#i only knew about the 7 figure book deal

[marlshroom]

came to the fucked up realization after finishing gravity falls again last night the parallels of the dream bubble bill made for mabel and the literal state of delusion he keeps himself in.

in the book of bill on the page where bill cipher describes how he figured out a way to manipulate her into giving him the rift, it says:

"Summers ending, my guy. Ending to death, bro. She'd do anything to make it last just a day longer. Probably something RASH and OUT OF CHARACTER, even!"

as we know, mabel cannot handle the fact that she will be growing up. that the relationship with her brother is going to change. she is scared of high school.

bill then says "That was it. She'd never make a deal with me. But she'd make a deal with someone she believed could give her more time. The dream was done. I had her."

bill then creates the dream bubble for mabel, he makes every one of her dreams come true, a place where time is still and she can be a kid forever. a lie so great that she wont have to face the truth.

in journal 3 on one of the pages bill is writing in code, we see this:

[ID: "I ask you, why must[should] time only move forward? Why must cause preceded effect. Who voted on the law of physics."]

my friend helped me break down what bill means by this:

why can we only move forward in the 4th dimension of time. why does something have to make another thing happen, why must cause come before the effect. why cant you move backwards, in the other direction, change the decisions youve made.

how interpret this is bill asking why he is not able to back and stop what he did to his family. he says to ford that he tried and failed to undo the past.** why did him wanting people to acknowledge his advantages instead of suppress him lead to the destruction of his whole dimension?

**(i just want to point out that this is probably the time where bill is the MOST open to anybody, or at least the first. to his henchmaniacs he had been telling them that he liberated his dimension until the oracle discovered the truth. here, to ford, he got so much closer to telling the truth. he SHOWS ford the last atoms of his world. he says that it was destroyed by a monster, not that it was liberated! destroyed)

back to when bill says "I had her" about mabel, he had her cause he knew exactly what needed to happen to trap mabel in a delusion because it is exactly what he is doing to himself. creating a fake narrative of what happened to him, that he was vindicated in killing his whole dimension. only ever doing exactly what he wants because confronting the truth is too scary for him(good fucking lord). the morality page offers good insight into this too.

i am actually just going to quote the whole page and highlight the important part. it speaks for itself really

"THE POINT IS it's[morality] is a very flexible concept! But parents and presidents don't want you to know that, because then you might start asking other questions, like who put them in charge, anyway? So they cram your brain full of guilt and regrets for transgressing the laws that they just made up(the laws that they made to prevent the destruction of their dimension, regardless of if the law + the wrongful medication of a fucking baby triangle did any good to actually prevent it). Wouldn't it be nice if you could put all that baggage down? Quell the shame that follows you everywhere for a lifetime of crimes? MAKE THE SCREAMS FINALLY STOP? The good news is you CAN silence that annoying voice, and here's how!

DENIAL

Works 100% of the time in every situation. What you you mean there are people who disagree? I can confidently say there aren't!

RATIONALIZATION

If you can do it, you can justify it! "Truth" is open-source code and anyone can edit it anytime! Want to be like me? List 3 "evil" things and then 3 "reasons why they're actually good." You'll be rationalizing like Bill in no time!

DETACHMENT

Did you know 100% of your human cells die and are replaced every 7 years? That means that anything you did 7 years ago wasn't even you-it was some dead loser! You can't be held accountable for what a dead person did! What? You think this is just another form of rationalization? I DENY THAT!

THE BILL CIPHER DECISION METHOD!

Working over the eons, the voices in my head teamed up and worked out a foolproof method for making any decision in any situation.

DO WHATEVER I WANT."

ooooooooooooooooooh boy.

he is fully admitting here that he is living in a completely different really in order to justify doing whatever he wants. he gives mabel the tools to deny, to rationalize, to detach herself from the reality of it all. that time has to move forward. and he thinks it will work because it worked on himself.

but it doesn't work on mabel because she understands that she needs other people. shes vunerable, she lets people in, admits when shes wrong. and bill cant do that because it would destroy the fantasy he's created for himself.

[revelboo]

All of us gremlins when we get part 2 038 of one of your fics XD Stop what you're doing, stretch, eat something and hydrate!!!! >:)

I’m hoping none of them go that lengthy 🤣 if I can figure out the scheduled posts thing, I’ll do that tomorrow. If not, I’ll be on the road for 7 1/2 hours and won’t post until later. I’ve reached the upper limit of the stress I can handle and I’m going to hide from it for a few days instead of dealing with it.

Over It Now Pt 16

IDW Jazz x Reader

• Primus, he’s selfish. Watching you huddle deeper into your warm coat, a blue and white bundle of cloth in your hands and shivering so hard you��re trembling, sends a bitter ache through him. Because you want to spend time with him despite how cold it is now, your breath fogging the air as he reaches for you. Unable to send you away. Hands lifting you to settle on his thigh, you curl your legs under you, distracting him to no end with things he shouldn’t want. Can’t have. Then you’re going up on your knees, unfolding that bundle of cloth and gesturing imperiously for him to bend down. Obeying and venting as you drape the thing around his neck. “It’s a scarf,” you say, sounding absurdly pleased with yourself as he reaches to touch the soft material. “I made it.”

• “Doll, I don’t get cold like you do,” he says and you feel your expression waver. You knew that, but he looks cold sitting out here waiting patiently for you. Wanting to do something for him and not knowing what. Shoulders slumping as you sit back down on his thigh, your face heats. Yeah, it was a dumb idea. And he mass shifts under you, an arm hooking around you when you almost fall sideways. “I never said I didn’t like the gift.” Growling, he presses his face against the side of your neck, lips brushing you as he speaks and tingling through you in awareness. Suddenly you can’t get enough air as he rests his other palm on your thigh near your knee.

• Those expressive eyes of yours give you away, that hurt you’d tried to hide when you thought he didn’t appreciate your gift. Like you don’t have a clue how much the little gesture means to him. How much you mean. But he’s never bothered to tell you, has he? Too scared of losing the one person who doesn’t need him to smile and pretend everything is okay even if it’s not. Feels you shiver and push against his hold, trying to get away. Reluctantly letting you go, expecting you to retreat. Definitely not for you to turn and straddle him. Fingers toying with the scarf as you avoid looking at him. Before he can say anything, you lean up and your mouth crashes against his.

• Just a kiss. A kiss can’t hurt anything. And you’ve wanted to have at least this for some time, but he’s not been your size since that first time when he’d scared you. You feel him go still against you as your mouth slides against his, but he doesn’t kiss you back. Shocked that you did it most likely. Face heating, you draw back and his servos tangle in your hair. His head ducking so his mouth can claim yours. And it’s as wicked as you’d imagined his lying mouth would be. Aware of his other hand on your hip, servos pressing against you. Lips parting for his glossa to slide inside, tangling with your tongue, exploring hungrily.

• Can’t stop now that you’ve given him permission, now that your taste is on his glossa. Greedy for as much as you’ll allow him. Thinks about your smutty book. About just laying you back and taking his time memorizing every inch of you with his servos and mouth. Only the cold keeping him in check, tempering his need with concern over you. “Give me this, just a taste,” he murmurs, servos sliding under the back of your shirt to find warm skin. Mouth sliding along your jaw down to your neck. Kissing, nipping, and licking as you make a soft, breath sound that goes straight through him. “Let me have this.” Not sure if he’s begging you or Primus, as your soft hands touch his helm and pull him back to you. Your mouth warm against his. Losing himself in the heat of you, in the honesty of his need.

Previous

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[strawberrymochin]

Springtime Fushiguros♪

Context-: exploring the memories of childhood of fushiguros, marking the spring time of you and satoru gojo.

Dentist :- Gojo suggests going to the dentist to pull out Megumi's loose tooth.

A lot of things bother Megumi fushiguro. The zenin kid has beef with pretty much everything, such as socializing, loud people, and gojo satoru.

He recently developed a new ick for anything sweet, after gojo's repeated attacks on his candies.

From the past few days, this list of megumi's discommodes has added a new hassle to deal with.

One of his teeth from his upper jaw has been annoying him for quite a while. First of all it was mild, almost not noticeable, thus he shrugged it off. Then, it got slightly inconvenient, the tingly sensation he would feel while eating or having a cold drink was irritating.

Though he still didn't inform anything about it to you, he thought the pain would go away naturally and it's maybe because he ain't brushing that hard.

And as the thought process of a 7 year kid suggests, last night he brushed his teeth extra hard thinking it might help and subsequently this morning he woke up with a pain even more worse.

Megumi came out of his room, which he shares with Tsumiki, he has been in his room for half of the morning pretending to be asleep, debating with himself whether he should go and inform you or maybe wait a bit more for the pain to magically disappear.

And when he finally couldn't handle it anymore, wanting you to get his of his problem he couldn't find you.

'Whatcha doin' kid?' asks gojo, closing the refrigerator, after taking out a bottle of water to sip. He had been noticing megumi for a while, going in and out of your bedroom. He assumes Megumi wants breakfast, opening the refrigerator once again to take out the carton of milk, the loaf of bread and the jar of jam.

'brush your teeth if you haven't, till then I will get your breakfast ready.' he says, winking at the kid proudly, thinking he's such a good guardian, picking up on megumi's necessities. After all he had spent $531 on buying all those parenting books aren't worthless. So what if, he had only read 6 out of those 57 books? He would have scoffed at toji, teasing him how he knows megumi better than him.

'I don't want breakfast.' said Megumi plainly, what? An invisible arrow passes through gojo's heart, how can he be wrong? He turns around with a swift motion, discarding the breads on the counter, which he was about to put in the toaster.

Megumi isn't even looking at him, he's busy staring at the clock. 'why won't you have breakfast? Are you implying that I can't even toast a bread?'

'maybe. Where are y/n san and tsumiki?'

'out for grocery—wait don't change the topic, what do you mean by mayb—' he was about to ramble on when he noticed megumi a little more clearly.

He walked up to him, bending himself to his level, pulling at his blindfold, eyeing him as he removes them completely. Megumi's one hand is cupping his cheek, while the other is curled into a tight fist.

'You've got a teeth problem?'

'how do you kno—ah—hurts...'

'yes! I knew it. My days of reading those books aren't useless.' he felt pleased at himself, wanting to perform a ballet right now. However he calmed himself, taking a look at megumi glowering at him.

'open your mouth wide, lemme see. Which one? This?' megumi nods at him, as he figures out, he has a loose teeth.

The first one.

'you've a loose teeth. It will fall out on its own.'

'HUH?!'

'it's normal. A new one will grow out from the bare spot.' He said pushing a bit at the teeth to see how loose it is.

'ahh hurts!'

'can't do much about that.'

Megumi tucks at his sleeve, it's only been 15 minutes since gojo announced his teeth will fall out. 'what now?'

He stays quiet for a while, head low, then slowly murmurs, 'it hurts, can't you do something about it?'

'well then, open your mouth, lemme pull it out.'

'what! No!'

'you want it out right? This is the only option then.' gojo shrugs.

'.....'

'or else....'

'or else?'

'we have to go to the dentist. They will take it out with a tool, like an big sized tweezer. Let's go, shall we?'

'Hell no.'

'then lemme pull it out. Won't hurt much i swear. Open your mouth wide.'

'aaa—' Megumi opens his mouth hesitatingly, unsure what his Sensei might do, but he definitely doesn't want to pull it out with a tweezer.

'Megumi, what do you want for lunch?' gojo asks diverting megumi's attention, and before he could answer, gojo slowly pressures his index and thumb on his teeth plucking it out with little effort and a 'ow' from megumi.

