” Kylo said holding your head in his hands. “You didn’t deserve to be in the middle of this war. All you did was fall in love and from what you told me, there’s nothing wrong with love.”

You wrapped your arms around him and hugged him tightly.  

Narrator: While Y/N and Kylo continued their 20th sleepover. Ben, Maumau, C3-PO, and Rey were off to Demeter, to finally meet the only family Y/N had.

The planet was beautiful. They landed on a port of the private island of their host. The four of them stood awkwardly awaiting a greeting.

“Oh my, this somehow reminds me of Cloud City. Yet it is a little blotchy.” C3-PO spoke up.

Ben’s eyes roamed around as the colorful birds flew above him the sky. The scent of the blossoms from the large Wilder trees entered his noses as the winds ran through the leaves. He looked at the mini palace at the top of the small hill. Y/N. It was the only thing he could think of being surrounded by all of this beauty.

“Welcome to Demeter!” Finn’s voice drew Ben out of his daze. Finn walked down with a deep red agbada with a black and gold embroidered cape. Finn welcomed them all with a bright smile, talking to each and every one of them. Ben watched Finn interact and it reminded him so much of Y/N.

“Ben,” Finn stood in front of him and pulled him into a tight hug. Ben blinked at the very friendly man hug him. Finn pulled back and held his hand behind him. “My home is your home.”

Narrator: And some of these people took that phrase a little to serious...Maumau. He walked around like he owned the place, absolutely rude eating up everything. C3-PO went around talking to machines or whatever. Rey let her guard, as well as her hair, down exploring the island and ocean with Finn, where they found out they had a lot of things in common. Then there was Ben, who had holed himself up in his room meditating or looking at the engagement ring. Which is exactly what he was doing now.

The small band was snug on the tip of his pinky. His brown eyes roamed the crystal making sure every detail was perfect. A knock on the door drew a growl from Ben as the door slid open to reveal Finn.

“I know it’s late.” Finn scratched the back of his neck. “But I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a drink?”

Ben stared at his host before standing up and following the man.

Finn was a great guy, really intelligent, and if he was the same wild smuggler he was before all this, he would definitely come by and cause a little trouble with his future brother-in-law. And the more he sat there, the more he saw the similarities you to had, one being your bubbling, beautiful laugh.

“Does she remember me?” Finn asked as the crickets filled the silence. Ben stared down, trying to remember if so.

“She remembers the war, she doesn’t remember her parents.” He shook his head. “She remembers being put on a ship.”

Finn looked down at his swirling drink. “I put her on the ship. She was only six. Our parents had been captured and they told me to make sure we were safe, stick together.” His lip poked out trying to hold it together. “They wouldn’t let us on the ship together, but the lady said she’d watch her.” His hand rubbed at his eyes as he began to tremble. “I watched as the ship started to slow and then,” a sob racked through his body. “It blew up. We all watched as it blew up...but I knew she was still alive. When we got to the destination I just sat there waiting for her because I knew she was alive.”

Ben placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “She is and we’ll get her back.”

“You think...she’ll-”

“Yeah, she loves to love. It’s one of the reasons I fell for her.” Ben sighed.

“How long have you guys been together?”

“It’s only been a year. But she’s changed my life tremendously. I’m forever grateful for your sister.” Ben’s lips tugged upward. “And I’d be forever in debt to you if you give me your blessing to marry her.”

Finn looked at him with shocked but teary eyes.

“I-I don’t mean to be so forward, I just love her-”

“I loved her all my life, even when everyone told me to give and drop it. That she was ‘drifting in space’, I never stopped and I never will. Everything I did was to make sure she had what we didn’t have, A HOME!” Finn snapped leaving a stunned Ben.

“She has a home!” Ben stood up. “With me and my family.”

“No, she needs to be with her own family, her real family.” There was fire behind Finn’s eyes

“How can you force her to stay with you?” Ben scoffed. “She doesn’t even know you.”

Finn clenched his jaw staring at him.

