#i hadn't used bright colours like that in a little while ! it's been fun !

[the-nothing-maker]

A collab between me and @luposlipaphobya ! They wanted to celebrate the loud and bright 90s aesthetic of Ashton and it's been a blast to work with them on this :D They worked on the sketch and lines, I coloured them !

Don't forget to follow Lupo for more gorgeous compositions and general CR love !

[dreamescapeswriting]

Stray Kids Reaction || "What's Your Type?"

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - August 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

a/n: i did try and make these as different as possible, im sorry they’re so short

CHAN: 

The Vlive was going well, so far you'd managed to be completely silent on the other side of the room while Chan spoke to the camera doing his weekly Chan's room video. He was in the middle of reading  questions and answering them when he suddenly stuttered over one,

"What's your ideal type?" A blush instantly began to climb its way onto your boyfriend's cheeks and you smirked looking up from your book waiting for him to respond. But instead, he was stammering and stuttering over his words as he glanced in your direction, too scared to say the wrong thing to you or to stay.

"I think...I think that's a question for another day." He laughed awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck, avoiding your eyes trying to move on from the question. You grabbed your phone and began to scroll through the comments of the live feed, smirking as you saw Stay's beginning to tease him and you knew you were going to have fun teasing him for it later.

MINHO: 

The boys were doing a small live feed together while they waited for a storm to pass, Seungmin, Minho and Jeongin were all sitting on a bed as they scrolled through different questions from STAY. You on the other hand were sitting on the opposite bed watching them with an amused smile on your face.

"One for Minho," Seungmin said as he stopped scrolling so he could read the comment out loud,

"What's your ideal type of person to date?" Instantly the boys stared at him and as did you, waiting patiently for him to say something but he seemed to freeze in place. Your relationship was hidden but you were well known within the idol world so he couldn't exactly describe you or they would all know about you. Or there would at least be rumour which no one needed right now.

"It's a secret," Minho smirks looking at you and then back at the boys who began to list their ideal types instead, distracting STAY from the fact that Minho wasn't telling them his.

CHANGBIN:

As soon as the question was asked your boyfriend was like a completely different person, his muscles tightened and he was staring down at the comments pretending to read them. You were staring over at him, one eyebrow raised as you waited for him to say something, anything but he continued to pretend as though he hadn't heard the question. Chan chuckled from beside him as he shook his head,

"I think someone is a little shy," Chan teased as Changbin began to blush a bright red, your eyes finding his as you gave him a small wink. Clearly he didn't want to answer it in case he said something wrong or out of place, and he knew it was safer to be quiet.

HYUNJIN: 

It was meant to be a nice calm painting Vlive but it was starting to turn into a Q&A while Hyunjin attempted to colour. The boys taking it in turns to ask him things while he mindlessly answered them all,

"What's your ideal type of partner?" The paintbrush in Hyunjin's hand stopped and he stared straight ahead at you, you were already staring at him daring him to answer the question. Stutters began to fall from his lips and he sat up straight a little too quickly, the glass of water he was using to clean his brushes spilling all over the place making the boys laugh. 

"I guess that's our queue to go." Jeongin laughed as they ended the vlive and watched as Hyunjin rushed around trying to clean up.

JISUNG: 

Your relationship wasn't known to anyone around you, it had to be kept a secret since Jisung technically wasn't allowed to date anyone and so everything was hushed up. Rumours had spread a few months ago though since you and Jisung were such close "friends" and since then people had been trying to get to the bottom of it all,

"Here's one for Jisung," The MC said into the camera as they read off the card in their hand,

"What would be your ideal type in your future or current partner?" All eyes were on Jisung as he looked at the camera, a nervous tick beginning to show as he played with the sleeves of his shirt and bit his lip.

"I think we should skip this one," He laughed a little and shook his head but everyone in the live audience and the MC began to chant for him to answer. His eyes glanced to the side of the stage where he saw you, smirking at him and waiting for him to put his foot in his mouth.

FELIX:

You knew what was about to happen, the boys had told you that they were planning on teasing Felix throughout the live to get back at him for not baking them brownies at the weekend. So you did your best to hide the smirk that was on your face as Changbin turned to look at Felix,

"What's your ideal type?" The question sent STAY crazy in the chat and the boys were all doing their best not to smirk at Felix who suddenly seemed like an NPC that was stuck. He simply didn't move, nor blink as he thought about it. If he didn't answer he was going to be questioned more and more but then if he answered and he got something wrong you were going to be upset with him. But you were his ideal type, you were everything he could ever want in a partner, the only issue with that was.

He couldn't tell anyone that because the two of you weren't even allowed to date thanks to his contract.

"My ideal type is a secret, I know what I would love them to be and one day I will see them," He shrugged, trying to play it cool as the boys all hounded him for more details.

SEUNGMIN:

It was supposed to be a harmless prank that you and Felix were playing on Seungmin but it seemed to have left your boyfriend a little starstruck on what to say or do.

"Seungmin?" You questioned as soon as the live feed ended, your heart was racing as you stared at him, he seemed completely shocked about what to do.

"It was just a question," Felix smirked, patting Seungmin on the back who was now staring at you, his lip trembling a little.

"You know you're my type right, that it's always you and will only ever always be you." He sounded panicked so you took his hands into yours and nodded,

"Of course baby, I know." You told him as he smiled weakly, kissing you deeply as you held onto one another.

JEONGIN:d

Everyone stared at Jeongin completely dumbfounded, someone had read out the question "what's your type" and instead of being tight-lipped, Jeongin had opened up the floodgates. It was as if he'd forgotten he was an ideal for a second and he began to list everything that was his type and as the list went on you realised it was all about you. 

Not even ABOUT you. But it WAS you and you were left staring at him with widened eyes when he'd finished and he was blushing a bright red colour. It was obvious he'd forgotten about the camera for a few minutes and now the boys were trying to smoothly recover from the accident. Meanwhile, the butterflies in your stomach were unable to be controlled and you couldn't wait to hold onto your boyfriend.

Tagline: @chiisaiblog @hanasonmi @sw33tnight @taestannie @acciocriativity @scarletemeterio @halesandy @aerastus @laylasbunbunny @critssq @lenfilms @btsiguess-kpop @meowmeowisdaname @imafivestarkpopstan @lost-leopard-beanie @djeniryuu @backintomykpopphaseagain @choisoorin

[blueberrypancakesworld]

I love your Lords of chaos stuff and would really like if you could write something about Euronymous dating a girl who has a completely different aesthetic as him (girly, pink, super sweet and innocent) it can have smut . And if it could talk about how the dark circle feels about their relationship and stuff. Thank you and would truly love it.

Okay so this was really, really fun to write because of the dynamic. I hope you like it and as always have fun reading :)

Princess and the Vampire

warning : big fluff, use of Y/n

masterlist-Lords of Chaos 2018

masterlist-Rory's characters

Second Part

Diclaimer : I don't want to glorify anything, it's about the actors who play a role, not the real events.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two couldn't have looked more different when they entered the shopping centre. The young woman was dressed in bright colours, but most of all it was her pink top that revealed her silver belly button piercing with a little Hello Kitty pendant on it that drew attention. not to forget her blue jeans with the colourful flowers sewn on them.

A typical glittery girl of the nineties from the outside. If she hadn't intertwined her fingers with those of a dead man. Next to her, a young man with longer black hair, black leather trousers, jumping boots and a T-shirt with satanic symbols on it. Two completely different people who loved each other more than anything else.

She heard him mutter to his friend, who was now giving the tenth pensioner a death stare and scaring him off with ,,Hail Satan". But this only made his friend smile, which is exactly why she loved her friend. While he was him and they both accepted each other as they were. Pink and girlish and dark satanic.

Like Yin and Yang she thought and jumped beside him before they arrived in front of a jewellery shop only a few moments later. ,,You dragged me here for this...well then, if you want" he grumbled and she just giggled before pulling him behind her. She was grateful that he came along to her little shopping trip, as she knew he didn't think much of trends and the mainstream.

Which is why she gave him a kiss on the cheek which made him smile slightly. ,,So again, I hope you're prepared to be kicked out of my shop," she heard him say again and knew what he meant. Since you got together about a month ago he had been telling his friends/band/admirers that he had a girlfriend but it never came to a meeting.

You were just too different for that and Euronymous was sure that the circle would tear you apart. Even though you met by chance in an ice cream parlour and he got your strawberry ice cream and you got his dark chocolate ice cream, something clicked between you.

Turning to him and smiling confidently, she said, ,,I don't wear pink heels for nothing, you know," before turning back to the chains. ,,I just need one more thing and it's perfect" she thought and looked from star symbols, to little flowers and musical notes. ,,How about this?" she heard his voice and he held out a necklace with a skull on it.

Smiling but rolling her eyes slightly, she pushed the necklace back into his hand and said, ,,That would look good on you, my sweet vampire, why don't you go and get it?".

Looking a little further through the shelves she let out a squeal of delight and Euronymous covered his ears before coming over to her and smiling. ,,OMG she's cute, look at those little ears!" she exclaimed, practically pushing the necklace with the Hello Kitty pendant into his face, which he could more than see.

Taking his hands up with conviction, he looked at the necklace and said quietly, ,,Yeah, it's kind of cute," which she confirmed with a knowing nod before they went to the checkout and bought it. ,,Wait, I'll help you" the black haired man said and while she held her hair up slightly he fastened the clasp so that the necklace was in place.

She went to one of the shop windows and looked at herself in the rather bad reflection. ,,That looks super cute" she said delightedly and smiled a big smile at Euronymous who returned it before the two of them took each other by the hand again to make their way to the record shop.

Spraying her perfume, which smelled of cherries, around her one last time and putting it in her little pink bag, she saw Euronymous give her a murmuring smile before he opened the door for her and the two of them went inside.

There was no one in the shop itself and she saw her friend's brief relief as he ran his gaze over the plates before stopping at the path to the cellar. ,,Ready?" he asked, pulling aside the curtain where she could already hear the loud music coming from downstairs. Fixing her hair one last time, she nodded to him before following him downstairs.

She had only been in the basement a few times when the coven didn't have a meeting. But it definitely lacked colour in her opinion. Overcoming the remaining steps, she stood next to Euronymous with a broad smile. ,,Nice man, a hooker, didn't know this was going to be an orgy" was the first comment from someone wearing a bandana and grinning broadly.

The others laughed and she saw that it was not the first and not the second beer they all seemed to have had. ,,You must have paid the little one a lot," she heard the murmur of someone with long dark brown hair who was playing with a lighter and had a challenging look on his face.

That's the guy from the interview in the newspaper...Varg or something she thought, but didn't let the remarks get to her, she was above these things. ,,Or is she our victim, I really want to do it again" said a guy with long hair and a knife in his hand that flashed in the light who was sitting next to a guy with a heel cross chain. Before she noticed a blond, quiet, thin-looking guy she recognised as Pelle/Dead.

Euronymous's best friend as she knew. Just normal nice people. ,,No guys...this is Y/n my friend!" Euronymous interrupted his friends and followers and put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her close. She waved to the group before giving Euronymous a kiss on the cheek and pulling out of his embrace before walking over to the various guys.

She was more than ready. ,,Hi I'm Y/n...nice bandana where did you get that?" she asked the first one, shaking his hand eagerly before pulling the bandana hanging around his neck towards her. ,,It comes in pink too, I hope," she murmured and let go of him again with a grateful look. ,,Of course you can get it in pink in all colours...Hellhammer we could go and get some together" he replied quickly to her cheerful manner and shook her hand before returning to his beer and giving Euronymous a thumbs up for her.

Before she went over to the one with the lighter and shook his hand as well. Intrigued, she ran her hand over one of the soft strands of the boy's hair and said, ,,Wow, they're really soft...you must tell me about your hair care routine".

This seemed to throw the stranger slightly off track, but almost in spite of himself he began to write his routine on an old sarviert. ,,Here, it's not expensive at all, I'm Varg, by the way, I also have nice hair," he said and suddenly seemed almost embarrassed and quietened down before he sat down on a chair again and was quiet.

Putting the serving dish in her little bag, she went over to the boy with the knife. ,,You have a cute smile...what kind of sacrifice is that?" she complimented him and made a happy noise as she saw his cheeks turn a bright pink and he just put the knife away and shook his head slightly. Before he calmly said, ,,I'm Faust...not a victim, just a joke" and quickly took a long hit of his beer.

Nodding, she shook the hand of the guy next to Faust with the necklace before proudly holding it out to him. ,,You definitely need one with Hello Kitty, the colour would suit you," she said, and only heard the more than overbearing guy mutter an ,,Occultus" before leaning against Faust and giving him a searching look. Before she almost killed poor Pelle, who looked as if he would throw himself into Faust's knife.

She grabbed his face and turned it slightly from left to right. Before she said to Euronymous, ,,My little vampire, you never told me how pretty he is, you're missing make-up", she let go of Pelle and bounced happily back to her friend, who was watching the whole thing with a big grin. Before he pulled her to him, gave her a heartfelt kiss and wrapped his arm around her waist.

No one dared to say a word. ,,I see you are very good with the boys" he said delightedly and she just smiled proudly. To be more precise, she had the boys so well under control and she was so excited about herself that the evening ended in a Disney marathon, that's for sure.

She wasn't the one who cried at the death of bambies mother, but a certain black coven did. And since then she has been the pink shining exception of the black circle or simply the pink princess of black metal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@mayhem-things , @bvg-w1res , @beldamama

[bedoballoons]

Hii! My b-day was on 8 of oct but I had to celebrate it today (2 weeks later). I threw a party, and invited 9 people, yet nobody showed up. Not even my closest friends. So, I would like to request if possible a hc with yandere Venti, Xiao and Ganyu and reader threw a party yet nobody showed up. If u cant do the request dw, I perfectly understand. Have a nice day and ty for reading my request!

Awwe I'm so sorry to hear that, I can only imagine how heartbreaking that was. Usually I don't write requests right after I get them (I go from oldest to newest.), but I wanted to get this out for you while it was still your birthday.

I hope it makes the day a little better! Happy belated birthday as well!! 🎁🎂🎈🎉🎊❤️

─⊰⁠⊹ฺ🎉𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕟𝕤⊰⁠⊹ฺ🎉

{༻~Happy birthday~༺}

CW: Yandere themes, slightly angsty with fluff at the end!

P.s. I haven't written Ganyu before so I hope she's not to ooc!

(Includes: Venti, Xiao, and Ganyu!)

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

𑁍༄Venti:

You sighed quietly, watching as droopy streamers started fall from their places and brightly coloured balloons deflated by the second, even the cake looked depressed. It was your birthday and no one even bothered to show up..."What a great day to have been born..."

"Oh ho ho, someone has such a frown! Perhaps I can aid you in turning it upside down!" You perked up slightly upon hearing Ventis familiar happy go lucky voice, maybe no one else had shown up...but he had and you couldn't be more thankful, "Venti! You made it...thank you!" He chuckled sweetly, pleased beyond belief that he could make the most beautiful person in the world smile, "Of course I made it! It's your birthday and I want it to be a very happy one! Speaking of which, it's not much because...ehe I'm not the best with mora but..."

Your cheeks blushed a pink tint as the bard held out a small gift for you,...the first one you'd open. "You really didn't have to you know..."

"Of course I did! What kind of person doesn't bring a gift to someone's birthday, especially when that someone is as amazing as you!"

You bit your bottom lip, feeling slightly flustered as you opened the box...lifting up the lid to reveal a quill pen and ink, along with what seemed to be a small handmade notebook. The feather of the pen was what caught you eye as it was a bright sky blue decorated with small jewels of your favourite colours, "It's goregous Venti..."

"I figured together we could write fun memories in it and then one day after its full, I can use it to write songs for us both about our favourite moments."

𑁍༄Xiao:

"Are you...alright?"

That question seemed to sting more than it normally did, not only because the answer was a painful one...but because it was being asked on a day that should have made you happy...one that should have been all about you, if only people had actually showed up. "I'm...as alright as I can be. At least your here, I think if you hadn't appeared, I truly would have had to of celebrated all alone."

"Normally...I don't show up for birthdays, I find them crowded and feel that you should celebrate ones birth everyday, but your birthday is a special one. Someone as wonderful as you... deserves to be celebrated. I...even got you you a gift...though it may not be anything you enjoy."

You smiled slightly, watching as Xiao sat down beside you...setting a messily wrapped gift in your lap, "Xiao...I am going to love whatever you may give me, because it's from you."

His heart raced in his chest and as you began to open his gift he silently prayed to the geo archon you'd like what he got you, he'd spent hours choosing it.

You gasped, shocked to bouquet of Qinxing wrapped in adepti sigils, each of them were beautiful and smelled of the mountain tops..you couldn't even begin to imagine how long it took him to gather them all, "Xiao I-"

"The sigils will make it so they never wilt, they will always remain how they look right now...a symbol..of how I feel for you. A love that will never cease."

𑁍༄Ganyu:

Ganyu pulled you close, resting her head on top of yours while she hummed a lullaby and rubbed your back, hoping she could at least ease the pain you were feeling. Not even in her wildest dreams could she imagine how anyone wouldn't want to attend your birthday, she thought of you as the most amazing person to ever exist...a star roaming amongst a sea of darkness and a day to celebrate you to her...was something incredibly special.

"I'm so sorry no one else made it...perhaps they all got caught up with work or other things and just couldn't get out of it?"

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"Ganyu...I highly doubt everyone just somehow got busy on my birthday...thank you for trying though. I'm sad I didn't get to have alot of people, but having you here, it's enough to make my birthday perfect." Your words left her speechless, she loved you more than she could truly handle and hearing that she could still make your day perfect after all that had happened...

"I have a gift for you, I thought long and hard about it, made sure it was absolutely perfect for you." She moved away from you just long enough to retrieve the gift, it was wrapped in a pale blue paper and scented like flowers, you hadn't even opened it yet and you could see how much effort she'd put into it, "Awwe Ganyu this is to much, you didn't have to.."

"Oh but I did...please open it, I think you'll love it."

You smiled at her, carefully peeling back the wrapping paper and opening the box just enough to see what was inside. "Oh my gosh...it's a plushy and it's handmade, Ganyu did you-"

"In between shifts I learned the pattern for you and made sure it was sewn the absolute best I could. I've never made anything like it before and I was worried I wouldn't finish it in time...but I wanted you to have something that showed my determination and attention to what you like. I also figured it could help you sleep."

ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ��‧₊˚*⁠.⁠✧Happy birthday~

[wmu-cedes]

Lima Bean Meetup || Codcedes

WHO: Cody Tolentino @wmucody & Mercedes Jones @wmu-cedes

LOCATION: Lima Bean

DATE: February 26

SUMMARY: Cody and Mercedes meet up for a chat at the Lima Bean. Pain ensues.