'see here you go.' standing up proudly handing up his teeth in the air in victory, when megumi kicks him, 'ahh, what was that for?' he asks.

'you said it wouldn't hurt. Moreover it feels weird and blood is coming out.'

'you will get used to it. There's still a whole set of teeth to fall.'

Megumi's mouth fall wide open, at his sensei's words, he wishes the next time its you getting rid of it gently, like you do for other things. And not gojo coming up with more ideas to pluck his teeth off.

You came home to a proud gojo, flexing megumi's first loose tooth, he pulled out. He even suggested preserving it with raisin as a memory. You chuckle as Megumi shows you the gap between his teeths and how weird it feels.

'hey babe! You know what, the next time he gets another loose tooth lemme use my cursed energy to get it out.'

[throneofsapphics]

the moth and the flame part 7: your wounding

poly!Nessian x f!Reader

summary: after meeting Nesta in a bookshop, you find the darkest parts of yourselves bonding with each other. Naturally, Cassian finds himself entangled with the two of you.

warnings: check the series masterlist!

a/n: I put the warnings on the series masterlist just in case anyone wanted to avoid spoilers, but I'll say this chapter is definitely heavy.

series masterlist

Nesta loved you, even if you were difficult sometimes. The kind of difficult that made her want to pull her hair out. Then again, she supposed she probably made you want to pull your hair out as well, the two went hand in hand. 

Her main gripe, currently, was that she couldn’t seem to get you to open up. It was easy to take it personal, to believe that you didn’t trust her, but Nesta knew it ran deeper than that. Out of most people, she should know how deep scars can run. 

“Talk to me,” she tried, running fingers through your hair. Three orgasms usually loosened your tongue. “What’s on your mind,” 

You hummed against her chest, nestling in closer. Not very talkative. Considering how you’d turned into a shell of shorts, to Nesta it was essential she get something out of you today, something so she could at least try to help you. Hiding your drugs and alcohol hadn’t worked, that had only sent you into a fucking rage and she didn’t want to deal with that shit again. 

“How is work?” 

You tensed. She mentally cheered - the sore spot, now she knew where to push. 

After a careful half-interrogation, not pushy enough to ‘push’ the line too far, Nesta figured out one of your new coworkers had been rather bitchy recently. 

“But if anything happens to her I will be pissed,” you insisted. 

It was Nesta’s turn to hum. She was already planning a slow and miserable existence for the female, death would probably be too easy. Cassian might have some more ideas on how to deal with her. Would her mate join or judge her?

“Nesta,” her name was accentuated by a light scratch on her chest. Her back arched subconsciously. “Oh?” You sat up further, straddling her. 

You ran your nails down her chest, over the light fabric of her top, catching on her nipples with an extra hint of pain she loved. Her eyes lit up. A thud sounded on the door. 

-

Sighing, you rolled off her. Of course someone had to interrupt. Her entire lack of reaction to that sparked stupid, stupid anger in you. You tamped it down, suffocated the flame until the barest dusting of ash remained, spread wide over your mind. 

You were slowly growing more ... unwell, in your mind, you knew as the days went on but there was still time for you to get it under control. Nesta always said it was ‘never too late,’ but you’d been far gone since the day you were born. It wasn’t something a few books or meditation lessons could fix, Gods know you’d tried once. Miserable. 

Maybe your mind was broken irreparably, or just born that way. 

You heard your name. Felt a gentle hand on your shoulder, a light squeeze from arms distance away, as if you might reach out and strike. Nesta. 

You’d stopped mid thought, right in the open doorway leading from your bedroom. The pounding on the front door grew louder. 

“I’ll get it,” Nesta murmured and twisted past you, casting a worried glance behind her. 

All they did was worry, and tell you about it, and you were getting sick of it. Sick of all of the babying. 

Hushed tones in front of you. Cassian. You saw his head nod before he stepped around Nesta and closed the distance between the two of you. 

“Thought I'd have to break the door down, sweetheart,” he slipped his arms under yours. Feet left the ground, air swung your nightdress from side to side, laughter left your lips as you locked your arms around his neck and held tight. 

Both eternity and not nearly long enough passed before he stopped, just holding you mid air. Instinct had you locking your legs around his waist, not wanting to let him get further away from you. It had been a whole week, hadn’t it? 

You were a horrible partner for not putting that together sooner. 

The happiness from Cassian’s return was temporary. Just that. The dark cloud swept back in, not helped by the ‘toxic,’ as their House called it, attributes to their relationship. You supposed it was wrong to put complete blame on the relationship, part of it was on you too. Or was there anything to blame? Your mind was a confused puddle of emotions and feelings, exaggerated and drawn out in all of the wrong places. It wasn’t a fun place to be, you knew that. 

Too much alcohol. Too many pills. You’d done far too much of each, and felt ... a blissful nothingness, and the way seemed clear right then.

Eternal nothingness was the only solution. The only reasonable one. The path of least suffering for you and forth those around you. Fuck, it made sense, it was the first thing to make sense in a very, very long time. Logic had no place in you right now, and you knew this was perhaps one of the stupidest impulsive decisions you’d make in your life but you could only live doing whatever felt right in the moment. 

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. 

You’d read once in a book that a character slashed their wrists. It seemed easy enough. There was already plenty in you to numb any pain that might come with the sensation.

Stop. Stop. Stop. 

Grabbing a rather pretty dagger, desiring an aspect of poeticness to your fading, you sat on your couch and flipped it a few times. Better than a kitchen knife. 

Stop this, please, a voice that sounded eerily like Nesta spoke in the back of your mind, but she was too late. Besides, Nesta never said ‘please,’ not to you. Thudding on the door. Your hands were already moving, biting your lip at the first slice to keep the wince in. 

-

“Break that door down right fucking now,” Nesta hissed at Cassian, but he was already moving - shoulder slamming into the wood. Using power would draw too much attention, but your building was loud enough this shouldn’t catch anyones attention. 

She smelt copper. Blood. A lot of it. It was just you in the apartment, she could sense that, had you fallen? All she knew was she needed to get to you more than she needed air, more than her own blood running through her veins. 

The door flung open, she pushed past Cassian to see crimson dripping on carpet, your bedroom door half open, body flung over the bed, slashed wrist dangling off the edge. 

A strangled cry left her throat. 

-

general taglist: @rowaelinsdaughter @bookishbroadwaybish @nestaismommy @erencvlt @panther-girl-124

acotar taglist: @lilah-asteria @yeonalie @i-am-a-lost-girl16

series taglist: @breadsticks2004 @shamelessdonutkryptonite @rowaelinsdaughter @fightmedraco @acourtofbatboydreams @readinggeeklmao @krowiathemythologynerd @kooterz @anxious-study @lilah-asteria @nestaismommy

[mrs-kmikaelson]

06| The Tribrid

Pairing: Klaus Mikaelson x daughter!reader Summary: While you busy yourself with making sure the deal with the witches runs smoothly, Klaus occupies himself by trying to figure you out. Warnings: none Words: 4.4K

Masterlist | Part 7

I walked into my house, throwing my keys on the side-table next to the door and shrugging off my jacket. I checked my watch: 2:01 PM, so Davina was still at school and wouldn't be back 'til she was done practicing with the witches. 

I just got back from lunch with Elijah where we went over the Mikaelson's terms in more detail. Genevieve had sent a witch to the Abattoir earlier like a carrier pigeon with an outline of their requests.

Pretty dramatic, if you ask me, but she was like just resurrected. She probably doesn't know how to text yet, so whatever.

After Elijah and I talked over everything, I left, telling him I'd type up the contract myself. As an immortal with plenty of time on my hands, I've gone to law school and pursued numerous careers, as I'm sure Elijah probably had, too, so there was no need to hire (compel) someone else to write this contract for us.

I made my way to my room, passing Davina's on the way which was filled with boxes and a few things placed haphazardly on the ground. My room looked a little different: pretty plain, bed parallel to the door. Normal, basically. 

I walked into my adjoining walk-in closet which was probably the most interesting thing about this room. At first glance, it looked mundane; there were some eye-catching statement pieces, but this closet otherwise just looked like a closet.

Unless you knew what to look for.

I closed the closet door for good measure and turned to the back wall, waving my hand and muttering, "Invisique saeclum." Instantly, the illusion of the wall disappear and another, smaller, more compact room was revealed.

It was lined with shelves, books stacked on top of each them. I walked closer, going to pick up the book closest to me. My grimoire. Like the rest of the books in this closet, it was dusty. I haven't needed to look for a spell in a long while. 

I placed it down on the island in the middle of the room before turning to find the other book I needed. Under a few other books, I found what I was looking for: Amelia's grimoire.

I put it down next to mine, staring at both of them. Strong nostalgia came over me. I hadn't looked at her grimoire in long time, or even my own, for that matter. Both of them should have been worn down now after all these years, but a simple preservation spell kept them in pristine condition, looking just as they had when I was younger.

My lips quirked up as I ran my hand along their covers, memories flashing before my eyes of my childhood. But as quick as the happiness came, it disappeared with the thought of how that very childhood was stolen from me.

Enough with memory lane.

I switched my focus onto the purpose of even grabbing these books, opening my grimoire and flipping through it until I found the page I was looking for. 

Illusion spells.

While I was very familiar with this type of spell, the one I wanted to perform was a little different. It was similar to the average cloaking spell, but I wanted a physical manifestation of an object: a decoy.

I wasn't stupid. I was never going to give Genevieve my aunt's grimoire. The only reason the witches wanted something so powerful was for leverage, and they weren't gonna get it. I knew all this last night, so instead of actually giving them Amelia's grimoire, I'd give them a copy.

But this copy had to feel real, tangible. Its energy needed to be able to be sensed in the same way it was with the real thing. They needed to feel like they could trust us, even if the Mikaelsons—or myself, for that matter—didn't trust them.

The thing with magic was that it worked through energy. Witches have their own special type of energy that enables them to perform spells. That's why you could practice magic without incantations; so long as the intent was there and it was strong enough, then your spell would work.

The reason why we often do use incantations is because words hold power. The history behind them holds enough energy to basically back the spell up. So, if you were using spells that weren't your own, then you would also want to use the chant because, without one, your own intent wouldn't be strong enough for the magic to pull through.

That's why I was going to change the incantations written down altogether.

At first, I was gonna exclude certain pages from Genevieve's copy completely, but then I realized that, without the powerful spells, she'd be less likely to trust us. So then I just change them so that they still made sense, but wouldn't work.

Without the written incantations that Bennetts had chanted in the past, these spells would be useless. If the words didn't hold any significance, then they were pointless.

Which was exactly my goal.

I hovered my left hand over Amelia's grimoire, hovering the other over blank space on the island. I closed my eyes and began, "Phantamogriphia decorum, appearatas veridical. Phantamogriphia decorum, appearatas veridical." After repeating this a few times, I felt the emergence of energy into the room and opened my eyes to see a book identical to Amelia's under my right hand.

I picked it up, flipping through it and stopping every once in a while to alter a spell, muttering incantations under my breath so the words on the page would appear as if they were Amelia's handwriting.

When I was done, I set it down on the island to compare it to Amelia's real grimoire. It was almost impossible to tell the difference unless you actually knew her. There was only a slight difference in the energy emitting from each book, but I knew this was fool-proof.

With a grin, I returned mine and Amelia's grimoires to their spots, bringing the cloak of the wall back. I grabbed the fake and stuffed it into my bag, tossing it onto a chair in my room. For now, I'd go type up the contract, then I'd walk over to the compound to give it to Elijah.