“Remember, you have a job, Mr. Solo. I will do anything I see fit to guarantee a safe return for my sister.”

Rey moved around her room preparing for bed when she felt a presence behind her. She turned around to see none other than Kylo Ren himself. Neither of them understood why the force had chosen them to constantly appear in front of each other. But each time, it spewed more hate into them.

“What the kriff do you want now you kung?” Rey spat.

“You look tired...harpy.” Kylo smirked.

“Laserbrain clone!”

“Moof-milker!”

Narrator: Name calling...childish. But what do you expect? The clone is no older than two years old.

“Where is she?” Rey said through gritted teeth.

“I have no idea who you are-”

“WHERE IS SHE?!” Rey ignited her lightsaber taking a step forward.

“Surely you should know, you were the ones that left her,” Kylo smirked as he saw Rey internalizing what he had said. “How’s your hand, by the way, Skywalker?”

Rey growled swinging forward only to see nothing but empty space.

Kylo had grown tired of the force connection to Rey. She would always pop up at the most random moments. He walked to his room to find you fast asleep on the couch holding onto a physical book that the Supreme Leader had gifted him: ‘The Rule of Two: A Darth Bane Story’. Picking it up he placed it on the table beside you. Gently, he took the black fleece and pulled it up to your chin; Kylo smiled hearing the soft snores escape you.

“YOU LIAR!” A green glow illuminated behind Kylo. He stood up, obviously shaken at the intrusion. Especially since he was trying to hide you.

“No, you d-don’t understand-”

“I don’t give two bantha ticks, we are coming for her and I will end you.”

And just like that, Rey was gone. And he felt fear, not for his life. But, for yours.

To be continued…

P.S.: Kylo is legit like 20 months, he’s a baby in a grown mans body asking if people had performed coitus.

[moonfox281]

Hi, I'm a big fan. Love your "Fumes of our Love" Series by the way. Can you right a story where Dick is a fortune-teller and he meets crazy people (aka Gotham locals) asking for their fortune. However, Jason comes to his shop everyday for his fortune. His fortune is always "pining" and "rejection". Over time Dick and Jay be comes close, until Jason's fortune changes to "mutual" and "acceptance".

You’re my Four of Wands

(Words: 2,279)

Status: chap 1

AO3 link: You’re my four of wands

“Tell me my future.”

It was always the same.

The very moment they took their first deep breath before letting the words out, he had known what it would be about. And he was always right.

How hard could it be to read them when everyone came looking for him was the same.

Dick smiled at the woman and started reading the cards, could feel her eyes on him the whole time. They always looked, even when their minds didn’t have much other than his words at the time. It was easier to look at him then at the objects in his hand sometimes, the gypsy he looked he put on always made people stare, they would look at his face, would draw their eyes on his clothes, his makeup, his gold earrings, and then when they looked up to meet his eyes, he would smile, and they would immediately look away, feeling a bit shaken of being caught, and only then, they would start paying attention to their own destiny on the table.

“Lastly, this one, Chariot, it represents your Outcome.” He flickered his eyes, watching the woman tucked her hair back behind her ear as she leaned forward for a closer look. “It carries the meaning of victory, will power, assertion. Something is coming, something big, and it will change your belief, it will bring you to a brighter page, a new beginning. A success, I might say.”

Her irises blown a little, and a small gasp escaped between the gap of her red painted lips. Dick did love making people happy with the answers.

“So, that’s good, right?” She laughed out breathlessly, eyes on the card and back to him.

“It is, Miss.” Dick smiled, knowing she would do the same.

When he sent off the woman, it started raining. Gotham had been off mood lately, feeling like she would pour down anytime without giving a warning.  

The rain usually meant a silent and lonely night. Dick took a lungful of heavy humid air and eyed the little people and vehicles left on the street rushing for their closest destinations, needing a roof to cover themselves from the cruelness of Gotham’s winter.

He went back and lightened some new candles that he had bought yesterday at the outdoor market. He went to his chamber to grab a coat then turned back to clean the cards of the table, and put away the glass and blow off the cups of scentless candles that he had lighted up when the woman had first walked in.