Mercedes

Mercedes had been a mess over the entirety of the weekend. She thought that things with Cody were going to even out eventually, especially after their last conversation. However, learning that he had gone to a family function with Frannie had cut Mercedes in a way she hadn't been expecting and it had all but ruined her weekend. However, she was determined to try and make their friendship work, even if it meant she would have to draw some firm lines in the sand. Despite her complex feelings with him, Mercedes had agreed to meet him at the Lima Bean for coffee. She waited just inside the doors for her friend, hands stuffed in the pockets of her soft wool cardigan, rocking slightly in her vans. When he stepped through the doors she felt her heart constrict slightly, but she schooled her features with a bright grin. "Hey boo."

Cody

Cody slowly trekked through the university courtyard. He thought the hangover from the weekend would have been long gone by now but it was sticking around with relentless condition. His black sunglasses balanced on the bridge of his nose, his beige jumper hood sitting on the brim of his black hat. If someone drew a visual representation of a hangover it would look exactly like him.

He finally reached the doors of the Lima Bean. Finally. The walk from his dorm seemed like it took forever. His eyes met Mercedes. Taking off his glasses, his heavy eyes offered a warm gaze. He knew had overstepped his own boundaries at the weekend, and was expecting a conversation to arise out of it.

"Hi, Cedes," Cody greeted. His voice raspy. "You been waiting long?"

Mercedes

Her stomach did a flip at the raspy greeting, knowing that it was no doubt the hangover that was still plaguing him that was causing his tone to change, as opposed to any sort of feelings on his side. "Nope, I've been here for like 5 seconds. I was gonna get us our drinks, but I didn't need you coming at me for paying when you said it would be your treat." She joked, stepping in the direction of the line.

"How you feeling?"

Cody

Cody ruffled inside his pockets, sliding in his sunglasses while removing his wallet at the same time. "Yeah, you're right I woulda came for you," he teased back. "Big time". He removed the hood from his head. "Yeah, I've been better. Do I look fucked? Be honest?" He asked, tilting his head to look at her through glazed eyes.

Mercedes

A chuckle escaped her and she shook her head. "Big time - huge." She mocked.

Her brown eyes assessed him for a moment, takin in the colour of his skin and the hat that still sat atop his head. "You don't look fucked but you definitely look like you're recovering from a few drinks." Mercedes paused then and patted his arm gently. "The Fabrays go hard, huh?"

Cody

Cody laughed softly, nodding his head at Mercedes' answer. He was recovering alright, and the lack of sleep during the night didn't help. His body kept jumping every so often, a result of the sugary cocktails probably. "A little too hard. Drank me under the table".

Cody stepped forward in front of the barista, slightly bumping into Mercedes as they joked. "I'll have a small oat milk latte, with a large cup of iced water, please? And she'll have?" He paused, offering Mercedes the floor to order for herself.

Mercedes

Her brows rose at the idea of anyone drinking Cody under the table, it sounded like a fun time but also really bad for ones liver. Instead of focusing on that, her thoughts were jarred when her friend bumped into her and began to order. "I'll take a small caramel macchiato please and thank you." She ordered, nudging Cody lightly with her elbow as a sign of thanks.

Cody

He smiled gracefully towards the barista as Mercedes ordered, tapping his card at the card machine when prompted.

"So, what else did you do with your weekend? That wasn't accompanying Sam to find a sexy suit," Cody questioned, walking over to the waiting area. His slight jealousy was masked with a smile. Really, he had no right to be jealous. Especially when he had just spent a full weekend getting to know Frannie on a more serious level; however, the initial thought of Mercedes going to a ball and then suit shopping with some other guy did ruffle a few of his feathers more than he liked to admit.

Mercedes

She gave a passing glance to the barista who was already busy taking someone elses order before following Cody to the waiting area. "Other than helping Sam find a killer suit I literally did homework and worked. I have absolutely zero life lately and it's boring as hell." She replied with a sigh, idly playing with the ring on her thumb. She had also spent a good chunk of the weekend crying and sad, but Cody didn't need to know that just yet.

"Thanks again for the coffee, I owe you." As she said it, their order was placed on the counter and she thanked the barista before grabbing his coffee and iced water and handing it to him, and then grabbing hers. The cup was warm, and she held it close to her. "You wanna sit at a table or in some chairs?"

Cody

Cody shook his head. "You don't owe me anything, girl" he replied, a soft smile plastered on his face. "Thanks". He took his drinks from Mercedes after shoving his wallet back into his pocket, looking around Lima Bean to see what space looked cosiest.

"Chairs," He insisted, his need to get comfy slowly taking over his body. His hands held a small shake in them. He hadn't drank enough water in his recovery and it showed. Leading the way, Cody felt a little apprehensive. He knew a conversation was drawing in about his actions at the weekend, however he had small hope that it could be forgotten about without conversing. He picked out two chairs sitting idle in the corner. Slumping down on the chair, he first took a drink of the iced water. The first drop refreshed his mouth which held a level of roughness from the weekend.

Mercedes

Mercedes let out a small nod, "Chairs it is." She followed him slowly, watching as he made his way to choose his spot. He looked rough, and a small part of her felt bad for what she wanted to bring up, but if she didn't, Mercedes woudl feel worse. It was one thing for him to set boundaries, it was another for him to follow them, and if their friendship was going to survive whatever the hell was going on, they both needed to be strict about it.

She sunk down into the chair opposite him with a sigh and took a sip of her coffee, wincing at the heat of it. "If you need another one of those i'll go get you one, " she began, putting her coffee down on the table between them. "But uh, I won't lie I'm a little surprised you're here and wanted to hang out."

Cody

He placed the iced water cup on the table, keeping the warm coffee close to him before cradling it with two hands. The heat made every thing feel alright. It stopped the overwhelming urge of wanting to heave.

"Surprised? I get that we had some sort of a tiff at the weekend," Cody replied, a confused tone in this voice. His head cocked slightly, wanting to understand Mercedes more. "I wouldn't have thought it would meant we couldn't hang out?"

Mercedes

Her brow cocked and she shook her head slowly, "I meant because of the hangover, Cods." she replied, shifting a little in her seat. "I figured you probably went hard with Frannie, so I didn't think you'd wanna do this today." She paused then, smoothing down the fabric of her cardigan.

"Although I'd be lying if i didn't want to bring up that tiff" Guilt hammered through her, causing her stomach to begin to sour. "I'm not sure what's going on with you two, and quite frankly it's none of my damn business... But the texting like that has to stop."

Cody

His mouth fell open. "Oh," Cody said quietly. He repositioned himself, feeling slightly awkward at him landing himself in it. His body slid down the seat ever so slightly, his right leg balancing over his left. "Nah, I get you. It was my fault," Cody admitted. Their friendship just rekindled and it felt like he was the one to cause all the drama in the short period of time that they had re-entered each other's lives. "I never meant any harm by it at all".

Mercedes

"I know you didn't, you never do." She muttered the last part to herself as she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to self soothe. "It's just hard. One day we're having an intense hookup in your room, the next we're not talking, then we're friends... Then I find out you're at a family thing with another girl and you're flirting with me? It's confusing." She let out, biting down on her bottom lip as she resisted letting slip her true feelings.

Cody

Cody sat up as he listened to Mercedes, leaning his body forward to show his engagement within the conversation. His eyebrows furrowed. "I know it's hard, Cedes, like I feel it. It's taking a bit of time to adjust to". He examined her facial expression, unable to tell how exactly she was feeling. "I take full blame for the flirting when I was away with Frannie. In my defence, like, me and Frannie were flirting with other people still. I know it runs a lot depper with us, and I just overstepped the line again."

Mercedes

She eyed him warily. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to just fling at him to see where they'd land and what he'd say. Although, given how aloof he usually was about his feelings, Mercedes doubted that she'd get the reaction she really desired. She nodded slowly and reached for her coffee, taking a health sip despite the sting. "This isn't my business but... Are you and Frannie gonna start dating? I only ask cause hanging out with her family for a weekend is kinda intense." There was a vulnerability to her voice that made her wince a little.

Cody

Cody mirrored Mercedes' movements, taking a small sip of his piping hot coffee, hovering it close to his body in hope it would start to regulate his own body's temperature into a normal cycle. He shook his head at the question, his left hand curling round his neck soothing it nervously. "I'm not actually too sure, Cedes. Dating isn't exactly my forte but I did enjoy the weekend with her". He chose his words carefully, aware of their past together and not wanting to cause any unnecessary pain.

Mercedes

Mercedes looked at him and let out a small breath, it wasn't a yes, but it wasn't exactly a no either. "I'm glad you did, babe." Her heart was hammering away in her chest and she felt stupid. Stupid for letting him get to her again after they stopped talking, and stupid for caring that he was even maybe attempting something more with someone else. "You gonna be coherent enough to go to your afternoon classes today?" When in doubt, she would deflect. It had worked for her most of her life.

Cody

He picked up in the change of tone, even if it was ever so subtle. Their previously strong friendship allowed Cody to pick up on all of Mercedes' idiosyncrasies. His psychology classes also gave him a foot forward in reading a situation; however, he didn't want to poke the bear. Especially when he was trying to get back in her good books. "Ah, I'm sure I'll be fine," Cody answered, a hopeful tone in his voice as it was raised an octave higher, learning back in his chair to provide neutral body language to the situation. He couldn't shake the tension in the air. There was something not right with Mercedes but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He watched Mercedes as he swallowed more of his coffee.

Mercedes

The tension between them was palpable. So much so that she could practically see it. She wanted to be frustrated, to question him, to take care of him because of his stupid hang over. She was torn, and Mercedes hated it. "If you're not, don't push yourself. You don't need to get worse." She replied, offering him a tight lipped smile. She had class in 45 minutes and while Mercedes wanted to sit and enjoy an actual conversation with Cody that wasn't filled with anxiety or angst, she couldn't. She glanced at the watch on her wrist and then to her coffee and let out a small sigh, beginning to rise. "Cody, im sorry I can't do this. Not right now. I need, hell I don't know what I need. I just know I can't do this - I have to go."

Cody

A look of confusion swept across his face as Mercedes began to stand up. "Cedes," he vocalised, standing up with her. "What do you mean you can't do this? Do you mean you can't be friends with me?" The question fell out his mouth, his defensiveness shining through in his tone. His hand reached out to comfort her, but he stopped himself in his tracks and dropped it back to his side, filling his pockets with his twitching fingers. He had a habit of flicking the nails on his hands with his thumbs, a way to keep him grounded. Especially in an agitating situation which he felt he had no control over. "Talk to me".

Mercedes

Mercedes was idly aware that there were other people around them, their gazes popping over due to the abrupt chance in body language. She sucked in a breath, willing the tears that threatened to prickle at her eyes back. "That's not what I meant, Cody." She breathed. Being friends with Cody, even if it was painful was something she couldn't give up. It hurt too much when they weren't talking for her to give him up completely. "I could never fully stop being friends with you, I need you in my life too much for that." She took another breath, ignoring the way her hands were shaking. "I just need some time to figure out where I'm at because your non platonic feelings for me might be gone but imma be straight up I'm struggling." A sudden wave of nausea hit her and she closed her eyes, for someone who wanted to go into acting she was really shit at hiding her emotions. "I just need to take some time to figure my shit out, I'm not saying this to guilt you, I'm not saying this to throw a wrench in anything that may or may not be happening for you and Frannie because I know where I stand with you. I just can't keep pushing shit down. So like give me a few days okay?"

Cody

Cody stood speechless while his face spoke a thousand words. Mercedes speech drew water to the brims of his eyelids. It killed him to see her like this, to know that he made her feel in a way that wasn't amazing. For the first time in his life he was left without anything to say. He wanted to tell her that he couldn't go a few days without speaking to her, but that was the most selfish thing he could do right now in Mercedes plead for space. He noticed the way Mercedes was shaking. It reminded him of the time he walked away. How he had shattered their reality all because he couldn't let his guard down. And here they were, in another situation. Even though Mercedes wasn't abandoning him fully, the unsettling fear of losing her suffocated the depths of his soul. "Yeah," he finally replied in a softness that he never thought was possible. "Anything you need".

Mercedes

She had prepared for him to walk away. For him to tell her she needed to not involve him in figuring herself out but he didn't. He didn't walk away this time. Her eyelids opened and despite the slight blur to her gaze she looked at him and smiled softly, blinking away hot tears. "Thank you babe, I'll message you in a few days okay?" It wasnt like she could put a time line on her thoughts but she could at least not leave him in limbo. The fact that he had reconciled told her that he at least valued her friendship. Despite knowing better, she reached forward and lightly squeezed his upper arm, and letting out a shaky breath. "Please take care of yourself." Her words were quick as she turned and headed out the door, feeling like her heart was in her stomach. She wouldn't be going to class today.

Cody

Cody forced the corners of his lips to curl. A fake smile was presented as he nodded his head. His eyes followed Mercedes as she exited the Lima Bean. A tear fell from his right eye but Cody wiped it away before it reached the middle of his cheek. He stood there. Lifeless. Thoughtless. After a few seconds he gulped hard as he sat back down in the chair, staring at where Mercedes had just been sitting across from him. He couldn't fight off the immense feeling of shame. Maybe he was wrong for rekindling with Mercedes? Has he only caused more harm? She was better off without him. The floods of harmful thoughts drowned out the sound of the crowded coffee shop. His eyes still focused on the other seat as the memories of their relationship projected throughout his head. They always walked a very thin line between platonic and romance, often dancing hand in hand over the blurriness. This time felt different though.

Mercedes said she only needed a few days; however, there was a daunting feeling within Cody that he had pushed her too far this time.

[creelsclocks]

CREEL'S CLOCKS CHAPTER 5.

Summary: Halloween is a month-long affair, 001. We've been over this. Warnings: Mentions of child abuse, mentions of animal cruelty, mild gore.

Eddie rests his chin atop the fence's wooden post. "Look at all those pumpkins, man."

001 looks at them. Pumpkins are strange round orange things that he's never seen before, and this field is further out than either of them have thought to go together. Behind the trailers and through the woods, rolling pastures and farmlands lay, a winding dirt road leading straight through the middle and, presumably, out of Hawkins. Sometimes, the boy thinks to slip out of whatever house he's hiding in for the night and follow that dizzy bend into the great unknown. He has no home, not really. He'd be leaving little behind.

"I am seeing them," he replies belatedly, voice flat while Eddie's trembles with tangible excitement. "You really want to take one?"

"We gotta." That's all Eddie says as he hoists himself up and over the tall wooden gate, a wide grin on his face as his sneakers hit the dirt on the other side. “C’mon. Now you.”

001 stares at him through a gap in the fence before his eyes flit to the side. There’s a moment of silence, and then the gate’s latch unfastens, opening with a slowly rising creak.

Eddie deadpans. “Showoff.”

Shoes are things that 001 is still adjusting to. The slip-ons at Hawkins Lab were more like socks, and the moment he’d touched ground that wasn’t pristine linoleum, he’d realised that they were about as thin as a sheet of paper. Much like his caretakers in that place, they’d shielded him from nothing. Conversely, Gareth’s old trainers that he’d dug out of his closet for him are thick and roomy, and the rubbery soles that protect his feet also threaten to trip him up as they traverse through the field. The uneven terrain annoys him

“Remind me why we are doing this,” 001 mutters, trying not to sound too rueful. It's only grass.

"Halloween."

"It is October 10th."

"Halloween is a month-long affair, my friend. We've been over this."

Eddie had spared him no detail when it came to coercing him into coming along to steal a pumpkin to serve as this year's jack-o-lantern. Just two hours ago, 001 hadn't even known there was a holiday this month; now he knows about scary movies and trick-or-treating and jack-o-lanterns — all things that Eddie has promised him hands-on experience with. He'd even said he felt he'd be 'good' at trick-or-treating, for he could use his powers to play tricks on people that were stingy with candy.

They walk into the main field, garish orange blinding their vision. Fall is a wonderful season, ripe with colour and temperatures that please 001 greatly, but this is a different kind of bright. A visual overstimulation that is most unpleasant.

"Why must you steal it?"

"We don't have the money," Eddie replies, his eyes scanning the field eagerly, intent on picking out the best one. "Or rather, we can afford a pumpkin, but I don't want Uncle Wayne to shell out to buy one that we're not gonna eat." He levels the other with a dubious look, eyebrow raised in silent challenge. "You care about stealing?"

"Not particularly. I have stolen a lot of food and water just to survive. But I thought it would be easier just to buy one from the store."

"Sure, it's easier. But it's more fun this way."

001 can't argue with that. He'd had little choice in the matter– before he found Eddie, he'd raided several convenience stores and supermarket aisles just to keep from starving, though he'd only taken things he recognised– but he'll concede that it tops standing in a queue and handing over what little pocket change Eddie has. As if they're not poor enough without capitalism draining the boy's pathetic four-dollar savings.

Their journey takes longer than 001 anticipated, and now they're in the centre of this field that seems to stretch on forever. In the distance, to his left, he notices a little house. It's a single story cottage-looking deal, with what looks to be a wooden fence surrounding the property.

"Somebody lives here?" He doesn't often get nervous, but the idea of crossing paths with another adult has apprehension curdling in his gut. More people to see him. More chances to identify him.

"Farmer Callahagn," Eddie replies with a nod. "I mean, somebody's gotta grow this shit, right? You thought it'd be empty?"

001's mouth presses into a thin line, gaze lingering on the house before Eddie's hand resting on his forearm realigns his focus. By now, he's learned not to flinch in the wake of his touchy nature. It's harmless. His skin still crawls, though.

"It'll be fine, dude. We'll be in and out, like an uncle at Thanksgiving."

001 makes a face. Given Eddie's uncouth nature, he can't make heads or tails of whether that was a very inappropriate joke or not. This only serves to amuse the other, a wicked grin on his face as he waltzes further into the pumpkin patch.

Eddie takes his time examining them, as if he's a connoisseur in all things fruit, before he spots one that makes him gasp and point. It's considerably larger than most they've seen, fat and ridged in a manner that's so aesthetically pleasing that even 001 feels slightly mystified. He never knew things that came from the soil could grow this large.

"Holy shit!" he exclaims through a laugh, his fingers curling in the back of 001's shirt. "This is it, man. This is the winner."

The boy watches resolutely as Eddie squares his feet, rocking back and forth on his heels before locking his hands around the desired pumpkin. With a strained sound, he tries to pick it up — and then quickly gives up.

“Damn, this thing’s heavy.”

“What did you expect? It’s huge. And you haven’t even freed it from its vine yet.”

