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eleni-cherie · 2 years ago

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among thieves ✨ || bts • pjm

- chapter 0.4

"what even am I to you? your rival, your lover, an obstacle or am I supposed to be your coffin?"

about two thieves who can't live with nor without each other. and a joint past that comes back to threaten them.

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masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, very flirty jimin, friends/rivals/exes to lovers f2l e2l ex2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

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Mexico City, Mexico

It was dusty in the archive room of the mexican police headquaters, causing Arabella to cough lightly while browsing through folders in the file cabinet. She'd sneaked in there to try finding a specific file, having already gone through an entire cabinet with no luck until eventually pulling the right one out.

It hadn't been too difficult. She simply disguised, faked an ID card and walked in like she belonged there. Like she knew what she did there. It was all a question of attitude.

Her eyes began skimming over it to obtain the needed information she'd got hired for when the door behind her opened unexpectatly. And she came face to face with the dumbfounded expression of a young interpol agent.

The agent blinked, clearly recognising her since she looked shocked to see her there out of all people, despite Arabella being in disguise and faltered to draw her gun.

"Hands up! I'm arresting you, Arabella Valentine!"

The female thief only dragged a sigh and took off the wig and let it drop to the floor before holding her hands up. Eyeing the gun pointing towards her with nothing but a weary smile.

"You look familiar, do I know you?"

The woman seemed astonished for a moment by her casual demeanor before focusing again. "I-I don't think so. I'm agent Skylar Blake, interpol." She sounded almost offended, assuming that Arabella might've confused her with someone else. After all, she'd only joined the robbery department half a year ago and hadn't met her in person before. So far she only knew of Arabella from photographs, reports and what Jungkook and Seokjin had told her.

"Oh right! You're their newbie," Arabella laughed then, nodding. "Sad, I liked the other guy before you - Namjoon, was it? So I assume pops' here, too?"

Confused about who she referred to as 'pops', Skylar slowly grabbed her radio device out with one hand while still aiming at Arabella with the other. "Jeon? I got Valentine in the archive of the third floor."

"You- what? Alright, I'm on my way."

"Oh, Kookie's here, too?" Arabella asked amused. It was a rhetorical question really as she knew they had all been there beforehand but had still chosen to break in there. She hadn't had much of an option after all, considering she didn't have much time left to finish the job.

Her calmness irritated Skylar a lot, however, Arabella not seeming nervous at all by being caught.

While still pointing her gun towards her, she attempted to grab the handcuffs hanging behind her belt with her other hand. It was only a second that she dropped her guard and wasn't paying attention, but a second was enough for someone as skilled as Arabella.

With a fast highkick she sent Skylar's gun to the other side of the room, grabbed her arm, twisted it behind her back and grabbed the handcuffs from her hand, cuffing the agent on the file cabinet beside her. It was over before Skylar could even process what was going on.

"Convey my greetings to pops and Kookie," Arabella giggled at Skylar's dumbfounded expression and walked to the window and bent down to grab the small dagger secured at her ankle, covered by her long pants and cracked open the window. She then grabbed her the bag she'd left on the ground, stuffed the file inside and retreated a hook with a rope tied onto it. Wielding it a few times over before throwing it towards the tall tree underneath the window, hooking it onto one of the brenches. Content, she swung the bag over her shoulders and grabbed the other end of the rope just in time when Jungkook and Seokjin appeared at the doorframe, breathing heavy due to running the stairs up there as the elevator was taking ages.

They only caught a glimpse of Arabella before she disappeared through the window, roping down to the waiting motorbike.

Jimin's face immediately lit up when spotting her from the rare-view mirror, soon sensing her behind him on the bike.

"Nice jump," he smiled and kicked up the kickstand as she wrapped her arms around his torso. He tried not to show how much he enjoyed her touch. Preparing to drive off when they heard Seokjin calling them from the third floor. "You two again.."

"Oh hey, pops!" Jimin waved happily, lowering his sunglasses to have a proper look at the agent. "New haircut?"

Arabella nudged his thighs with her knees while tying her hair into a ponytail. They didn't have time for their chit-chat.

"Actually, yes," Seokjin yelled with a light chuckle. Feeling secretly flattered that Jimin noticed since no one else had, but his joking was cut short when he straightened himself again and remembering his duty. "Don't you dare move!" he warned them and got his radio out to inform security.

But Jimin only shook his head in fake dissapointment and squeezed the clutch lever all the way to the grip. "Sorry, pops, you know we can't do that. Important business. Maybe next time!"

And with that he drove, with Arabella clutching his blazer from behind, a feeling he could never get enough of.

Seokjin sighed and turned around, seeing Jungkook had freed Skylar from her handcuffs. The younger agent tried apologising when Seokjin just waved her off, not blaming her or being upset at all. "You two come with me," he ordered then and they followed him down to the cars in the underground park deck.

The motorbike was rushing through the busy streets that warm afternood. Overtaking other vehicles and earning some honks here and there which were ignored as sirens soon roared a few streets away from the two.

"Damn, Bella-baby. Did you have to break into a police station?" Jimin laughed, hearing them coming closer.

"I had to!" she protested, sulking as she pressed herself closer to his back, "It was bad timing that pops and his little assistants had to be in the building the same day. Which was all your fault anyway!"

His brows rose in surprise over her accusations. "And how so?"

Arabella huffed, feeling her hair becoming all tousled. "He was only here to interrogate a witness who had seen you. So if you had been more careful -"

"You could've just postponed it when finding that out."

"I could not! I had to find the information."

He arched a brow, peeking behind his shoulder. "What info?"

She shrugged, secretive as always. "It was a job for some mexican millionaire."

"And did you find the info you were looking for?"

"I did," she smirked, "I always do. You know that."

And Jimin laughed under his breath. "Oh, I know. First hand."

They winded through cars that were blocking their way in a small traffic jam. Eventually escaping into a side street and driving into a less crowded neighbourhood.

He'd brought them to the other side of the city, eventually coming to a halt at a café in a narrow alley where they took a seat, ordering two coffees.

"What's that problem you were talking about? Why did you have to come all the way here to Mexico?" Arabella asked then, taking off her sunglasses and untying her hair. Combing through it with her fingers to straighten it again. The café was packed full. And loud. She didn't like crowded spaces, despite them being better for staying undiscovered.

"Mh, maybe I just missed you," he fake-pouted. Earning a blank glare from her.

"Jimin, seriously, if you only messed with me I will-" She already put her hands flat down on the table, ready to push her chair back when he grabbed her wrists, preventing her. He then dipped into his pockets and slid his hand over the tabletop to her.

Puzzled about his unusual stern expression, her brows knitted together. She flipped her now dyed-blond waves over her shoulder, taking a look around to make sure they weren't being observed by any of the other guests, before grabbing the small metallic object from his hands.

"A bullet? I don't get it. Why's -" However, she cut herself off when seeing the symbol on it. Her eyes growing round.

"You recognise it as well, right? I don't imagine things."

She slowly nodded. Her hazel eyes still glued onto the bullet with the carved owl on it. It felt as if she was in trance, her mind in overdrive as she tried to process it all.

Her hand instictively went to the bracelet around her wrist then, the one she was always wearing. The bracelet she hadn't taken off for over twenty years.

It had unmistakenly agitated her, a reaction Jimin had expected hence why he hadn't told her too much over the phone.

"W-where did you find this?"

"The backseat of my car. Broke the damn rare window."

She swallowed down the lump that formed in her throat. "So they were after you," she whispered, "That means they'll be after me as well. Of course, they will. I was their main target after all."

He couldn't help but give her a look of pity. Although expected, it still saddened him to see her troubled face.

"You know why though?" Jimin asked, bending over to make sure she heard him even with his lowered voice. "Why now after all these years?"

She frowned, shaking her head. "No, I don't know. I don't even understand why they're after you in the first place, since they obviously want me."

His lips tucked into a rueful smile as he grabbed her hands, holding them both in his. His thumbs caressing them gently. "But love, isn't it obvious? I never completed the order of eliminating you. They're probably still mad I just took all the money for the job and ran off with it."

Arabella couldn't help but giggle at his words when remiscing the day they'd met and at the way he grinned at her now, so mischieviously. Just like back then, many years ago. She pursed her lips then, nodding. "Right. That'd be a good reason to want you dead." She paused. "But why now after so many years?"

Jimin shrugged and leaned back. Letting go of her. "Who knows. Maybe they had forgotten and suddenly remembered now?"

"These guys don't simply forget," she objected with a stern eye, "They might have lost interest or not seeing it worth persuing. But they surely didn't just forget about it."

"Then something must've triggered their interest in killing us," Jimin concluded casually. Not looking threatened or scared at all.

It wasn't the first time some other criminals wanted him dead. Same went for her. However, this time it was different. It was personal. And Jimin knew. He could see the affliction in her eyes. Even if she tried to hide it and act unbothered.

Arabella was a confident and strong woman, both mentally and physically. She knew how to work her way up, unshakable and always focused on the job. She was a first class con-artist, a thief, a spy and knew how to use her female traits to her advantage. If needed, she could be a real threat.

However, he knew she hadn't chosen that path completely on her own accord. And seeing her like this now meant this news had shaken her up more than he thought it would.

"How about we gang up on this one? I think it'd be saver for you to be with us."

She could only huff at his proposal. Pulling back her hands, she folded her arms in front of her chest. "Why? Because the 'poor little girl' can't defend herself?"

"Don't act silly, Bella. I know you're not a weak little girlie. You can kick ass." Hell, she'd already kicked his ass multiple times - and not in the pleasant way. "But we both know these guys have some personal score to settle with you. And me. And they're more dangerous than the average criminals we deal with. You out of all people should know better. So we're much safer by joining forces than on our own."

"You wouldn't be on your own anyway," she mumbled with a hint of jealousy, twisting a curl around her finger, "You got your friends."

"But you would be. And I'd be worried sick."

Arabella suppressed the blushing that was creeping up her cheeks at his words, although they should've not come as a surprise as, contrary to her, Jimin never had an issue displaying his feelings for her. And she knew he was right. She was much saver with the guys, but still. It hurt her pride a little.

"Yoongi and Taehyung don't like me anyway," she countered then, "They won't agree."

Jimin groaned at her never-ending excuses, rolling his eyes. "I mean, can you blame them? You've run away with the loot on more than one occasion. Of course they don't trust you." He leaned in again, giving her a persisting glance. "But they ain't jerks. They'll protect you if needed. And even if they didn't want to, they'd do it for me."

Arabella exhaled deeply and looked away. She contemplated for a moment, chewing on her lip before eventually nodding. Giving in.

"Fine, but I want my own bedroom."

"Ouch, that hurt."

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next chapter: 0.5 here

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greatideas-badwriter · 1 year ago

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Worth The Risk: Chapter 4

"What do you want?"

Sakura squeezed her eyes closed. Her voice hadn't wavered, and for that, she was grateful. For the past three days, she slept on the floor at Ino and Karin's dorm. A call from the terrifying man seemed inevitable, but it hadn't come until now, her first night back at her own place. Upon arriving home, she realized someone had been inside because the deadbolt was no longer locked.

'I have a strong inkling who it was, too.' Obviously, it was Sasuke. It'd be too big of a coincidence if not.

The line remained silent, which threw the woman off because she expected Sasuke to immediately start yelling at her like he had in the alleyway on Sunday.

"Are you there? I'm going to hang up."

"Don't," his voice finally came, sounding just as irritated as it had last she heard it.

Trying to come off as brave, Sakura said, "Did you break into my apartment? I should call the police."

Sasuke scoffed, making her irritation flare, "Yeah, good luck with that. Listen," he paused for so long that she had to look at the screen to ensure the call hadn't dropped, "I…have a question."

Sakura was confused, for sure, because the man on the other side of the line wasn't anything like she'd experienced thus far. He almost seemed nervous or uncomfortable, but that couldn't be true. "Y-You can ask it, but I won't promise to answer it," she cringed when her attempt at masking fear came off as argumentative.

He bit, sounding more like himself, "Where do you get the audacity to talk to me like that? Keep pissing me off and see what happens."

'Damn it, Sakura! Stop digging the hole deeper!'

The man continued when she couldn't figure out how to respond, "Did you know it was me Saturday night?"

To say Sakura was bewildered would put it lightly, 'He all but threatened to kill me, and he's worried about whether or not I recognized him at the club? Is he insane?'

"Uh, no. No, I didn't, or I wouldn't have…."

"Are you telling the truth? If you're lying, I'll find you no matter where you run."

"Do you really have to threaten me every five minutes?" She bit her tongue at the end of her outburst, cursing inwardly because she'd, once again, lost her temper on the irritatingly gorgeous man.

"Are you at home right now?"

Sakura immediately panicked because she was sitting on her bed with a pillow on her lap, "J-Just tell me why you wanted to know. What does it matter if I recognized you or not?"

A long silence followed her question before Sasuke finally responded, voice severe and odd like when she first answered the phone, "The reason I acted the way I did was because I thought you did it on purpose."

Sakura gasped, "Of course not! Are you kidding?"

"Well, what the fuck do you expect me to think? You dumped wine all over me and then gave me blue balls a few days later. I thought you were trying to get back at me."

"I already told you I didn't mean to pass out! I get really sleepy when I drink a lot!"

Sasuke paused before calming down again, if only slightly, "So, if you hadn't fallen asleep, would you have gone through with it?"

The woman felt uncomfortable but reluctantly responded, "I don't even remember leaving the club with you, Sasuke, so I don't know. If I willingly let you in my apartment like you insinuate I did, then I guess I probably wouldn't have fought it."

"Why do you have to say it like that? It's not like I forced myself on you."

"That's not what I'm saying. Can you stop trying to argue every time I answer a question?"

Sasuke sighed, sounding irritated again, but a hint of something else coated his words, "Alright, look. I haven't met a woman that pisses me off as much as you, but I admit that I might've deserved to have wine dumped on me. I also jumped to conclusions the other day, so I'm fucking sorry, okay?"

Sakura's mouth fell open, 'Did he just apologize? What the hell! I thought he was calling to-' "So, do you forgive me or what?"

She wasn't overly familiar with the man's mannerisms, having spent a very short time in his presence, but it wasn't hard to picture the angry and embarrassed expression he must've been making. The last thing she expected him to do was swallow his pride and take responsibility for his actions.

"I-I, um, okay. Yes, I forgive you. Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me."

Sasuke's character switched instantly, "So we're good then?" "...yes?" "Cool."

There was a long, awkward silence before Sakura swallowed nervously, "Well, I guess I'll get off of here then. Good night, Sasuke."

He seemed confused but didn't argue, "Right. Talk to you later."

Once the call ended, she stared at the screen in utter disbelief, talking aloud to herself, "What in the world just happened?" Shaking off her unease, Sakura sat her phone back on the nightstand and snuggled under the covers to attempt to go back to sleep.

The next day, during her first class of the day, the woman's phone vibrated with a text message. Clicking it open while half paying attention to the professor, Sakura did a double take when it was from Sasuke's unsaved number, 'You're in college, right?'

A little unsure, she responded, 'Yes. Why?'

A couple of minutes later, he responded, 'Which one?'

Negative, fearful emotions swept over her, 'I thought we wouldn't speak again after last night. Why does he want to know? He's not going to show up, is he?' Too uncomfortable to respond, Sakura simply left him on read. 'I'm leaving on Monday. I just have to avoid him for two more days.'

So, she ignored the second text message mid-day that consisted only of a question mark and didn't answer his call that night, either. The poor woman was so scared he'd show up at her apartment that she wedged a chair under the doorknob so it wouldn't open even if the locks were picked.

After their conversation Thursday night, she didn't feel he'd stalk or hurt her anymore, but she also didn't know him well enough to be entirely certain.

On Saturday, she was texted only once. It said, 'You're so annoying.'

Sakura scoffed, irritated as she walked home from her afternoon class and imagined what she'd say to Sasuke if he was in front of her, 'Yeah, so are you, Asshole. For some reason, I lose my temper whenever you open your mouth.'

Sunday, there were no calls or texts, to her relief.

Then, the day of Sakura's departure arrived. After visiting with Ino and Karin to say one last goodbye, she grabbed her backpack and duffle bag. The cab she took could only get within two blocks of the crowded bus station, so the woman walked sadly down the sidewalk, doing her best not to cry.

'What will he do to me when I get back to town? I know he's pissed, but how far will he take it?'

"Look who it is."

The woman jumped in fear, only to look over and see Sasuke walking by her side with his hands in his pockets. Frowning, she attempted to mask her mild fear and discomfort, "Hey."

"Aren't you a ray of fuckin' sunshine? What's with the bags?"

Sakura kept her eyes downward, picking up the pace of her steps so they'd get near other people sooner and wouldn't be alone together. "That's none of your business."

The man grabbed her arm, making her face him with wide, green eyes. He glared, "What's your problem this time? You said we were good, but you're still like this."

Brow furrowing, she tugged her arm from his grasp, and luckily, he allowed it, "Listen, Sasuke. I did forgive you, but with all due respect, that doesn't mean I want anything to do with you. Please leave me alone."

Dark, angry eyes burnt into hers for a silent moment, the man obviously not having expected to be turned down so bluntly. When he said nothing, she began walking again, "I'm going to be late. Bye."

'Don't look back. He's a walking red flag. Who cares if I hurt his pride just now?'

Sakura thought he'd finally given up but sighed when he jogged to match her step, "Are you serious? Do you know how many people would kill to be in your place right now?"

"Well, they can have it, then. I don't want it."

"Are you going to the station? If you give me a kiss, I'll drive you so you don't have to use the bus."

"Go away."

"It can even be on the cheek."

Having reached her limit since she was already an emotional wreck before his arrival, the woman stopped, clenched her fists, and turned to face the tall man, "You want to know where I'm going? Fine. I have to move back home because I can't afford to stay here anymore."

Sasuke's eyes widened, "What?"

With a lump in her throat, Sakura glared firmly, "If that's all you need to know, then excuse me, but I'll miss my bus if I waste any more time."

This time, she reached the corner of the station's block. Dozens of people were passing by on the wide sidewalk, both to and fro, before he snatched her duffle bag from her shoulder, "It's because I got you fired, right?"

Sakura made a grab for the bag, but he held it out of reach with an attractive frown on his lips, "I don't have time to point fingers and argue right now, Sasuke! Give it back!"

She jumped with an outreached arm, but he held her back with a hand on her shoulder, "Shut the hell up for a second! I'm trying to help."

'Last call for bus K-ONE!' The intercom announced, making Sakura look toward the station.

'I have to go now, or I'll miss it!' With no choice, she turned and sprinted into the station, leaving her bag with Sasuke while dodging and bumping into other people.

"Sakura, wait!"

The woman looked over her shoulder to see him trying to catch up in the thick crowd. Something hard smacked into her front, and she toppled onto her bottom. When she looked up, a massive redheaded man glared down at her.

Gasping, she scrambled to her feet, "I am so sor- "Watch where you're going, Bitch."

Mouth clamping shut, the woman stepped back, only for his dark eyes to lift above her head and widen.

"Who the fuck do you think you're calling a bitch? Apologize."

"She ran into me!"

Sasuke stepped around her, grabbing the front of the stranger's shirt and hissing with a terrifying look, "Apologize, or I'll cut out your tongue." He dropped Sakura's bag and reached into his pocket to pull out a pocketknife, flipping it open.

"S-Sasuke, what the hell? Put that away before you get arrested!"

"Sorry, Ma'am." Her green eyes turned, disbelieving, onto the now visibly frightened man. The black-haired man at her side put the knife away and released his shirt but followed him with a dangerous glare.

Snapping out of her stupor, Sakura grabbed her forgotten bag and gave her rescuer an apologetic look while glancing at the terminal she was supposed to use, "Thank you for that! I'm sorry, but I really have to go." Then she ran again, more careful not to run into anyone this time.

By the time she reached her destination, she was panting for breath. Strands of long pink hair fell from her loose ponytail around her shoulders and face. Just as she made it to the ticket booth and handed over her ticket to be processed, the doors shut, and the bus left the station. Tears in her eyes, her blood ran cold, and she whispered to herself, "...no…."

Trembling with panic, Sakura breathlessly asked the employee at the stand, "Can I exchange my ticket for the next available bus to Konoha?"

The young man shook his head, handing the item back to her, "Unfortunately, we have a no refund/no exchange policy. I apologize for the inconvenience. Would you like to purchase a new ticket instead? The next bus is at eight p.m."

Pale and entirely at a loss of what she should do, she shook her head and accepted the useless piece of paper, "A-Ah, no. Please excuse me."

'I'm stuck here. I have no money, no job, and nowhere to sleep. What the hell am I supposed to do now?'

Sakura numbly left the line so she wouldn't hold it up and walked until she reached outside the station, where she finally lost her composure. Covering her mouth with one hand, the poor girl burst into tears but tried to keep silent to not draw attention to herself.

Everything she'd done from the moment she ran away from home had been a complete and utter failure. No matter how hard she tried or how much she endured in an attempt to secure her own safety, it was all for nothing. Now, she couldn't even return to her awful past life, either.

'Why does this keep happening to me? Was I a criminal in my past life?'

"Sakura, wait!"

The woman's sniffles became sobs as Sasuke's voice met her ears.

'And now there's this dangerous guy following me around, too! Should I just off myself so I don't have to suffer like this anymore?'

As she heard him approach, she lifted her hand from her mouth to her eyes, turning her head away so he wouldn't see how awful she looked. His voice was unrecognizably soft, and he stepped in front of her with a hand on either of her shoulders so she'd stop walking, "Hey, what's wrong? Did you run into that asshole again?"

Sakura shook her head and tried to walk around him, but he held her still, "You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's up."

Though the woman was heartbroken and mentally fried, she was still completely stunned when long fingers gently pulled her hand away from her face. Sasuke guided her jaw so she'd be forced to meet his eye.

'This is pathetic. I want to die under a rock right now.' That's what she thought, but her breath was taken away when she focused on his face.

An unexpected expression of concern looked otherworldly on his flawless features, "I have no damn clue what to do right now. Usually, I make women cry, so I've never tried cheering one up."

For some reason, the uncharacteristically honest statement made her laugh, and her fingers curled around Sasuke's hand as he still held it.

His smirk returned, though not as cocky as the usual one. He opened his mouth to say something, only for Sakura's stomach to growl loudly. She looked away, face burning hot with humiliation.

He snickered, "C'mon. I'll feed you."

That's how she ended up sitting across from him in a little, hole-in-the-wall diner. "What sounds good?" Sasuke desperately tried to keep the mood casual and unserious, filling the silence so things wouldn't get awkward while they looked at menus.

Sakura frowned down at the laminated paper, not really seeing it. The waterworks had stopped, but that didn't mean everything was alright now. Now, she just felt numb. Though she was so hungry that her stomach hurt, she was too panicked to think about eating.

'I don't know why I let him bring me here.'

"Sakura."

The woman blinked, looking up to see a waitress awaiting her order.

Glancing between the employee and Sasuke, Sakura felt overwhelmed all over again. She didn't want to tell him she couldn't afford to pay him back in front of the middle-aged woman, but she also couldn't just order something and then do it because she'd feel awful for the wasted food they'd prepare. Tears brimmed in her eyes again, and she looked down at her lap.

"She'll have the same as me." Thankfully, the employee didn't make any comments and left.

Sakura felt Sasuke's gaze again and clenched her fingers into fists on her lap while refusing to acknowledge it.

"Are you going to talk, or do I have to force it out of you?" When she couldn't bring herself to respond, he sighed, leaning forward to rest his chin on his palm, elbow on the table, "At least your crying face isn't ugly, I guess."

After the food arrived, Sakura hesitated to eat, averting her gaze out the window they were sat beside with gritted teeth. Her brow furrowed, 'It's snowing.'

"Listen, I'm trying to be fucking nice to you, but this is getting ridiculous. Just eat already."

Green eyes darted ahead to meet black ones, widening upon realizing Sasuke was glaring relentlessly. The irritation that he was, once again, bossing her around and cursing, Sakura grabbed a fork and absently poked at the eggs on her plate, blushing when she finally took a bite and looking away.

'He gets on my last damn nerve.'

It was a little refreshing, honestly. Since she began dating her ex-boyfriend, Sakura could barely converse with men without getting scared. Sure, Sasuke terrified her, but he also brought out her old, feistier personality. It was odd, and she didn't understand why it kept happening.

If it was anyone but Sasuke sitting there, she'd never mouth off or talk back.

"I think I can solve your problem if you'll hear me out." She met his eye again, nodding subtly. Sasuke searched her appearance over the coffee mug at his lips, speaking casually, "You need money and a place to live, right? My roommates and I just so happen to be looking for a housekeeper. What do you think?"

That snapped Sakura right out of her silent mood. She coughed, almost choking on her food. After taking a sip of water, she gave the gorgeous man an incredulous look, "By roommates, do you mean those jerks you were with at the bar? No thanks. I'd be safer sleeping on the streets."

"If you don't accept, that's where you'll be, right? Suit yourself." Sasuke's firm stare told the woman he wouldn't let her be stubborn.

Swallowing her pride, Sakura frowned, glaring with a blush, "...How much is the pay?"

He smirked triumphantly, "Let's see. After room and board," he paused, looking up as though doing equations before meeting her eye again, "How about a thousand a week? That's what most normal jobs pay, right?"

The table became silent.

'He's joking, right? Most jobs I'd be lucky enough to land would barely pay more than that in a month!' She took another sip of her water and studied Sasuke carefully, trying to figure out if he was testing her, 'Do I tell him? What if I do, and he lowers the number? I don't want that. …But what if I don't tell him and he finds out. He'll be pissed! What would he do to me, then?'

Eventually, she shook her head, deciding to play things smart, "Um, that's a lot of money, Sasuke, especially if I'm going to live there, too. It doesn't seem fair."

That smirk turned into a full-fledged grin, and he teased, "Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see your reaction." He offered a hand across the table, "Do we have a deal?"

Sakura eyed it, hesitating, "Hold on. First, I want you to agree to some things."

The man rolled his eyes, sitting back in the booth with an impatient scowl, "You're the one receiving help, and you have demands? That's fucking brave."

"I want you to promise not to mess with me like you did at Oasis," she ignored his childish attitude.

He nodded, "Cut back on the flirting. Got it. Anything else?"

Sakura hesitated, unsure how to word things, but eventually said, "And if any of your roommates try anything, you have to deal with them."

'I think that was okay. He probably won't make any assumptions.'

Sasuke nodded, waving a hand, "Yeah, yeah. Okay." He waited for her to continue.

Feeling better since he agreed to protect her from the other guys, Sakura reached across the table and offered her hand, "Then, I guess we're good, then."

He shook it firmly. When he released it, he tilted his head and spoke around the food in his mouth, a hand covering it so as not to be too rude, "Since I'm paying so much, do you think I can convince you to wear a maid costume?"

"I am so going to regret this," she sighed, shaking her head.

#sasusaku fic #sasusaku fanfiction #uchiha sasuke #sasusaku #sasuke #sakura uchiha #sakura #haruno sakura #naruto #naruto shippuden #sasuke x sakura #sakura x sasuke

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modstarfell · 2 years ago

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May I ask for headcanons you have about each character from Blowback?

This took... a lot longer then I thought it would, I hope these suffice! Doing so many in one post was.. a lot/nm

Akeru - The bandages in her hair while may look silly at first, often play a part in letting her get through places that would normally require a mask as theyre made from the same material. - Various scars all over her body from different things but they are mostly kept out of sight via her clothing - Her hair clips were given to hr by her original clan and she values them as her prized possession as parts of them are real gold - LOVES jokes, doesnt get to tell many though shes just not good at them.

Chinami - I like to think her real hairstyle is much different from any of the wigs she wears, this hairstyle was featured in her concept art but wasn't used... It was revamped to cat-girl hairstyle but I like to think this might've been her hair (sprite below to show my attempt to recreate it)

- Always carries a comb at the LEAST on her. Maybe a brush if she feels like carrying it but it's usually a comb. - Bobby pins. She unintentionally ends up leaving on everywhere she goes. They fall out of her pockets and she's given up picking them up - Does genuinely care for her classmates despite her attitude.... She's been caught once resting against Tato but denies any claims.

Kana - Her ponytail works the same as typical DR Ahoge's work, it's just brought back further. She has it up but even when it's down it can move like one. - Gets protective over her friends; fears she'll lose them if they hang out with others more because all she can do is silly voices.... - Watch out for her though because she'll sometimes use it to mimic tv show characters for fun and while it's accurate hearing a minion out of nowhere gets confusing - Her nicknaming habit originally started from a fellow co-worker when she was younger. They'd give everyone nicknames; her's being kasy(kah-sey)

Kanjiro - Tism. Aliens are his special interests. - He is very blind to the "fighting" Akeru and Kana seem to be having for his attention.. They are both his friends and he tries to spend time with everyone as even as he can. - I like to think he took after his father... His father having been an archer before something happened and he had to stop, but Kanjiro wanted to follow in his footsteps.. and now he's also archer! - He does better shooting a moving target instead of a standing still target; which is why he tries to get Akeru's help with targeting an apple on her head. (typically for archers hitting a moving target is much harder)

Kazuki - His hair is surprisingly really soft even despite how sharp his ahoge looks - His luck doesn't have any direct influence-ability to anything in the world directly unlike the other lucky students; although he has a good knack for finding "lost things" a lot easier. He's found tons of money that has been left behind on streets ect - Struggles with telling people no, often ends up in some situation he totally wasn't prepared for cause of it - Is considered a good listener but half the time it's due to the fact it takes him a moment to process what's going on around him; others will talk his ear off about situations and he listens to it all to piece things together.

Mai - Knows at least two languages but is always willing to learn more. (Currently fluent in eng and jpn) - Runs around with a clipboard always on hand with her, there's tons of notes clipped to it and at the bottom there's an attached white board she keeps around to help her remember things on a schedule. - Her hair clip was a gift from an old friend of hers from an archeology adventure she'd taken part in. - Has a habit of calling everyone her older siblings... No one knows if they're actually older or younger then her since she's so small they just go along with it.

Mikihiko - Petty is 100% a projection of what he wants to be like.. talking through Petty helps his confidence - Coming to the academy was really the first time Miki was able to dress the way he wants to without pressure - Designed his outfit himself with the ability from his doll making, although it was difficult he has a pretty solid feeling for designing things! - Has a collection of press-on nails that he's kept from his sisters because he struggles to let go of everything entirely. He also has a habit of chewing on his real nails really bad.

Misako - Is actually aware she's related to Kazuki, and since they're siblings her hair is just as soft as his is. - Her cat tie was a gift from the museum she works with as an anniversary thank you for her dedication to the place. - She went with her and Kazuki's father, and Kazuki ended up with mother but went into the care of their grandfather - Has a pretty big watch collection that she doesn't talk about; a big fear of running late/running out of time be it for doing something at work of getting to a place on time. She's very punctual because of this. - Sometimes has information overload where she'll fizzle out, doesn't even bother putting her hair up and just walk around her usual duties in more of a daze (someone please stop her)

Ryo - His earring are matching with his brother, they weren't his idea originally but he can't say no to his brother. - Batman fan.... If you don't know the source of this... Well, I can't say really. - Went to a private school before Hopes Peak entry; the change from private to high-rank who allows so many people through their doors is a BIG adjustment for him. - It takes a REALLY long time for him to open up to his classmates if at all; he'll use note-passing to talk or use sign language to try and communicate before he actually starts speaking.

Seina - Despite her friendliness, her upbringing has made it very hard for people to understand her and for her to understand them. She tends to talk more fancy as the events she often found herself at tended to be big parties hosted by either her family or friends of family. - She often jokes around that she's adopted Kana like her little sister. They can usually be seen messing around together, the later helping her feel more relaxed like a normal girl. - She's a VERY curious girl; picks up a lot of random things shes found on adventures, usually it's various stones. - The gem she wears is a Amethyst, she believes ghosts can exist anywhere and uses the gem to both protect herself and keep calm to try and not startle them as well

Shozo - He definitely holds the record for fastest cube solving. It doesn't matter which dimensions. He holds it. - Tired so often that he tries to avoid his classmates since they aren't "useful" enough to him. He's exhausted from solving cubes so much even though it's second nature for him and he does it every chance he can. - Has accidentally ended up skipping classes from sleeping in trying to fix his sleep schedule... Always gets reprimanded by Misako for it. - ambidextrous. I refuse to think otherwise. Will write with one hand, cube with the other because of this.

Tato - Likely can tell if a crop is close to expiring just by looking at how it's aged - Picks the sweetest and freshest strawberries for Chinami because they remind him of her; using various formula's hes gained from farming to find them - He's very used to the sun but even with his sun hat; he burns very easily causing him to get anxious being outside without his hat on. - He absolutely suggests for a school trip to come to the farm since there's tons they could learn and it would be cool to show everyone what he knows in real time!

Torae - Can tell the smell of certain makers that were used when they're in the mix of drying (like if it was 'dry-erase' or sharpie) from how often they were used to modify blue prints. - Isn't afraid to just pick up one of her classmates to stop them from doing things that might cause trouble later down the line, but is also more then willing to use her strength to help get the other up higher if they need something and a steady hand. - Do. Not. Let. Her. Chicken. Fight. Whether she's on top or bottom she's terrifying if you try and play chicken fight in the pool. - Goes for morning runs; usually drags a random-unsuspecting classmate along with her.

Toshiro - He rarely takes off his necklace; It was given to him by the "only person who believed I could manage to get into this school." This being said, he takes his earrings out at night to prevent breakage and getting jabbed with them while he sleeps - Plays with his hair when he's nervous but it's usually the two dyed strands he plays with the most. - Spends his free time doing laps in the court yard to keep in shape - Despite seeming intimidating, he's usually the one who manages to get the class going when it's time for gym class. Turning it into a competition just enough to get even Shozo motivated to work out.

Yosaku - He gets cold very, very easily. Having to bundle up even on warmer days and winter is absolutely abysmal for him. - Collaborates with Tato from time to time to help make sure that their classmates are getting proper meals in their systems. - Has bonded with Akeru from him telling jokes out in the open to 'practice' and noticed her lingering around and laughing at them from time to time. - Helps Seina create songs for her to cover with her violin while at the academy and occasionally Kana has joined in and the three of them creating some fun song covers together. He has also made a little social media platform for this but it's under an alias to keep both girls hidden from public.

Yukari - In her bookbag there's usually her own copy of her book, and some other "every day supplies" being pencil, notebook paper, bandages ect. - She prefers to sit back and watch how her classmates interact with each other rather then gaining direct friends herself. Often finding herself to be 'too awkward' in comparison. - When she has a crush she tends to cling to them a lot more... One of the few people she can "trust" and will often read their emotions and begin to talk for them out of habit. - Usually has her nails painted a very light pink with a shine to where they almost look natural but you can tell something is different if you look closer.

#akeru 🌫️#chinami ✂️#kana ⭐#kanjiro 🏹#kazuki 🍀#mai 🥼#mikihiko 🌺#misako 🖼️#ryo 👔#seina 🎻#shozo ⏹️#tato 🌾#torae 💪#toshiro 🪢#yosaku ✌️#yukari 💞#drbb

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conradism · 2 years ago

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@blondenaivety

folklore sentence starters

The head cheerleader wasn't impressed, not in the slightest, especially when they all had a game to attend in the next two hours. Conrad had pulled a prank on the entire squad, replacing their cheer uniforms with oversized football jerseys and cycle shorts. “You realise it's you guys who are gonna look like dumbasses when your squad shows up looking like this, right?” Cassie responds, shaking her head at his attempt to justify his actions. If truth be told, she didn't care nearly as much as some of the other girls, part of her wanted to laugh about it, but that would only put her in hot water with the rest of the team. As a new student, the last thing she needed was to turn her back on her squad, especially when they'd all been so welcoming. The cheer captain let out a dramatic sigh before storming off and Cassie had to fight to suppress a laugh. Conrad had a unique sense of humor, that was all. “Well?” She asks, turning to him. “Guess we better get this show on the road. It's gonna be a game to remember.”

Admittedly, Conrad wasn't the only one in on the plan to replace the cheerleader uniforms. While he might've been the one to think of the plan-- just another attention-seeking act by the Fisher boy-- he wasn't taking the whole fall for this. Still, Cassie and the rest of the girls at least looked a little more comfortable in the ensembles. "Or we'll look like revolutionaries," he tried. Conrad was thankful that at least Cassie wasn't losing her shit. They'd done it to be a joke but some of the girls had taken it as a personal attack against them. "Not even going to give me a 'good luck'? I didn't know you guys didn't do that in California," Conrad smirked. He'd thought about the sunny state a lot, especially when he looked at the dwindling number of summers at Cousins Beach. He needed the ocean like a lifeline but looking at the Atlantic just wouldn't be the same anymore.

#; { BLONDENAIVETY }#: { AU CANON }#blondenaivety

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viscerasmoothie · 6 months ago

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First video is over 500mb, so Tumblr is throwing a tantrum about it and not letting me upload it. It got split because my camera app timed out for some reason. Here's the second video, also I have no clue why my voice sounds like that, I'm like 50% sure that I sound a lot less prepubescent irl but idk, if you know me and are on here then please confirm if I sound like a fucking 9 year old or not.

For video ID : M = me (OP), G = my grandma

[Video ID: A video of me shoving a flathead screwdriver into the semi-opened corner of my laptop in a futile attempt to brute force it open. Two blankets are visible in the background, one dark grey and the other multicolor. The sound of a loud fan is in the background. The laptop is upside down.

G: "Oh it must've timed out, right?" (In reference to the fact that the first video ended abruptly)

M: "You might've accidentally hit the home button."

G: No, I've got just my thumbs along the black edge." (referring to my phone case. It's a semi-transparent dark blue, which makes the edges of it look black)

M: "Okay yeah it might've timed out."

[I make a barely audible sigh expressing the emotion I like to call "WHY THE FUCK WONT YOU OPEN AAAAAAA"]

M: "This is absolutely not good for the case." (Two flathead screwdrivers are in the case and have been for a couple seconds, one with semi-transparent yellow handle and a thicker metal part holding the case open, and a thinner one with a semi-transparent red handle being used to try and pry the rest of the case open. In this shot I was working on the left edge (It appears as the right edge due to the laptop being upside down), and my head is in frame because I'm a stupid idiot who can't see what the camera does)

M: "Might be electronic(sic) jammed up the side." (The "(sic)" part is because either my brain wasn't braining or you can't hear me pluralize(? Is that a real word??) the word "electronic". I wasn't having any luck with getting the side opened, which is why I think components might be shoved against it, preventing me from prying the case open)

[frustrated sigh from me as the yellow screwdriver falls/slightly pops out of the case and into my laugh. My grandma laughs at my misfortune]

M: [Might be yawning while saying this idk] "Staring to think we might need the screwdriver for these, [chuckles]" (there's screws that are almost definitely holding the case together, but they're probably proprietary HP screws, AND they're super fucking tiny)

[Another disgruntled sigh from yours truly, who is probably misusing the word "disgruntled"]

M: "No clue where we'd get them though." (in reference to the screwdrivers. I'm now working on the front side of the case)

[Yellow screwdriver falls out again]

G: "Yeah those little tiny screws, are they, attached to something?"

M: "This one isn't-" (In reference to the one near the corner that was propped open)

G: "Oh okay"

M: "-I think"

G: "You sure?"

M: "What do you think? [She laughs] This is coming out."

[camera gets closer to the corner (IT DOES NOT ZOOM, my grandma didn't zoom in cus our phones are different)]

G: "Okay."

M: "This one ke-" [pause to readjust the yellow screwdriver] "This screwdriver keeps popping out."

[some sort of noise??? Idk man]

M: "[inaudible, sounds like "I don't think"] any of this is a fan of anything I'm doing right now."

[no dialogue for a couple of seconds]

M: "I hate proprietary screws."

M: [in a whiney voice] "Open." [brief pause] "Why won't you open."

M: "I don't care that I don't have the wro- the right stuff."

[one final semi-angry sigh]

M: "Yeah no we might need the screws." (Idk why I referred to the screwdriver as screws fuck you. Also can you tell I watch way too much dankpods and the "yeah nah" has rubbed off on me /rhetorical)

G: "Huh?"

M: "We might just need those screws." [grabs phone near the camera cus I'm a big stupid idiot]

G: "Need what screws?"

[Video end]]

Writing out that entire video ID was mentally exhausting LMAO, and it probably sucks ass. Sorry for visually/hearing impaired people who come across this but I'm just dumb. Also two things, if I get doxxed cus of the pride shirt I was wearing I will kms, and don't mind how fucking ugly I am. If you find me attractive then I suggest therapy. /s

#hp laptop #piece of shit laptop #attempted laptop opening with two screwdrivers #two flathead screwdrivers one laptop #proprietary screws >:(#hewlett packard can suck my phallic body part that absolutely exists #i hope whoever decided that this laptop needed 6 of your shitty proprietary screws just to open the case that your balls get twisted #shitty video id #ft my grandmother #self deprecation #self deprecating humor #self depricating shit at the end #oopsie my face is kinda in this one #why do i sound prepubescent #why do i always write paragraphs when explaining shit holy fuck

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wherethedeadneversleep · 1 year ago

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A Long Overdue Reunion

“It’s because of you that Shane became a vampire, right?”

The night started like most other nights ─ David and the boys were out cruising, looking to have a little fun while the night was still young. Lately, it seemed like they could go about their business without bumping into someone who tried to put a damper on their activities. The last person he would have expected to bump into was an Emerson, Nicole to be exact. There was just something very different about Nicole that stood out to David, something very different from the rest of her family. However, the name she mentioned was one he hadn’t heard in quite a while. He heard the stories that went along with Nicole, Chris, Shane, and his boys. Thanks to that damn do-gooder Edgar Frog they had a very similar history with Shane.

“ I have to say, Nicole, takes a lot of nerve to come up to one of us asking personal questions after what your family did. I think that’s what I like about you. You’re different from the rest of that family. “ David muses and leans back on his bike. He’s not exactly sure why Nicole would be bringing up Shane after all this time, but he saw no harm in answering her question. Shane’s time on this earth passed some time ago, he had felt the exact moment it happened. He doesn’t know all the details other than Chris and Edgar had a big part in Shane’s demise but he knew enough.

“ It wasn’t planned or intended, but yes, Shane was one of mine. “ David admitted. It didn’t happen often when an intended meal managed to get away from them but it indeed happened that night on the beach when showing Michael what he was becoming. “ He wasn’t exactly like my boys here. We normally killed his kind and often still do. “ David smirked rubbing the corner of his lip with a gloved thumb. “ But from that night forth he became family, that is until your brother and Edgar decided to kill him and his family. “ David wanted her to know that he knew the better part of the story. “ So tell me, why are you so interested, Nicole? There’s no changing the past and what was done. “

Nicole heard the story from her aunt and cousins, about how David and his family tricked them and attempted to lure them into their vicious lifestyle. That same sort of "luck" fell onto her and her brother but with a twist involving a former pro surfer that Chris idolized growing up - who turned out to be one of David's boys - and an ex-boyfriend of hers. Small world didn't even begin to describe it all. What caught her off guard, aside from actually finding David on her own, was how he spoke of Shane in the past tense. Did he not realize that Shane was alive again? Did that bond between vampire and sire not get re-established? She had plenty of questions of her own about Purgatory, but she never found the right time to ask Shane and didn't want him to relive any possible painful memories he might've had while there. If David truly didn't know Shane was “alive,” then she would protect him, and not say anything to put him in harm's way.

"You're right," she agreed, careful to keep her distance from the leader of the Lost Boys, "there's no changing the past. What's done is done."

She did her time as a half-vampire, and while she never went through completing the initiation, the possibility of being turned under HER conditions - well, that might be different. Maybe. For right now, she had to focus on the current situation at hand.

"Have you seen Michael? I know, you probably don't care if he’s dead in a ditch somewhere, but I was just wondering if there was still a connection you have with him, even after all this time? He's been... missing. For a while now."

Nobody had seen Michael since he took off on his bike. Aunt Lucy was sick with worry, and Castiel proved helpful by watching over her. Sam and Chris visited Michael's workplaces and combed the city. Even with the help of Alan and his group, they couldn't find her cousin. It was as if he vanished into thin air.

Slowly David began to circle Nicole as if sizing her up, but what he was doing was trying to get a good read on her. She was mighty quick in agreeing with him about not being able to change the past. Nicole was cautious, trying to keep her distance from him. Little did she know that when Shane turned her into a half-vampire David also linked with her. It wasn’t a link as strong as the one Shane had with her of course but it was strong enough for him to know unlike Michael, Nicole was ready to embrace being a vampire. He had a strong feeling that she wasn’t being straightforward with him.

Finally, he stopped circling her and came to a stop in front of her. While there was still distance between them, she wasn’t out of arm's length of his grasp.

“ Sounds like to me someone’s having second thoughts about immortality. If that’s what you’re thinking then forget it. We went down that path once before and nothing good ever came from it. Turning Emerson’s is strictly off-limits to all my boys. “

And here she was asking him about Michael of all people. “ Dead and in a ditch is putting it mildly. “ David’s response was harsh but truthful. “ So big bad Michael has come up missing and you automatically decide to come and ask me? What, you think we had something to do with it? “ This made him feel offended. Did she just use Shane as an opening to poke around and see if they had gone after Michael again after all this time?

“ Trust me, Nicole, if we had anything to do with Michael being missing you wouldn’t have to come here and ask. You would have found pieces of him scattered all over your grandfather's property. “

“You don’t have the best track record with our family,” Nicole snapped, her body now tense with frustration. So much for keeping her cool. “You got me: I wanted to find out what you know if anything.”

She was this close to daring him to set foot onto their property. The ward Sam and Liam put on the land would keep UNWANTED vampires away - the Lost Boys in particular. Her neck was already on the line coming out here on her own, but with cousin Michael on the lam, she was desperate for answers, even if self-preservation went flying out the window.

David gave her the creeps, especially when he encircled her like a vulture waiting to take a bite out of its freshly deceased carcass. It was like he knew something about her that she didn’t. It made her think about when the Lost Boys circled Lucy on their bikes one night after her shift was over. They verbally taunted her, took swipes at her, almost hitting her at some points. If Max hadn’t come by when he had, who knows what would’ve happened to her poor aunt? Seeing as how Lucy was the one Max wanted all along, there was a chance she would’ve been okay… or maybe, she would’ve gotten hurt, or worse, because it’d be a way to tick off Max. No matter, Nicole didn’t want anything to happen to any of her family, including Michael, even if he was being a hothead.

A gust of wind blew past Nicole, causing her hair to dance across her face. She swatted at her hair, and once the air calmed down, she was startled to see that David was no longer alone. Already her palms were sweaty, but she dared not flinch, even blink.

“Got a problem, boss?” Dwayne asked as he gave her a predatory smile, one that sent chills down her spine.

“ We don’t have the best track record with your family? “ David questioned and could barely contain his laughter. “ I’d say that goes both ways, sweetheart. “ His stance shifted just slightly. “ What you should know is that we don’t know where or what Michael’s got himself into and if someone has ended that sad little life of his I’m just sorry to say that it wasn’t one of us. “

Now perhaps David was being a little harsh with Nicole but he felt the need to get his point across to her. Their conversation had started on a friendly note until he and his boys were round about accused of something they had nothing to do with. David didn’t take likely to such. Each one of them should feel thankful that they allowed the truce between the families only for the kid's sake.

Little did Nicole know but David got a good read on her moments ago as he sized her up. “ Something else I don’t like is the fact that you have something more on your mind than just Michael. I find it extremely hard to believe that out of nowhere you suddenly come to ask if Shane was one of mine after all this time and for what reason would you have to even ask such a question, Nicole? There would be no importance of that information unless you’re hiding something from me. “

“ Did you think you’d catch me alone? “ David asked with a snide smile when Dwayne took his side. His right-hand man was always ready to help put an Emerson in their place when they stepped out of line.

“ Seems like Michael has gone a miss and little Miss Nicole here thought she would come and ask if we knew anything about it. “ David glanced at Dwayne and then back to Nicole. “ How does that make you feel Dwayne? Wait before you answer there is more. “ David lifted a gloved hand and placed it on Dwayne’s shoulder. “ You see we all know Nicole here was Shane’s girl and how that situation turned out for Shane. Suddenly she feels the need out of nowhere to come asking if Shane was one of ours. Can you think of a reason why that would be of any importance now? “

Dwayne’s imposing stance, and the words that David expressed, caused a wave of dread to sweep over her. Nicole wanted to back away the second Dwayne arrived, but she feared this would cause more trouble. She’d dug a hole for herself the second she approached David, but she was desperate for answers, and ever since she learned about Shane’s vampire origins, she truly wanted to learn more about the Lost Boys - even against the wishes of her family. Now, look where her curiosity got: practically on Death’s door.

“Shane’s not here to save you, girl,” Dwayne warned. He pulled his lips back to flash his wicked fangs. “You made a mistake coming to our turf. Didn’t you learn nothin’ from being a half?”

Nicole’s heart wanted to leap out of her chest. How did he know what she went through?

“Word travels fast,” Dwayne answered, and he laughed. “Didn’t need to read your mind to know what you were thinking. You oughta know we don’t give two shits about Michael and his family, but here you are, waltzin’ over as if we’re somehow obligated to help you. Got balls, but no brains. No wonder Shane’s group didn’t last long.”

Okay, that pissed her off. It was one thing to crap on her own mistakes, but to bring down Shane like that? No way.

“You… asshole!” she hissed, immediately forgetting the danger she was in.

This comment only entertained Dwayne further, but it was dismissed when two figures ran across the sand toward them: one was familiar, and the other, not so much.

“Nicole, you had me worried!” Lucy expressed, her voice breathless, as she threw her arms around the girl and hugged her tight. “I don’t want any more of us to wander off!”

Castiel took out a pistol from his waistband and aimed it at David and Dwayne.

“Oh my god!” Lucy gasped as she jumped at the sight of the weapon. Clinging to Nicole, she asked, “Where did you get that?!”

“It was inside the refrigerator next to the beer and the double-stuffed Oreos,” the former angel admitted. “When you wanted to go looking for Nicole, I grabbed this along with a beer.”

Dwayne snickered. “Great, we’ve got a drunk, trigger-happy hippie.”

Castiel had checked the chamber before leaving the house with Lucy. It had holy water bullets, ideal for vampires - the problem was, he’d never fought vampires in this world. Even in the last world, the vampire population was wiped out due to humans being infected with the Croatoan Virus.

The humor in Dwayne vanished when he stared holes into Lucy. After all, she was the reason why Max screwed up their lives, and half of them were killed off. If it wasn’t for her, none of them would’ve suffered the way they had: it was her fault and Max’s.

David’s fists balled at his sides, her fear fueling him more and more with every movement she made. While this should have been a friendly encounter, old grudges truly died hard. There was no way David could forget the way he and his brothers had suffered at the hands of the Emersons and those damn Frog brothers.

Now would he normally act upon that hatred? Not necessarily. There was an agreement made only because of the children and David most likely would have kept to that agreement had undirect fingers not been pointed in regards to Michael’s disappearance. Then to make matters even grimmer for her, Aunt, and whoever the heck this gun-welding drunk was.

David’s eyes turned dark as Dwayne continued to taunt Nicole. He couldn’t help but laugh when she shouted out calling Dwayne an asshole. How very easy it was to fill her with such fear and anger all within a matter of moments.

“ I think you should point that gun somewhere else before someone gets hurt. “ David’s head lowered just slightly knowing the drunk would never be about to move his hand quickly enough to keep up with David’s speed. “ Dwayne, I think you should move. “ He remarked so that Dwayne would know what his next move would be.

It wasn’t a moment later that David used his vampire speed to rush forward and remove Nicole from Lucy’s arms. While David took Nicole into his grasp he pushed Lucy in Dwayne’s general direction for safekeeping. “As I said, someone's going to get hurt. Do you really want to take a chance and hit one of the ladies because you’re seeing double? “ David wickedly chuckled. His gloved hand gripped tightly around Nicole’s throat.

“ Let her go, David. “ A voice was heard from the distance. While this wasn’t the way he wanted their first encounter to happen, he wasn’t going to stand by and allow Nicole to be harmed. The moment fear was sparked in her he picked up on it and it led him straight to her location.

Finally, Shane stepped out into the open placing himself between everyone involved. “ You know you have no claim over her. Turning me might not have been part of your plans but it happened, which makes me blood ─ like it or not. You know the rules of a group. You can’t bring harm upon someone who’s been claimed by a group member without their say and there’s no way you’re getting that from me. “ His eyes then turned to glare at Dwayne. “ Before you talk about my group being killed off, you’d be good to remember what happened to your own before smearing the name of others. “ Now back to David. “ Now do the smart thing and let the ladies go before you have more to worry about this time than just a handful of kids coming after you. I’ve seen what lurks in Santa Carla now, and it’s not pretty. “

Shane extended both his arms, one stretched toward Nicole and one toward Lucy.

Dwayne cackled as he collected Lucy, who was already shaking like a leaf. What a tiny little thing she was. What the hell did Max see in this woman? After literally dying at the hands of this woman’s spawn, he saw no reason to spare any of them, not when they had them in their grasp.

Castiel steeled himself in this troubling predicament. Two vampires, two hostages. He couldn’t aim at either of the vampires, for fear of hurting Lucy or Nicole. He wasn’t completely sober. David was right.

“Castiel, please save Nicole, don’t worry about me!” Lucy pleaded but was cut off when Dwayne used his arm to cover her mouth.

“Aunt Lucy!” Nicole screamed, her features paling considerably when she felt David’s claws on her neck. This was going to hurt.

That fear instantly vanished, however, and her gaze turned in the direction of Shane’s voice.

Her mouth dropped, but she couldn’t utter a word. All of this was like some strange and twisted dream. Just thinking about Shane coming back from the dead sounded impossible over a year ago. But here he was, in the flesh, against his own sire.

Dwayne was anything but amused about this new arrival. It was bad enough Shane had been unknowingly left alive on the night they were trying to get Michael to feed and become a whole vampire but to have the nerve to show up and make demands? What a jackass.

“Blood or not, we don’t take orders from Surf Nazi shit,” Dwayne barked as he pressed his arm harder against Lucy. She struggled in his grip, finding it difficult to breathe.

“He’s right,” Castiel broke in, now lowering his gun and turning to Shane. He didn’t want to show any urgency toward Lucy’s treatment, even though he’d like more than anything to see her free. “There are bigger worries in store for all of us.

“Like what?” Dwayne demanded. He eased his arm off of Lucy’s face, where she heavily gasped for air.

Nicole gazed fearfully at her aunt before turning her attention to Castiel. What was he talking about? Ever since he crashed into their home via a rip in the time-space continuum, he talked about all sorts of weird and dangerous knowledge. He also knew a lot of things, things that no normal human should know. When she learned about him having once been an angel, and having much of his powers stripped, it all made sense - sort of. The world had been turned upside down where he came from, and not even heaven itself could spare anyone. No wonder Castiel was a mess.

“Michael’s under the influence of demons,” Castiel explained, before looking at David. “You have ties with this family, which is why Nicole sought you. You also have a large connection with monsters, therefore, you’d be a reasonable start in the hunt.”

Castiel paused. That was the most coherent he sounded in… forever. In a way, he almost felt like his old self, just minus the wings, powers, and everything that made him not human - except for his supernatural awareness. If it wasn’t for his need to not be sober, he would’ve understood Michael’s situation much sooner. But better late than never…?

“Let Miss Lucy and Nicole go,” Castiel agreed with Shane’s suggestion, then held up his gun, where he removed the bullets from the chamber in front of David and Dwayne. After the bullets and gun fell to the sand, Castiel stood there with his hands open. “Take me instead.”

Dwayne’s eyes narrowed. He was already wanting to call “bullshit” on whatever crap this human spewed out just now, along with Shane’s demands, but it was ultimately David’s call. The last thing he wanted was for either of them to die - in his case, again.

“ Call me what you will Dwayne, but at least it was the woman I cared about that took my head and not some teenage kid with a bow and arrow that you couldn’t even dodge. Shit comes in all shapes and sizes. “ Shane wasn’t at his strongest for lack of feeding but there was no way he was going to back down while Nicole was in danger. Even if that meant he had to go toe to toe with both David and Dwayne.

“ Stop reflecting your mistakes onto them. You want someone to blame for the mess that happened back then, you blame Max and you blame yourselves for catering to his whims. Just because he was your sire David doesn’t mean you were obligated to him. Take you and me for example. Maybe had you welcomed Michael into the fold without dishonesty things would have worked out differently for you. “ Shane had long heard the stories of what happened to his sire and his group long before he met his end.

One thing anyone couldn’t deny, Shane had a way with words.

“ No, they aren’t taking you. “ All Shane knew about Cas was what Nicole had told him. He was a friend of the family who was staying with them for the time being. “ He’s protecting people he cares about. The same shit you would do for the people you care about. David, wouldn’t you protect your boys? How about you Dwayne, wouldn’t you protect Mae if she needed it? “ He’s been back long enough to watch and learn a few things about his pack who believed him to be an outcast.

“ It’s clear how you feel about me, no love lost. If you’re dead set on fighting someone or hurting someone let the ladies go and you can come and try to take this needless aggression out on me. I’m nothing more than a piece of shit, right? The ladies walk and you still get your hands dirty, it’s a win-win... “

If Cas’ words about Michael and demons didn’t sink in with them perhaps at least what he said would. Even if it pissed them off enough to let the ladies go, even if he received a royal beat down it would be worth it. He knew despite their dislike for him they wouldn’t kill him. Killing one of your own was distasteful to any vampire.

“ And how would you know that? The better question is, if you already knew he was under the influence then why bother coming to us? We might know a variety of monsters but you see us playing nice with demons that possess our food? Even after they leave the body they leave a nasty taste that doesn’t go away. Kind of reminds you of eating rotten eggs. “ David shot back despite the gun being unloaded and tossed to the ground. And just for good measure, he let one of his nails cut into the side of Nicole’s neck. “ She didn’t just come here about Michael. “ His eyes then shot to Shane. “ She knew he was back and yet came here playing stupid with me about being his Sire. “

One thing in this situation that he didn’t like was the way Shane was speaking to them. Quite frankly the more sense Shane made the angrier it made him. It wasn’t like he didn’t already know that he should have told Max to fuck off from the start. What he didn’t like was having someone, especially Shane rubbing those mistakes in his face.

“ Like I told Nicole here, we don’t care what happens to Michael or who has him. “ In one swift movement, he pulled his nail back out of Nicole’s neck and pushed her in the direction of the drunk. “ Dwayne. “ He remarked to let him know to follow suit. “ We have bigger fish to fry like reminding this one where his place is. “ David’s eyes fell back on Shane. “ I’d suggest you take them and leave unless you want to witness what happens next. “ David told the drunk.

The more Shane talked, the more Dwayne hated this punk. While the past was past, there were mistakes they vowed never to let repeat. Revenge never strayed far from the minds of the boys, even when they were forced to get along with the other groups, if only for the sake of the children. But when he mentioned Mae, his true vampire self emerged. This bastard knew too much about them and their personal lives, and Dwayne would love nothing more than to tear him limb from limb.

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, and her body tensed, in anticipation of whatever abuse this vampire had in store for her. She hoped they’d focus on her and let the others go because it was all her fault. Had Max not noticed her and become attached to her, nobody would have gotten hurt in the first place.

"Please, just let them go," she whispered tearfully, desperately trying to put on a brave face.

Nicole winced as David’s sharp nail cut her cheek. It felt like the tip of a steak knife piercing her. Blood trickled down her face and dripped off her jawline, but she fought to keep still - until David pushed her. She stumbled forward and would've collapsed to the sand, had Castiel not reached out and caught her.

Dwayne was still furious when David gave the silent orders through his name alone. This meeting with Shane and the Emersons was far from over, and he'd let them know that in his way. He loosened his grip over Lucy, but she didn't immediately run. She probably thought it was a trap. In his rage, Dwayne pushed her forward, then gave her backside a hard shove, which not only dislocated her shoulder but also sent her colliding into both Castiel and Nicole. Lucy let out a pained cry even as Castiel dragged her and Nicole safely over to Shane. Had Dwayne not held back his strength, his hand would have ripped through her rib cage and to the other side of her chest.

Castiel cradled Lucy in his arms, and would gladly surrender his painkillers when they got back to the house. And as if reading his mind, Nicole said to Shane, "You have to come back with us, please. You're invited into the house."

Then, shooting a glare at David and Dwayne as she tended to her injured aunt, she shouted, "You'll never set foot onto our property or house ever again!"

Lucy writhed in pain. She'd never dislocated her shoulder, but the fiery swelling was already too much for her. Her face turned red and she was hunched over.

"Shane," Castiel said to their vampire ally. "Fly Miss Lucy home. If Sam and Chris are there, tell them Nicole and I sent you. We'll follow you."

As it would seem Shane’s words struck a nerve when it came to Dwayne. Often the truth was a hard pill to swallow. It was not his intention to get anyone hurt only to get David and Dwayne’s attention on him. If both David and Dwayne so truly needed to release this anger upon someone then he’d gladly take it. He was the only one of the four who could take such punishment and survive it. Nothing these two could hand him could compare to what he went through in Purgatory.

He started to move into action when Nicole went sailing but luckily Cas caught her so that he could remain between everyone to keep them as separated as possible. Then his eyes darkened in almost a challenging way when Lucy let out that god-awful cry. Despite Shane’s warning it was now clear David and his boys had not learned their lesson the first time around. Here they were willing to rage war over something that happened years ago.

“ Revenge is a fool’s game, David. Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something but Nicole, Lucy, they don’t owe you anything. As much as you don’t want to hear it, YOU are the ones who fucked up. “

It was then that he moved in a way so that he could check on both Lucy and Nicole. “ Keep some pressure on your face. “ He instructed then kissed the top of Nicole’s head. Then turning to Lucy he carefully took her arm in one hand while placing his other hand upon her ribcage. “ Forgive me because I know this is going to hurt but it needs to be done. “ He gave a silent nod of his head then stretched her arm as straight as he could until he felt it lining up and then he quickly jerked which allowed her shoulder to pop back into place. “ The pain will stop soon, make sure to ice it when you get home. “

“ No Cas, you need to be the one to get them home. I can’t risk leaving either of you here while they are in this mood. “ He turned to look at Nicole as she pleaded to him. “ I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you and I meant that. Help him get your mother home and when I’m done here I promise I’ll be there. “

David couldn’t help but chuckle at the pitiful sight before him. It was laughable at best. He and Dwayne could have broken both their necks before either of them could get to them. Dwayne was right, Shane knew a little too much about them which meant he’s been around for some time now. Why he couldn’t sense this almost reminded him of Paul’s return. That connection between Sire and Fledgling wasn’t restored until Paul was back at full strength. That only meant Shane was running his mouth with no juice to back it up.

“ I thought I said leave while I’m still giving you that option. “ He remarked watching Shane as he popped Lucy’s arm back into place. She was damn lucky Dwayne didn’t completely remove it from her body.

“ Out of everything Shane spilled out of his mouth tonight only one thing was accurate. He’s not going anywhere. “ David’s gloved hand moved to nudge Dwayne’s stomach. “ Secure our Nazi friend won’t you Dwayne? “ A devious smile popped across his features. “ I think we’re long overdue for a trip to the beach, figure out where we went wrong the first time. “

Dwayne marched past David and grabbed a fistful of Shane's hair.

"Say goodbye to your princess, Surf Nazi," he sneered.

Nicole watched with tears in her eyes as the darker, taller vampire roughly handled Shane over to David. This was her fault. None of this would've happened if she hadn't asked them about Michael. It'd just been so long, she felt like she had no choice.

"Nicole, we have to go," Castiel said to her, pulling her back to the present, out of her sorrows and woes.

She pressed her lips together, wanting to call out to Shane. She'd figure a way out to help him. Maybe not alone, but she'd do something… somehow. For now, Aunt Lucy needed help, and she wouldn't let Shane's sacrifice go to waste.

Forcing herself to look away, she and Castiel swiftly took Lucy away from the beach.

Dwayne dragged Shane to David's feet, keeping an iron grip over him, before glancing over at his leader.

"Time to round up everyone and have him meet the gang?" he suggested.

Shane would grumble when Dwayne grabbed a hold of him but for now, he would not fight back nor resist until he knew for sure Nicole and the others were long gone and out of reach of these two.

" I'll come and find you soon, I promise. Stay home until I get there. " He took what was probably the last chance he had to say his goodbyes to her and to give her warning not to venture back out for him.

Even after all these years, he couldn't be surprised that David and his boy hadn't changed. They were still the same assholes who ventured onto the beach that night, killed and slaughtered his surfer buds, and left him for dead. Shane fully understood the whole mentality of needing to feed to survive, but he also learned a valuable lesson when he was in Purgatory. It wasn't something David's boys had learned.

From down on his knees he looked up at David and shook his head. " Now why does the whole four-on-one not surprise me with you guys? Vampire or not I still call that a disadvantage. " Not that he would expect them to play by any sort of rules other than their own. " I almost find it amazing how eager you are to follow in Max's footsteps. Crazy to think that the child learns something from the father. "

Just m" He certainly has a mouth on him. " Not a single thing that was coming from Shane was helping his cause. If anything it was only making him madder. " We'' soon shut it for him. "

" To hell with Max and hopefully that's where he's rotting away. " He didn't like being compared to Max in the least and that's what set him off the most. " He claims to be one of us, a part of our family. I think it's only fair he gets to meet us all before we send him back to wherever he came from. We'll take him to the Bluff. No need to dirty the Cave in Nazis blood. " Maybe that was an indirect slap to David in more than one way.

"You've got it," Dwayne agreed. For good measure, Dwayne swung his fist around, and delivered Shane a solid punch to the nose, before he picked him up by his neck, and flew off to the buff, away from the prying eyes of any mortal on-lookers.

Miles beneath the ocean waves, Monica swam beneath the depths, in search of an unfortunate swimmer or surfer to lure, when she became distracted. Due to her connection with her undead lover, David, she knew it had to do with whatever he was up to. Long hair floated about her face, as she pondered whether she would snoop to the surface and see what he was getting himself into, or simply mind herself. No, whatever the Lost Boys were up to, it was always fun, therefore, she needed to find an appropriate outfit to wear. When it came to David, she never wanted to look anything but her best for him.

'Don't get too carried away without me, but if you can't help yourself, I understand,' Monica conveyed to him gleefully, as she swam toward Hudson's Bluff, with her mermaid's tail working as hard as it could to take her.

Heavy fog drifted across the cliffs by the time Dwayne touched down upon the surface of the bluffs. He threw Shane down in front of him and dusted his hands together.

"Wouldn't have believed it 'til you told us about him," Paul said as he emerged from the fog like a shadow taking solid form. His blue eyes widened with curiosity as he stood alongside Dwayne and peered over at the Surf Nazi. "Can't believe a freakin' Surf Nazi is one of us. How many more of them have our blood?"

David couldn't help but release a dark chuckle when Dwayne's fist collided with Shane's face. Blood or not there was such a thing as respect and Shane was lacking it. Santa Carla was their domain it always had been and would continue to be just that. Perhaps Nicole had learned her lesson tonight. If Shane wanted them to spare his darling Nicole there were other ways he could have approached. Demanding, pointing the finger, none of that was going to fly on his watch. Nor would he stand and allow anyone to compare him or his boys to the likes of Max.

He was pleasantly surprised when he heard Monica through their shared connection. " You need to feed. We're going to take our time with him. Trust me, there will be plenty to still be seen when you get there. " David was quick to respond to her. Just like him and his boys, it was important for her to feed when it was needed. Something he had to remind her of often. After sending both Paul and Marko a mental message of where to meet he took to the sky not far behind Dwayne.

It didn't take long before they were landing at the Bluff. " Boys, we have a guest. " David announced as he walked to move in front of Shane. This way he would have them behind him and in front of him. " I knew about him for a while but never cared enough about him to make mention of him. Then when the connection was lost there was no need for it. "

When Dawyne tossed him to the ground Shane moved to sit up on his knees. Blood trickled down his nose, over his lips, and onto his chin from the punch earlier on. If nothing else came of this night he at least managed to do what he set out to do and that was to save Nicole and her family from being harmed in a way that couldn't be fixed or healed. Shane made a promise to Nicole to protect her and his eyes that's exactly what he had done ─ regardless of the price he would pay for it.

His tongue darted from his mouth cleaning the blood that he could from his face then spit it on the ground a few inches from David's feet. " If David didn't bother to tell you about one of your own maybe you should ask yourselves what else he's been holding back from you. " Shane lifted a brow because back in the day, mistake or not there was nothing he kept secret from his pack. " Happened the night you took Michael to make his first kill. David got so wrapped up in the killing and the show he was putting on he thought I was dead but being the surfer I was I made it out to the beach where I eventually transitioned. "

Marko lingered a little longer in the shadows than Paul did. The whole idea that somehow they had Surf Nazi scum in their bloodline wasn't sitting well with him. It was an internal conflict between family and a type of human they all despised. " Hopefully he's the only one. " He remarked to Paul's question. Marko's normal smirking self was anything but that as a serious look fell over his features. " What the hell do you plan on doing with him? " Marko's attention back to David as he took his stance alongside Paul and Dwayne.

"He was a mistake," Dwayne stated simply. "A mistake that needs to be erased once and for all."

Mistakes happen, unfortunately, even in the world of vampires. First kills occurred, and they didn't always have to come from humans. In Star's case, David wanted her to kill Michael, who was a fellow half-vampire. Dwayne recalled the Surf Nazi slaughter night very well, with pathetic Michael in tow. All he had to do was feed, but like the coward he was, he simply stood back and watched, too afraid to do anything. How they missed Shane was anyone's guess. Bloodlust could catch up to a vampire if they had too much fun - which they did. They didn't keep count of how many humans there were, other than there was plenty of fresh blood for all.

Paul's typical cheerfulness shifted to a more ruthless nature, when he suggested, "Let's drain him of his blood and leave him somewhere to shrivel up like you-know-who!"

Dwayne couldn't help but snigger at the blond's words. "Surprised you even brought him up after all this time. First time in how many years?"

Jasper was considered erased from their bloodline after David dealt with him. He was never mentioned to Star, Laddie, or Michael. For challenging David the way he had, he deserved everything he had coming to him. Since his removal, he essentially never existed.

Paul shrugged indifferently. "What can I say? Surviving death kinda spins your thinking a bit. Besides, the thought of having a Surf Nazi as one of us is nasty. Not to mention, his taste in chicks is way off. He had to go for an Emerson!?"

Now directing his question to Shane, he asked, "Didn't she, like, kill you? You some kinda sadist or something?"

David agreed with Dwayne. " Many mistakes were made during that time. " He picked up on Dwayne's thoughts of that night easily.

" This mistake is one we can correct. " A gloved hand rose to glide through the top of his spiked hair. Despite what Shane may think, his rebellion against Max began long before the Emerson's were involved. Max wanted Michael and Sam to become part of the family so he could have Luci. David had no intention of turning Michael, that's why he instructed Star to kill him. Things didn't work out as planned. Some mistakes they couldn't correct, but this one they could. The Emerson's and the Frog brothers would be dealt with in due time. Shane was dead set on becoming a martyr when he interfered tonight, so a martyr he would become.

David chuckled darkly at Paul. " I like the way you think. " He didn't like being challenged or questioned. Jasper made that mistake years ago and paid for it with his life. Now, Shane gave him a similar challenge. " You come back to Santa Carla after all this time and question me and my boys like we owe you something. " David moved closer to Shane, practically hovering over him. " We do what we want when we want and when we finish with you we're going to finish what we started with Nicole and Luci. " David taunted.

" I call it as I see it, David. It's about time someone did. " Then he turned to Paul. " Apparently it didn't spin your thinking enough. "

Shane didn't even hear the next bit of Paul's remark because all he could focus on was David talking about Nicole and Luci. It was clear that nothing he could say to them could get through to them. It was like looking at a mistake knowing it would repeat itself. But the rage he felt knowing Nicole might be in danger caused an uncharacteristic response from Shane. In a flash, Shane was on his feet, and with a swing of his fist, it collided with David's face. " She had no damn part in what happened to you. Stop blaming everyone except who's really to blame. " Shane's vampire side began to distort his features making him look more beastly than man.

" Woooow! " Marko shouted and moved straight for Shane when he so boldly gave David a right hook. He was enraged now and ready to fight. He grabbed Shane by the collar and pushed him back to his knees on the ground. " What do you think you're doing ?! " Marko shouted. Any reservations he might have had about this were now scattered to the wind. " Dwayne, you want the honors of the first round? "As David said, this wasn't going to end quickly.

Late at night, Layla enjoyed taking in the night air. She was a creature of nature and the Fae within her longed to be in its elements and surrounded by them. The Bluff was a place where she could find solace, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the danger of encountering people who might want to cause her harm. It was a place where she could be close to nature and do something she loved - dancing - without fear. Her long lace gown flowed behind her as the breeze danced around her ─ hair adorned with the vibrant flowers she picked during the day. The beach was also nearby, allowing her to find and collect seashells, adding to her ever-growing collection.

Up ahead she spotted a group and curiosity got the better of her. Her angelic voice could be heard in the distance singing as she approached and realized it was Dwayne and the others. She would stop short of reaching the group and sadness crept across her features. Layla knew exactly what Dwayne was and never questioned his choices. It left her confused as to why this situation required a four-on-one massacre. Despite the grim situation, Layla still had faith in Dwayne, believing that whatever he was doing was for a good reason.

Even in the middle of a scuffle, the unmistakable and heavenly sound of Dwayne's fae lover could be heard. Though he kept his focus square on Shane, and his iron grip tight over the group's Luna Bay rival, his will had weakened a bit. While Layla completely accepted him for who and what he was, she also helped him see the world through the blood red haze of anger and madness. In the past, his ego and need for revenge once clouded him, and it cost him his life. Since his return from Purgatory, and his meeting with Layla, he vowed never to make that mistake again. He would still be that ferocious monster that'd fight for his pack and slaughter anyone who stood in his way, but he thought twice before blindly throwing himself against the enemy, especially one who seemed like easy prey. Shane seemed weak, especially when he was all alone, but who knew what he could be capable of, as one as defiant as he was.

Damn it, the things he did for her, and only her, were remarkable beyond belief.

"Death would be such an easy way out for you, punk," Dwayne growled at Shane. "Even if it came for you: slow and painful."

In the blink of an eye, he vanished, only to appear at the side of Shane, where he drove his knee against the side of his skull, knocking him to one side.

Tossing a knowing look at Paul, the blond rocker let out a playful howl. He followed up Dwayne's attack with a boot to the back of Shane's head, but before the assaulted vampire could go completely down, both he and Dwayne grabbed one of his arms and held him up by his knees before David.

"Let's bleed him out and wall him up in the cave," Dwayne suggested. "This asshole's s'posed to be one of us by blood association? He can be a permanent fixture, where nobody can hear him scream."

Within a few moments, Layla's appearance changed. This happened naturally with Fae depending on their mood. It was also a defense mechanism to keep them hidden from those who saw her as prey. From her crouching down position, her body would visibly jerk each time the blonde male was struck. Fae were normally peaceful creatures until provoked. Layla's wings slowly began to appear, growing out of her back. Her eyes took on a silvery hue and her skin glowed a faint blue. Her nails grew longer and sharper and her hair shimmered in the light. A thin layer of dust covered her body, making her almost invisible. Her singing has been silenced and her once gentle demeanor replaced by something very different. Regardless of the situation she would stay back and watch for any foe who might pose any trouble for her loved one.

Dwayne was the only creature on this planet that managed to keep her leveled and bonded to this dimension. She would stand against any foe to ensure his protection.

As soon as Shane decked David he felt a sharp blow to the side of his head. This caused him to stumble and was immediately followed by another blow to the back of his head. His beastly features vanished once more, revealing his human nature. He fell to the ground, dazed and confused. He was barely conscious when Dwayne and Paul had him by the arms holding him out on display for David.

" You can do whatever you want with me. " Shane coughed and spit out a mouth full of blood. " Ain't about to change anything I said. None of you are stupid but you need to start asking yourselves why he won't share certain things with his brothers. "

As soon as the last word came from Shane's mouth Marko had moved in front of them and drove his fist into the side of Shane's head. " Looks like you're about to share the same kind of fate our last so-called brother received. Dude, you should have just stayed in the hell you crawled out of. " Marko chuckled before turning to check on David.

A gloved hand was raised to brush against his jaw. The only response from David was a dark twisted smile that would send chills up any mortal's spine. His eyes flashed to Marko to confirm he was okay. Dwayne's mention of bleeding Shane out didn't pass unnoticed. He just let it sit on the back burner for a moment. After walking over to where the boys had Shane halfway standing he remarked. " My turn .. " Before driving his knee into Shane's stomach. Shane doubled over in pain, gasping for breath. David grabbed Shane by the hair and forced him to look up at him, a sinister smirk on his face. " Let's see if you can handle more. " The assault on Shane's ribcage began. Each time he landed a blow another bone could be heard cracking.

After several long minutes of this brutality, he finally grabbed Shane by the back of his hair and pulled his face forward. His eyes were filled with sinister glee as he whispered in his ear. " Let's play a game. " David took a few steps back before turning back to his boys. " A night at the club for whomever bleeds him out first. My treat. Let the games begin! "

There was no holding back on the brutal beatings delivered onto the Luna Bay vampire. Flesh tore, blood spilled, and bones snapped. The vicious sounds didn't go unnoticed, carried by the fierce ocean winds. Even with Layla silently observing, another visitor approached but chose to keep their distance. Water dripped on the hard surface of the cliffs, as Monica took on her human guise, and observed the beating from her vantage point.

"Looks like the boys are having fun," she reflected gleefully, as she found herself standing near Layla. "I knew I'd be too late. Ah, well! I won't be spoiling their entertainment."

"How much blood do you have, man?!" Paul exclaimed after pulling his bloodied fist back from Shane's battered face. It seemed like no matter how much of a heartless beating he and the others gave their rival, he somehow managed to stay conscious, refusing to bleed out entirely. The ground they all stood upon was practically stained crimson at this point.

"Stubborn and defiant," Dwayne noted darkly. He almost wanted to admire the other vampire's will to stand up against the odds… ALMOST. But in a situation like this, where he was clearly outnumbered, and fighting to protect a human girl whose family was involved in nearly wiping out a coven of vampires, he was not in good graces here. Shane should've given up. He should've just stayed in Luna Bay altogether and minded his own damned business.

A feral smile quickly took over as he stared down Shane. "Give it up, surfer boy. Nicole's not coming around. If she's got any brains in that head of hers, she's not ever coming back for you."

Layla watched as Monica approached, her brow furrowed with concern about her remark. Layla had witnessed Dwayne's version of "fun" before, but what she was witnessing was far from fun. The scene unfolding before them was a brutal display of violence. Four vampires ganged up on another, who appeared weaker and outnumbered. The attack seemed relentless; each blow delivered ferocity that sent chills down Layla's spine. This wasn't just feeding; it was a personal vendetta.

" Do you know what this is about? " Layla would assume she did since this of all places is where she decided to make landfall.

Marko couldn't help but ponder the immense strength and resilience Shane seemed to have. It was as if he possessed an otherworldly endurance, allowing him to endure unimaginable amounts of pain and damage. As he reflected on the situation, Marko recalled the countless encounters they had faced with various supernatural beings. They had crossed paths with werewolves, witches, and even powerful demons, yet none of them had endured the same level of inflicted damage as Shane. The boys had unleashed their full fury upon him, striking blow after blow, hoping to weaken him enough to finally drain him. But despite their relentless assault, Shane remained standing, his eyes filled with an eerie determination.

" David man, this is getting us nowhere. " Frustration thick in his voice.

Shane's determination burned like a fierce flame within him, fueling his resilience even in the face of relentless torment. The boys who sought to break him only fueled his resolve, for they knew not the depth of his love and the unwavering loyalty he held for Nicole. With each blow that landed upon his half-broken body, Shane's mind drifted to her - the one who had captured his heart and ignited a fire within him that could not be extinguished. She was his reason for existence, the beacon of light in his darkest moments. Her smile, her touch, and her unwavering belief in him were the driving forces behind his unyielding spirit. As he rose from the ground once again, bloodied but unbowed, Shane's thoughts turned to their promises made in whispered moments under moonlit skies. He had vowed to protect her at all costs, to shield her from harm's way, and if this is what he had to endure to see that then so be it.

" Of course, she's not coming after me. " Shane finally managed to speak before spitting a mouth full of blood onto the ground by his feet. " I'm not giving up because I'm not the enemy here despite your blindness to the fact. "

As David's anger surged through his veins, he could feel his blood boiling. The weight of frustration and anger bore down on him, fueling his determination to put an end to Shane's incessant meddling once and for all. Quickly David closed in on him. The intensity of the moment was palpable, the air thick with tension. With each step forward, David's grip tightened on Shane's shirt, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.

" You think you can just waltz in here and question my loyalty to my boy and get away with it? " David seethed, his voice laced with venom. " You shouldn't have come back here, Shane. I'm going to fix what I should have done the moment I realized you turned. Let's see how long you last as a permanent fixture in the cave. "

David took to the air with Shane in tow. He knew the boys would follow behind him knowing that Shane's final destination was the cave.

Wicked, menacing laughter filled the night air, as the four dark figures forcefully took their captive away from Hudson's Bluff, and disappeared into the howling ocean mist.

Monica watched the Lost Boys with a cruel, unsympathetic smile of her own before she turned to the fae to answer her question.

"That one was a mistake - the one they were beating up. Not all are accepted into the group, even if they are blood."

Monica's expression darkened. She was not a vampire, nor could she ever be one. If David could ever turn her into a vampire like him, she would be eternally grateful. He'd told her about some of the other "Lost Boys" and "Lost Girls" who'd come and gone in the past, and Shane had been indirectly turned. Whoever would have thought a Surf Nazi would've not only become a vampire but survived as long as he had? Well, knowing David, Shane wouldn't make it for very long.

"Try not to feel much pity for the likes of Shane Powers," Monica suggested as she soothed Layla's hair. She couldn't remember the last time she dyed her own hair in such a fun color like pink. Lately, she was obsessed with dying hers pitch black. Her clothing style was all black as well - not to match with David, but black in general seemed to go with everything in terms of fashion.

"Shane is rather… insignificant. Not meant to be. Once David is done with him, he'll be forgotten! Besides, you saw how upset your Dwayne was with him."

The humanoid sea creature hummed thoughtfully. "You'll have much more fun cheering him up after all this ugly business."

Monica looked ahead to where the old hotel was located. Under her breath, she whispered, "Besides, there's nobody that will ever help him now."

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unboundtravels · 1 year ago

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Perhaps it is luck that brings the scream toward her, or maybe not. The Doctor turns towards the scream, seeing the perimeter officers keep a woman restrained. The Doctor knows that she's seen all she needs to see at the crime scene, so she launches towards the woman in a quick stride. Quickly, she moves to wrap one arm over the shoulder and rest another on the opposite, walking her away from the crime scene gently as she shushes the young girl in a soothing voice. It's almost hypnotic. "There, there, my dear..." She walks her down, away, but remains within sight of the officers to make the young woman feel more comfortable.

"Now you listen here, child—" The Doctor begins, lowering her head a bit to be eye level with the young girl, "What's inside that shop is rather a gruesome sight, and there's nothing in there you'd gain other than a rather unpleasant memory, and I'd be more than cruel to let such a young girl like you inflict such damage upon herself." She says it as if she's going to remain firm. There will be no entering that crime scene. She does move past it, though, as she knows the girl will have questions: but frankly, there are more important concerns, and The Doctor needs to look at the bigger picture... so she rips the bandaid off.

"I won't keep the truth from you either, though." The Doctor continues, "Everyone inside that shop is dead. No survivors, I'm afraid." She does speak firmly, though, in this next statement. "But you listen to me, young lady." Her finger softly presses against the woman's chest. In this split moment, The Doctor has a lot of thoughts and emotions pass over her mind all at one moment. At this point in her life, she's undergone many hardships, said many goodbyes, and has undergone intense change because of it. So these words she speaks next are not malicious attempts at manipulation as they had been before, but an intense and strong promise that The Doctor delivers with genuine, "I will find whoever is responsible for this madness." She whispers this next part with a chilling determination, "And I am going to put a stop to it. You can believe me."

"But..."

Critically is she thinking now, constructing plans into her mind and trying to understand everything she's just taken in all at one time, "I need your help in order to do so." The Doctor begins, speaking gently now in order to create a tone that communicates a desire for cooperation. "It's clear based on my findings that there must be some genetic link involved in these gruesome deaths. Something about this is personal." The Doctor presses her knuckle gently against her lips and raises her eyebrows, "Yes, yes... There's too much doubt in order for it to be just a coincidence... hm? And I think you know that, don't you, dear child? Hm?" The Doctor rests only a hand on the woman's shoulder and now is projecting a stance of cooperation, but now asserting authority, and dominance. She's implying that she's no one ordinary, that she knows things. Things that can help Lydie.

"If the owner of this shop is indeed your cousin, that makes you a target." The Doctor lays it all out for her, knowing that she's got a long night ahead of her, and if she's going to get a leg up on this killer, she's going to need to turn one tiny lead into a forty-foot rope. "If you assist me, my dear... I promise that I will keep you safe. Only, however, if you are honest with me." The Doctor speaks again, exhaling and finally resting her hands on her coat lapels and standing tall before Lydie, offering so much to a girl she barely knows.

"If you know anything about what might've happened here... you must tell me, child." The Doctor raises an eyebrow, nodding assertively. "I'm perhaps the only one on this entire planet who might be able to do anything about it... and you must trust me on that..." She inhales, "I'm The Doctor, after all... and what do Doctors do, hm?"

HIS MORNINGS , INFINITE. Countless sunrises and endless dawns. Ever did he claim that horizon his own, that whatever kingdom lies just beyond it belonged to him. As it had, so very many centuries ago. But now, newer kingdoms have come to rise in place of his own, and with it, new threats. People who would think of ending his own reign of terror, and this time, perhaps, accomplish it. Keeping that beast of war at bay , again & again. As many times as it would take. But , he is not paranoid. He cannot allow himself to be. That sort of worry has always been a waste of his time.

He'd felt empty when the new Queen ascended the throne , in an earlier time. Such was the Monarchy. A succession aided by birthright , supposed regulations by iron-wrought tradition. Traditions he had seen founded himself. Centuries ago, the man kept to his drink as Elizabeth arose. Fine wines spiked with blood, the news making him smile as be imbibed, albeit cruelly. Another ticking of the clock. The fireplace with its crackling embers, and a servant girl bestowing him with the latest. His plot of land , stolen in plunder by his own hand centuries prior , had the very same deed written in the name of his supposed-ancestors . An ancestral house off of the British coast to which he lay claim to. One of many , of countless , in Europe . Decorated in the relics from the Dark Ages , and some , even older . A rather grand house , lavish & obscure . Here , then , he is known as Alexandre Sauvage in his dealings with the court . Historian , court physician , occultist , hunter . His brides , mysterious vanishing . The servants , their fingertips encrusted with stained , reddened blood as they scrubbed vigorously . Mostly out of fear , some out of duty . Of his appetites , of course , no one questioned . Alexandre , after all , wasn't opposed to lifting one of the halberds off the plaque and run it through someone's chest when suddenly spurned .

HOW MANY YEARS AGO WAS THAT TIME , NOW ? THREE-HUNDRED & THIRTY YEARS . victoria now assumes her role , england belonging to her . the autumn of terror , as it were , the newspapers were calling it . vicious crimes were happening in the east end , a place called Whitechapel . one of the many pits of london's filth , where the destitute cautiously laid their weary heads , their futures uncertain . stomachs & purses , empty . the streets labyrinthine , claustrophobic . children wandering to & fro , in hopes of stealing from a rundown pub for a bite to eat . beating each other for scraps of garbage . and a few women , they say , had a gruesome meeting with a man by the name of jack . torn to pieces . horrific , merciless . but , ever was there misery to be met in the east end , in those days . misery , deeper than the north sea .

he still drinks those same fine wines . and he still spikes it with someone's blood . the warm tinge of iron never leaves his ancient tongue . it is something he relishes deeply in , the devouring of one's own life to imbue his own . their flesh , their blood , their bones , their marrow . his favored delicacy , after all of this time . centuries had gone by , and the house is still in his family name . properly guarded , and rarely left unattended for far too long . a hoard of treasures always needed to be watched , after all . hardly the kingdom of the past , but a plot was a plot ------ and wealth was wealth . another countless , faceless daughter loathes him . another wife wails over the monster who had courted her . fists coiled weak against what war had wrought . aching . the wife is aching , just like how he yearns for her . the sharpened teeth in that abyss of a mouth , twinging .

"how could you be so cruel ?" the woman asks him , unknowingly . a wild , maddened gleam in her eye , roselike lips parting to speak . to say some other than a gnashing scream . something monstrous of her own design as he'd held in her in his great arms . wishing that they'd never met .

the worries of another forgettable wife hardly surfaces in vandal's mind . she had served her only purpose to him , and he had no qualms of what had to be done . perhaps , she would die in the same agony . that is the sort of death vandal savage wants for anyone who crosses him , anyhow . that he would savor every drop of pain twisted out from them . crave the cadence of their screams in his ear . sweet as music .

for should she deem him cruel now , whatever would she think of then ? let alone , tomorrow ?

it hadn't mattered where they were , nor who they really were . all that mattered to him was they were still his . long ago , back from when gloriana herself was reigning , and he was alexandre sauvage . still using the name on occasion , of course , having grown attached to it . still carrying around a set of doctor's tools . some things hardly changed , and there was rarely anyone else around to question it , save for anything that could be written off as hearsay . a rumor .

he doesn't spare the mother .

"No , no , my dear ," Vandal nearly hums to himself . a joyous , deepened sound . The scalpel cuts deep , severing her veins , carving deep through soft flesh . his muscles tensing a moment , if only to turn the blade deeper , snapping a bone beneath his weight . there wasn't a contest to be had . the violence , overwhelming , beast-like . absolutely , wholeheartedly savage . "I doubt that I'm paranoid . I had always likened that type of madness with weakness , as you might've guessed . For what -- " a splash of blood coats the man's scarred face , brutally crimson . " -- Would a man such as myself ever be worried for ? "

and for when is a Savage's work ever finished ? when the blood pools beneath his polished boots , or even higher ? or when the world will know its true king once more ? Vandal doesn't wish to know . the knife screams alive in his hand . wanting . killing .

and next , the younger ones . still of his blood . its primal murmurings coursing through their veins , as if they'd ever know how far back they'd truly reached . "Your legacy shall be my own . Through your ancestor , you shall live on . In ways you've never expected , perhaps. Your minds, too young to comprehend. And your lives, cut short. Sleep , young pups , in knowing that you die for glory." SNAP , SNAP , SNAP . a crushing of such a fragile windpipe , and again , works the knife . horrid in his hands . a man so dreadfully calm in this moment of brutality , ritualistic in his reverence . vandal savage has always killed . it is his name , his very nature .

IN DROWNED VELVET COMES THE DAWN , mixed between painterly skies and gloaming storm . a horse's hooves click quickly atop the cobblestones , slick with a chilled , autumnal rain . heavy fog floats viciously in the morn , the scene made all the more eerie . blinding those morbidly eager to see more , and hiding those who wish to remain unseen . urchins , beggars , pickpockets , and even far , more unsavory folk . lurkers , undesirables , the wretched . and the man known as alexandre sauvage , known to others as vandal savage ( killer , conqueror , emperor ) had yet to be found since . not that anyone had truly known he'd committed such a crime in the middle of the evening , of course . having long fled the scene of the crime , the response was second-nature to him . and the first was the kill . a cruelty he'd indulged in so frequently , the swiftness of his methods was unmatched . inhuman . emptied .

amidst the commotion , she walks alone . the entire road , crowded by police & carriages , curious onlookers . her umbrella opened wide , keeping her shiny , blackened hair from the pelleting , early rain . it had been hours since the attack , a policeman told her before she was asked away , but they still hadn't found the suspect . warned away , the woman , in her early 20s , nodded in understanding , though her own curiosity pierced through her . it always had , as her own father had held many secrets , she believed . a father whom she loathed . her name was Lydie Sauvage , dark of eye & red of mouth . oddly beautiful , but deeply pained . her thin smile , often insincere & withheld . even as she dresses like a baroness , all in jewel tones & corsets , high heels & fur coats . she , in her father's cruelty , had worried that she'd grown to care for so little . had not wished to become any more like him , and had felt nothing but disgust . hatred . creeping , worrying her . whatever wrath that followed with him , she & her mother frightfully endured . and was that any good ? did it make them any stronger for it ?

after the police shooed her off , Lydie knew it was for the best . all it was , was some darkened fascination she'd always catered to . her father's curio cabinets , his dastardly weapons hanging on the wall . and the stories of the men he'd "accidentally" killed in a duel . Lydie swallowed the pungent smell of rot in distaste , heels clicking backwards along the tops of the cobblestones . she knew that downtown was no place for a woman of her stature , but , she'd had an agreement with one of the nearby stores . a recent commission , helmed by her tailor cousin , needed proper measurements & personal style requests in order to be made . normally , either of her parents would handle such affairs , but , Lydie was grown now . her newest dress , she'd argued , was to be her own . her vision .

her skirts swishing just above the fog , Lydie didn't notice . Her mind was still swirling , wondering . Moving too quickly . her appointment … where was it again ? all of those years in her father's carriages , and the streets were just as maze-like as ever . the wicked aura looming nearby ------ the stench of death , buzzing flies , and hurried voices . children crying . the fine hairs on the back of her neck raising against her skin . her umbrella gripped against the leather-clad gloves she wore . the brutal voice of her father . the agonized screams of her mother .

but , someone else was speaking . another woman . a possible witness ? the woman near her was … one she hadn't seen before . Not here . Not dressed in anything that was truly familiar to her , and Lydie couldn't help but stare a moment longer . Stopping , her heels clicking to a halt . "wait , I --- " she pauses . What a strange , few mornings it's been , indeed . Until it finally comes to her , brief and unrelenting . Any of her hopes , gone . A response based solely on emotion . And just whatever could've been the chances ? "that is my cousin's store ! " she called , snapping suddenly , aloud . " someone , please ! let me through !"

#!!!. {in character | ic}#i. {the first doctor}#brutalage #violence mention tw #gore mention tw #cannibalism mention tw #abuse mention tw #child death mention tw #LONG POST WARNING .#ASK TO TAG .#//Not used to tagging this much so I'm just going to copy all the tags you put LOL #//Even if this reply is relatively tame

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desolateice · 2 years ago

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HELLO my dearest favourite writer! I heard you were sick, so get well soon <3

Can I ask how you write so much in such a small time? Do you have a schedule to keep you in check, or do you just write as soon as motivation springs? I have wanted to write something for the longest time, I really wanted to write a long story but for I've never been able to do it consistently. Do you plan your stories or is it a more "go with the flow thing"? Or a mix of both :0

Apologies for the amount of questions, and take your time with answering!! I just wanted to learn more about writing and I figured I'd ask you!!

Hello anon!

I seem to be on the mend, thank you for your well wishes! I was definitely under the weather for about a little over a week.

So this got away from me. 😅 It’s massive, there’s mild spoilers for fics as I talk about writing them below this cut and also again...the entirety of it is massive. Thank you for asking anon, happy writing and best of luck on your long story. 💖

I do not recommend what I do. I…do almost nothing else. 😅 Mr. Miyagi would be so disappointed in me. There's like no life balance at the moment. During the pandemic I've become a bit of a hermit, more than I normally was/am and so I threw myself into writing. Pretty much any time I have free time and I’m not working or doing chores, I'm writing.

It is a 0/10 do not recommend. That week I was out sick was going to be my attempt at being social again to sort of re-balance and well that failed because instead I had to stay in my room. You don't want to know the amount of tasks, even creative projects, I'm currently avoiding by burying deeper into fic writing.

Like even when I'm not writing, if I'm doing something that doesn't require my brain whether it's baking or cleaning, I'm daydreaming the story. Or showering. Part of why I take long showers is to like de-stress but I'm also trying to figure out plot holes and trying to solve them and usually I do. 😅I cannot recommend a good shower or bath more. I don't know what it is about them.

I would say when I was younger I'd spend my entire breaks writing and in between classes I was writing, and then I started a blog where I reviewed stuff and I'd read that those style blogs did better if you had a consistent posting schedule. So I'd do a lot of work, cram out as many blog posts in a day as I could and then schedule them and I think that habit I instilled in myself from blogging just sort of became a wildfire. I think that mixed with a pretty good word per minute typing is how I crank out so much so fast. I blame my dad, when I was little he told me learning to type was important and so I got to sit in front of the family computer and just write and write and write and play typing games. He also had an old school type writer and I was allowed to play with that too. When I'm in the zone I'm cruising along because of that, though I misspell a lot and I’ve learned to go back and fix that later, or hope to catch it later. My biggest one is teh instead of the. But I've also been to writing conferences and a lot of interviews with writers and that schedule you ask about is always something they talk about.

Writers with full time jobs will try and find a time in their schedule that works for them to write, even if it's a short period of time. Writers with kids will get up early or stay up late to write when their kids have gone to bed. It's really what works best for you. When are you most creative? When does your mind run wild with a story idea?

One of the recent interviews I watched was with Naomi Hirahara, she said she did the Pomodoro method. A Pomodoro is a tomato timer, you might've seen one in kitchen, their kind of cute. But what she does is she calls a friend and they both set a timer for 15 minutes and then write, no distractions. No looking stuff up, no checking social media or your phone, nothing. No self editing or going back to fix things. Just writing as much as you can.

Because you're rushing, because you're being timed, and you've got a friend keeping you accountable you kind of don't think about the words or if they're good or bad you just write and get it out and onto the page. And then they share their word count and just cheer each other on.

It’s also called sprinting. I didn’t know about it until I joined Discord and joined in on some sprints with a sprinting bot and other writers and it can be a lot of fun because you’re working on your own thing but together and there’s comradely and you’re just cheering each other on.

And I think it's important to occasionally write like that. I put brackets for stuff I have to skip over or research more later. [like this] so that I know to come back to it later, or if I'm struggling with a part and know I can skip ahead I'll do something like [Johnny and Daniel go to the beach and try balancing on the poles(?)] and then skip to the part that I have in my head. And then when I have more time I go back and read that note and then fill in that spot, research and fill in the blanks. And if I'm stuck with a spot I'm writing I try and think about what's needed. Sometimes I can fill in what I'd expect to be an entire chapter with a line, or sometimes I just let the characters talk, or I throw in another, or I go back.

Sometimes there's something wrong a couple paragraphs above which is why I'm stuck. Or, I swap fics. Work on a different one for a bit. Semifreddo exists because I got stuck on "Cherry Cordial". I was like hmm I'm stuck, let's go look at this other prompt oh hey idea, ran with it, finished a draft of it and realized oh, solved the issue I was having with "Cherry Cordial". Schedule or inspiration: Sometimes it's both. I save writing after everyone goes to bed and then I let it eat into my sleep, do not recommend, especially because generally I need 9 hours to function and I love to sleep.

Or I write a lot on the weekends when I don't have plans.

Sometimes I start to fall asleep. With Root Beer Floats and Green Tea I would stay up late trying to write as much as possible because I knew it was going to be long and because I tried to do a chapter a day. I’d also get up early and write before I had work.

So once the posting caught up with me I'd try to write as much as I could when I could at night so I could read it over the next day to publish it and I'd read it over during my lunch break so that I could publish it before dinner and...my sleep suffered.

Now when I get that level of tired I try to go to bed. Because it's not healthy. It was a fun challenge and I honestly needed a distraction from life, but it wasn't sustainable. I will say though that when I'm tired like that sometimes I'll scribble down the skeleton of the idea so that when I have energy I can come back to it, then go to bed after the thought is written down. That balance is important. Like okay, on Saturday I cleaned. I was feeling a bit better and needed to clean and disinfect and I thought this should take just a little bit of time and then I can write. And it took all day. I was so mad and it was kind of a bummer to put away all my Halloween stuff, especially all the baking stuff I didn’t get around to using because I was sick. But I’m sitting here now and it’s so neat and organized and it feels so much better and I’m glad I did it. Even if I lost that time I meant to write. My space needed it, I needed it for my mental health and it was a good thing to do for future me. And I need to work on that more because I kind of feel like a feral cat or something and don’t want to leave and go out but then I do, I go out and meet a friend for a catch up at a cafe, or go to high tea or go to my local library or just spend all day with friends and I feel better. Which again, is exactly why I don’t recommend my style or schedule because oof, my balance and alignment is out of whack and I’m still trying to figure it out. I do think it’s important to give yourself time to write, to find that time, even if it’s 15 minutes once a week. Right now it’s Nanowrimo (National Writing Month, though it’s international) And people challenge themselves to crank out a novel in a month by writing daily. The fun of it is that there’s an official website and there are meetings and a sense of community.

There might be stuff happening near you, and if not there’s plenty of stuff online. I do want to warn you that you can be your hardest critic, especially with a schedule and to not get too upset if you miss a day in your schedule or a week.

Life happens, what’s important is that you enjoy it and have fun and to get back up, take care of yourself and try again. The more you do it, the easier it’ll get. I’m going to share one of their author pep talks with you. This one is from Audrey Niffenegger.

Dear Novelist,

I am sitting at my desk, staring at my computer screen, contemplating National Novel Writing Month with admiration and horror. Admiration for those of you who threw yourselves into writing your novels with furious devotion and a passionate determination to write 1666.66 words per day, and horror at the thought of doing this myself.

I’m a very slow writer. Slow works for me. I have all the bad habits my fellow writers warn you not to fall into: I procrastinate. I write a bit and wander off to think it over and come back two weeks later. I have no schedule, no regular habits, no fetishes, no daily word quota. I incubate ideas for years and once I start to work on them I can spend more years happily researching esoteric bits and bobs that may not even end up in the novel. I am terribly caffeine dependent. I edit while I write.

Surely you don’t do any of that stuff, or you’d be doomed to slowness and would not excel at this National Novel Writing Month thing. My first novel took me four and a half years to write; the second took seven years, though that was because I fell so in love with the research (I was working as a volunteer tour guide at Highgate Cemetery in London) that I had a hard time stopping so I could finish the book. I once spent fourteen years working on a graphic novel.

Why do I let this happen? Because it’s fun. Now that you have created your fictional people and the world they live in, you have probably discovered that they are terrific company and that they are all living in your brain. Suddenly you have a party in your head (a la that old Talking Heads song) and it is hard to make that party happen any faster than it wants to happen. And when the party is finally over, you will feel bereft and alone. So why not slow down and have the maximum experience?

I once studied painting with Ed Paschke, who invited me and my classmates to visit his studio. He was working on six paintings simultaneously. We asked him why, and he replied that he could finish one painting a week or six paintings in six weeks. He preferred to take longer because more things might happen to him in those six weeks, he might have more ideas about any one of the six paintings. He liked to take it slow.

National Novel Writing Month was a chance to jolt your story onto the page, to use the magic of a deadline to whap out your novel. Now that it is December, I hope you will kick back, have a cup of coffee, reread your 50,000 words, ponder a bit, and then… go for a walk. And on that walk I hope your novel will unclench itself in your brain and let you begin the long, slow, delightful work of rewriting it.

With very best wishes for the health of your novel,

Audrey Niffenegger

The reason why I share this is because it’s lovely and because she a bit the opposite of me. She writes slowly, takes her time, and she loves it.

One true piece of writing advice is that everyone does it differently, so you have to take the advice that works for you and figure out your own path.

It might be fixing a schedule, it might be writing every time inspiration strikes and writing like that line in one of the Hamilton songs (”How do you write like you’re running out of time?”) which I fear sometimes is me 😅, or you might just write when you have time. It’s what people do. They write before their kids get up, or after they go to bed, or they write on their train commute, or they give themselves an hour that is devoted only to writing. I took quite a few years off from writing fic, from writing my own stories, but I never stopped writing. I journaled, I wrote poems, I wrote blog posts and I read.

Reading is so important and figuring out why it is can help. I had so many classes try to make me read Moby Dick and I managed to avoid reading it by just reading chapters that we talked about and nothing else, but the point was to understand the way Herman Melville described things and the voice he used.

I had to read the Sermon over and over again and hated it. 😅 It’s so...convoluted. It didn’t work for me, but then one day I didn’t have a lot of options of things to read because I was somewhere where I could get my hands on English books easily but classics are generally free online and I read it and you know what? I enjoyed it and it’s because it starts with the “there was only one bed” trope. But it’s still not one I particularly want to go back to and I got it. I got why I was made to read it so many times. On the other hand for long books I’ve read two massive ‘classic’ books. Ulysses and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Ulysses is great for studying different styles. Each chapter is a parody of a different style. However it’s hard to follow. You can’t just pick it up and float along with the story. It’s full of ye olde memes and pop culture references and all sorts of stuff that James Joyce put in that I just didn’t get. I had to read it with like three different guides and I still hated it at the end, but I respect the different styles of every chapter and the mechanics of the book as well as the books history itself as a banned book that no one would publish for it’s crude content. Meanwhile, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all time favorite books. The way the Alexandre Dumas planned out his story and layer and laid out such a tale of revenge is honestly just my jam. The only other long form story I love in such a way that pulls this plot layering off that I’ve found is One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. (I’m no longer caught up because I tend to let the arcs finish before I pick them it up again and I’ve let several years worth of arcs build up) But reading is important, you learn so much from reading. Different styles, different ways to write and you absorb so much subconsciously. I’ve been told I need to read The Song of Achilles because it’s a style opposite of mine. It’s succinct and apparently the grammar and the way it’s told would do me some good. 😅 But parody is also a great exercise. Short stories are good place to start. Kafka for example, The Metamorphosis has been studied, torn apart by English classes and writers, and parodied over and over again. It’s not my favorite but that’s because to me reading Kafka is like trying to run through quicksand. But his ability to write the nightmare that is bureaucracy and real life, oof, add to that the idea that you wake up as a bug and are still being treated the same and still have to figure out how to get out of bed and get to work? That hits in a really just poignant and a depressing kind of pessimistic way.

The reason I enjoy writing fic is because there’s a sense of community that is somewhat already built in. When you write your own stuff you’ve got to seek that out, because writing is a relatively lonely hobby. There’s a reason sewing circles and book clubs exist. Because there’s something comforting in knowing you’re not alone. Writing classes can be fun, libraries usually have writing clubs, it can be scary, because writing can be such a personal experience, but I mention it because you never know what feedback on your writing will give you and what advice you might get when you get stuck. Plus they usually give you writing exercises which are a great way to warm up. Which honestly is one of the reasons I love the allvalley100. Being given a prompt and a word limit is a great warm up and it’s a good exercise since I tend to write so much generally. I mean look at this. 😅 I didn’t mean for this to get so long and I’m not done yet... So challenging myself to just 100 words is great for me to exercise my writing muscles. It’s why I also love the Halloween prompts, because I can essentially look at them and think okay what of these sparks my interest? Aliens? I love those sci-fy stories like The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, the TV shows like The Neighbors, the early seasons of 3rd Rock from the Sun, and 3Below. I know what it’s like to move to another country where the language isn’t my native one. And then I just had fun with it. A lot of fun, because I hadn’t played with a sub-genre I enjoy so much which are the alien tries to understand what it’s like to live on earth and ends up making great points about culture and life.

That is one where I just went with the flow. I had an idea of where I wanted to go, I mean the goal is always romance, so I kind of know where I’m going, but I like jumping from stepping stone to stepping stone to get there. And I definitely made mistakes and then had to go back and figure them out. Like Daniel’s heart beats in the first chapter and I belatedly after having so much fun with language realized the “lore” of the story and the alien culture and then realized whoops...his heart already beat once, do I go back and fix that? It’d already been published, so I just had to figure it out, how to fit that mistake into the story.

I also totally get nervous before I post things. I write and then I’m like ahhhh, and there have been times where I write a new story or start something and think oh no one is going to like this but me. But I’m working on that. Because it shouldn’t matter. As long as I’m enjoying it and entertaining myself it doesn’t matter. I think the first chapter of Root Beer Floats and Green Tea I had it in Ao3 and I had to like force myself to hit the post button and had squeezed my eyes shut and then like ran away from my computer because I was writing something that was for me. I was entertaining myself and didn’t know if anyone else would like it. I almost didn’t. I started it for myself and was like I don’t have to share this, but then I decided, screw it, I’m going to post it. But I still ran away from my computer and got so nervous.

Usually in my head I have a vague idea of what I want to happen, like in the start of Root Beer Floats and Green Tea I knew I wanted to go through the movies because I wanted the whole point to be a ripple effect, by making one change Johnny changed not just his future, but everyone else’s. So I was telling myself the big climatic fight from TKK2 over and over again and it kept changing while I was writing the first arc and slowly making my way there. Originally I kept it the same as the film but put Johnny in the audience, and then realized he’d never forgive Chozen if he threatened Kumiko and tried to kill Daniel, and that Johnny wasn’t the type of person to just sit in the audience, so I had to move him, I had to change the story. Because I wanted to keep that friendship, that crush and not destroy everything. Because in my mind Johnny was fuming from the audience, comforting Yukie but murderous and holding back because Mr. Miyagi wasn’t panicking and he believed in Daniel and I realized that it just didn’t work.

He had to be a part of it. The whole point of Root Beer Floats and Green Tea is that actions and fixing things changes everything and I had to figure out Chozen better and why, if I wanted them to get along so I could pull Chozen into that third movie as well, I had to keep them friends. I had to bridge a gap that the original plot of TKK2 and the friendship I had for all of them in my mind just didn’t match. So I was toying with the future plot while writing the first arc. There were so many showers where I told myself that fight over and over again until I finally figured out the way I wanted it to go. 😅 I tend to think up where I want something to go, and there’s a scene I want to get to and then I work on the steps it takes to get there. If it’s too far away I will write down a quick list of everything to get there. Like I have done that with Buku Buku Cha because I know where I want it to go and what I want to happen though sometimes I change the route just a bit, but I knew I’d set it aside for all the Halloween prompts and run out of time to work on it so I have a list of everything so I won’t forget. And when I was writing the final arc of Root Beer Floats and Green Tea I listed all the plot points I wanted to hit before I ended the story, and those ended up, for the most part, becoming chapters because the entire thing got away from me.

So I suppose it’s a bit of both. For Root Beer Floats and Green Tea I knew kind of how I wanted it to end. I knew the scene I wanted, to see how everything had changed, all the people who loved them and were a part of their lives still through Daniel’s eyes and what Johnny decided to do, the thing that made him actually happy and that was how I’d kind of wanted it to end from the beginning though I hadn’t decided what Johnny would do at the start. But I wanted to pull everyone in, because I kind of viewed Cobra Kai as lonely. That they’d let go of all these people in their lives for so long, and were just starting to build their communities thirty or so plus years later. And I thought, if we make one change at the beginning the ripple effect could be massive, a moment of mutual kindness that turns into love, a chance to be kind to one another and listen, it might be bumpy, but it could improve everyone’s lives. By letting Mr. Miyagi interact with Johnny, by giving him guiding and care there’s a chance to keep him from becoming a self-destructive alcoholic like he is in the show and maybe he wouldn’t loose touch with those who loved him and Daniel wouldn’t be alone for so long. (I mean he has Mr. Miyagi, but still I wanted to bring them more. I nearly brought them all the Cobra Kai people too 😅 But then decided it was too much and I had to stop because my original idea nearly made Amanda their wedding planner and dear friend, but then there would’ve had to be another arc and I got tired.) It didn’t end up being the end end, I wrote it earlier than the rest of the final arc, before I switched to finishing up other fics like Konpeito, because I needed to get that image down and out and then I worked my way back towards it when I finally sat down to finish the rest of Root Beer Floats and Green Tea. Originally that was the end end.

TLDR: I don’t think I have a schedule but I do, I write whenever I’ve got time and if I don’t I try and take notes so I don’t forget. I also do a mix of planning but usually I’m more of a go with the flow writer. I have plot points I generally want to get to do and then work my way to them.

#writing asks #asks #long post #thanks for the ask #I hope this answers your questions and helps #I feel like I got a little lost in the weeds there for a bit

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wastelandcth · 4 years ago

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best years - cth

summary: dovey and calum go through a rough patch, leading dovey to believe she gave up her best years.

author’s notes: hello everyone...this is angst and part one out of two. good luck! inspired by this tik tok.

warnings: angst and sad overall

masterlist || request || more doves

I’ve got a million reasons to hesitate and baby a million more are added every day.

Dovey had always been there for Calum. She'd been there through the drama that came along with being in a well-known band. She'd been there through the highs and the lows, through the rumors and controversies. Dovey had stuck through everything and every day it seemed like more and more came into light, like the man she had fallen in love with became a stranger. Suddenly, Calum was no longer her best friend who would tell her everything, he was the stranger in her bed who hardly was around.

The fight hadn't been intentional. Most of the time, the Doves would talk anything out. Whether it be a disagreement over something small like where the pillows on the couch should go or whether it was something big like how their lives would be affected by the latest album release. This time, it was different, stubbornness and yells meant that Dovey found herself in a lonely bed while Calum locked himself away in his office. And with only a few days left before Calum left for tour with no plan on when or if Dovey would join him, the Doves went to sleep in different beds.

It had started when he'd left for tour. Usually, Dovey would drive him to the airport and stay until the band's flight was called and she had given him one last hug until they were reunited again. This time, Calum had suggested saying their goodbyes at home that it would be the best since there would probably be a lot of fans at the airport. Although she wasn't too please with their break from tradition, Dovey found herself hugging him on their doorstep, whispering a soft I love you before the man she loved stepped into the car that had been waiting.

The next time Dovey realized something had changed, she had been on facetime with him. He'd seemed distant, his eyes drifting off from the screen and his interest in whatever conversation he and Dovey were having being torn away at some joke Michael had told. Dovey thought he might've noticed something was off when she had hung up on the call, hoping he'd call her back and she could claim it was an accident, but her phone never rang again that night. It felt like the harder Dovey tried to connect with the man who was an ocean away living his dream, the more she realized exactly how disconnected they were becoming.

I spent so much of me on you I forgot who I became.

The longer that Calum was away on tour, the more Dovey found herself. Days that would've been spent alone in a foreign city while Calum was in a radio gig were now spent with friends in the city she'd learn to call home. Mornings, where she’d usually wake up in a cramped bunk next to a grumpy Calum, were spent taking Duke on a hike and clearing her head.

One day after she'd gotten home from the grocery store, a pang in her heart threatened to ruin the good mood she'd been in when she saw Luke's partner post a picture of them all in front of some monument miles away. But with a shake of the head and a double-tap on the screen, Dovey put some music on and danced the tears away. It wasn't until later that night when her mind was awake that she clicked on the picture again, finding those brown eyes she'd fallen in love with two years ago staring back at her. She could tell something was different, that the smile he had on didn't reach his eyes and his eyes didn't shine like they normally did when he was having the time of his life. But things were different now, and Dovey wasn't going to let her life revolve around him as she did before. If he wanted to talk to her as much as she wanted to talk to him, he would've called. He had her number and for some unknown reason, had decided to not use it.

Finally found a reason to walk away.

The final straw had been a picture. Dovey had been used to seeing fan meetings on her social media, smiling fans grateful to have been able to meet Calum and talk to him for even just a second. But the second a video of him had started circling around the internet and made its way onto her screen, Dovey had just about had enough of the stupid shit Calum had been putting her through the last two months. She understood being too busy for at least a phone call or text. Touring was hard work and Calum was known for pushing himself to the limit. She understood wanting space from one another that maybe this tour was something Calum needed to do on his own in order to clear his mind and think about what their relationship meant to him. But the one thing Dovey wouldn't stand by his side when he was the one that had been telling people she was the one who hadn't wanted to join him. She wasn't going to stand by his side while he told his bandmates and the rest of the world that she hadn't wanted to join him because she was being dramatic. If Calum wanted drama, Dovey could be dramatic.

The house that I built you made it a mess.

Dovey had been out of their house, the house that had been filled with memories of them and their love, for about two weeks now. Duke had joined her in the passenger seat of her car that sunny afternoon when she had stuffed all her belongings into the back seat and rode off out of the city. Her parent’s house that brought along the comfort and warmth she had been craving for months was a few hours away and far enough away that any reminders of Calum could be put aside. The small town she had left all those years ago brought her peace and gave her the space she needed from whatever waited for her back in LA, if anything even did wait for her.

Her mother had met her in the driveway, a tight embrace and promises of better times made Dovey's heavy heart lighten up as she saw her childhood home still pretty much the same as the day she had left it. The living room still had candles everywhere and the tv was playing the same movie channel her mother loved to watch on her days off from work. The kitchen was still stocked with snacks and fruits that seemed too real to be fake. And the backyard was still a playground for any and every dog Dovey had brought home, even Duke who had settled on laying in a sunspot to nap.

Her bedroom had brought on a new set of challenges, the posters on the walls and the albums on the shelves brought tears to her eyes as she saw those brown eyes looking back at her. He'd be back in their house soon. Dovey wondered how he'd react to find himself in an empty house. What he would think of when he saw the letter she had left him on the kitchen counter since at that point any attempt to call or text him was met with radio silence. He'd probably try to call her at that point, she hoped, but only to see where Duke was or he'd get Ashton to do it for him. Dovey wasn't too sure about anything when it came to Calum anymore. She wasn't sure if he would even care that she had left the gold band on the counter next to the letter or that she had left her keys to the house in the little ceramic tray they had painted on one of their dates so many months ago.

I’m left with broken pieces can't help how I ran out of tears.

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since the tour had ended and Dovey hadn't heard from any of them. She hadn't heard from Calum since before she'd left the house almost a month ago and she hadn't even gotten a text message from Luke, who would update her on what had been going on during the tour. It was been one week since Dovey had run out of tears. One week since she had decided that leaving was the best option and that she had made the right choice.

It had been a week since she realized just how much of herself she'd given away to Calum only to have nothing left for herself. It took her two weeks to realize that if he had wanted to talk to her, he would. If he had wanted to see her or even Duke for that matter, he would've driven to where she was. So when her tears were dry and the pain in her chest was nothing more than a dull pressure whenever she thought about him, she began to fix whatever broken pieces she could.

It began when she packed away all the old posters that hung on her wall, the smile on every single one leaving her breathless like it always would when she saw it in person. The sparkle in his eyes bringing fresh tears to hers, tears that she would blink away and continue on with taking him out of her life. By the time her childhood bedroom was nothing more than the furniture and bare walls, Dovey felt lighter than she had in months. It didn't last long. As sleep called her name and her eyes closed, Dovey was brought back from whatever dream she was about to enter when the buzzing noise went off next to her head.

I'm sorry.

I lost all my best years just missing my best years. past love burned out like a cigarette im free now baby all I regret are my best years.

Sitting in the living room, watching back old family movies and nursing the drink in her cup, Dovey couldn't help but feel like an idiot. She'd given Calum the best years of her life. Gave him all the good times and shared the most wonderful moments with him all for him to leave her with silence and no explanations. She'd gone through the stages of grief, had tried to make her new life without his work, and then he had shoved his way back in with no warnings in the middle of the night.

The text message hadn't been the only thing Calum had sent, no matter how hard Dovey had wanted it to be. He'd sent her a voice note, a five-minute ramble where his accent had gotten too thick for Dovey to try and decipher what he was saying through the tears and sniffling. He'd apologized for the silence, apologized for the lies, and even apologized for forcing the silence he'd caused from the rest of the band. But Dovey wasn't going to just let him into her life so easily, she wasn't going to let him in after the months of silence and heartbreak. She'd lost all her best years and she needed to find herself again before she could ever consider letting Calum have more of the best of her.

taglist: @hoodhoran @finelliine @moonlightcriess @dinosaursandsocks @mxgyver @calpops @karajaynetoday @notlukehemmo @calumrose @devilatmydoor @lyss-xo @lowkeyflop

#calum hood blurbs #calum hood imagines #calum hood fics #calum hood oneshots #calum hood x reader #5sos blurbs #5sos imagines #5sos fics #5sos oneshots #5sos x reader #calum hood #5sos #5 seconds of summer #gemma writes

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silence-burns · 5 years ago

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Please Hate Me //part 32

Fandom: Marvel

Summary: Based on “Imagine having a love/hate relationship with Loki.” by @thefandomimagine

There comes a time in one's life when all is said, but still needs to be done, and in a heartbreaking majority of events, it also requires dressing up.

You watched Loki pull on the ephemeral, golden threads shifting through the air around his face. "You sure it's working?"

"I know how to cast an illusion, darling," he muttered, focused on the mirror. "It's really not that hard."

"I don't see any difference."

"You're not supposed to. It'll only work on strangers."

"So… We'll only know if it worked when someone screams?"

"I'm touched by how much trust you put in my skills," Loki sneered, with eyes focused on his jaw. You wondered what the face he was working on looked like. Given the intensity, it must’ve been a work of art.

Loki sealed the illusion and checked it from every angle. It felt so much better than the shabby mud that monk had plastered onto his face with little finesse. It might've worked against the less intellectual part of the population, but to anyone who had even the slightest knowledge of the high arts, it was no more than a laughable effort.

Loki smiled, imagining the clash that would follow if the monk and his excuse of a sorcerer met the Asgardian magic wielders. It would be a sight worth paying for. Loki would make sure to get a seat in the front row.

On the other hand, even he had to admit that the bracelet they came up with was a piece of work that he would never expect to find on Earth. Oh, he would've figured out how to get rid of it eventually, of course. There was no denying that. Loki might've figured it out earlier, if he… wasn't distracted.

He looked at the source of his distraction in the mirror. It was that moment you found something in one of the pockets of your jacket.

It was a phone.

"I knew we forgot about something."

"Is this…?"

"That guy's phone. I didn't manage to unlock it in the end. How about we drop it at the precinct on our way?"

Loki frowned. "Won't your officers be suspicious how we came into its possession?"

"Not if we magic it in. Anonymously."

"...that is not how it works."

In the end, it was precisely how it worked.

The phone, with a handy little note of explanation, just found itself at the right place, at the right time, without anyone at the precinct noticing.

You patted Loki's shoulder. "Nice job. I wish you could teach me a few tricks."

"It's not that easy. Your world barely has any magic, so it's difficult to make it comply with one's wishes," Loki said with a hint of sadness as you both turned and walked up the street in the direction of Peter's school.

The streets were full of people, busy on their errands. The sun was blinding against the fresh scope of snow. The sky was clear and crystal blue, with the sort of unachievable intensity that almost felt artificial.

"What is it like on other worlds?"

Loki sighed. Walking so close to you, he could feel the brush of his arm against yours. His hands remained in his pockets, though. The reason wasn't the cold, of course, since he could barely feel the bite of it. His hands, for reasons beyond understanding, kept getting sweaty no matter how many times he discreetly brushed them against the fabric.

"Spell casting is… essentially, wishing for something to happen, and convincing the world around you that it can become true. Magic is the means by which the world listens to those brave enough to wish. In your world, there's barely any magic. But there are others, where a mere thought shapes reality."

"Must be cool to see that."

"It's almost like lying, truth be told. Ancient scholars used to classify it as the same thing, although mostly due to mistakes in translation of the most ancient volumes. Thankfully, I'm skilled in both. It makes life easier."

"Wait...so THAT'S where the whole 'Loki the Prince of Lies' thing comes from? Not that you're a lying, deceptive piece of—"

"That's quite a touchy topic, you know. I might've… meddled in the lives of some very vengeful individuals, who out of pure, unjustified spite might've decided to curse me a little—... Wait, why are there children."

Loki stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the pavement.

In front of him, as far he could see, stretched a sea of colorful stalls surrounded by a writhing mass of people, dominated by younglings in all shapes, forms, and levels of noise.

You looked at him and back at the crowd. "It just kinda happens that this huge building right there is Peter's school. And this very school is organising the science fair for the kids attending it. Who, right now, are taking part in it. Here."

Loki's frown deepened as he comprehended the mess. Groups seemed to form around the stalls, children and adults alike. It would be difficult for a stranger to guess what was being presented on some of the tables, and indeed, Loki couldn't guess it either. Some seemed to flash chemical reactions aimed to showcase colorful effects, mostly to the entertainment of the youngest offspring roaming freely around. Other tables were filled with equipment that surely took a lot of time to build, and even more to explain. Loki was quick to be bored by those.

While swallowed by the crowds pressing on from every angle, you called Peter, pressing the phone to your ear close enough to hear him over the overwhelming noise.

There were attempts at bringing order to the gathering, and some spaces had been less prone to chaos than others. Those, usually, were centered around food.

"Ooh, I like that too," you said, putting the phone away at last.

Following Loki's gaze, your eyes fell on the delicious looking snacks. The smell drove you insane and seemed to do the trick on the trickster too. You watched as some kids walked by, chewing on the deliciousness. Then you looked at the queue. A very orderly, and very long queue.

"Hey, Loki."

"Yes, darling?"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"To my great surprise, I think I might be. Magic truly is a blessing."

Peter found you not so long afterwards, when you were finishing the second round of magically-brought treats. Of course, you made sure an equivalent amount of cash appeared where it should. You didn't fall so low yet to outright steal from kids.

"Mr. Mischief!" screamed over the heads of strangers was what caught Loki's attention. And the impact of a teenage body jumping right at him was what squeezed the air out of his lungs.

"Hello, boy," Loki muttered. You gave him thumbs up.

"I love the way you smell," Peter pressed his face a little more into the god's chest.

Loki blinked. "Thank you, boy."

Peter finally unplastered himself from the god and took the both of you in with such genuine joy that you couldn't stop a smile from spreading on your face. He was dressed up in a spotless shirt he kept tugging on. You whiffed a smell of cologne definitely not suited for his age.

"Someone's nervous," you teased Peter. "I wonder what would've happened if we forgot your ring… "

"Please, tell me you didn't!"

"Of course we didn't." You pulled it out of your pocket. So many happy moments were connected to that ring, you almost missed it already. So much cake…

Peter immediately tucked it away in the pocket on his chest, glancing around himself. If, by any chance, that one special someone was anywhere near, he wanted to know.

He noticed you watching him. "I'm not nervous. I'm just cautious."

"Whatever you say, Peter. It's your call."

Despite his words, Peter couldn't stay in place. "Come on, guys. I gotta show you my project before we present them all!"

Going any further into the mass of people was the last thing Loki wanted to do. The day was bright and chilly and the place Peter was leading them to was unmistakably a sports hall where the more ambitious, and temperature-sensitive projects had been placed.

Loki, theoretically, of course, began wondering how he could disappear without anyone noticing. People got lost all the time and no one made a fuss about it. As much as he might not hate the kid, he wasn't interested much in high school projects of dubious chemical reactions, shown in stuffy, smelly interiors.

As if you could hear his thoughts, you turned your head to face him. "I hope it works out. He's been working his ass off for the past few weeks to impress MJ."

Before Loki answered, he noticed your outstretched hand. His heart skipped a beat, and jumped into his throat out of surprise. It was a pure coincidence, and a completely normal, random thing to feel, and there was absolutely nothing behind it…

Your hand was warm and felt right in his own.

Of course Loki didn't get distracted. He just so happened to miss the moment when you reached Peter's lab table, densely occupied by all manner of gadgets and parts, with the main construction hovering above the rest.

Peter didn't notice Loki's state. He was focused on all the things that still needed to be put in place or cleaned off the table before the presentation began.

"It's okay, I've got it all under control," Peter said, hiding a few screws in his pocket. "The teachers are probably going to start with the tables over there, so mine would be second to last, which gives me plenty of time to—"

Plans are good as long as all the parties involved are aware of them. In Peter's case, the teachers weren't.

Peter's face went pale when he noticed the commission arriving at the table to his right. His eyes were wide and frozen in utter terror.

And then he desperately tried to scramble everything together in record time.

You tried to help him, but you had absolutely no idea how. All you could do was watch him panic through the preparations at light speed. Loki squeezed your hand. "The boy will do fine."

The boy was not so sure.

He barely noticed when his classmates encircled the table, wishing him good luck and sharing advice that vanished from his head in seconds.

Despite that, Peter managed to clean his table as much as he could before the teachers neared, with notepads in their hands. They tactfully ignored loose parts laying behind him.

Loki caressed the back of your hand in a reassuring gesture. You both listened to Peter give the explanation of his project, with his voice wavering only a little. Peter started to go through all the steps he had prepared, pointing out all the important details as things you had no idea about changed on the table. The boy was pale, but did his best during the whole process, and as he moved to present the project, you almost believed he had everything under control.

He didn't.

In the moment of the biggest tension, when everyone was waiting for the results, they didn't come.

There was a second of pure, unfiltered panic on Peter's face. He froze, eyes plastered to the unquestionable lack of any result.

Your elbow jabbed Loki's ribs. The ribs were slowly getting used to it.

"Please, help him," you whispered with urgency.

"What am I supposed to do from here?" Loki frowned. He was tall and could see everything from over people's heads, but it didn't change the fact that there was a row of bodies tightly pressed together between him and the boy.

"I don't know, magic something up."

"Magic something—It doesn't work like that!"

"Then make it. Are you the Prince of Lies or not?"

Loki frowned, torn between looking at you and Peter at the same time. "Oh, blast it…"

The results, preferably big and flashy, were what the commission was waiting for. Loki gave them results.

Peter's eyes went wide when his project, that had been completely silent for the past few seconds, suddenly gave fruit to absolutely outstanding results. They were applauded, scored, and noted with grateful smiles as the commission moved to the next table.

And completely not what was supposed to happen.

Peter was still frozen in shock as he got encircled by his classmates, and showered in compliments and questions. The shock was still bright on his face as he was dragged further down the line of tables, to support the next unlucky friend.

Loki followed the boy with his eyes. It looked like no one had noticed that something was not adding up. Loki had a very general idea of what Peter's project was supposed to do, since the lack of time prevented the boy from showing them the final product of weeks of hard work. He wondered which of the girls around Peter was that MJ.

"I can't believe it worked," he muttered to himself, lost in thoughts just as Peter got lost in the crowd.

"Thank you. You did great."

Loki huffed, but couldn't stop the hint of a smile from ghosting over his lips. He supposed he'd have to answer a lot of questions once the boy was freed and jumped him again, but even that idea didn't feel so bad. It felt good to be appreciated and welcome in places and events that were important to someone. He was strangely glad someone wanted him to be a part of their life.

Loki's breath caught in his throat as your arm slipped around his waist. A nervous, careful presence hugged him for a second, melting any and all resolve he might've still possessed at that point.

"You're awesome. Wanna steal some more candy with me again?" your voice asked into his neck that suddenly ran with goosebumps. Accidentally, of course.

But there was nothing accidental about the way Loki leaned into the hug, welcoming it with a feather-light touch to your back.

"With you? Always, love."

A/N: Please tell me what do you think about this chapter or the series in general! It’s so sad to see the number of notes and comments decreasing with each new chapter :(

#Please Hate Me #loki x reader #loki x you #loki laufeyson x reader #loki laufeyson x you #loki #loki imagine #loki laufeyson imagine #loki laufeyson #loki marvel #i love loki #loki fanfic

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