He was taking off his earrings when the knock came. He didn’t expect any visitor at this late, and more particularly, under this weather. But the sound went off again, clearer this time, as if making sure to kick Dick’s doubt away.

He couldn’t help but frown as the knock kept continuing when he made way to the door, it was more like bashing now, guaranteed a not very well-mannered guest.

“Yes?” He said before he could see, in a low and not so welcome way that the normal polite him would have not done.

Dick didn’t panic when he saw him, but surprise would have been a way too light word to put it.

He was close, close enough that all Dick could first see was his fiery pale blue eyes. He was soaked, wet from tip to toe like a rat under the sewer. The black hair was pushed back in a way that Dick imagined was a quick gesture to get the short wet locks out from sticking into his forehead. He shaved the sides though, leaving the total look in a clean and voguish style that seemed to be quite popular nowadays.

The man had to perch down to look at Dick, his frame too giant for Dick’s little porch, one big hand had already stood up above the door frame when Dick first opened the door.    

“Hey.” The quirk on those pale lips appeared as fast as it disappeared, and the rasp of his low voice pulled Dick out of the zone.

“I um…” He took a moment to look down and laughed out coldly, like a joke for himself was running through his head. “I saw the light, so I thought…”

For a man this big and this virile-looking, his mouth clearly didn’t seem to carry the same energy. He struggled to talk and to look at Dick like hadn’t thought clear before slamming his fist on the door like an angry Dwarf.

He stopped again, not quite meeting Dick’s eyes as if he was fighting his way for an explanation, but Dick didn’t mind the ungraceful semibreve of his sentence at all. It gave him time to read this man, this strange striking young man.

There was something about him, something that screamed louder than others’ in the list of all the strange and different people Dick had met in Gotham. Maybe it just simply because the man was shockingly good looking, or it was because the look of his, as he stood here, drenched in the ice-cold rain, big and tall and just a hint of lost.

What an odd, he wondered.

“Can I get in?”

Again, his voice did near to startle Dick, as he was lost once again, too busy construing a clearer image of this interesting stranger.

“Do you know who I am?” He cocked his head aside, smiling as if it was what he was born to do.

“Yeah, the sign says it quite pacifically.” He laughed again, still, the tedious sound that didn’t carry much joy in it, but at least this time, it stayed.

“What’s the problem?”

“Nothing at all. You just don’t look like someone would go to a fortune teller asking for a direction.”

This time, a half-hearted grin crept on the man’s face, he looked down as if to mock his own before facing Dick.

“Yeah, it’s just… I don’t know, one hell of a day for me, you know. So why don’t make it count?!”

“Well then, we better do. Come on in.”

Dick led the way and turned to give his stranger an amused smirk when he crunched down the door frame to get in. He lighted on some more candles, dropping a few drops of lavender extract because the smell always calmed the customer’s mind and made their head a bit womby.

He was looking around, and Dick didn’t blame him, after all, a fortune teller’s house had always been too close to a witch habitat in fairy tales. His eyes skimmed over Persian rugs on the wall, the dream catchers slouched down from Dick’s old candle style chandelier, black and white pictures and all the stuff that he had placed around for his own liking. He went next to one of Dick’s cabinets and looked at the burning candles and the lavender branches on the top of it.

Dick couldn’t help but find amusement crept up down the pit of his belly when he watched the huge wet man staring down at the small, fragile flames like the big bad wolf looking at the little Red riding hood. He went to the other room to take all the tools that he had put away earlier, went to the chamber to put back his earrings and some of the bracelets, and made a note to grab some towel and a fresh pair of clothes on the way.

When Dick got back, the man had already kicked his black, wet and heavy-looking boots into a corner next to the feet of his platera. He was still looking around in curiosity, but had already been on his seat, right where he should be on the table.

Dick smiled and went over to give him the towel and clothes.

“Take off your clothes and change, I’ll give you some privacy.”