001 squats, hands feeling along the pumpkin’s outer shell before he secures the vine in his fist. It’s thicker than he anticipated it being, vaguely rubbery in texture, and he doubts he can tear it with his strength alone. It's a job for shears — or a psychically gifted child. With a look of concentration, he stares at the thick green rope, envisioning it splitting, and it gives way with a sharp qwick!

“Try now.”

He backs up as Eddie takes centre stage once more. With planted feet and squared shoulders, he just about manages to lift it from the floor. Just about.

“You might have to help me with this one, man.” The strain in his voice is tangible, as is his smile.

001 sighs. “You’re quite foolish. You know that, yes?”

“Yeah.” Eddie beams as if a pretty girl has just called him cute. “Now let’s get outta here, before Old Macdonald shows up.”

“I thought his name was Callahagn?”

“Figure of speech.”

With 001 beside him to lessen the load, the comically large pumpkin becomes less of a burden. As they trudge slowly through the thick mud, they talk about what they can carve into it. 001 seems to think a typical face will do just fine, though naturally Eddie wants to go all out. A goat, he yells, impervious to his friend’s cringe. A goat DEMON!

The suggestion speaks to him in a way he doesn’t entirely like. He wonders if it’s because a handful of the orderlies at Hawkins Lab described him as such an entity. ‘Demon’ and ‘psycho’ had been their favourite descriptors — and after the things he’s done, he doesn’t know if he can say that they’re all that unfair.

[ “Let go, you little psycho!” The taste of copper in his mouth, a chunk of worthless meat sitting heavily atop his tongue. He spits it out before he can think to swallow it. It lands by Papa’s perfectly polished shoe. ]

001 shakes his head, and the memory dissipates like smoke.

“What do you think, One?”

“Huh?”

“About a—”

“HEY!”

Both boys halt, the harsh, unfamiliar voice prompting them to slowly turn around. On the porch of the little house stands an old man with a scraggly beard and a dishevelled head of greying hair. He’s clad in unfastened overalls and a stained white shirt, only one boot pulled on. A rifle is clutched tight in his right hand. A jolt of adrenaline passes through 001 at the sight of the weapon, brow furrowing as he looks hurriedly at Eddie.

He’s grinning like a maniac, arm reeling as he thrusts his middle finger up at the farmer.

“Finders keepers!” he hollers, tongue stuck out with an audible BLEH.

Some of that confidence wears off when the man descends his steps in a flurry of motion, gun aimed in their vague direction. It doesn’t occur to 001 that he’d never actually fire it at a couple of kids; he’s already turned tail, begun running, the pumpkin in Eddie’s arms becoming all the lighter as he hones his powers in order to make a quick getaway.

Why wouldn’t he shoot them? The fact that he’s a child has never mattered to anyone before.

A deafening crack sounds to their distant left, and though the bullet flies wide, nowhere close, all 001 can think about is how he feels as if he’s about to be shot. He may not feel much of a desire to live, but he doesn’t want to bleed out in a nobody’s mud, alone and in pain. It takes him back to how he’d breached the main door of the lab upon his escape— and how he’d barely had time to take a gulp of fresh, outdoor air before beginning his mad dash to the grounds’ main gate, bullets and darts tipped with god only knows what sedatives sailing over his head. That’s the fastest he’s ever run in his life, but he feels as if there’s time for that to change. He’s young, and he lives in a world that wants to eat him alive.

Impossibly, he runs faster, Eddie’s excited whooping adding to the ache blooming between his eyes. Blood drips from his nose, eyes deadset on the quickly approaching fence. Don’t lose focus, he tells himself sternly. If you lose focus, all will be lost. You’ll trip. You’ll drop the pumpkin. You’ll get a bullet in your spine. Uncle Wayne will lose a child.

“Get back here!”

“Shit!” Eddie exclaims, hands naturally scrabbling for purchase when the pumpkin suddenly flies out of his grip, launched up and over the fence by an invisible force. It lands with a dull thud several feet away, both boys scrambling up and over the gate before charging into the woods, prize in tow.

Surrounded by trees and pine needles, 001 finally feels the exhaustion take over. All at once, he staggers to a stop, then drops to his hands and knees, and the pumpkin in Eddie’s arms becomes too heavy to carry, bringing him to a halt too. Gulps of air are taken in greedily, crimson dripping steadily onto the dirt. He’s tired. His limbs ache. His chest is tight. Using his powers is one thing, but running for his life on top of that? There’s only so far adrenaline stretches before it becomes terror.

“Shit, dude—” Eddie’s hand settles on his back as he watches 001 pant through the heavy flow. He reaches into his back pocket, a black bandana decorated with skulls withdrawn before he begins to mop him up. The blood soaks through. “I didn’t know this’d screw you up this bad.”

“I am just tired—” He pauses to spit blood into the grass, the glob thick and red, and is wholly unsure how to explain himself. “I’m okay.”

How many times had he assured Papa of the same thing, even when he was completely exhausted?

The way Eddie rubs his back gently is soothing, even if it makes his skin prickle. As his heartbeat slows and his world comes back into focus, he finds the strength to stand up on his knees. He glances at his worried friend, then the comically large pumpkin. Then, he chuckles. It feels distinctly as if he’s cheated death, and the high that comes with doing so was simply late, not missing. Eddie’s eyebrows shoot upwards with evident surprise, though it doesn’t take long for him to join in. He has a stitch in his right side. The laughter isn’t helping.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you can run like that, given your circumstances, but I am. I really am. You and your fuckin’— noodle limbs.” More laughter, breathless and silly. “You were like a rocket on steroids, man.”

“Rockets don’t have limbs,” 001 replies pointedly, head tipped back towards the sky, his breathing now level. The taste of metal lingers in the back of his throat. He’s not even going to ask what ‘steroids’ are. In this moment, he cares about nothing but the feeling of triumph.

“Whatever.” He reaches out to drag the pumpkin into his lap. He expected there to be some damage post-launch, but it doesn’t look any worse for wear. 001 must have used his wizardry to keep it from impacting the ground with too much force. “You were awesome. That guy must’ve been shitting his pants.”

001 glances at him, brow furrowed. He’s never really been praised for his abilities before. Despite them being coveted, he was reminded time and time again that they didn’t make him special, or above the rules. As if he misheard: “I was awesome…?”

Eddie grins wide, leaning back on his hands. “Truly metal, man.”

He pauses a moment, as if unsure what to make of the praise, before he mimics the gesture Eddie had performed in the field.

"What is this?" he asks, eyes drawing focus to his middle finger.

"You're telling me to fuck off, man."

Immediately, 001 stops doing it, fingers curled into a fist that he then holds protectively to his chest. Oops.

In the end, they're able to lug the pumpkin back to the Munson trailer. It currently sits on the table, just waiting to be gutted and carved into. However, before Eddie sinks his blade in, he wants a good idea of the design. That sees them at his desk in the bedroom, flipping through one of Eddie's sketchbooks together.

"You're good at art," 001 says, his stoic tone not lending itself well to the compliment.

"Thanks. I draw a lot for DnD." And during lessons. He'd often rather die than actually do any sort of maths. "I'm telling you, man, you should join in some time. I think you'd be good at it."

They've spoken briefly about DnD, given that it's such a big part of Eddie's life, but 001 doesn't know the first thing about it, and he's slightly intimidated by the sheer amount of rules. He tends to be good at guideline-heavy games— chess being a key example of this— but he's not sure if he can manage both the terms of service and high fantasy improv. He should probably learn the contents of the real world before attempting to commit a fictional one to memory.

"Maybe," he replies, his voice toneless, noncommittal. His finger points at one of the drawings that catches his eye. It's a cluster of bats flying in a downward arch. They're emerging from fork lightning. "I like that."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

"I love bats," Eddie says with a grin. "They're so cool."

001 thinks about this for a moment. His relationship with animals in general is poor, given some of the things he'd been forced to do while being trained.

[ There is nothing to be nervous about, 001. Animals don't feel pain. Not like humans do. How can that be, Papa? They are not sentient in the same way that we are. They don't have the same capacity to hurt. ]

It had made so much sense to him when he was seven.

Hissing cats and skittering rats flash in his mind's eye, and it takes him screwing his eyes shut to have the images disperse. He doesn't want to think of all the poor creatures that he harmed under the guise of it being harmless. Psycho.

"I like spiders," he replies belatedly, voice slightly tighter than before. "I draw them a lot, too."

"You can draw?" Eddie is clearly intrigued by that. Every day, he learns something new about this strange boy. The more pieces of the puzzle that he's given, the more that he genuinely likes him. He can be odd at times, certainly, but hell— they're all freaks here. "Show me."

"Okay." Without much hesitation, 001 plucks a pencil from the desk and begins to draw a Black Widow spider in a free space on the page. He takes his time, each stroke methodical, until he’s left a fairly detailed depiction in the corner.

Eddie gawks at it for a moment before looking up at him with a grin. “Whoa! You’re good, too.”

He adds a single string, giving it the illusion that it’s hanging from the top of the page, and 001’s mouth twitches in the form of a slight smile.

Then, he's struck by an idea.

“Oh… what about…” Quickly, he draws a crude sketch of the spider he’d drawn before, then Eddie’s bats below them. The fork lightning crawls upwards until it connects with the spider web he’s drawn, successfully combining the two images together. “What about this, for the jack-o-lantern?”

Eddie stares at the image in silence for several seconds before slamming his hands on the desk. 

“That’s the winner,” he declares with a bright grin. In truth, he probably shouldn’t be this excited to do it. It’s full of jagged edges and sharp corners, hell to navigate with a blunt kitchen knife, and yet all he can focus on is the fact that they did it together. “It’s gonna look awesome.”

“Metal,” 001 ‘corrects’, his plain tone oddly endearing — so much so that Eddie is left beaming.

“Yeah. Metal.”

[casspurrjoybell-29]

Forging Ties - Chapter 25 - Part 1

*Warning Adult Content*

Perry turned the notebook around and held it up so that Skye could see his drawing.

He'd captured the bright green of Skye's eyes with the coloured pencils and put extra detail into his teeth.

He'd written some things next to the drawing but Skye couldn't read them.

"You're very good at drawing. What did you write?"

"Just what you told me about yourself," Perry said.

"Would you like to come with me to get some lunch at the inn? It's getting to about that time."

"Yes but I don't have any money."

"If you help me get this cart up the road to the inn, I'll pay for your lunch for you."

"This is a bad deal for you, skull man. I'm not very strong."

"That's okay," Perry said. "Why do you keep calling me skull man, out of interest?"

"Oh," Skye said. "Because your head is a skull?"

"Yes... But I'm a little sensitive about it," Perry said as he tucked his notebook and pencils back into the trunk.

"Why?"

"Well, sometimes people are unkind about it."

"Oh. Did you think I was making fun of you when I called you skull man?"

"It's only just started to occur to me that perhaps you weren't."

"I just think it's interesting. But if you don't like being called skull man, I guess I shouldn't."

"I'm not sure how I feel about it now, to be honest. Perhaps I could grow to like it."

Skye started out trying to help Perry push the cart but he soon got tired of that. Instead, he made himself light and climbed on top of the cart to help out by making sure nothing fell off.

"You really can change your weight," Perry observed.

"Yeah, I mostly don't lie," Skye said.

"I tried lying about being able to read for a while but I don't think anyone believed me."

"Would you like to learn how to read?"

"No."

"Okay."

When they reached the inn, Skye got off the cart and helped Perry get it through the door.

They tucked it in the back corner of the tavern next to a table and Skye sat down.

"I'll go and order for us," Perry said.

"What would you like?"

"Fish," Skye said.

"Okay. Anything to drink? Water? Tea? Milk? I suppose you're old enough to drink alcohol, if you want it."

Skye yawned.

"Milk."

"Okay. I'll be back in a minute."

Skye lay his head down on the table.

He still sort of wanted to be alone but that was a bad idea when he felt this awful.

If he did that, he might just disappear and forget without even meaning to.

At least Perry seemed to actually want him around, though Skye still hadn't figured out why.

He'd said he was straight, so it couldn't be a sex thing.

Could skull men even have sex?

Did Perry have a penis?

He probably shouldn't ask.

Perry returned and slid a glass of milk across the table to Skye.

He had a mug of what looked like tea for himself.

"This may be a little unpleasant to watch," Perry warned as he went over to his bags.

He retrieved a large, metal syringe and returned to the table.

Skye set his elbow on the table and propped his chin up on his hand and watched as Perry suctioned up some of the liquid with the syringe.

He then leant his head back and squirted it down his throat.

"Sorry," Perry said.

"I usually do that in private but I'd like to have my lunch with you today if that's okay."

"I don't mind," Skye said.

"Once I went to jail and I had to share a room with six other guys and everyone got food poisoning. That was way worse."

"Oh, goodness. I imagine it would have been. Why did you go to jail?"

"For stealing," Skye said.

"I escaped, though. They let us outside in this yard, so I just climbed out and left."

"When was this?"

"Oh, I don't know. Before the war. It wasn't a big deal."

"Well, it's all very fascinating to me. You're like a living history book."

"And you're like a living person who is dead," Skye said.

'Why don't your eyes get dry if you don't have eyelids?"

"That's a good question and one I've wondered about myself," Perry said.

"I also shouldn't be able to speak, for multiple reasons but here we are. Sometimes magic works in ways that don't fully make sense. I don't even know if I have a brain inside my skull. I feel I surely must but I'm not certain of it."

"Are any of us really sure about what's in our skulls?" Skye asked.

"I've never seen in mine."

"That's true."

Skye lay his head down on the table again.

"I'm tired."

"Ah. I was hoping to ask you about your experiences during the war."

Skye lifted his head and took a sulky gulp of his milk.

"I want my fish."

"You're not in the mood. I see. That's unfortunate but I won't push."

"I probably wouldn't be a good history book anyway. I'm not very good at words."

"As a person who keeps records, I see being good at words as my job. With enough patience and the right questions, I can get the information I need from someone who isn't themselves skilled with words and record them in a way that's easier for others to understand."

"Oh."

Skye reached across the table, picked up Perry's mug and took a sip of the liquid.

He made a face and washed the taste away with a sip of milk.

"Sorry I'm too tired, then."

"That's okay. It's not really the kind of thing that's best done in a single afternoon, anyway."

Not long after that, someone brought their food out to them.

Skye got the fish he'd been promised and Perry got a bowl of mush.

He had to carefully spoon it into the back of his throat and then tilt his head back to swallow.

It was funny to watch.

They finished their food and Perry walked Skye back to the ship.

Skye didn't really know why Perry had thought he needed an escort but it was kind of nice when he was so sad to have someone treat him like he was very important and fragile.

He felt a little fragile.

He still felt sad as he headed up to the crows-nest to take a nap but maybe also something else as well.

Another emotion that wasn't quite as bad.

Maybe it was hope.

[hope-you-brought-kneepads-bitch]

Evil's newest fangirl

Part 1 here

So part one was wrote randomly and I know people liked it so here's a part 2, probably gonna be a part 3 because this was getting long but yeah enjoy and it is dark! Wanda and Scarlet witch so keep that in mind that they will get worse in the future

Warnings: swearing, mention of somnophilia, suggestive themes and as always this is 18+ so any minors please don't interact or you'll be blocked thank you!

words: lots! (2,248)

Wanda had carried your sleeping body to her bedroom and laid you down admiring you "such an innocent little girl, we'll give you everything you've ever wanted and more"

The front door soon slammed shut with an irritated shout following "I hate the public! I know I'm a murderer but fuck me! Can't people leave me alone for one day?" The house got silent again then a confused shout was heard again "where are you?!"

Wanda placed a kiss on your head and went to the top of the stairwell "up here!" She shouted and Scarlet's heavy footsteps echoed up the stairs "why are you looking so smug? Where's our biggest fan?" she laughed

Wanda said nothing when she walked back into the bedroom followed by her variant "woah! What's she doing on the bed?"

The witch sat down on the bed stroking the stray hair that'd fallen over your face "I figured since she loves us so much she'll want to stay with us forever so I gave her some 'special wine'"

The redhead behind her nodded "I love that special wine of yours, so do we have someone new to play with?" She also sat on the bed looking over your beautiful body already thinking of things she could do "yes, but not too quickly Scar, don't scare her off like the others"

She rolled her eyes seemingly ignoring the brunette "I've already got a collar in mind, she'll look beautiful in it, when will she wake up?"

"Soon, she'll be confused and disorientated so I'll be here to keep her calm"

Both women laughed and looked back down at you "I think she'll love being our cute doll, finally we'll have someone to clean this place while we're out doing business" Scarlet couldn't wait, the amount of times Wanda made her clean the house after killing all day was getting infuriating, now you could do it for the two of them.

"Seriously?" Wanda cocked her head to the side at the witch who looked back at her "What?" She questioned

"You only want her as our girl so she does all the housework? How difficult is it too clean where you dripped blood on the floor?" 

"Very! So having her here to do it will be great! And in a little maids outfit that barley covers her ass" the witch's eyes darkened at the thought and she was getting excited which Wanda noticed

"Relax Scar, if you were a guy you'd have a hard on right now, let's go and eat before she wakes up" Wanda got up and dragged Scarlet away but she stopped "oh come on, can't I have a taste?"

"Taste of what?"

Scarlet rolled her eyes "of her obviously I bet she's sweet" Wanda pushed the witch out of the room "I want you to break her but no somnophilia, wait at least a few weeks" 

"You are literally no fun ever!"

************************************************************************

You woke up with a start but was quickly brought back down by a horrible throbbing in your head "ow what the hell?" You rubbed your tired eyes slowly sitting up looking around the room, bright colours adorned the room and the bed you were on was the softest thing you've ever lay on, but were you still at the witch's house?

As if your thoughts were being read (of course) the door opened to Wanda smiling at you ���there you are pretty girl, you drank quite a lot of wine sweetheart so I had to carry you ” she said sweetly and sat down next to you “but I don’t drink wine” you were suspicious since you never drink too much to get you drunk, plus by the light still outside it hadn't been that long ago you drank anything.

“Stop thinking too much honey, it doesn’t matter now” she placed a kiss on your temple and handed you a glass of water with some asprin “here you go, we left you some takeout downstairs, come on darling” she helped you to your feet after you drank the water and held you close so as not to fall as she lead you down the stairs “look princess Scar’s heated up the food for you, isn’t that nice?” 

