#i have a whole hot cereal schedule for the future
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dredsina · 1 month ago
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Oh look at that
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Not saying I have another food hyperfixation but I have eaten instant grits every single day for the past 2 weeks and actually twice today
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urban-witch101 · 4 years ago
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What the Danganronpa Trigger Happy Havoc cast has for breakfast each morning.
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Makoto:
Cereal and orange juice. Replaces the OJ with coffee when he starts working for the Future Foundation. This little man has a variety of cereals in his pantry that he chooses based on his mood that morning and nobody can tell me otherwise. If he’s not in the mood for cereal then he’d have a Japanese rice ball.
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Kyoko:
Black coffee and a piece of buttered toast, sometimes she’ll add apricot jam if she has a sweet tooth that morning. I think she’d range from toasting the bread to having it plain depending on if she’s in a hurry. She’s always got her coffee prepped the night before so all she has to do is push a button.
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Byakuya:
Coffee. He adds sugar, but he’ll never admit it. He’s rich enough to have options, but I think a chocolate croissant would be his guilty pleasure. His mother is French, so of course she'd instill some of her heritage in him. A close second would be a savory omelette with bell peppers and cheese.
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Asahina:
Donuts! Jk. She’s an athlete. Proteins and carbs would be on her radar before her morning workouts. Buttered toast with scrambled eggs and sausage would be up her alley. She’d start the day with water before having caffeinated tea at lunch.
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Yasuhiro:
Tamago kake gohan. It’s a breakfast bowl of hot rice and egg. He’d add soy sauce and onion. I also think he grew up with the mentality that drinking a lot of milk meant he’d have healthier teeth, so I can picture him having a small glass of milk every morning.
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Toko:
Tamagoyaki, or rolled eggs. I think she’d find the process of making them relaxing, and having different dipping sauces for her mood feels right up her alley. She’d have coffee with sugar and cream, but she’d make it black for the nights when she just needs to write.
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Genocider Syo:
Waffles. I don’t know why. I just think she’d like having fun making them with chocolate chips or topping them with cooked fruit. She’d have apple juice to down everything.
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Mondo:
I know a lot of people could see this guy wolfing down a huge meal, but I don’t think so. Mondo and his brother grew up very poor from what I remember, so I think he’d find pancakes or even toast a luxury. He’d be satisfied with a bowl of rice and maybe some miso soup, but I think he’d really like a hot omelet. He drinks coffee, but if he has the option he goes with orange juice - it reminds him of his childhood with his brother and makes him feel a little less bitter.
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Chihiro:
Black. Coffee. My little guy lives on the stuff. They’re a computer programmer for heavens sakes, they don’t have time for this eating nonsense. Their sleep schedule is normally whack too, so good luck getting them to eat breakfast at breakfast time. If you can get them to eat, onigirazu (Japanese breakfast sandwich) is their go-to before they go right back to work.
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Taka:
Jasmine tea. This whole nerd would have a complete breakfast set. Pickled plum, rolled eggs, miso fried rice, and a sweet potato dumpling would all be on this man’s plate. He schedules out his time well enough to be on an exact schedule, but if he’s ever running late he’d probably grab an onigiri.
Part Two is coming tomorrow!
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huearmy · 5 years ago
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The Smell of Truth - III
Summary: After years being forced to fight in clandestine hybrid ring, Jungkook is now living in shelter, but life remains bad, the place is abusive, and nobody seems to want adopt him. Until one night a pro-hybrid activist group invades the shelter, and a woman in black smelling like truth promises that things will get better, and he decides to follow her wherever she goes.
Pairing: pitbull!Jungkook x human!Reader
Genre: fluff, angst, future smut maybe.
Words: 5303
Rating: NC-17
Sorry that it took forever, my head is messed up.
Chapter I  Chapter II  -  Chapter IV Chapter V  Chapter VI Chapter VII
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For the first time in years Jungkook woke up on his own, when his body asked for it, without anyone waking him up with a bucket of cold water, or to meet some schedule. He felt numb and heavy, relaxed, rested. He stretched, sitting against the headboard in the dark room. He couldn't tell the time, since there was no clock, making him feel a little disoriented in space time. After so many years without freedom to come and go the boy was not sure what to do now. About ten minutes went by without anyone showing up to tell him to get up - and he didn't want at all, the bed hugging him - hunger settled in his stomach, as well as the urge to go to the bathroom. But could he really leave? He got up and tested the door. It wasn't locked. So he could leave the room, in theory. Without making a sound he closed the door again and went back to bed, thinking about what to do to make the best impression on the first day in his new home. He decided to make the bed and tidy up the room. When he opened the curtains, bringing light to the room, a pile of clothes on the armchair caught his attention - a pair of sweatpants shorts and a oversized t-shirt, a new toothbrush, a pink post it on top. These clothes are mine, but it’s for you to wear while we don’t buy some for you. I think it'll fit. By the smell it was obvious the clothes were yours, he didn't even need to read the note to know. It fit, but not the way Jungkook likes to dress up - he likes big clothes on him, to feel comfy, and your big clothes, wich are big for you, who are smaller than him, are just right to him.  Right now he was in clean clothes, smelling of fabric softener and you.  He put on his shoes and his cap too. Outside the window the now busy street was full of cars and people, making him excited to go out. But yet again, can he? Determined to be a good boy and not disobey, for you to love him, Jungkook sat on the edge of the bed and waited. More minutes passed before he heard light knocks on the bedroom door. He crossed the room in one step and opened the door as fast as he could, his tail wagging from side to side, but it wasn't you in the hall, his smile fell. It was the cat. "What are you doing?" Yeri asked, taking him by surprise. "I... I'm..." He stammered. She crossed her arms "You've been up for almost half an hour, why haven't you left the room yet? Are you alright?" "Yeah" He spoke so low that if Yeri didn't have feline hearing she wouldn't have understood a word. "I was waiting for Y/n." "Oh" Her confused expression softened. "She went to work." "She is not home?" Yeri couldn't understand the slight panic in Jungkook's voice at asking it, or why he didn't left the room by his own choice. She don't know the feeling of rejection like he does, or the pain of being treated like a animal. She knows she is privileged though, she don't need to understand to be empathic... And you asked her to be nice to Jungkook so... "No, and she asked me to keep an eye on you until she back." She smiled softly "Go wash yourself, Y/n let breakfast done for you." Jungkook loved the restroom, for no especial reason, he just he just never saw a bathroom so ... happy - all colorful and with little plants in cute pots, and smelling and clean like he never imagined a bathroom could be. Out of curiosity he decided to try the shower, turned the register slowly, and when the water started to fall he put his hand under it and ... oh, it was so warm. "Yeri!" Jungkook ran into kicthen , where the cat was waiting by the table, scearing her off. The white hairs on her tail were all standing on end when she answered in a hiss. "What?!" "Where do I find towels and shampoo?" He excitedly asked. Not quite understanding Yeri pointed to the hall. "In the closet under the stairs in the hall... But..." Before she could end the sentence he was gone, and the sound of the door of the bathroon closing againg. Jungkook love to shower, stay clean, water. This was often the only medicine he received after being beaten until he was unable to get up. After a while, the cold, limited water shower became the safe spot for him, where the world couldn't hurt him anymore, and he could just breathe. In the shelter the water was not so cold anymore, but there was still a time limit for each shower, it was still Jungkook's favorite time of the day, because he didn't need to think about anything other than himself. Now the water was hot and pressurized, massaging his sore muscles, more than the room you give to him, this felt like home. Of course Jungkook felt a litlle bit upset that you weren't home when he woke up, after all he wanted to see you, he never liked an owner so much that he missed them from one day to the next. But he wasn't going to complain, it's not like he's used to getting attention, in fact being alone was more common than anything. He understands that you can have more important things to do than show him the apartment or prepare and have breakfast with him... You are already too good to be real. He was rinsing his hair and ears, massaging his own scalp, when voices came from outside, caughting his attention. It was two voices, female. You were home. _________________________________________________________________________________________ You entered the apartment with arms full of shopping bags and document folders. You quickly dropped everything on the table or on the floor near the door, took off your coat to hang on the rack and kicked off your shoes. Your eyes searched the living room and kitchen, looking for Jungkook, without a sign of him. You tried to complete all your tasks at the office as quickly as possible and rescheduled some visits for other days of the week to be able to get home early to see him, you were anxious to know if he slept well, or if your male clothes fit him . The breakfast you prepared for him before leaving still wrapped on the counter. You frowned. "Where is Jungkook?" You asked to Yeri, who was lying on the couch by teh window, jumping through the channels. "Taking a shower. He just woke up." She said without looking away from the tv. You hummed. "Ok. Can you put on the news for me please. I didn't have time to check it today." Yeri complained despite obeying anyway, but you paid no attention to it, busy putting the mess you brought with you in its proper place. The TV journalist was talking about the economy updates, which was not the topic you wanted to see. The explosion of the shelter last night ended up on twitter trending topics, but you wanted to know what the official media outlets have to say about. On the internet your organization is seen as justice, everything you do is seen as a heroic act by many, and that brings strength to the movement. Those in favor of the slavery of the hybrids also speak out against you, but their ignorance only strengthens the abulutionist discourse too - in a slow process of difficulty, but there are so many people working for equality that you refuse to be shaken by these rotten people full of hate. This polarization of ideas, of course, also divides politics, and it is this part that interests you the most, because it is from the government that the rights of the hybrids will be guaranteed. Mess with the economy and popular opinion that it is possible to change the government, which is why you and your camarades love that much to explode some state buildings. "Why are you home? I was expecting you only in an hour." Yeri looked at you from the other side of the room with lazy eyes. "Ah, I have to go out to do some more sttuf, but I needed to come pick something... And maybe eat. I skipped lunch."   You decided to warm up the pancakes you made for Jungkook in the morning, and add toast and eggs to your meal. You heard the bathroom door and fast steps and was about to ask Jungkook if likes coffee, the moment you turned around he was already behind you, with a big smile and open arms to hug you. "Y/N!" You were enveloped by jungkook's long arms and squeezed against your chest, losing your balance the way he hit you with his whole body. By instinct and with no regrets, you hugged him back. His tail, which was already swinging from side to side, started to swing even faster. His dump hair was wetting you, and his litlle happy sounds were malink you soft. "Hi, Jungkook...." You give light taps on his back and opened up space between you two. " Let me see you... I knew the clothes would fit quite well. But if you don't like them, fine, they are only temporary, so you don't have to walk around in that shelter's hideous pajama." "I like the smell of it." He said smelling the shirt collar fabric. "Good. Because I'm a little paranoid about laundry." You really are. Actually you are kind of crazy tidy. "Are you hungry?" You softly said, still looking to how the clothes were wrapping his body. You didn't notices but you were making him blush with your stare. "Yes." He said in tiny. "Me too, lets eat breakfest together.". You reaffirmed your theory that Jungkook wouldn't be too picky about food, and that basically anything you put in front of him he eats happily. He just doesn't like coffee. And sweets are really his favorite. He ate the pancakes and egg with toast, plus a very large bowl of cereal, some fruit and a glass of juice. It wasn't just because everything was good, but he was happy you were eating with him, and that made him even more hungry. "Lucky me I have money." You still have a lot of questions in your head to do to Jungkook. You were curious about him in so many levels. Since from his habits and tastes to his past ... One doubt you have is: How is he so docile? His file said that he spent almost a decade in illegal dogfights. Most hybrids take less than five years to lost their and go feral, and then when they can no longer be controlled the owners put them down. But Jungkook doesn't. Furthermore, despite being a pitbull, he does not have his canine ears clipped, which is not common in the middle of where he came from. You wanted so much to ask... but you decided oposite it, thinking that it wasn't the moment. "Want more juice?" Jungkook offered, he was pouring himself more and saw your empty glass. "Of couse, thankyou, sweetie." You didn't notice the blush on his cheeks again, intending to pay more attention to the TV in the living room. Jungkook was not used to hearing praise like that, the most he heard from his former owner was 'champion' or 'good boy' when he won a fight and there was nothing satisfying about it. Your 'sweetie', on the other hand, accompanied by a smile from you, just because of a glass of juice seemed like the world to him. "Updates on the terrorist attack on a shelter in downtown Seoul last night: It was confirmed that despite the magnitude of the explosion and the damage to the building's structure, there were no victims, either by the hybrids or by the local staff. According to the authorities, the 100 hybrids that lived in the shelter were kidnapped by an anti-government organization as a form of protest, on social media entities defend that they were released by the Set Us Free movement." You got up and crossed your arms to watch the jornalist talking as aerial recordings of the burning building and post prints talking about took over the screen. "Early in the morning, a series of complaints linked to the shelter came to the knowledge of the police, involving corruption and money laundering, as well as mistreatment of resident hybrids. Among the evidence presented a list with names involved in the scheme ..." As the jornlist listed names of businessman and politicians. Many of these names you already knew, once your group that investigated and made the report, others were a surprise to you. In that moment you were so interested in the news that you sat on the end of the chouch supporting your elbows on your knees,  watching the TV without blinking. Jungkook recognized the images from the shelter last night, but he didn't find it so interesting, because seeing the explosion live was much nicer, and none of the information said anything to him. But seeing you so serious was interesting, he took the bowl of cereal and sat at your feet, looking more at you and your reactions than at the TV itself. "Senator Y/L/N spoke earlier in a news conference.." The image of the journalist was replaced by one of a man in a suit speaking in front of several different microphones. "Violent acts can't and won't be encouraged, but we need to pay attention to where it comes from. The social injustice and slavery of hybrids needs to be tackled in some way, and since the government is slow to guarantee the rights they deserve as similar to humans, manifestations of marginalized groups are to be expected. It is not giving them what they want, as the conservators say, it is guaranteeing them what should already be theirs by right. Situations like last night are nothing more than a symptom of the disease that we think we are entitled to own a hybrid." Jungkook thought it was cute the way you were biting the inside of your cheek or how it looked like you were narrowing your eyes with each word said. "Ya... Dad is so different when speeching..." Yeri mumbled.  It took Jungkook's attention away from you. "Dad?" He asked with his mouth full of cereal, looking from Yeri to you and to the man in the TV. "Yes." You awnsered, lying in the couch. "This is my uncle... He is cool isn't he?" Jungkook frowned, not thinking the guy is so cool... but since you say so... "Does he protect hybrids like you do?" You smiled to him, slightly petting his head. "On his way." At the same time that the news changed to weather forecast, your phone started to beep with messages. You praticaly jumped from the couch to your feet. "I need to go." You said. From the floor, Jungkook looked at you with doe eyes and a pout. "You are leaving again?" "I have something to do... But you can come with me. If you want." "I do." Jungkook jumped on his spot, finishing his cereal as fast as he could. "Then go put on that hoodie I gave you. Is kind of cold out side." You didn't need to say twice. Jungkook ran to his room to obligue, he came back finishing putting on his sweatshirt and putting on his shoes midair. He was so excited, and the look on your face when he took your hand was so affectionate towards him, just like the good dreams sometimes he have. He was intending on livig his best life with you while it lasted, as long as you wanted him, after so many bad, terrible things that he was forced to go through during his short life, Jungkook got used to not waiting for things to really improve, but he also learned to enjoy each of the good moments, whether they were truth or just dreams. Maybe he will wake up at some point and realize that he is still in the shelter ... or in the cold room, using a muzzle ... Until then he will not stop receiving all the affection that you are willing to give. Among the good things he was not expecting to happen, going out for a walk is one of Jungkook's favorite. "I'm ready." He told you with a cheekie smile, even if you could clearly see it for yourself. You just smiled back containing the urge to grab him by the cheeks. So cute. "Do you want a ride home,Yeri?" You picked the keys. "No thanks. Irene will pick me up in half of an hour." She didn't even looked at you to awnser, to busy scrowling throgh her phone. "Ok. Don't forget to lock the door when you leave," Said that you two left the apartment, and Jungkook got your attention all for himself again. ________________________________________________________________________________ It wasn't your plan to spoil Jungkook so much. Of course, you already intended to go shopping with him, and maybe, who knows, give the world to him if he wanted to, but the idea was that things would happen more slowly.  Instead, early in the morning on your way to work, you saw a beautiful jacket in a shop window and thought it would look beautiful on him, without hesitation you went into the store and bought it, and as a bonus some other pieces of clothing for essential use. Now you were supposed to go to the grocerie store, get an order of yours, and that's it. Kess than one hour and you both would be back home. Now its been almost two hours and your SUV is stuffed with shopping bags of clothes and other random things that made Jungkook's eyes sparkles as you strolled in front of shop windows - you let him buy a skate and an air freshener, for exemple. The tour was a big new world for him, clearly he was having fun just running around the store shelves and you had to pull him back into focus more than once. Like when he decided to try on all the hats in a store, first one hat at a time then all at the same time, it was cute, and you took the ones he seemed to like the most and added to his shopping pile without him paying attention. "Jungkook, do you want to choose some underwear? I have no idea what you like or what size you wear..." He was no where to be seen but you knew he was listening to you, especially after a few seconds, when the sound of the new boots you bought him two stores earlier approached fast, and then the hybrid's happy face appeared among the jeans racks beside you. "Oh, this is important, the only underwear I have is drying on my bedroom window." He said starting to look through the pile of new underwear, ignoring all the colored ones, and separating only the black and white ones. "Wait, what?" You blinked at him. "I washed in the shower and didn't know where to leave it, so I hung it in the window." He simply said. You were kind of shocked. "Jungkook... Aren't you wearing underwear? Like right now...?" He just made no with his head, too entertained in choosing several identical boxer briefs.. You looked around to see if anyone around heard it, taken with modesty but finding the situation a little funny. "Did you have more at the shelter? Why didn't you bring it when I said to get your things?" "I had it, but I didn't think about it at the time." You just laughed at him and hurried him so you would soon pay for everything and move on, with the promise of returning to buy more things later. You still needed to go to the grocerie store... Where together you filled a shopping cart with your list - last night he said he wanted to have a barbecue, so you were going to prepare one for him, lots of meat, charcoal and side dishes - and things that Jungkook thought might taste good by the look of it. "Jungkook, you will find some hygiene products for hybrid in this corridor. Take a look and choose, I'll be right back ... ". "Wait." He looked arond. The grocerie store was way bigger than the clothes shops you went before, with a lot more people, he was not comfortable being alone here. How would he know where to find you if you go too far? You read that in his expression and give his hand a squeeze. "I'll just pick a package. Three corridors from here to the right." You poited. "But don't worry I'll be right back. Can you look the cart for me?" "Of couse I can." He said, more confident now. "Thankyou, sugar." You gave him another of those smiles and then left him alone to choose deodorants and soaps for hybrids. But you didn't lie, as fast as you're gone you're back, now with a wrapped paper package in your hands. Out of curiosity Jungkook sniffed the package over your shoulder while you put it in the cart, but for some reason he was unable to identify what could be inside. "Please don't put anything on top of that, it's fragile." You said. "Ready to go?" "Yeah." Jungkook droped one of one soap bar into the cart, not seeing which of the two fragrances he had been choosing before. "What is it?" You gave him a mischievous smile, hooking an arm around his and then guiding him through the corridors to the cashiers. You knew he would be curious, and you specifically asked them to wrap the package in a special paper that will outwit his dog nose. "Its a surprise." Jungkook was convinced. He never had good experiences with the idea of 'surprise', but coming from you he did not imagine anything bad. If you were saying that he was supposed to wait to find out what was in the package, then he was just going to wait. ____________________________________________________________________ When you got home, you parked once again at the back of the building, the light from the florist indicating that although it was time to close, the employees still haven't left. The same thing in the office on the second floor. You thought it would take a lot of coming and going to take all the bags up to the apartment, but while you picked up some and thought it was too much for you, Jungkook picked up almost all the others, hanging them in his arms, and when he left the first batch on living room ran to get the rest alone. It had been a while since he had space to run a litlle, without even being able to remember the last time. He only slowed down when he heard voices on the second floor, adjusted the bags in his hands and tried to go unnoticed. "I want to finish this before call it a day." A soft voice spoke. "But I want to go home. I'm hungry..." Another male voice answered. "More fifteen minutes, Tae." The office door opened just when Jungkook was passing, and he felt like he was caught doing something he shouldn't have, even if he wasn't, two guys looking right at him. The one at the table in front of a computer and stacks of paper smiled and waved at him. The other, holding the door handle, didn't even blink at him, looking serious. Jungkook just bowed his head and continued on his way, stopping only after reaching you in the kitchen. You felt his arms embracing you from behind and his forehead on you sholder. The guy at the table was a hybrid, he couldn't tell what kind, but the smell was like a cat, and probably, since as far as he knows they both work for you, the two shouldn't be bad. Still, Jungkook couldn't make his heart slow down. Men scare him. You turned to look at him. He didn't let you go tho. "What's up?" You asked noticing his distress. Jungkook bited down his bottom lip. "Got tired." You smiled and pet his head for the second time today making him sigh and close his eyes. Without knowing it you made him calm down. "Go put your things on your room, the new clothes in the closet... When you're done, go up to the terrace." "And then we will eat a lot of meat?" "Yep" _______________________________________________ You were just finishing making the vegetable skewers, and putting the meat on the grill when Jungkook went up the stairs to the floor where his room is and the terrace, where he hadn't gone yet. Like the bathroom, the terrace were filled with plants, but here the vases and plants are much bigger. The starry sky was beautiful, and the movement of cars and people on the street is comforting and full of possibilities. Jungkook stopped by the glass door and just looked at you, who didn't noticed him yet. You were now in comfortable clothes and messy hair, drumming his fingers on the table to the beat of a song that was playing only in his head. Once again the thought that you seem inoffensive crossed Jungkook's mind. But that's a lie. You are powerfull in a way he isn't. During the tour of the city he saw your surname in names of shops and street signs more than once, your uncle is an important guy who appears on TV, and your friends do illegal things using guns and bombs... And you are human - and that's enough for you to be scary for any hybrid. You are not harmless, and one thing that would certainly hurt Jungkook hard would be if after today, when he felt at home after years of not knowing what that feeling is like, you decide that you don't want him anymore. That would be worse than every time he thought he was going to die in a fight. Rejection. Like in the shelter, Jungkook was trying to figure it out a way to be loved. To be so loved that someone would want to live with him forever and never leave him. But he doesn't know how to do it. "Do you want some help?" He approached you. "No. Now just don't let the meat burn." You proudly put your hands on your hips. "But I wantou to sit here... and close your eyes." You made him sit by the wooden picnic table and ran inside. He closed his eyes as you said so. You came back with calmer steps and put something in front of him, an instant after the smell of phosphor and sugar entered Jungkook's nose and you said... "You can open it now." In front of Jungkook was a cake with the words "Welcome home JK" written on it and some candles on top. His eyes got wet instantly. "This is an welcome party." You said softly, holding his hand. "And every party need a cake. Surprise, Jungkook." Jungkook wiped away the tears that began to flow with the sleeve of the hoodie - the hoodie that was yours and still smells like you. Seeing that he was crying, you tentatively rubbed a hand on his back and waited for the sobs to pass before you spoke. "Jungkook, we need to have this conversation sooner or later... But I don't want to be your owner." You said and he got freeze. He looked in shock to you and more tears ran down his face. He was so confused. The cake made him so happy and then you said exactly what he was afraid of hearing. A knowing look reached your eyes and you wiped the boy's face yourself. "Don't cry. Let me explain, ok?" He nodded, without realizing that he was holding your hand with all his strength. You couldn't care less. "I never intended on adopting or buying a hybrid. You are the only exception." You smiled sweetly. "When you said you wanted to come with me I couldn't say no. You were so sweet, trusting on me... You are very special to me, even if we've only known each other since yesterday." You took his face in your free hand. "But I'm unable to own a person. It may be strange for you to understand what I am saying now, but my intention in having you with me is for you to be free. If you want to live with me forever, in the simplest way in the world, I will take care of you. If you want to live your life in any other way, even if it is somewhere else, I will also take care of you, and support you. Because the choice is yours. Of course, you don't have to choose anything now. Today or years from now ... It will remain your choice." Jungkook relaxed but remained confused, not knowing how to respond. "What do you want?" He finally said. Your eyes saddened, the thought that your wanting to be more important to him than his own bothering you. "I want to be your friend." His answer seemed to be what Jungkook wanted to hear, because he opened a huge and beautiful smile. "That's enough for me. Can I eat the cake?" "Of couse!" You served him a piece and one for you, chattering like you never cared much for dessert after a meal, and that if he wanted to eat the meat and the cake together you wouldn't judge. His daydreams are cute, he concluded, determined to love you so that you love him. "Y/N... There are a lot of things about me that I don't like, and I know you won't like it either... And I don't like to talk about it, or to think about it at all... But since we are friends I feel like I should... " "That you should tell me?" He nodded. "You dont need to. Jungkook, I already know a lot of bad things about you." You made him freeze again. "Nothing personal, but enough that if it bothered me or changed the way I see you, I wouldn't even have brought you home. But I don't care, and if you don’t feel like sharing it with me now, or ever, okay, you don’t owe it to me just because we’re friends." He smiled to his cake. "Seriously, I have a lot of secrets my friends don't know. You can have yours too." "Thankyou, Y/N. I like you a lot, and I think I want to be with you forever." That was your time to smile to your cake. "So you are stuck with me forever then." Having a friend has always been more important to Jungkook than having a good owner. But for him the only friend he had stayed in the past, he was already sure that it would never happen again and that he was alone for the rest of his life. But now he had you, and that is enough. Regardless of the situation, friends are forever. If you are friends, he doesn't have to be afraid of you kicking him out, even with all the bad things he has done or all the fears he has.
And that good feeling tastes like cake. _____________________________________________________________
Tag list: @stayunderthelights  @deolly  @panconte @serendipityoreuphoria @madygswich
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If you want me to tag you, pls tell me.
AND PLEASE GIVE LOVE TO THIS WORK OF MINE: Clumsy
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staticscreenwriting · 5 years ago
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All you have to be is here - Part 2
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Synopsis: Billy has fucked up and has to do 60 days of community service at a home for troubled kids and youth. Working with the kids there makes him learn a lot about himself. Also there’s a girl there his age who’s smile is phenomenal and who is way too nice to him.