His stranger looked up at him fast enough to make it look like Dick had startled him, he looked calm though, quite surprised, but calm.

“I’m sure I’ll be quick, so you don’t have to do this.”

“Then at least dry yourself, you’re dripping all over my carpet.”

Only then that he looked down and realized that the bohemian rug down his feet was getting big wet spots slowly blooming wider as water from his big, black and cozy looking long coat continued to drip down like a tap that had been carelessly turned off.

“Shit. I’m sorry.” He shot off the chair and quickly shrugged off the coat and dumped it next to the boots where the rug didn’t cover.

“Then change.” Dick smirked and turned back to his kitchen behind the heavy curtains.

He put the kettle on and slowly hummed the melody of an Irish lullaby that he couldn’t quite remember where and when he had heard. When the tea was ready, he brought it out only to see his stranger struggle with the gray hoodie he had given him earlier.

“Uh… clothes are a bit tight.” He shrugged awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck.

True, the sweats showed quite a gap above his ankles, the thick fabric of the hoodie was stretched tightly around his arms and chest, and the edge of the top didn’t quite meet the pants, promised to show skin even with the smallest movement.

Those were the biggest that Dick owned, ones that he hadn’t thought that he would ever be able to fit in. A large bundle of black had made its home down the feet of his platera, and Dick had thought, that out of all those big and heavy clothes, his stranger would at least looked a bit human-sized, apparently, he did not, and it just made the scene look quite absurd seeing a man this size got squeezed tight in his clothes.

He did his best to suppress his smile from getting any bigger, and went to the table, sat down and started pouring out the chamomile tea, hoping the drink would bring some warm back to the rain-soaked man standing right the opposite.

His stranger observed his movement for a minute, then slowly, awkwardly sat down the chair. He pushed his lips into a thin line as he did his best to meet the surface of the wooden chair without ripping any item on his body apart. He took the cup from Dick’s hand with a breathy “thanks” and took a sip, closing his eyes.

“Man, this stuff’s good.”

That pushed a laugh full of wind out of Dick.

“It’s on the house.”

When the cup got up again, Dick saw the expanding curl on the corner of his lips, bold and charming, it fit the whole look of him.

“So, what do you want to know?”

“What?” He put down the cup, head leaned ahead, looking a bit confused.

“Everyone comes here with a question, so what is yours?”

He went silent, and Dick started to assume he hadn’t had any particular reason in his minds when his legs had taken to his place. His stranger leaned back against the chair, his tongue played with the inside of his cheek and he stared aside for a moment before turning back.

“Alright, tell me my future.” He shrugged, so casually, and so easy to predict. For people like him, a typical question like that was habitually being used as a front for something else, something bigger that deep down they craved for an answer, but never dared to find out.

Besides, who he thought Dick was to shrug so nonchalantly like that and expected him to not find out, that he didn’t even pay half of his heart for what he had said.

“Something tells me you’re not that interested in your future.”

His eyes finally met Dick’s this time, and he couldn’t help but grin, because the neglectfulness in them had disappeared. The faintness of a grin that had ghosted on his face before, that must have always been there like a mask shielded him away from what people wanted to know, slowly slipped off. And there was something changed in his eyes, like inside, his stranger was building up another wall, one that he hadn’t thought he needed to when he first saw Dick, but clearly, now that he had realized that had been an underestimate.

“So, let me ask you again.” Dick leaned further, and entwined his fingers before resting his chin on them. “What do you want to know?”

He looked defensive now, not that he showed that out clearly, it was just Dick had always been too good at reading people. He looked aside, thinking and avoiding Dick’s smile. Fair enough, not everyone was comfortable with an open-hearted gesture. Some would shy away, some might see it as overwhelming, his stranger was one of those.

Patience was the key for times like this, for people like him to open up, first question was always the most important, because once succeeded, they wouldn’t be able to stop, because one block was all it needed to take down the whole domino wall.

Those eyes were looking at him now, a blank stare that was sharper than a hot knife through butter. It took time, it always did.

“Alright,”

Patient, he had said, then the shell would open on its own.