You smiled weakly feeling worse than you did when you awoke, how was that possible? “t-thanks”

“Malysh sit down” Wanda let you fall onto the couch ungracefully and gave a look to Scarlet who happily jumped next to her kneeling down to you when Wanda sat you up keeping you in place

“I think you’ve been drugged enough sweet one, but first” she pulled a deep red collar out of a bag on the table, the little heart pendant hanging proudly from it “I got you a present, let’s see you in it” you were way too out of it to care when she put the leather around your neck and clasped it closed “oh so pretty!” Scarlet beamed and Wanda agreed settling behind you kissing your neck. 

“Let's wake her up properly, prepare for her to be angry” Wanda joked “she won’t be angry, she’s obsessed with us, an obsessed fan girl will be fun” Scarlet argued and waved her fingers around your temple instantly bringing you back from the fog you were put under, you jumped back when you saw the women staring at you.

“What’s happening? Where am I?” You tried backing away from the couch and the women but Wanda held onto your hands keeping you in place “hey shhh shhh it’s okay my love, we’ve got you” she nuzzled into your neck kissing it softly

You were really starting to regret coming to the murderous witch’s house, obviously it was bad idea but you thought it would be different, you’ll never make that mistake again “c-can I go home?”

Wanda bit her lip to stop a laugh “you are home darling, we’re gonna have so much fun!” You were scared, but kinda intrigued? God what the fuck had you done?

“so, do you want that takeout food?” She was so casual about the whole thing, you hadn’t noticed the collar around your neck yet so you were confused when Scar reached for your neck “what are you doing?” You asked but she ignored you, putting her finger through the loop bringing you forward “how about you stop talking, you need to eat” being pulled up from the couch and forced to the kitchen made you feel sick, your hunger taking over “I am pretty hungry…”

“Perfect!” The witches sat beside you opening the takeout box and your mouth watered at the delicious looking food, reaching for the fork your hand was slapped away “no no Detka you can’t use a fork, we don’t want you to hurt yourself” instead she grabbed the fork picking up a piece of food and feeding you. 

You moaned at the taste of the food and Scarlet tensed, god it’s going to be so easy to break you and she coudn’t wait to do it “is that good honey?” Wanda asked and you nodded “yeah…” 

“It’s getting late sweetheart, let’s finish up here and go take a nice relaxing bath shall we?” Wanda had started rubbing her hand along your back in a soothing manner and had given the job of feeding you to Scar who was quite enjoying herself “only a few more bites darling or you’ll get a tummy ache”

You finished the bites you were allowed to have mumbling a thank you when you swallowed the last one “you’re very welcome my love now come on, you can’t be up too late or you’ll be grumpy tomorrow for your big day”

You perked up at Scar wondering what she meant by that, of course they read your mind so were ready to answer “you need to rest, you’re coming out with us tomorrow, as our biggest fan I’m sure you’ll want a close up encounter with us murdering people, but don’t worry we’d never hurt children, they get enough trouble to deal with when they’re young, why add murder to the list?”

You suppose that was fair- wait! Why are you considering this?

“I- I think I’d rather just go home please?” You tried getting up but Wanda pulled you back down “I know it will take some getting used too but trust me, you’ll love it here” 

Wanda gripped your hand and dragged you through the house to a marble looking bathroom and a large bathtub “it’s big enough for all three of us” Wanda said behind you “and we plan on doing just that in the future”

It all became too much to handle and you started crying softly “awe Scarlet look she's crying, get some tissue to wipe her eyes with"

You didn't notice Scarlet entering the bathroom too until she was passing you a tissue, when you didn't move to take it she pulled your chin up making you look at her "look at you, so ugly when you cry" she wiped the tears from your face until you stopped all together.

"You won't care when she's on her knees looking up at you" Wanda said throwing the tissue away and keeping you in her hold.

Scarlet shrugged "yeah but she'll be crying for different reasons that day" she kept your head up getting close to your face "how's your gag reflex?" she laughed when your eyes widened and you tried pulling away "shh baby, gag reflex or not you'll be just fine" Wanda said

You couldn't believe it, why couldn't these murderous women let you go home? Okay fine you did know they wouldn't let you go but you thought they'd be a little nicer to you, this was getting scary.

"Stop thinking those awful thoughts darling, we're not scary, now get in the bathtub, I'll wash you" Wanda let you go but before you could think about leaving Scarlet had locked the door "ah ah no leaving"

"Go on sweetie get undressed, you can't bathe with your clothes on" Wanda’s voice was sweet but you still couldn’t do it.

“Fine princess, how about we turn around and you watch us so we don’t open our eyes?” Scar suggested

It was a trap you knew it was a trap but you also knew they wouldn’t leave so instead you turned to face them lent against the wall blatantly letting their eyes roam over your body with no shame “okay” you said softly and they both smiled “perfect!

They both turned to face the wall covering their eyes too just to prove they were serious "we won't stand like this for long detka" Scarlet said sternly and you jumped quickly shedding your clothes and trying to remove the collar but was stopped.

"The collar stays on my love, and we'll know when its off, we can sense it" Wanda didn't turn around so you couldn't see her face but you knew she was probably angry that you tried to take it off.

"Sorry" you mumbled and quickly got into the bath letting the water warm up your cold body, sinking into the bath as to cover your body.

"O-ookay" you said and the witches spun around, Scarlet looking deflated when she saw you were in the bath "I was hoping you'd be stood in all your glory for me"

You laughed a little, even in this fucked up situation Scarlet was still funny "oh stop Scar, our new princess is just a little shy, now lets get you all cleaned up"

She knelt down next to the bath taking the bath sponge and lathering it with body wash "I need to see your body so I can wash it my love" you shook your head and looked down hoping she wasn't too mad.

"Hey no sad faces Y/n, just this once you can bathe yourself but I won't tolerate ignorance again" kissing your cheek she stood up looking at Scarlet who had her arms crossed "don't pout or you won't cum for a week"

"You can't threaten me like that, I can cum whenever I want"

Wanda smiled "fine but you won't get to touch our new doll and instead will watch me play with her first"

Scar straightened up and scowled at Wanda "you're a cruel woman"

"Come on, lets leave our girl to bathe" Both women went to leave but your quite voice stopped them "what happens now?"

Wanda turned back and looked at you "you're ours Y/n you've got 20 minutes on your own before one of us comes and gets you, probably Scarlet"

"We go to sleep at a reasonable time in this house so if I need to drag you out of that bathtub naked I will do, in fact I hope I do have too" she winked and you blushed trying to sink further into the bath.

"Come on Scar the water will get cold if we stand here any longer" they both left you alone and you released a heavy sigh you didn't know you were holding.

"Okay" you thought, just relax, so you've got a collar on and the women you admire, who happened to be murderous witches, are keeping you here "I'm beginning the think that $20 wasn't worth it"

You closed your eyes enjoying the warm water and the silence that engulfed the room, suddenly coming to a realisation "did they say were gonna play with me?" You were screwed, both figuratively and literally.

[glitterslag]

Cherry Kool-Aid

One hot evening during the summer of '87, Eddie helps Chrissy dye her hair bright pink using nothing but store-brand conditioner and a packet of cherry Kool-Aid.

It's her first summer home from college (the one where she practically lives round at the Munsons') and now that she's been emancipated from her mom's iron rule? Chrissy wants to have a little fun.

Max stands there on the grass with her arms folded, watching the pair of them - Chrissy sitting on a rickety garden chair with a towel wrapped round her shoulders, Eddie hard at work behind her in rubber gloves, a half-smoked cigarette hanging from his bottom lip.

"Can I be next?"

"Sure you can, kid." Eddie says readily, brows furrowing in concentration as he works. "You want cherry or grape?"

"Ask your mom first." Chrissy tempers, shooting her a kind smile.

Max picks grape.

-----------

Uncle Wayne won't let the girls rinse their hair off in the inside sink, so they line up for Eddie to blast their heads under the garden hose pipe, Silence of The Lambs style. They both squeal in the freezing water, but when they pile into the bathroom five minutes later to inspect the results, they're both beaming.

"Awesome." Max whispers, enamoured with her new purple streak (despite her pleas, her mom hadn't allowed her to colour her whole head).

"Looking good, ladies." Wayne yells on his way out, heading off to work the night shift at the plant.

Chrissy just grins at herself in the chipped mirror, feeling like a whole new person. Eddie loves it too, of course.

A little while later and they're all sitting outside again, sipping cokes and watching it grow dark, listening to cicadas buzzing in the grass all around them. Max's dog is running around their feet, barking excitedly as they all laugh and dote on the little thing.

Chrissy thinks privately that this is the best summer she's ever had.

[wlwmarvelenthusiast]

More Than A Friend

Summary: A weekend trip with Carol leads you to realize you might like her a little more than you'd thought.

Pairing: Carol Danvers x Reader

Warnings: language

Word Count: 6,194

You crept into the bar. It was a rowdy place, even this early in the evening. Your eyes scanned the crowd, taking in all the different people that were scattered throughout the room. The football game was playing on the TV, but unfortunately, it wasn't really your sport. Finally, your eyes landed on a blonde sitting at the bar. You moved toward her, a smirk on your face. You didn't even bother to slide into the seat next to her.

Your hand touched her hip and your lips were right next to her ear when you spoke. "What's a beautiful thing like you doing all alone here?"

She startled a little, whipping to face you. When she saw you, though, she smacked you away, an unamused expression taking over the surprised look she'd had a minute ago. You slid onto the stool next to her, eyes watching as the bartender held up a single finger to indicate he'd be over to you in a moment. You only nodded in acknowledgment before turning back to the girl beside you, the smirk still on your lips.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" She rolled her eyes.

"Come off it, Care-bear, you love me."

"Christ, I hate when you call me that."

"I apologize, oh Captain, my captain."

The bartender arrived and prevented her from retaliating. You didn't even bother looking back at her as you ordered your drink of choice, glancing up at the football game that you didn't care about in order to not look at Carol. She finally snorted and bumped her shoulder against yours. It made you look back at her, unable to keep a smile from forming on your face when she gave you a hearty wink. She laughed.

"How was work?"

You shrugged. "People are idiots."

When you were sixteen, you'd worked a retail job where you'd learned just how stupid people really were. You'd learned that fully-grown adults had nothing better in their lives to do than yell at teenaged, minimum wage workers during their spare time for nothing more than a minor inconvenience. When you'd become an Avenger, you thought that would stop. You were incorrect. You might not have been a teenaged retail worker anymore, but people found a reason to lose their temper anyway- even right after you'd saved their life.

"That good, huh?" She chuckled.

"Are people nicer on other planets, Care-bear? Take me with you?"

"They're not, no," Carol huffed, sipping from her glass. "And the drinks don't taste as good."

You wondered what she was drinking that she seemed to be enjoying so much. It was colourful, and had, at this point, piqued your interest. You reached out and snatched from where it sat in front of her on the bar. You sniffed it first. It was something fruity, that was all you could figure. Finally, you dared raise the glass to your lips. The second the liquid touched your tongue you felt like you might overdose on sugar and sweetness.

"Oh, my God, Carol!" You exclaimed, setting the drink back down on the bar top and sliding it to her. "What the hell is that?"

"She got it extra sweet," the bartender said as he walked by. "Your friend's got a sugar addiction."

It didn't seem to bother her at all. While you felt you could puke from the sugar content alone, she was sipping it happily. You rolled your eyes at her, reaching for your own drink, much preferring the taste of it. Carol turned to you suddenly, the straw still between her lips. You watched as she lowered it back down, using the same straw to stir the drink around, the ice clinking off the side of the glass as she did. She sipped it again.

"What's our weekend plans, then?" Carol asked finally.

"Who says I have plans with you?"

"Oh, please. You practically begged me to come stay on Earth for a weekend."

"I did absolutely no such thing."

You absolutely did do that. Carol was away from Earth more often than not and you missed her. It wasn't like it was a crime to. So, you'd phoned her up and asked her over and over to come spend just one weekend on Earth with you. She'd finally agreed on the eighth ask, and now here you sat; on the right of the girl you'd missed so dearly, teasing her relentlessly about whatever that abomination was swirling around in her glass.

"We're taking my new car on a little road trip," you finally gave, sipping your drink. "Music, fast-food, and deep talks on the interstate."

"Snacks?"

"Snacks too," you promised with a chuckle. "And we can get a nice motel room or pitch a tent at night. Whichever you please."

You had to laugh at the smile that had crept over her face. The way she giggled in excitement, you had to wonder if it'd just been too long since her last day off or if the alcohol had gotten to her already. She waved the bartender lever as she finished hers. He placed a new one in front of her, and she thanked him quickly, bringing it close and immediately bringing the straw between her lips. You wondered whether the sugar or alcohol content would hospitalize her quicker.

"So, when do we leave?" She chirped.

"In the morning. Don't drink too much. You'll get hungover and I want to actually have fun."

She stuck her tongue out at you. You rolled your eyes in response, finishing your own drink and then declining another. You didn't want to be hungover when you were the one driving the two of you around. The bartender brought you a pop instead. You sipped on it, watching a bar-goer stumbled over with a drunk grin on his face and tapped Carol on the shoulder. He said something you didn't quite hear, but you saw Carol nod. He took her hands and dragged her onto the dance floor. You brought her drink toward you.

Carol was a flirt. She always had been. She was a flirt with you, your teammates, and strangers. She was also gay. This dance with this guy didn't mean much to her. You weren't sure if it even meant much to him. You couldn't be sure that he'd even remember this dance. He was absolutely wasted, and it wasn't even midnight. Regardless, he seemed to be enjoying it. His eyes travelled up and down Carol's body and you squeezed the glass in your hand a little tighter. You were protective of her, despite knowing she could absolutely hold her own.

When the song finished, she winked at him, retreating back to your spot at the bar. She finished up her drink and then insisted the two of you head back to your place and that you were right: she didn't want to be nursing a hangover while you were supposed to be having a good time. You paid the bartender and then linked your arm with hers, leading her out the door and onto the streets. She glanced up at the tall buildings around her. A smile had formed on her face.

"You don't appreciate how beautiful this place is."

You glanced up at the glowing buildings that towered above you and marvelled, for a moment, at the soft light that radiated off them. Your gaze was tugged downward, though, at a rustling noise. You were snapped back into the reality of your city as you watched a rat scurry along the curb of the sidewalk in the direction opposite you. You chuckled at that, motioning to it as you looked up to catch Carol's bright gaze.

"Surely some of those planets are far more beautiful than this."

She shrugged. "Some, maybe. Some are worse. Some are kind of alike to this. This has always been my favourite, though."

You might have understood that if Carol had taken the time to visit the actual beautiful parts of the Earth. But she was always in the city. She'd never gone to stare in amazement at a waterfall or glance at towering mountains. She had never seen the true beauties of this Earth, and you promised in that moment to change that fact. If she thought New York City was beautiful, she would be blown off her feet by the things you showed her.

"One day, Carol, I'll show you the actual beautiful things on this Earth."

"You're pretty beautiful yourself."

You smacked her. That was her flirty side coming out once again. It didn't mean anything. It never had. So, you wondered what that strange flutter in your chest was when she said the words. You ignored it, passing it off as a longing for a meaningful relationship. You hadn't had one of those in a while now. You probably just wanted someone to say those words to you and mean it. You made a mental note to sign up for an online dating site after the weekend had passed. It was too hard to meet people in your line of work without them.

"Yeah, I know," was all you gave in response.

When you glanced over at her, she had a grin on her face.

It wasn't long until you'd reached your apartment building. You smiled at the front desk as you entered the lobby and immediately made for the elevator. You pressed the button to the seventh floor and waited patiently for the doors. You knew Carol was suppressing a squeal of glee when they arrived. She usually just flew everywhere. Using simple inventions like this one had always gotten her more excited than the average person. To anyone else, an elevator was just a boring elevator.

"Can I do it?" She asked as you pulled out your key.

Carol really was just like a child, in a sense. Everything was so advanced out in space that these were the things she enjoyed doing. You pointed out the bronze key and watched her run ahead. She practically skipped the distance to your apartment door. She pushed the key into the lock and turned it, glancing back at you and smiling widely when the door pushed open. You smiled affectionately as you took the key back from her.

She may not have visited Earth overly often, but every time she did, she visited your apartment. Resultantly, she knew her way around. She knew, as well, that you didn't mind in the slightest if she made herself at home. She slid her shoes off and jumped onto the couch, pulling the blanket down over top of her and snuggling into it. You actually took a photo of the sight before you moved into the room behind her, lifting her legs, sitting on the couch, and then dropping them back over your lap.

"Can we watch a movie?" Carol asked, pleading gaze turning to you.

You showed her the remote you'd been reaching for. "Already on it, Captain Danvers."

"I take it back," she giggled, tossing her head back so that it hit the armrest. "That's worse. You can call me-"

"Aw, my Care-Bear!" You laughed, shifting your position so you could throw your arms around her shoulders.

Carol grunted at the impact against her torso. Once you settled, though, she breathed a little easier. You were both squished against one side of the couch, now, but the closeness was nothing new to you. You still had the remote in hand, and aimed it at the TV, managing to get it to Netflix. You flicked on a random horror movie, setting the remote back down on the coffee table in front of you. You nestled back into the cushions.

It had always amused you how jumpy Carol got when she watched horror movies. She was a literal superhero that fought literal aliens all the night and day and yet a ghost jumping out of a darkened corridor had her cringing away from the TV screen and pulling the blanket further up her body as if in an attempt to protect her. She would always adamantly deny it if you ever brought it up later. You would never show her the picture you had of her, fuzzy blue blanket pulled all the way up to her nose, eyes wide, as she watched The Conjuring. She would delete it off your phone as you slept.

Today, though, her nerves seemed to be calmed somewhat by the cup of tea she had clasped between her hands. She looked entirely content, sitting cross-legged on the couch with that same fuzzy blanket draped over her lap and a grey, ceramic mug warming her palms. The alcohol had clearly gotten to her a little, you realized, as you watched her eyelids droop every once in a while. The corner of your mouth tilted upward ever so slightly. She was wide awake a moment later.

It was a sudden jump scare. Even being half asleep, Carol was still paying attention. So, when the TV boomed and there was a flash and a scream, she jumped. The tea that she'd been holding in her lap sloshed over the edges, a large amount of liquid soaking into the couch cushions. You were out of your seat in an instant, reaching for the remote to pause. Carol was apologizing profusely, jumping to her feet and following you to the kitchen.

"It's okay, Carol. It's fine," you chuckled, wetting a dish towel and grabbing some paper towels. "Hey, it's fine. Really. Chill out."

Carol seemed hesitant to do that. When you lightheartedly flicked the wet towel at her, though, she finally smiled taking the paper towel out of your hand and heading back to the living room, pressing the paper towel into the couch and absorbing as much of the liquid as she could. When she'd finished, you used the wet rag to clean the beverage out. As you tossed the paper towel away and threw the dishrag into the kitchen sink, you stood back and took a look at the large wet spot on the couch.