With that, I walked over to my office.

THIRD PERSON, THE NIGHT BEFORE

Klaus stood off to the side while his brother and his latest fixation spoke to the witches. He was silent; Elijah already warned him earlier not to cause a fuss, and the last thing he wanted was a fight with a Elijah. He had enough to deal with, this agreement included.

This evening, however, was not something he wanted.

Klaus couldn't care less if the factions tore each other apart in the streets. All of this was Elijah's doing, and so Klaus was only there to oversee it. Truth be told, he wasn't even going to show until Elijah told him Y/N was going to be there.

That caught his interest.

He couldn't figure it out, but there was something about this girl that pulled him to her. She looked familiar; he just couldn't pinpoint where he knew her from.

It seemed that others found her just as fascinating. For some reason, she had the trust of the Quarter's residents, but she wasn't going to get Klaus' trust so easily.

There was something off about her, something far greater than familiarity. And he was going to figure it out.

No matter what.

His attention was drawn away from Y/N when Genevieve cut her off. The words that came out of her mouth had stunned him.

"Esther Mikaelson's grimoire. We want Esther Mikaelson's grimoire."

Elijah's request for peace this evening suddenly went over his head. He scowled, "Are you out of your mind?"

"Niklaus-"

"I am not giving you my mother's grimoire. After what you tried to do to my family, you expect me to hand over-"

"Niklaus." Klaus stopped, turning to look at Elijah. His jaw clenched when he saw the look on his brother's face. He calmed down slightly, glancing at Y/N, wondering how she was going to talk her way out of this one.

Even as he glowered at Genevieve, he couldn't help but feel smug. There was no way out of this, and the oh so special Y/N would fail.

Or so he thought. 

Y/N declined her request, as he predicted. Genevieve went to pull out of the deal, as he predicted. What he didn't predict was what Y/N said next.

"I currently have a Bennett grimoire in my possession." His head snapped in her direction. His eyes met Elijah's who looked just as surprised as him. He glanced over at the witches who luckily didn't notice their reactions, too engulfed in shock of their own. "It's yours, so long as you accept."

The rest of the conversation became muffled to Klaus, as if he were underwater. He could tell she wasn't bluffing—that, or she was a really good liar. He suspected that both were true. So many thoughts ran through his head at once.

While he thought she must have won Elijah over with that save, this only deepened his own distrust in her. A Bennett's grimoire was extremely hard to come by. They were guarded as if they were the holy grail. If he, the Original Hybrid, wasn't able to get his hands on one, then how did a mere vampire acquire one?

And why was she giving it up like it was pocket change?

He tuned back into the conversation when all parties stood up, Y/N and Genevieve shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries that he didn't care for. As Elijah walked the witches out, Klaus didn't glance at Genevieve once, even though he felt like glaring at her whenever he saw her. Instead, his glare was directed to Y/N.

Their eyes locked, and Y/N only continued to surprise him by staring right back. She was confident, and assertive, and unfazed with every comment he threw her way. He kept trying to shake her, but she appeared to be rooted to her spot every time. This only annoyed him.

He was so focused that he didn't even notice when his brother walked back into the room. Elijah thanked her, making Y/N look away to respond. Klaus had an inkling that Elijah wouldn't bring up what just happened, so he had no choice but to be the one to do it.

"How do you have a Bennett grimoire in your possession?" He interrogated, suspicion audible in his voice. Elijah gave him a look that was ignored.

He watched Y/N's body language as she responded, looking for any signs of a lie. "I met one a few hundred years ago. She died after she was in the wrong place, wrong time, but she left that book to me."

She must take me for a fool, he thought. The nerve of her to think he'd believe that. "A Bennett witch left her grimoire with you, a vampire? Not with her family?" He enunciated each word slowly as if to emphasize his point.

A Bennett witch leaving something as valuable as her grimoire to a member of the species they hated was unheard of. 

Y/N gave an excuse, saying the witch wasn't close with her family at the time, as if that made it any more believable. "And I was human at the time so, yes, she left it to me because she knew it could come of use one day."

She showed no indication that she was lying, and if her story was real, then her excuses were reasonable. Perhaps if the story were coming from someone else, he would've rolled over and believed it. But this was coming from Marcel's supposed 'best friend,' the woman who so happened to be there the night Hayley was almost attacked, who had his brother so interested in her that he forced him to allow Marcel back into the Quarter all for the sake of a deal. This was coming from the woman who reminded him so much of a ghost from his past.

So, no, Klaus did not believe her.

Elijah, on the other hand, didn't look as vexed. He cleared his throat and changed the subject, thanking her again. Y/N turned around, making plans for another meeting. She didn't look back at Klaus once, but he was staring at her until even after she walked out the gate.

Elijah sighing broke him out of his trance. "Must you be so difficult, Niklaus?"

Klaus rolled his eyes. "If you want to turn a blind eye to all of this, then by all means. But this woman is so obviously hiding something." He reached for his scotch, downing the rest of it in one go.

"Niklaus, please-"

He cut him off, "No, Elijah—you can't honestly be telling me that you don't see what I'm seeing. She acts as if she's guilty of something-"

"Innocent until proven guilty."

Klaus scoffed. Elijah's immediate impulse to see the best in everyone could very well one day be his downfall. For some reason, he was defending Y/N, even though they both knew the only reason they really brought her in was because he saw the same things Klaus did.

Klaus shook his head. "She's not who she says she is." This time, Elijah's response didn't come as quick. He only silently maintained his stare. Little did Klaus know, his brother had doubts of his own.

Elijah's response never came. He closed the book on the conversation completely. "Good night, Niklaus." Elijah walked way, patting Klaus' shoulder as he passed him before going up the stairs. The hybrid cursed him in his head. How could he be so stupid, he thought.

He knew you were hiding something. 

And he would make it his personal job to figure out what it was.

FIRST PERSON, PRESENT

I closed my laptop, having just printed out the contract. With Marcel, contracts were never necessary; you would just trust the other person's word. But, in this new society, trust could not be guaranteed. 

I sighed, checking the time. Davina should be home any minute now.

Right on cue, I heard a knock at the door. I furrowed my brows. Didn't I give her a key?

She must have left it her by accident. Not thinking anything of it, I got up, walking to the door absentmindedly. "Hey, Dav-" my words died down in my throat once I opened the door. Standing in front of me wasn't Davina.

It was Klaus.

He coyly smiled. "Hello, Y/N. May I come in?" For a quick second, I was stunned. I wasn't expecting this at all. How did he even know I lived here? I wondered before dismissing the thought. He's Klaus Mikaelson; of course, he knows where I live.

I quickly composed myself, reciprocating his smile, only hoping that mine didn't look as fake as his. I held the door open wider. "Of course." The act of Klaus stepping over the threshold into my home almost made me sick, but I didn't dare show it on my face.

"Lovely home you have here," he said, looking around, but I doubted he was just looking out curiosity, and that compliment felt nothing like a compliment to me. What the fuck is he doing here?

I thanked him, resisting the urge to cross my arms. I learned in the few psych classes I attended that it was a sign of discomfort. I instead tried to make myself less stiff, asking myself how a normal person would act in this situation and then trying to behave that way.

"Would you like something to drink? Water, tea, Brandy....?" 

Klaus shook his head, declining. He still wasn't looking at me, continuing to stare at my house. He seemed to be searching for something, and I had an idea what it was.

Well, he wouldn't find it.

I skipped over the like five other questions I had, asking, "What brings you here?" I kept my voice light, even though he probably knew that I knew what he was doing. I was already gonna be heading over to the compound later where he would've seen me. He had no reason to be here other than to look for some sort of flaw.

Finally, Klaus looked over at me. "Elijah's currently preoccupied, so I told him I'd just come here and get what you were supposed to give to him." Bullshit. But I'd play this game. I've won far harder ones.

I reminded myself of the pact I made to myself when I left the compound yesterday, of everything I've endured over the course of my life. If I went through what I went through, then I could go through speaking to my father.

I faked nonchalance. "Right, the contract. I'll go get that right now." I went to my room, grabbing the stapled pages and Amelia's grimoire out of my bag, ignoring the fact that the hybrid could've done anything in the less than thirty seconds I left him alone. However, when I got back, he seemed to be in exact same spot, waiting patiently for my return. 

"Here," I said, handing them to both to him. He hummed, flipping through the pages—though, I doubt he was reading anything, even though the contents of the folder I just gave him were only drafted in attempts to save his city.

But I didn't have to have known Klaus long to know that this wasn't about saving anything for him. Men like him didn't save; they destroyed, and my mother raised me well enough to make sure I never forgot that.

When he closed the folder, he looked at the grimoire with a serious stare. I would've been worried that he was trying to see past my glamour had I not been as strong as I was. Nobody could see past my illusions other than myself; it's always been that way, and it'll always be that way.

Instead, I could bet he was questioning its authenticity or even my authenticity. The white lie I gave the other night was convincing enough to get me out of the compound, but since Klaus was looking for any reason to support his distrust in me, he obviously still had reservations.

Before I could continue with my train of thought, Klaus looked up at me and abruptly questioned, "Where are you from?" My brows went up. Out of all the things he could've said, that was on my list of least expected.

But I wasn't expecting any of the other things that'd happened in my life since I returned to New Orleans, either.

My first instinct was to respond, why do you ask? but that felt defensive and that was the last thing I wanted to come off as to my father. I told him what I told most people who asked. "A little bit of everywhere, I suppose." I shrugged for effect. "I was travelling at a young age due to conflicts around my family, so I was all over Europe as a child."

The suspicion Klaus so eagerly showed me the other night was tucked away. Instead, he only hummed again, but clearly he didn't believe me; otherwise, he would've left it alone, but I could never be so lucky. 

"And how old are you? If you don't mind my asking," he added, as if he cared about whether not I minded.

I didn't hesitate. "About five hundred years old, give or take."

He hummed in response, adding to my irritation, but I was much better at hiding what I was thinking than he was. Not that he was trying. "Well, I suppose I should've assumed so since the Bennett witches had fled to America around that time period." He stared me dead in the eye, a smug smile on his face but a much more serious look in his eyes. 

He was pretty close to me, close enough that I could see his eyes—and I mean really see them. They were blue with twinges of green and brown that I hadn't seen from far away before. And even though almost nothing scared the crap out of me more than the fact that his eyes looked like mine, I stared right back like I had no fears at all.

"Yeah, that's true," I agreed, but I didn't offer anything further. The only other things I could've added to this conversation to convince him I wasn't lying were facts from my personal life and that was information I wouldn't soon give up. 

I didn't know how well Klaus knew my mother before they conceived me, if he knew her best friend's name or even her own, for that matter. So there were some details I just had to keep to myself; revealing certain things may have had the ability to help me, but they could also hurt me just as easily.

That was a risk I wasn't going to take.

Klaus just kept staring at me, and I almost thought he'd never look away until the door opened. We both turned to see Davina in the doorway, keys in her hand.

Her mouth fell open slightly, eyes darting between me and the Original in our living room. Said Original broke the silence. "Ah, if it isn't the little witch."

I watched Davina swallow but still manage to glare at him. "Klaus."

Klaus held his hands up in surrender, that same "friendly" smile on his face that was anything but. "Relax, love. I come in peace." He then looked back over at me. "I was just leaving." With that, he walked toward the door. Back still turned to me, he uttered a thank you for what I gave him and wished us a wonderful night, patting Davina on the shoulder on his way out.

The teenager barely waited until Klaus was out the door to close it, looking over at me with incredulous eyes. Just as her mouth was about to open, I brought my finger to my lips, silently shushing her and pointing to my ear.

She got the message, exasperatedly sighing and running a hand through her hair while I used my hearing to listen to Klaus walk away. Once I could no longer hear his footsteps, I let my finger fall. Davina instantly let her questions loose.

"What the hell was he doing here? Why'd you let him in- no, how did he get in? What was that stuff he walked out with and why did that book look like a grimoire? Oh my God, does he know that you're a-"

I cut her off, "Davina. Slow down and I'll explain." At my interruption she paused, taking a breath. I couldn't help but be amused at her worry, even though the Devil himself had just been standing in my living room.

Once she was calm, I elaborated, summarizing the deal I'd made with Elijah and then the deal we'd just made with the witches. Although I trusted Davina, I gave her the same story I gave Klaus when it came to the grimoire. There were some things just better kept secret and, for now, Amelia Bennett and my family fell under that category.

After I'd explained everything, Davina nodded to herself, soaking it all in, muttering under her breath, "That must've been what everyone was talking about today, a deal with the Mikaelsons." She pursed her lips. "Yeah, I heard Genevieve and some others whispering something about a Bennett witch, so it must've been that."

I nodded. "Yeah, and as for Klaus being here, I let him in myself. Don't worry; the protections are fine." She finally seemed to calm down after that.

"Okay, I guess I'll just go do my homework now or something. See you, Y/N/N." I ruffled her hair as she walked past me, getting a faux angry pout that didn't last long before a smile started to form on her lips. Like her happiness was contagious, the corners of my lips upturned, too.

It was good to see her happy, busying herself with things like homework. That's what teens should be doing, not hiding away in attics, isolated from humanity. Death shouldn't have even crossed her mind but I knew that, living in the world we lived in, that wasn't an option.

In spite of that, I would do my best to preserve her childhood for as long as I could. There was no one there to do that for me, and I'd be damned if I would just stand by and watch as hers was stolen from her.

Davina meant too much to me to allow that to happen, but even so, there were still things about me that she didn't know. There were things about me that no one knew, no matter how close to me they'd gotten.

No one knew I was Klaus' daughter, no one but Amelia, my mother, and the person who killed her.

At that thought, my mood became sour, but instead of drowning in my own self-pity, I blocked the thoughts completely. I couldn't afford to be in New Orleans with Klaus Mikaelson watching my every move and to also think about that part of my past.

So I pulled out my phone and dialled until Cellie's voice filled my ear, "Hey, what's up?"

"Hey, let's go out. We can hit up that new club downtown. And call Cami up, too; we can all go and just have fun."

"Not that I oppose this in anyway, but what brought up this spontaneousness?"

"Nothing," I lied. "I just want to have a night-out on the town. C'mon, Marcel; don't be boring."

He gave in, "Alright, alright, fine. I'll call Cami."

I grinned. "Great; meet at my place." Before he could say anything else, I hung up on him. This was just the sort of thing I needed, to go out like everything was normal.

I rushed to go get ready, pushing all thoughts of Klaus and my past to the back of my mind. For one night, just one, I wanted to feel like myself again.

Ever since I got back to New Orleans, I've felt like this shell of myself. Around the Originals, I felt like little-kid-me. All of these memories and thoughts that I've worked to repress have just been resurfacing, and so, for one night, I just want to feel like myself again. That'll help me get it all together.

I was gonna go out tonight, not as a Mikaelson, but as a Y/L/N.

And after that, I was gonna bury Y/N Mikaelson for good.

Taglist: @scrynexxtins @thisnameistaken1234 @honestlycasualarcade @xlittlestarling @thatgirljas13

[iblameashley]

The Gift of Giving

Civilian | Male | Gay

1,448 words Content: Face-reveal (text only). No major cw warnings. Ghost is bad at accepting things.

Follow up to Shattered.

Simon ’Ghost’ Riley | Male/GN Reader

!!!SFW!!!

Simon gaslights you, its a good thing he's just an idiot. You meet up at his flat again, this time with food and gifts. (wrote this on the plane to and from vacation, so a little shorter than 'Shattered.')

(Thanks to @loneghostwolf for permission to use this image)

You were content to be the 'active' one in your relationship with Si. You would text him often with memes or stupid jokes, and he would reply now and then with a 'Haha' or 'Fucking hell'. You had been doing this for weeks now, stopping by when he booked an appointment with you. And then your phone vibrated in your pocket on your way home one day. 

Friental: Si has terminated your Friental Contract.

“What the fuck?!” you shouted, nearly dropping your coffee. “What the fuck!?”

Your mind swirled with confusion and your heart sank deep into your stomach. There was a twisting, nauseating in your chest. What had you done? Things seemed to have been going so well. Maybe you over stepped when you showed up at his door with new plates and glasses? Or maybe one of the jokes you sent was too crass – admittedly, you had been more bold with what you sent him – but he didn't seem the type to pussyfoot around telling you what he thought. Well... if you pissed him off.

Your phone vibrated again. Then again.

Si: I cancelled our friental contract

Si: You said you'd be my friend for free.

You: You absolute fucking git. You send the text FIRST, THEN cancel.

You gripped your phone so tightly you thought you were about to crush it. You then wanted to throw it across the street, or dunk it in water. 

“You stupid fuck...” You seethed.

Buzz buzz, another message.

Si: Will I see you at 7 like planned?

You: I will see you in hell, Si.

You: But also at 7, yes.

You were pretty sure in a fight he'd pummel you into the ground, considering your part time martial arts training couldn't possibly compare to his military training, but right now you wanted to give it a try. The rage was still washing over you in hot waves. The man was bad at communication, but this was pure stupidity. 

You took a long swig of your coffee and tossed the empty cup in a nearby rubbish bin. You ran a hand through your hair and took some deep breaths. Assuming the rules were still in place, you thought there was room for expansion. 

Si: You can call me Simon, BTW. That's my name.

You cocked an eyebrow in amusement. “No shit.” You huffed and rolled your eyes. You had figured that out pretty much day one. But in its own way, you knew it was a big deal to him, and incredibly sweet. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as he seemed only moments ago. “Fucker is playing games with me.” you said with a crooked smile.

No matter, you had things to do and places to be, so you let the irritation of this man wash away and went about your day.

*** + *** ++ *** + *** ++ *** + *** ++ *** + *** ++ *** + *** ++ *** + ***

You: I will need your help when I arrive.

Si: Something the matter, mate?

You: Hands will be full. I'll need you to open the doors.

Si: Full of what?

You: Things.

Si: Such as?

Si: What things?

Si: ...?

'Suffer' you think to yourself with a light chuckle.

When you arrive at his flat, you set down one arm-full of bags and ring his number.

“Be down in a moment, mate.” He says through the speaker before hanging up.

He arrives at the door rather quickly, mask on and wearing a simple tee and jeans. He forgot – or maybe didn't care to – put his shoes on.

He opens the door and lets you in, offering to carry some of the bags. You begin to shake your head 'no' but he's already grabbed a handful from you.

“Whats all this, then?” He says gruffly.

“Things,” you repeat. “Things you can look at when we get in your flat.” You pause. “And food.”

He lets out a guttural “Mmm.”

Simon opens the the door to his flat and sets the bags down on his table. You follow suit and gently kick the door closed behind you.

Simon is already rummaging through the bags.

“I had half a mind to tell you to fuck off.” You say as you place your bags on the table. Simon looks up at you and furrows his brow.

“Still mad about that?” He asks. His voice seems sincere.

“A bit.” You nod.

“Didn't mean to piss ya off, mate.” He replies flatly.

“A Simon apology.” You smile.

He grunts.

The bags are emptied onto the table and discarded to the floor. There is an assortment of boxes, plants and food.

Simon examines the plants and gives you a look.

“I cant keep these alive.” He grumbles.

“They're plastic, you git.” You laugh.

Simon's focus changes to the other boxes on the table. Some new plates and glasses. “They're nice.” He says as he begins to unbox them. He examines each piece one by one before stacking them and moving them to the cupboard.

While he does that, you begin to place the plants around his flat. A few in his living room window, a couple on his book shelf, and one on his coffee table. His place seems to feel more like a home, instead of just the place he lives.

You locate the bag you hid away from him and grab it from under the table. You pull a large black and white throw from it. “Made this for you.” You say, getting Simon's attention.

His eyes widen as you unfurl the oversized throw, exposing the skull pattern that runs its length. It matches the mask he always wears on his face, and though he wears it now, you can see a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes.

“You made it?” He asks, his voice softer than usual. “Like a gift?”

You stare at him queerly. “Yes... like a gift.” You confirm. “I got some fabric paint and an iron. After a good wash, it was ready. Do you like it?”

Ghost retreats back into himself and scoffs. “Its acceptable.”

“Thank you,” You say with a mocking tone, “I put in an adequate effort into it just for you.”

You toss the throw over his couch lazily and then make your way back into his kitchen and unpack the take away. You brought curries and beer, and lay the assortment out for him.

“I can eat later,” you say. “Or on the couch. If you don't want me to.”

Simon holds up a hand, silencing you.

“No need.” He sighs. “If you're going to by my friend, I suppose its only fair.”

He reaches up and pulls the mask away from his face. He stares down at the table as he does this. His lips betray his attempt at a stern look. You take in the scars that map his face, the slight crook in his nose and a small burn on his jaw. His brown eyes flicker up at you waiting for judgment.

“Ready to eat, then?” I say.

“Ready to eat?! That's it?” Simon is shocked and offended.

“What do you want me to say?!” You fire back. “You have a scarred face, big deal. Doesn't make you any less handsome, or any less my friend!”

Ghost stands there seething, you stand there confused beyond belief. It dawns on you that he likely isn't used to people just accepting him as-is. He had built up this scenario of being rejected in his head and now he had no where to go except forward.

You smile. “Sit the fuck down and eat.” You say sternly.

He is taken aback by your words but slides down into his chair, never letting his gaze leave you. You sit down across from him and start dishing out portions. You crack open a couple of beers and slide one over to him.

“Cheers, mate.” You smile. You take a swig and then dig into your food.

Simon follows suit not too long after. The wheels in his mind turning as he processes what just happened. Eventually – albeit slowly – his look softens as he shovels bite after bite of food into his mouth. 'Handsome'? He thinks. His stomach twists and he feels dizzy as the word bounces around his brain.

“Good curry.” Simon huffs between bites. 'Good company too.' He thinks, though can't bring himself to say it.

You smile and accept his compliment. It seems rules one, two, and five were now out the window. Only three, four and six still remained in place. You dynamic was changing, and it piqued your curiosity.

“Really good.” You agree.

[quincy2729]

Descendants rewrite Part 7:

Into the Books:

After about half an hour, Red and Chloe finally decide to chill at the school library where no one would bother them. They begin to take some notes in Red's notebook to figure out their next move. "I didn't expect the school library to be so huge. It's almost the size of the Hearts throne room!" Red exclaims. Chloe pulls Red to the side, followed by a shush. "Red, this is a library. We're not supposed to be loud." Both Red and Chloe's heads slowly shifted as the librarian glared at them. They immediately move to another section to avoid the awkward tension.

Chloe and Red found a section with spellbooks. Little did they know that only spellcasting students were allowed to use them. "I recognize these books from my mom's nook. Maybe we could find something that could help us get back home or reverse time." Red proposes. "That's actually not a bad idea. Maybe we could -". Before Chloe was about to finish, She heard menacing footsteps behind her.

Sticks and Stones:

"Well, if it isn't Crimson and Cyan. Still playing hooky?" Hook begins to laugh while holding his hook. "It's a public space we can go wherever we please." Chloe spat. Maleficent walks up to Chloe with a smirk on her face. "And you're in our public space. This is our spot." Red rolls her eyes."And who are you to dictate that?" Before Red could respond, she felt a tentacle around her waist that yanked her to the ground. Ursula began to laugh with the rest of her crew. Chloe rushed to Red and helped her up.

"You're very mouthy for a new kid. I'm guessing you're not familiar with how we run things or that little schoolyard incident wouldn't have happened." Ursula begins to lecture Red and Chloe on who runs the school. "I'll make you a deal. If you learn your place, I'll guarantee that nothing bad will happen to you or your friend here. What do you say?". Ursula pulls out her glowing hand for Red to shake.

Red pulls out her hand to seemingly shake Ursula's, but it quickly follows with a hand slap. "You think I don't know your tricks. I wouldn't trust you with a goldfish. Let's go Livia." Red projects. Before Red and Chloe walked out of the spellbook section, Ursula made a shady comment. "Go ahead, run away just like Bridget."

Hand to hand combat:

Red rushed up to Ursula and slapped her without a second thought. Chloe looked at Red in shock. Once Red realized what she just did, she knew there was no going back. The entire scene becomes a fighting montage where Red and Chloe face the VKs.

They caused a bunch of noise and destruction in the library, which alerts Principle Merlin. Once Red and Chloe spotted Merlin, Red quickly grabbed one of her cards and opened a portal for her and Chloe to escape. After the portal closes, Merlin walks into the library, looking at it in dismay. The school library looked like a war zone.

"Who is responsible for this?" Everyone else at the library immediately pointed at the VKs, causing them to go to the principles office. Before Ursula left, she saw an unfamiliar book on the floor that looked like a journal. She opened it and saw writing that said, "Property of Red D'amore." She picks up the book and leaves with the rest of her friends.

[burnwater13]

Concept art by Brian Matyas, depicts Din Djarin holding Grogu in his left arm as they walk across a desert plain, with a single sun shining above them. Image from The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1, Episode 7, In the Name of Honor.

Part 6 of Power!

“Hey, Fennec? Have you seen Grogu anywhere?”

Din Djarin entered the kitchens as soon as he spotted her sitting at the table with a plate of food. He’d been wandering around the palace, looking for his son for over an hour. Then he remembered if anyone knew where everyone was it was Fennec Shand, master assassin. If he found her, he’d be that much closer to finding Grogu.

“Nice timing Mando. I’m just about to eat and now I have to find your kid?”

Djarin tried not to bristle at her comment. That’s what she wanted. She wanted him to be annoyed with her and a little off balance. It was one of her tactics to keep the upper hand in any situation. 

“I do what I can, Fennec. Go ahead. Finish eating. My question can wait.”

Then he just stood there and stared at her. 

“Alright. Knock it off. The last time I saw the kid he was running off to the astronomy tower where the spider monks hang out. Don’t worry though, they like him and have promised to leave his brain alone for the foreseeable future.”

Dank Farrik. 

Djarin didn’t say that out loud. He didn’t want to give Fennec the satisfaction. 

“Good to know. Thank you.”

The Mandalorian left the kitchens knowing exactly where he had to go. The thing he didn’t know was did he want to take a short cut through the throne room or go the longer way around it. Fett had made a big deal about he and Grogu making themselves scarce because the meeting he’d scheduled with the special envoy on region tax and trade policy. Djarin figured the older man just wanted some time to himself and had put up a shield of mind numbing boredom as a means of defending that time. 

He had been happy to let it work for most of the morning, but he really wanted to find Grogu. His apprentice had been acting oddly since they had returned to Tatooine to celebrate Present Day with Fett and the Sand People. It had all started when they reached Peli Motto’s place and found out that she had gone to Mos Espa to spend time with the Major Domo. Her helper had given Grogu his Present Day gift from Peli, with a comment that it was unlikely that they’d see much of her at Fett’s palace, as Motto had planned a ‘romantic’ retreat with her Twi’lek friend. That had been enough information for Djarin and they said thank you and then headed directly to Mos Espa. He’d give Peli the gifts they had for her on their way off planet instead.

Grogu had seemed happy with the present, which he had opened almost as soon as it was handed to him. It was charm that was in the shape of a mudhorn with a twinkling black stone ‘eye’. Grogu had coo’d a thank you to the helper and stuck the charm in his pocket. Djarin had offered to put it on his necklace that held the mythosaur charm but Grogu had refused and Djarin had left it alone. It was just a charm right?

But after that Grogu started getting cranky at the least little thing. The speeder bike they were using was too slow. His coverall was too warm. He was hungry all the time. The Mandalorian wondered if his son was just put out at not seeing Peli or if he was coming down with a cold. Strange things happened when Grogu had a cold. His ability to control the Force became random at best and a menace at worst. You only needed it to rain inside your cabin once to realize the Force when left unchecked could perform all sorts of mischief.

Uff. All sorts of mischief. He needed to take the short cut through the throne room. He didn’t want to disturb Fett, but he also didn’t want to find out that Grogu had sneezed and collapsed part of the palace. The place was old and at times Djarin was certain that the stone floors creaked under his footfalls in a way that just wasn’t right. It was probably due to the damage done by the various critters that had lived in what was not affectionately called the ‘Rancor Habitat and Enrichment Center’. He had laughed the first time he’d heard that and then stopped as soon as he realized that Fett had come up with that name. For a bounty hunter raised as a Mandalorian, Fett was remarkably sentimental. 

He took left turn and entered the throne room to find it empty. What? Why the heck was Fett shoeing them away, if he wasn’t going to be there any way? Uff. It didn’t matter. Now he could go to the astronomy tower and find his son and make sure everything was okay. That’s what he’d set out to do and it was a nice change of pace to have a straight forward plan work out.

Djarin had reached the archway that frame the base of the stairs that lead to the tower when he was hit solidly in the middle of his chest and knocked flat on his back. What the hell?

He looked around and realized the something that hit him was Grogu. Not just Grogu. Grogu and the Force. Where the hell was the kid going in such a hurry?

Grogu peered at his visor and it was clear to the Mandalorian that his son had no idea that his way would be blocked by anyone, let alone his Mandalorian father. 

“Grogu. Buddy. Take a breath and slow down a little. What are you running away from?”

Djarin asked as he slowly and somewhat painfully got to his feet, all while holding the boy close to him. He didn’t want Grogu to go pelting off again.

Grogu sighed at him and then coo’d and then sighed again. Ah. He’d love to tell Djarin all about it but right now he was hungry and couldn’t his dad smell that wonderful smell?  The Mandalorian couldn’t help but smile at how these patterns of coo’s, sighs, grumbles, and a little bit of sign language he’d learned from the Sand People, had helped Grogu communicate with them all more effectively. Over time. 

Hmmm. Could he smell something wonderful? Not really. The helmet filtered out a lot of odors. Fennec had been eating something in the kitchens. Perhaps Grogu thought that smelled good? 

“Okay. We can both go to the kitchen and see what’s available. Then you can tell me all about your adventure and explain why something in your pocket is jabbing me in the armpit.”

Grogu grinned at him and nodded his head and then pulled the ‘something’ out of his pocket. 

If a feather had been handy, Grogu could have used it to knock Djarin over. The ‘something’ was a star finder. Not just any star finder. One he’d seen before. But where? And how the Dank Farrik had it found it’s way to Tatooine? 

Grogu coo’d at him and the Mandalorian shook his head.

“No. I don’t think I can ‘Take it easy’. I lost that thing years ago. How did it show up here and don’t tell me that the Force moves in mysterious ways. I already know that.’ 

He did. 

Dank Farrik!

To be continued...

[melefim]

Swearing in Dead Boy Detectives: Shit

Overview:

Shit was said a total of 48 times, in all 8 episodes and by 8 different characters.

Uses Per Episode:

Shit is said in all 8 episodes of the show, one of only 4 words to do so.

Episode 1: 4

Episode 2: 9

Episode 3: 7

Episode 4: 2

Episode 5: 9

Episode 6: 4

Episode 7: 7

Episode 8: 6

Uses Per Character:

Shit is said by 8 different characters.

Charles: 5

Crystal: 32

Jenny: 5

Esther: 1

The Cat King: 1

Kingham: 1

Hunter: 1

Twitchy Richie: 2

Percent of Total:

Shit is used 48 times, which is 14.9% of cursing in the show.

Variations:

There are 6 variations of the word used in the show, with the most popular being Shit, which was used 20 times.

Shit: 20

Holy Shit: 12

Bullshit: 11

Shits: 2

Shitty: 2

BS: 1

Rankings:

Total Uses: Shit comes in third for total uses, being said 48 times.

Number of Episodes: Shit is one of only four curse words that is said in all 8 episodes- the others are Fuck, Ass, and God.

Most Uses of a Word in a Single Episide: Shit holds 2 of the top 11 spots

Total Characters: Shit’s 8 characters puts it in 3rd place.

Favorite Word: Shit is one of Crystal’s favorite words, tied with God at 32 uses each. It is also Twitchy Richie’s favorite- he says it twice.

Shit is the only curse word Kingham says that Litty does not.

Curse Word Variations: It is tied in 2nd place with Hell for most variations, with 6 each.

Lines:

Episode 1:

Crystal: Holy shit, did you take some of my memories? I don't have some screwed-up amnesia, you took them.

Jenny: Maybe you catch someone on a good day and they care about you for like a minute, and then they go right back to caring about all their own bullshit.

Crystal: Holy shit. (Edwin tells her about girl turned into small piece of plastic)

Charles: Look Edwin, you're the smart one, and I'm the one who does shit like this.

Episode 2:

Crystal: Ok, props for the like, Herculean-level effort, but vandalizing my shit isn't getting us anywhere.

Jenny: Whatever angsty, John Hughes-level bullshit that's going on in here, just do it more quietly.

Crystal: Oh, shit. Sorry. (Almost runs into Niko)

Crystal: Oh my god, holy shit! (Niko collapses)

Crystal: Oh my God! Holy shit, how does today keep getting more disgusting? (Looks at Paranormal Parasitics book)

Crystal: Oh, shit, uh... (Sees sprite-controlled Niko in butcher shop)

Jenny: Just cut the weird shit. Or I'll like evict you

Kingham: For real, it smells like dog shit in there.

Crystal: Niko? Holy shit, your hair!

Episode 3:

Crystal: Holy shit, who knew this town was such a Mecca for troubled ghosts?

Crystal: So ok, if we figure out what sent that piece of shit dad over the edge, we can what? free the family?

Crystal: And if I have to hear that goddamn song one more time, I am gonna lose my shit.

Crystal: Oh shit, yes. (They haven't found a radio)

Crystal: I am done wasting my energy on your fuck-boy bullshit.

Crystal: Holy shit, we actually did.

Esther: Quit loitering you little shits.

Episode 4:

Crystal: Sorry, I've just been dealing with some shitty stuff with my ex.

Charles: I sure as hell couldn't stop my dad from beating the shit out of me.

Episode 5:

Crystal: Holy shit! (Waking up from nightmare)

Hunter: Cops say it was alcohol poisoning at this party, but that's BS.

Twitchy Richie: They were dicks who treated people like shit.

Twitchy Ritchie: She got aggressive, making threats and shit.

Crystal: You walk around acting like the sun always shines, and then you lost your shit while beating the Night Nurse. Edwin and I are walking on eggshells around you instead of just saying 'what the actual fuck?'

Charles: I've got some heavy shit that I need to sort out. I get it. Just… God, I really wanted them to be good guys

Crystal: It's a really shitty thing to have in common.

Crystal: Hey Jenny? Hey, what's with the fl- Holy shit.

Charles: You tossers really hurt some people. You were cruel just for the shits.

Episode 6:

Crystal: So no, I didn't read the stupid tree! … Shit.

Crystal: OK, enough uh, emotional bullshit.

The Cat King: Oh God, the handsome face, the little kiss, bullshit astrology.

Jenny: Stop that bullshit right now.

Episode 7:

Crystal: Holy shit, you're still alive?

Crystal: What kind of bullshit is that?

Crystal: Fucking bullshit, like I can't help.

Charles: Bullshit. When did you go to school here for reals?

Crystal: Holy shit, Jenny. You shouldn't be here!

Crystal: Just cut this shit!

Crystal: Oh, bullshit. A good detective does what he has to in order to close the case.

Episode 8:

Crystal: Am I ever wrong about this shit?

Crystal: My parents won't say shit, they don't even--

Crystal: Yeah, well blame my parents. Holy shit!

Jenny: Fuck that! That is bullshit!

Crystal: Shit (digging Niko out of rubble)

Crystal: She probably put a, like, kill-you-instantly spell or some witchy shit on the door.

Notes:

Jenny almost says it one more time in episode 5- it looks and sounds to me like she was going to say ‘bullshit’ at the end of her “I will take my wine and murder documentaries over this bu-“ but was interrupted by Maxine.

In episode 8, Esther has the line: Oh, shoot. Or as the French say, merde.

‘Merde’ is French for ‘shit’

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

More Dead Boy Detectives Swearing Posts:

Masterlist

Swearing by Episode

Swearing by Character

Swearing by Word

All Swearing Posts

And if you like lists of things like I do, you can check out my other Dead Boy Detectives ones here!

When Charles’ Shirt Colors Change

George Rextrew’s Edwin comic inspo board

Full soundtrack with timestamps

Moves, Incidents, and Cases Masterlist

First pass at finding where the songs in the score are used- full post with timestamps in progress

[countrymusiclover]

7 - Smells like Fire

Part 8

The Lion Knight and Dragon Princess

Tags- just send an ask to be added @cdragons @kmc1989 @starkleila @noirrose21-blog @lover-of-books-and-tea

Days later things had seemed to get better between Sansa and I but she didn't know the truth. I knew she had enough on her plate rather than deal with my current situation. Entering Tyrion’s chamber I shut the door behind me hearing it click and lock behind me. Looking around I found him and a swordsman named Bromm standing at his table near the window. 'Why don’t you just use that on them instead of fighting the lot on the battlefield?’

“Because I'm not certain it will work. And if it does we can only use it once to be a surprise attack.” Tyrion responded leaning his palms on the table.

I finally made my presence in the room known to the pair. “What’s the one time attack?”

“Vaella! Um, it's nothing you should worry about. You'll be in the crypts with Sansa.” Tyrion spun around trying to hide the map with his body.

“Tyrion, what is it?”

He avoided my question with a compliment. “Doesn't she look nice, Bronn. I think she does.”

“Tyrion!’

He watched my movements and held his arms out blocking me. I ran forward and he threw some punches at me holding me back for a second till I twisted his wrist and threw the lord down onto his back. “Vaella - agh!”

“Woah, I'd never think a princess would land you flat on your back.” Bronn mocked with a proud smirk.

Tyrion groaned, pushing his body up from the stone tile. “How did you manage that, princess?”

“Jaime briefly taught me defense in secret.”

Bronn's smirk grew bigger on his face. “I’m beginning to like this girl more than I like you.”

Pushing over my hair out of my face I huffed going to the map seeing a bright green jar beside it. Slowly picking up the jar in my hands concerned if it broke onto the floor. “You’re going to use Wildfire on them. That’s why you didn’t want me to see this.” Glancing over my shoulder I felt tears welling in my eyes thinking back on the many times I’d seen it used.

“I wasn’t sure how you would react if I told you what the battle strategy was. Your - your father was obsessed with it. I - I - I’m sorry for not telling you in the first place.” Tyrion nervously responded standing behind me next to Bronn.

Sitting the jar down on the table I eyed the map behind me recalling the section of tunnels I would use to sneak out for Jaime and I to spend time alone without my father or other guards realizing we had gone. “It’s okay, Tyrion. I shall wish you luck that your plan works. Wildfire is unpredictable, just like me.” Walking around him my dress swaying with my hips and I closed the door behind me.

“What do you think she meant by that?” Bronn asked, rather confused.

The youngest Lannister eyed the door where she had left, he hoped that one day he would get to know more of the Targaryen princess. “I don’t know but hopefully I can find out.”

Amber had fitted me into a black tunic shirt, red trousers and black riding boots figuring that a dress of any sort wouldn’t be suitable for sword training. Tying my hair up into a ponytail Jaime and I snuck our way through the secret tunnels. “So what does your lady in waiting think of you doing this?” Jaime asked, laying his sword on the ground and drawing out another blade for me from his belt.

“She thinks that I’ll beat you.” I teased with a smirk in his direction.

Jaime smirked a cocky look my way, handing me the handle blade. “Oh, she does. Well I’m sorry to disappoint her and say that a beginning like you can’t.”

Closing my fingers around the blade handle I sucked in a breath raising the sword beside my head before we started charging at the other beginning to fight one another. “Don’t be so cocky, Lannister.”

"Relax your dominant arm, Vae." Jaime instructs as I swing with my right arm out more even though I'm holding the sword in both hands. "If you use the same move all the time your opponent can learn which arm is the weakest."

Our swords smack against each other before gently shoves me backwards in the training yard that overlooks the water outside of the Red Keep. "Jaime?" I grunt, taking another swing at him.

He swung back circling me to make our sword press against one another for a moment. "Yes, my princess." He steps back a little sword still raised as I get back in a fighting stance.

I raise my sword trying to strike him but he lightly elbows me in my side to strike me from below. I switch my sword to my left hand for a moment to knock him away. "Your form is better than the last time."

He complimented my reply. "Thanks -uh!" I grunted out, pressing my sword against his. He pressed his sword against mine, never losing gaze with mine.

"Jaime, I-uh..." He started to loosen his hold on his sword when we pushed the other back but suddenly he knocked my sword from my left hand, knowing we both are dominant in our right hands. I dodge his next attack to reveal a dagger from inside my boot and block his sword coming down on me.

"Impressive, princess." He parts his lips when I push his sword down getting up from being on my knees.

"Thank you. But don’t call me that.” I aimed the dagger up, tapping the tip against his chin.

Jaime placed his sword into his holder, closing the distance between the two of us. “You know you love it.” He smirked, connecting our lips together. He was secretly right about, yet I wouldn’t ever tell him that was the case.

I had told Sansa that I wouldn’t be joining her and the other ladies in the bottom of the castle. I needed to see Tyrion’s plan go through otherwise the entire city would be taken down. Tugging a black cloak over my head I peaked my head around the corner seeing nobody was there. Running through the streets I climbed up one of the nearest ladders of a building top that allows me to see the ship ports.

Looking over the shortest column I saw hundreds or maybe thousands of ships coming towards the land. An arrow on fire flew over my head landing onto a ship that had Wildfire liquid pouring out of it and circling the ships so that when the arrow hit the water green flames grew so quickly there was no way of stopping it.

The familiar haunting fire spread before my eyes with multiple explosions shaking the ground that was near the area of water. I gasped feeling a tightness inside my chest seeing bright green before my eyes after all these years. “Burn them all - Burn them all!” Those three horrible words through my ears where I covered them, stumbling down the ladder and running wherever I could trying to escape the loud sound of men screaming and flames filling the sky above my head.

Cutting through the empty hallway I came out into another area filled with the king guards fighting Stannis’s where I had to duck underneath some of the attackers, rolling onto the ground. “Vaella! What are you doing out here?” Whipping my head around I saw Tyrion coming towards me in battle armor.

“I saw your attack.” My gaze shifted quickly seeing a Stannis soldier running straight up to us carrying a knife in his hand attempting to stab me until Tyrion stepped in the way getting cut across the face and collapsed to the dirt. “Tyrion!”

Dropping to my knees I touched his chest seeing fresh blood coming from the cut not sure what to do for him. “Get - out of - here.” He coughed before I felt someone grab my shoulder causing me to draw the blade I had hidden inside my boot. I stabbed the soldier in the chest that had cut him and drew the knife quickly frantically looking back at the lion on the ground carrying the blade in hand.

It took me an hour to get back to the castle and up to my chamber room. Slamming the chamber door behind me and pressing my body against it I sighed sliding down onto the floor trying to catch my breath until I heard footsteps come around the corner. “Clarisse, are you alright?”

“Sansa - what are you doing in here?” Lifting my head up from my knees I saw the young girl a few steps away from me.

She lowered her intertwined hands in front of her gown. “I was worried about you.”

“You don’t have to worry. I can handle myself, my lady.”

Sansa eyed something laying at my feet. “Where did you get a dagger from?” The dagger she was talking about was at my feet covered in blood from when I had stabbed one of Stannis’s men and fled back here. I hoped that Tyrion would be alright.

“It doesn’t matter. You should head back to your chambers. It is getting late-“ I scrambled to my feet to the chamber pot feeling instantly sick to my stomach. Leaning over it I emptied my stomach raising my head back up I collapsed down beside the pot.

Sansa poured me some water and handed it to me. “Here, drink. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“That’s not really what you wanted to ask me is it? Why don’t you just ask me what you really want to know.” I slowly downed the drink.

She parted her lips, muttering. “Who are you really? Because you know this place far better than a lady in waiting would who just came here, you snuck out tonight to watch the battle and you look like someone I read about in one of the old books.”

“Seems to me that you already have an answer so just say it.” I trailed off seeing she was a lot smarter than I had first given her credit for.

Sansa shook her head no in defiance. “I’m not sure I should.”

“Then I will.” Raising myself to my feet I curtsy to her in my handmaiden gown, my gaze holding intensely with hers. “Vaella, daughter of Aerys II and Rhaella Targaryen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Seven hells.” Sansa for the first time in her life uttered a curse word from her mouth.

[tabbywaslost]

ooh! can i request bloodreddust (horror x red x dust) or inkmare? /nf

I'll do 10 headcanons for each!!

BloodRedDust:

1.

Nightmare said he'll pay for their wedding and he WILL bend the rules and make a wedding for 3 people possible.

2.

Some people were confused bc they saw Horror and Fell hanging out like a couple and then saw Dust and Fell hanging out like a couple and then saw Horror and Dust hanging out like a couple and were really confused and thought that the 3 of them are cheaters. One day, the rest of the bad sanses sat them down and told Fell that they saw Horror and Dust together, he acted hurt and started yelling at Horror and Killer pulled out his phone, but Horror and Dust knew he was acting and trying to pull something on the others so they went along. And then the others told Horror that they saw Fell and Dust together and the 3 of them started having a heated argument and then they just broke down laughing and everybody was confused then they confessed to being in a poly relationship and this entire argument being one final prank before they come clean. Error hasn't spoken to them since.

3.

They sit down on Saturdays and figure out who is dating who, who is best friends with who, who is biased towards who, who hates who and things like that with evidence like pictures, events, conversations, audio recordings and videos. Yes they stalk people and try to figure stuff out and they sometimes their findings to blackmail, tease, etc. They argued a LOT until they figured out that Inkmare was real but they're not gonna tease or blackmail or do anything with that knowledge bc Nightmare and Ink can and WILL wipe them out of existence if they spill the secret like that.

4.

Horror has brought Fell and Dust to his AU a few times when they all have the day off, Fell has done the same when they all have the day off. Dust refuses to bring them to his AU bc he doesn't wanna remember it and Fell doesn't bring them to his AU a lot due to the fact that it's dangerous so they usually hang out at either Nightmare's Castle, HorrorTale or a pretty AU like OuterTale or something else. But they can't go to AUs as they wish so they need help from either Nightmare, Bill, Error, 404, etc.

5.

They sometimes go on BAD movie marathons and die of absolute laughter bc the movie plots are so horrendous.

6.

Fell and Horror are able to calm Dust down when he has an episode. He HAS accidentally attacked them a few times, seeing them as hallucinations and whatnot and HAS broken some of their bones by accident but they know he doesn't mean any of it.

7.

Horror's Papyrus is the only Papyrus that fully approves of them. Dust's Papyrus is always in the corner, watching everything and is still unsure whether he's okay with Dust dating anybody yet due to trust issues and Fell's Papyrus is still sorta being persuaded by them into approving of them dating

8.

Horror sorta feels like he has to support Dust and Fell as much as he can and it's due to lack of self-worth. When on missions, he offers to do the most dangerous things despite him not having much magic, he almost never vents to anybody, ESPECIALLY them bc he feels like he'd burden them and they've already got enough to deal with. They've reassured him it's alright to do so but he still feels like he shouldn't "burden" them.

9.

They prank the rest of the bad sanses and make up elaborate pranks that are harmless but insanely annoying.

10.

Dust's Papyrus sometimes scares the ever-living daylights out of him when he is with Horror and Fell.

Inkmare:

1.

They have a made up game where Nightmare grabs one of his books and reads descriptions of how characters look or reads scenes with characters that Ink knows how they look and Ink draws whatever he hears bc he is very quick with drawing. It doesn't have to be very detail, you just have to get the image and then they look up how the characters or the scenes ACTUALLY look.

2.

Ink has taught Nightmare about all important AUs he should know. Nightmare always listens to Ink's infodumping and likes to hear his voice

3.

Ink sometimes climbs Nightmare's tentacles like monkey bars and plays with them. And since Ink is so short, Nightmare can use his tentacles to help Ink up if he ever needs to.

4.

They're very cuddly and sometimes try their best to mock insanely obnoxious couples and mock baby-talking by overly exxagerating it.

5.

betterbennounced they're together, Dream accepted it instantly and was genuinely happy for them bc this was after their once-and-for-all truce but Blueberry needed some time to process bc he has been beaten up horribly a countless amount of times by Nightmare [I'm talking legs or arms torn off, ribs broken, etc. but Ink redrew them for Blueberry later.] and panics almost whenever he sees him. Dream took him to therapy and spent months comforting him for it. In the end, Blueberry was happy for them as well but he still sorta panics upon seeing Nightmare but he's a bit better.

6.

Ink, upon seeing Nightmare's room all bland, took it upon himself to ask everyone [remaining bad sanses, remaining star sanses, neutrals, etc.] to just distract Nightmare for 5 entire days and prevent him from going to his own room. BUT they knew that Ink was planning something and kept Nightmare distracted for an entire week just in case Ink needed 2 extra days and JUST IN CASE Nightmare hears Ink doing something in there, they didn't even let him enter the castle. They had sleepovers anywhere except the castle, night outs, game nights, nights where they break into or explore abandoned places, etc. and Ink was busy painting and drawing on the walls and ceiling of Nightmare's room, buying him new and interesting decor for his room, just entirely renovating his room while remembering to buy stuff so he just teleports to different AUs and it takes a while to find stuff. So, he IS a very quick artist, but he also needs to buy the materials and organize the stuff and everything. In the end, the room looked amazing and Nightmare tried paying Ink but Ink refused bc it's a small gift according to him.

7.

Ink has some sort of fear of his loved ones dying due to Gin's death and he has had some vivid nightmares of Nightmare dying in one way or another. And because Nightmare told him that the only way he can be killed is if all cells in his body are destroyed and that is INSANELY hard to do. Ink got over his nightmares but that fear is still in the back of his mind and Nightmare tends to comfort him often.

8.

They have playful fights, where they don't intend to hurt each other and just fight for the sake of playfulness.

9.

Ink ALWAYS watches cartoons with Nightmare and Nightmare enables him because he knows that Ink literally can't watch anything BUT cartoons because they're far away from reality. They have watched Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, The Amazing World of Gumball and they have repeated each cartoon 4-5 times [not in the same day, they watch like 3 episodes per day]. Nightmare is more than happy to see Ink so happy over something so small.

10.

They call each other and chat for HOURS just to hear each other's voices and Ink sorta got attached to Nightmare and always want him to be with him

Thanks for the request!! This was fun to do!

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

WIBTA for not getting my coworkers holiday gifts?

Sorry in advance for the long ask, I have adhd so I'm not always great at figuring out what's relevant to the topic lmao. I (29M) have been working at my current workplace since I graduated college (so ~7 years). For the first few years I worked pretty much alone. I have a close working relationship with my supervisors, and I have a lot of interns filter through, but I was the only person at my 'level' of work, if that makes sense. I would write cards for my supervisors, and with my interns I would do something like bake cookies for everyone, or take them all out for dinner (to clarify I always have at minimum 3-4 interns, I wasn't just taking someone I was in charge of out for a one on one dinner lmao).

Last year, four more people were hired who work in the same position/level as me (early 20s-mid 30s, all F). I get along with them alright as coworkers, but they are all much closer with each other than I am with them. They didn't know eachother before starting here, but I make a lot of effort keeping distance between my work and personal life, vs they have all become friends outside of work. I also have enough issues with them that I wouldn't want to be friends with them outside of work (very condensed version is that I am openly aroace and they are Weird about it). I am firm about keeping boundaries/distance though and that makes it easier to deal with them.

Again, we work together really well when we're actually talking about work-- it's just the non-work stuff that I don't really vibe with. Also, their level of friendship is very normal in our workplace/field, since we are in a very very rural area where the tiny little town we're in is almost entirely centered around the one industry/company that we're at. The fact that I'm not friends outside of work with my coworkers gives me a reputation for being weird/cold (but I don't care if I seem weird as long as it means I can keep some distance).

Last year, we all talked about Xmas gifts, and decided that we wouldn't get each other anything, but rather just pitch in for some wine and fancy pastries for a mini office party. It was nice, except then right before Christmas I found a gift on my desk from one of them (like, a 50$ gift, which is quite expensive considering how much we make). I asked her about it, saying I appreciated it but didn't have anything since we agreed not to get eachother gifts. She said something like she didn't expect anything, just wanted to get me something. I thanked her and but was uncomfortable enough that I ended up giving the thing to a friend of mine (who knew it was a re-gift and was happy to have it lol). I didn't plan to get anything, except then I found out that the other three had all consequently gotten eachother and me gifts as a result of her. I talked to the one coworker I get along best with, and she agreed with me that it would now be rude to not give anything in return, so I just got everyone relatively impersonal gifts (books).

However, finances are tight this year for me (coworkers don't know that) due to some medical bills. We are doing an office cookie exchange, and again agreed not to get each other gifts, but one of them (same one who started this last year) hinted that she had 'a little something' for each of us anyways, but no need to reciprocate.

If it's relevant, we are in the US, all white, and all varying degrees of atheist/agnostic/ex-christian.

No idea if this will even get out of the queue before Xmas lol but: WIBTA if i stuck to our agreement to not get my coworkers Christmas gifts, even if they get me gifts anyways?

What are these acronyms?

[eliplague]

Penny for my thoughts | The Sunshine Court (Part 1 maybe)

Just finished The Sunshine Court so I need to get some of my thoughts out of my head because there’s just too many. (Spoiler warning read at your own discretion)

1. Expect the Jean and Niel parallels post ‘cause it’s COMING

2. Never in a million years would I have ever known how much I needed to see Jean getting adopted by lesbians, thank you Nora for opening my eyes.

3. Renee and Jean friendship had me MELTING INTO A PUDDLE, I need everyone to know how dear that friendship is to me and how close I hold it to my heart.

4. Jean giving up information through freudian slip every damn time had me wanting to slap him upside the head, but I knew he wouldn’t have said anything other wise. Necessary evils and whatnot (If you get it you get it).

5. I still cannot decide if Jean holding into his ruined belongings is more of a self sabotage situation to remind himself he should be submitting or a “I know we ruined each other closely beyond repair, but you are still the only familiar thing to me”. Could be a little bit of both but I’m leaning more towards the first one.

6. LOVED all the representation in the book and how fast Jean was to accept it, my boy really dgaf.

7. My prediction that TSC was going to have to be cut into two books was correct and I’m glad Nora decided to do it that way. Like I said in THIS post, Jean has to deal with his trauma on the first book to make way for Jerejean to blossom, in my opinion, it was the best course of action.

8. Cat and Laila my beloved. Cat is my favorite character and I loved her the moment she was introduced, Laila being the handler to Cat’s chaos made me super warm inside.

9. Barkbark Von Barkestein is an incredible name and when I adopt a dog I will be naming it this.

10. I KNEW Grayson was going to make an appearance the moment his name kept coming up, even though it was coming I still had to stop breathing some fresh air when he inevitably did, because the seething rage I felt can only be compared to the Drake scene (as Jean so graciously did)

11. I’m so damn curious about Jeremy’s past I feel like I’m about to implode (hehe) from curiosity. Nora had me running mental laps trying to theorize why his family hates him so much. At first I thought it could be because he’s gay but then he mentioned Exy… 👀 the plot thickens

There’s so much more I want to talk about but I don’t trust myself to write an eloquent enough paragraph right now. I’m drunk on excitement and exhaustion from reading the whole book in one sitting. Did I procrastinate on some assignments because of it? Perhaps but that’s for future Eli to figure out.

[localcanadiancreature62]

Writing Prompt 7 - For your own good

Ford hangs out in the pool at his and Bill's condo since it's his day off this time,he relaxes as he sits on a floating ring while reading a book. He then stays there for a few minutes until his legs start to get numb from sitting in the pool for a while,then he gets up and dries himself with a towel while wearing a bath robe to prevent himself from getting cold. Then he goes over to the inside of the house to find Bill,only to remember that the triangle told him that he went on an outing in another dimension by himself. "Right.. He's not here. I suppose i could go explore the rest of our house since my dear husband keeps adding things to the place for fun." Ford remarks to himself as he then walks over to the living room,and makes his way to a new hallway he's never seen before. The hallway leads to the triangle's office which Ford enters as he explores the room in intrigue.

He then opens the various drawers as he finds nothing of interest,but then he opened the bigger drawer and found lots of notes detailing every negative experience he and Bill had before it was erased from his mind from arguments to fights to brawling as well as the isosceles torturing him. "What..is this?. This is every low moment we had together. How come i don't remember any of this?. Unless.." Ford says as he then slowly realizes that Bill made him forget everything negative they went through together,leaving no room for improvement or figuring out their feelings on things. "That bastard.. He made me forget negative yet important moments in our life together. He hurt me while i was completely unaware of it,and that event over there was when i tried to talk to him about being possessive yet he didn't listen and decided to erase my memory of it instead." Ford remarks as he then went over to the bedroom to dress himself as he took off the robe and put his sweater vest collar shirt as well as his labcoat on,making a mental note to talk to his husband about this as he impatiently waited for the isosceles to come back in the living room.

After a few minutes of waiting,Bill finally arrives from his outing with various gifts in his hands from an interdimensional shopping mall as he then dropped everything to go over and kiss his husband who moved away from him. "Fordsy i'm back~,how was your pool day?-." Bill asks only to get a slap in the face from his genius,gasping in shock as he didn't expect the man to react like that. "Forget the pool day,why did i end up spending my day off discovering you ERASING CRUCIAL MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES TOGETHER?!. I thought you'd only use that to help me deal with my dissociation,but it turns out you've been making me avoid our problems by erasing my memory of every argument we've ever had. How could you Bill?,when you promised we'd talk about things like this?." Ford exclaims as he clenched his fists until they turned white,being incredibly furious about the isosceles hiding things from him like this. "I- Let me explain. I just- I didn't know how to deal with them without either of us getting hurt- I'm sorry-." Bill explains as he looked sadly at the researcher while tears pricked his eye,streaming down his face as he reached out his hand towards his husband. "I don't have time for your excuses. You've been doing this for so long,there's dates on the notes of MY memories in your office. I don't know if i can face you after this,i'll be sleeping at the living room tonight." Ford says as he then walks away from the triangle,and this time Bill doesn't do anything to fix it. He knew that trying to fix the problem with his memory erasing would only make things worse,so he just lets it happen. But then he grabs the man by the wrist as he summons chains on him,changing his mind in a split second as he decides that he won't be erasing the man's mind this time but he'll be giving him a reminder instead. "Everything i do for you,it's for your own good Fordsy. I erased those arguments for a reason,but now i'm going to remind you why we had them. To teach you a lesson in going against me,like i'll be doing right now." Bill replied as he then summoned flames in his other hand while he pulled the chain on Ford's neck,the man screaming as he got burned all over by the triangle lighting his whole body on fire. He then sighed as he didn't want this to happen but his stubborn genius had to talk back to him like that,he then kept burning the man as he grinned while knowing full well that Ford will have blurry memories later on that would teach him not to mess with him like that ever again.

[blueicequeen19]

Dirty Hot Pogue Pt. 7

Warnings: mentions of abortion, parental angst, implied mental health issues, no smut in this one.

Series ML

No one tells you how to deal with heartbreak. They don't tell you how to deal with public humiliation. Or disappointed parents. No tells you how to pick up the pieces when you're spiraling, looking for anything to numb the pain. Some people use sex or drugs or alcohol. Others pretend. They pretend nothing happened. They pretend they don't care while burying every crippling emotion that might kill them if they don't.

So that's what I did. I told my parents I was going through a phase and I needed time away from OBX. My mother and I spent two weeks in Europe after I threw my phone in the ocean, cutting my ties off from the outside world. It didn't stop my ability to dream and lust over a certain blonde. No matter what I did, I always saw his face in every shaggy haired blonde I saw. So I made it a point to avoid blondes. Then it was guys with blue eyes. Eventually it became guys in general. The thought of kissing someone, let alone flirting, made me sick to my stomach. Time away from OBX only made the sickness that is JJ Maybank stronger. I wanted to see him. I wanted to know what he was doing. Who he was talking to. Was he okay?

But I couldn't move on if I was constantly worried about him so I took up a hobby. Every time I started to think about him, I'd go for a run or read a book. I made myself okay. I did what I needed to in order to survive without him. I knew I was incredibly insecure but hearing him tell me that they didn't work out because she would always be a Kook, hit too close to home. It was almost like deja vu. Who were we kidding? I'd never have anything with him that wasn't physical. We wouldn't be able to get married and start a family. My family would never allow it. We would be miserable and doomed to fail anyway. I did the right thing. I pursued this and I had to be the one to end it.

So after I got back to OBX, I stepped back into my old life like I'd never left. Summer was over and everyone went back to school. I made sure to stay on Figure Eight and I busied myself with online schooling and running. I made amends with my parents and I even gave my Kook "best friend" permission to see Bryce, although I know they were already sleeping together. I never once see him or his friends. My life easily becomes a routine of pleasing my parents, school, running, and hiding on Figure Eight. I stay away from parties and I stay away from men.

Although, most of the guys my age that are still here whisper "Pogue Slut" every time they see me. Like they can sleep with Pogues but I can't. I'm eight weeks into my self recovery, enjoying a backyard BBQ with my parents and a few of the neighbors when the smell of cooked meat as my stomach turning so violently, I barely make it to my mothers favorite rose bush before I'm emptying my stomach.

At first, I think it's the champagne as I try to hold my hair back and my mother comes to my aid. Well, she's more concerned about her plant but she awkwardly pats me on the back as some sort of comfort. But then, as she's ushering me inside I hear someone mention the word "pregnant" and I quickly lock eyes with two girls my age who are whispering together while openly judging me with their eyes. I glare at them over my shoulder as my mother attempts to hide me inside. I can hardly think, let alone breathe as she guides me upstairs, muttering plans that I can't quiet make out.

"We have to take care of this." She gets me to my bedroom, taking out her phone and calling someone.

"What are you talking about?" I ask. Everything is running together in my mind. I'm on birth control. I can't be.. It's just the champagne. That BBQ did smell terrible. Why is everyone making a big deal?

"Hello? Dr Thornton? Yes, this is Y/F/N's mother. I need to schedule an abortion." My eyes widen in disbelief, my mothers frantic words into the phone fade out as I turn and empty my stomach again.

"You're 22 weeks." The final nail in my coffin as the ultrasound tech turns the screen, letting me see the life forming inside me. Apparently, my birth control expired. I'd ignored the phone call from the doctor and all the unprotected sex finally caught up with me.

"You're sure?" My mother demands, making me grit my teeth as the tech awkwardly nods and shows her the screen, the baby's size being evidence enough. I couldn't believe what I was seeing as the baby kicked and moved in every direction. They said I should start feeling it anyday.

"So it's too late to have an abortion."

"Mom!" I sit up abruptly, the tech scooting back as I debate throwing something at my mother.

"Y/N, don't you scream at me. Do you even know who's child this is? Do you realize what you've done? You've humiliated me in front of the entire town!" Her words are like a knife to the heart, cutting my walls down all over again. She was worried about herself. About her reputation. Not me.

"I know who the father is." I say calmly, wiping away stray tears.

"How? I saw you in Europe flirting with all those guys. Anyone of them could--."

"I didn't sleep with a single one of them! I was just talking! I was being friendly. I was trying to have some nice adult conversations that didn't revolve around what a fuck up I am!"

"Y/N--."

"Get out! GET OUT!" I scream, just as the door opens and a nurse escorts my mother out. I lay back on the table, crying harder than I ever had in my life. It's not until the tech offers me a box of tissues that I laugh awkwardly, drying my tears and snot before she continues with the rest of the exam.

"Would you like to know the sex?" She asks, handing me the pictures she's printed out. Tears start to fall again at the distinct face in the picture. The face belonging to the baby inside me. I could already see his features in the baby. The uncanny resemblance has me already knowing what the gender is.

"Yes."

I show up at JJ's house, hoping like hell his dad's not here when he suddenly emerges out of the back door. It's late, my car packed full of my belongings after my parents promptly kicked me out for not agreeing to give the baby up for adoption. JJ was my next stop. Seeing him again had all those unresolved feelings rushing back. I wanted to beg him to forgive me. I wanted to apologize but this wasn't about me. This was about our baby. JJ was the father and deserved to know. He deserved to have a say.

"Are you lost?" JJ snaps, as I step out of the car. Apparently, all the running I'd taken up had toned me down quite a bit so I wasn't showing yet. I had a slight curve from the side but that was it. No one would believe I was pregnant despite being over halfway. So I wasn't giving it away as I slowly approached him on his back porch. Plus, he wouldn't believe me without proof.

"No. I'm exactly where I need to be." I exhale hard, ready to just rip the band aid off when a leggy brunette emerges from the door just as I pull the ultrasound pictures from my pocket. My eyes lock on her but JJ's lock on what's in my hand. My first thought is to immediately retreat. He's moved on. He won't want a family with me but I quickly snap out of it when he snatches the pictures from my hand.

"What the fuck is this, Y/N?" JJ gasps, his blue eyes wide as he searches the pictures. The girl leans in close, obviously not concerned with me before she purses her lips while nodding as she examines the pictures too. Anger washes over me. How dare some skank lean over him and openly examine ultrasounds of my baby.

"Congrats, cuz." It's like a bucket of water is poured on me as she claps him on the back and steps off the porch, grabbing a bike I hadn't seen and riding off.

Cuz. She was his cousin.

"Y/N, answer me. Is this--are you--." JJ's frantic blue eyes meet mine and I can't do anything but nod, tears streaming down my face.

"This says you're 22 weeks. Why didn't you--."

"I just found out." I sob, sinking down on the porch step as I bury my face in my hands. Thanks to the pregnancy, I found out I'm also extremely hormonal.

"It's a--."

"Yes." JJ slowly sits down next to me. I glance over at him, seeing the slight smirk on his face as he slowly shakes his head before looking at my packed car.

"Parents kicked you out, huh?"

"Yea."

"Mine too." JJ sighs, leaning back on his hands and stretching his legs out in front of him. "I just put a down payment on a one bedroom apartment."

"I don't have any money." I murmur, the tears threatening to fall again. I was pregnant with no parents, no money, and no place to live. I was hopeless. The warmth of JJ's hand finds mine and he squeezes.

"Welcome to the Pogue life, baby." I sniffle, squeezing his hand back when his brows pinch together and he withdraws his hand.

“Look, we will figure this out but I don’t trust you. I can’t just welcome you back with open arms just because your life is a dumpster fire. I’m not a last resort. I told you that from the beginning.” I nod, absorbing his words as I take a deep breath, exhaling my old life.

“I love you, JJ. I have since the beginning. I’m sorry it’s taken all this for me to tell you. We can figure this out together but I want you to know that I love you and I’m all in. Whether you are or not.”

[just-a-girl-who-likes-sharks]

Thoughts on episode 7 of Percy Jackson

(🚨spoiler warning, obviously🚨)

I know that in the show Hermes tells them all of this, but I don’t like how Percy already knew about Crusty’s waterbeds. It was such an unhinged and funny moment in the book and they just skipped it for no reason

Not having the iconic “we drowned in a bath tub” “all three of you?” “Big bathtub” interraction is the biggest disappointment so far

Idk what the deal was with Annabeth getting stuck on the Fields of Asphodel, maybe they’re trying to make non-readers think that she’s the friend that betrays Percy according to the prophecy? Or they wanna play more with her trauma concerning her father and/or Thalia

Hades was absolute perfection. 10/10 casting and acting

I am once again wondering why in every piece of media Cerberus appears in, he looks like a rottweiler. Wouldn’t it be funny if he was a gigantic three headed golden retriever or something?

Annabeth playing with Cerberus was the best thing ever, it was absolute perfection

The scene with Grover getting pulled into Tartarus was amazing!

I checked my copy of the Lightning Thief for this one, but Percy doesn’t figure out Kronos is responsible for everything until after he fights Ares, and then he only mentions it to Poseidon. I’m quite curious about how this will play out now that Hades already knows too

Speaking of the Ares fight, I understand why it would be put in the last episode, but the teasing we got last week, the entire week of anticipation to see it today… only for the episode to end just before the fight even starts? We were robbed

The chemistry between the trio, especially Annabeth and Percy, is insane! They are all so perfectly cast, it’s unbelievable