“Tell me everything.”

Now that was what he had been waiting for: a question from the heart.

Like a peacock spreading its tail, Dick pulled out the cards inside his sleeves and casted them into a circle in a blink of an eye, mouth twitched into a smirk as he observed his stranger slightly gasped at the sight.

“Shall we begin?”

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Thursday 7th September 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Thursday a beautiful day, over Wednesday Hump day and only one more day to get through, until the week end’s here…and then, and then the week end.. time to spend with the children, go shopping, stand outside the woman’s store if you’re a guy… ummm… let’s look on the Brightside, another whole day until the week end…

SCOTLAND HAS BEEN VOTED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD…. Scotland has been voted the most beautiful country in the world by a respected travel company. Rough Guides, the leading publisher of travel and reference guides, tasked its readers to choose the top 20 most beautiful countries in the world, and Scotland came out on top, ahead of Canada and New Zealand. The website said: “Who can deny that these wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles are some of the most wonderful and beautiful sights in the world?” The recognition was welcomed by VisitScotland who hope to welcome more tourists exploring the diversity the country offers. Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland said: “We are delighted that Scotland has received this remarkable accolade from Rough Guide readers, but of course it will not be a surprise to anyone who has encountered our wonderful country. From our awe-inspiring landscapes to our remarkable historic attractions, to our bustling but beautiful urban centres, Scotland takes people’s breaths away. “Our latest campaign, the Spirit of Scotland was based on feedback from visitors that they get a special feeling while in the country – whether it’s in the wilds of Glen Coe on a stormy day or taking part in a ceilidh on Burns’ Night – there is something different about Scotland that they can’t experience anywhere else in the world. “Of course with great beauty comes great responsibility and we urge both visitors and residents alike to respect Scotland’s natural assets to protect and preserve them for many generations to come. “Off the back of this accolade, we look forward to welcoming more visitors from across the world who want to encounter Scotland’s unique beauty and spirit.”

SPIDER SEASON IS HERE: HOW TO KEEP ARACHNIDS OUT OF YOUR HOME…. A cool August has seen spiders head indoors earlier than usual this year. The common British house spider is likely to be looking for a mate as the autumn breeding season approaches - which means they will be much more visible inside our homes. How can you keep spiders out of your home. Yet you don’t have to surrender your house to the eight-legged creatures - there are plenty of ways you can repel spiders. Keep your house clean and airy Spiders love dark, damp, cluttered places. Vacuum and dust regularly, and don’t allow clutter to build up. Store things in plastic lidded boxes rather than cardboard ones to prevent spiders gaining access. Keep your house filled with natural light - never leave blinds or curtains closed during the day or for prolonged periods of time if you’re away from home. READ MORE: Wet August to blame for early onset of ‘spider season’ Use essential oils Spiders ‘smell’ with their legs, so strong scents will deter them from leaving their nooks and crannies. Tea tree, rose, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, citronella, lavender and eucalyptus can all work - make sure you spray corners, window sills and skirting boards, and replenish regularly. Borax This pest control product is designed to kill ants, but it also works with spiders. Sprinkle it in corners and along door frames to prevent webs. Seal cracks Grab your caulking gun and seal up spider access points in walls, floors and ceilings. Keep foliage away from your house Don’t allow plants next to your home to creep too close, as spiders will hide in them. Similarly, don’t allow leaf litter, woodpiles etc to accumulate, as they make great spider hiding places. Get a cat A feline will fearlessly chase spiders - although you can’t always guarantee a successful outcome! But don’t use conkers! There’s no evidence that they’re effective. Other strong aromas are likely to work better, such as garlic or vinegar.