"Guess we're moving to my room, then. Let's go, Care-Bear."

Carol nodded. She trod behind you into the bedroom, where you flopped onto the bed. She was lagging behind and you waved her onward to hurry her up. She finally jumped onto the bed and sat next to you, sliding her legs underneath the covers. You turned on the small TV in your room and resumed the movie you'd been watching. In the soft comfort of the bed, though, it seemed the tug for sleep was greater. Carol's eyes finally fluttered shut and she lay down against the pillows. You chuckled, turning off the movie.

You, unlike your friend, hadn't fallen asleep involuntary. You were able to head to the bathroom and brush your teeth before yawning tiredly and deciding to join. You padded back into the room, climbed under the covers, shut off the lights, and lay your head onto your own pillow. You smiled once at Carol's sleeping figure before you shut your eyes, letting sleep take you.

*

As hard as you tried to convince her, you weren't able to get Carol to stick her head back inside the sunroof. You weren't sure how to breeze was so exhilarating to her. The superhuman could fly faster than your car was going right now. The wind in her hair had to be a familiar feeling at this point. Plus, there were no laws against flying above the interstate to feel the wind in your hair. There were, however, laws about standing with your entire torso stuck out the roof of the car.

You'd given up a while ago. If she fell out, she'd be just fine. If she got you a ticket? Oh, there would be serious hell to pay. She'd agreed to that already. You'd honestly be surprised, though, if she did get ticketed. It'd be quite a sight to see: a measly police officer ticketing the Human-Kree Hybrid superhero. That sight alone might actually be worth the fine you would have to pay. By the time she'd pulled her head back in, though, blonde hair windblown and a smile plastered to her face, you'd yet to see a single cop.

"Have fun?" You asked, doing up the sunroof.

"Absolutely. You should try."

"Do you know how to drive?" You scoffed.

"I can fly a ship."

"Yeah, I'm sure UFO controls are much different than cars so I'm gonna have to politely ask you to stay the hell away from my car."

Carol only stuck her tongue out at you. She still didn't do her seatbelt up yet. She twisted her body so that she could reach into the back seat. You turned back to the road, but when you shot a second glance at her a few seconds later, she was popping open a can of Pringles with a large grin on her face. She bit down onto a chip with a giggle before turning the can to you. You reached into it with one hand and took a small handful of them, setting them down on the centre console for easier access.

"Where are we staying tonight?" Carol asked through a mouthful of chips.

"A campground up in a small town in Ontario," you hummed. "It's still a good few hours away. I'd ask if you wanted to stop for food, but I'd guess you've filled up on snacks."

She dug through her backpack. "Do I need this?"

She held up the passport you'd made her get last time the two of you had headed up to Toronto. Despite the fact that she really wasn't a citizen of the United States... or even of Earth, you'd managed to get S.H.I.E.L.D. to make you an exception for Carol. It was the perks of being an Avenger, and a close friend of Nick Fury, you supposed. To answer her question, you simply nodded your head as you reached for the Gatorade in your cup holder. She stuck the papers back into her bag.

"So, are you seeing anyone?"

The question almost made you spit the red beverage onto the steering wheel. It wasn't that you and Carol had never talked about it. She was one of your closest friends, after all. She was the first one you'd called when you'd realized your feelings for your last girlfriend, and she was the first one you'd called when you'd broken up. Carol wasn't someone you didn't talk about your love life with. It was just that it was completely and entirely out of the blue. It didn't help that the answer was still no, even after the long period of time since she'd last asked it.

You'd tried to assure yourself that you were just busy with work. It wasn't a lie. You'd been busy as hell ever since Loki's sceptre had inexplicably gone missing after the Battle in New York. But it wasn't just that, you knew full well. Something seemed to be wrong with your brain, or maybe your heart. Maybe it was just that your standards were practically in the clouds, but no one seemed attractive to you anymore. Not even the girl Natasha had tried to set you up with (and you were well convinced that Natasha only knew attractive people).

"Not at the moment, no," you finally admitted. "You?"

"On-and-off," she shrugged. "Just a girl from a planet called Xandar."

A pang of jealousy struck your chest. You were carving something- anything. You would've given anything even for something on-and-off just about now. Had it really been that long? You could hardly believe you were jealous of her. It wasn't like you to be jealous of something someone else had. You were supposed to be happy for her, not sulking over your own lack of a love life... or sex life. You forced a smile at her, wishing it could be real.

"Oh, yeah? Tell me about her."

"Not too much to tell," Carol said, biting down on a potato chip. "She's cute, funny, sweet. A little younger than me, but most people are," she chuckled as she glanced over at you. You plastered a phone smile back onto your lips and forced a laugh from your chest. "Her name's Alya."

You almost grumbled, but managed to bite your tongue on time. You resorted to ripping open a packet of gummy bears in order to keep your mouth full and therefore unable to make any snarky comments. Carol didn't seem to notice that, only reaching over and grabbing a green bear out of the bag. Though you might have been a little frustrated, you let her. It wasn't her fault that you were touch-starved and desperate.

"You know, we could spend this trip trying to find you a girlfriend," Carol grinned, tossing a candy into the air and catching it in her mouth.

"No," you denied immediately. You didn't need for her to see how weird your head was being right now. You were certain there was no one she could find that would be able to snap you out of this strange state of no one being attractive to you, yet craving someone. "I'm not looking for a girlfriend in Ontario."

"What's wrong with girls from Ontario?" Carol teased.

She'd been to Ontario once before. She'd pointed out that, though they may have dressed a little different and talked a little different, the girls from Ontario were just as attractive as the girls from New York. You'd had to point out that, at the time, she'd had a girlfriend. With Carol's ogling at girls on Earth, clearly, she and the girlfriend hadn't been working out well. They'd broken up two weeks later, leaving them both a little hurt, but not beyond repair. Even still, they saw each other for lunch or for a drink, but just as friends. It was admirable; the respect they had retained for one another.

"Nothing is wrong with girls from Ontario," you huffed. "I'm just not in the mood. This is supposed to be our weekend."

"What if I want to spend our weekend finding you a girl?"

"I don't. Drop it," you finally snapped.

Immediately guilt rushed to settle in the pit of your stomach. You readjusted your grip on the steering wheel as your gaze refused to leave the road in front of you. You didn't want to glance over at the frown that had surely taken the place of that infectious smile you loved so dearly. You definitely didn't want to look at it knowing that you were the cause of it. Carol was so incredibly joyful all the time and that was one of the things you loved about her. To be the one who had taken that joy from her, even momentarily, broke your heart.

"I'm sorry," you muttered.

She didn't answer that.

You attempted to swallow the lump in your throat as you tried to focus on driving instead of picturing the frown that was probably tugging at each of Carol's features. You wished you could actually physically kick yourself for what you'd done. She didn't deserve you snapping at her like that. She hadn't done anything wrong. You were just being pissy for reasons you weren't sure even you quite understood. You finally turned to her, but she was looking out the window.

"Look, Carol-"

"Hey, don't worry. Sorry I pushed."

You didn't deserve Carol Susan Jane Danvers one single bit. She deserved more than the world and you swore right then you'd work every moment to give that to her. Despite how you'd treated her for reasons she couldn't possibly have understood, when she turned to you, she was still smiling. As always, her smile put a smile on your face too. You turned away from those soft brown eyes to glance back at the road in front of you.

"It's okay. I'm sorry I snapped. I just... it's a long story, Care-Bear."

"We've got a long ride ahead of us," she tried.

"I don't know that I'm feeling like talking about it right this second," you admitted.

She seemed to accept that. You felt her touch your arm with her hand. Warmth seemed to rush from her touch, up your arms, and into your chest. How one person could instill such comfort into you amazed you. She said a few soft words to you that you didn't quite hear, but you felt you might not need to. You knew they were words of comfort. Just that knowledge was enough to put a smile onto your face. Your eyes flickered from her to the road.

"No problem," Carol chimed. Then, without missing a single beat, she changed the subject. "Hey, which bag did you put the Fuzzy Peaches in?"

"The green backpack."

Just like that, it was easy again. Carol didn't let you linger on just how upset you were for more than a second. She practically dived into the back seat for the backpack, reappearing with the orange package in her hand. She plopped back down into her seat, still refused to put her seatbelt on, and ripped the package open. She reached out and turned up the music when one of your favourite songs came on. You wondered if she knew that.

*

"No! That piece goes over here!" You insisted.

Carol frowned and handed you the long pole.

Pitching a tent with an alien who hadn't even known was a tent was, up until five minutes ago, was not easy. She'd practically rolled herself up like a burrito in the rain fly right after nearly putting the stakes directly through the floor to pin the tent down. You'd been guiding her, preventing any damage from coming to it. She was listening intently, making sure she did everything exactly how you said. She stuck the peg through the guy line and looked at you.

"Like that?"

"Yeah. Perfect. I think we're just about done, Care-Bear."

At that, she unzipped the door, diving through it into the empty tent. You reached into the trunk of your car, throwing the many pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags through behind her, not caring much where they landed. When you finally shut the door and ducked into the tent, Carol was beneath the large pile, peering out from where only the top half of her face was visible. You had to chuckle, grabbing one of the blankets and pulling it over her face.

Carol insisted she set up. She had you sit aside by the door, munching happily on a small bowl of popcorn as you watched. She carefully unzipped the sleeping bags and lay them down on the floor, putting the pillows atop them, and then the two comforters stacked on top of each other on top of that. When she finally finished, she gestured proudly to her completed setup. You raised an eyebrow.

"We both sleeping there?"

She nodded. "It's cold."

You had to give her that. You were practically shivering just from waiting for her to finish. The sun had dipped beyond the horizon at this point, the darkness of night did nothing to heat up the air around you. You clambered under the blankets, careful not to drop any of the popcorn you still held. You placed it next to you, letting Carol reach over and grab some as she, too, climbed into the makeshift bed. She popped a piece into her mouth.

"Up to talking about it yet?"

It was a genuine question. Carol wasn't pushy. That was something you could tell by her tone. She had waited patiently and was continuing to wait for you to be ready to talk about what you needed to talk about. She didn't want you bottling it up, but she didn't want to pressure you. She was able to do that. You glanced down at the red blanket that covered your legs, pondering her question for a moment. Then you nodded your head yes.

"I just haven't felt myself recently," you shrugged. "I would like to get out there and find someone, no doubt. Recently, though, it's like my standards are unmeetable. No one seems even remotely appealing to me."

"No one at all?"

"Nat tried to set me up with her Russian model friend," you said, turning to Carol with a grin finally on your lips.

"Nothing?" Carol said, an exaggerated amount of shock on her face. "You must be broken."

You shoved her. She chuckled; the offensive action having done nothing. She was inhumanly strong. If you'd decided to punch her, you likely would've broken your hand against her. She shoved you back, only lightly, so you moved a few inches away from her. She stuck her hand back into the popcorn bowl as you shuffled back into your place beside her. She was chewing thoughtfully, and you didn't dare interrupt her with the very focused expression on her face.

"Do you already like someone? That usually takes away the appeal of anyone else."

You stopped to think about that. You knew that could be the case. In eleventh grade when you'd had a crush on Adelaide Artenbaker, you'd suddenly failed to find anyone else attractive at all. Of course, Adelaide had eventually rejected you on account that she was straight as an arrow. It wasn't malicious. She'd actually given you a kiss on the cheek and assured you that, if she discovered wasn't, she'd let you know. It had made you laugh.

Now, you had to wonder if there was anyone that was making your stomach flip and making you dismiss anyone else. It wasn't the Avengers. You'd been in the changing room with Natasha, the Black fucking Widow, two days ago, and she'd strutted up to you in nothing but her bra and underwear. You hadn't even bat an eyelash as she'd asked you if you wanted to get some Chinese food after the mission (but you had said yes, of course).

"Yeah. Maybe."

Her words had knocked some serious sense into you. You definitely had a crush on someone, and it had definitely been impairing your ability to get out on a date. That someone was around so little, though, that you hadn't realized right away just how you felt for them. Maybe if she visited Earth a little more often, you'd have realized why you blushed so deeply when she'd crawled into bed with you last night or right now.

"Who is it, then?"

Carol had a girlfriend. It may have been on-again-off-again, but she had a girlfriend. You were not now, nor ever, someone who would come between that. You were going to let her be happy with someone who was making her happy and you were going to be happy for her. You plastered a smile onto your face and reached into the bowl of popcorn that sat on your lap, letting the snack cloud the feelings of jealousy that you knew now weren't jealousy of a relationship, but if Carol.

"Nat."

Carol didn't miss a single beat. "Liar."

You glared at her. "The fuck do you mean? Telling me who I do and do not like?"

"I know who has your heart right now. It isn't Nat."

This time when she reached for the popcorn, she leaned over. To support her weight, her hand came to rest on your upper thigh. You had to refrain from reacting. You sucked the inside of your cheek between your teeth, biting hard on it to suppress any sort of reaction that Carol would have noticed. It seemed to have worked. She grabbed a small handful and then backed away, the pressure of her hand disappearing from your limb.

"Yeah? Who is it, then?"

"Someone that likes you back."

"And who says Nat doesn't?"

You might have actually been offended if it weren't Carol you were talking to. You were good enough for Natasha, right? She was practically a goddess in respect to her looks, but you were something, too. Not that you liked Natasha in that way. She was a friend. Carol was the one that you cared about. Something about that sweet smile and that confidence mixed with an innocence she had after being away from Earth for so long warmed your heart every time.

"Fair," Carol admitted. "But you know, you're pretty oblivious. With all the hints I've been dropping, you'd think you'd have realized your feelings are reciprocated."

"What?"

"I like you, dumbass. More than a friend likes a friend."

Your jaw might have dropped. You coughed, choking on the popcorn that you'd been eating as you whirled to face the blonde. She had a twinkle in her eyes, and a giggle escaped her lips when she saw the expression on your face. She tossed a piece of popcorn into the air, catching it in her mouth. She chewed on it as she waited, arms crossed, for you to collect yourself. Finally, after a long drink of water, you calmed.

"Pardon?"

"You're an idiot," she mumbled.

Then she grabbed the front of your shirt and pulled you closer. You didn't fail to notice, as your lips moved against hers, that she moved the popcorn bowl so that it wouldn't spill. It seemed completely unimportant, though. You felt everything starting to melt away into Carol Danvers. Her lips were talented and kissing her felt like an intricate sport and suddenly you needed to breathe. When you pushed away, you realized what you'd done wrong.

Her feelings to you didn't matter. She had a girlfriend. Unless that fact changed, she and you didn't get to be more than your friend. You pushed her even further away. You knew she had the ability to, but she didn't resist. You backed off a little further so that your bodies were completely separated. Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion, but she didn't push. She even waited for you to speak first. Your eyes wouldn't meet hers.

"You have a girlfriend."

"I just said that to make you jealous," she scoffed.

You immediately got defensive. "I was not jealous."

"You were so!"

"Shut up."

She did. You suspected the only reason she had shut up was because she was kissing you again. It didn't matter. You were on cloud nine. You felt right again. You felt more right now than you ever had. Carol was exactly what you had needed for longer than you could figure out right then. She was clouding your thoughts and, honestly, you couldn't have cared less. You didn't want to think about anything besides how good her lips felt on yours right then.

You couldn't even find it in yourself to be mad at her for the little stunt she had pulled. You could only be glad that this so-called girlfriend wasn't actually real, and was just a part of her stupid plan. Without the girlfriend, you were free to kiss her as much as she would let you. Judging by how she was kissing you now, she wasn't going to stop you anytime soon. Her teeth grazed your bottom lip as she pulled away, not moving more than an inch from your lips, though.

The hand that clasped your shirt uncurled. She pressed her hand flat against the centre of your chest, pushing you onto your back. You had to chuckle as her knees pressed into the ground on either side of your waist. She kissed your nose once, scowling at the laughs that were beginning to bubble from your chest. You leaned up and kissed her lips for a brief moment, before using a hand to caress her cheek and tuck her hair behind her ear.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing. You were right," you stated. "I'm kinda glad you were right."

"You're kind of glad? Can you imagine how stupid I'd have looked if I were wrong?" Carol laughed.

"Quite," you agreed with a nod.

You pulled her down next to you, wrapping your arms around her and feeling hers do the same to you. You pressed your forehead against hers, taking the time to admire her smiling face. She giggled a little, pecking your lips quickly. She didn't linger, though, having been preoccupied in reaching over your shoulder into the bowl of popcorn once more. She shoved a few pieces into her mouth and chewed happily.

"Care-Bear, what's more important: me or snacks?"

"You are a snack."

You gaped. "How the hell did you learn that term?"

She shrugged. "I hear things."

You rolled your eyes, pushing her away from you. She let you, reaching for her water bottle to wash down some of the salty flavour that had come off the popcorn. She offered you some water, which you accepted. When you finished and handed the bottle back to her, she pulled you close to her. Your body moved until it was flush against hers. Her torso was so warm you could've fallen asleep right then and there.

"You're more important."

Being more important than snacks, in the opinion of Carol Danvers, was just about the highest compliment you could have received.

[jadelotusflower]

It’s Cold in that Fridge: The Case of Nakari Kelen

Since The Case of Mara Jade has been doing the rounds again, I’ve finally gone back to this post that has been sitting in my drafts for literally years. So let’s honour this absolute badass who deserved better:

Once upon a time, the Star Wars universe was but six films (and a tv series) in the story of the Skywalker family. But beyond George Lucas’ story was an absolute boatload of books, comics, games, and other materials that made up the Expanded Universe. When Disney purchased Lucasfilm and the rights to the Star Wars saga, everything in this universe was decanonised and deemed “Legends” - some aspects of this universe were retained or re-purposed, others sit in Disney’s figurative vault and will likely never see the light of day (and seeing how the ST turned out, maybe that’s for the best).

But this transition between Legends canon and Disney canon was not so simple, because the nature of publishing meant that there were novels approved during the time of Legends canon that would be released in the time of Disney canon. In particular, there had been the planned trilogy “Empire and Rebellion”, set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, with each novel from the perspective of one of The Big Three.  

Razor’s Edge (Leia) and Honor Among Thieves (Han) were released prior to the Great Canon Split of 2014.  But while the Luke-centric novel had been planned, it was not due to be released until well after the Split. So Heir to the Jedi (so called as an homage to the Legends progenitor Heir to the Empire) became one of the first books of the Disney canon.

What does this background have to do with Nakari Kelen?  Perhaps nothing, but I do wonder how the writing process was affected by the shift from Legends to Disney - was the novel a relic of the old EU with any reference the LFL storygroup didn’t like excised during editing, or was it a trendsetter for the new EU, a Sign of Things to Come?  

The most salient point being, of course, that Nakari Kelen - like so many love interests before her - was not allowed to go along her merry way at the conclusion of the novel, but was shoved into the fridge.

If there was one constant of the Legends EU, it was that Luke Skywalker’s love interests couldn’t catch a break. Mara Jade naturally lasted the longest relationship-wise, with almost twenty years of marriage to Luke before some bright spark decided she had to go (as per the aforementioned case study). But before Mara there was Jem, Shira Brie, and Gaeriel Captison (who came close to escaping the curse), and in the Legacy of the Force series they brought back sole survivors Akanah and Callista, only to kill them off for good too (and rather brutally, if I may add).

So perhaps when Kevin Hearne began writing HttJ within the confines of the Legends continuity, he was merely sticking to the status quo, or perhaps once subsumed by Disney they needed to make sure Luke's slate was clean (so to speak).  And I can’t put all the blame on Hearne since I don’t know whether it was his idea, or LFL mandated - but regardless it was a poor decision.

The root cause of fridging, imo, is limited imagination.  How best to cause your male protagonist pain if not kill off someone they love, or at least have strong feelings for? The answer is of course, easily. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Luke Skywalker of HttJ is fresh from his victory in ANH, a lieutenant in the Rebellion: young, not dumb, and full of...

Nakari Kalen is an absolute Queen a civilian volunteer and crack-shot sniper who loans her ship Desert Jewel to the Alliance. Luke is immediately attracted to her, they bond over a mutual love of fast ships and leaving behind desert home planets, and engage in the inexpert flirting of two nineteen year olds while also risking their lives several times over.

I want to make it clear: I actually really like this book. It's a breezy read, almost serialised as The Early Adventures of Luke Skywalker, and is ofttimes genuinely funny. And credit where it’s due to Hearne, many of of the supporting roles in the novel are female. Other than Nakari, there's Soonta, the Rodian who gives Luke her uncle’s lightsaber, Sakhet the Kupohan spy, and the Givin cryptographer/math genius Drusil Bephorin. In a genre where male characters are often the default for these kind of roles, it was nice to see, but makes the regressive fridging of Nakari even more egregious.

Luke and Nakari make a good team fighting brain-sucking monsters and Imperials, but more importantly they have fun together - she encourages him to work on his Force skills, and he successfully moves objects with his mind for the first time (leading to Nakari adorably dub him "a little noddle scooter"). It's a very sweet, if brief, relationship, and a respite from the danger of the mission. They spend the night together (leaving the reader to decide exactly what happened behind closed doors), and share a kiss before splitting up to try and escape bounty hunters. No prizes for guessing what happens to Nakari immediately after she received the Skywalker Kiss of Death.

I assume there were two motivating factors for why Hearne and/or LFL couldn't let Nakari live:

1. If she survived, fans would wonder why she doesn't appear in ESB/subsequent material.

I recall this bandied about on forums back at the time of the book's release, and to that I say - so what? Fans are always going to wonder, and try to paper over the gaps in canon, to make up their own headcanons to explain any any perceived inconsistencies. It's certainly no reason to kill someone off.

It is in fact possible for two young people to have a romance that just fizzles, or doesn’t work out for whatever reason - it should not require great maneuvering or explanation. If Nakari doesn’t show up in the next book in the timeline, what about it? The reader is smart enough to assume she and Luke broke up, decided to just remain friends, whatever. But it seems that the only way for a female character to exit stage left is for her to die, which is bullshit.

And actually, there's no reason why she couldn't have shown up again. ESB and RoTJ cover a month and a few days, respectively, of Luke's life - just because there was no mention of Nakari doesn't mean she didn't exist at that time, whether or not she and Luke were an item. She could have made an appearance in a subsequent novel, or Rebels, or the comics - she could have become a recurring character, showing up when the Rebellion needed her, or - heaven forbid - even have her own comic/book/show! Her existence in Star Wars canon didn't need to begin and end with Luke Skywalker, merely to service his plotline and backstory and abandoning the richness of her own.

No, the only reason Nakari had to die was to facilitate this:

It was a blow to the gut, realizing what that sudden absence meant. I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, but I had felt Nakari's life snuffed out through the Force, and into that void where she had shone anger rushed in - anger, and a cold sense of raw power and invincibility...I took a step to join in the hunt but stopped, breathing heavily, unaccountably sweating even though I felt so cold inside and the power of the Force roiled within me... I shook with emotion and power, and none of it felt the way the Force had before...I saw what kind of space it was , a black hole that would always be hungry no matter how much I fed it. I might never feel warm again if I didn't get myself under control.

Luke feels the dark side and is tempted by the boost of power it offers him, but immediately identifies it as dangerous and unnatural. I can understand why Hearne wanted to include this - it is a book of firsts after all: Luke's first solo mission, his first time using telekenisis, and ending with story with his first experience of the dark side makes sense. But it wasn't necessary, which leads to:

2. How to push Luke to touch the dark side without killing someone he has romantic feelings for?

Also, obviously, shite of the bull (or nerf, if you prefer). Even if this brush with the dark side was absolutely necessary for the novel's climax, there's any number of ways it could be achieved. At this point, Luke is fresh from losing important people in his life - Owen and Beru, Ben, and Biggs - lumping another death on top of that a narrative trick for Luke to react not only to losing Nakari, but the others as well. But it's cheap, the first card in the deck, and why not show a bit of imagination? Luke is young and inexperienced enough at this point that any number of things could be the catalyst - the whole book he's struggling with his growing powers, why not try and reach too far in the firefight with the bounty hunters, his anger and frustration with himself in not doing enough trigger the dark side temptation? It would work thematically and doesn't involve a fridging that ultimately has very little payoff.

Because Nakari is killed less than ten pages from the end of the book - afterwards Luke grieves, but ultimately chooses to honour her memory and be grateful for what he learned with her, recommitting to becoming a Jedi. It's all very surface level, and once again a female character's death facilitates a male character's development. Was it so imperative that Luke lost someone he cared about as part of this story? Sure, this was a time of galactic civil war, and it's far from unrealistic that these stories have a high body count, but who to make collateral damage remains an authorial choice, and in this case Nakari Kelen was (a) a female character of color, (b) a love interest of the protagonist - not just of this book, but the entire Original Trilogy.

I don't know to what extent (if any) race had to play in the decision. I'm sure there was a segment of the fandom absolutely livid that Luke Skywalker kissed (and maybe had sex with) a black woman. Was her death LFL hedging its bets, or demonstrative of the general lack of attention/respect they show their characters of colour?

In any case this was a chance to stand out from the old EU and it's fridge full of Luke's dead girlfriends, but instead they chose to introduce and kill off Nakari for the sole purpose of Luke's manpain and character development, and that's gross.

And then there's this:

A grisly yet reliable fact about custom bounty hunter ships is that you can always count on them to have body bags stashed somewhere for the easy transport of their kills. They often have built-in refrigerated storage, too.

NAKARI IS KILLED AND LITERALLY STORED IN THE FUCKING FRIDGE I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS READING.

I really hope this was unintentional on Hearne's part, because yikes. He was halfway there, this book was full of interesting female characters who had agency - Drusil in particular was a delight with her super math and inability to understand human interaction. Nakari was full of life and fun - capable but relatable, showing a different side of the Rebellion and those that suffered under the Empire's rule. Fridging her in her first appearance is considerably more vile, because it reduces her to a footnote of Luke's story, a plot device to Help Him Grow, rather than a springboard to tell more of her own story.

Because Nakari was a compelling character ripe for spinoff potential. I would absolutely have read or watched her continued adventures, juggling missions for her father's Biolabs company and trying to aid the Rebellion, shooting her slug rifle and cracking wise, maybe even finding a way to amplify her mother's song Vader's Many Prosthetic Parts to really stick it to the Empire, or try and free the political prisoners on Kessel.

The old EU was made great by allies and enemies of Our Heroes showing up again to help or hinder them, and/or branching out into their own material. We fell in love with them, and followed their stories even as they diverged from the main saga, eager to read more about their lives.

Nakari Kelen never got that chance. In many ways, she exemplified what Disney Star Wars was to become: an exercise in wasted potential.

[hellotvshowtrash]

Angel

Requested by @elijahs-wife​ : Hi Ashlee!! Could you write a fic using the prompt "I think I'm in love with you and I'm terrified"? Sending love 💗💗

A/N: TEHANI THANK YOU FOR THE REQUEST ily 💗 I’m sorry this took me a little bit!! I wanted it to be something worth posting! I’m still iffy on it. 

I don’t think I will never NOT be terrified to send something out into the void, so please like/reblog if you enjoyed!! and if you want to read any more from me, feel free to send me a request! I love all our mikaelson boys (except Finn tbh sorry) so i’m down to write for more than just Elijah!

Elijah Mikaelson x female!reader

Word count: 2,970

tw: kind of sad, mentions of being an orphan, not a whole lot!

credit to the gif creator!!

Elijah stood in the crowd, absentmindedly sipping his champagne while listening in on different conversations. Laughter bubbled throughout the compound at another Mikaelson ball. He sighed and made his way to find his brother. He heard Klaus from far off, bickering with Hope about the dress she had chosen for the night.

"Dad, it's my birthday ball. I should be able to wear what I want!" She huffed. Elijah turned the corner into one of the various hallways of the compound, coming around to see the father and daughter facing off.

He chuckled, "Children, please," he said, eyeing Hope's admittedly short dress. Her hair was curled and she sported a sky blue cocktail dress. "Although your father may have a point," Elijah stated, raising an eyebrow.

Klaus gestured to Elijah, "Thank you, brother!" He exclaimed.

"I'm 18! I'm going to wear whatever I want," Hope said, storming into the party with finality. Elijah walked closer to his brother, putting a hand on his shoulder, stifling a laugh.

"She is very strong-willed, like her father," He said, raising his champagne flute to his lips. Klaus glared at his brother and sighed. "She has a point though. She is a young woman now. Just give her this one night to do and wear what she wants." The men turned and departed the hallway, heading back into the party. Klaus grabbed a champagne flute and headed to stand on a flight of stairs. Elijah stood at the base, looking into the crowd again.

"May I have your attention!" Klaus called out into the large room, "I would like to say a few words about my daughter, Hope." Klaus smiled down at her as he began his speech. Elijah continued to scan the room. His brother's voice faded from his ears when his eyes landed on a woman amongst the crowd, standing with his sister Freya. She was beautiful, wearing a blush coloured, floor-length dress. Her Y/C/H hair flowing down her back in an elegantly curled braid. She beamed up at Klaus as he gave his heartfelt speech about Hope. Elijah felt an unfamiliar sensation in his chest, a feeling he hadn't felt in a very, very long time.

In unison, the crowd lifted their glasses and cheered, "To Hope!" The woman put her glass to her full, pink lips. The room erupted into conversation and movement, and Elijah lost sight of her. As if jogged from a trance, Elijah put his champagne on the nearest surface and began searching the crowd once more. He pushed passed strangers and friends alike to get to where he had spotted her. He broke through the other side of the crowd, looking around for her or Freya. He found the two making their way around the outskirts of the party, talking and laughing together. He took a second to compose himself, putting his left hand in his suit pants pocket. Taking a deep breath, he followed after her.

"Good evening," he said casually, coming up behind the two women. They turned and Freya greeted him with a smile and a warm hug. The stranger stood by with a polite smile on her face.

"Elijah! I was wondering when I'd see you," she pulled away and turned to the woman next to her. "Y/N, this is my brother, Elijah." Freya smiled at Y/N.

"Hello, Elijah," She greeted, extending her hand. Rather than shaking it, Elijah took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing it softly. Blush crept up Y/N's cheeks as Freya's eyebrows raised.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Elijah said, not taking his eyes off her Y/E/C ones. "May I have this dance?" He heard her heartbeat quicken as she gave a small nod, letting Elijah gently tug her to the dance floor.

"I guess I'll just hang out here! By myself!" Freya called after them, huffing to herself.

--

Y/N was a New Orleans French Quarter witch. That was how she and Freya had met and became friends. Y/N had started coming around the compound more and more frequently over the following weeks, becoming closer to the Original family. Rosie cheeks and stolen glances at Elijah filled her visits under the excuse of hanging out with Freya. She loved her friend, truly, but she couldn't get her mind off of the oldest Mikaelson brother. He, on the other hand, seemed to distance himself from her after his first introduction. She had hoped that she didn't offend him in some way. “Maybe I’m just not his type,“ She thought to herself.

"Y/N?" Freya's voice sounded in Y/N's head, jogging her from her thoughts.

"What, I'm sorry?" She looked at her friend, confused. They were sitting on a couch located in the library of the compound, pulling a late-night together. Her thoughts of Elijah had distracted her mid-conversation.

Freya rolled her eyes. "I asked if you'd like to come to the Halloween party we're throwing here this weekend. Hope wants it to be a big event, and you know Klaus would do anything to keep her happy." Freya smiled at Y/N.

Y/N nodded, thinking about the father/daughter relationship Hope and Klaus had brought a sad smile to her face. She was glad Hope would have the love of family throughout her life. Y/N was alone in New Orleans, growing up in different foster homes and halfway houses. Her real family unknown to her, she had been tossed from house to house because of the unexplainable things that happened around her. Until she met Vincent, back when he was still married to Eva Sinclair. He taught Y/N about what living in New Orleans really meant for people like her. He made her feel like she belonged.

"I'd love to come! Costume party?" Y/N asked, sipping tea from her mug.

Freya nodded, "Hope wouldn't have it any other way."

–

Elijah rolled his eyes. "I will not be wearing a costume. I believe I may just stay behind and let you all enjoy the fun," He said to Hope and Klaus. Hope was trying on her little red riding hood costume for the party that night when she turned and glared at Elijah.

"Come on, Uncle Elijah. Auntie Bex is! I even got dad some devil horns that he's going to wear, right dad?" She looked over at Klaus who grimaced and looked at Elijah pleadingly.

"Yes, darling, I'll wear them," He said, defeated. Hope smiled and looked back at Elijah. Elijah shook his head again, turning to exit the room.

"Y/N will be there," Hope exclaimed as he walked toward the door. Elijah stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes, sighing. She knew that would get him to come. He wasn’t as good at hiding his feelings as he thought he was, or maybe Hope was just perceptive. Hope smiled triumphantly to herself as she turned back to the mirror to look at her costume once more, perfecting the details.

--

Y/N entered the compound, her dress flurrying around her as she was met by a large crowd of people. The sun had set and the party was in full swing. The Mikaelson’s sure know how to throw a rager, she thought to herself. She walked farther into the crowd, her dress and cloak billowing around her. She headed toward the bar, keeping her eyes peeled for Freya.

"There you are!" Freya's voice came from behind her, muffled by the music. Y/N turned and saw her friend dressed in a bright pink dress, star wand in hand with a large crown atop her head. Y/N stifled a laugh at the sight.

"And what are you supposed to be?" Y/N said over the music.

Freya frowned, "What, you don't get it? I'm Glinda! You know, from The Wizard Of Oz?" She flourished her wand in Y/N's face and laughed.  Freya was already a few drinks in. "Who are you supposed to be?" She asked, her words slightly slurred.

Y/N looked down at her costume, and back up to Freya. "I'm Sarah Sanderson! From Hocus Pocus," Y/N twirled in her spot. She and Freya giggled as Y/N spun. Mid-spin, she spotted Elijah coming down the stairs and her breath hitched in her throat. She didn't take Elijah for the costume type, so she hadn't expected him to be here tonight.

He looked absolutely regal in his black suit and tie. Large white angels wings sprouted from his back. He looked around the room while coming down the stairs, not yet seeing Y/N. Freya followed Y/N's gaze and saw Elijah.  She drunkenly put an arm around Y/N's shoulder.

"You know, I think you have a thing for my brother," She accused. Y/N blushed, turning away from the angel.

"I'm the last person he would be interested in if I was," Y/N cast one last look his way before turning back to the bar, ordering a drink. "Let's get this party started," She said to her friend, giving her a smile. She reminded herself to not get attached. Everyone leaves eventually.

--

Y/N and Freya were joined by Rebekah, but they couldn't quite tell who she was dressed as. All they could tell was that it was tight and it was spandex. The three danced and drank in the middle of the party, not a care in the world. Elijah watched from the bar protectively. Something about this woman was so magnetic, so charming. He couldn't bring himself to admit that there was a flame ignited in his heart at the sight of her. He doesn't let people in. She's a mortal witch, her life span was the blink of an eye compared to his. No, he wouldn't let himself get attached. She would see him for the monster he was. He turned to mingle with the crowd, although he never let the three women leave his line of sight.

Y/N was having the time of her life with her friends, drunkenly dancing the night away.

“I’m going to go grab more drinks!” She slurred to the other two girls. They cheered in response as she turned and stumbled toward the bar. She caught the bartender's attention and ordered. He returned with three shot glasses and she thanked him, turning to get back to dancing. Before she could take a step, she collided with someone.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” She cried, slurring her words. She stumbled back to look at the person she collided with, finding the handsome angel she had been eyeing earlier. He pursed his lips, wiping the front of his suit with his handkerchief. “Elijah,” she gasped, “I am so sorry, let me he-”

“Do not bother, Y/N,” he said, holding his hand up. He glared in her direction, not looking in her eyes. She gulped at his response.

“Please, let me make it up to you,” She tried dipping her head to catch his eye. He turned and motioned to the bartender for more shots.

“Have a pleasant evening,” He nodded curtly at her and turned to walk away, leaving her standing there, unsure of what just happened. Anger flared in her chest as she watched the angel walk away. She grabbed one of the shots that the bartender had set out and downed it quickly. Taking the other two to her friends, she let the music take her away, continuing to party.

-

The night continued on and the party began to thin out, while the three girls in the center of the dance floor kept going, laughing and dancing. Elijah had kept his eyes on them, amazed at how the two witches could keep up with the vampire. Elijah looked around at the few stragglers left, sitting around drunkenly talking to one another. He made his way across the compound, heading towards the stairs to head up to his room for the night. The music was quieter now,  not as upbeat. Y/N saw him moving across the dance floor and stumbled as fast as she could to get in front of him.

“Elijah,” She slurred,  “Please let me apologize for earlier. Dance with me!” She scooped him away before he could object, wrapping her arms around his neck, not letting him leave.

“Y/N I-” He started, but she shushed him, swaying to the music.

“Elijah I know you don’t like me that much, and I don’t know why but I just want to let you know that I’m sorry for spilling those drinks on you and I’m sorry for making you hate me for whatever reason,” she drunkenly let her head fall on his chest while she spoke, her eyes fluttering shut.

Elijah’s eyes widened at her speech, his hands falling to rest on her back. She hummed at his touch and smiled, eyes still closed. “Y/N… I apologize for making you feel that way, that was not my intention.” He looked down at her, “I just wanted to keep you safe,” He whispered.

Suddenly Y/N slumped into him, dropping like dead weight. Elijah reacted quickly and scooped her up, seeing she had passed out. He looked toward Freya and Rebecca who had already fallen asleep on the couch, snuggling into each other. His heart warmed at the sight of his sisters together. He refocused on the beautiful woman in his arms and began to climb the stairs, heading toward his room. He gently opened the door and crossed the room, laying her in the bed and covering her up. She adjusted into the comfort of the bed, grabbing Elijah’s hand as he slid his arms out from underneath her.

“Stay with me?” she mumbled. His heart softened and he silently agreed, stripping out of his wings and suit jacket. He crossed to the other side of the bed and slid into it, careful not to touch her. She turned to him and opened her eyes slightly. “Will you hold me?” she asked quietly. Tears brimmed her eyes.

He nodded and opened his arms to her, confused and worried. “What’s wrong, darling?” He whispered.

She moved into his open arms and placed her head on his chest, wrapping one arm around the front of him tightly. He felt his shirt dampen where her head lay. He held her close, rubbing one hand up and down her back, waiting for a response. He felt her start to tremble next to him.

“I think I’m in love with you, and I’m terrified,” she whispered into him. She let out a small cry, scared of his reaction. “I’m terrified you’ll hate me for telling you. I’m terrified you’ll leave if we do end up together. I’m terrified of everything falling apart. I’m terrified of people leaving.”

Elijah’s heart cracked at her words.

“Y/N.. I think I’m terrified to admit the feelings I have for you. I wish nothing more than for your safety and happiness,” He kissed her hair and he felt her relax in his arms. She had fallen asleep on him, inebriated and vulnerable. Elijah held her for the rest of the night, stroking her hair and cherishing the moment.

-

When morning came, Y/N thought her head would explode. She groaned and rolled over, putting her hands over her face. The bed was empty beside her. How did she get in the bed? Her memory was fuzzy, but she remembered large white wings and strong arms carrying her. She sat up in bed, suddenly panicked, realizing who’s room she was in. What else had happened? She concentrated, squeezing her eyes shut.  “I wish nothing more than for your safety and happiness,“ She remembered hearing his deep voice whisper to her before she fell asleep. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. Had she dreamt of this confession? Did her drunken subconscious trick her into hearing his voice?

Someone cleared their throat in the doorway, startling her. She looked up to see Elijah holding a tray with water, aspirin, eggs, and toast. She blushed intensely, trying to brush her hair down and make herself look decent. He smiled at her warmly. “Good morning. I apologize for startling you,” He said. He crossed the room to her, putting the tray on the nightstand and sitting on the bed next to her.

He stared into her eyes, warmth flooding his chest. “It wasn’t a dream,” he said quietly, confirming her silent hope. He heard her heart flutter at his words.

Tears brimmed her eyes again. She bit her lip and looked down at her hands. “What does this mean for us?” She whispered.

He reached out and moved her chin to look at him. “It means I love you.” He smiled at her. Tears spilled onto her cheeks as she smiled and leaned forward, closing the space between them. She kissed him with no regard for the world around them. Her hands moved to his neck, tangling in his chestnut hair. He pulled her close, deepening the kiss and laying her on the bed. The eggs and toast got cold before Y/N got to them.

-

“I’ve been wanting this since you asked me to dance that night.” Y/N said, playing with Elijah’s hand as they laid side by side. “I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.” She smiled.

He adjusted to put his arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her head. “You will never have to be terrified again. I am here and I’m not leaving you. You have my word.” He moved her chin with his free hand to gaze into her Y/E/C eyes. He kissed her again, hoping to convey his pent up love and lust in one kiss. He knew he’d never be able to make her understand the depths of his affection for her. Just as he knew he may never know the extent of hers for him.

She pulled away slightly and whispered, “I love you and I’m not terrified anymore.”

[petitemingi]

─ ੈ༊ your customer is: yunho

vanilla bean latte

The smell of the double chocolate chip cookies you'd just pulled out of the oven wafted through the kitchen of Sunrise Cafe.

The customers in the seated areas, spoke softly to one another: some laughing, most sipping away at their evening macchiatos and lattes

All seemed peaceful...

until seonghwa came storming into the kitchen

"___" his voice sounded stern and looking at him, he seemed annoyed, and almost offended

"what is it, hwa? frappe machine broken again?"

"no. remember that construction up the road?"

ah, now would be a great time to explain this.

over the past few weeks, construction had started but a few buildings away

there had been plenty of rumours speculating what it could be; a restaurant, a charity shop, maybe a take away joint

but judging from Seonghwa's expression, it wasn't any of those

"it's another god damn cafe! I can't believe someone would authorise that! is our sign not big enough??"

"oh my god, we could lose customers! When's it opening??"

you'd throw off your apron, leaving it in a heap on the floor of the kitchen, rushing towards the entrance door

and there it was, just down the road, a newly build building, no smaller than Sunrise Cafe, stood gleaming in the summer sunset.

"you've got to be kidding me"

soon caught up by Seonghwa, the two of you stand glaring at the building - it was much more modern than your cafe

the windows seemed larger, there was even a second floor!

"we're gonna be bankrupt by Christmas"

"nah, not Christma, hwa..."

the two of you look at each other

"Halloween"

a sign was hung pristine over the front of the cafe, it read "Crescent Cafe" in a swirly font with colourful lights outlining the words

Seonghwa slouched his shoulders - the thought of it even taking his customers drained the energy from him

"well," you begin "who says this cafe won't be absolute crap? maybe they'll drive away more customers than they gain?"

"y'know if we lose customers, the cost for our cafe comes outta your wages?"

"we need to investigate... when did you say it opens?"

"monday"

"oh"

the both of you trail back to Sunrise, your shoulders slouched, head bowed and spirits low

being the only cafe in the area had made really good business; you'd had so many fun and unique customers, and everyone loved the atmosphere your cafe had

during the day, the cafe was at it busiest, so income was at it's highest, and produce was sold out quickest

having a rival cafe would take a lot of that away

pastries would go to waste, not to mention all the coffee that'd be left over

after Seonghwa had told the rest of the staff about the new cafe, everyone seemed to look a li'l depressed

you all worked hard to build up such a nice li'l cafe, and a great team - what if the new cafe tried to hire them??

what if the customers gave up on Sunrise Cafe?

what if everyone's thoughts on Sunrise were changed? buisness could plummet!

that's when the little bell over the door jingled quietly

the muttering exchanged between staff came to a stop as you walked towards the till

"hi there, welcome to sunrise cafe, what can I get you?"

looking up at the customer came as a shock to you, he was so tall!

his hair was a golden brown, covering the top of his eyes slightly

he wore a trench coat of a lighter colour with the colar popped slightly to keep himself warm, and his eyes seemed to match

"um... actually... I'm from the cafe over there, uh, Crescent Cafe... i-"

"then do us all a favour and get out-" Seonghwa hung his apron on his peg, folding his arms and walking into the staff room behind the counter

he still wasn't too happy about that cafe - it'd shaken him quite a bit

"s-sorry about him, he's just a little, how should I put this? upset? about y'know"

"me opening a cafe right next to yours? ah jeez, I'm sorry"

the Crescent Cafe owener folded his arms, an apologetic smile creeping onto his face

"if it's okay though, do you have any sugar I might be able to borrow for Monday? I don't know where to get a bag"

"oh, sure, I guess just don't tell Seonghwa - he'll throw a fit"

"I'm guessing that's the guy who just left?"

the owner laughed, shaking his head "but while I'm here, would it be okay if I got a vanilla bean latte? I... haven't actually tried one before"

"oh? well lemme tell you you're missing out" you'd reach behind you, grabbing a large mug, walking over to the latte machine.

it wouldn't take too long to make, just a few minutes

but in that time, the customer would've already sat down at a table, admiring the decorations of the cafe around him, probably mentally noting things down to use in his own cafe

placing the mug in front of him, the customer invited you to sit with him

"I actually have a few questions, y'know, about running a cafe of my own... i just figured that Seonghwa guy wouldn't wanna talk to me about it"

"sure, that's okay, I can answer a few questions for you... so long as they aren't about hiring me or the rest of my team"

he laughed, picking up the mug and taking a sip, a warm hum sounding out as he did so

"my name's Yunho, by the way" he seemed quite shy introducing himself, looking to his left towards the counter and taking another sip of his latte

you'd nod, smiling to yourself at his timidness

"well, if we're doing that, my name's _____"

yunho looked surprised when you announced your name, probably because he hadn't expected you to reply - after all, everyone else behind the counter seemed pretty sour towards him.

the two of you spoke for a few minutes about the misunderstanding of yunho's new cafe being right next to yours, different coffee recipes and menus

before long, 10pm came, and the atmosphere from earlier died down.

Yunho had made a list on his phone, compiled of useful tips and some pretty cool coffee recipies- all things he couldn't wait to try himself.

but with the time, Yunho found himself needing to leave.

"hey, ____" he'd start "w-would it be a problem if I asked you to help me out on Monday? j-just for an hour or two in the morning!"

you'd look behind you at Seonghwa, who had (and for quite a while now) been glaring at Yunho over the till.

facing Yunho again though, came the real challenge

"are you gonna pay me?"

"y-yeah, I can pay you"

he shrugged his shoulders slightly

"it's just that I haven't been able to hire anyone yet..."

you frowned at him, a scowl forming from the unsure smile you'd shown but seconds before

"you haven't hired staff yet? and you're opening doors in two days?"

"o-oh yeah I wasn't really-"

"what kind of crap is that?"

"____" Seonghwa's voice called from behind you, almost cold eyes meeting your own. he seemed to have emerged from the staff room "come here"

with that scowl now morphing into a frown, you'd make your way over to him, arms crossed and head looking at the floor in disgust

"hwa, he doesn't-"

"help him"

"w-what?"

"help him" Seonghwa shrugged his shoulders, a slight smile creeping onto his face

you'd turn back to Yunho, watching him sip his coffee as he tried to avoid any direct eye contact.

"f i n e" you'd say "but I'm getting paid extra next week"

"or you could get on with it and you can leave an hour early on Tuesday?"

Monday came, and your shift began at 10am, by which time a small line of curious people had formed.

walking inside you were greeted by Yunho, taken a back by the modern decoration of the cafe

the walls were brick, no wallpaper or paint hiding them away

and there was a huge mirror hung on the wall besides the counter

the aprons here were blue, not a warm maroon like the one you wore over at Sunrise, but the menu boards were pretty much the same

an array of drinks were displayed there; iced lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolates, mochas

but the one that stood out was written in bright blue chalk

'today's special: Sunrise Vanilla Bean Latte'

that made you smile a little

"so, what do you want me to do?"

Yunho put his hand to his chin in thought, tapping lightly before mumbling something

"huh?"

"oh uh I... just do what you do over at Sunrise--"

for the rest of your 4 hour shift at Crescent Cafe that day, you helped plenty!

iced lattes and cappuccinos were the first to sell out, and the sitting areas were filled within 15 minutes

Crescent Cafe had become quite popular, as it would seem

Yunho could see the look of sadness creep onto your face

Sunrise had never been like this

you'd never sold out, or been filled up as dramatically as this

Seonghwa was right, sunrise would most likely go bankrupt by Christmas.

who'd want to go to your cafe when one like this existed

"hey, ____" Yunho called out to you from the other side of the counter "come here"

but seeing you refuse and continuing to serve customers at the till, he walked over himself, standing beside you

"___, I think I should talk to your Seonghwa about something"

"about what?"

"just... something"

so Yunho took off his apron, folded it neatly and placed it on a shelf under the counter and walked down the street to Sunrise Cafe

going inside, everything seemed unusually empty

whereas before, it would've been bustling with customers

Yunho was met with that familiarly cold stare, greeted with an equally icy tone

"you're back" Seonghwa stood at the counter, arms folded across his chest, eyebrows formed to scowl

"y-yeah, listen" Yunho began, his courage now a memory "i wanted to talk to you about the cafe"

"the cafe?" Seonghwa repeated "what about my cafe?"

"not your cafe, my cafe" Yunho mumbled just loud enough for Seonghwa to hear

"go on then"

the two of them sat at an empty table by the counter, with Yunho crossing his legs nervously

"so?"

"i want to make an agreement" Yunho said "I want to make an agreement about opening times"

"why?"

"so that you get your customers and I get mine" Yunho continued "what do you say to me opening over the weekend aaaaand Mondays?"

a patial silence flooded the room, only the occasional clink of mugs from behind the counter could be heard

Seonghwa looked to his right in thought, would this really be any help to either of their cafes? what'd happen in say a few years time, when neither of their cafes drew in customers? would it still be okay then?

a sigh escaped his lips

"Yunho," he'd begin "if it werent for your cafe, I'd have let you work here with us, ___ could use the help but..."

he folded his arms again, head shaking slightly

"but you seem to be kinda happy with your own cafe. you shouldn't let something like another cafe down the road get in the way of your own achievements. you don't have to make an agreement, just do what you want"

a small smile lifted the corners of Seonghwa's lips as he stood up, placing a hand on yunho's shoulder

"i'll let you decide, Yunho"

closing time over at Crescent Cafe couldn't have come sooner - your arms hurt, your feet felt numb and you had pins and needles in your left leg

yunho leaned against the wall just behind the counter, quietly observing you as you waved goodbye to the last few customers to leave before letting out a light chuckle at your pained state

"tired, ___?"

"i swear to god i'd better be getting double what i get at Sunrise, that was brutal! you seriously need more staff"

yunho smiled softly. you took off your apron and hung it on a peg on the wall by yunho, before letting out a large sigh and pushing your hair back out of your face

"i spoke to seonghwa"

your ears pricked up at the mention of seonghwa - you hadn't really seen him since saturday

"yeah?"

"and i've come to the decision that i'll open monday, thursday and on weekends - i think it's only fair considering how your cafe was here before mine and it's apparently the best cafe in the area sooo"

yunho's hand hovered over the back of his neck, a nervous laugh escaping his lips at what he had to say

you were more than happy to hear that - no shade on Crescent Cafe of course - but the feeling of guilt still lingered

"well..." you began "i guess i'll head back to start what's left if my shift over there... lemme know if you need anything"

and within minutes you'd grabbed your coat and had headed inside Sunrise cafe to continue your shift, noticeably happier there.

"___! just dropping in cuz i ran outta sugar again... have any i could borrow?"

"god, order your own sugar! this is the third time this month - it's under the counter"

business at both cafes continued to blossom

Crescent Cafe's hours suited the staff, and it worked flexibly around the booming popularity of Sunrise Cafe - closing at 10pm every night it was open.

"thanks, ___! see you later ~"

seonghwa and yunho seemed to be getting on better too

maybe it was just another one of those peculiar experiences passing by at Sunrise Cafe ~

[ortegatrash]

Second Chances

Name: Mikael Hansson | Puppet: Eden | Villain name: Thorne Cautious / anonymous / tech-savvy / tactician / anarchist Outsider scar, truth Warnings: Temporary (then corrected) misgendering/use of deadnames, self-blame

So I headcanon my sidestep Mikael as having been kidnapped from his loving family while on holiday in America as a child. Have a family reunion.

Fandom: Fallen Hero Rebirth

There is a little red house down at the end of the lane.

There is a little red house down at the end of the lane in a quiet little country town in Sweden, on the edge of a great lake.

There is a little red house with faded white timber framing and a roof that leaks when there's a particularly bad storm to the point that the iron bucket placed underneath the hole has rusted into place permanently.

The air is disconcertingly fresh, And you suppose the pastries are particularly tempting.

Maybe that's why you force yourself up the steps, feeling like you've lost control of yourself. Lost control of your own body. Your own life.

Maybe that's why you press the doorbell, knowing that its chimes are just ever so slightly out of tune and shivering despite yourself at the sense of déjà vu.

For the pastries, of course. Seems like they're having a coffee break inside, of course there's always time for fika. Time which you've just interrupted from the way the chatter inside stops at the sound of the doorbell.

"Were you expecting a visitor-?"

"I think it might be the package I ordered, I'll be right back."

Your throat goes dry.

The middle-aged woman who comes to the door looks tired. Tired, but kind, the crows feet at the edges of her eyes softening into polite confusion as she takes you in. "Oh, hello, may I help you?" Is this young man lost?

"I…" You lose all the words you had planned, dying unconceived in your throat. Because you, you weren't sure you could trust your memory, could scarcely hope to believe these strange dreamlike visions could have been anything real.

That they were real. That you, too, were once like them, human and real and happy-

"-Are you quite alright? Do you need help?" She looks slightly alarmed at the way the tears are streaming down your face and you can't help but to break into disbelieving laughter.

You swallow it down as best you can, try to compose yourself. Your voice is rusty and unsure, it's been so long since you've spoken anything other than English - but somehow the words come to you like in a dream. Like they were something you'd always known, you'd just forgotten that you knew. "Kristina, you are Kristina Hansson, yes?"

"That is me. What exactly is this about?"

She doesn't…

She doesn't even recognise you. You'd somewhat expected this, it feels like a completely different lifetime ago that you once knew her and she would not be expecting to see a man's face in the place of a little girl's.

"Did you...did you happen to have a daughter named Mia, once?"

The woman's face shutters as she draws inward. "Yes," she says, simply. "Once. But it's been more than a decade since they took my little girl. If you have nothing new to bring me on her case, I would rather not speak of it."

You wince, you hadn't meant to bring up old wounds like this. How strange to be the one putting her in this position. That just leaves you with the issue...how do you even bring up something like this delicately?

You take a deep breath in. "When I couldn't sleep, I used to beg you to stay by my side and sing me lullabies. I was so afraid of storms as a child, but you would tell me not to be afraid because it was just Thor striking his hammer."

Her brow creases, eyes wide with the implications and yet not daring to believe. "What...please, if you are planning on using my daughter's memory to con money out of me, you should know better-!"

You don't let her finish. "-And that got me into reading those marvel comics about Thor. I was fascinated, I remember. I told you I wanted to be a superhero too, raining down lightning from the sky."

You'd eventually settled on letting Ortega do the frying people and you suppose you were a hero for a few years too - so in a way, you really had managed to achieve your childhood dream.

She's trembling. "M-Mia? But- How?" She can't help but let the tentative hope and disbelief bleed through, wanting so badly to believe and being tired of being disappointed one too many times.

The shaky smile that makes its way onto your face threatens to ruin you. "I go by Mikael nowadays," you note, your attempt at a deadpan tone ruined by the lingering vulnerability that comes from being afraid. Afraid of hoping. Afraid of rejection.

The arms that fling themselves around you are an answer in themselves. "Mikael," she whispers, like she's trying it out to see how it feels on her tongue. "Mikael, Mikael, Mikael!"

It.

It's all just too much at once and you finally allow yourself to break down for the first time in a long, long time in your mother's arms.

"Mamma," you whisper. "I'm finally home."

---

Pappa sits at the coffee table, hoarding all the biscuits. "Oh! Ah. Do we have a visitor?" he mumbles with his mouth full, looking equally embarrassed and guilty before holding out the packet. "Per Hansson, I don't believe we've met. Would you like a biscuit, Mr…?" He trails off, not quite able to look you in the eye.

You take a biscuit with a fond smile. "Hansson. Mikael Hansson, and I believe you would be mistaken. We do, in fact, know each other."

He blinks before going bright red. "Oh? Ah, my memory must be going, I'm terribly sorry…"

Your dear old man. You plonk yourself down on the seat beside him and steal his tea as he's reaching for it with a wry, cheeky grin (you'd always been able to count on him backing you up on your shared hatred of coffee.) "You would have known me better as 'Mia', back then."

The shock of your rudeness at have stolen his tea from out under his nose is still taking a moment for him to process, his mouth open in a perfect circle as he blubbers at you. Begins to say something and then snaps his mouth shut again.

"I-" he begins. "What? ...How? ...What even?"

You smother the tiniest of giggles in his your teacup, regretting your decision as you cough and choke on how hot it is.

To his credit, he just shakes his head at you, eyes glassy with emotions as he reaches in to embrace you. "Oh, my little gir-, er. Little one. All grown up. Alive and well." He leans back to look at you. "Well. Alive, at least. I wouldn't want to presume about what happened to you...but I never thought…"

He's starting to lose grip of his emotions with the way he's just clutching at your clothes, as if he doesn't even think you could be real. It's...surreal.

There are so many things you want to say, so many things you want to ask that they all tumble over themselves on their way to climb out of your mouth. That's why you say nothing but: "Wait, how do you know it's really me without confirming it? I could be a paid actor, sent to con two grieving parents out of their money. Mamma thought so."

Why do you sabotage yourself like this?

But Pappa is laughing and ruffling your hair like he used to and telling you: "Silly child, as if I couldn't see the bird's nest of hair I gave you once I knew to look! As if I couldn't see the colour of your mother's eyes when I look into yours or the way you both make the strangest faces like a bewildered cat when you're confused, like you're doing now!"

What- You do *not* look like a bewildered cat!

"Oh, but you were always too much like me. With the terrible taste in facial hair…"

"There's nothing wrong with my moustache!" You're sure even the tips of your ears are bright red by now. You'd...you'd forgotten just how *embarrassing* he could be.

(It's not a bad thing.)

---

She bursts into the house with tears in her eyes and clenched fists (and years worth of things she never got to say). "Is it real? Oh my god, is my baby sister finally home after all these years?"

You stare at her, mouth full of biscuits. Then: "Baby brother now, you know. I didn't go and spend all my hard earnt money on black market hormones just to grow a moustache for fun…" It's hard work maintaining your (beautiful, dammit) moustache, no matter what they say. A moustache probably full of crumbs at the moment.

Margareta blinks at you, and oh, she still looks like a confused little deer when she does that even if those soft baby cheeks they teased her about have finally sharpened into cheekbones strong enough to cut yourself against. And then she's pulling you in for a back-breaking hug (and god isn't it so strange to find yourself taller than your big sister now?) and getting snot all over your jacket as she sobs.

It's fine, a dry-cleaning bill is nothing compared to seeing your sister again.

She has to reach up to cup your face between her hands, which gets an instant huff from you. You hadn't….you had completely forgotten she used to do that and squeeze your cheeks and tease you about how adorable you were…

But the look on her face is sorrowful. Maybe it's something in the lines of your face, the permanent shadows under your eyes  but she looks like she's the barest slip away from breaking down in front of you.

"Margit," you begin. "What's the matter?"

She covers her face. "I'm so sorry, you should hate me."

"Hate you?" That takes you aback. "Whatever for? Are you not happy to see me?"

"Of course I am!" Her reply is so strong and full of conviction at your words you can't do anything but blink. Blink at the way she uncovers her face in the moment and you see just how distraughtly she looks at you.

"Then...what?"

Her eyes train themselves furiously on the floor. "...I failed you. Oh, god, I'm so sorry, I failed you so badly, I didn't mean to take my eyes off you in that moment…" She's beginning to hyperventilate.

Pappa is by her side looking concerned and mamma's footsteps are hurrying your way at the commotion.

"Hey, steady now. Don't tell me you blame yourself for what happened?" You were just a kid, a kid more interested in lingering near the toy store than listening to his annoying older sister prattle on with her friends. You were tired and grumpy and too annoyed to listen when she told you to keep up.

You didn't mean to linger behind…

"It was!" Margareta says it with such miserable sincerity that you understand in this very moment that she's indeed been blaming herself for your kidnapping all these years. "I was responsible for you and everything that happened to you and I...I really fucked up. I thought I got you murdered, you have to understand. I thought I had sent you to a painful, horrific death and the last thing I had said to you was how much I hated you for being so annoying."

You take a deep breath. "I won't lie. My life has...not exactly been easy, since. But…" She's looking at you with the most wretched resignation in her eyes, accepting of whatever verdict you pass upon her. "But it's not your fault. You were just a kid then, too. None of us could have known what would happen…"

"He's right," Pappa murmurs. "I don't think anyone could have prepared for the heartbreak that would occur."

You just about manage to hide your wince at his phrasing.

"Things might not ever be the same," -Mamma's voice floats over to the three of you huddled in an impromptu family hug- "But we have a second chance we never thought we'd get. I'm not going to waste the chance to try and build something new together."

A second chance.

Maybe…

Maybe you really have been lingering too much in the past.

Maybe you really should give second chances a go.

"What are you smiling about, Mikke?"

You wipe the tears from your face with a wry expression. "...There's someone I'd like you to meet." ---

You can't see Ricardo's face over the phone but you can certainly imagine his expression.

"Wait, did I hear that right? You want to bring me to meet your family?"

"Yes?"

"It's been a long time coming." He sounds so immeasurably smug. "But since when did you...I didn't even know you had a family anymore?"

You blink. "Did you think I popped out of a tank fully formed?"

"...Maybe?" Okay, that's fair. That's what they told you as well and you're not really certain if it's completely a lie, either. It's possible the other Re-Genes were grown in artificial wombs like they said.

"Well, they're alive and well. And they want to meet whoever's 'got me blushing so hard,' in their words." You are NOT blushing at the memory. Absolutely not.

"You know of course I'd be honoured to. To be honest, I just figured you didn't have a good relationship with them when you told me you didn't have a family all those years ago…"

You smile despite your sigh. "Yeah...I do have a bad habit of saying things that aren't technically lies but might be a bit misleading, don't I?"

"Mikael…" His voice is reproaching. Reproaching, but fond. "We have time to work on that. Unraveling all the secrets between us. This is our second chance, remember?"

You're certain he can hear the smile in your voice.

"Yes. I'd like that." Like to finally be yourself and surrounded by the people you love. "...Our own second chance."

[lacriemony]

Try to tame a dragon, would you?

Pt.3

The next day, they had worked on it a little more, this time sharing words. They had also agreed to eat lunch together, just to make use of the time and to work on the case a little more.

And so, it is why the two were sited face to face in an indian snack/restaurant in muggle London. Draco stared at the crowd in silence while Harry observed him.

The prat had changed. His snarky, disdainful attitude had almost completely disappeared, making him somewhat of a decent human being. Harry was surprised; he didn't actually hate being around the ferret that much anymore. It was even fun, sometimes, when they both trashed whoever had written the papers required for the case. Most of the time was spent in silence, or sharing thoughts and ideas on the works they were doing. Harry didn't mind.

His eyes fell to Draco's fingers. They were distractedly touching his forearm, caressing the skin over the jacket he was wearing. Harry guessed what was hidden, scarring Draco's skin forever.

With a sigh, he decided to spark up a conversation. "How's your mother?" he asked. She had saved him from certain death and for that, he couldn't hate her. She had been released and was now there and abouts with her life, happily, Harry hoped.

Draco's eyes jerked back at Harry and a spark of surprise hinted them. "She's...she's fine. Why do you care?"

"She saved me, remember? Plus, sitting in silence is boring. What have you been up to until we met again?" he continued, unaware of Draco's uneasyness. He watched Draco's shoulders lift and fall back down in a shrug.

"Not much. Went to live in Paris for a while, studied a little. Then back to London, then to Romania and else. Studied dragons mostly, with Charlie Weasley. The only red head I'll ever tolerate." he finished with a small smile. Harry seemed a little surprised to see his old nemesis smile so gently. His own lips curled upwards and he nodded, encouraging Draco to continue. The young man took the invitation with joy. "I learned a lot through him. I found a growing passion for dragons. They're so great, don't you think?" he asked, his eyes tinkering with interest.

Images of the Triwizard Tournament flashed before Harry's eyes. "I mean...I was nearly killed by one at 16..." he started, shrugging. "But yeah, they're pretty cool."

Draco's reaction was surprising. A wide smile appeared on his face for a blink moment, before his cheeks took a gentle crimson colour and he dropped his eyes back to his menu. It made Harry chuckle and melt, just a little though.

.

Harry sat, in his apartment, against the sofa. His eyes wandered over the burning logs of wood in the chimney.

He was hungry but his body refused to cooperate. A glass of wine in his hand, he balanced it between fingers, unaware of the world around him. Him and Malfoy had been working together for weeks now. They had sparked somewhat of a friendship, just enough to spend decent time together.

The Golden boy enjoyed watching Draco light up at the sight of dragons, or animals, in general. He seemed to carefree and soft that Harry found himself wanting to wrap his arms around the blonde. Even more so when they walked past pet stores. Draco would stick his face up to the puppies, nose against the glass and his voice would go up a couple of picthes. And then, when he would realise where he was -and who he was with- he'd blush and stand straight and proud. It made Harry shake with laughter, everytime.

Tilting his head towards the ceiling, he sighed. Feeling his body slowly fall into slumber, he welcomed it gratefully and closed his eyes, just slightly. The world became a blur and he relaxed.

A rumble made him flinch, then a burst of smoke and the loud thud of a body falling. He stood, wand in hand and looked through the smoke and ashes.

A figure was on the ground, coughing. Harry pointed his wand at it, ready to attack when a voice, gentle but raspy, flew to his ears. "Potter?", it asked. Harry flinched once more and rushed towards the nearly motionless body. It was Malfoy.

"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" Harry brought his hand up to Draco. He shivered at the touch of the other man's warm skin.

"My apartment...trashed...had to get out...before hurt.." managed to whisper Draco before he fell inconscious. With a worried glance, Harry shook his partner's shoulders in an attempt to wake him up, but it didn't work. So, he brought his arm under Draco's back, the other at the curve if his knees and he effortlessly lifted the limp body to his room.

Harry took off Malfoy's shoes after proping him over the blankets of his bed. The moon was shining brightly, its rays gently reflecting on Draco's dewy skin. It seemed to glow. Harry wondered if he wasn't part veela, for he was gorgeous. Biting his lip, he allowed his fingers to brush a silver lock out of Malfoy's face. Surprised of his movement, he retrieved his hand and laid down next to the other man, at a healthy distance. He'd get more information later on.

.

His eyes fluttered open as the sun gently lapped his skin. Green eyes looked around, confusedly. It was now bright, the room was bathed in a golden halo of warmth.

With a groan, Harry turned to his side and fell face to face with a sleeping Draco. He hadn't been able to quite see him in the dark, but now, he could see the small scratch above his brow. His lips were curled upwards and his whole body rested, peacefully, with an air of contentment. He was truly gorgeous and Harry felt his heart palpitate.

"Observing me, Potter?" asked Draco's sleepy voice. His eyes hooded, he looked down at Harry with a smirk.

Harry felt his cheeks ignite and he shrugged. "Nah. I'm gonna make coffee." he said, in an attempt to leave the room -and to hide his growing erection-. Draco nodded and allowed his eyelids to fall back, relaxing once more.

A little later, he was presented with a cup of warm coffee. Siting up, he held it in his palms, the gentle smell flowing to his nose. Harry sat next to him, a little awkwardly.

"So hum, what was yesterday about?" asked Harry. He felt Draco's body tense and watched his eyes take a darker shade. Harry frowned, little worried. The only couple of words he had managed to get out of his partner weren't so useful, so he asked again.

Draco took a deep and long sip of coffee. His adams apple moved along with the movement as he swallowed and Harry found himself wondering what it would look like if the other man was swallowing something else than coffee. The stiffness in his pants told him that it would certainly be hot, very very hot. Dismissing these thoughts, he looked down at the bed sheets. "When I got home yesterday, my wards were off. The living room was absolutely trashed and I could heart laughter coming from one of the guest bedrooms. I freaked out and just had the time to protect my pets in a closed off room before they found me. I couldn't really see them, and suddenly, memories came back vividly and I couldn't do anything about it. I froze. It was horrible. I got in the chimney, threw the powder in and I must have thought of you then, I found myself coughing my lungs out in your apartment."

Harry's frown deepened. This kind of stuff happened a lot in the Ministry. He had to let the other Aurors know and they had to perform some tests and charms to ensure of the safety in the apartment further and to find out who had been able to enter such a protected place. Nodding thoughtfully, he let a smile appear on his face. "It's okay. You can stay here for as long as you want. It's big enough. I'll sleep on the couch." he said, without really realising so. Then, with a smile, he walked to the kitchen, leaving a blushing Draco alone in his room.

After a couple of minutes, Draco walked out, hands firmly gripping the warm mug. He found the kitchen without much bother and leaned against the door frame. The radio was on, flying about in the room. A muggle hit was playing and Dracp snickered. It reminded him of Paris, somehow. Harry hadn't seen him yet and he was wiggling his hips, swaying them to the rythm, a spatula in hand. Draco observed with an amused glare and sipped his coffee. The bacon was sizzling in the pan and the eggs were cooked, in a plate. Draco figured he'd help so he placed the mug on the table and walked to Harry. "Where are the plates?" he asked.

Harry stopped his dancing and blushed. Recoverring from the slight surprise, he pointed to a cupboard and then a drawer. Draco got two plates, two knives, two forks. Two of everything. He then placed them face to face on the small table and leaned against this one. "You've got some dancing skills scarhead." he teased, a smirk curling his lips.

Harry shook his head and pouted. "Oh shut up."

[niamhdonlan]

Development of Dead Wax page

I knew that throughout the zine so far I had shown photos that i had taken at gigs however I hadn't actually dedicated a page to it, to show off some more photos that I had. Therefore i decided to make a whole page centred around gig photography. Recently i had been to a gig at Deadwax a local bar in Digbeth that have a stage, and i took some really cool photos there.

Here was the first step I took to create the page on photoshop. I added the same photo onto the left and right side, however on the right side I decided to use the gradient map tool, and choose on of the pink colours, to then add noise to it which gave it this really warm effect, and added real definition to the person on stage, and warmth to the audience as well. On the other side I added a blueish/purple, which I added no noise to as I thought it would too bright, I then added the same photo on top, but with a back and white filter over it. I felt like this added a really cool doubled effect, where the background photo acted as a border for the photo on top.

On the right side I had found photos on one of my friends art accounts, called Cr0ssPxtxh where she posted a group of photos called 'Night Owl', documenting a Ska night, I thought it would be quite fun to include photos from other artists and tie in the skinhead elects that I had spoke about in my Punk art and clothing post, as a lot of the time Skinheads and Punks have been very closely related.

Next I took the page to procreate;

On procreate I kind of found myself a little lost with where I wanted to take the page next, as I didn't want to overload the page with to much and take away from the photos, and I felt like it was already very bright and didn't need too much. Therefore I decided to use a black pen to go over the 'Deadwax' sign in the background as I thought it would look nice that it was bold and contrasting to the background. I then used the same black pencil tool to go around the bottom three photos to make it look more sketchy, and make the edges less sharp. Next I was looking back at my other pages to figure out what I could do to enhance this page even more and saw that for the Slutmade double page spread I had done the stitching effect around the girls, and really wanted to incorporate that into this page, as u thought it added dimension and i got good feedback when my tutors and peers had seen it. Therefore I went around the other photos with white lines in the corners, to not copy the Slutmade page but to try and give there same vibe.

Even though after all of this I still felt like the page was missing something, and that it looked quite boring so far. I became slightly stuck at this point because I knew that I didn't want to add more photographs, because then it may look too clogged. I then though I cloud add some text, but for this I wanted to make sure I found the perfect text for it and not just something that had no meaning to make the page look better. Looking at my photos I realised that the artist form the gig was female, and in the other photos it was mainly women based so started to research into pieces of text about women in music. While doing my research if found on online PDF of book The Lost Women of Rock Music by Helen Reddinton, where in the review of the book itself it writes 'This sudden influx of female musicians into the male domain of rock music was brought about by the enabling ethic of punk rock (“anybody can do it!”) and by the impact of the Sex Discrimination Act. With the demise of the punk scene, interest in these musicians evaporated and other priorities became important to music audiences. This book investigates the social and commercial reasons why these women became lost from the rock music record, and rewrites this period of popular music history.' Here I found a quote that I felt really closely related to my Slutmade interviews where I asked them is they felt like there was much female representation in punk music, and thought it would be cool to tie the two pages together through that. This is the quote I ended up using ‘If boys were rebellious, it was ok, they’re boys. They can be rebellious. But if it was women, that was like a totally different situation. It was a different planet. It was so taboo we absolutely threatened the world. It’s easy to be a woman who’s all dressed up on stare and looking punky and rebellious on stage, and then when they come off the stage they look all dainty and camouflaged again. Let them walk around in all the real shit the way we did at the time.’ Explaining how women are allowed to be the way they want to be on stage as they are putting on the act, but society doesn’t allow them and look down upon them when they are like that in real life, therefore the representation on women in music isn't where it supposed to be. For the font I went back onto dafont.com and used '1942 report', and used white to match the stitching effect.

This was my final outcome;

This was my final outcome, which even though it took me a while to finalise it, in the end I really liked the message it gave. In future I really want to look into doing more gig photography to be able to make more pieces like this and develop it with more of my own photography, as i found huge enjoyment out of being able to create my own work from my own photography as it feels more authentic to me.