I guess I should mention there’s a lot of angst in this. Talk of substance abuse later on, physical abuse, emotional abuse. All that kind of gnarly real life stuff. It deals with kids and teens struggling with a a shitty family life so be aware of that.
Part 2 of ?
Part 1 // 
[additional note: I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.  I’ll make a header image at some point.]
I never really ever felt so adored before Never really ever felt this type of vulnerable Don’t have to hide, don’t have to fear All you have to be is here Never really ever felt so adored before And I said I wanna feel like this forever Even if forever’s just for now We’re on fire, let us burn As the outside world, it turns We are here and alive In our corner of time Forevermore
There’s a heavy weight settling on Billy’s chest as the morning sun falls through the curtains. As he lifts his head off of the pillow a pair of copper coloured eyes stare back at him. The cat softly snuggled up on his chest, is more the size of a small child than a cat. It’s big and orange and looks like it’s got no care in the world as it rests on Billy’s ribcage.
Billy lets his eyes wander around the room, trying to take in as much as he can. It’s a tiny room with a couch that’s way too small for him to sleep on properly, but incredibly comfortable nonetheless, and a tv pressed against the opposite wall. There’s a dirty ashtray resting on the couch table next to a seventeen magazine and a vial of bright red nail polish. 
(Y/N) lives here alone, safe for the monster of a cat, he’s figured out this much. There’s hardly room here for a visitor, much less another person. God, what he wouldn’t give for a place of his own. Some place that isn’t tainted with anger and sadness and bad feelings all around.
“ Oh, you’re awake. Great, I made breakfast ! “ 
Billy leans up a little further, resting his weight on his elbows and yet the cat shows no intentions of actually moving off of him.
(Y/N) is leaning against the counter of the kitchen that’s connected to the living room. There’s a light blue fridge flanked by bright orange cabinets and a rusty sink and a stove that seems like it’s about to fall apart any second. It all looks like a downright mess and still Billy finds himself envious. Because no matter how big of a mess, it’s solely hers. 
“ Your cat is suffocating me “ his voice is rough and still soaked with sleep and exhaustion.
“ I told you he’s fat and clingy. He likes you though, that’s good. “ 
“ What’s he do to people he doesn’t like ? “ 
“ Pees on them. “ 
“ Geez “.
Slowly Billy sits up further, the cat slowly sliding down from his chest and into his lap. 
“ Just pick him up and put him down somewhere else. “ (Y/N) directs him nodding her head towards the orange furball.
Billy does as she says, getting off the couch and placing the cat back down, before walking over towards the kitchen area of the apartment.
“ Here. Breakfast for champions “ (Y/N) exclaims and hold out a bowl of what looks to be lucky charms and a spoon. It’s a plastic bowl, a bright orange one that looks like a basketball. He remembers having one of those when he was little. It was his favorite and mom always used it to serve him alphabet soup when he was sick.
“ Thanks. “
“ Sure thing. That’s a pretty gnarly looking fist you got there. “ 
Billy glances down towards his hand. It’s red and swollen and bruised and it looks ridiculous holding onto the basketball bowl. Like his present is holding onto a part of his past that he can never go back to. A part of his past that seems like a whole lifetime ago. That feels like a whole different person all together.
“ Whatever “ 
And really, it is whatever. In the grand scheme of things it’s just a bruised first and some bloody knuckles. The implications of it to be forever his and only his to know about. 
“ So do you do this often ? “ he asks, trying to steer the topic away from himself and his wounds, visible and invisible. 
“ Do what exactly ? “ 
“ Let strangers sleep on your couch. “ 
“ You’re starting to sound awfully ungrateful there Hargrove. And that even though I made you breakfast ?! “ 
“ You poured a bowl of cereal “ 
“ Your point ? “ 
And it’s then, that Billy has to crack a smile. It’s not as if he doesn’t smile during his day to day life. He does. A lot. Only usually they come in order to get something in return.
The smiles come whenever he wants to get a girl into his bed. Whenever he charms the ladies at the swimming pool. Whenever he tries to sweet talk his way out of a situation.
This one comes from some place else. He doesn’t get anything in return. He doesn’t need anything in return.
Sometimes a smile is just a smile and that is all it needs to be.
“ How old are you ? “ 
“ Excuse me ? You’re kinda giving me whiplash here with the change of topics. “ 
“ Yeah that didn’t answer me question at all “ he says and shoves another spoon of lucky charms into his mouth.
“ I’m 17, almost 18. I’m in my senior year. “ 
“ And you live here by yourself ? “ 
“ Yup. Got emancipated when I was 15. “ 
He almost chokes on his cereal at that confession. It’s not something he has been expecting. Sure he was aware that something must be going on in her life but things must be pretty rough for someone to get emancipated at 15. 
Again he finds himself envious. Of the freedom. The independence. Of all the possibilities she has. The one he can’t even dare to dream about, living with Neil.
Envy is ugly and mean and cold and it comes with anger and resentment that directed towards people who do not deserve it in the least. He tries so hard to keep it at bay, shove it down to rest with all the other emotions, all the rest of the baggage. He knows one day it’s all gonna boil over. It comes in little bursts every once in a while but one day, one day there’s gonna be a big meltdown. One that’s gonna sweep over everything like a tidal wave. Like one of the real big ones he used to surf back in California. Back Home. Back when things were better and mom was around and his chest wasn’t feeling so heavy. 
“ Damn, what happened ? “ 
“ That is none of your business. Just uh — you’re not the only one who’s family life isn’t all sunshine and daisies. “ 
There’s something in her eyes as she says that, that seems oh so familiar to Billy. Not because he’s seen it before but because he knows that gleam, he’s felt it before. So many times over so many years. 
People say that misery loves company. That a trouble shared is a troubled halved. He thinks that bullshit. People who say this live comfortable lives. They don’t know real misery, haven’t lived through it.
Billy doesn’t ever want to see the pain he feels in other people. Not that same kind of pain. Physical one he’s caused his fair share of, but emotional pain ? Nah. That’s something he doesn't ever want to see in another one’s eyes. And as it stares back right at him from (Y/N)’s (Y/E/C) eyes, it doesn’t feel like his pain is halved, it seems twice as heavy, twice as painful.
“ Look, that actually brings me to my next point. You gotta get outta here. I need to leave for work in about 20 minutes so … “ 
“ Volunteering isn’t until 4 today, it’s sunday you gave me the schedule. “ 
“ Yeah well, Billy Idol, volunteering doesn’t pay my rent. I work at a diner. “ 
“ A diner ? No way. Do you have a little apron and everything ? Pencil behind your ear ? “ he teases, finishing his bowl of cereal and placing it in the sink.
“ Would you believe it if I told you I even got roller skates ? “ (Y/N) replies and pulls up her lip in distaste.
“ No fucking way “.
“ I wish I was lying. “ 
“ Here in Huckley ? “ 
“ Mmmh… “
“ Dammit, I knew Hawkins was a shithole. Can’t believe this even tinier shithole has a diner with roller skating waitresses and Hawkins does not. “
“ Ah don’t worry, they’re not all as hot as me. You’re not missing much. “ as she says it, she’s smiling and the hurt in her eyes is almost gone. But once he’s noticed it, Billy is sure he will never fail to find it again. It’s always there. Simmering. It’s part of her just as it is part of him. It never goes away, at least he hasn’t experienced that. Maybe someday in the future it will. He hopes so. He really truly hopes so.
“ Bummer. “ 
“ I know. Anyway, you gotta go. “ 
“ Geez, you’re hurting me babe. Usually it’s me kicking the girls out of my bed. “
“ I’m sure your ego will survive. I’ll see you at volunteering later, right ? “ 
“ Court ordered, remember ? “ He says, slipping on his jacket and boots and walking towards the door.
“ I’m sure you’ll have a good time today. We’re doing arts and crafts “ 
“ What ? I haven’t done any arts and crafts since 4th grade. “ 
“ Well then it’s about time your start again, huh ? “ 
“ Are you shitting me right now “.
“ Oh Billy, I would never !” 
- XXX -
When Billy arrives back home, he’s grateful to see Neil’s car is not there. Sooner or later he’s going to have to deal with the situation but he sure as hell is preferring “later”. 
The thing with Neil is that whatever he does, it’s never predictable. Sometimes he’ll yell, sometimes he gets physical and sometimes, those are the worst times, he says things. Mean things. Things that he knows very well will hurt Billy. Things that feel like a stab right into the heart. 
There’s a sick sense of pride in Neil’s face whenever he has one of those days. Like hurting Billy brings him satisfaction. A weird gratification.
It’s disgusting. And sad. And it makes Billy so furious. If Neil wasn’t like this, so sick and twisted and always angry, mom would still be here and they’d still be in California and he’d be a normal teenager with normal problems. No bruised knuckles, no black eyes. A teenager that wouldn’t have to be afraid to come home. Home, this place doesn’t even feel like home. It never did. It probably never will. 
Billy doesn’t know where exactly home is. It’s not here though. 
He slowly trudges through the house, taking note of Susan’s shoes being gone as well. She always leaves them by the door because “ that’s just the way people do it”. Like a proper little housewife keeping her proper little house neat and tidy for her proper little family. It’s making him sick. There’s a lot of anger in him directed towards Susan. Some of it is justified. Some of it is not. He knows he shouldn’t fault her for what happened with his mother. Susan isn’t the one who drove her away. Susan didn’t smack her around day in day out. Susan isn’t the one who decided to just up and leave, forgetting all about her son. Susan has done none of that and he knows he can’t resent her for this.
There’s part of his animosity towards her that is more than justified. She knows what’s happening sheltered behind the walls of this house. She hears it and sees it. This woman has a front row seat to Billy’s misery and she does nothing. Just watches and waits and stays silent. To top it all off, she brings her daughter into this place. Billy wonders if it was Max instead of him, would she still be watching. Would she act ? Despite his problems with Max, he hopes he never has to find out. He doesn’t trust Susan to stop the watching and actually act. 
A mess of red locks dashes around the corner and collides with his chest effectively pulling him from his thoughts.
“ Watch it, shitbird. “ 
“ Sorry “ Max murmurs then hurries past him, only stopping just before the front door, hand already on the handle.
“ Billy ? “ 
“ What ? “ 
“ Are you okay ? “ 
Is he okay ? Yes. Billy is always okay. It’s his default setting at this point. Billy Hargrove — okay. There’s a certain amount of pain you can go through until you become kind of used to it, kind of numb. It seeps into your system and settles deep inside your bones and becomes a part of you and before you know it that’s your normal and you’re okay. But is that really a way to live ? He wonder often. To only be okay, never fully happy. Halfway happy at best. Always okay never more. 
Billy is okay — but he really doesn’t want to be anymore. Okay is not enough.
“ Yeah. Why ? “ 
He knows Max cares, that’s just the person she is. She cares deeply even if she hides it under a veil of teenage rebellion and girl power. He doesn’t want her to, can’t really let himself accept the fact that she cares. Max, with all her spunk and sparkles, is a constant reminder of the life that was taken from him. One with a mother who loves him. One who doesn’t run off and leaves her to fight for her own survival.
And yeah maybe Susan just silently watches but at least she’s there. At least she loves Max enough to be there and no abandon her.
Billy wishes he could let go of the negativity and just accept Max affection. But he can’t. He can’t. Affection that isn’t sexual, is not something Billy ever really gets to keep in his life so it’s better not to feel it at all than to feel it and have it taken away again at some point.
“ I dunno. Just — last night “ 
“ Yeah, whatever. Just forget it alright ? It’s none of your business anyway. “ 
“ Alright, god. I was just asking. “ 
“ Yeah well don’t !” he calls out to her before rushing into his room, slamming the door behind him.
As he looks at himself in the mirror, Billy can hardly recognize the person staring back at him. It’s been like this for a while. He feels very detached from it all. Like he’s living a life through a hazy filter, clouded by anger and agony. His mom would be disappointed in him. For dealing with things the way he does. For treating people the way he does.
Then again, his mom has given up the right to judge him when she pissed off and left him behind.
A glance at the clock lets him know that he’s still got a few hours before he has to be back at HHTCY. He presses play on his stereo and Metallica sounds through the house at a deafening volume.
What he needs now, is a smoke and a shower and in that order.
- XXX -
“ Why are we doing this again ? “ Billy asks as he helps (Y/N) distribute the arts and crafts supplies to all the kids.
“ It helps “.
“ Helps with what ? Confirming that someone is crazy ? “ 
“ No one here is crazy you asshole. No it helps with dealing with stuff. “ 
“ Does it now ? Is that what you say or what the looney doctors tell you ? “ 
“ Look “ (Y/N) says as she places a set of paint brushes on one of the desks “ this is fun for the kids and the experts say it helps them so who am I to question that ? I’m just a volunteer, hell I still go to Highschool “.
“ Oh yeah, you don’t go to Hawkins High do you ? I would’ve seen you. “ 
“ You would’ve not but uh — no. I go to school here in Huckley. Huckley High, Home of the Huckley Honey Badgers. “ 
“ Huh, “ Billy says and suavely leans against the supply closet “ didn’t think this tiny shithole had it’s own High School. And with it’s own team and mascot too. Impressive. “ 
“ Lose the snarky remarks please. I’ll let you know Honey Badgers are vicious and mean and dangerous, okay ? “ (Y/N) remarks and waves around the brush she’s got in her hand, pointing it at Billy every once in a while “ but yeah, it’s just a tiny High School. No big deal. I bet your School in California was different huh ? “ 
“ Was just a fucking High School like any other. Wait — how do you know where I’m from ? “ 
“ You have a California license plate, “ (Y/N) replies before turning away from him “ and I may have read your file. “
“ You did what ? I — that is 100 % against company policy ! “ 
“ Yeah well so is smoking on the premises and I didn’t rat you out so I guess we’re even. I had to know what I was dealing with here. “ 
He’s not mad really, it’s not like there’s things in there that he doesn’t want anyone to know. The things he keeps hidden aren’t written down in any file, they’re in his heart locked away from prying eyes. Safe. Secure.
“ Hey (Y/N), there’s a call for you”. Another volunteer, Jeff, says motioning towards the back office adjacent to the arts room.
“ A call ? “ 
“ It sounded urgent, I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me his name. “ 
So it’s a he. A boyfriend maybe ? 
Billy quickly shakes that thought from his mind. That’s not a mess he wants or needs to get into right now. Is she cute ? Yes, she’s gorgeous but things are all around fucked up at the moment and he doesn’t need to add a heartbroken coworker into the mix. You don’t fuck around at work, that’s common knowledge. 
“ I told you not to call ! I work here, how did you even get this number. “ he picks up bits and pieces of the conversation that (Y/N) whisper-yells into the phone. Maybe not a boyfriend after all.
“ Well don’t. Don’t call again. Leave me alone. “ when she hangs up the phone, she leans against the wall for a moment, letting out a big breath. Something is weighing on her, it’s clear as day and thought Billy doesn’t want to get involved with anyone else’s problems, he’s still curious about what just happened.
“ You alright ? “ he ask when she comes back “ boyfriend ? lovers quarrel ? “.
“ Fuck off, Billy “ (Y/N) replies, all joking and teasing gone from her voice. She looks around for a second to see if any of the kids have picked up on her swearing. They didn’t or if they did they don’t seem to care. 
Lydia stands in front of the class, telling the kids some pseudo deep shit about painting their feelings and all that crap that they seem to believe in here. Billy thinks it’s absolute bullshit. There’s problems that can’t be solved by drawing rainbows and singing songs around the campfire. It’s a disservice to the kids to make them believe that’s how the world works, with paint and songs and good thoughts. 
“ What I want you to paint today, is a happy memory. A moment you can remember being completely content. “ 
Billy can’t help but let his mind wander, trying to come up with a happy memory of his own. His thought immediately go back to California, that’s where he used to be genuinely happy. Even thought it was a long time ago he can still picture it in his head like it was yesterday. The only joy he feels in Hawkins is when he’s balls deep in his latest conquest, but California ? California at least held moments of a happy past. 
He pictures the beach, the waves that seemed so big to him then. Like huge fluffy curls reaching up all the way into the sky. He feels the ocean breeze on his skin, smells the salt, hears the seagulls. His mom is there, twirling in the sand like some Hippy ballerina. She’s smiling and she’s so beautiful. Her laughter sounds through the air like a long forgotten lullaby. And Billy, he was so young then, so innocent and — happy. The world had not been cruel on him then, or at least he had someone to shelter him from most of it. Back then, she still loved him. Someone still loved him. 
Maybe the beach was just a beach and the ocean just the ocean but with someone there who loved him, it all felt magical. 
She doesn’t love him anymore and all the magic is gone and he’s cold and bitter and perpetually pissed off.
Happy memories are one hell of a drug and nostalgia is a goddamn liar. When he thinks about that memory now, focuses really really strongly and doesn’t allow the filter of nostalgia to cloud his judgement, he can paint another picture of that day. They’d went to the beach because Neil had been drinking more than usual. His mom had a black eye. The smile didn’t even each her eyes.
The memory was happy to him now because he decided to remember it that way. Though reality was quite another story.
He turns to look at (Y/N), only to find her drawing a picture herself. They weren’t supposed to actually take part in this class, just supervise and setup and clean afterwards. She’d told him that beforehand.
“ What are you drawing there ? “ he asks, peaking onto the piece of paper before her. There’s a big blob of blue and what he can only guess is a swingset.
“ A happy memory “ 
“ Oh yeah, wanna elaborate ? “ 
“ Again, it’s none of your business but sure. It’s uh — it’s Lake Michigan. My mom used to take me there every year for my birthday until I was 12. I loved it there, I love the beach and I’ve always dreamed of the ocean. We couldn’t really afford a trip to the coast so this was the next best thing. There was a swingset there and I could just spend hours swinging and looking at the lake. It was magical. “ 
He thinks it’s kind of ironic that both their happy memories come back to the beach, albeit two vastly different beaches in two very different memories.
“ You’ve never been to the coast ? The ocean ? “ 
“ Nope. But It’s what I wanna do for my 18th birthday. I wanna swim in the pacific. I wanna feel the sun on my skin and taste the salt in the air. “ 
“ Once I’m done with school I’m outta here and back on my way to California. There’s room in my Camaro if you want to carpool. “ 
“ Spending several days in a car with you ? Why would I do that ? You’re aggravating ! “ 
She smiles though. When she says it she smiles. He’s heard those words from Neil before. Aggravating. They stung then, they don’t sting now. There’s no malice in them this time. She says them almost like a compliment. What the fuck is going on here ? 
“ I’ve been told. You’re not a very good artist. “ 
“ And you’re not a very good flirt and yet all girls seem to swoon at the mere thought of you. “ 
“ Do they now ? “ he asks, signature Billy Hargrove smirk playing on his lips. “ How would you know that ? “ 
“ I have friends at Hawkins High. “ 
“ And you talked to them about me, now isn’t that adorable. “ 
“ Don’t flatter yourself, man. “ 
“ You think about me, that’s so cute. Honestly I can’t blame you. “ 
“ Oh my god your ego is the size of a small country. Unbelievable. “ 
“ Don’t get shy now (Y/N). “ 
“ Could you please stop. “ she says but she’s laughing. Her laugh is warm and comfortable and honest. It’s a laugh that reminds him of days when he wasn’t bitter or sad or angry. 
 “ Never, I’m never letting that go. “ 
“ That’s what I’m afraid of. “ 
And when she goes back to drawing on her memory, Billy thinks that maybe there are little happy moments here in Indiana. They don’t make great memories to think back to and they’ll probably dull and vanish someday in the future. They’re not monumental or important. But they are there. In the teasing and the laughter. Even if it’s just a temporary feeling. It’s there. It’s real. It’s his. 
- XXX -
The following week is exhausting for Billy. He’s constantly on the go, driving to school then work then HHTCY. He can’t wait for the pool season to be over so he can scrap that off of his schedule and find a job that doesn’t require him to just sit around in the sun all day. It used to be fun at first but at this point it’s just a drag.
It’s friday evening as Billy sits on the cushioned chair in what is technically not (Y/N)’s office watching her do the last of the paperwork for that day. They both have the next saturday off and even though Billy is still expected to see Dr. K. he’s so glad to not have to work or go to school for at least one day. 
“ You got any plans tonight? “ he asks (Y/N), who only glances up at him for a moment then focuses back on the paperwork.
“ Nah, why ? “ 
“ Just thinking. There’s a party at a classmates house. Her parents are loaded, huge mansion. Free drinks. You should come. “ 
“ Are you asking me to come to a party with you ? “ 
“ That’s exactly what I just did. “ 
Before she can answer a knock sounds at the door and Alex, one of the girls who stays at HHTCY permanently steps into the room.
“ Hi (Y/N) I just uh — oh hi Billy “ she says as she spots him sitting in the corner and blushes.
“ Hi ? “ he’s never spoken a single word to this girl. She’s about 13 or 14, around Max’s age. There’s a mop of bleach blonde hair on her head and she’s wearing entirely too many bangles on her wrists. 
“ You wanted something ? “ (Y/N) chimes up and Billy can see the smirk pulling at the corner of her lips. What is this all about ? Girls really are a different species all together.
“ Oh yeah. I’m staying at my mom’s in Hawkins for the night. Lydia has sign off on it already it’s all fine, I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving right now. I’ll be back by noon tomorrow. “ 
“ Okay cool. I hope you have a good day at your mom’s “ 
“ Yeah me too. Thanks. Bye. Oh and uh — bye Billy. “ 
“ Bye ? “ 
When she leaves and closes the door, (Y/N) descends into a fit of giggles. 
“ What’s so funny ? “ 
“ She has the biggest crush on you and you don’t even notice”.
“ She’s a kid ! “ Billy points out.
“ Yeah well I was a kid when I had a crush on Mark Hamill “ 
“ Mark Hamill ? “ Billy asks incredulously “ Star Wars ? “.
“ Yeah ? What about it ? “ 
“ Oh my god, you’re a nerd. You have a crush on Mark Hamill and you named your cat after him. You’re a nerd, (Y/N). “ 
“ Uh, no I just like good movies and Mark Hamill looked very dreamy. Get off my case. “ 
“ Never “ he laughs and it’s then that he realizes that he’s laughed more in the time he’s started working here than he has in the last few years. It feels — freeing. It feels good.
“ So who was your crush then, huh ? “ 
“ Pff, I’m never gonna tell you that. “ Billy scoffs “ so how about that party ? “ 
397 notes · View notes
jungkookfeelz · 5 years ago
Text
Secrets
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Description: After a terrible breakup with your boyfriend, you decide to take revenge. Bringing along the infamous mysterious bad boy Jeon Jungkook.
Words: 3K
Notes: I was so busy with school that I couldn’t write as much as I wanted to >.< I’m so sorry! I have to write a one-shot after this so the next chapter will come out a bit later than usual. In this chapter, Jungkook nor the other members show up yet (besides the explanation of Namjoon) so be prepared. I wanted to show Y/N’s family life and relationship  before starting the real part of the story~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This summer has been too long, you were honestly ready for school to start up again. You had never been this excited for school, you were in your last year in high school, with the best boyfriend, you are always shocked remembering that you are dating one of the most popular guys in school. You weren't anything special, people knew you because of him but you like to think that they decided to stick around because of your cute charm. You had your best friend Namjoon to keep you company, you've known him since childhood so to say that you knew him all your life was the perfect description of your friendship. He challenged you mentally which you were thankful for. You couldn't do badly in school, not if you wanted a future. 
You were the typical nerd with the exception that you loved soccer. You always watched it growing up with your dad before he passed, he always said "One day, Y/N you will be on TV" he repeated, after every game, it always made you giggle like a little child getting ice cream, your ambitions growing every time. But now that you are older you knew that it wasn't going to happen for you, given the fact that you weren't informed that there were try-outs in the summer for the varsity girls soccer team and didn't end up going, even your boyfriend didn't know about them and he's the captain of the varsity boys soccer team, that's how secretive it was. So you gave up trying to live up to your father's expectations. Your boyfriend Jae was the best thing in your life, he took care of you while your mother was doing god knows what with god knows who. It's not like you needed protection, you were a big girl but he just had the need to make sure you were okay which made your heart heavy with an appreciation for having him in your life. 
You knew your mom had some mental issues that she was dealing with since your father passed away, she hadn't grieved her husband's death properly and hasn't let that wound heal, just slept with any guy that even smiled her way or worked late nights at the office any chance she could. You barely saw your mom, you missed her but couldn't help but feel anger every time you had to go to bed hearing her activities with the latest man or seeing him leave in embarrassment after she kicks them out in the morning, acting as nothing had happened. Trying to reason with her was pointless, she was a very hot-headed stubborn woman. She would always say something about her paying for the house which meant she could do anything that she pleased. You stopped trying after a few months. 
You were sat at the kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal, looking intently at your phone than writing into your calendar book. You were getting your schedule prepared for the new semester, you had to do well so you could win a few grants and scholarships
"This would've been a lot easier if I played soccer, maybe then I would get a sports scholarship" You mutter to yourself sourly. You pursed your lips in distaste. You try not to think about the inevitable but you can't help it sometimes. Just as you were about to take another bite from your cereal you heard footsteps descending down the stairs
"Here we go..." rolling your eyes, you waited for the next man to get rejected by your lovely mother. He walked by the doorway, noticing you he stopped and walked into the kitchen.
  "Hello, sweetheart...I didn't know you lived here" He smirked, you felt bile rising in your throat, of course, another perverted man wanting his dick wet "Please pack your belongings and leave my home," You say with no emotion, looking ahead of you, playing with your fingers on top of the table showcasing no fear. You were used to this, your mom didn't care about you, never defended you from these men. You used to have to cower under the bed before they leave. The man frowned, his eyes show anger. He probably didn't get this kind of treatment from women, his ego was obviously bruised. He walked closer to you as a show of dominance but you knew men like him from the back of your hand, the disgusting way they think they deserve everything they want without any consequences. You quickly got up and grabbed your phone, holding it up beside you as you glare at the towering man before you.
"If you don't leave this house in the next five seconds, I'm calling the cops" You raise an eyebrow, he wouldn't dare stay. You were underage. He scowled and walked away towards the door knowing he couldn't get what he desires. You. Leaving the house with a loud bang making the house quack. After sitting back down sighing, you fed yourself that spoonful of cereal that has been calling you since you heard the man come down. Finishing your bowl, you walked to the sink and rinsed your bowl before putting it on the drying rack, as you were about to grab the cereal box on the table, at the same time as your mother came in the line of your vision. Looking perfect in her tight black skirt, white blouse that was practically translucent and heels clacking every time she took a step
"Glad to see you made food for yourself... if you call that food" Your mother judged knowing that you had the same cereal every morning. You scowled at her form but couldn't form a comeback since she was, in fact, your mother. "I will be working late tonight, here's a 20, buy yourself pizza or something" your mother sighed before looking at herself in the mirror in the hallway by the kitchen putting on her favorite red lipstick. 
"Shocker" You mumble, putting the money in your pocket
"Excuse me?" Your mother whipped around, glaring 
"Nothing" You quickly say, giving her your best fake smile, trying not to get into trouble this early in the morning. She made a noise of approval before saying her goodbyes and leaving the house. She didn't even ask you if you saw the man and if you were okay, but that doesn't matter anymore to you, you learned long ago that she doesn't care for you as a mother should, you gave up trying to fix the relationship that you used to have with her when your father passed. You were only 12 years old when your mother abandoned you and instead paid attention to the many men in her bed. 
You had a few days to relax before heading back to school so you decided to sit back on the couch and watch the highlights of past soccer games. Screaming every time they get a goal, or crying when an emotional moment had happened, you have watched this video so many times but can't help getting excited every time. Sitting around for a few hours, sending a few texts to your best friend Namjoon you were bored out of your mind. You wanted to see Jae but he was busy with soccer practices all day. 
All of a sudden you get a phone call, seeing who was calling you made your smile appear on your face, quickly answering on the second ring. You had both talked for a total of five minutes, him stating he wanted to take you out to see a movie, and that he was going to pick you up in around 15 minutes or so. Quickly getting up and running up the stairs since you didn't have as much time as you like, you opened your door and started rummaging through your clothes to find the perfect outfit. In the end, you decided on a cute grey cropped knitted sweater with a bow on the back and a pair of tight dark blue jeans, you paired the outfit with some white converse. Just as you were looking over your appearance in the mirror in the bathroom, nicely messing up your hair you got a text, saying Jae was here. You squealed and sprinted out of your room, making sure to grab your purse and keys before you locked the door and walked into his car
"Hey, babe" Jae smiled, leaning in for a kiss, you turned your head slightly so his lips hit your cheek instead, you let out a breathy laugh when you looked at him again as Jae leaned back, getting comfortable in his seat, sighing. 
you greeted him back 
"Hey, so why the movies so early?" You asked, questioning his actions with a raised eyebrow and arms crossed over your chest, he didn't usually take you out much, preferred to hang out in the comforts of his home. You noticed his attention divert at your exposed chest making you put your hands down on your lap to try and hide them again
Jae looked back at your eyes and smirked: "What, I can't take my girlfriend to the movies anytime I please?" You rolled your eyes at his playfulness, hitting his arm as you giggled. He leaned in and captured your lips in a kiss, you parted your lips and kissed him back right away, gaining confidence he deepened the kiss by putting his hand on the back of your head, grabbing onto your hair, his other hand landed on your waist, playing with the hem of your shirt threatening to pull it up. You heart hammered and your breathing became uneven, putting your hands on his chest you muttered a quick 'stop' before pulling away. You could feel the disappointment radiating off of the man beside you which made you turn away from him and looked out the window at the passing houses. After a good ten minutes or so you made it to the movie theatre.
So, what are we watching..?" Crossing your hands behind your back as you smiled at him, you moved back and forth between the balls of your feet and your toes, trying to make the air a bit less tense.
"I know you love the whole romance jazz so I thought you'd appreciate if we watch 'Mood of The Day'" Jae winked at you before walking ahead to pay for the tickets. You frowned. You were more into the whole 'horror' 'thriller' type of vibe. Maybe he just wanted to watch this movie and didn't want to admit it. Shaking your head you ran up to your boyfriend just as he had paid for the two tickets. Finding a seat near the back you both sat down, as soon as the movie started and the lights went down you felt Jae's hand on your knee, you leaned into his shoulder and sighed in content, honestly, the movie was kind of boring, you didn't find the whole romantic topic as the most exciting but kept watching for the sake of your boyfriend, he kept his hands on your knee for a while before moving it upwards, you didn't mind until he touched your inner thigh, very close to your core. You tensed up, stomach doing flips you starting breathing unevenly again. Jae took your reactions positively as he kept moving upwards until he cupped your most intimate parts. You gasped and shot up in your seat, earning a few glares and 'shush's' from the people around you, you darted out of your seat and ran to the bathroom. Thankfully there was nobody inside. Putting your hands in the cold water, you put them to your face to cool off, sighing as you felt the cold water touch your heated skin. He hasn't been that forward with you in a while and it really shocked you, especially since you were in public. You heard the bathroom door open and shut loudly making you jump, you turned around and shouted
"Jae, you can't be in here!" you exclaimed trying to grab him, putting your hands on his chest to try and  push him out of the woman's bathroom
"Why? It's not like we're going to do anything in here, Virgin Mary" He looked annoyed, putting his hand over his face and rubbing it. You gaped at him, your eyes were wide when you stared at him, you didn't expect him to say something like that to you. He never said anything so hurtful, tears formed in your eyes as your breaths became shallow. You wouldn't cry in front of him. You promised yourself long ago that no man was ever going to see your tears. Not after what you have been through. You put your hands by your sides and moved backward distancing yourself with him, moving deeper into the bathroom. You knew that this was going to happen, you always hoped that you were wrong and that he was okay with you being abstinent for the duration of your relationship. You hoped he would understand and be patient with you, but you weren't an idiot, you could see how he acted when you wouldn't give yourself to him. All of the disappointment in his eyes, and the way he acts so coldly afterward. You just needed more time. You thought that he would wait for you, be there for you. But you guessed wrong. Like always. 
"W-Wh-?" 
"I don't understand why we can't just have sex, everyone in our grade has had it and you had been blue balling me for two fucking years now. Why can't you do just one thing for me and let me have some fun" Jae had his arms in front of him, waving them around as it would help him in his argument. "I mean, I've shown you how much I wanted to sleep with you for over a year now and you aren't getting the hint. This relationship is seriously becoming a chore" Noticing your lack of response, and shaking form he continued  "You know what it doesn't matter, I've been fucking any girl that would give herself to me since you wouldn't do it yourself"
This isn't real, you were happy, you were sure of it. Yeah, you both fought but what couple doesn't? "How long?" You finally muttered after a couple of minutes of intense staring at one another
"What?" 
"How long have you been fucking these women? How long did I waste my time?"
"Since last year, I gave you a full year to make yourself comfortable but I guess there was no point in me waiting anymore" You nodded, feeling your hands shake from the anger. You watched him walk out of the bathroom, leaving a loud 'bang' from the door making you flinch. You stand there watching the door where your now ex-boyfriend stormed out of. You closed your eyes and breathed in and out slowly, trying to regain your composure. This was not how you planned your evening. 
Jae had left you at the movie theatre on your own and so you had to walk all the way home on foot. You felt utterly humiliated and miserable. As soon as you walked into the house you saw a bra on the couch along with a man’s shirt and jeans. You shuddered in disgust. 
"It is way too early for this shit" You mutter. you stomped upstairs making sure to make a lot of noise so your mom and her new lover can keep it down, which never ends up happening. You walked up to your room and collapsed on your bed. You put your head into your pillow and cried out silently. Hearing the banging on the wall from the bed from your mother's room, sighing you put on your headphones and put some comforting music before laying down fully after making sure your room was locked
Since it was only the afternoon by the time you came home from the movie theatre, you spent all day sitting around your room, cleaning, crying, and sleeping, making sure to keep your headphones on as to not hear disturbing sounds. By the time it was nine o clock you were passed out, waiting for the first day of school.
Please like and comment, I gain motivation/inspiration from all of the support!
Hope you liked it!
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prisonrose · 5 years ago
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Mea Culpa || 24 Hour Journal
01:00
A guard inadvertently wakes me up by shining a flashlight in my cell to make sure Craig and I are still present. 
After a brief pause to make sure the figure above me is truly asleep and not dead or a sack of potatoes serving as a decoy, he moves on.
I fall asleep shortly afterwards.
05:45
I force myself to wake up at this time every morning, about 10-15 minutes before the cells unlock. It was hard to get the timing just right since I don’t have an alarm at first, but most days I manage it based on my biological clock alone.
I relieve myself on the loo while Craig is still asleep, trying to be as quiet as possible. 
I brush my teeth, splash water on my face, and sit on my bed, waiting for the doors to open.
06:00
The cell doors finally unlock, and I make a beeline for the kitchen area of our cell block. Usually I’m the first to get there, but sometimes I’m unlucky. 
Today I have the first go at the microwave and heat up some oatmeal with peanut butter and instant coffee to take back to my cell.
I manage to get in and get out without being caught or harassed by anyone. Craig is gone by the time I get back. Likely at the chow hall or showers. I get to have a relaxing meal alone.
07:00
I show up for work in the laundry facility. A few of the driers are down for scheduled repairs.
I spend most of the day lubricating roller bearings, adjusting pulleys, and replacing drum rollers and dryer glides.
This is probably the most relaxing part of my day. It always feels good to be working with machines again.
Still, I can’t believe I only get paid 200 Pokedollars for this shit. Guess I’ll splurge and spend a whole day’s pay on some Fresh Water from a vending machine one day.
11:30
Wrap up work in time for count. Try to make it back to my cell without bumping into anyone.
Craig is already there in the room by the time I come in. I say a quick greeting to him and reuse the bowl I used for oatmeal earlier for a bowl of cereal and a box of UHT milk.
I rather miss having cold beverages.
11:55
“Five minutes til count time, boys. Be on your bunks and be visible! I repeat, be on your bunks and be visible for 12:00 count or you will get a ticket!”
There’s never any telling how long these things will last, so I get comfortable on my bed with a science fiction novel I used to read a lot as a child.
A guard comes by with a Boltund to check to see if we’re where we need to be. 
12:25
Count is mercifully short today. The doors unlock again, and most guys begin shuffling over to the Chow Hall for lunch. I say goodbye to Craig.
I wait until it’s relatively quiet in the halls before donning my shower shoes and taking my little plastic bucket of shower supplies down to our cell block’s communal showers.
Privacy is important during this vulnerable time. Most guys wash off either in the morning or just before lockup, but I prefer going in midday when most guys are either having lunch or out in the yard working out.
12:40
It’s never completely empty though. I try my best to creep to the other end of the showers opposite a loose group of men that probably had the same idea as me.
The showers are always disgusting. The floors are usually covered in a thick layer of grime, shaved body hair, and bodily fluids. The holes in the shower head I initially chose are so clogged in one that I have to go to another slightly closer to the other men.
This one works, at least, but the hot water is used up. Oh well. It really is a lottery most days. 
I hate these annoying timed press buttons. I hate everything about these damn showers. Showering used to be the most relaxing part of my day. I miss my flat so badly just for this alone.
12:46
I try to get in and out as quickly as possible since I have company. Maybe if I’m in and out before they realize who I am, I can avoid a scene.
No such luck. I’m small but not small enough to not be seen past the half-assed dividers supposed to offer a shred of privacy. 
They intercept me in the changing room. Thankfully, I still have my towel on.
The big guy says he’s heard of me. He asks if it’s true that I ████ █ █████ ████ █ █████.
I confirm that it is true. He’ll find out the truth either way, so there’s really no need to lie.
He ███ ██ ██ ███ ███ ██ ███ ███ █████ ███████. His buddies ████ ████ ██ █████ ██.
█████’█ ██ █████ ██ █████████ ███ ████ ██ ████ █████. ██████ ██ ████ ████ ██ ██████. █ █████. 
█ ████ ██ ██ ███ ███ ███ ██ ███. ████ ██████████ ███’█ ███ ██ ████ ██. ██’█ ███████ ████ ████ █████ ███ █ █████’█ █████.
I guess that’s the only thing I’m good for anymore. 
13:05
I get back to my cell.
Decide to take a nap since I’m not feeling so well.
14:55
Get woken up by a guard with a Growlithe banging on the cell door. Apparently I have a visitor and need to get processed for that. Time to put on my game face. 
15:01
Getting strip searched in front of the guards is the most humiliating thing ever. Probably even worse than getting undressed in front of other inmates. 
The female guard’s Espeon stares at me the entire time, its forked tail twitching slightly, possibly scanning the near future to see if I was a threat. The whole process of undressing, getting searched, getting redressed takes about 15 minutes. I’m led to the Non Contact visit area so that I can talk with whoever this is.
15:16
Another journalist trying to get the big scoop on my fall from grace. I’m exhausted by now by how many interviews these people keep subjecting me to, but I understand the appeal.
I smile politely and answer all of her questions, no matter how asinine. When she asks me how a well-to-do businessman is fairing in a maximum security prison, I tell her that I’m doing just fine. Part of me wants to believe it, too.
15:46
Visit is officially concluded. I thank the journalist for her time and go back to get searched a second time.
I take off each article of clothing individually and shake them out, then spread every fold and orifice of myself that might be hiding contraband as the guards search my clothes.
The Espeon is still staring at me. Part of me wishes I could have seen into the future for what was in store for me years ago when I begged for the harshest punishment possible.
16:02
Time for tea. Also the last time to get something from the Chow Hall before Lockdown in 2 hours.
My hunger gets the best of me, and I make a visit, despite how terrible the food is and how dangerous it is for someone like me. This place and the Yard are the sites of most stabbings and riots.
Today it’s what I assume to be some sort of beef (I think?) stew with tons of soggy, mealy potatoes and white rice. It looks like something already eaten, but that was par for the course.
I take my little tin of food and try to desperately find a seat at a table not already occupied. No such luck, so I sit at the opposite end of the table of two gents with my approximate skintone. 
Thankfully, they ignore me. I eat in peace. 
16:38
Go to the rec center to see if there’s anything worth watching on the telly. Maybe I can even catch a match.
My appearance prompts from jeers from a couple of men playing pool, but they leave me alone pretty quickly when I try to pay them no mind. 
No League matches are showing today, so I instead turn it to the news.
Apparently there’s some sort of catastrophic Dynamaxing incident playing out in multiple cities at once. I hope that some madman didn’t get news of my own experiment and try to do something similar…
17:45
Lockdown in 15 minutes. Head back to my cell, but Craig is busy on the loo. Walk back out again and respectfully wait as long as I can for him to finish up.
17:55
“Five minutes til count time and lockdown, boys. Be on your bunks and be visible! I repeat, be on your bunks and be visible for 18:00 count or you will get a ticket!”
I have to go in at this point. Luckily, Craig is now washing up. He nods at me and climbs back on his bunk for count.
When the cell doors close, there’s no opening them again until 6 the next morning, unless there’s some sort of emergency. So it’s best to get as comfortable as you can.
I begin reading my book again. There’s nothing else to do, really.
20:00
Last state sanctioned meal of the day. The small slot in our cell door is opened, and two paper bags are fed through. 
It’s a ham and cheese sandwich, a bag of crisps, and a box of milk for each of us. 
As per our agreement, I hand Craig my ham sandwich and my bag of crisps over to him as well. It’s hard not to feel hungry in here, but it’s a small price to pay for peace.
He hands over his box of milk, and I instead have my last bowl of cereal for the night. The extra box of milk is tucked away somewhere safe, and the bowl cleaned and ready for the next morning.
Back to my book. 
21:00
The lights in our cell unceremoniously turn off. “LIGHTS OUT!” the voice over the intercom booms. “QUIET IN THE CELLS!”
I sigh, sticking a popsicle stick into the pages as a makeshift bookmark, and stretch out to place it back on the desk for tomorrow. 
I lay down, staring blankly out of the bars, feeling more empty than I ever have in my life.
I’ve long since stopped wondering if my sacrifice was worth it, if this is the fate I deserved, if there’s any hope I’ll be remembered fondly in the future, or at all, even in the present day.
This is my life now. It’ll be my life until the day I die. As unhappy as I am about the notion, I’ve made my peace with it, and have adjusted accordingly.
I wipe away the hot tears rolling down my face with a soft sniffle, and roll back over to try to rest up and gather my strength to face this hell the next day.
And the day after that and the day after that and the day after that…
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Text
Chapter 23: Don’t be so tough with yourself
In which fights and emotional instability strikes in. 
*Sans's POV*
I woke up quite late the next day, rays of sun telling me the present timeline was still there. The smell of warm coffee filled my room, and the bed was a lot less messy than usual. I looked at my left and noticed that, indeed, there was a cup of coffee, companied by a notebook with a lot of writing on the front page. I decided to read it, not before taking a sip to the drink before it got cold.
<<Sans, buddy, I don't think you should continue hiding these things. You are important, you have a family and friends that care about you. You are so young, man! You've been given the chance to go on and start from zero on the Surface, please don't waste it. You are super smart, I can feel it, and you are way more useful than you think.
Please, if not for you, then do it for your family. I bet Papyrus doesn't know anything about your problem. He may know what you have, but not WHY you have it. That's the intimate part, isn't it? I understand you want to keep Papyrus's innocence, but think of yourself at least right now. You are the most important person to your brother (From what I've seen, you guys don't have a close relationship. I am no one to judge, though).
I don't want to pressure you. I just want you to be okay. You have people to rely on- don't waste that opportunity.  Maybe you won't tell your parents, I perfectly understand. My parents don't know about my issues either. But you have your brother, friends, and if you ever want to, I'll always be open to hearing what you have to say.
Please, Sans, just be careful.
Because we all really care about you.
(P.D. If you wake up and the coffee's cold, don't hesitate to ask me for more! I'll be downstairs... Papy's probably awake already)>>
I sighed and took the cup with me. I know that what I was doing was so damn wrong, but I was truly afraid of letting go. I'm not happy like this, don't misunderstand, but... it's comfortable. Because it's predictable. And know that I have an unpredictable person in my life, what am I supposed to do?
I got dressed in simple clothes with my favorite hoodie and headed downstairs, where (Y/N) was helping my bro to make Hot Cakes. It smelled amazing, and the loud noise of dishes clacking and Paps's voice gave the house happiness. I noticed the door that leads to the room of my parents was shut down and locked from the inside, and I had the right to assume they arrived in the morning. Why? Because they would have asked about (Y/N)'s belongings on the couch (that now weren't there), about my muffled sobs, or the steps of the girl walking to my room.
"it smells good, guys" I softly commented in order to let them know about my presence. I always did that on the Underground, and I don't mean to change it any time soon.
"OH, HELLO BROTHER!" Papyrus excitedly waved at me, but was drawn by some signs that the human was making in order to get him to return to his duties. I chuckled. "EXCUSE ME, SANS, BUT I MUST NOT GET DISTRACTED WHILE COOKING!"
"Heya Sans!" (Y/N) said not looking at me, too focused on making breakfast. "Hope the coffee wasn't too cold"
"nah, it was perfect" I lazily answered and smiled wider. "i liked it a latte"
Silence dropped in for a few seconds before they realized the joke, receiving a groan and a giggle. I knew perfectly which was from whom.
"Wow" She said between her giggles "I have no words to espresso how awful that pun was"
Papyrus seemed so shocked and horrified that we both ended up laughing like crazy. He groaned louder and started to whine about how dorky we were. When we ended our laughter fit, breakfast was ready, so we sat down and started to eat. It was nice, way better than eating spaghetti all the damn mornings. I love my bro, but pasta... it sometimes makes me feel upsetti...
Heh.
The evening was great until we started to make breakfast puns. Then it became...
eggcellent.
"I SWEAR TO GOD, I'M GOING TO END BOTH OF YOU!" He screamed at some point.
"Wouldn't that make you a..." She started.
"DON'T!"
"Cereal killer?"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"nice one, gal" I smirked at Paps's reaction.
"Oh jeez, I wasn't bready for that compliment" Oh my God, she is such a dork.
"wow, that pun was brewtiful"
A lot of puns came later and brightened my day. After a well-deserved breakfast and some other cups of coffee, we finally went to the school I wanted to inscribe Papyrus in. This time we used a freaking GPS and did our best to don't get distracted. Inscriptions' closure was coming and I did not want to leave my brother without school for a whole semester.
Ebott High School was a huge and modern-looking school owned by the same man that owns the university. However, they (supposedly) weren't correlated. I didn't give a damn, though. I just want the best for my bro for this period of his life. He may decide later what he wants...
Ah, the mere thought of he going away and making a new life breaks my heart. Just as he tends to say, what would I do without a cool guy like him taking care of me? I would probably just go on and ruin my life on alcohol and sleepless nights on beds made of bills. I... I need to be more optimistic towards the future, but is hard. Really hard. I have no abilities- only complex feelings that not even I can comprehend.
We entered and made our way to the reception, where (Y/N) did most of the talking. It was better that way since I felt like saying something stupid. Based on the looks that the receptionist was giving us, I could also say that he wasn't happy with us being here, so it was good for me not to say anything.
After some minutes, we entered a room where we would talk about how the process to join the school would go and many clubs that Papyrus could join after the usual schedules. It was going good, everything was going calm and happy. In that stage of the inscription, of course. The next one, on the other hand...
"I can't believe we are letting a monster access our buildings!" An employee shouted to another, who tried to keep a neutral expression and not to punch his partner on the face. "This is the real life, not some 'let's accept everyone' shit!"
"Dude, he has acceptable grades" The other one answered, seemingly bored and used to that bastard's arguments "The skeleton can even have a scholarship! Why should we not accept him?!"
"But he's incompetent!"
"Hey, if you want to say something, say it to our face!" For my surprise, (Y/N) intervened. Looking at her expression I easily noticed how irritated and annoyed she was by this guy's behavior. At least for a moment, she decided not to act shy and defend... well, she wasn't even defending herself! She was defending Papy...
And before I even got to process everything, the fight escalated further.
"You better shut up, you stupid monster whore!" WHAT THE FU-
"Oh, great! Is that all that you have?!" Welp, she snapped quite quickly. But that's how girls are, right? "Your retarded mind lives on the prehistoric age or what?! We are in the twenty-first century, you freaking moron! Are you really that stupid?! Or are you just so full of yourself you simply can't accept others by. their. fucking. looks?!"
...ok...
Maybe that's NOT how girls usually are...
But if it is, then, I must be wary around them from now on.
"You just want to get him in for your own benefit!"
"Oh, really? Tell me what benefits I'm getting at sending my friend to school. Oh, wait, there are none! I just want him to have a good life because I'm his freaking friend! But I don't expect you to understand, of course, since you have none!" Ok, if I have to be honest, I was trying not to be scared of her at this point.
"Oh, you dare to offend me?"
"More like defending what's right! And if that implies calling you every. single. swearword. I'll do it with pleasure!"
"ok, you guys better calm-" We can say that I tried to calm down the situation, but...
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, YOU FUCKING BAG OF BONES!!!"
"WHO THE FUCK YOU CALL A BAG OF BONES, YOU STUPID, UNHAPPY-WITH-LIFE, SLUT!"
...
...it got worse.
"HEY!" Papyrus screamed, and God knows how many decibels that sound made. "STOP OFFENDING EACH OTHER!"
(Y/N) and that unsatisfied dude looked at each other for a brief second (needless to say, with a LOT of hate) and then back at Papyrus.
"SIR..." My bro started, taking advantage of the guy's attention. "IF YOU ARE NOT OPEN TO RECEIVE SOMEONE DIFFERENT THAN YOU AT THESE BUILDINGS, THEN I MUST SAY I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED. I-"
"Who the hell you think you are to tell me th-"
"Continue talking and I'll rip off your mouth" Ok, girls scare me. A LOT.
"AS... I WAS SAYING, SIR" Papyrus also seemed scared by the cute, shy and anxious girl's sudden behavior. "I THINK THAT, IF SOMEONE WITH A SIMPLE JOB LIKE YOURS WON'T ACCEPT ME MORALLY, THEN I GUESS THERE'S NO POINT IN TRYING TO APPLY HERE"
"..."
"...Papyrus is right" Finally, she calmed down. "If you really don't want to do your job and accept him as a student, just like everybody else, then I guess I can't force you"
She walked to the exit door and, without a word, we followed her. We three perfectly knew that more words won't make him change his mind. And less if know he was angry with the only human keeping us company.
"Have a good day, sir" And with that, the violent meeting that I never expected to see (less today) ended. We walked out of the school and walked a few meters before I heard the girl sigh.
"I'm... I'm sorry, guys" She gave us a sad, weak smile. She looked like she wanted to beat herself to death. The guilt in her eyes was so unbearable that I had to look away. "I... I probably messed up"
The thing is, that she could have taken it better. I didn't know what to tell her, because she could have cooled down in the first place. As must as I wanted to tell her something good... nothing came out at the moment.
"IT'S NOTHING, HUMAN" Papyrus gave her a smile in return but his had pride and joy. "YOU WERE JUST DEFENDING US! I AM ACTUALLY FLATTERED BY YOUR ACTIONS!"
"But I behaved horribly..." It seemed like the guilt would never disappear. "I could have acted better, not saying swears, goddamnit! But I... I lost my cool... I'm truly sorry"
We remained in silence for a bit. It was becoming more and more painful, and I didn't want her to beat down herself after this incident, so I decided to make a move.
"hey... we all lose our cool sometimes, right?" I smiled weakly, trying to lighten up her expression at least a bit. It didn't work. I sighed and continued, not having any other reasonable choice. "that guy acted like such a bastard to us and to you, (y/n). you just defended yourself, and unfortunately, that's something that we all have to do some time or another. that guy didn't deserve mercy from someone like you. you did the right thing"
"But not the way I-"
"stop livin' in the past, kid" I bet it was easy to notice the worry in my eyes and how my smile was shaking. "you behaved differently from the usual, that's why you feel weird. but you did good"
"...Are you sure?"
"ABSOLUTELY!" Ah, Papyrus. Always cheerful, no matter what.
"T-thanks... so we... are we still f-friends?"
Wait, did she really think she would lose us because of that?
"OF COURSE, HUMAN! YOU CAN NOT GET RID OF US THAT EASILY!"
She smirked, dropping a few tears when she closed her eyes.
She... she was THAT scared?  
"So I... I guess we'll search for another school, then?" She smiled way brighter, and I felt way more at ease.
"I GUESS SO, HUMAN" Papyrus was still smiling with pure joy... how does he do that?
"if... if you don't want to be there, kid, we will understand" I bluntly said, not really thinking before talking. Thankfully, she didn't take it the wrong way.
"H-hey! If I'm not there, then who'll be the human that'll mess up with the bastards?!" She laughed eagerly and, without thinking of anything else, I smiled as well. Seeing her so relieved and calmer was nice- I couldn't do much but to give her a smile in return.
"nice" I smirked. "let's go grab some grub right now, k?"
"SANS! WE ATE LESS THAN AN HOUR AGO!"
"i know. and it's killin' me"
To my delight, she laughed at our conversation. To hear her like that rather than rambling about her "mistakes" puts an idiotic smile on my face. It's so weird.
Ok, calm down Sans.
She's a friend.
There's no way you could-
"Hey, Sans" She smiled sweetly, the gaze in her eyes softening "You've been quiet for a while... is there something wrong?"
...
Shit.
"nah, don't sweat it" My wink was as fake as my confidence... heh. "just thinkin' of somethin'"
"IS THAT SO?" I know this makes me a really messed up big brother, but... for an instant, I forgot about Papy's existence... I'm such an idiot. "MAY WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT, BROTHER?"
Oh hell no.
"nope"
"C' MON!"
"no"
"Sans, hey..." Oh no, not her. Please don't beg me, please, please! "You can tell us anything, okay? I... must admit I am a bit curious, but if it's something deeply personal, then we'll understand..."
And there it was, that so sweet smile of hers.
This is becoming so stupid.
I wanted to forget about it, but it's not easy to forget someone WHEN THAT PERSON IS IN FRONT OF YOU.
"Hey..." God, I remained silent again, didn't I? "Are... are you-"
"i'm fine, don't worry about me...?" Idiot! Why did it come as a question?!
"...You sure?"
"definitely" Wow, that didn't sound suspicious at all, you freaking moron "i'm just a bit... overwhelmed, we can say, for all the sudden changes of these last months"
Well, at least I didn't lie...
I mean, I did, but at the same time, I didn't...
This day should have been called "The day where Sans is more idiotic than usual".
We ended up going to a café to calm down (and to not get back home, since Papyrus didn't want to) and have a drink. Since we didn't succeed in getting him into the school, there weren't now any plans. Just a normal hangout, I guess. It was becoming more difficult to concentrate on the chat they were having, and my mind being a bitch, it decided to think more of... how she is. Why? I have NO FUCKING IDEA.
It's... funny. Funny how she, a human with the capacity to have it all, it's so nervous to show confidence at all. She doubts all her decisions, she thinks she's not good at all, and that no one would truly... like her by the way she is.
I remember that, when I was younger, I used to believe I could do it all. That one day, even, I would free everyone from the Underground. I'm still confident about who I am, and even if I'm lazy and a good for nothing... I'm happy. What scares me is that the kid decides to take away that happiness from me. But overall, I like my life. She, on the other hand, doesn't. And I don't know why...
I want to know why...
Looking at her, the bright smile she had when talking to Papy, the sweet tone of her voice when she asks for anything, and the pleasant light of her eyes... it's not easy to hate yourself when you simply don't have many reasons to. Her shy personality, the way she stutters when she realizes she's being passionate about something, her humble attitude... she is great overall. She has a great heart, why she has self-doubt? Or depression, even?
I'm starting to think too much about this.
I noticed awfully late that I was staring at them, and I looked away when their eyes were already on me. I stared, instead, at my untouched glass of Coke.
"BROTHER?" Oh no. "ARE YOU OKAY? YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE HAVING A ROUGH TIME"
"You've been awfully quiet, Sans..." Shit... "Are you sure you are okay?"
"...yeah" I'm so stupid! Yay! "i'm okay, really. just... i was just thinking"
"AGAIN?" Shit, I used the same excuse.
"yep"
They looked at each other for a brief second, back at me, then sighed (surprisingly at the same time).
"sorry" I started, feeling guilty of the worry they had in their looks "i'm just... i'm really just thinking, it's just... weird. my mind's been acting weird lately. and i'm dealing with that"
Wow, I finally said the truth.
"...I see" She smiled again, and I swear to God I. FUCKING. BLUSHED. "It's okay, Sans. We all have our days when our mind seems different, right? With all the changes you guys are having... I bet it's been quite something, isn't it? And, uh... more with what happened earlier, I suppose"
"YEAH, IT'S BEEN WEIRD LATELY" Papy admitted, surprising me a bit. "ESPECIALLY WITH SANS. HE'S NOT ACTING AS HE USED ON THE UNDERGROUND... HE ACTS MORE LIKE WHEN HE WAS ONLY WITH ME AT HOME. HE DIDN'T USE TO SHOW HIS FEELINGS AS MUCH AS HE DOES NOW" Is that so?
"maybe you are right, bro" I winked, trying to put aside my weird feelings and thoughts. "anyway, eh... do you think they'll have any limes here?"
"Limes or lemons?"
"limes"
(Y/N) called out a waitress and asked for limes and... guacamole.
"guacamole?" I raised an "eyebrow" (not sure what to call 'em).
"I'm... I 'm hungry, ok?"
"OH MY GOD, WE ATE LESS THAN TWO HOURS AGO"
"I know, that's why I hate it"
"can we have some?"
"SANS!"
"Sure, you can take however you want"
"I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD TELL SANS THAT" My brother (wisely) adviced her. "OR ELSE HE WON'T LEAVE YOU A SINGLE BIR OF IT!"
We both chuckled, and more when the guacamole arrived instantly. Papyrus looked irritated, but as must as he won't admit it, he also took some guacamole now and then. We started to talk about which other schools would be great for him, but it turned out that not even the girl knew too much about it. I suddenly felt how an unnoticeable headache disappeared and my head cleared into the conversation.
And if you are going to ask me "hey, Sans, are you going to use this weird headache as an excuse?" then let me tell you that YES.
"I wasn't born here, you know..." She, again, smiled. And I was trying to calm down, of course. "I'm from a city that is a bit far from Ebott"
"REALLY?" My brother, too, was interested. "HOW FAR?"
"Probably five hours... or maybe a bit less"
"since when you are here, then?"
"Since I was eighteen, I have now four years studying and working here" She continued calmly. like if she was waiting for anyone to ask her about this. Oh lord, isn't she lonely? I pity her. "By that reason, I only started university here... that's maybe why I don't know a lot of high schools around here. I know more about kindergartens, though"
K-kindergartens?
Why would she search for kindergartens?!
Does...
Does she...?
"why?"
"An ol' friend I know since middle school has a kiddo, and I've been trying to help Miranda to have her signed into a good school"
I wanted to sigh out in relief but I realized it would be WAY too weird, so I didn't.
"OH!" Papyrus seemed delighted to hear about a little kid, I guess. "CAN WE MEET THE HUMAN CHILD?"
"Of course!" (Y/N), as well, seemed delighted with the idea to present the kid to us "She is really nice and creative, and my friend is pretty good!"
Now I really sighed this time, not truly wanting to deal with kids. However, they looked pretty enthusiastic about it... I knew my thoughts would not matter. I just hope that the little girl doesn't get scared, or else Papyrus will feel bad with himself. Also, because I don't want to make an early Halloween (and yes, I know about that sick festive day humans do every October. It makes me want to die).
"MIRANDA IS YOUR FRIEND?"
"Ah, yes. And her child is called Miriam"
"WOWIE! I HOPE WE REALLY CAN MEET HER!"
"Yep, I hope so too" She looked at her cellphone for barely two seconds and sighed, seemingly in relief. Then her eyes focused on the empty bowl of guacamole and my empty glass of Coke with a hell lot of limes. "I suppose... I suppose w-we are done eating, right?"
"really? i thought we were getting started" I joked, getting out a small giggle from her and a light groan from my brother.
"WE ARE DEFINITELY OVER WITH THE EATING FOR NOW!" My grumpy brother glanced at me and, naturally, I winked.
"Ok, eh..." She fidgeted a bit, showing a shy smile... how many times I have mentioned her smile by now? "Do you want to, uh, hang out for a bit? I think it's a bit, you know, uh... late for searching a school?"
"i agree"
"YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING, SANS!" He scolded me, getting another of my famous winks as a response. "BUT YEAH! WE WILL SURELY BE GLAD TO HANG OUT WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!"
I nodded and we all headed out of the café to go to... wherever. We walked through the streets, hearing the complaining of Papyrus when he saw most of the people on a car. One of Papy's goals is to ride a red convertible, the sun hitting his skin, and the air moving his hair.
Of course, most of it will never happen, but... he sure can have a car. We just don't have enough money.
Oh. That brings me to another point.
I need to get a fucking job.
Gaster, suspiciously, has not been gaining enough money on his nice job. Arial, I don't know what the hell she is doing, and I don't want Papyrus to put his studies aside. I need to get a job, any job I could ever think of. Money is money, whatever we gain will help.
We ended up going to a park, where we gained a couple of stares...
Actually, we got a lot.
Fortunately, (Y/N) seemed to control her irritation this time, so even if other people would try to search a fight, we remained calm. Instead of shouting, she just was sarcastic, but we never got into anything bigger. We sat under a tree, away from people, just talking about any topic. Papyrus and I would constantly ask about the Surface. She, on the other hand, would ask about the Underground. It was nice, and we remained there until eight pm.
"Ah, jeez..." She said when she looked at the time. "I think I should be getting home by now"
"BUT HUMAN, YOU CAN STAY ONE MORE DAY WITH US!" He looked so disappointed it was becoming clearly difficult for her to deny.
"Sorry, Paps" She sadly looked at him, trying to convince him. "I have work tomorrow"
"well..." Oh my God, what are you doing?! "can we at least go with you?"
She looked at me a bit taken-back, my nervousness increasing with every passing second. Papyrus seemed eager with the idea to go with her, so he helped me convince her.
"YES HUMAN!" Nice excuse, bro. "WE SHALL GO WITH YOU!"
"Ah, I... isn't it a bit late?"  
"that's exactly what we mean, kid"
"YES, HUMAN! IT'S DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE!" Why do I feel like I've heard that line before?
"We will need to take the subway, though..."
"no problemo"
"Oh... ah, ok! If you insist..." She may not admit it, but she had a goofy grin on her face. She seemed so eager about it- about not going alone.
Aaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddd........ Papyrus squealed so loud I almost thought I turned deaf. I may not have ears, but gosh, that really hurt.
"IT IS SETTLED, THEN!" He struck a heroic pose he used to do a lot on the Underground. "OFF WE GO!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Your POV*
I don't know why, but the skelebros insisted to go with me to my home. Sans had a calm expression, but Papyrus was really impatient about my answer. After answering yes, he made the loudest squeal that the Earth has ever heard.
We got away from the partially calm environment of the park and went through the city streets, busy as always. Ah, this urban life... I absolutely hate it. It's so monotone that it depresses me every day. It's so boring I can't do much but fantasize about how the Underground could have been. A place with different people, where almost everybody knew each other and the day-by-day events did not involve stupid contamination and cliché campaigns.
Talking about my daily routine, after some minutes we arrived at the subway that tends to take me home every day I go out. As usual, the place was as full as a bar on a messed up weekend. People either coming out from work or carrying their tired kids, the subway stations have become like my second home. For groceries, for work, for even visiting a friend... I go there almost every day, unless I decide to stay home. But that usually doesn't happen.
The glances were there, just like in the park. Judging glances with every step we took, it didn't matter how tired everyone was... they just looked. Hate, amusement, disappointment... no wonder why this world is so fucked up. I didn't say anything for our sake, but I really wanted to kill everyone in the place (except the skeletons) and then myself. However, I should not lose control of myself like that again.
I felt somewhat guilty for having both of the skeletons by my side, when they could have been relaxing on their own home at that precise moment. I must admit, though, that I appreciated the company. Papyrus kept me entertained with various experiences of his past and Sans cracked occasionally a joke or two. It became less unbearable, and the glances soon stopped to be a burden.
Before I could tell, we were already at my station. We went out of the subway and headed to my little old apartment. The younger brother insisted on being with me until I arrived safely, and the older brother just went along with it. Just a step inside the "living room" and I remembered that episode on the bathroom... about the mirror, I mean!
I'm a fucking mess.
When they left me, teleported by Sans's skills, the loneliness hit me. I started to do my usual night ritual, but it felt really odd. Like... like if I haven't done it before.
God, I miss my old life. When I was a freaking kid with no cares in this world.
I miss my father.
I miss my friends.
I miss...
I miss my home.
I miss it so much.
I looked over the place and realized how messy it was. Papers on the main and small table, a weird ball of blankets on top of my bed, a lot of fast food trash on the couch, tons of dishes in the kitchen, and dry blood on the bathroom. Everything was disorganized, no signs of the girl I used to be when I was still studying. When I was still with him.
I went to my closet, which unsurprisingly had bunches of clothes accumulated, and searched for my old cellphone. I was feeling so nostalgic and blank that I needed to remind myself what was real and what wasn't. I was so sad that I wanted a reason to stop thinking of the present and cling on the past.
Sans's words hit me: "Stop living in the past". It is so true about myself that it hurts. It hurts a lot.
I use to think about my past a lot- the mistakes I made, the happy moments I had, my past nightmares, my old ambitions... it is so strange how things changed so quickly. How I stopped being that cheerful kid and started to be this always-tired woman.
After some tough research, I found that cellphone I got when I was about to leave middle school. Ah, that day. I was so happy I took like two hundred photos in less than an hour, most of them starring my smiling dad and me.
Tears fell down my face when I got to see those photos again. Each of one reminded me of phrases he used to tell me. Of how proud he was of me. Of how hopeful he was towards the future. MY future.
He promised me so many times that I was going to become the best scientist in all the world. That I would be the difference. That I would change everything and be the hope for a lot of people. And now, I'm not even the hope of myself. I can't even look at the mirror and stop myself from cringing of what I see. A stupid, messy, horrible human that has done nothing but destroy herself.
Sniffs turned into sobs as the time passed and the images showed. There were also photos of my favorite restaurants, of Miranda and me, of all the projects I was proud of, of my baseball cards, of my three-year-old drawings... of my proud and happy expression. It was so heartbreaking to think I was her. I was that child with bright (e/c) eyes and lively smile. That kid that used to play baseball pretty good and had an unhealthy but wonderful obsession with the Red Sox players. That child... that smart and productive child.
Sobbing turned into crying when a photo of my mother and me showed up. Ah, that woman- I loved her so much before she turned her back on both of us. Before she started to fight with dad about everything. Before she told me everything was my fault. That nostalgic picture, she carrying me with the proudest smile and me kissing her cheek with a proud smile.
It hurts so much.
It hurts.
It hurts.
It hurts...
I wished someone else could understand why.
Why, out of everything that has happened, I'm mostly only proud of who I once was.
Why those smiles I showed mean more to me than anything.
Why my eyes seem so different.
wHy i hATE mE SO mUCh.
More photos of the three of us were there. It was so painful to notice the genuineness in our expressions. Of how wonderful and innocent our happy times were. Of how we supported each other in the hard days. Of how, even if the day was bad, we gathered together and played, laughed, hugged...
I wanted to scream. To let out all the pain and go back to that small, cheerful world. As much as I try to be happy and proud of what I'm doing now, my mind continues to shout that I did better on the past and that it doesn't matter how hard I try, because I will never be that kid again. Now I have people that try to support me. I have people that, indeed, are trying to help me get through this. Hell, I even know someone that has that same feeling of dread.
I remembered how helpless Sans looked the day before, of how devoid of hope he seemed. How desperate he was for having someone, ANYONE, to hold him and tell him that is okay to cry. It's... it's funny. It's so funny how he is a happy comedian to everyone on the outside, but the inside is more than that.
This is not a joke.
This is not a FUCKING JOKE.
That's the life of a desperate monster we are talking over here. Of a devastated brother that tries to help him in any way. Of an oblivious mother that will soon regret leaving him alone. Of a disappointed father that will shed tears if he finds out what he had done.
While I'm crying, a lot of people are, too. Their tears, like mine, remain lost in the never-ending darkness that their life has become. Silent screams that they need to say out loud, but they can't. Because they are alone. They feel alone, as much as I do. Or even worse. And thinking that someone is in a worse situation than I am... it's not recomforting. It truly isn't.
I changed my clothes into my usual pajama. I did my nightly ritual, just as I do every day. But this time, I stood in front of the broken mirror, looking at the distorted version of me it reflects. I put my sleeves up only to reveal all the cuts I created. It looked like a sad painting of someone trying to escape.
And that's exactly what I am right now.
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47 Gluten Free Healthy Meal Prep Breakfasts for the New Year
New blog post! Are you a sweet or savory breakfast person? I'm constantly switching back in forth, but now that 2020 is in full swing and I'm back to my busy grad school and work schedule, I'm alll about healthy meal prep breakfasts...so I thought it would be a great time to share a ton of gluten free meal prep recipes on the blog! Whether you're looking for a healthy keto recipe, general meal prep ideas or healthy grab and go breakfasts to fit your own busy life, this round up has a recipe that will make eating a nutritious breakfast extra easy this year. Sweet and savory breakfast options galore!
And because I'm so excited to dig into these gluten free breakfast recipes, I'm keeping this intro short. So without further adieu, here are 47 gluten free healthy meal prep breakfasts to make your 2020 extra delicious.
1. Crustless Spinach Cheese Pie (Low Carb) - Low Carb Yum
This simple low carb recipe turns pie into breakfast food.
2. Paleo Blueberry Muffins (Vegan, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free) - A Sweet Alternative
These paleo muffins seriously give the traditional wheat-packed bakery muffins a run for their money.
3. Pepperoni Pizza Frittata (Whole30, Low Carb, Keto) - Cook at Home Mom
Healthy pizza for breakfast = mind (and taste buds) blown.
4. Overnight Quinoa Flakes (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac
If you're craving a warm porridge but can't tolerate oats, this overnight quinoa flakes breakfast is the perfect alternative. Plus, I include multiple different flavors you can make!
5. Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls (Vegan, Refined Sugar Free) - A Baking Journey
Is there any better combo than peanut butter and chocolate?!? I don't think so!
6. Green Dairy Free Egg Bites - Really Are You Serious
Upgrade the typical breakfast egg muffins with spinach and tofu!
7. Chocolate Protein Pancakes (Low Carb, Keto) - Wholesome Yum
First of all, droooool. Secondly, this big batch recipe means you'll have plenty of leftovers to eat later that week or freezer.
8. Skinny Mini Mexican Frittatas - Jersey Girl Cooks
Sweet peppers, hot sauce and Mexican cheese give these frittatas some extra kick.
9. Homemade and Healthy Nuts and Seeds Instant Breakfast Mix (Dairy Free Option) - Original Homesteading
Just add water to this nuts and seeds mix for a crunchy breakfast full of plant-based protein.
10. Keto Breakfast Casserole (Low Carb) - Sorey Fitness
This healthy keto breakfast can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, and is packed with ground cheese, sausage, eggs and jalapenos.
11. Easy Vegan Breakfast: Superfood Stone Fruit Rawnola - Stacey Homemaker
Whip up this vegan granola on Sunday so you have a yummy, nutrition-packed breakfast all week long.
12. Breakfast Meal Prep Blueberry Turkey Breakfast Sausage & Roasted Veggies (Dairy Free, Egg Free, Paleo) - Hungry Hobby
I've never eaten blueberries and turkey together before, but this breakfast bowl makes me want to try.
13. Spiced Apple Granola (Vegan) - Recipes From a Pantry
Make your kitchen smell like apple pie season all year round with this vegan granola recipe.
14. Breakfast Chia Seed Pudding, Two Ways (Vegan) - Lathi's Kitchen
Strawberry or mango puree makes these chia seed puddings super fruity and flavorful.
15. How to Bake Eggs in an Oven Tin in the Oven (Dairy Free, Soy Free) - Key to My Lime
Once you try baking eggs in the oven, you'll never go back.
16. Roasted Vegetable Sheet Pan Omelette (Vegetarian) - The Recipe Well
An omelet that you don't have to flip?!? Sold!
17. Super Clumpy Summer Squash Granola (Vegan, Oil Free, Sugar Free) - Casey the College Celiac
Pair this gluten free granola with your favorite yogurt or eat it like cereal with milk.
18. Tortitas de Berro, or Easy Guatemalan Watercress Fritters (Vegetarian) - A Taste for Travel
Popular in Guatemala and El Salvador, you can think of these as bite-sized omelettes packed with good-for-you ingredients.
19. One Bowl Blueberry Oat Flour Waffles - Flavor the Moments
Make your own freezer waffles at home with this easy one-bowl recipe. Just make sure you use gluten free oats to grind into flour. 
20. Cinnamon Swirl Protein Muffins (Keto) - The Helpful GF
I was sold at "cinnamon swirl"...
21. Roasted Tomato, Kale and Goat Cheese Frittata (Vegetarian) - Hot Pan Kitchen
If you've been looking for an easy cast iron skillet recipe, this frittata breakfast is a winner.
22. Easy Chia Seed Pudding Recipe (Vegetarian, Vegan Options) - Two Healthy Kitchens
If you're looking for an extensive guide to meal prepping chia seed pudding, Shelley has you covered with this post.
23. Southwest Tofu Breakfast Bowls (Vegan) - The Fitchen
I'm not even a huge fan of tofu, but this meal prep breakfast still has me drooling!
24. Banana Snacking Cake - Best of This Life
Banana and applesauce combine to make an extra moist gluten free cake that's healthy enough to eat for breakfast or a snack!
25. Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowl (Paleo, Vegan, Nut-Free, Whole-30 Option) - Paleo Gluten-Free Guy
This gluten free and paleo smoothie bowl will keep in the fridge for up to five days, and you'll love how thick and creamy it is.
26. Coconut Chia Pudding (Vegan, Low Carb) - Pepper Bowl
No cooking necessary for this vegan breakfast. Just throw the ingredients together and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
27. Maple Pecan Granola (Refined Sugar Free) - Zestful Kitchen
No gluten or refined sugar needed to meal prep this epic granola.
28. Chickpea Savory Muffins - Mind Body and Spirit Wellbeing
Who knew that chickpea flour could taste so good?
29. Crockpot Fiesta Breakfast Casserole (Paleo and Whole 30 Options) - Pink Fortitude
And if you really want to meal prep ahead of time, you can even freeze this paleo breakfast casserole for future breakfasting!
30. Cozy Cacao Oatless Zoats (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac
If you want to make a gluten free porridge breakfast while also sneaking in some extra veggies, zoats need to land on your weekly menu ASAP.
31. Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole - Leelalicious
No one will complain about eating this gluten free casserole several mornings in a row!
32. Skinny Strawberry Shortcake Bites Recipe (Vegan) - Bake Me Some Sugar
These shortcake bites are as tasty for a snack or dessert as they are for breakfast.
33. Instant Pot Egg Bites (Keto, Low Carb) - Tasty Galaxy
Using the instant pot makes this healthy keto breakfast insanely quick and easy.
34. Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oatmeal - Pinch of Wellness
Cinnamon roll in oatmeal form? You know that caught my taste buds' attention!
35. Blueberry French Toast Casserole (Dairy Free Option) - This Mama Cooks 
Use your favorite gluten free bread, and you'll never want to eat plain toast for breakfast ever again!
36. Easy Egg Muffin Cups - Fearless Dining
There's no easier - or tastier - healthy grab and go breakfasts than these egg muffins!
37. Tropical Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats (Dairy-Free, Vegan) - Clean Eating Kitchen
Send your taste buds on a tropic vacation with this gluten free oatmeal recipe featuring papaya and coconut cream.
38. Banana Cinnamon Breakfast Muffins (Vegan, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free) - Emma Eats and Explores
Because banana and cinnamon are always a pair made for culinary heaven.
39. Creamy Spirulina Chia Seed Pudding (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac
Put this chia seed pudding in the blender for a super thick and creamy vegan breakfast that's full of fiber and plant based protein.
40. Western Omelet Egg Scramble with Cheese Sauce - Sweet Peas Kitchen
Who knew you could freeze egg scrambles? The cheese sauce also takes this breakfast to the next level.
41. Dairy Free Waffles - Eating on A Dime
You only need six simple ingredients to make and freeze these dairy free waffles for super easy (and yummy) future breakfasts.
42. Healthy Blueberry Breakfast Bars (Vegan, Peanut Free, Nut Free) - Allergy Yummy
You won't believe you only need three ingredients to whip up these super gooey, chewy bars.
43. Cheesy Spinach Mini Frittatas Recipe - Urban Bliss Life
These easy egg muffins are the ultimate healthy grab and go breakfast option for busy mornings.
44. Vanilla Chia Pudding (Vegan) - Debra Klein
You only need fifteen minutes and four ingredients to make this creamy vegan breakfast.
45. Triple Berry "Whole Grain" Gluten Free Muffins (Vegan, Oil Free) - Casey the College Celiac
'Cause there's muffin better to start the day with! ;)
46. Instant Pot Egg Bites (Keto, Low Carb) - Tasty Galaxy
The instant pot makes cooking a healthy keto breakfast extra easy and quick.
47. Healthy Pumpkin Bread - Claudia Canu
This gluten free pumpkin bread proves that pumpkin is delicious year-round, especially when baked in a naturally sweetened treat like this one.
Happy 2020!
Regardless of where 2020 is taking you so far, I hope that these meal prep breakfasts will give you the tasty fuel you need to kick life's booty! And if you need even more gluten free breakfast inspiration, check out my previous roundup: 49 Healthy Gluten Free Breakfasts For the New Year. Which of these breakfast recipes do you want to try first? Are you a sweet or savory breakfast person? Tell me in the comments! via Blogger https://ift.tt/2T7MhKK
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lonedailydoodle · 6 years ago
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Daily Doodle 240 – December 12, 2018
Another day full of driving around running errands
But we got to rest at night and watched an episode of Doctor Who together, that was interesting, I never watched this before!
 Today I woke up early, got me some cereal and sat down to watch a video. After so, I got some outdoor clothes on and headed out to my grandma’s house who’s in the US. We were gonna cut down some plantains and feed the chickens
We did all this, I took a bunch of pretty pics and after an hour or so, we left back home where I changed, borrowed some money from mom as my PayPal money hadn’t transferred yet (Ugh), got some cereal boxes for Pixie, got the papers he told me to print yesterday and then left to Pixie’s school after a bit. I wanted to experiment with my Waze app and followed the same exact route it gave me to see if I’d really arrive at the time it predicted. I normally use the app to help me see ahead with traffic alerts, but I can’t trust it much since not that many people use it here and don’t report traffic.. But this time it worked, and I even arrived some 5 minutes earlier somehow
Anyways, I got Pixie after he was let out of school. We left to his house and then left to get some Chinese food. It obviously took a bit as it’s always fresh and while we like that, it still kinda doesn’t make sense they have a drive thru..
We left home after we got the food, we ate, and sometime later Pixie got his new roller-skates a friend gifted him. He used to roller-skate a lot in his childhood as much as I used to ride bicycles and it was really cool to see him get onto them again. He grew tired a bit later and we went inside again
A while later, we headed out to a car rim and performance shop Pixie wanted to go last time but was closed. This time they were open, so we went inside and browsed. Pix also spotted some rims he really would like for his Miata in the future and they fit in well with the colors he’s looking forward to!
We then left back home for an hour or so, Pix watched some videos, but we didn’t do much aside from that. Then we took Wilson out to the nearby Burger King to get some hot chocolate for Pixie. I now agree their whipped cream is really darn good! While there, Pixie saw a Subaru STI (It’s a pretty cool car, guys) so we parked nearby and looked over it
We drove to a friend’s house where we hung out a bit, then left to refuel and head home again. We didn’t spend much time there as we then left to weight one of Pixie’s dogs at a.. Coin operated weighing machine. It was the only logical cheap option nearby, so. They were weighing this dog for a medicine they’ll be giving her
After this, we left to a nearby Marshall’s where Pixie browsed around, then we left to a nearby Subway to eat together. Them sandwiches are so good, I’d still love to try their whole menu, but expensive!
We got home after this but left once again to drop off a comic Pixie ordered for a friend, I think it was that. We then spent some time at home, browsing memes together and cuddling up a bit. I also “scared” Pixie by turning off the room light when he left and dancing behind the door like a dumb dumb. He then walked in and gasped but quickly started laughing lots cuz of how ridiculous the whole thing was
After a while, we left to get some groceries as well as some hot chocolate pouches and whipped cream. We got home, dropped off the groceries and then left to weigh another one of Pixie’s dogs. I’m not exactly sure why we had to weigh this one this time
Anyways, we then finally stopped going out for today, just hanging out in Pixie’s room until we ended up watching a bunch of Doctor Who intro’s and it spiked my curiosity, they looked really cool! We then watched a whole episode together. Pix is a huge fan of this series and while I don’t know much about it, it was still fun to watch together, and I enjoyed it!
Pixie had school the next day though, so we kissed goodbye and got ready to leave. Before this though, I had told him that I wished to see a shooting star again since I enjoy seeing them and just as I said it, I saw one right where I was looking.. So there’s that..
Anyways, I left home and then spent a bit of time outside staring up at the night sky and spotting a few shooting starts in my peripheral vision. I hope nobody was looking cuz I looked so awkward staring up that late at night..
I got inside, put on some more bandages on new bug bites before they got worse, chatted with Pix until he went to bed and then wrote the doodle. I decided I’d be drawing it tomorrow since I don’t have anything scheduled for tomorrow and my eyes are getting red and dry again, so I need the sleep..
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enelliegmatic-blog · 3 years ago
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2022 Bucket list
Let’s see how this one will pan out 😆
1. Travel with family kahit states lang po konting kembot lang pagbigyan na makalayas ang mga bata. Kung lubusin ko Lord sana makadalaw kami Korea pati Pinas? 🥺
2. Visit Mexico with husband kahit 1 week lang po please naman.
3. Work 500-1000 hours to maintain license. Outpatient lang sana? Ayoko na po ng bedside at paiba-iba ng schedule matanda na ko. CLPNA ang higpit mo kahit kelan!
4. Set aside at least $1k cash every remittance from selling anik-anik. Deposit the rest kasi may bills tayo.
5. 100 pieces $50 bill challenge (Currently have 21pcs, 79pcs to go)
6. Invisible 5s, 10s, 20s, 100s (Will come from benta chronicles)
7. Enrol kiddos in extra classes (both in swimming class. Venyse up to 3 extra classes)
8. Get my kids’ passport (Magta-travel nga kasi kami. Please universe.)
9. Open bunso’s RESP account (Hi University. We’re getting ready for ya dyan ka lang)
10. Cut and dye my hair.
11. Paint kitchen cupboards grey, buy console table and end tables, finish decorating living room, renovate V’s bathroom, paint basement walls grey and white, replace backyard shed, buy sofa for living room #2, and install storm doors x3.
12. Save credit card cash back to buy ipad (for hubs and I) + christmas fund (uy tipid tayo puro mugs ireregalo char)
13. Keep tax refund to fund one of our 2022 travels. CRA pakitaasan refund namin this year pati child tax benefit namin??? Ok lang?
14. Limit screen time to maximum 5 hours.
15. Spend focused/individual quality times with my earthlings. (Watch movie, Arcade, Playhouse, Brunch/Dindin, Hike, Swimming, etc.)
16. Date night with hubs (1-2x a month) Weekly pwede ba? Budget come through.
17. Shop my pantry first before mag-hoard sa grocery store! Sakit ko na ata to laging gusto naggrocery. Okay lang kahit kulang rekados iluto mo yan ghorl.
18. Eat out every weekend lang (either saturday or sunday) kasi hindi tayo mayaman. Maximum $100/week budget po tayo. Kung may sobra edi mabuti.
19. Lose at least 20lbs or else walang baby #3 nyeta baby fats overstaying na. We can do this self kasi di pwedeng si Oppa lang hot!
20. Learn new recipes or better yet try meal planning. Wag rin sobra sobra kung magluto. Again, di tayo mayaman sizt.
21. Renew CPR/First aid kasi nurse ka ghorl.
22. Phlebotomy certification. 3 Sundays lang gora na wag tamad.
23. Learn hangul. More pa!!! No english in laws mo hija try harder.
24. Establish a better sleep schedule for the whole family. Di na uso eyebags this 2022. Get it girl! (Parang joke talaga to)
25. Read 1 book every month. Isa na lang yan ha ewan ko na lang talaga pag di pa naachieve.
26. Keep selling. More items tayo sa budulan pero ayoko na talaga ng kandila at cereals ang liit ng tubo tapos bulky ubos box space ko!
27. Wag na oorder sa amazon everyday unless pangbenta.
28. Costco cash back= Stock up on paper products (paper towel, toilet paper, kleenex), hygiene (soap, napkin, shampoo, conditioner, hand cream), dishwashing liquid, garbage and compost liners, laundry detergent/softener/scent boosters, kitchen saran wraps and ziplocks.
29. Save $150-$200/ month in TFSA for PH project 2028. Other saving challenges shouldn’t be mixed.
30. $10k emergency fund. Di po to gagalawin unless may emergency nga. Wag na makulit.
31. Mortgage lump sum at the end of the year.
32. Declutter and organize papers/kids anik-anik/house stuff better.
33. Save excess $ from CTB and don’t you dare touch it self. Kung meron?! Meron yan siz claim natin.
34. Create another stream of income. I honestly have no idea right now how to achieve this. Suntok sa buwan but we’ll see. Nobody knows what the future holds kemerut nga.
35. Reunite with my Papa dearest and Aunt this year here in Canada.
36. To a healthier and danger free 2022 because none of this is possible without it. Lord I fervently pray for this.
I purposely wrote a long list because even if I end up achieving only half of it is already a lot. 36th is the priority- I can lose all the other numbers but not this.
List will be reevaluated from time to time.
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apparitionism · 7 years ago
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Propagator 5
I was trying to get this done for Valentine’s Day—not that it’s any great romantic swoon; only to mark the day. But there’s no reason we shouldn’t mark the 15th instead of the 14th... anyway, welcome back to Ballet AU! If you’re new, @amatterofcomplication’s masterpost relates how this thing came about, and @notallwonder put together a beautiful, comprehensive “program” for it all. Propagator is, improbably, my ninth piece about ballet-dancer Helena and materials-engineer Myka. I’ve put them through a lot in their years together, and in this latest story, there’s been some difficulty. Nothing they can’t handle, though they might for a moment or two think they can’t. Also for newcomers: the “narrator” of the first chunk here is their kid, whose perspective I always write in second person, for reasons that I can’t actually remember except that it seemed to work the first time, and if it ain’t broke... she’s eight, she’s a handful, and she’s also very fond of her Aunt Tracy and Aunt Tracy’s girlfriend, Sam. They were all important in part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4 of this Propagator nonsense, too.
Propagator 5
You are sitting at the table at Aunt Tracy’s, eating granola and yogurt for breakfast, and you are a little upset. Maybe more than a little, which is why, even though you know better than to be sulky, you say to Aunt Tracy, “How come they needed to go to Hawaii anyway. And why couldn’t I go too.” Because it’s been a whole day and part of another one since they left, and even though it is fine to stay over with Aunt Tracy, you miss them.
“Junior,” Aunt Tracy says, but she doesn’t sound mad. “You went already, two years ago when the company did.”
“I know! And Mom hated it there because it was too hot and she doesn’t like the beach! So why did they go now?”
“Because they needed some alone time.”
But this doesn’t make any more sense than it did when Mom and Mama said it. “Whyyyyyy?” you sigh, and you get ready for Aunt Tracy to say something about your tone.
Instead, Sam, who has been picking the marshmallows out of a box of Lucky Charms (Sam eats like a weird bird or a starving lion; no inbetweens), says, “Because they’re gonna have a lot of wild—”
“Sameen!” Aunt Tracy almost-shouts. “Don’t you dare!”
Sam blinks at Aunt Tracy. “What? Pineapples.”
“Wild pineapples?” you ask.
“Right,” Sam says. She eats a rainbow marshmallow. “Because I’m betting Senior couldn’t have any... pineapples while she was rehabbing.”
Your granola and yogurt are very uncolorful. “Why not?”
Sam bites a shamrock in half. “Too... uh.” She swallows. “Acidic.”
To you, Aunt Tracy says, “You, stop mooning over Sam’s sugar-bomb cereal. Your mothers would kill me if I let you eat that.” To Sam, she says, “And as for you, you’re increasingly unlikely to have any pineapples yourself for the foreseeable future.”
“If that was really true, Bering, I don’t think you’d be about to lose your mind trying to keep from laughing. Hide behind your hand, face the other way, whatever.”
It’s true that Aunt Tracy actually is kind of smiling. But you still don’t understand why they had to go to Hawaii. “There’s pineapples here,” you point out.
Sam says, “But here, they’re... uh... less wild. I guess. Maybe.” She starts drinking her coffee really fast.
Aunt Tracy shakes her head. “Poor Sameen. Did your metaphor, or whatever it was, break down?”
Sam bangs her coffee mug onto the table. “Look, a lot of people go to Hawaii to have wild pineapples. Nobody can say that’s not true. Anything more complicated, kid, and your moms can explain it to you. I’m out.”
“Pineapples are weird anyway,” you say.
Sam puts a whole handful of cereal in her mouth, and that makes her words sound all crunchy: “That is the truth and then some.” She slides a blue diamond marshmallow over to you, and Aunt Tracy pretends not to see.
You’re glad that Sam agrees with you, through her Lucky Charms. You’re glad also that she’s staying over with Aunt Tracy like you are, because morning-Sam is even funnier, and even grumpier, than regular Sam. Morning-Sam says things like “Kid, if you look at me sideways before I have my coffee, I will put a curse on your toe shoes.” The best idea, you think, is not to look at Sam at all until she has her coffee, because you are not exactly sure which way sideways really is, when it comes to looking. Or which way Sam thinks it is.
You had heard Mom and Aunt Tracy talking about this, in the strange Mom-and-Aunt-Tracy way they sometimes talk.
“Is it all right if,” Aunt Tracy had said.
“Sam stays over,” Mom said.
“Yes,” Aunt Tracy said.
“Yes,” Mom said.
But you can’t even think why it wouldn’t be all right, not when Sam is so funny. Also she doesn’t even wear real pajamas, just regular shorts and a T-shirt, and you wonder if maybe Mom would let you sleep in everyday clothes too sometimes. It seems like such a special grownup thing to do.
Also a weird grownup thing to do. Like caring so much about pineapples that you go all the way to Hawaii for them.
****
The flight to Honolulu lasts ten hours. Ten hours sitting of side by side with Helena, and Myka has been both dreading the prospect and looking forward to it. That she can hold the two postures in her head is actually progress; a month ago, dread would have left no room for any positive anticipation.
They've traveled together so often that flying—boarding, settling, sitting, sitting, sitting—is an accretion of familiar behaviors and items: no matter how their seats are assigned, window or aisle, Myka takes the aisle, due to her longer legs. Helena asks the flight attendant immediately for ginger ale, because Helena drinks ginger ale on airplanes: only on airplanes. Myka pulls the seatbelt reasonably snug, as directed, while she watches Helena extend hers to be as loose as possible. Myka never travels without her neck pillow; Helena can’t possibly leave the ground without a hydrating facial mister.
In the “unfamiliar” column, however, they aren’t wrangling Junior, so there is the incongruity of missing an appendage and an additional carry-on full of entertainment for that appendage. No graphic novels (her latest flame), no coloring books, no markers, no manipulable puzzles, no stuffed animals, no travel-size board games. Other than the board games, Junior can entertain herself just fine, but that entertainment tends to have a material, and usually bulky, basis.
So Myka is off-balance, and that, surely, rather than any overspill of anxiety about sitting next to Helena, is why for the length of those ten hours she focuses her attention on physical details: Helena needs to get up and move, at reasonably regular intervals, and of course there is beverage service and meal service and still more beverage service and dealing, through it all, with the basic denaturing of one’s body shape, folded and refolded into the seat.
Early on she wishes, just a little, that she’d brought some of Junior’s board games along, just so she could say to Helena, even as a joke, “Want to play Parcheesi?”, and so get some read on what she was supposed to be doing. Because what should precede a honeymoon, anyway? Or rather, a “honeymoon,” some hybrid of the real thing and... an extended therapy session? An anger-management retreat? Myka has lost, or maybe never had, any real idea of what this trip was supposed to accomplish. After their first conversations, they had talked only about the logistics: destination, scheduling, flight, hotel, handoff to Tracy of Junior-plus-cat-plus-accoutrements. Both of them seemed to be assuming that the fact that they were taking an action, together, was itself the accomplishment.
If it’s a honeymoon, should I be acting like a newlywed? Myka asks herself. But she and Helena have, or had, been accused of behaving like newlyweds so often, and that has been what they haven’t been able to find their way back to—not that they ought to be finding their way back to anything, but if not that... does that mean they should be starting something new? Should I be flirting? she asks herself now. A horrifying thought, for she’s never been able to flirt, so maybe the real question is, should she be “flirting”? That might be appropriate for a “honeymoon,” but of course she still has no idea what that is. What should I be doing?
She resolves to stop asking herself questions, certainly unanswerable ones. She pulls the latest issue of Textile Research Journal from the seat pocket, where she’d placed it as soon as they sat down. Another automatic action. She opens it so as to immerse herself in the relative certainties of an investigation of a moisture-management cotton fabric developed by electrospraying a hydrophobic polymer on the fabric’s inner surface. She tells herself—and this at least isn’t a question, or in question—that she is an unimaginative chicken.
At a certain point, her eyes close, and she lets her head tilt back. She senses a feather of what might be Helena’s gaze on her, and she considers letting go of the journal and reaching for Helena’s hand. Not even a year ago, there would have been nothing to consider; she would have made the movement without thought. Now, because of the considering, she doesn’t make it at all.
When they land, more logistics: airport, luggage, taxi to the hotel, and once they’re in the room, Myka again sticks to familiar behaviors. Under normal circumstances, she would explore a hotel room, usually led by an excited Junior (“The bathroom has two different doors look Mom look!”), so that’s what she does now.
“Nice room. It’s roomy,” she reports back to Helena, who has stationed her suitcase by the settee and is now standing beside, and gazing out over the glittering late-evening ocean from, the room-spanning bank of windows.
“The room. Is roomy?” Helena asks.
“Although technically it’s a suite.”
“Do you want the pun in response?”
“Up to you,” Myka says. In her head, she adds, “But I could pretend you want to call me ��sweetie.’”
Helena reacts as if she heard that voice in Myka’s head: her spine stiffens. Then she turns away from the view. “Why are we here?” she asks.
“Here is where you said you wanted to go.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean,” Myka acknowledges. “I also know we should have worked it all out before we left. Ground rules. Mission statement? Or we could’ve given it a shot on the plane, but I swear I spent the past ten hours just working on pros and cons of even trying to hold your hand.”
Helena raises an eyebrow that Myka can’t interpret. “The cons must have won: you didn’t.”
“You didn’t either,” Myka says.
She hadn’t meant it as an accusation, only a statement of fact, but Helena reads it every kind of wrong, exploding, “I am trying to do the right things! Only the right things!”
Myka laughs. How could she not laugh? “Paralyzing, isn’t it.”
Helena frowns. “Not to mention exhausting. Is this how you feel all the time?” That reproachful scowl, accompanied by a stern little furrow in her brow: so familiar.
Myka laughs again. “I’m going to come over there and hold your hand now,” she says.
“What is the right thing for me to do in response?” Helena asks.
“Well, you could let me,” Myka says. “But not if you don’t want to. Maybe that’s why we’re here.”
“For me to not let you hold my hand.” The frown that Helena is now working to maintain... also so familiar.
Myka doesn’t say anything. She goes to Helena and stands beside her at the window. She does reach to hold Helena’s hand. Helena does let her.
“Do we need to fight?” Helena asks. Her hand is cool; the air conditioner is working well.
“I don’t want to.” Helena’s hand is in hers. Already, things are better than they were on the plane. Here they are in this new, truly private space, not the half-intimacy of the airplane, and already things are better... Helena’s hand is in hers. Helena’s hand is in hers, and both their hands are warming, never mind the air conditioner.
“You don’t want to fight.” Helena takes Myka’s other hand, and she pulls it near to, then around, her body. “So what do you want, engineer?”
Myka should probably resist this. She should probably be very serious and she should insist that they talk or negotiate or do something other than what she does want, when she hears “engineer” said like that, which is to kiss Helena and hope that that makes everything immediately just as beautiful as hearing Helena call her that, just like that, has always made her feel.
But why shouldn’t everything be made beautiful?
****
“Did I not say three-day weekend? Is that not what I said?” Myka asks, very nearly seventy-two hours later.
They might have been anywhere in the world, those first seventy-two Hawaiian hours, but they could later have attested only to “hotel room,” for they spent most of the minutes of those hours in bed. They each showered twice—once together, once separately. Teeth were brushed a few times. They put on robes and opened the door for room service; Myka put her robe back on, briefly, to deposit the empty plates and their shiny metal covers into the hallway.
Helena had stayed in bed for one such delivery, letting Myka deal with it alone. The server, a meticulous young man, was with great precision placing trays on the suite’s dining table when Helena demanded, from the bedroom, “What is taking so long?”
The utterance was so purely Helena—all decadent discontent—that Myka had honestly been thrilled to hear it. She offered a weak “sorry” to the server, but she felt she should have been thanking him instead.
“Honey,” he said, his tone, and the look that accompanied it, a perfect combination of knowledge and sympathy.
The staff in this expensive Honolulu hotel had no doubt seen it all. In every possible configuration. “Sort of sorry,” Myka amended, and the server chuckled at her. A sweet sound.
He chuckled again as he began removing covers from the trays. “For the lady in there,” he said, and he was right, so Myka nodded.
Myka had handed over a generous cash tip, asking him to please share it with the kitchen staff. She meant it as both apology and thanks, a statement and acknowledgment that everything about Helena was both expensive and worth it.
She called to the bedroom, “I think somebody in that kitchen’s a fan of yours. They made you the full Japanese breakfast, like you wanted.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” Helena called back. As if Myka had said the most puzzling thing.
“It’s eleven at night.”
“How is that relevant?”
“You can’t even order from the regular menu past ten, much less the breakfast menu.”
“Recent events suggest otherwise. Now, bring that tamagoyaki in here.”
“You’re going to eat one piece and then say you’ve had enough,” Myka grumbled.
“Why do you always sound accusatory when you say things like that?”
“Why do you always sound surprised that I sound accusatory when I say things like that?”
“Why are you still talking when we could be eating breakfast in bed?”
“It’s eleven at night. And don’t ask me how that’s relevant,” Myka cautioned, but she brought the tray of tamagoyaki into the bedroom as ordered. Whereupon Helena ate one piece and said she’d had enough, but in a and what are you going to do about it sort of way, and it was, relevantly or not, morning before they ate any more of their breakfast in bed.
Now Myka continues, “Three-day weekend. I said it. You heard me.” They are preparing to go to the beach. Given that they did fly all this way, Myka has allowed, it’s only reasonable that they set foot on some sand, maybe even see the water close-up once or twice.
Helena looks up from rummaging in her suitcase to smile at Myka. “I’m fairly certain we haven’t accomplished even half as much as we did that one night in Kansas City, but I’ll concede two things: first, that we are no longer that young.”
“That’s not a concession; it’s just true,” Myka says, though Helena’s body in her new one-piece, skirted swimsuit, particularly as she turns back around to focus on her luggage, makes a decent counterargument. “What’s the second thing?”
“That this has thus far been the most enjoyable post-rehab honeymoon I have ever experienced.”
“It’s sweet of you to build me up like that.”
Helena pulls a gauzy white shawl from her bag with a “there it is” mutter. She shakes it out, then floats it around her shoulders. Myka is impressed with the fabric’s hesitation, a momentary reluctance to settle, like it’s asking permission of those shoulders. She can’t immediately identify the mix of materials, not by sight; she’ll have to remember to look more closely at it... but later, because Helena is saying, “Enjoyable, because I did not realize that it was possible for two people of such advanced age—”
“And decrepitude! Don’t forget decrepitude.”
“Must you?” But Helena, now fully facing Myka, smiles again.
“I was talking about me. You’re still in better shape than I am, you beautiful animal, and you always will be.”
Helena crosses her arms. “All right. I did not realize that it was possible for two people of such advanced age and decrepitude to engage in this much physical activity in so short a span of time.”
“We did some significant sleeping too,” Myka reminds her.
“That part was enjoyable as well.”
“That’s the advanced age talking,” Myka says, and Helena laughs. That laugh allows Myka to believe she should go ahead and say the sort of thing she’s been wondering whether she should say, the sort of thing she feels she needs to say at some point, in the interest of honesty... in the interest of this not actually being a honeymoon—because a honeymoon can’t fix everything, no matter how beautiful an animal Helena is, and no matter how much Myka has reveled in the smooth and the rough of putting her ravenous hands and mouth all over that animal—in the interest of it being instead a “honeymoon,” since they’re right now able to speak so lightly, maybe she can try to say some things and Helena can respond and they can both face all of it lightly... “I was afraid you’d get bored,” she says.
“What? When?”
Light, light, light. “Two days ago. At least.”
Wrong: not light, for Helena deflates. Her white-clad shoulders slump, even as her arm-cross stiffens, pulling the gossamer into thick, constraining straps. Her voice is thick, too, as she says, “That certainly stings. You thought I would find spending all of this time with you—this...” She seeks a word, exhales in seeming frustration at not finding it. “This time. The two of us. You thought I would find it boring.”
“I didn’t think you would. I was afraid you would.” She splits the hair as a placeholder, mostly—it’s true, but it’s a placeholder—as she tries to work out how she’ll talk Helena out of feeling stung, how she can fill the room again with honeymoon, rather than “honeymoon.” “Because I didn’t know,” she starts, “because we... I mean what if it was like the tamagoyaki?” She watches Helena’s face twist into confusion. A stiff, painful twist. It was the wrong thing to say—and Myka thinks to explain, which leads her to blurt, “You say ‘bring me that,’ but you taste it and you’re done. You’re never starving. Not for things that I can give you.” A stupidly harsh charge, and Myka knows, even as it leaves her mouth, that she’ll have to work even harder to wrench this situation back into anything constructive...
But Helena dips her head, then pushes it forward a bit, lenslike, as if to ensure a sharper focus on Myka. When she speaks, all the sting is wrung out. “I am always starving. Much of the time, for things that no one can give me.”
“Not even me.” Myka isn’t trying to sound mournful, or to beg for reassurance.
Now Helena undoes her defensive clutch of her body, so that her arms fall quiet to her sides. She stands still, unposed. “No one,” she repeats, and her voice is uncharacteristically resolute. Clean. This isn’t Helena being her cajoling or charming or placating self. She isn’t performing pique, which she can do comically or with seriousness, and she isn’t embodying misery, either, in her not-quite-overdramatic tragic-prima way.
Only when Helena is talking to Junior does Myka ever really expect to hear sincerity from her. She supposes that that regular absence of expectation reveals just as much about herself as it does about Helena. She supposes also that it says negative things about both of them, although a great many more about herself than about Helena, that she’s surprised to be hearing sincerity now.
Helena goes on, “You can’t give me my body as it was; no one can. You can’t give me the past, any part of it. You can’t give me the means to turn myself into whatever better person I’ll have to become in order to keep from destroying our family.”
She could have turned the words “destroying our family” into a statement of exaggerated self-flagellation. If she had, Myka would have been inclined to dismiss it as so much hyperbole, even now, and maybe even with an exasperated eyeroll. Instead, she meets it with fact. “You aren’t destroying our family,” she says. “I’m feeling useless. That’s a different thing.”
“I shouldn’t need to say aloud that a better person would not make you feel useless.”
“A different person, maybe,” Myka tells her, and that’s the truth. She tells another truth: “But I don’t want a different one.”
Helena raises her hands to her wrap and resettles it, loosening the fit to its previous gentle drape. “So where does that leave us?”
Standing across the room from each other. “In a hotel room in Hawaii,” Myka says.
“It’s a suite,” Helena corrects.
“A ridiculously expensive suite.”
“That’s because it is located in Hawaii.”
“At this point, we might as well have gone to Kansas City.”
Helena looks toward the windows, through which a vast expanse of late-afternoon ocean shines. She looks back at Myka. “They wouldn’t have had the Japanese breakfast.”
“At eleven at night. You really are ridiculous.” Myka says this in the involuntary, affectionate way she might have, before, and if she could inhale the words back into her mouth...
But Helena counters with, “So are you. You used tamagoyaki to illustrate my moral failings.”
“Not moral failings. And not failings, either. But okay, in hindsight I’d express myself differently.”
Standing across the room from each other: it isn’t bad. It isn’t good, but it isn’t bad, so maybe that’s why they keep doing it.
“Well?” Helena eventually says.
“Well what?”
“Well, how differently?”
Myka grimaces. “Well, by keeping my mouth shut.” Helena crosses her arms again. Then she stalks her way across the floor, grasps Myka’s shoulders with determined hands, and shakes her. Hard. “All right,” Myka acknowledges through a smile, “you’re right. I would have said... well, I still might have said I was afraid.”
“Of me?”
“No,” Myka says, fast. Definitive. “Of us. I was afraid that we—that we were pretending. Like we never lost anything. At first I liked it... no, I want to be clear: I liked it the whole time. But I was afraid.”
“That at some point one or both of us would drop the pretense.”
“And we’d be right back to where we were. On the plane. And before the plane.”
“That is a part of the past for which I am not starving.”
Instead of saying “I know” or “me neither,” Myka slides her hands through the white fabric draping Helena; subconsciously, she begins to consider, and then consciously stops beginning to consider, the viscosity of its threads’ sizing paste. Instead, she considers the body it wraps, the body she is holding. The body with which she has so recently become so reacquainted.
At first, just as she had when they had tried to make love at home, Myka had labored to take care, to not do anything that would hurt or even lead Helena’s body to remember that it had suffered any trauma. But unlike at home, Helena took Myka’s left hand and placed it firmly at the top of her right thigh, saying, “You have to touch me,” even as Myka was congratulating herself on managing to get Helena out her clothes while avoiding any direct contact anywhere near her scars. “That isn’t where the pain is. I’ll tell you if you find it, but until you do, please touch me.”
Now Myka lets her hands move down, one to each hip, old and new. She can feel a difference in the musculature, but she can also feel that whatever Helena is doing, both in physical therapy and in whatever attempts she is making to dance, is upholding the truth of what Myka had said: Helena is in better shape than Myka is, and always will be. Myka is pleased by this. A little ashamed to be pleased, but with her hands at Helena’s hips—with her hands recognizing those hips—the shame yields to the pleasure.
Myka bends down to kiss Helena, because she can, because this simple action had begun to become unrecognizable, as so many simple actions had. As all of them might eventually have. “You know what we should do?” she says.
“Stand right here,” Helena answers immediately. “You in my arms and an ocean view... we should stand right here, possibly always.”
Only Helena could make such a statement sound romantic and realistic. Myka kisses her again and says, “Not the worst idea, but here’s mine: we should switch sides of the bed. A part of the past for which I’m starving is you lying on your side and sleeping at me.”
“You hate that.”
“I do. But sleeping doesn’t feel right anymore, so I miss it. Also you putting your head on my shoulder.” Myka shrugs her left shoulder, the one that Helena used to claim. “Sounds sappy.”
“It sounds like something I didn’t realize I wanted so much to hear.”
“That’s how I feel about you breathing in my face. I mean, don’t get me wrong; it’s also hugely annoying.”
“You aren’t completely unannoying yourself. Asleep, awake...”
“Granted. Plus we’ve got that kid who takes it to a level that neither of us could ever dream of achieving.”
Helena pretends to consider, then to be visited by an idea. “Given such a state of annoying affairs, I think we should devote ourselves to the task of keeping all of that under one roof. Don’t you agree?”
“I have to think we owe it to the rest of the world,” Myka says.
Helena nods and then pushes forward to kiss Myka, a deal-sealing peck. Such an exchange might not be the way most couples renew their vows... but Myka’s sure—uncharacteristically confident, in fact—that that’s what just happened.
Myka pulls away, so as not to do anything silly like start crying. “Hey, aren’t we in Hawaii or something? I thought you said you wanted to go to the beach.”
“That can wait a little while longer. We need to work on this switch-sides-of-the-bed project. Assuming you aren’t yet bored.”
“That was a terrible word to use,” Myka says with a wince of regret. “It put everything on you, and I’m sorry.”
The white wrap falls to the floor, and while its movement draws Myka’s attention again, this time she barely manages to register that it’s made of anything at all. Helena says, “You may be sorry, but are you bored?”
She tries to imagine a circumstance under which Helena would bore her. Annoy her, certainly; demi-pointe all the way to the crumbling edge of the very last iota of her patience, absolutely; but bore her? “Go get on my side of the bed and we’ll see.”
TBC
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harmonerin1993 · 4 years ago
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themockingcrows · 7 years ago
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Tapping With Blue Eyes: Ch. 2 - Unseen Gaze
Shoutout to @stribird for poking me into motion and asking me to get this world expanded  back during JohnDave week (and for making such cute art of the existing chapter at the same time). I’m sorry it took so long. <3
This chapter is SFW AO3 Mirror- [X]
Adjusting to being a tap wasn’t that hard. Really, the bonuses were pretty sweet. Great food, great sex, new boyfriend eager to make sure Dave felt spoiled rotten in exchange for sharing his blood solely with John. Few months in, however, Dave really wishes he’d spent less time making goo-goo eyes and more time brushing up on how many tangled webs the vampire was involved in, both family and otherwise.
This wasn’t what he envisioned at all.
    It was hard to think that just a few months ago, Dave had thought vampires were just in video games and creepy movie castles, or boxes of cereal that tasted like early diabetes mixed with Saturday morning cartoon marathons. They were all fictional, the hiss and scare, the flying bats, the unholy combination of Hot Topic and Party City's Halloween section. He'd always associated them with silly things, or with overly sweet candy corn.
    Now he associated them with fantastic food, warm hands holding him, loud club music and mind blowing sex among other things.
    Like being prone to fainting, for instance. That was definitely a new thing Dave associated with vampires, and he wondered why he never considered it before.
    “Dave, I told you we should have waited longer, now look at you!” John fussed, cold soda bottle bleeding perspiration into the collar of Dave's shirt from where he had it pressed against the back of his neck. It took effort not to drop his gaze lower to where the faintest edge of a fresh bruise was resting against his boyfriend's nape, and even more effort not to press his lips right where they'd been earlier that morning. Which was the literal cause of all this. “We should have waited till afternoon, or just. Waited till it was time to visit Dad and then gone, given you some more time.”
    After the first few weeks of sorting out their own balance and rhythm, Dave was an enthusiastic tap sorting out the schedule and figuring out how much he could comfortably give at any time, and John was accepting the burden that came with finally having a constant supply of blood on hand. It made him powerful, made him alert, made him more protective.. and it all had to be managed like he was just learning his powers for the first time as a child. His father had been right about never really stopping the learning, and about his newly appreciated appetite being a strain on him in unimaginable ways. The benefits outweighed the negatives but.. still.
    The biggest issue they were facing so far was that protective instinct. John had to work hard at it to keep from slipping and becoming overbearing, smothering his tap, and angering his boyfriend. It felt right, it felt good but it wasn't the right thing to do. Dave needed as much freedom and space as anyone else did, and together they were finding ways to cope with it. Part of the reason for John taking Dave to meet his father today was to also see about getting some more direct advice on what to do. Part of him was wondering if this was really as normal as he hoped, or if something in Dave was just incredibly potent. John was fairly sure he was able to lift fridges with one hand like his father without breaking a sweat now, and hoped to get some tips on how to keep that force strictly to the fridges and not at all towards accidentally hurting Dave.
    Why taps didn't get their own power up, he'd never know. ..Maybe they just got more delicious after becoming bonded with someone, and had the benefits of protection and food? Still felt unfair, but as far as humans went, it was probably well enough. Didn't need humans getting too deeply in the center of those unseen.
    “I'm fine, John, really,” Dave said with a grunt, eyes closing as he adjusted to the cold feeling on his skin. How fucking embarrassing. One moment they'd been walking along and heading down a few steps to the street, and the next his legs turned to jelly and the ground had rushed up to meet him. He could mentally trace each droplet of condensation as it traced beneath his shirt and out of view, as well as imagining the spreading cloud of water on the fabric. It was the most solid thing he could focus on while waiting for the ground to stop swaying beneath him. “I got dizzy. No big. I didn't crack my head open or anything, right?”
    John eyed him, not sure if he was honestly questioning or if he was making a joke.
    “..You didn't. But you did go down like a quarter ton of bricks,” he said. “We shouldn't have come out so early, last night was intense. Maybe we should have just stayed home. Do you want to go home?” John worried, keeping the bottle in place. Dave was subtly swaying, and it was keeping him on edge, ready to dip down and pick him up if it kept up.
    “Ease up, really, it's fine,” Dave repeated. He snorted softly when the anxious fussing didn't stop immediately, and reached up to grasp at the cold drink, wanting to pry it from John's hand so he would have to reset his focus and listen clearly. “Did too much too fast, I'll go slower now. Just like last time, right? I was fine last time too. Just did a bit too much too fast.”
    “You need to rest..”
    “I just did rest in fast forward. On the ground,” Dave said, lips curling into a teasing smirk. “No, but seriously, I feel a ton better already and if I go slow I'll be fine,” he promised, satisfied that the ground no longer was moving even with his eyes shut tight.
    John didn't look convinced. He busied his empty hands with pushing Dave's hair gently back out of his eyes and hooking it behind his ears and the stems of his shades, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. When Dave glanced up he could see the tip of a fang pressing a little too hard against the thin flesh, drawing up a bead of bright blood the longer it stayed there.
    He was trying. He was trying so hard it made Dave's chest ache. A few weeks ago, John would have just picked him up and toted him off towards home, or towards a hospital, ignored protests in the midst of his worry. That instinct to ensure Dave was alright, that Dave was well, that he hadn't damaged his boyfriend at all, was overwhelming. John's eyes were bright but visibly straining to sit still, muscles in his arms trying to twitch with the urge to do more.
    The grab and run didn't happen. Somehow, the vampire was keeping the instinct at bay. They'd feel proud about it later.
    “..Alright. Would you feel better if you helped make sure I'm fine?” Dave guessed, relaxing when he saw John nod enthusiastically, blue eyes wide and eager as a puppy. “Let's go get something to eat, then. That helps. The soda won't be much more than a crutch,” he said, remembering what he'd learned since his first few faints. Sugar and caffeine helped him, but never for long when he crashed from a feeding. Dave was fairly sure he'd need to give some serious thought to John's comment about keeping snacks and supplements on hand in the future, but at least for now he was piecing together what worked best on his own.
    “What do you feel like? Something solid, light? Snacks? Want some coffee? I could just take us back to your place and make something if we got ingredients, it'd be no proble-” John rambled till a finger pressed to his lips, shooshing his rambling. John blinked briefly, then sighed. “..I was doing it again, huh.”
    “A bit, yeah. C'mon, let's just go get something quick and light, we've got the whole morning left to burn. Maybe a sandwich or something from the convenience store, even.”
    “Not the hot dogs, or the burritos, or anything else on a roller though,” John said as he bent a bit further to scoop Dave upright and dust him off once he caught his weight on his own two feet. Dave curled his fingers into fists and fought hard to avoid wavering afterward, honest to god dizzy and not wanting a repeat of worry sounds filling his ears. There wasn't much budging him on the junk food stance, not when moments like these happened, but it was hardly an iron will to work against.
    “Aw, but John, how else will I get to experience the fiery burn of food poisoning when my hearty appetite takes me straight out of a flavor explosion as my godly immune system falters,” Dave crooned. “No, seriously, it'd be fine, I've eaten worse. You've seen this with your own two eyes.”
    “Yes and I really don't understand it still,” John sighed. “You basically have your own chef at your beck and call, and yet you keep veering to that stuff every chance you get. I'm not even sure it's really food.”
    Dave tugged at John's arm to get him to start moving, satisfied the sick feeling was already leaving his head the longer he moved. He cracked the soda open, dodged a spurt of foam that slipped over the edge of the plastic cap he slammed back into place a second too late, and slurped the sugary liquid from the side as it ran down over his fingertips. He let John take the lead this time, glad when the vampire only steered enough so they could dodge the street that would take them near a 7-11 and the greasy wonderland within. Instead, they wandered along to a cleaner, smaller family owned mart that promised fresh varieties of juices and light foods. It was a little more expensive, but it seemed like a the increase in quality was worth it.
    John was just glad they didn't sell gas out front, the petrol fumes usually indicating not-that-fresh food and nothing he'd want to taste personally later on if given the choice. Less fresh food made for some fairly gross tasting blood, and Dave himself wasn't some amazing alchemical property that made garbage taste any less like garbage coated in candy.
    “Ooh, they got a live juicer in here, it's not just all pre-bottled,” Dave said, sounding a bit impressed. He looked even more enthusiastic the second he noticed mango and pineapple among the stacked fruit options, and veered a hard right towards the counter when at least three varieties of ripe apples came into view.
    Hell yes.
    Hell to the fuck yes.
    “Hey, pick one for me too? I'm gonna check what else is here,” John said, heading back to check out the coolers and shelves.
    Aside from the usual snack foods, there seemed to be different options for local brands. Among the candy bars were some chunkier treats with labels from downtown, and chip bags bore marks from all around the state. The fresher foods were most appealing to him however, and he stared at the cooler to find something simple. ..A sandwich. That'd work, right? By the time he'd picked something out and made his way back to Dave, the blonde was juggling two tall, cold glasses of fresh juice and clutching a sticky bottle of soda beneath his armpit.
    “What'd you grab for me?” Dave asked, pausing his slurping to eyeing the wrapped package.
    “Nothing wild. Roast beef, cheese, veggies,” John shrugged. “What about you?”
    “Strawberry, mango, banana,” Dave said. “Not red so much as, like. Murky weird orange brown yellow-ish? But it should taste good. They didn't have cherries or I'd have tried making it even brighter.”
    “You're never gonna drop that red association with me, huh,” John said, rolling his eyes. A good choice, but he could now confirm that between Dave's color preferences and the vampire gags, red would be outweighing blue in his vicinity forevermore. John eyed Dave's hips as he wandered ahead to the cashier to set the cups down for now, following the curve of his ass till he had to look upward.
    Right. Subtle. Good going, John.
    “Nope, not at all,” Dave snorted, reaching into his pocket to fish out his wallet, paying for the juices. John paid for the sandwich and slipped it into Dave's hands as he snagged the sticky soda and his own juice, setting the former into a small bag to avoid touching it very much after getting his change.
    They made their way outside and around another block before finding a bench to settle on, John leaning back and slouching, while Dave crossed a leg over his opposite knee and unwrapped the sandwich, grinning at the contents.
    “Whoa, nice one. Maybe we'll have to go back there sometime, they seemed to have a lot of stuff,” Dave said. “Not too far out either. Could be a thing when we want a walk?”
    “Or when we're coming back from the bar, if they're open that late.”
    “I didn't see any gas pumps, I doubt it,” Dave said as he ripped into the bread in a large bite, chewing quietly for a moment before holding it up to John in offer with a coy grin. “Won't taste nearly as good as me, but here: want a bite?”
    Though John smirked at him, he got a bit of headway back by grasping the skinny wrist he loved to tease with his fangs, pulling his arm forward to bring the sandwich in range of his mouth to take a large bite as well. He hummed, surprised at the flavor, only to have Dave nod to the side and start to mention something about what he thinks might be some kind of secret sauce or dressing on this thing. John heard the first half of the chatter, but slowly stopped listening as he felt the first clench in his stomach.
    No.. No, not his stomach. His chest. Right over John's heart was the distinct sensation of something squeezing, stealing his breath away, pouring icy water down his spine till his skin twitched uncomfortably.
    Panic.
    Something was wrong. Very, very wrong and he couldn't place it. Where had he ever felt this before? John racked his brain, trying to think of something specific, and was coming up blank. He wasn't old enough or strong enough yet to sense things well as his dad, but fuck why was this bothering him so badly? There was a reason to be upset, a reason for this panic, and he couldn't imagine what it could be for certain. Lifting his head, John began to look around while Dave continued to talk, pausing once in a while when the need to breathe caught up to him or the allure of taking another bite grew too distracting.
    ..Nothing.
    He couldn't see a single thing out of place, and if only for that, everything became suspicious. Old woman jogging? Suspicious. Group of teenagers? They're teens, of course they're suspicious for one reason or another. Man with a baby carriage? Double suspicious, what if it was the baby that was feeling like a threat? John lowered his hand and grasped at Dave's shoulders, pulling him gently closer to hug tight.
    “So anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to hit up the movies after all. There's some good shit pla- John? ..Dude. John. You alright? Look like you saw a ghost,” Dave said, letting himself be tugged close. He blinked a few times, then peered up over his shades, curiosity glinting. “...DID you? That a thing too? I mean, I didn't think you were real, is there other shit that's real? Is the tooth fairy gonna shank me with a toothbrush sharpened into a punji stick for not flossin' enough? Werewolves gonna come and treat me like a fire hydrant? Bigfoot actually a thing? Do we need to guard the snacks better from his hairy ass outdoors?”
    “Dave.”
    “What?”
    “Dave.”
    “What.”
    “I need you.. to be.. very quiet. Just for a second. Okay?” John said, still on high alert as the feeling intensified. Which direction? Where was it coming from? The longer he couldn't locate the source, the more he was alarmed at just how open the space they were sitting was, how exposed, and couldn't bother fighting his instincts any longer. Dropping his juice he stood up and dragged Dave with him, ignoring the sudden loud complaints about the splash of red juice getting all over (RUINING, JOHN, RUINING!) his shoes.
    Needed to run. Needed to run, find somewhere with a nice solid door, and needed to get ready to fight. ..Fuck, no, couldn't fight with his tap right there, too high a risk. Nor could he risk leading whatever was leering at them out of sight to either of their homes. Dave was starting to squirm and struggle in his arms, complaints growing louder as the remnants of the sandwich and Dave's juice fell and splashed all over his shirt this time, traces trailing down to John's arms like frigid ice. He'd deal with it later. Needed to run.
    Car. They could go to the car, and go to his dad's place early, they'd be safe there. It was fine if dangerous things knew where his father lived, they wouldn't cross a vampire as well established as his father, whatever it was. Fledglings and young, newly bonded vampires like himself were easy prey in the eyes of some beasts, but with backup they wouldn't be sitting ducks.
    His time so far with Dave had been like a daydream, everything sunny.. this wasn't how John wanted to introduce the risks he'd warned Dave about in the flesh.
    “John will you put me the fuck DOWN?! I'm drenched, this is gross as fuck, I'm gonna get ants on my dick at this rate. You want that? Insects suddenly having front door open access invited to my tasty dick? Because I sure as fuck don't want that,” Dave said, continuing to struggle, and continuing to be locked in place by an iron grip that he himself had managed to make even stronger over the last few weeks by feeding his boyfriend. The speed was increasing as well, whatever had John spooked was doing a fabulous job at making him push the limits of just how fast he could flee an area. Dave couldn't even make out the faces of the people they were sprinting past, and wondered vaguely if they looked like a blur to them.
    Fuck.
    “Man, seriously, put me the fuck DOWN, John, I will elbow your ass and you fuckin' know it. Wanna try me?” Dave warned, preparing to pull his arm back as a threat. “Come on, you've been doing great, just. Slow the fuck down and tell me what's happenin' at least!”
    “Watched. Bad. Can't go home, going to Dad,” John said hurriedly, zipping around another street corner. Dave could see sweat beading on John's brow, and could finally see the terror in his eyes. Was it real? Was this a false alarm? ..There was no real way to verify that himself, far as Dave knew, but it was worth questioning. He grunted when the running suddenly stopped as if John had reached a dime, considered its shiny surface, and brought every cell in his body to a screeching halt directly on top of FDR's smug looking head.
    They'd reached the car, and apparently it was indeed enough of an emergency in John's eyes that he didn't so much as put something down for Dave to sit on, instead choosing to deposit his sticky, juice soaked body directly onto his nice fabric seats. John waited till Dave's legs were in place before slamming the door shut and going to his own side, not even waiting for seat belts to get on before he was cranking the engine and hurriedly backing up, turning enough to veer out of the lot.
    While John was so busy looking forward, Dave was busy looking back. He wasn't sure what he was really looking for, but it seemed important to at least try. It would also be good to stop focusing on how close they were to a four car pileup or a roll over by not looking at just how close John was cutting everything with his erratic movements. What was suspicious or not to a vampire? Based on the foods John could eat safely, he figured there were no rogue threats of garlic bread or Italian food trucks in their future.
    It was only when John was done jockeying around to get to the ramp that would lead to the desired highway that Dave was fairly sure he'd caught sight of something as out of place as they were being on their own. Two figures on foot, fairly tall, one with dark hair and one with light were standing in the middle of the road a few cars back, faces turned towards the back of their car. A truck driver laid on his horn briefly, trying to force them to get out of the way, and right before Dave's eyes, they vanished.
    The figures did not step aside, or run, or jump. One moment they were there, green and orange eyes too bright in their faces, and the next they were not, blinking out of position and for all Dave knew, out of existence entirely. Had he been seeing things...? No. No, the horn had honked, someone else saw the people too.
    ..Were they even people, though?
    “Dave, buckle up. I'm sorry I didn't give you time before, but we should be fine on the highway, so might as well avoid even more chances for tickets,” John said. His voice was still tense, but there was an air of apology in his tone, of the usual playful fussing trying to come back. He plugged the metal clip into the buckle of his own seat belt and adjusted how the band rested on his chest and shoulder instead of letting it lurk up by his throat uncomfortably, then reached his sticky hand into his pocket to pull out his phone. Now that the coast was clear enough to be considered 'safe' again, John was left to deal with the side effects of his earlier panic, his bursts of using his still-being-adjusted-to power. His hand shook badly enough that if he were drinking something, Dave would have been reaching for a towel to mop up the wildly flying liquids, yet he was keeping an iron grip on the steering wheel and staying well within the speed limit.
    “Oh. ..Uh. Yeah. Yeah, you're right,” Dave said, breaking his eyes away to look down, plugging his own seat belt into place. The fabric of the seat was already turning a rainbow of colors beneath and beside him, and he could feel his toes squishing in his shoes. He hoped there was spare clothes at John's father's place, and that he wouldn't mind the first important meeting being cut awkwardly short so he could run off and shower. A quick hello sir, goodbye sir, may I get naked upstairs and have some of your clothes sir, no big deal.
    Awkward.
    “..Dad? Hey! I'm sorry it's pretty early compared to what we were planning for, but uh. Something.. something kind of came up, and I'm bringing Dave to the house. Will you be home, or do I need to just use the key?” John asked, trying to sound calm, cool and collected. Apparently it failed, because John winced a moment later. “No, we're fine. Promise, I just felt something was really off and kind of made a big mess while leaving. ..No. I don't know what, or who. Why? Someone in town I should know about?”
    Dave held his breath as he listened in, trying to make out words that were leaking out of the speaker and around the edge of John's ear. He'd heard the voice of James before, and had spoken loosely once or twice when John had the phone on speaker, so he knew the deep, steady tones to listen for. ..Wasn't clear enough though, and Dave sighed as he slouched further, debating putting his sticky shoes up on the dashboard. Why not, everything was already gross, why not just go whole hog while he was at it?
    John paled and went very quiet, mouth shut, lips thin with stress. He nodded, though obviously his father had no way of knowing it, and eventually seemed to remember that himself when he began to make soft 'uh huh' noises to show he was listening.
    “It's. ..You're sure it might be?” he asked, letting out a soft laugh. “You're not messing with me, right? Not a prank? Because if this is a prank, you're definitely ahead of me agai- Oh.”
    Not a prank, then.
    “..Right. I'll lock up once we get there,” John said, placing his phone so he could press it up with his shoulder as he changed lanes and adjusted his speed a bit. “No, I don't want to order in, not if they're potentially in town. Last thing I need to have happen it anyone creeping on your house. ..Nnn... I don't know, Dad, there's schedules to keep up and I'm pretty sure we both have shifts tomorrow.”
    “Day after,” Dave supplied, brows lifted at all the unanswered questions that, judging from the look on John's face, he wasn't that interested in discussing right now.
    “Okay, so, SOON-ish we have shifts, we can't go staying a long time, creeps in town or not. I'm pretty sure just coming to your house at all might make them back off. ..Dave? No, no, don't worry, Dave will be fine, you already know that,” John said, sounding self assured. It melted away and he sounded every bit as young as he looked when, in the next breath, he whined out a loud “Daaaaaaaad, really, I know! I'm already bringing Dave along, and we're both safe, that's a good first step. I did a good thing,” he insisted. “..Alright, alright, we'll talk later. You're right.”
    With a quiet, barely there 'love you, Dad', John hung up and dropped his phone into the empty cup holder. He sighed and slouched as well, eyes on the road but mind obviously miles away. It took a good five miles worth of silence before he jerked straighter and looked to Dave.
    “Ah! Fuck, do you want the radio on? I can put the radio on. What're you in the mood for? I don't have channels saved, but I thi-”
    “Oh, hey, was wondering when you'd notice me! My name is Mud, Mud Strider, pleased to meet you,” Dave said in a singsong voice, annoyed. Talking like he wasn't there, talking like he was a fucking child, talking over his fucking head: all things he couldn't stand and wouldn't take sitting down. The way John wilted again showed his frustration had hit home well enough. Putting the metaphorical claws away, Dave sighed. “..Alright, so. Mind telling me what the fuck literally all of this is about? Who's in town? Why'd you freak and murder my outfit back there, I don't know if I can save this, that shit stains.”
    “Look, I'm sorry, but you wouldn't understa-”
    “Don't fuckin' pull that YA fiction bullshit on me and act shocked when it doesn't work, John Egbert, I'm not a kid. Spill. All of it. I'm involved in this enough to apparently be at risk of whatever the fuck got you worked into a rich creamy lather back there, so you might as well give me the deets and get me on the same page as you.”
    “..Right,” John sighed. He'd looked close to arguing, stubborn to a fault, but Dave had a big point. Instinct needed to settle down, and he needed to use his head. Dave might be his tap, but he wasn't just food. Wasn't a resource with no sense of his own place in his surroundings. “There's a lot going on, potentially. Or at least a lot to explain. ..Can I ask for some patience till later, though? I can avoid getting arrested for driving like an idiot, you can shower and change, we can both have something to eat and then talk with my dad. He might be able to explain even better than me.”
    Dave blinked, and narrowed his eyes a bit, lips turning down.
    “Hey, no, I'm not stalling Dave,” John said, guessing the look. “I'm not trying to be vague. Dad was a bit vague too, I think because he knew I was driving and talking, but that just means he'll be more thorough when we're all settled down in one place. Bonus: it's safe there! So I'll be plenty relaxed too. ..Think you can handle that? Just a little longer? I've got questions for him too, but I want to know for sure what he already knows instead of just.. y'know. Guessing.”
    “You're totally stalling. Who are 'they',” Dave said. “The people who might be in town that you mentioned.”
    “I don't know if it's them or no-”
    “'Them'. I don't care if you know they're in town or not, man, just. Who is 'they' and 'them'. Gimme some adjectives, man, something to chew on till I can weasel stuff outta your dad. GOOD adjectives,” Dave clarified. “Gimme somethin' to run with!”
    “A bunch of assholes, potentially, that work?” John said, rolling his eyes.
    “Assholes. What, like. They human at least, orrrr....?”
    “No. No, they're not. I don't think they keep humans around for sure.”
    “...Are they like you?” Dave asked.
    “I wish. ..At least one of them is like me, if it's the one I think might be around. But not like me at all, because as I said: they're assholes,” John insisted.
    “Any of 'them' got a name? How many we talkin' here.”
    “Several different people. I'm not giving any names till I know for sure,” John insisted. “Last thing I need is to talk about Jake and have him sudden- ugh,” he said, stalling as he realized what he'd let slip. “Just. Alright look, there's a name, don't go saying it much. Treat it like bad luck.”
    Jake, huh. Alright.
    “..What kinda species, then, if only one or so are like you, potentially?”
    “Were,” John said, nose wrinkling. “Most were are fine, they keep to themselves or just carry on, but. ..Some are just. ..Eugh. Older people get, or longer the family lines are, the more frustrating they are to deal with.”
    “So. Vampires, were..wolves?” Dave guessed to himself. “Anything else? This is a Halloween grab bag double feature at this point, John.”
    John nodded, then shook his head right afterwards.
    “Yep. And that's it, that's the end of the line, I'm not spilling any more beans till we can find out if I'm even spilling the right ones! I could be spilling pineapples for all I know!” he insisted.
    “Fine, fine, damn. How would your Dad know more than you about a few random people being in town? Especially if you freaked out this far away from him?” Dave finally asked. There was at least a few things to focus on and turn over in his mind now, but the loose strings were bugging him more than ever. He knew when he agreed to be John's tap, agreed to date him, that he'd wind up in some crazy shit potentially. Suddenly arriving dick deep in said crazy shit was going to take some definite effort to coast along with.
    “The entire city is chock full of other beings, Dave, remember? All kinds of species, doing their own thing and living life. When something disruptive happens, people notice and talk about it. Dad's a lot more ear to the ground than me about things, he's older, has more contacts. I only recently bonded with you, there's a lot of catching up to do. ..And if it is English, then he'd probably have tried to creep on Dad at least once or twice since rolling into town. He doesn't alert me every time someone passes through, but generally there's not a ton of trouble being caused either. Not much need to mention anything. ..Er. Well. I mean NOW there is, with you around, but since this is the first time I've had one, he pro-”
    “Creepin' on your old man? Why the fuck would anyone do that?” Dave asked. “Isn't he like. Desk job, 9-5, nose to the grindstone of paperwork boring office work dude?”
    “It's apparently rude to not at least try to visit your relations,” John sighed. “Even if your relations want nothing to do with you and have been trying to get you off their collective backs for decades. ..If he's in town, he definitely would have been in range enough for Dad to pick up on personally if not just causing some kind of trouble to be obnoxious.” He glanced over, then leaned forward to switch the radio on. A few flips of the dial and he'd found a station playing things from the 90's and 2000's, and turned it down low to fill in the monotonous sound of wheels on highway. “And if that's what was creeping on us, it'd make sense why I couldn't spot him. Especially if his creepy friend's with him.”
    Dave gave John a dry look, then stared out the window instead. Great, MORE questions. None of this was making any god damned sense, did he need to take notes? Was there going to be a test on this? "So You Fucked A Vampire: Here's His Tangled Backstory And Side Quests!".
    “Y'know, I know I asked for the details, and I understand why you're not explaining more, but goddamn that's kind of annoying. How long till we get there? And how long till your dad turns up, too?”
    “Another twenty minutes till we get there, and probably a few hours till Dad. ..I'll try to explain more when we're there while we wait, try to make more sense,” John promised. “When I'm not driving anymore, when I don't have to worry about needing to run suddenly with you again. You're right. This is all things you need to know, if you're going to continue being my tap. I need to be more clear, but right now I'm just really, really rattled.”
    Dave wanted to be frustrated still, wanted to be annoyed. A lot of things had just happened at once, none of which he got any say in, but John sounded really sincere right now. After weighing his options, Dave finally nodded.
    “Alright. Sounds good.”
    Relieved, John grinned the brightest he had since they woke up coiled together that morning and nodded, already trying to run over what to say in his mind. There was so much to unpack there.. How do you even begin to compress hundreds of years of familial history into something bite sized for someone completely unfamiliar with everyone and almost everything involved?
    He stole a sideways glance Dave's direction, took in the stained shirt and the calmer, albeit tired looking features he could make out while the blonde's face was turned half away, and let his grin relax into something softer.
    ..He'd find a way.
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atlafan · 7 years ago
Text
The Game: Part Three
Rucas au multi-fic. Lucas and Riley have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They finally tell each other how they feel, and are able to get together, but some friction occurs when Riley’s Uncle Shawn introduces everyone to his new wife and daughter.
Part One Part Two
Riley was steaming. She had never been this worked up before. She texted Lucas to meet her at the park outside of her mother’s bakery. She sat on the bench, people watching, waiting for him. A figure slid next to her, it was him, finally.
“Hey.” He smiled at her.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” He sighs happily.
“Hey.”
“So what happened?”
“That girl, Maya. What a bitch!”
“Woah, Riley.”
“Shut up” she laughs, “She thinks she’s so great. Just wait for school to start, she thinks she’s going to take you from me.”
“From your furious texts, it seems like she’s a bad girl. Not my style. I don’t think that whole mysterious, does bad things for attention, rebel without a cause thing is attractive. Even if she tried, it wouldn’t work. Why would I throw away everything I have with you, for some girl I don’t even know?”
“I didn’t say her little plan would work, but it bothers me. She’s attracted to you.”
“Not to sound cocky, but so are a lot of other girls.”
“Yeah, but she’d be trying out of spite. Spite fuels people. The other girls know to leave you alone.”
“Oh they do?” He puts an arm around her, and pulls her in closer.
“Yeah, they’d never wanna mess with me.” She says, snuggling into him.
“Of course not.” He kisses her on the top of her head. “You know what’s great?”
“What?”
“How natural this feels. I mean, if I had known this would have been this easy, I would have said something years ago.” Riley punches him in the arm. “Hey! What was that for?”
“For future reference, don’t say things like that to me, ever.”
“Right, sorry.”
They go back to their snuggle position on the bench. New York was so pretty at night in the late summer. Lucas did have a point. Sitting there with him, wrapped in his arms, did feel natural, and easy. That was all Riley could have hoped for.
After a half n’hour went by, they both realized that neither of them finished their dinners. So they decided to go inside the bakery for something to fill the void.
“Anything you want, it’s on me.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I want to. You had rough night, let me buy you something.”
“Alright. Broccoli cheddar quiche would be amazing right now.”
“You got it. Pick where you wanna sit, I’ll order for us.”
Riley sits down on the loveseat where they usually did their homework. After a couple of minutes, Lucas comes over with a couple of bottles of water, and a plate with two pieces of quiche on it.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
They both dig in, and completely annihilate their food.
“Definitely ate that too fast, but it was worth it. Your mom has some good bakers working here.”
“Yeah, she’s really done a lot of good with this place.”
“What do you think the first day of school is gonna be like?”
“Same as it always is. Homeroom, locker assignments, class schedules…”
“Something cheesy about how we’re seniors.” He takes his phone out, and opens up the Facebook app. “Hey, do you mind if I change my statues?”
“Nope, say whatever’s on your mind.”
“Not that status. My relationship status.”
“Oh, haha, yeah, duh. You’re pretty serious about this.”
“Well, I mean, don’t you want other people to know?”
“Of course I do. Yeah, change away. I’ll change mine too.” Riley takes her phone out, and they change their relationship status at the same time. “How many comments do you think will be along the lines of ‘Finally!’ and ‘It’s about time’?”
“Hmm, I’d say all of them.”
***************************************************************************************************
It was finally the first day of senior year. Riley was dating the boy she loved, got all of the classes she picked, and had some fresh new outfits. Nothing could be better. She wore her hair down and straight, put on a pair of high waisted black capri jeans, a turquoise top that showed just a little of her midriff, and pair of sparkly black sandals. She looked good, and she felt good.
When she went out to the kitchen to grab a quick bowl of cereal before leaving to meet Lucas, she saw Maya sitting there enjoying a granola bar. Riley dropped her book bag out of shock.
“Hey, people are trying to sleep, maybe be more considerate?” Maya says mid bite.
“Considerate? Huh, didn’t know that word was even in your vocabulary.”
Riley was quite proud of quick come back. She made herself some cereal, and sat down across from the blonde devil, whom she had no choice in showing around school.
“This is only day I’m going to do this, you know? After today, you are one-hundred percent on your own. Figure it out like every other freshman has to.”
“I didn’t ask for your help. Our parents are making us do this. Don’t they know that when you force two people to be friends, that makes them not want to be friends. Friendships should happen naturally.”
“I love making friends, and I bet we would have been off to a great start if you hadn’t kept being so annoying about Lucas.”
“Still mad about that I see. Well, you can relax, I was joking around.”
“I don’t think you were. I think you’re mad that your life got uprooted, and you can’t take it out on your mom because she’s finally found some happiness. So what do you do? You take out on the next available target, me.”
“Let me guess, SVU is one of your favorite shows.”
Riley rolls her eyes so hard it almost gives her a headache. She finishes her cereal, and puts the bowl in the sink with a little water in it.
“We better get going. There are some spots I wanna show you before everyone gets there.”
The two are silent on the way to the subway station. Lucas is sitting on a bench waiting for Riley. He smiles at the mere sight of her. He gets up, walks over to the girls, gives Riley a kiss on the cheek, and holds her hand.
“Good morning.” He says with a big smile.
“Good morning Lucas. I guess I can formally introduce you two, since it’s inevitable at this point. Maya this is Lucas, Lucas this is Maya.”
“Hey.” He says.
“Sup?” She replies with a nod.
All three get on the train, and stand in a little huddle.
“So, uh, where are you from Maya?” Lucas asks, trying to break some of the tension. “I know that when I moved here, it was tough getting used to having to take the train everywhere.”
“Oh, I’m only moving from Queens. How long ago did you move here?”
“I moved here in the seventh grade, so six years ago today.” He smiles warmly at Riley, and she blushes.
“That was when we first met. I fell into Lucas’ lap and we were inseparable ever since.”
“Aww, that’s actually a really cute story. Where’d you move from Lucas?”
“Texas.”
“Wow, did you get to go back much?”
“I got for about a month every summer, and here and there for holidays. We still have a lot of family and friends there. Riley’s actually been a few times.”
“It’s like my home away from home now.”
“Wait, so you’re telling me, you’ve been inseparable since seventh grade, and you’ve gone to Texas together a bunch of times, and just now you two are making things official? What was the deal? Was one of you dating someone else for a while?”
“Nope, neither one of us dated anyone in the time we’ve known each other. I’d like to think we had some kind of unofficial thing, where it was like we were too afraid to go there, but we knew we weren’t going there with anyone else.”
“Boy logic, astounding.” Riley giggles at Lucas’ explanation.
Maya had a good point, and Riley hated her for asking a question like that. It made Riley think that only recently did Lucas start sharing the same feelings, or that it took him longer to realize how he felt. She snaps herself out of those sad thoughts, and focuses on the now. They were finally together, and that was all she cared about.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was really hard that one summer she came for the whole month.”
“What was really hard?” Riley asks.
“Puberty was such a bitch. I remember seeing you come down to the water hole in that hot pink bathing suit...I had to jump right into the water.”
“Is that why you acted weird that day? You were avoiding me at all cost.”
“I know, I didn’t want to, um, show my happiness, for a lack of a better term.”
“Show your happiness?”
“You gave him a boner, and he didn’t want you to see it.” Maya says bluntly.
Riley and Lucas look at each other, and both of their faces flush. The train finally stops at where they need to get off. The three walk up to the street, and are at the main entrance to the high school.
“Okay Maya, first we’re gonna go to the main office so they can print you off your schedule. I’ll also see if we can get your locker info from them to make sure you won’t have trouble with the combo. Then you’ll be off to homeroom. I’ll write my cell number down so you can text me with questions.”
“Wow, and I thought you didn’t like me.”
“I don’t, but that doesn’t mean you deserve to have a shitty first day at a completely new school. I’ll see you in homeroom Lucas.”
“Okay, you two have fun.”
Riley walks a couple paces ahead of Maya to the office. The secretary gives the girls all the info they wanted, and Riley shows Maya where her locker is. It takes Maya a couple of tries, but she is able to get the door open, and put some of her things away.
“Okay, it says my homeroom number is 105, where’s that?”
“Come on.” Riley sighs, “That’s my homeroom.”
“Lucky us, maybe we’ll have some class together too.” Maya says sarcastically.
The two walk down a couple different hallways, and they walk into their homeroom, where a few other students are already there. The desks are the longs ones that two people sit at. Lucas is sitting at one already, and Riley happily takes the seat next to him. Maya sits in front of them.
“Do you have to sit so close to us?” Riley snaps.
“I figured this would be the best seat because then I don’t have to worry about looking at you.”
“Yeah but now all we have to look at is the back of your big head.”
Maya whips her head around and glares at Riley.
“You wanna run that by me again?”
“You have a big head.”
“Okay ladies, it’s the first day, let’s not make any bad first impressions.” Says Cory, just walking in and witnessing the attitude. “Hi Maya, let me know if you need anything at all today.”
“Thanks Mr. Matthews, I appreciate it.”
“Do you two really need to sit together?” Cory asks, looking at Riley.
“We always sit together, not gonna change.”  
Cory rolls his eyes, and goes over to his desk. Farkle and Smackle walk in and are shocked to see the desk in front of Riley and Lucas is taken.
“Excuse me, but this is our table.” Smackle says bluntly.
“It’s the first day of school, how could this already be your table?” Maya asks.
“It may be the first day of this school year, but this is not our first time in this homeroom. We sit in front of Riley and Lucas. Kindly move.”
“Nah, I’m good. You can sit somewhere else.”
“Farkle, I don’t understand what’s happening. Why won’t she move?”
“I’m not sure, maybe it’s our approach. Please, um…”
“Maya.”
“Maya, Smackle and I are good friends with Riley and Lucas. We’ve been sitting in front of them for years. Would you mind?”
Maya lets out an annoyed sigh, grabs her things, and moves to the desk next to theirs.
“Thank you so much, we appreciate it. So,” he says, turning around to Lucas and Riley, “I see a major dynamic has changed, congratulations.”
“Yes, we all need to celebrate you two coming together at last. Might I suggest smoothies after school?”
“Sounds good to me Smackle.” Riley says.
“Yeah, celebratory smoothies sounds like a great idea.”
“Lucas please stop flirting with me, you have a girlfriend now.” Smackle says turning back around to face the front of the class.
“Right, my mistake.”
The bell rings, and the last few stragglers find their seats. No one sits next to Maya.
“Okay everyone, please settle down.” Cory begins, “I know we’re all very excited to catch up with our friends. We do have a new student with us, Maya, why don’t you come up here and introduce yourself, while I pass out locker assignments.”
Maya groans, gets up, and stands at the front of the class.
“My name is Maya Hunter, previously Hart. My mom just married Mr. Matthews’ best friend. I’m from Queens, so please don’t try to tell me how great living in New York is, because guess what, I already know. I’m hoping to get into and attend Mass Art in the fall, and that’s about it.”
“Thank you Maya, you can sit down now. I want you all to look out for Maya, and make sure she gets acclimated. I’m sure you all can remember what it was like coming to this school for the first time. Anyways, you have the usual five minutes to go check to see if your combinations work, then please come back in and sit down so we can go over the other beginning of the year stuff.”
Everyone file outside except for Maya.
“What’s wrong?” Cory asks.
“Nothing, Riley was able to get my locker assignment from the office this morning. It works just fine.”
Riley and Lucas’ lockers are close to each other like they usually are. Lucas gets his open first, puts a couple of things in, and then walks over to Riley’s locker. She gets hers open, and is also able to put a few items away.
“All set.” She goes to walk back into the classroom, but Lucas grabs her hand.
“Wait a second, we have a whole five minutes.”
“And?”
“Well…” Lucas leans in to kiss Riley but she backs away. “Hey.”
“We are not going to be one of those couples that makes out by their lockers. Besides what good will it do? I’ll just want to kiss you for longer, and then we’ll go off to class all annoyed that it wasn’t enough time.”
“Oh I see, you want a good, old fashioned make out session. Well, that can certainly be arranged Miss Matthews.”
Lucas gets closer to Riley, almost pushing her up against the lockers. Her face goes beat red.
“Woah, is this like an actual thing now? Or are two still playing games with each other?” Said Carly, one of their classmates.
“It’s more just a thing, we’re together.” Lucas says, backing away from Riley a little, giving her a little more air to breathe.
“Good for you guys. Did this start over the summer?”
“You could say that. Try like a week ago, so technically summer.” Riley says, walking back to the classroom.
Everyone files back in. Cory had passed out their schedules while they were gone. They all start comparing to see if any of them have similar classes.
“Looks like we all at least have current events together.” Farkle says. “You’d think having your dad every year would get old, but his class is kind of like my safe space.”
“I know what you mean. I thought I’d be annoyed still being in his classes by this point, but it’s like home away from home.” Riley says.
“Your dad is a really good teacher Riley. Thanks goodness he teaches these electives.” Smackle chimes in.
Riley, feeling a little sorry for Maya, who is still sitting alone, gets up, and stands near her desk.
“So, what’s your class schedule like?”
“Mostly art classes, one math class, and it would appear I have a class with your dad; current events.”
“Oh that’s great”, Riley says trying to hide her devastation. “We all have that too. Guess you’ll see some familiar faces, and know where at least one of your classes is.”
“Is this you trying to be nice to me?”
The bell rings before Riley can answer.
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connorrenwick · 4 years ago
Text
Pair Creates Miniature Versions of Their Latest Workplace Furniture System
Remember back a few weeks ago when we featured San Francisco-based Pair and their new Olli workplace furniture system? Well, the brand had been scheduled to launch Olli at this year’s NeoCon, but as you know, all trade shows were cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. They were disappointed to say the least, as this was Olli’s big debut, but the team rallied and came up with a creative way to showcase their latest workplace collection. While quarantining at home, four team members got to work on making mini environments that showed creative ways of how the Olli system can be used. Utilizing 3D printed components, cardboard, fabric and paint swatches, nail polish, and a whole lot more, their finished designs are below, where they’ve also answered some questions about the future of the office environment, as well as their mini Olli journey. Take a look!
Hillary Kalamaha, Senior Application Design at Pair Hillary designed her miniature Olli for a creative or collaborative team that also needed to tackle solo work with focus.
How did you feel when you realized this project you had been working on, Olli, was not going to launch at NeoCon? That you might not get to launch it at all?
Disappointed and unsure what to expect next. After all the months of work leading up to NeoCon and even creating the concept for the display we were really excited to showcase our new product, but also debut the Pair brand at NeoCon. Once the dust settled, we looked at the change of plans as a new opportunity to express our creativity and push the boundaries of what a product launch could look like, which was very refreshing as a designer and team.
What is your favorite Olli element? What do you think will be the most useful in an office space?
Favorite Sidekick is the Stackable Storage. The versatility of applications and functional enhancement to an individual or group setting. It’s not only storage, but a play on visual barriers and definition of space.
What was the most challenging moment in creating your mini Olli?
Perfection is a curse and blessing for all designers I’m sure, so the tedious detailing and applying of materials on such a small scale was challenging.
Why did making an Olli at home feel like the right response to this moment in time?
Living and working from home is something, maybe for the first time, that so many people can truly relate to. I thought it was a fun celebration of this moment in time where all of us are sharing this common experience.
Do you think the office is making a comeback?
The office will certainly not go away, but the intent and reasoning for its need will definitely change. Companies are still navigating what the future office will look like for them, and it may be different for each, but I’m confident the office will still hold a place in our future.
What is your Olli made from?
A mixture of different materials: Felt, textured fabric, card stock, veneer / laminate, solid wood, wire (tube and flat bar), construction paper, nail polish, colored pencils, 3D printed components
What kind of team can work at your Olli?
Any team can work at Olli. We designed Olli to be a platform for versatility so that teams could move, shape, and shift the Elements and Sidekicks to create unique spaces. For my application in particular, I was thinking of a creative or more collaborative team that toed the line of needing heads down and collaborative space throughout the day.
In process images from Hillary’s mini Olli:
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Alyse Kobus, Applications Designer at Pair Housed within her kitchen cabinet above her coffee maker, Alyse’s mini Olli is colorful and features shelves that hold miniature pieces of art.
How did you feel when you realized this project you had been working on, Olli, was not going got launch at NeoCon? That you might not get to launch it at all?
Disappointed, this was going to be the first product launch I was a part of at Pair and I was excited to see the buzz that it got at NeoCon. Also working closely with the team to design the booth was exciting. I couldn’t wait to see how it was going to turn out, we were getting really innovative with space division and butterfly screens.
What is your favorite Olli element? What do you think will be the most useful in on office space?
Sidekick stacking storage. I love the way you can change the horizon of the space and create extra storage which can either be individual storage or shared as a bookcase. They also double as a useful space divider if you want to separate a collaboration zone from the workstations.
What was the most challenging moment in creating your mini Olli?
The Sidekick Stacking Storage ironically, my favorite piece turned out to be the most difficult to create. I built them to the specifications that they are manufactured in metal, but out of cardstock. The exactness of my measurements turned out to be the problem, they were always looking a little crooked to me. They also took a surprising amount of paint. Each one has at least 3 coats of paint to get the right shade and coverage. My fingers were Abyss, Rouge, and Sunny for about a week.
Why did making an Olli at home feel like the right response to this moment in time?
It ended up being a good way to get my mind off of the Shelter in place and the quarantine.
Do you think the office is making a comeback?
I think there will be a new mix between the open office and the private office with more screening and larger space between coworkers. I do think that the private offices will continue to dwindle though. We will begin to see more spaced out versions of the Open office that we have all been working in the last few years and then when things have settled down and people are feeling comfortable to go back we will see an infill of workstations that will either be added or if they were just not occupied, they will be now. Some companies though might choose to stay with the larger footprint open office solution and instead try to change how their workforce functions. Keeping with the working from home on a part time basis and having employees come in as-needed or for critical times.
What is your Olli made from?
Cardstock, wrapped Laminate, Camira Synergy fabric, cardboard, wooden dowels, aluminum wire, nail polish
Tell us about the setting you put your Olli in.
My Olli is in my kitchen cabinet right above my coffee maker where my coffee cups typically reside. We have a small kitchen and I love my colorful vintage plates, which seem to go well with the finishes of my colorful Olli application. I used small pieces of wood I had left over from creating the Olli to make shelves, and picture frames. The small photos are magnets photos from my travels and the plant in the stacking planter is taken from my patio.
What kind of team can work at your Olli?
The application was designed for a Marketing team. There is a lot of room for collaboration as well as storage for swag or other marketing materials. I left the sightlines open between users on either side of the Olli so they can communicate and easily swivel a screen or hand something to each other.
In process images from Alyse’s mini Olli:
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Sam Petrovich, Design Engineer at Pair Sam’s mini Olli fits within a shelving unit designed to hold vinyl, creating a miniature office space complete with 3D printed parts that were painted with nail polish and handmade pieces. What is your favorite Olli element? What do you think will be the most useful in an office space?
I really like the stacking storage units because of the range they have. Because they are accessories, I know that people will be a little more bold and daring with colors which will be fun to see. My two favorite options are the planter box and the perforated options because it makes the space more playful and lively with the light and shadows that will be cast and it invites greenery to be more than an ancillary component.
What was the most challenging moment in creating your mini Olli?
I think only having an inside workspace was the most challenging. Shopping for art supplies at my local drug store was challenging but a fun one.
Why did making an Olli at home feel like the right response to this moment in time?
I feel like making an Olli at home was fitting and a fun juxtaposition. I have a lot of nice memories of my team getting excited when a prototype arrived and wanting to test it out and us just hanging out around the Olli in our office and it’s fun to have a little keepsake, so to speak of that in my home office.
Do you think the office is making a comeback?
One of my favorite quotes is “There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction” (Sir Winston Churchill) and I think that our return to the office is just that. We’ve all made adjustments to working at home because it was safer to distance ourselves physically at that time and there was nothing “wrong” with that change, and when we start working from our office again, we won’t be returning to the same space, but a new one that is improved to reflect the mental and physical needs at that time.
What is your Olli made from?
(Olli Only) My Olli base was 3D printed and painted with a hand mixed nail varnish color to match Storm. I wanted to have both the Belay and Olli tops to be hickory which I replicated by scoring the cathedrals in the basswood and enhanced with some markers and Danish oil. I originally made the stacking storage units out of aluminum cans but they were a little too frail. The final storage units were made as one unit out of basswood and added parting lines to separate each unit. The plants were made by pressing hot glue and metal wire between two sheets of kraft paper, which were painted with nail varnish, that later were cut into various leaf shapes. The Butterfly Screens were made from some nails that had the heads ground off, a cereal box, and some industrial felt that was colored with watercolor concentration.
(Everything Else) The Crostinis were made with industrial felt and belt nails. The Tucks were made with aluminum cans and a jig. The Lido Pill and Squircles were made from foam core and fabric swatches. The EOR was made out of Camira swatches, foam core, and nails. The Naere.co pillow was made with muslin and utility cloth and was stuffed with wood shavings and cotton swabs. The laptops were made out of foam core, chipboard from a cereal box, and cable from an old pair of headphones. The front masonry was made from foam core, the packaging that my modem came in, hot glue, and watercolor concentrate. The pendant vaulted roof was 3D printed and painted with nail varnish and then backlit with LEDs and a frost gel. The back window was 3D printed and placed over a plastic shopping bag and photograph. The pendant lights were made of ping pong balls, small LEDS, and speaker wire. The Akaba chairs were 3D printed and covered with hosiery and nail varnish.
Tell us about the setting you put your Olli in.
I thought it would be fitting to have the IT Team scenario set amongst my vinyl records. My bookcase is against a brick wall which ended up being the main driver for the IA in my Olli’s tableau.
I wanted the space to feel bigger than the just over square foot that it is so I set up two mirrors on either wall to expand the space and to be able to see more of Olli at once. After that I really wanted to tie in my apartment’s architecture with the confines of the bookcase which lead me to make the masonry in the front and the pendant vaulted roof (to hide and soften the LEDs above). I got the idea for the roof from some art/prints on my *now* office wall (Tissot, Boullee, Paxton) and my neighborhood coffee shop (which is one of the few places I’ve been during the SIP) which is located in an old Ford Motor Showroom in Alameda. Because we don’t have too many old buildings like this on the west coast, I thought that this space I created could be somewhere in Pittsburgh, PA like in an old factory and that had been converted into an office space. The view from the window is actually looking out on the Strip District in Pittsburgh that used to have a number of factories and mills.
What kind of team can work at your Olli?
My Olli layout was designed for an IT Team. Fortunately, before I got started on this project, I was able to interview our office’s IT rep and ask her about what her office and general workspace is now, what she (and her coworkers) use, what they like, what they don’t like, and what they wish they had. It gave me some good ideas for what EDC and work accessories that Olli would/could need to hold and what kind of meeting and work space that Olli (specifically the Butterfly screens) could help facilitate.
In process images from Sam’s mini Olli:
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Elliot Whalen, Design Engineering Manager at Pair Elliot’s mini Olli found its home in two settings – against front steps made of stone and on a bookshelf with art books and a framed photo to dress the space up.
How did you feel when you realized this project you had been working on, Olli, was not going to launch at NeoCon? That you might not get to launch it at all?
Pretty bummed to say the least. Not only was it going to be the first major product launch for Pair, it was going to be at NeoCon for thousands to see. Up until this point Pair product has just been rolled out on specific projects or to a small group in our San Francisco office. NeoCon was going to be an opportunity for Pair (not just Olli) to be introduced to the industry. Hillary had designed a really awesome booth that showed Pair’s creative, playful, and outside the box approach to office design, and I was looking forward to installing it and bringing it to life in our NeoCon space. Riding the wave of success we just had with the New York Pop-up, this was an even bigger opportunity to show off. Not to mention, personally, it was going to be the first time I was going to NeoCon as both a spectator and Vendor. We were really excited to show off all our hard work.
What is your favorite Olli element? What do you think will be the most useful in an office space?
Tough question. I think the success of Olli is the versatility of all the elements and how well they all play off each other no matter what pairing they are configured in. The most unique element I’d have to say is the Butterfly Screen. The flexibility in space division/privacy and the adjustability on the fly is unlike any other product I’ve seen in this application. This will be the most useful in the office space, especially with the movement back towards more privacy between users. Ultimately I’d have to choose the stackable storage. We had designed a similar product before that was unsuccessful. It looked like every other mix and match millwork stacking cube/box storage out there. We were also coming up short on a sleek way to lock the units together while also allowing for quick and easy user adjustability. Where that product failed, the Olli (and Swing) Stackable Storage excelled. Using sheet metal (vs. millwork), we could form a slightly tapered shape and incorporate a shallow lip, allowing each unit to neatly nest on top of each other and the Olli surface while locking in place. Sheet metal also allows us to add unique perforation details and fun pops of color (through powder coating).
What was the most challenging moment in creating your mini Olli?
Originally I was worried about finding time to even work on this outside my actual day to day, but it ended up being a really fun creative outlet to do in my spare time. Model making has always been my favorite part of the industrial design process. I’d say the hardest part was accepting that my paint job wasn’t perfect and working on such a small scale with delicate little parts makes it hard to nail the details (my fingers are too big, jk, but not).
Why did making an Olli at home feel like the right response to this moment in time?
It oddly felt very appropriate. With all of us stuck in our own homes everyone was turning to new projects and crafts. Whether it was baking banana bread, trying out watercolors, or making an Olli miniature it was a time to slow down and sink your teeth into a new project.
Do you think the office is making a come back?
I think the office is taking a hard look at itself and asking what should it really be, what purpose does it serve. Office in the sense of the community of people you work with has moved online through Zoom, and it allows people to work remote and all over. Office as the physical space will hopefully move away from large rows of desks and benching to something new and more relaxed. I think Olli is a great product to fulfill this changing time, allowing a highly configurable space not necessarily focused on the desk itself, but the neighborhood it can create.
What is your Olli made from?
The Olli core is made from a PLA 3D printed plastic. I used 1/8” brass tubing for the frames and butterfly post + aluminum from a beer can. All the “wood” is from our actual wrapped laminate samples and fabric from our Camira samples. The coffee table (not an actual Pair product) is a Pair metal sample with a wood skewer as its base. All the paint is from a collection of nail polishes to mimic powder coat. The plants you see are fresh from the garden.
Tell us about the setting you put your Olli in.
I wanted to try a few settings with my Olli that played on scale a little bit. My front steps have this great stone work that I thought was different and would provide an interesting background texture. On the porch is a large slatted wooden chair that added some warmth to the scene as well as “large wood pillar” that might be found in an old warehouse/industrial style office.
My other setting is a bookcase where you can really see the scale of the miniature. I thought this did a nice job of putting Olli into a familiar context while framing the scene. I also thought it was fun to use some design books or “basket weaving” books as the walls. The back of the bookcase was too white and bare, so instead of printing a small photo out or making a fake window, I thought it was fun to use an actual framed painting and art book opened to an interesting abstract design.
What kind of team can work at your Olli?
Anyone and everyone can work at my Olli
In process images from Elliot’s mini Olli:
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wildflowerfiction77 · 5 years ago
Text
Burning Bridges 1
Burning Bridges
By Daniel Vera
8/23/2019 8:41pm
 A Story
A story of revelation.  A story of Heaven and Hell.  A story of love and fate.  A story of truth and fame.  A story of lies and pain.  A story of real and fake.  A story of lose and gain.  A story of friends and music.  A story of betrayal and death.  A story of the entire world and one mind.  A story of Hollywood and a story of forgotten people.  A story of rolled dice.  A story of lost love or never real.  A story of family decimated.  A story of a hidden treasure at the bottom of the sea.  A story of pyramids.  A story of ancient myth.  A story of future visions.  A story of spirits and man.  A story of warring armies.  A story of blank checks with no pen.  A story of a burning buildings in New York.  A story of gangs and government.  A story of black holes in Hollywood.  A story of hidden cameras and naked actors.  A story of Atlantis.  A story of superheroes.  A story of vampires and zombies.  A story of Bruce Lee and Nazi America.  A story of dead poets.  A story of songs sung by Mozart and Taylor Swift.  A story of the Military, CIA and MK Ultra.  A story of cartoons and rap music.  A story from a galaxy far far away.  A story of approaching comets.  A story of 33.  A story of black and white.  A story of Red Skins.  A story of nuclear war.  A story of blue water in the sky.  A story of James Bond and Gilbert Grape.  A story of TV commercials.  A story of fat kids.  A story of ninjas and samurai.  A story of rebellion and anarchy.  A story of dragons and phoenix.  A never ending story.  White tigers and black turtles.  Buffalo women and tobacco.  Hummingbirds and Butterflies.  Flowers and Hearts.  Stars and Sky.  Earth and Moon.  Dreams and walking...
 Dreams
I awoke in my pajamas.  It was a normal day like any other day.  I had 15 days to make $500 to pay the rent.  I had an ex girlfriend that butt dialed me while she was partying.  I listened for around ten minutes to see if I could hear if she was with a guy or having sex.  I couldn’t tell and so I hung up the phone.  I hated her because my heart felt pain every time I though of her with someone else and I knew she didn’t deserve it.  I guess it might have been the times that there was a genuine love that was being created, like the countless hours of laying in bed and staring at each others eyes while sharing kisses and caressing fingertips.  Or the unexpected gifts to encourage me to become a stronger man.  The late night fights where I sat at the locked bedroom door pleading to be let in, while she wept in bed because she got jealous of another woman she thought I was staring at when we went shopping.  Or the years of waking up next to her as the sunlight broke through the curtains and staring at her sleeping with a golden light shinning on her brown skin. red lips and black messy hair.  Or the times my arm fell asleep underneath her head as we cuddled for as long as possible until we had to readjust to find a diagonal leg and arm pattern, still crossing touch.  Then I thought about all the times she destroyed my heart and continued my day. 
I began walking on the air to meet with God.  We had scheduled a few meetings.  The great creator always knew I would be late.  I guess God knew me pretty well and adjusted time itself to add the twenty minutes for me to catch the 9:14 cloud.  On this day we talked about the meaning of struggle.  I had been having this reoccurring dream about being crushed by wave after wave in the ocean, and not being able to catch my breath.  God reassured me that the waves were meant to strengthen me and that I wouldn’t drown.  Although it was somewhat comforting to hear, I rebutted that the dream felt real and it was causing me stress.  I had felt that the waves were unneeded and they were keeping me from being able to recover from previous ailments that I was still healing from.  God just smiled and looked at me with grace.  When I left the office I was thinking of some toast and jam, since I had forgotten to eat before I left.  I did thank the Great Spirit that gives life and did say some prayers before scheduling a meeting a few��months later and commenting on the beautiful flowers to the secretary.  It was a good meeting.
I then proceeded to fighting monsters and saving damsels.  I thought I was doing pretty good.  It was almost like living in a movie, where you get to be Conan.  But I didn’t realize it was all the parts where he was being held captive, being tricked or stuck in a room full of mirrors.  So I turned the channel to see if I could find out another version of the same story that was a little more modern.  That's when the television went static and I started howling with the old mystics from the Dark Crystal.  I had fallen asleep to that movie, and somehow I was joining in the call to gather the ones that were left to make the journey.  I thought it was just a happenstance, until the small town started to share a video that someone had recorded, until it became the new thing.  They made a dance, a soft drink, a Netflix show, chicken and pizza commercials, the next 5 years of billion dollars movies, including Star Wars, was about it.  They even started bombing countries and making new religions.  It was crazy.  There wasn’t a TV or movie screen that it wasn’t on every five minutes for years.  I even saw it on Facebook.
Then they the military started burning the forest to sell lemonade and electric cars that still used oil and nuclear power.  This is when I knew something was going on.  Then a bunch of ex presidents started appearing in Kanye West videos and Quentin Tarantino movies with “kiss me, I am Jewish” stickers on their foreheads.  This is when I knew things were getting out of control of even the CIA.  The girl scouts started selling machine guns to the homeless.  The TV news people were smoking joints, eating hot dogs and advertising “Shamoo”.  The comedians began making signs to love one another and became civil rights politicians and activists.  They didn’t say any good jokes though.  I’m not sure why, but the politicians began making everyone laugh.  It was a circus that was only topped by Silicon Valley taking Ubers to Outer Space.  They said they were going to mars, but they took too much LSD and ended up going too far, and circled back to China, not knowing it was a parallel universe and they were lost.  Meanwhile on earth, the Patriots won another Superbowl which made ten in a row.  Everyone dressed in Captain America costumes during a white rappers reunion, singing country songs with the Spice Girls paying tribute to all the musicians that were killed in the last seven years.  It was a really long half time show.  Its still going on.  Kapernick has Snoop Dogg braiding his hair while they start a venture capital business with Donald Trump and Kevin Spacey for a Martha Stuart line of hemp products at Walmart.  The hemp is really Monsanto bio engineered, but they figure they’re burning down the Amazon in Brazil, no one will notice.  
So I turned off the TV and ate some waffles.  My ex girlfriend left some blueberries in the freezer, so I used those with some peanut butter and jam and butter.  As I started eating the five stack, I saw something moving out my window.  I saw Miley Cyrus twerking on the front lawn.  I looked at the waffles and thought maybe there was something weird in the ingredients.  Then George Bush, the CIA guy, was dancing with her and I knew the waffles had some weird shit going on, so I threw them in the garbage.  Fucken ruined my breakfast.  Every five minutes I looked out the front window to see if they had left, and sure enough, they were still there, except they would change faces.  Next was the Rock and Scarlette Johanson, then Bill Gates and the Queen of England, then the White Stripes.  I thought it might have been the blueberries.  She said she ordered them from Ashton Kusheten, and that dush liked to play jokes on people, and started doing Bruce Willies wife, so I figured that was it.  They must have been laced with something.  I took a nap till they wore off.  
The next day I was able to make it to the car without anything super weird happening.  Someone did steal my Bruce Lee movies and my kids toys from the car.  I must have left the window open.  I knocked door to door around the neighborhood to ask if anyone had seen anything weird, other than Miley Cyris.  It dawned on me that I never spoke to any of my neighbors for the five years I had lived in the house.  The first house was a bunch of cats sitting around a living room.  They were doing yoga and smoking huka, so everything they said sounded like cats fighting underwater.  I didn’t get any answers.  The next house was three little pigs and a wolf.  They were watching the news and eating cereal.  They said they had just moved in and didn’t see anything.  It was peculiar that they had a giant poster of me in their kitchen.  I figured they must be fans.  They smelled like weed.  Every house had some fairytale vibe to it, or a Disney cartoon.  Squirrels, Vikings, Revenge of the Nerds, even a Steven King house.  The last one was a Dukes of Hazard reunion.  They were cooking burgers on the bar b que, and they were nice enough to have the girl in Daisy Dukes make me a quarter pounder with cheese.  We started seeing each other.  I called her when I got horny and she would come over.  I still didn’t find my stolen stuff.  I figured Karma would make the rounds.  
When I drove away, I started seeing smoke.  I wasn’t sure where it was coming from.  It didn’t seem to be originating from the car, so I started looking around.  Planes were flying past me and leaving these trails of smoke, but that wasn’t it.  I looked in my rear view mirror and saw burning bridges across the whole country.  That's when I knew who stole my Bruce Lee movies.  
  Meat and Cattle
 In a long dark cavern, I saw a few faces staring in front of sunlight, casting shadows like dancing puppets.  They had orders to submerge me into submission, by who, I wasn’t sure.  During that time, there was a lot of turmoil happening in the world and in the small town in which I was living.  It seemed that the local white power groups were stock pilling machine guns and ammunition.  They would have weekly fight club gatherings in the mountains and practice military drills to kill “niggers, Jews and spics”, and now the Chinese and Russians.  I guess they were Irish and Scottish, but probably a mixed breed of good ol’ boys.  
I’m not sure how “the gays” became part of the picture, but they arrived in droves.  They all gathered at Duff Tavern, a place in the Simpsons cartoon.  It was absolutely insane.  Along with the Trans community, there were hipsters, hopsters, fibsters, and mobsters.  Not to mention, some pretty hot women in the form of pixies and catholic nuns.  On the jukebox was Rage Against the Machine, because sometimes I would hack the airwaves, just to annoy the patrons.  The Clamsters would stand watch outside while the Bob Dylan look a likes would secretly grow weed and sell it to Colorado, Texas and New York.  They had a good set up going.  They would smuggle pounds of grass in their beards.  When asked why their beard was green by the police or FBI, all they would have to say is it was an Irish thing.  It seemed to work.  
But after a few years, the government went in and started replacing some of the farms with robots.  The robots would answer to the Matrix and all was well for a while.  I noticed this because I lived in the small town and would often have art shows and play music with the other monkeys.  Sometimes on the news they would televise a social order black ops operation.  In the war of the weeds, all the multi-armed gangs would hide in the mountains behind trees and rocks.  They would shoot at each other just to make sure no one was stealing their crops.  The cops didn’t mind, since they would get a part of the profit, and sometimes the whole thing, depending on orders from the FBI, and ultimately the CIA and Homeland Security.  
They would cut up a cow and leave it hanging upside down to attract the wolves.  They caught a lot of wolves that way and turned them into guard dogs.  The cats had to be more careful since they were house cats, and not the Lions they wanted to be.  Some of them thought they were Tigers, but that was just something on TV.  It was a long summer.  Everyone was waiting for 2012 and aliens.  They would give palm readings and read the cards on your forehead to make sure you were a monkey.  God forbid you might be Godzilla.  That would mean you were Japanese and those nips tried to bomb Pearl Harbor in a movie made by Steven Spielberg in the 80’s.  
The new threat in Los Angels was the threat of the Mexicans and particularly, the Zapatistas.  So the U. S. planted a tariff on marijuana distribution.  Although they needed the plant to help with cancer and injured vets brains, they had to make sure they could use that extra money for more robots.  They started pumping all that money into Silicon Valley and I Phones.  They needed to make sure Facebook would convince people that everyday is business as usual.  No one can have a new thought, it would counter balance the already shaky control system that sat upon fake money.  So to go with the fake money, they created fake news, fake wars, fake presidents, fake jobs, fake laws, fake food, fake causes, fake movies, fake soap operas, fake drugs, fake toilets, fake videos, fake people on the internet, fake names to go with those people, fake gang wars, fake drug busts, fake homeless people, fake housing crisis, fake TMZ news, fake Kanye, fake cake, fake husbands and wives, fake kids, fake Wall Street, and fake music.  Along with those fakory items, they made fake laws and juried trials.  I saw a documentary on Netflix.  It could have been fake.  
  The Cafe
 I would go to the cafe daily.  It was like a meditation.  Sometimes I would play music there, sometimes I would draw.  I always noticed the same faces.  Once in a while, a gorgeous red head or brunette would come sit at my table and flirt with me over a mocha.  At this time I was through with blonds, kinda like Arnolds’ “Total Recall” movie.  It was a good five years.  I never had so many Red Sparrows fly to my window at once.  I was a greedy kid at the ice cream shop, so I tried all the flavors.  This town was a small concentrated town, so I didn’t know they were connected to all the gangs in the world.  I didn’t know that they have been hunting savages for generations, and they had marked me as soon as I grew some pubic hairs.  They already had submitted my parents and were working on the rest of the Wu Tang Clan.  So when I found out, I tried to warn everyone, but it was too late, they had already turned or were captured.  The Cladavors had used Aliens to possess each other and play role playing games to kill the time.  
They did pay well, from all that weed and coke money.  They gave my ex boat rides and free soda.  They even gave all of the Clan free weed fields and free cars and houses.  But really, they had to do a lot of favors in return, like video tape me having sex with gorgeous women and then they would make fake porn and put it on the fake dark web.  The pink clampers liked to watch those between football games and CSI.  They made a lot of money from those as well.  Meanwhile, I was figuring out what kind of mocha I wanted.  I wrote a lot of letters during that time and finished a lot of paintings.  I learned how to sing, and practiced on my mating skills.  Every time I would walk outside, I saw five clams and three turtle doves.  My stomach hurt a few times, but the Doctor reassured me that I was fine and had nothing to worry about.  So I kept eating ice cream, since it was free.  I got good at it, I could have won a contest or the Olympics.
But then my arch rival appeared in the form of my ex.  She got even better looking and I got fat from all the ice cream.  I was still practiced up, but she had some Kriptonite on me.  I didn’t realize she had been zombified as well.  I wasn’t sure if it was the same quirks or new ninja moves she was using on me.  One thing that was sure, was that she always won.  It frustrated me to the point of no return.  She kept coming back to me for more ice cream, but I refused to share.  I threw it in the freezer along with my heart.  When she stopped calling, I pulled my heart out, but it stayed cold for too long, and I had thought it died.  I put it in a vase and watered it every now and again.  Mostly just wrote poems about it.  
Eventually I stopped going to the cafe, since that was the place that I had met her.  I started making instant coffee, then started brewing my own from a used coffee machine that had a timer and automatic alarm clock built in.  Every time I would drink a special brew, I would remember the mocha’s we shared.  I would see pictures of her on Facebook once in awhile drinking mocha's with Asheton Klamster.  That really pissed me off.  Then she got the role as Wonder Woman.  It was like, “what the fuck?”  Fuckn Taylor Swift and Kanye, Miley and Mickey, Goons and Goblins, Jews and Gentiles, Obama and Trump, Star Wars and Dumpsters, Guns and Weed.  All I needed now was my family to turn on me and the Government to MK Ultra me.  I saw Bluebirds in the midst of Project Damn Daniel.  It was astounding.  It was almost like they had watched the Dark Crystal too.  
They got me on the run, and then I saw Kapernick with an Afro.  I had thought he was Middle Eastern.  Then all of a sudden, blond people started showing up.  They were dancing naked everywhere I went.  I would go to the grocery store, and there they were.  I would go to the bank, and there they were.  I would go to the book store, and there they were.  At first I thought they were some kind of religious group, then I concluded that they were a rock band in a video game.  I had saw it advertised on a commercial a few years prior.  It was a game from MK Tupac.  I had read it in a New World Order book from the early 1900’s.  Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud co-wrote it.  That’s when my brother called me to ask me how I was doing.
The only answer I had was “How the fuck do you think I’m doing?”  Then my first ex called to tell me she’s having another baby and if I wanted to co-sign for a new car.  I was like, “Bitch, I haven’t seen you since the 1800’s, how the fuck does your ghetto ass want a co-signer after you stole my sperm in 97 and then stole my life in 99?”  Needless to say, I co-signed.  I thought it was for the kid, but I think she got her nails did.  
  The Science
 It was a virtual video game and everyone wanted to play.  It was one of those soldier games where everyone is a shooter.  I had thought I had seen my brother in a bunker with a gunshot wound to his side.  He was bleeding.  He was drinking with his Clamster buddies, and they had asked if I wanted to play some football that weekend.  Since we were in a video game, I figured sure, why not.  While drinking a Natty Ice and smoking a cigarette, he asked how to defeat all the white men.  I looked at him, and wondered why he was drinking and smoking while bleeding on the rented floor.  I figured he had marital problems, he was in a slump and the locals must have been fucking with him.  I contemplated the question, and from the years of slavery and genocide, I didn’t really see a scenario that they would recede control of the area, America or stop their plans for world domination.  So I told him I don’t know.  It was a confounding question since his wife and his kids and his friends were white.
So his buddies were usually missing some teeth from some Oroville days.  I had known them for some time, so when playing football, I didn’t think much of it.  It did piss me off that they didn’t throw me the ball and kept me on defense.  I still disrupted most of the plays.  They just liked to throw interceptions.  They asked me if I wanted to be a bad guy in one of their movie projects that they were conjuring up.  Since I knew these guys had almost zero talent for movie making, I kindly agreed, if they did all the work.  They proposed some Star Trek and I proposed some Twilight Zone.  They proposed a Batman spin where the bad guys would be sitting at the table.  I figured I was Batman, so I’m not sure that would work out for me, unless I beat their face in at the end of the card game.  I guess my brother played the Joker.  
So I drove away, and then the game turned into Mad Max, Fury Road.  I guess Northern California wanted to keep the water, and Southern California didn’t like the country people and they wanted the water.  Everyone started throwing fire bombs at each other, it got crazy.  So the South paid off some ”official” people with the Damn money, and they shared the water with the weed growers and Mothers Milk.  All the gangs lived happily ever after, including the military and Hollywood, which we all know, are the most important gangs in California.  They eventually brought Donald Trump to rake and threw fake Rambo in military prison for trying to start a rebellion, which was actually a sting to begin with.  It was a complicated video game on story mode.  Most people just like to play on vs. Mode.  
I only rented the game, so I didn’t really play it, everyone I knew loved it and bought it.  I guess the marijuana dispensaries were selling it along with cookies.  I would rather spend my time watching Netflix and watch some Daredevil or Breaking Bad.  Those were some epic shows.  I used to just watch the Documentaries, but ever since I bought a subscription, I like the dramas.  It always begs the question, does art reflect real life, or does real life reflect art.  Sometimes I think to myself, when I notice the panic attack people have in the world around me, how could everyone not notice how much we believe other people to be better than us.  How much we fear other people to be better than us.  How groups of people feel threatened by others greatness, and that they don’t take the time to nurture their own greatness.  In a hysteria to feel loved and be seen in a crowded world, we try and find the flaws of the others around us to lift ourselves up.  Flowers fighting for sunlight.  Animals fighting for food and water.  Instead we are water and lightning.  We are the light.  
It makes me reminisce on the struggle of the waves crashing.  I find the breath I need in the moments between the struggle.  If I panic, I miss those moments while fighting against the ocean.  If I don’t panic, I am able to breath steadily and find the least resistance without drowning.  And if I live to tell the story, what else would a story need but you to tell it.  How many stories have saved your life?  How many stories gave you strength to carry on?  How many stories have let you share in the tragedies and triumphs of another?  Stories that made you laugh and cry, ones that you have learned from and ones that didn’t make sense till years later.  To play the video game in story mode or just in versus?  I personally like to write my own story.  
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