POLICE FORCE GO VIRAL AFTER APPEAL FOR OWNER TO COLLECT DRUGS…. A post by a police body has won plaudits online after suitcase containing £6,500 worth of drugs has been handed in to police after someone picked it up by mistake on a bus. Officers in Dumfries have taken to social media urging the owner to “pop in, tell us what’s inside” and claim it. Police seized the drugs. However, their Facebook post warns “you will be arrested and will only get the empty case back after the court case”. The suitcase was picked up by mistake by a man in Dumfries when he got off a bus travelling between London and Belfast on Tuesday morning. When he got home, he realised it was not his and took it to the tourist information centre next to the bus stop. Staff there thought it had a funny smell and phoned police, who came to take it away. Officers at Dumfries police station discovered it contained a large quantity of drugs when they opened it to investigate. They are keen to trace a young man seen asking about his missing suitcase in the Whitesands area of the town on Tuesday morning. The police Facebook post has been liked more than 375 times. It says: “Were you a bit wasted last night? Did you misplace a suitcase with £6,500 worth of drugs in it ... Great news, it’s been found and we have it at Dumfries Police Station. “Just pop in, tell us what’s inside it, where you left it and we will be happy to return it to you!” The man police want to trace is described as being in his mid 20s with fair hair and was wearing jeans and a horizontally-striped fawn-coloured top. He spoke with a Scottish accent Constable Alistair Hope said: “We would like to identify this man in relation to this investigation. “Anyone who may have been in or around the Whitesands on Tuesday morning is asked to call us at Dumfries on the 101 number if they can help us identify this man.”

HUNDREDS GET MUDDY AT BIGGEST EVER BEAST RACE AT LOCH NESS…. SCOTLAND’S most brutal obstacle course race, the Prime Four Beast Race, saw hundreds of participants get down, dirty, wet and muddy at Loch Ness at the weekend, raising over £128,000 for charity. Nearly 1,800 participants took to the stunning course at Aldourie Castle by Loch Ness and faced an epic challenge, with obstacles taking advantage of the site’s awesome natural features. Getting muddy in the Prime Four Beast Race at Loch Ness. That number marks a 40% increase on the 2016 event. Now in its fifth year, Prime Four Beast Race at Loch Ness was bigger and bolder than ever before with a savage new 10km long route across the Aldourie Castle Estate. The new-look course also included more merciless obstacles for participants to overcome such as the icy cold Looney Dook and the perilous Black Hole. Prime Four Beast Race’s official charity partner is Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, for which over £128,000 has been raised so far by Beast Race participants. That number will significantly rise after all funds are totalled for this year’s race. Prime Four, an international business based on the outskirts of Aberdeen, is the event’s title sponsor. Developed by Drum Property Group, Prime Four is home to 12 major energy and service companies, with that number due to expand. As part of Prime Four’s sponsorship, colleagues at any of the companies who are located at the Kingswells site, have benefitted from a range of free activities including 3,000 hours of training across 600 classes including Boot Camp, Circuits, Yoga, Metafit, a JogScotland Running Group, and the Prime Four Bleep Test. This all fits within Prime Four’s principle objective which is to, “bring life to work.” Jono Buckland, director at organisers FireTrail Events, said: “Good grief, that was brutal. Our participants told us they wanted it to be tougher than ever before, so we ramped it up, and challenged them to try and break the beast.

SCOTTISH SCIENTISTS CREATE CAMERA TO SEE THROUGH HUMAN BODY…. A new camera which can see through the human body has been developed. The device is designed to help doctors track medical tools known as endoscopes, which are used to investigate a range of internal conditions. Until now, it has not been possible to track where the kit is without using X-rays or other expensive methods. The new camera can detect sources of light inside the body, such as the illuminated tip of the endoscope’s long flexible tube. Professor Kev Dhaliwal, of the University of Edinburgh, said: “It has immense potential for diverse applications such as the one described in this work. “The ability to see a device’s location is crucial for many applications in healthcare, as we move forwards with minimally invasive approaches to treating disease.” Early tests have shown the prototype device can track a point light source through 20 centimetres of tissue under normal conditions. Beams from the endoscope can pass through the body but usually scatter or bounce off tissues and organs rather than travelling straight through.

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of the Beast Race at Lock Ness.. and a Muddy Time was had by all.... the picture was taken by Paul Johnston 

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Thursday 7th September 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus