#i was gonna print it out along with a bunch of other pics for my journal

[maruyaaya]

hi thank u for the tag low @ravens-remember <3 here is my lockscreen, last song i listened to, last pic taken, and last pic saved

i think these 4 pictures encapsulate my vibe very well

i’m not gonna tag anyone but if u see this and want to do it feel free to pretend i tagged u :D

[starlost-andfound]

at the divide // d.s (seasons change au)

Warning: The events in this au are an addition to the timeline of Seasons Change by @chilling-seavey (also pic credits to her <3). To avoid spoilers, please go read that amazing masterpiece first (and check out her other writing)

Inspired by If I Get High by Nothing But Thieves

Summary: Daniel searches for Marigold’s presence in a time he misses her the most.

Warnings: Angst, mentions of death and grief, alcohol consumption, kind of unedited

Word Count: Approximately 3K

A/N: If you want to really feel this one, listen to If I Get High by Nothing But Thieves and Marigold and Daniel’s song Cover Me Up by Morgan Wallen

I'll meet you at the divide

To break the spell

It was too good to be true, like a fantasy with a tragic twist, a hope for a sunny day clouded by storms. Daniel carried a heavy heart yet he felt empty. His heart beat in his chest, pumping life into his veins but he loomed around in silence. He was a ghost haunted by the walls of his own home. The house was draped in an eerie quiet, so quiet Daniel could hear the clock ticking in his bedroom from downstairs. He set aside his freshly washed plate in the drying rack and dumped his emptied beer bottle in the bin. When Lennox went to school, lunches were painfully quiet. Daniel often found himself in front of the TV, eating his lunch with the background noise of any program playing on the screen.

With a sigh he rested his hands against the counter, leaning forward. His eyes drifted to the living room, where a line of photo frames stood on the mantle above the fireplace. She was everywhere. Daniel didn’t know whether that was a blessing or a curse. The clock ticked rhythmically, Daniel couldn't count the hours. His fingers traced the frames on the mantle. She was always smiling, even when it hurt the most. He never understood how. How could she hold all the rays of the sun while her star collapsed? He was the moon without a sun sharing its light, a dark unlit sky with lonely stars.

Stars. Lennox. Daniel smiled shakily, his vision blurring as he stood in front of the last photo on the fireplace. Even as the faces and colours blended together with his tears, he could still remember the image clearly. Lennox’s first hockey match. Lennox was squashed between Daniel and Marigold, wearing his hockey gear. They all held matching smiles on their faces. She was everywhere and maybe that’s what made it so hard to let go, suffocating when her presence was embedded in the air around him.

Daniel grabbed himself a beer and sat down on the couch, picking up a familiar belonging: a scrapbook Marigold had crafted for them, celebrating their early dating anniversaries. The book’s cover was brightly decorated with stars and stickers. He sat down, tracing his fingers over the scribbled text in her handwriting. He flipped through the pages, taking his time to trace the stuck-on tickets and read the small love letters Marigold had delicately weaved in her writing.

A point where two worlds collide

Yeah, we'll rebel

His mind felt dizzy with the slight tinge of alcohol. All the memories printed into the scrapbook seemed like distant conversations and hazy images. He turned the page over, his eyes falling to a scribbled date in the middle and countless doodles and stickers in the background. His heart dropped as his mind took him back to one of the most special nights in his life.His mind and heart pulled him down like an anchor into the sea, dragging him deeper until there wasn’t enough light left to see.  

Daniel wiped the stream of tears off his face, closing the book. He sunk down farther into the couch, holding his head as he cried. He exhaled shakily, feeling a light feather touch trailed up his shoulder. Daniel tensed as he heard a whisper. The voice was smooth like a calming wind, familiar like the arms of a lover.

“Why so many tears, my sweet?”

He opened his eyes and from the blurry mist in his eyes he saw the form of the woman who carried his heart.

“Sunshine,” he breathed. Daniel threw his arms around her in an instant. He cried, clinging on to her tighter as sobs shook his body.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” Marigold held him close, rubbing soothing circles over his back. She kissed his head as he cried. She tried to pull back slightly but Daniel only held her closer.

“How- you-you’re here-I don’t know what to do, Marigold,” he whimpered. “I can’t do this without you.”

“Why would you say that, hmm?” she pulled back and cupped his cheeks. Her thumbs wiped the tears from his cheeks. “You’re doing so well, my sweet. I am so proud of you.”

Daniel shook his head from side to side. He gripped her shirt and rested his head against her chest. His lips trembled, “I just want you back.”

Marigold sighed quietly, “You know that’s not possible.”

“Please don’t go. ”

And we run

And we run

And we run

Until we break through

“I won’t leave just yet,” she stroked his hair gently.

Daniel sniffled, and looked up. He reached his hand up, brushing his hand along her jaw and then cupping her cheek, “You are very real.”

Marigold laughed softly, “Yes, I am here.”

“Do you-” Daniel held her hand. “Does it hurt anymore?”

Marigold smiled, “Not anymore, no.”

Daniel smiled shakily, feeling the tears build up again at the answer he wished he had heard many months ago. He sat up and his hands reached up to caress her cheek. She had this golden glow that reminded Daniel of when she was carrying Lennox. “You’re so beautiful.”

Marigold smiled.

Daniel pressed his forehead against hers, “I miss you.”

“I miss you too, my sweet.”

He leaned closer, pressing his lips on hers. Her soft lips and skin disappeared under his touch, fading into the air. Daniel fell forward on the couch, his hands gripping the fabric. He snapped his head around in search of her, letting out a strangled cry as he was met with the walls of his living room.

If I get high enough

Will I see you again?

Daniel was falling into a routine and he was growing to hate it. With no energy by noon, he often landed on a couch, a drink in his hand and the multiple CD’s of home videos by his side. He never drank too much before Lennox came home. Lennox was the only light which filled the gaping hole in his chest but the sharp taste of the beer numbed his mind. It calmed the storm of emotions he carried inside, just for a few moments and for him that was enough. Daniel entered the living room with a beer in his hand, heading to the CD’s by the television. The text on the CD covers were fading where he held them, some more than others, exposing the amount of times he watched them.

I feel my loss every night

Not long to wait

He slumped back down on the couch with a beer bottle in his hand as the video loaded. A crackle echoed over the speaker before a soft voice spoke.

And if I do this thing right

I dream of our escape

“Lennox, say hi,” Marigold whispered behind the camera.

She zoomed in on a baby Lennox, waddling around the flowers in the garden in his small yellow boots. He wore one of Marigold’s old sweaters, far too small for her but slightly too large for the little boy. The sleeves and hem of the sweater were rolled up, hugging his body. Spud turned to the camera and grinned, his two little teeth sticking out. He waved his arm at the camera and turned back to the flowers decorating their garden.

He pointed at the bunch of hydrangeas and tugged at his sweater, “Blue. Like mine.”

Marigold gasped, “Yes, well done my shining star!”

Spud giggled and the camera turned just as Daniel’s car rolled into the driveway.

“Daddy’s here!‘ Marigold captured Daniel stepping out of the truck with a smile. Lennox squealed, running to Daniel with his hands up. “Dada!”

Daniel scooped him up into his arms, bouncing him gently, “Hi Spud, I missed you!”

Marigold shuffled closer to Daniel, the camera lens covered as they shared a quick kiss, “Hi my sweet.”

“Hey sunshine.”

The camera flipped, fitting all three of them into the frame. Lennox grabbed the camera in his hands and pressed the lens close to his face.

“Oh, careful Spud.”

The curious child attempted to hold the camera out like his mother, pointing at the flowers, “Blue!” The garden twisted into a spiral as the camera tumbled out of his hands and the video cut off.

Daniel sniffled quietly and took a gulp of his beer. The next video began to roll. He heard the familiar sound of her footsteps down the stairs. The camera trailed the floor until it lifted up outside the house, pointing at Daniel.

“Look how handsome my baby daddy is.”

Daniel glanced up at the camera with a bashful smile. Marigold pulled him up by his arm so he could be seen better and she set her hand against his chest, giving him a pat.

“I’m going to have to keep close eyes on you at Sunday brunch. All the ladies are gonna want a piece of this.”

“Oh my gosh.” Daniel chuckled shyly.

“And my other handsome man!” Marigold added, shuffling around the open door to get a good shot of the baby in the car seat. “Gonna be fighting the ladies off you too, my beautiful boy.”

Lennox blinked up at her but her same smile could be seen forming behind his pacifier that bumped excitedly against his little nose. Marigold turned the camera around as she leaned in with Daniel, capturing both of them together and Daniel just smiled at her, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

She looked up at him lovingly, “Happy first Father’s Day, my sweet.”

“Thank you.” Daniel smiled, meeting her halfway for a kiss. “And thank you for making me a father.”

They shared a few more kisses and ‘I love you’s until Lennox let out a small cry.

“Oh my.” Marigold said, addressing the camera again as Daniel left the frame to care for Lennox, “Well, when Lennox says it’s time to go, it’s time to go! We have church to get to and a bunch to show off at.”

When she was a few steps away, the camera caught her admiring her husband over her shoulder as he finished buckling in the baby.

She looked back to the camera and spoke gently with her wide grin spread all over her soft face, “Lennox Blake, if you’re watching this some time in the future when you’re grown up and annoyed by your parents – just know that you have the best daddy in the whole stinking world. I picked him out myself for you so that’s how you know he’s good.”

The camera clicked softly and a another video played.

The screen zoomed in on Daniel and Lennox across the grass. Lennox was tucked up on his shoulder and Daniel was pointing out little flowers and the buds on the trees as they walked. He finally looked over and caught Marigold filming, a shy smile taking over his face and he rested his head against his son’s tiny body.

And we run

And we run

Daniel was a mess, his stray tears turning into quiet sobs. He turned off the TV, the bright screen of colours and memories turning into a reflection of his pain. He chugged down the rest of his second beer and dragged himself off the couch. The air felt stuffy, like he couldn’t breathe properly. He swayed as he stumbled to the garden door, nearly falling down the steps. A choked sob left his lips and he covered his mouth. He stormed past the bushes of overgrown, wilting flowers.

And we run

Until we break through

Daniel stumbled to the back of the garden, grabbing the support of the garden swing. The tears fell down his face , smudging the darkening colours of the flowers around him. He slid down to the grass, leaning his head back. Daniel dug his fists into the ground, tugging out strands of grass with a yell. The pain in his chest burned into tears and he closed his eyes, drowning himself in his loss. His head felt heavy with what remained of the alcohol in the system and his tears. A soft breeze rustled gently.

If I get high enough

Will I see you again?

A soft hand brushed his cheeks, wiping away the tears.

“My sweet.”

Daniel shook his head, “No, go away.”

“Daniel, my sweet. It’s okay, I’m here.”

He wiped his eyes and took a shaky breath as he saw her again. “Mari.”

“Come on, let’s get you up.” Marigold reached out her hands to pull him up to his feet. She dusted off his shoulders and smiled. “There. Much better. Come on.”

Daniel sniffled, his eyes focused on Marigold in some state of confusion and surprise. Her arm was wrapped around Daniel’s as she guided him inside the house. He lifted his finger to touch her cheek. Marigold giggled softly, “What are you doing?”

“Where are we going?” his voice cracked.

“I haven’t seen Apollo and Venus in so long,” Marigold smiled, looking up at Daniel. “Let’s go for a ride.”

Daniel moved at a slow pace, trotting beside Marigold on her horse. Marigold looked around at the green fields ahead of them, a glow in her eyes. He watched how her hair moved in the wind, her blonde curls flowing. The sun reflected on her face, and Daniel smiled. Her face was full of colour, no longer pale, no longer lifeless. For once she seemed at ease and Daniel had forgotten what that felt like.

Marigold slowed down to a stop and for the first time Daniel turned his head away from her. He gasped softly, instantly recognizing their surroundings, their spot. He followed her movements as she climbed off her horse and sat down at the spot where he would normally park the truck. Marigold shifted closer to Daniel, if it was even possible, and placed her head on his shoulder.

Daniel held her hand, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. Marigold sighed, “No matter how many times we come here, the view still takes my breath away. It’s beautiful.”

Daniel hummed in agreement but his focus seemed to lie on staying as close to her as possible.

“You haven’t been singing much lately, my sweet,” she remarked.

“I know,” Daniel mumbled. His voice trembled and he took a moment to breathe. “It’s hard.”

Marigold smiled softly and caressed his cheek. “Could you sing something for me?”

Daniel nodded. His voice was quiet, just barely above a whisper. “A h-heart on the run.” He gulped. His eyes connected with hers and he sighed shakily. “Keeps a hand on the gun. You can’t trust anyone. I was so su-s”

Daniel’s head bowed down and he wiped his eyes, “I-I’m so-sorry-”

Marigold shook her head, cupping his cheeks. She wiped his tears away and smiled softly. “I was so sure. What I needed was more, tried to shoot out the sun,” she sang.

Daniel lifted his eyes to hers, his frown breaking into a shaky smile. “The days when we raged, we flew off the page. Such damage was done,” he joined in unison.

Marigold stood up on her feet, reaching out her hand. Daniel stood up, his hand in hers as she pulled him closer. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and Daniel held her waist, sucking in his breath. “But I made it through, 'cause somebody knew I was meant for someone.”

They swayed gently from side to side. Daniel cried quietly, pulling her closer until there was barely space between them, his forehead against hers. They shared the kisses that had been stolen from them, singing the unfinished lyrics of their song with their lips just a touch apart. A setting sun cast a dreamy light over the couple. Daniel’s singing was consumed by his tears and he buried his head in between her neck and shoulder. He held her tighter, his tears staining her beautiful dress.  

“So cover me up and know you're enough.” Marigold rubbed her hands soothingly over his back and kissed his shoulder. “To use me for good.”

Marigold moved her hands to his chest. Daniel didn’t move, wanting to be in her arms. “My sweet, it’s getting dark. We should get home.”

Daniel pulled away reluctantly, holding her hand as they walked back to Apollo and Venus. Marigold waited by his side as he climbed his horse. She placed her hand on his knee and they leaned closer, their lips meeting each other halfway. Daniel nearly wished he couldn’t breathe when he pulled away for a breath. Marigold pecked his lips again before climbing her horse.

She travelled forward, Daniel following behind. Marigold sped up, urging her horse to gallop faster. Daniel frowned and tried to catch up with her.

“Sunshine,” he was an arm’s reach away.

“My sweet,” Marigold turned back to him with a smile, but it wasn’t the same. There was some underlying loss in her smile and it made Daniel’s heart drop to his stomach. “It’s time to go.”

“Sunshin-” he hurried Venus to run faster. “Sunshine! Marigold, wait!”

And we run

And we run

And we run

Daniel struggled, panting. The wind blew harshly in his face as Marigold moved faster, turning into a blur. Marigold faded farther and farther away until she disappeared. He cried out for her, his voice dying out into violent sobs. “Mari-stop!”.

Venus turned to mist from beneath him and Daniel fell to his knees. He pulled himself up, ignoring the ache in his legs and he broke into a sprint.

He felt himself fade the faster he ran, hearing a voice call out for him, but it wasn’t hers. The distance he covered never seemed enough as the fields ran endlessly in front of him. His legs gave out under him and he fell, head first into the grass.

Until we break through

Daniel’s eyes opened and he turned over with a groan, feeling someone shake his shoulder. “Dad, dad!”

He sat up in a sudden movement, startling Lennox. Daniel pulled himself to his feet, marching past Lennox to the stables.

“Dad, what happened? Where are you going?” Lennox followed him, his school bag bouncing on his bag as he kept up with his father. Daniel entered the stables, his shoulders falling as he found the horses well kept in their pens.  

“Dad?”  Lennox walked up to his side and held his arm, looking up at a distraught Daniel. He looked down at Lennox and brushed his hand over his head. Daniel pulled Lennox close, hugging him tight. Lennox welcomed the hug, unknowing of the inner turmoil in Daniel’s heart. He could still feel her in their own shining star, little remnants of sunshine and beautiful blooming flowers.

“Let’s go inside, Spud,” he whispered.

Lennox pulled away with a smile and jogged back into the house. Daniel watched him go before he turned back to the stable. He looked past the open entryway where the green fields stretched out to the horizon, meeting the sky.

And we run

And we run

And we run

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

Taglist: @jonahlovescoffee​ @bessonbae @hiya-its-amber​ @stuffofseaveyy​ @hopinglimelight​ @the-girl-who-cried-wolf​

[withoneheadlight]

I was tagged by @memes-saved-me <3<3<3<, Thank you, love <3<3<3<

~

1. why did you choose your url?

It’s because, one day, just a few months after starting to write again, feeling like I was sweating blood every time I had to sit down and do this, Neil Gaiman made me feel the most understood I‘ve ever felt when it comes to writing:

“It's a weird thing, writing.

Sometimes you can look out across what you're writing, and it's like looking out over a landscape on a glorious, clear summer's day. You can see every leaf on every tree, and hear the birdsong, and you know where you'll be going on your walk.

And that's wonderful.

Sometimes it's like driving through fog. You can't really see where you're going. You have just enough of the road in front of you to know that you're probably still on the road, and if you drive slowly and keep your headlamps lowered you'll still get where you were going.

And that's hard while you're doing it, but satisfying at the end of a day like that, where you look down and you got 1500 words that didn't exist in that order down on paper, half of what you'd get on a good day, and you drove slowly, but you drove.

And sometimes you come out of the fog into clarity, and you can see just what you're doing and where you're going, and you couldn't see or know any of that five minutes before.

And that's magic.”

He summed it up in another interview like this:

“Writing a novel is like driving through the fog with one headlight out. You can’t see very far ahead of yourself, but every now and again the mists will clear.”

i printed it and got it on my wall, too. so i don't forget.

and guess what’s one of my all-time favorite songs? yeah, you got it :D

also, that's the amount of mental enlightenment I go through life with: half the standard equipment. So it fits me pretty well i guess.

2. any side-blogs? if you have them, name them and why you have them.

yeah i’ve got a few. most of them to stash things i like, in general or in other fandoms, but in harringrove i have @thequarryatnight as a fic/hc storage of sorts.

3. how long have you been on tumblr?

uh, technically a few years?. I've had a few different accounts that I always ended up forgetting about. But had never really used Tumblr until this past last year and a half.

4. do you have a queue tag?

I use the most simplistic 'queue' ... when I remember to put it on XD (which, I should, because I'm always so worried people think I'm in here ignoring them when in reality what I usually have is the longest queue)

5. why did you start your blog in the first place?

Uh, long and boring story? xD. I started posting harringrove in my main a few months after I started using the account again, along with posts/reblogs for other fandoms. But with Tumblr being the chaos it is (for me at least, and for the way my poor add brain works) it felt pretty overwhelmed, having so many different things in one place, and never being able to find anything so I decided to make this one side-blog only for posting my fics, but then people started following me here and suddenly there were a bunch of them and then suddenly it felt like it made more sense?, rebloging things in here where more people could see them? so I made @thequarryatnight and started reblogging my stuff in there, so I wouldn't get crazy, and started using this as a more fandomish blog.

6. why did you choose your icon/pfp?

I love pictures taken from the side? xD, they’ve got this feeling, of looking at someone without them noticing. there’s a longing in there that’s always fascinated me, and steve’s breathtaking in this one (same as billy in my main pic, imo). i like to think billy'd look at him and think ‘fuck’, fall in love for the hundredth time so, yep. I love that pic.

7. why did you choose your header?

Is a picture of Santa Carla at night, aka Santa Cruz, where Lost Boys was filmed. Is my second favorite fictional town (first is Astoria i might have a list) and the feeling of it is just *chef’s kiss*. Had to have it. But I’m thinking of revamping it for the summer? maybe? I’ve got a few ideas, it’s been hard to decide, but I wanna bring out the summery vibe this year.

8. what’s your post with the most notes?

it’s apparently my upside-down kiss one! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out (i used this page since I had 0 idea of how to check this)

9. how many mutuals do you have?

i honestly don't know, but they all are amazing mutuals <3

10. how many followers do you have?

one of the best things about tumblr: doesn't show the follower count <3 (imo)

11. how many people do you follow?

about 1000? xD

12. have you ever made a shitpost?

if saying the first stupid thing that comes to my head in here is considered a shit post, then,t o o m a n y.

13. how often do you use tumblr each day?

I've been trying to reduce the number of times I come checking but still, way too many :D

14. did you have a fight/argument with another blog once? who won?

nope. never. sometimes i want to leave my opinion in some posts, but i still feel pretty insecure about the language, so i'm perpetually afraid of being misunderstood.

15. how do you feel about “you need to reblog this” posts

the ones with something good/bad is gonna happen if you don't reblog? i usually scream internally while i fast-scroll past them while both feeling like bwahhahaha and scared shitless.

16. do you like tag games?

oh i LOVE tag games too much.

17. do you like ask games?

very very much. even if sometimes i repent bc it's hard for me to find the time to answer them xD.

18. which of your mutuals do you think is tumblr famous?

dunno but @chichipafarolillos is my personal superstar <3

19. do you have a crush on a mutual?

no xD but I really really <3<3<3 my mutuals.

20. tags?

@ghostofjellyfishforgotten @missroserose @rascheln @neonponders @cockasinthebird @thatharringrovehoe @edith-moonshadow @dyingontheharringrovehill @wholeshebangs @irishbeings @smashmouth-hargrove @mourntheantagonist @aestheticchaoss @somuchanemoia @cupidsintern

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again no problem

difficult week, personally/professionally/politically/in the world

listening a good song never dies, van horn- i don’t know enough music theory words, but the driving guitar that comes in in the first couple seconds? good. love it. it has a sneaky but cool feel, like if modern james bond were american? i don’t really know what i mean by that bc i think that’s just the mission impossible movies BUT it has a cool, detached sound with a rougher edge. i think the chorus has my favorite lines:

Cause a good song never dies/It just reminds of where you were/The first time it made you cry/The first time you felt alive

reading finished but did not enjoy The Infinite Horizon, a modern Odyssey retelling by Noto & Duggan. didn’t quite jive with the pacing or art style, the setting in the hear future with a flooded nyc and lots of climate refugees in upstate new york that penelope has to deal with was interesting but wasn’t pushed far enough or used in an interesting manner.

watching

 the Dragon’s Dogma anime (netflix, 2020), whose opening credits have enormous Black Sails vibes. despite the many people in my life who love this game and have also told me “kay you would hate this video game”, i am shocked and appalled to find it has a standard video game plot. the only context i have for this franchise is the two-ep monster factory run. (SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST EP AND A HALF) man replaces dead wife with perfect blank slate magic no-named magic woman he names after dead mother, i said “no thank you!” out loud and closed my laptop.  

all dead wife plots would be infinitely more interesting if they were dead husband plots and here’s how i would rewrite this anime and game i know very little about:

pregnant wife survives, has to protect her young daughter who’s the only thing she has left of her beloved husband while forming an anti-dragon resistance group, turns desire for revenge into cold political fury

bc the dad rushing in headlong left such an impression on the mother she's convinced the only way to defeat her deadliest enemy is by first weakening it through politics and subterfuge/targeted assassinations against the dragon's political allies

the dragon doesn't actually have political allies this anime as-is isn't that complicated

flashback arc as the mother tries to gain political allies, where we learn how the dragon came to power: complex targeted campaign of burning certain duchies/kingdoms/key towns to the ground in order to get others in line,

the beginning of the show when the husband died was the very old dragon deciding to go on one more fire and brimstone campaign for funsies, like an old general going out to lead one last battle

dragon’s seneschal or main spokesperson or whoever is a hot witch lady under thrall or some shit bc she sought power from the dragon and it backfired spectacularly

daughter is basically emily dishonored, trained in the art of sabotage and assassination, mother uses her as a scalpel in order to maneuver the counties/kingdoms surrounding the dragon’s lair to stay out of the way of them killing the dragon

an effort that will be led by the daughter, who will probably not make it out of the spearhead effort to weaken the dragon by flooding the lair with ??? magical Greek fire or some shit?

daughter’s lover, who has been off researching the magical equivalent of Greek fire or some shit to use against the dragon, comes back with the goods and pleads with her to choose her/life/hope over almost certain death while fighting the dragon

the dragon dies the night before the daughter is about to assassinate it! she finds the dragon dead in a gigantic lavish set of a cavern of gold and skulls and shit!

struggle in power vacuum! what does a new order under no dragon look like! what’s the mother’s fucking purpose any more and what does she do with all this power she’s accumulated under the shared banner of killing the dragon! do they lie and say they did actually kill the dragon? how do the daughter and her lover fix their relationship! how do the MOTHER and her adult daughter deal with their new relationship???

WHERE DID THE DRAGON’S HOT WITCH SENESCHAL GO AND WHAT IF ANYTHING DID SHE HAVE TO DO WITH THIS. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DRAGON’S HOLDINGS AND STAFF

season two babey! political maneuverings in the background of a murder mystery bc now the daughter wants revenge on the person who stole HER revenge and also, from her point of view, wrecked her relationships with her mother and her lover for nothing!

please god someone hire me for some sort of well-paying job bc i've made this simple revenge plot infinitely more interesting while high off my ass on benadryl

playing animal crossing continues to be a balm. gotta pick up a couple hundred acorns to make a cool table and chairs set. not a lot to say about this real simple game that’s a quiet delight. i feel like that was a lot of text all at once have a pic

making curtains, bc the light/window/curtain situation in this apartment continues to be abysmal. these two printed panels i’ve been terrified to cut into have been in my possession since the first time i came back to college. my boss at the time did a lot of networking and traveling, and she was given these at some point by someone. sensing the latent feral textile energy within me or something, although she probably just wanted to clear out her office a little bit, i got these along with a bunch of other shit that has since come to its useful end. but these two panels have been with me through half a dozen moves, and now they’re curtains.

i do not think they are the sort of religious textile a white person shouldn’t own, to the best of my research they are somewhat generic touristy souvenir fabric, but i would be interested to hear otherwise and fix my mistakes, bc i have not cut into them just made some very deep hems. they are printed slightly askew, so my regular perfectionist “pick a warp or weft thread and pin along that line” doesn’t fucking work but i mostly had room for nice finished seams. this fabric is a touch heavier than quilting cotton but lighter than a linen sheet, pretty tightly woven, a little shiny, and i would be reluctant to wash these since in the process of hemming quite a lot of the dye has come off on my hands. didn’t hem the selvedge edge bc i can’t be fucking bothered. here is an abysmal picture, i am very proud of my precise measurements and how nicely they line up. they are a little bit of a weird size proportionally speaking for this room, but they stay out of the way of the outlet and the heater, they go with my bedspread, and that’s what i really care about. if you think i’m gonna fucking iron twelve square feet of curtains you are wrong 

[xonxsm]

pastel || bnha x male! reader

---》three《---

where [m/n] and friends battle against buff ugly lookin doods, and [m/n] finds a (possible) new power.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[m/n] sighed contently as he sat back into his seat comfortably, making sure to keep a distance from the ice prince sitting next to him. he turned the brightness of his phone darker as he tuned out the voices of his classmates, searching up collar designs.

i want it, i get it. ooh, this one looks nice- nevermind. weird having the 'thot' word printed on my collar-

wow, how did i end up with bdsm pics when i searched for dog collars? damn people be putting weird things on the internet-

meanwhile, todoroki was sweating, lightly blushing and nervously shuffling in his seat after seeing the nudes and collars on [m/n]'s phone. didn't know he was into that shi-  kinky though, maybe we can hookup or somethin-

and they had a one night stand. the end.

jk, todoroki saw nothing.

[m/n] came across an [f/c] collar that claimed to be both fireproof and waterproof, and not easily breakable. it was plain, but it came with accessories and some decorating kit. eh, i'll probably be too lazy to alter anything about it-

he pressed the add to cart button anyways. no harm, hehe- i can always buy another one if i don't like it-

quickly paying for the collar, he shut his phone off as he quietly listened in to his classmates' conversation.

"in terms of flashy quirks- i'd say bakugou's and todoroki's, no?"

toedowroeki? bakoogoe? who?

"but with bakugou's personality i don't think he will be that popular, if you know what i mean." a girl said with a finger on her mouth.

oh- bakugo = boomboom boy! can't believe i forgot. (-w-) bakuboom boom yes. but who is this toedoroekie guy?

"bitch, you wanna fight?" bakuboom stood up quickly with an irk mark, clenching his fists.

"see?"

（o。o）he's gonna blow up the whole bus and we're all gon die if he gets any angrier- looking over to the bi-coloured haired boy he deadpanned. how is he sleeping through all this shouting and such-

"we've barely known each other for a week but we can already tell your personality is worse than trash drenched in dog shit. that says something, no?" just as bakugou was about to throw another insult back at kaminari aizawa shushed them, informing that they were about to arrive.

getting off the bus they were greeted by thirteen, another pro hero. [m/n] looked around confused to where all might was, but shrugged it off as he listened to thirteen's speech about usj and the importance of rescue. they followed thirteen inside, with an excited kirishima marvelling about the huge place and thirteen proudly saying about how they had every rescue situation they could think of.

the lights flickered and the exit door shut once thirteen stopped talking. [m/n] quickly hid behind a certain buff dude with a bunch of arms, his tail and ears slightly shaking. confused muttering filled the small group. flashes of some dark void thingy had chills run up [m/n]'s spine. a dark mist started forming and that triggered [m/n]'s animal instincts- he got on all fours as [h/c] hair started growing on his arms, his hands mutating to form paws and claws. weird looking people started emerging from the mist and he slightly growled, feeling a little self-conscious of the weird glances his classmates gave him.

what? c'mon, don't tell me you haven't seen or heard a dog growl before in your whole life-

"students, stay back. thirteen, protect everyone!" aizawa ordered. [m/n] was itching to run up there and start slashing but for the sake of his teacher he stepped back, sitting on the floor. like a normal person.

"we've come to finally defeat all might." a man with blue hair and creepy red eyes stated quietly as he scratched at his nape.

forcing himself to run with his classmates he didn't dare look behind to the creepy look and aura the light blue-haired man gave off; and suddenly there was darkness.

then light. [m/n] opened his eyes to see a white room, with a grey desk and bookshelf; along with a few dying flowers scattered around. he felt sad looking at the flowers, and was about to pick one up before a voice interrupted. "lmaoz wat." getting on all fours again he was about to growl, but instead let out a burp.

"E-" lunging himself at the weird voice he scratched at the dude's face while trying to bite his neck. successfully doing that he latched himself on there as he analysed the weird man. emo haircut. wow, this dude do kinda look like a pig tho- with those nostrils-

pig-man ripped [m/n] off from his neck, with his teeth pulling a chunk with him as he slammed onto the ground, spitting out the disgusting raw neck meat. the man pulled out a gun, randomly firing at [m/n] as the hybrid dodged, jumping around, his ears picking up on the man's footsteps and the bullet's location as he tried to find an exit. finally locating an open window he jumped out of there, clearly not thinking of his actions. quickly regretting as he saw how fast he was falling from such a height.

"ZCREEEENSDNFKSDNFSKDN-" somehow, his tail latched onto a random pole and he flung himself forward, also smacking his face into a random dude's crotch while doing so. "OWIE!" he landed on his butt with a thud, holding his nose in pain as the dude knelt in pain, holding his crotch. another thud was heard, accompanied by a small "wheeeey."

he looked behind, spotting a two girls- one with long earlobes and the other with a revealing outfit, while a blonde was on the ground making weird "weee" noises. [m/n] let out a nervous chuckle as he felt himself being picked up by the ears, scratching around, hating the feeling of being held in the air. his ears hurt- it felt like they were being ripped from his head. he hissed waving his tail and claws around. he heard the man groan as his tail smacked him in the face.

a knife was pressed to his neck and he froze, his eyes wide. i regret my life. i regret applying to yuuei. IM GON' DIE RIGHT AAA-

"you move, this kid is going down." villain guy said calmly. if [m/n] moved forwards, his neck will be sliced. but if he moved backwards-

but then my ears might not be able to handle all the pressure... [m/n] whimpered, his scalp starting to bleed. ah, fuck it. i'm gonna die anyways, either from my ears or the knife.

he harshly yanked his head backwards, his head knocking onto the villain's nose harshly. with a gasp his ears was released and [m/n] dropped to the floor, his hands automatically reaching up to touch his ears; hissing when a sharp pain travelled through his body as he touched the tip of them.

he was quickly shoved out of the way as kaminari rushed up to the villain, releasing more electricity as he screeched, the villain getting singed. they all zoomed out of there, [m/n] throwing all of them onto his back as he morphed himself into a wolf, carrying them back near where the exit was.

<<>><<>><<>>

he collapsed onto the ground, his head aching after the three got off his back. a weird bird like creature was slamming aizawa's head onto the ground. he could faintly make out the outline of someone reaching for a girl in the waters but his vision was too blurry for him to see who. "you really are cool... eraserhead." [m/n] watched as the head of his teacher was slammed back onto the ground again, his vision clearing up. and being the guard dog he is-

he got up, speed-ran to the bird creature and head-butted right into its stomach. full speed. the nomu was knocked off aizawa but besides that no damage was dealt. he was picked up the second time by his ears- and thrown off into the distance.

wincing he got back up, ignoring his teacher's calls for him to back up and "sit the fuck down and rest" as he rammed right into the nomu again, this time higher into his chest. he somehow managed to land a hit near where the nomu's brain is with his tail before he was slammed onto the ground near where aizawa was. he laid still as the nomu went up to where shigaraki was and began attacking the other students.

aizawa was fading in and out of consciousness- as [m/n] could tell from his decayed arm and the blood on his face. he wasn't doing any better, but aizawa looked as if he was more hurt than [m/n] ever will be.

lol, i mean i wasn't the one to get my skin ripped off my arm with it decaying and my head slammed full force into the ground that it would cause a huge dent- looking back to where he laid, a huge dent was formed under him. never frikkin mind.

i wonder if there's any way i could transfer sensei's pain to myself. that's part of moma's quirk, right? my quirk and hers is quite similar, except that she's a full wolf instead of being part bunny and wolf like i am. [m/n] sighed, thinking about his family. they probably wouldn't even care if i died, lmao.

remembering his mother telling his brother about her quirk he copied what she had said- lifting a finger to touch aizawa's skin and focusing on the image of what he envisions the "pain" as coming out of aizawa's body and into his. he could hear his teacher grumble out questions on why his student was poking his hand and he removed his hand, sighing and realising it probably  didn't work until a sudden pain in his head caused a static-like noise filled his head and he passed out from the pain, his ears and tail falling limp by his side.

aizawa could feel the pain from his head lessen. he had questions, but frankly, his jaw was too hurt for him to even move it. he looked down slightly, seeing the passed out new kid and he sighed, his sight darkening as he felt himself getting picked up and carried.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

word count: 1780

this part was probably the hardest to write and the plot probably makes no sense lmao-

i already forgot like most of the usj parts and i had to rewatch the whole thing like thirty times more to write this chapter and now my eyes hurt from sitting in front of the computer for so long.

yeet i have decided that i will write a chapter every two or three days- ya know to keep my memory of the storyline in check and at the same time letting myself rest for a day.

see y'alls next time :>

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Tulips, windmills, sketches, and floral wreaths 

Hello from Windy Grove! We’re here with Leif, Elodie, and Kia for the Windmill Tulip Festival! 

Daisy Jane, Alice, Fauna, and I have been busy helping Leif plant tulips all week. Planting flowers is a lot of work - at least according to me - so I don’t tend to my garden as much as I’m supposed to. I try but sometimes I find myself intimidated for some reason. The only exception is flower events, those I can handle since they’re only for a short period of time and don’t involve cross pollination. 

Just to be clear, I don’t hate gardening - in fact I enjoy coming up with rare flowers - but it’s one of those things that usually gets put into the backseat. I do try to keep up - and I’ve been doing pretty good so far in terms of trading flowers for stuff recently - but sometimes things fall to the wayside, especially when life gets busy.

So I did a lot of gardening this week and quite enjoyed it. Probably because I had a lot of help - flower food’s hard to come by; friends, not as much - so things went by a lot faster. Though to be honest, I think I’m gonna take a break from gardening for a while when we get back to the camp.

(Sorry Mom - we have a lot in common, but a green thumb ain’t one.)

It’s nice catching up with Elodie and Kia again now that Wildflower Wagon’s back in business after a short break to reorganize things. Seeing their stand at the festival brings me such joy - it’s amazing how far they’ve come! What was originally a side hustle in Elodie’s room turned into something big and now she and Kia are traveling around the world. Along with floral arrangements, they also sell art prints and enamel pins - all which are very pretty and whimsical.

When I last saw Elodie and Kia, they were in the middle of making some major changes to Wildflower Wagon. Basically their small business has grown so much that it’s no longer possible for the two of them to run it alone. According to Cecelia - a well seasoned self employed artist, it’s a good problem to have because that means things are going well. But it can quickly become a bad problem if you don’t plan ahead.

As of two months ago, Nuvola and Mariya have joined the Wildflower Wagon team! Mariya’s not technically a full-time staff member but she supplies flowers she grows at the community garden at Mushroom Village. So she’s kinda like a supplier for uncommon flowers. Nuvola, on the other hand, is a full time employer, so she does customer service like answering emails as well as help package orders and send them out for delivery.

Since Mariya can’t be full time because of the Matcha Mint Cafe, Elodie and Kia are still in the process of taking on one more employer. Since Nuvola’s still new to everything and everything’s going smoothly, it’s not a priority at the moment. They didn’t say much, but if I had to guess who’s on the list, I’d say it’s either Tsuki, Shannon, or Theda. 

Probably at some point in the future it’ll be all three. At the rate Wildflower Wagon’s growing, that future could be within the next year or so. 

Things in Mushroom Village have been slow as usual, which is why Mariya and Nuvola joined the Wildflower Wagon team. Nuvola’s been going a bit stir crazy because of life stuff so I think working with Elodie and Kia will be good for her. She’s got experience as a secretary so customer service isn’t unfamiliar territory for her.

Poor Nuvies isn’t having the best week so the festival’s a good distraction for her. At least she’s in the process of leaving the Mushroom Village Gazette so that’ll be a load off her shoulders. I wouldn’t say she’s a bad reporter, more like badly miscast. She’s a curious one, just not one who's meant to dig up dirt on others. 

Ask an innocent or seemingly harmless question and suddenly it bursts open a can of worms. Where others dig up rocks, Nuvola somehow ends up with a landmine that immediately explodes the second she puts her hands on it. No matter how hard she tries, half the time her good intentions blow up in her face. Nuvola may not always know how to read the room but somehow she can tell exactly what’s troubling you - often in the most roundabout way.

Thankfully the fun festivities are enough to lift one’s mood after a rough week. Watching the windmills is enough to put me into a relaxing trance. Sometimes I wonder what it’s like to sit on one of those blade thingies and ride a windmill. It’s a good thing Siobhan isn’t here or else she’d be climbing up a windmill and hopping on a blade. And she’ll definitely get kicked out.

Getting lost in the tulip fields is a colorful experience, to say the least. I really need to restock on tulips for my garden. They won’t be as pretty and vibrant as the ones in Windy Grove, but at least I can plant my own colorful garden. Pink tulips are my favorite though lately I find myself gravitating towards purple. Both are rare - purple being more uncommon - so I’d better get cracking on planting and cross-breeding tulips if I want to get more purple tulips as well as other rare hybrids.

At some point I ran into Daisy Jane in the tulip fields and we did something that we hadn’t done in forever. I’d pose with the flowers and she’d sketch away in her book. Sometimes we’d turn it into a game where I’d do something silly and Daisy Jane would kick it up a notch in her drawing. So if I hugged a windmill while holding a bouquet of tulips in between, then she’d draw an octopus astronaut being hugged by a windmill covered in vines blooming with tulips and thorns. 

Let’s just say that if a stranger got a hold of Daisy Jane’s sketchbook or saw what we were doing, they’d be like WTF is going on in their heads? Because we too sometimes think that when we look back on these sketches.

After making up ridiculous stories behind the sketches, Daisy Jane and I met back up with the others to make floral wreaths. It’s kinda like making a flower crown but a lot more elaborate. Maybe I went a bit too overboard with the flowers, but hey, at least it looks super colorful! I don’t really go for a maximalist kind of look because I tend to overthink things and end up making it look too cluttered/unbalanced so I’m quite happy with how my wreath turned out. For a wreath, it sticks out just right!

For about two hours we visited various stands and bought a lot of stuff. I tried tulip bubble tea for the first time and it has an interesting flavor. A bit too floral for my liking but it’s not too bad. Of course, I bought art prints and bouquets from Wildflower Wagon, as well as a bunch of stuff from Folksy Florals, Ladybug Gardens, and Coconut’s Grove. I got to talk to Cecelia for a bit before the festivities really took off so that was nice. As for rides, I went on the windmill ferris wheel - which made me feel like I’m on top of the world! - and the flowery porch swing merry go round. 

Two hours flew by and next up on the itinerary was a windmill tour at the center of Windy Grove. The Grand Ole Windy is the oldest building in the village and it’s been taken care of by the same family for generations. While the ferris wheel made me feel on top of the world, gazing out the windmill window made me feel out of this world!

Then it’s back to the festivities for more fun activities. Bug catching contests, fortune telling crystal balls, furniture crafting workshops, tulip mochi treats with lavender tea, group pics in front of the gardens and windmills, bike ride tours around the village, quiet moments in the tulip fields - the hours flew by as dusk slowly turned into dawn.

I’d say the night is still young, but it’s almost sunrise. At moments like right now, sometimes I wonder what even is time?

[liliaeth]

Man, I’m way too busy at work, so I’ve been delaying this post for days...

Now the first thing I’m gonna have to say, is that I’m one of those people who when they get nervous, they start talking, and I do mean talk as in ramble on and on.

So keep that in mind...

On Sunday I went to Dutch Comic Con. I found out on I think Tuesday that Tyler was going to be there, and the first thing I did was call my best friend, and ask him if he wanted to go with me. Timmy thankfully agreed. (even if I still haven’t gotten him to watch Teen Wolf beyond the pilot ;-) )

So I woke up at 4am, got myself ready, (I’d been worrying about my outfit for the con in the days before it), drove to the trainstation at 6am and caught the train at 6:30. Met Timmy in Antwerps around seven, and then we caught an international train, which along with two more transfers would get us to Utrecht.

Timmy thankfully can handle me being excited as hell, and we talked about what else we could do at the con, timing, checking the floor plan, you know the kind of stuff you do when you’re on a train for two hours.

Thankfully the train station was right next door to the convention hall where the comic con was held, right next to the hall rented by a Sinterklaas celebration. Meaning a whole bunch of kids were dressed up for their party along side all the teens and adults dressed in cosplay for our fun ;-) All walking the same way to the same building.

I’d bought a photo opp, and a Meet and Greet with Tyler Posey in advance, but I wasn’t sure on how it would work with autographs. That one is apparently handled on site. There was a meeting space, where the Guests were present to meet people, take selfies and give autographs. Timmy thankfully understood immediately that that was a line up I wasn’t going to miss.

Now the thing is that I’d been trying not to work myself up, not to get too... over the top excited, or to have too high expectations. Having those often leads to disappointments, cause it’s incredibly hard to live up to hopes and dreams of people.

But instead of lowering my expectations, I got them build up even more, as right before me, there was this girl wearing a T-shirt of some band I’d never heard her. (saw her post something on twitter in response to Tyler, so I got the chance to ask her, and apparently the band was called WSTR)

This is relevant, promise.

So Tyler sees this shirt the girl is wearing, and he’s like totally excited about it. Turns out they’re one of his fave bands. And he starts singing his fave song of said band, like right there; He didn’t get it quite right, but he was clearly into it. 

I’d gone to these autograph things before, since they’re usually cheaper than the photobooths (let out the meet and greets) But with Tyler it was different.

He doesn’t just go ‘thanks for coming, here’s your autograph’ kinda way, instead you get the feeling that you get an actual conversation with him. Which is just plain awesome

I brought two drawings that I’d commissioned a while back (see the two pics above and below, and was still hesitating on which of the two I’d have Tyler sign. The first one was a single pic of Scott in the middle of a fight, instants before he’d attack back. While the second one, was a sceo au. Basically a ‘what if Scott was a costumed superhero, and Theo the evil minion. (not too far a stretch, I know)

So I ended up showing him both, still thinking on which one I wanted him to autograph. Cause you know, me being indecisive, and he utterly loved both of them. But especially the second one. I told him how it was sceo, which he thought was cool, and then he literally told the girl handling the money part how awesome it was, and that that was him as a superhero, and that he wanted to play that character. He was so happy about that, that I ended up giving him the sceo pic, and asked him to sign the other one. He asked if I was sure, but I told him I had another one. (which I will, as soon as I print the digital version again )

Anyway, both of these were made by @svetanda​ who is an awesome artist, whose work I utterly love. It was just great to be able to tell him how much I loved Scott, and to get him to enjoy Scott fan art, and if that had been my entire day, it would have already made the trip worth it.

Luckily for me, it wasn’t.

So after he gave me a hug, I got to tell Tyler, “I’ll see you later”, since I’d already had the photo opp arranged., and went off with Timmy to go eat something, check some vendors, go play some lego...

took some pictures of some cosplayers.

You know the usual con stuff... All while waiting for the things we’d actually come to Utrecht for, ...

Now Timmy didn’t spend his money on photo ops, let out on the meet and greet, so we arranged that he’d go check out some more vendors for some manga or anime, while I waited in line.

I got talking to some of the other Teen Wolf fans waiting for a picture with Tyler, and yes, i started rambling, cause by this point I was almost shaking in excitement.

Hoping I didn’t annoy these strangers too much. But I just get embarrassingly rambling at times like that. (you’d think that It would have gotten better since I’d already met Tyler, but honestly, the authograph session only made it worse. Since now he’d actually lived up to my hopes. Making it hard to keep from shaking at just the idea of seeing him again.

The lines thankfully weren’t too long, cause well, he only got announced like five days before the con, and I’m sure lots of people either found out too late, or didn’t have the money to go to a con at such short notice... But that didn’t seem to bother Tyler, who was all excitement and hyperactive.

From what I saw, Tyler was really nice to everyone who came for a picture, made it personal, gave all of us a choice of pose, a hug...  he just made you feel special, and that just made the whole experience so damn worth it.

So that got me my second Tyler hug of the day...

I’ll talk about the Q&A and the Meet and greet tomorrow, cause his post is long enough as it is. And I have to leave for work in seven hours or so... (you know after going to bed ;-))

[coffee-obsessed-writer]

When You Least Expect It: Part Two

Part One

Jensen x Reader

A/N: This is a slow burn fic that I have been working on for a while. Its a story I wrote for myself and just wanted to share with everyone. Yes, the “Dee” in the story is who you think, but there is no intended hate on her or their actual marriage. It is a work of fiction, that is all.

Part two is from Jensen’s POV. There is also a playlist to go along with the series. 

Series Playlist: “When You Least Expect It” (Spotify) **Songs & lyrics used in this part are by April Smith & The Great Picture Show ** Some are just songs I imagined playing or being played as the story took shape in my imagination, or they are songs actually being used in the series. I will link them when that’s the case. Hope you enjoy it! xo

Series Summary: After a hard breakup, Jensen decides to throw himself into organizing a Music Festival in Austin that is meant to raise money for a few of his most cherished charities and organizations. As he throws himself into planning it, he stumbles upon a spirited, undiscovered performer, who he convinces to come aboard to help plan and coordinate the event with him. What transpires after that takes both Jensen and his new friend, by surprise. But when their respective pasts come back just before the event kicks off in Austin, they will both have to decide if the unexpected feelings are worth perusing, or if they should just walk away and go on with their lives.

Series Warnings: Language, Break-Ups, Angst, Fluff, Smut (that’s it for now)

WC: 7.1K (with song lyrics)

*Banner created by me; pics & gifs found online

Over the course of the next few hours, Y/N took Jensen through nearly every arcade, sweet shop and gift store that lived along the ocean’s edge. The rides weren’t currently running, but she was able to point out the ones that could come along with the traveling carnival Leo had promised to send to Austin the following Autumn.

Jensen launched question after question at her; he wanted to know everything from the history of the area to what its biggest attractions were. Y/N was an articulate and captivating storyteller, even though he sensed she wasn’t trying to be. The more she talked, the more he could hear the songbird he’d encountered the night before. He tried to get her to laugh a few times, throwing out a lame dad joke as a response to something or other, but nothing seemed to stick. Either she was the most professional tour guide to ever wear an Ozzy T-shirt, or she was just that unimpressed with his wit.

It was later in the afternoon when Jensen’s stomach really started to rumble loud enough that even Y/N heard it.

“Maybe we should grab a bite. The food stands were the last stop anyway,” she said and motioned for him to follow her.

“Sounds good. What do you have in mind?”

“Pizza is always great here,” she paused and pointed towards the Saw Mill. “They serve the biggest slices on the boards and their tomato sauce is like no other. Can’t get pizza like this anywhere else. But, I think you should try the lemon stand.”

“The what?”

“The lemon stand… they make these sausage and pepper sandwiches served with a side of potato wedges and fresh lemonade you don’t want to miss. It’s a staple around here every summer, and lucky for you, you are here on their last day of the season.”

Jensen’s mouth began to salivate at the idea and he nodded emphatically. “Yeah, let’s go there, that sounds amazing.”

What the locals referred to as the lemon stand, was really called Midway Steakhouse. A medium sized building right smack in the middle of the boardwalk. There was no line at the lemon stand, allowing them to walk right up to the counter. Jensen looked up at the menu and saw a handful of choices, but Y/N was lightly tapping his arm and shaking her head.

“No. Let me order for you, there’s only one thing you want to try. Trust me.”

Without waiting for him to answer, she turned to the man at the register.

“Heeyyy, Miss, Y/N! To what do we owe the pleasure!”

“How’s it shakin’ Miguel? I brought an associate up here to try the place. He’s getting a festival going in Austin next year and Leo is renting out a few vendors. Thought yours should be one of the few.”

Miguel waved her off. “Oh please, like my hermano would ever say yes to that. You know how he feels about Leo’s dealings.” He whispered the last word as if it would trigger a catastrophe.

“Well, we have time to talk. For now, though, can I get two sausage sandwiches, with peppers, onions and sauce, one side of wedges, and two medium lemonades, please and thank you.”

“For you, anything,” Miguel winked and turned to the two guys behind him. He barked out the order in Spanish getting the guys in motion. She turned back to Jensen and leaned back against the counter. “You won’t regret this, trust me.”

“God… the way it smells… I want this to be my heaven,” Jensen mused, finally getting her to smile a genuine smile. It didn’t go unnoticed but he also didn’t want to call her out on it. The longer they hung out, the more she was loosening up and he didn’t want that to stop. “So, what’s after this?”

“Nothing really,  you’ve seen everything. I’ll head back to the office and get the printers going for another set of contracts. The messenger can drop them at the hotel. I suppose your people can contact Leo’s people--”

“My people?” Jensen snorted, amused by her word choice. “What makes you think I have people?”

“You’re a celebrity. All you Hollywood people have people.”

The side-eyed glance he gave her was enough to make her stand up a little straighter. He was slightly offended by the remark but also tried to understand that she didn’t know him at all. Y/N was most likely lumping him into an assumption she had about anyone that could be considered a celebrity.

“I don’t actually,” he mumbled but knew fully well she heard what he said.

“My apologies. I just assumed--”

“Well, you know what people say about people… who… assume--” he trailed off when he saw she was trying not to laugh at him. He found this sort of refreshing.

“Mhm,” she said. “Sorry I assumed you had people. What I meant was, all that’s really left is for the new contracts to be printed and sent to whomever you like.”

“You’re forgiven,” he replied, his feigned smugness causing her to roll her eyes.

“You’re… something,” she groaned and moved closer to the counter and called out over the noise of the kitchen. “How’s it coming, Miguel?”

“It’s going! You can’t rush perfection, Y/N!”

And Miguel was right. It took fifteen minutes, but when Jensen sunk his teeth into the sandwich, he realized then he would have waited an hour or more for one.

“Good GOD this is good,” he said, wiping a dollop of the sauce from the corner of his mouth. “This is like, sinfully, ridiculously good.”

“Right? Told you. Now, if Miguel’s brother can be convinced to go, you want the Midway Steak House at your carnival.”

“And how do we make that happen?”

“We? No. You and Leo, maybe. But not we.”

“You wouldn’t be willing to help me out with that?”

She took a bite of her sandwich, and let her eyes wander out over the ocean. Jensen was aware he was staring, but he couldn’t take his eyes from her. He brushed the crumbs from his hands and sat back in the plastic chair that Midway Steak House offered just beyond their building.

“I guess I’ll take that as a no…”

“That’s just not my place. I’m Leo’s assistant, that’s it. The more involved I get, the less time I have for the other things I have going on.”

“Like playing in bars?”

“For one thing, yes,” she finally met his gaze. “Music is the goal, being an assistant pays the rent.”

“Well.. it is a music festival we’re planning here.”

Y/N chuckled a little at that and her expression told him she was considering it. “I guess you have a point. But, you have to understand these people trust me. I don’t want to steer them into a situation where they end up getting screwed.”

“I completely respect that. But, didn’t you read the contracts? This isn’t some bullshit scam. They will be compensated.”

“How could I? You spilled tea all over them,” she replied with the rise of one, challenging brow.

“Touché,” he relented. “All I’m saying is that this,” he paused and pointed to his sandwich, “needs to be in Austin next fall for the festival. I have the perfect brew in mind to pair it with.”

“Brew? Is this a beer fest, too?” she asked and leaned forward on the table. Had he finally caught her attention?

“It is. Sort of. My buddy and I own a bar and brewery. The plan is to hold a three-day music festival, bring in a bunch of different hometown vibes along with their food specialties and pair them with a brew from our catalog. The music part draws them in, and it’s not just loud, live shit all day long. I want all kinds of bands and performers. We plan on having stages in different parts of the city, different , arks and venues.”

“Sounds ambitious,” Y/N said, then began to wrap up her sandwich. “I love these, but I swear I could make at least two meals from it.” She finished up her lemonade and wiped her mouth with the napkin.

“So, just change the subject then?” he asked, still hoping she would help bring on the Midway.

“Look, Leo has the juice to get Miguel and Javier to say yes. I’m not the person to help you with this one.”

“But I think there is a way you could help,” Jensen offered, sitting up and also wrapping up his sandwich. “You gonna eat those?” he asked, pointing at the few remaining potato wedges.

“No, go for it, champ,” she snarked and rested her elbows on the table. “How do you think I could be helpful? Because I’ve already taken you on the tour. That’s the about the extent of my helping hands.”

“I don’t know, exactly...” he started, then paused and considered for a moment what should next come out of his mouth. Should he straight up confess that he dreamt about her and felt pulled towards her? Does he tell her that since the moment they met, he felt like she was destined to come into his life?

No, you idiot, you say nothing of the sort, he chastised himself, then thought of the most ambiguous thing to follow up what he had started.

“...just a feeling, I guess.”

To this, she audibly scoffed. “Ok, Mr. Ackles--”

“Oh God, please no… Jensen, or Jay. Never Mr. Ackles.”

“Whatever you want. Point is, that’s a load of crap and you know it. You want my help because you feel like maybe we bonded today. That I can get you extras, or things you were afraid to broach with Leo. Use me to get--”

Jensen sat up tall in his seat and waved her off, concerned about the impression she was getting. “Absolutely not, Y/N. That never even crossed my mind. I’m thrilled with the deal that was struck with Leo. I’m being serious when I say that just from what you have showed me and told me about today, I’ve got a million more ideas of things that could work for this festival. Your ideas and your way of storytelling, it’s not so easy to find.”

She started to speak, but he didn’t want to give her the chance.

“Let’s not forget, I saw you sing last night. I don’t care that it was some Kansas and Petty covers, you sang your ass off and played even harder. You have something special, and I want to bring that to this event.”

There was a moment where he thought she may have a real emotional reaction, but instead, she just smiled, pursed her lips together and nodded. “Thanks. Sorry, it was a short set, but I was late for rehearsals.”

“Rehearsals? Do tell.” He leaned forward and smirked. “I’m intrigued.”

“Not in this life, buddy,” she mused and stood from the table. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to the hotel. My car is there anyway.”

“Come on,” he whined as he gathered up his leftovers then stood from the table. “What rehearsals? I’m just curious about you. If that puts you off or makes you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I just enjoy getting to know people, especially you.”

She had started to walk away, but then froze in place and sighed. Slowly, she turned back to face Jensen and he could see that she was fighting off something… a sarcastic comment… the urge to run… who knows. But when she did finally speak, he couldn’t have been more surprised.

“Burlesque,” she said, slightly defeated.

“Say what now?” he asked quickly, making it sound like all one word as he desperately tried not to break out in a giant grin.

Y/N sighed with a little chuckle. She fully faced him and committed to answering his question. “I work with a local burlesque group.”

Jensen felt his breath catch in his chest. He couldn’t help but immediately picture her in a costume and dancing some New Orlean’s style burlesque dance and making him regret the decision to swear off women for a while. “W--Wow! I’m genuinely surprised. You dance burlesque?”

“No. Noooo,” she laughed, and not sarcastically either. It was the laugh he wanted to hear earlier that day, the one that had made him so curious about her.

“I don’t dance. Not even a little. You ever see Seinfeld?”

“Yeah,” he replied hesitantly.

“I am Elaine.”

Jensen laughed heartily and the image of Y/N dancing like a spaz in a burlesque costume made him feel a range of emotions, from pure hilarity to being a little more than aroused.

“The group needed a fill in music director,” she continued with a shrug, ignoring his elation, “so I promised to help out until they found someone new. That was two years ago.”

“I think that’s pretty damn cool,” he mused. “When’s the show? I’d love to check it out.”

“Not until Tuesday night. It's nothing big, really. We do it at one of the clubs in town. Business is slow, it draws a larger than average crowd for this time of year, so…” she shrugged, as if what they were pulling off was no big deal.

“Sounds like a big deal to me. I wish I wasn’t leaving tomorrow night. I’d love to get in and see it happen. Maybe…” he stopped and waved her off. “Nevermind. I’ve taken up enough of your time today.”

He started walking in the direction of the hotel and stopped when he realized Y/N was still in the same place. “Coming?”

“You want to come to the rehearsal tonight, don’t you?” she mumbled more to herself than to him.

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t turn down the invitation. But I know you went out of your way for me today. As much as I would love to come--”

“Oh, Jeeeesus…” she moaned and rolled her head back then let it hang for a moment before picking it up and staring at him. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a pain in the ass?”

“Yes. Often.”

Y/N reached into her back pocket and went over to the backside of the Midway Steakhouse. “Miguel, you got a pen?”

He did, and tossed it just right allowing her to catch it perfectly. She quickly wrote something on the back of a card and then tossed it back. “Gracias!”

She held the card out to Jensen. “Seven o’clock. Address is on the back. Come around to the rear of the building and be warned, we lock the doors at 7:05. Oh, and I guess I should warn you, most of them will know who you are and probably bum rush you for the usual autographs and shit.”

“That’s not a problem,” he replied, still sort of shocked that she was not only giving him permission to go, but her personal cell number, too.

“Ok, good. Look, I do have a few things I have to do first and I don’t need you tagging along. So, show up there at seven if you really want to watch the dress rehearsal. If you don’t no hard feelings. Despite how this day started, it didn’t end half bad and maybe you’re not as quite annoying as I assumed you would be.”

Y/N smiled, a slight lilt of surprise tugging at the corners of her mouth. Her expression wasn’t so hard and steely when she let her eyes connect with his. He liked her like this—softer and more of who she probably wanted to be, instead of who she had to be.

“Well, holy shit. Did I actually get you to crack a genuine smile?”

“I’m starting to regret this,” she warned, but he saw the teasing glint in her eye.

“Alright, alright. Run your errands. I’m going to go tuck this amazing sandwich in the hotel room fridge for later. I will be at the back door, no later than seven. Scouts honor.”

They both started to meander down the boardwalk in the same direction.

“It doesn’t count if you weren’t a Scout. So, were you a boy scout?” she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

“No. But I played one on TV,” he joked, his jaw slacked open and his hands splayed wide animating his joke.

“Oh for fucks sake,” she laughed. “How long have you been wanting to use that joke, dad?”

Jensen’s face went deadpan serious. “Years.”

Y/N didn’t buy his expression for a moment and threw her head back in laughter. “You’re a shitty actor, you know that?”

When she winked at him it was more than a simple gesture to show him she was joking; it was when he knew he was more than a little smitten.

Seven on the dot, Jensen parked his rental car in the nearly empty parking lot of the address Y/N gave him. He could hear music booming from somewhere inside, and got a rush of adrenaline that made him nearly jog to the rear entrance of the Bamboo Bar. As he rounded the corner, there was a small group of people talking and smoking which ceased the moment they saw him.

“Well, hello there sugar. You lost?” a very tall, broad-shouldered woman with heavy makeup and too-tight corset asked as she breathed smoke into the atmosphere.

“I hope not,” Jensen chuckled. “I’m supposed to meet a friend here by seven.”

“Are ya now? And just what friend is this?” she scoffed and continued to smoke her cigarette.

“Y/N... “ he pulled out her business card from his back pocket and handed it to her. “Y/N L/N. She invited me to watch the dress rehearsal since I wouldn’t be around for the live show.”

“Ohhh, you mean Trixie Luna,” she chuckled and handed him back the card. “One sec, sugar.”

“Trixie Luna?” he repeated to himself and tried not to snicker. The more he learned about Y/N the more he liked her.

While the woman who made Jared look short, leaned into the entry and bellowed for Trixie Luna, Jensen looked back to the small circle of friends and offered a smile. They were all staring at him curiously, until finally, it happened--as it usually did--and one of them recognized him.

“Ooohh shit! I know you!! Dude, you’re from that show! The one about the brothers and the badass car, right?” the guy exclaimed, his face a swirl of excitement and disbelief.

Jensen chuckled and nodded. He held out his hand towards the guy in greeting, who took it and shook heartily. “That’s me. Jensen Ackles… nice to meet you.”

“Jensen, yeah, that’s it! I’m Ricky, this is Gwin and Sara, and that tall drink of water there is Mama Mia. What the hell brings you to our shit town?”

“Oh man, seriously?! This town is fantastic!” Jensen replied. “I’ve been here two days and I don’t wanna leave.”

“Dude, you travel the world and you like it… HERE? You sure you didn’t drink the sea water and get all loopy?”

“I’m sure, brother. I just think its an awesome town--”

“Yeah, so awesome that he’s dragging half of it back to Texas with him,” Y/N said, hints of playful sarcasm coating her tone as she leaned against the entryway. “So, you made it? I’m sort of surprised.”

“Not as surprised as I am, Trixie,” Jensen replied, and this time it was his turn to raise a questioning brow at her. He could see the slight embarrassment in her expression, but she wouldn’t let him have that satisfaction in front of her people.

“You found out my secret. Trixie Luna is my alias for all the shenanigans I like to do in the cover of night. Come on, Hollywood, let’s get you settled in as rehearsal really should be starting.”

The rest of the group snuffed out their cigarettes and quickly hustled inside as Jensen watched on, completely amused and downright ecstatic he was going to witness whatever was about to go down. He followed in line behind them and once inside looked around the large venue before being lead to a seat by Y/N.

“You stay put. I have to go put on the wardrobe while they warm up.”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied, giving her a mock salute. She rolled her eyes, as she normally did at him, and disappeared behind the stage.

It was only another minute or two before the house lights went dark and the stage was lit with a variety of colorful lights, and one simple spotlight shining on the tropical print curtain. As it pulled open, there was an elaborate, but clearly homemade set, that flowed from floor to ceiling. It was done up in bright colors and had a small spiral staircase on either side of the center backdrop which was painted to look like an old balcony reminiscent of the ones you’d find on the streets of Amsterdam.

The music kicked in and Ricky came out, dressed like a ringmaster to a circus, but now donning a sleek handlebar mustache. His song kicked off the show, soon turning into an ensemble number that left Jensen laughing and completely enthralled in the performance happening before him.

A couple of songs in, Mama Mia sauntered over to the table and sat precariously close to him. She leaned forward so her chin rested on her hand, as her elbow butted up against his at the table.

“So sugar,” she said just loud enough for himt to hear, “whatcha think of the show so far?”

“Its fucking great!” his genuinely big grin satisfied her and she relaxed before sitting back in her chair.

“Isn’t it? I swear, since Trixie took over, every new performance has been nothing short of amazing.”

“She directs the whole thing?”

Mama Mia nodded. “She does. Gathers the music, helps to put the little acts together, has total creative direction over the sets, scenery and costumes. The only thing she doesn’t do is choreograph the dances.”

“She mentioned not being a great dancer,” he chuckled.

“Oh, sugar, that’s the understatement of the year,” she laughed a throaty laugh and raised her one hand to the sky. “I love that girl somethin’ fierce, but I swear, she should never be allowed to dance. Ever.”

They had a good laugh over it and then turned their eyes back to the stage. Knowing how much input Y/N had on the show, left Jensen even more impressed than he already was. This woman was a gold mine of creativity and direction; someone he could absolutely use in his life. Just as the song ended, Jensen stood and gave a boisterous round of applause.

“Oh, it ain’t over. Trixie Luna herself still has two numbers to do,” she winked and wiggled her painted on eyebrows. “You must be someone special, she rarely gets up on that stage unless she’s standing over there in front of the band. And getting her in one of these damn corsets? Nearly impossible.”

“She’s gonna sing… in a corset?” Jensen’s breath caught in his chest. A flutter of excitement grew in his gut and rose, finally forcing the air out in a nervous chuckle. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he mumbled to himself.

The curtains closed and Jensen could hear the flurry of activity happening to change the set behind the curtain. When it opened up again a minute or two later, the main set was the same, but a lot of the extra stage dressing had changed. It was transformed into a cafe/shop. A handful of the cast were already on stage, acting like patrons enjoying coffee or browsing through the wares. The music kicked in and when the first few lyrics blared through the speakers, he instantly recognized Y/N’s voice. It brought ripples of goosebumps to his arms and his legs making him happy that they were covered and no one would notice.

“If you dig under my feet You will find things that you don’t want to see Things that I hide way down inside A menagerie of the tragedy that I’ve caused and all of my flaws And my demons oh if you’d seen What would you do… if you only knew…”

She slowly glided down the small spiral case to the left of the stage dressed in a 20’s style flapper dress that came to rest on her upper thigh. It was crimson red, and had a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination. The thousands of beads that were sown into the fabric caught the lights of the stage, making her glitter in grand fashion.

Once she reached the main floor and kicked into the chorus, Y/N moved across the stage, pretending to do terrible things to the people as she went along the way. She pulled up one girl’s skirt, on another she went up and grabbed her chest, all done in a playful, fun routine that Jensen was getting lost in. As Y/N sang on, he was less hearing the words, more watching her expressions as she sang each line, performed each terrible act.

The fact that she was the only one who wasn’t in full makeup, wasn’t lost on him either. The heavy makeup look of the burlesque troupe added to the show, but on her, the natural beauty and talent that radiated from her was all she needed.

When the number drew to a close, the entire troupe, was dancing around her, as she both sang and acted out the rest of her song. On the last note, he was on his feet, clapping and whistling, and grinning like an idiot.

“Still ain’t over, sugar,” Mama Mia chastised in a raspy whisper, and tugged on the hem of his shirt. “There’s one more for her with this bit, THEN you can ooze yourself all over her.”

Ignoring her, Jensen sat back down and watched as the act continued. A quick improvd bit between Y/N and Ricky went down, as his alter ego, Burt Trombone, stalked and gawked at Trixie Luna. The lighting switched and piano wheeled out from the side of the stage. A new piece of stage slowly dropped from the rafters above, dividing the set making it appear as if Trixie was in her own room now.

The piano kicked in and as she began to sing this new song... 

Do you ever wonder if I'm dreaming of you In the night at my window by the light of the moon? If you ever wonder if I'm dreaming of you Well, I'm not, so you can stop wondering...

She slowly stripped out of her flapper dress, to reveal a very tight, black corset with lace leg garters that attached to thigh high sheer black pantyhose.

I've got better things to do Than sit around thinking all about you And hanging on to every little word that you said I've got plenty to keep me busy Without you running round in my head

The way she swung her hips swung and the way her arms dramatically flipped up her hair and ran down the length of her sides, was leaving him uncomfortably aroused in the middle of the nearly deserted club. By the time it was over, she’d left him speechless and so bewitched, wishing somehow he could go back and see it all again immediately.

Rehearsal ended about an hour later at which time the rest of the burlesque group flocked to Jensen, throwing questions at him, taking pictures and getting autographs. Y/N had changed back into her Ozzy shirt and jeans, and sat on the edge of the stage, slowly kicking her dangling legs back and forth. She looked on as her friends swarmed Jensen and when he looked up, noticed her watching, he thought she looked amused.

The bar finally cleared out leaving just Y/N, Mama Mia and Jensen behind. Y/N and Mama Mia started to clean up, and Jensen jumped right in to help.

“You don’t have to do that,” Y/N said as she swept the stage.

“I don’t mind, happy to help,” he said enthusiastically, before lifting the two bags of garbage and hauling them out towards the dumpster. He didn’t miss the little nudge and wink Mama Mia gave Y/N as he did so, making himself stifle the grin that wanted to emerge.

When Jensen came back in, Mama Mia had her coat on and was picking up her keys off the table. She hugged Y/N, whispered something to her, then sauntered over to Jensen and gingerly pinched his cheek.

“Sugar, you best come back here sometime and see me. Your laugh and applause is music to my ears,” she winked and seemed delighted that she made him blush. With that, she was out the door leaving him alone with Y/N.

“That was quite a show,” he said approaching her timidly.

She looked tired, but still radiant, and when she smiled up at him, his knees went a little weak. “It was a good rehearsal. I think you being here really lit a fire under them.”

“Your songs were the best part.”

Y/N rolled her eyes subtly and shook her head, gestures that seemed to be her go-to where he was concerned. “Stop sucking up to me, Hollywood. You’ll get your damn Midway Steak house at the carnival, okay?”

Jensen’s laughed echoed through the empty club. “I’d already forgotten all about that!” he exclaimed throwing his arms up in the air. “I swear!”

“Yup. Sure you did,” she teased and swept up the last of the remaining confetti. She looked at her watched and closed her eyes. “I can’t believe how late it is. Would you mind terribly giving me a ride home? It was nice earlier when I walked here, but I’m too tired to walk home now.”

“Of course. I’d be happy too.”

The flutter of exhilaration filled him, but again, he did his best to keep it under control. However, by the time they were actually in his car heading through the deserted streets of Seaside and up to the bungalows just outside of town, he could feel himself becoming more affected by her just sitting next to him in the front seat.

Y/N directed him to make a right on a dirt side road, and go until he couldn’t drive anymore. When he reached the end of the road, he parked the car and killed the ignition. They were at the place where the dirt ended and the sand dunes began. She got out of the car and didn’t seem at all surprised when Jensen followed suit. Not that he expected her to invite him in, but solely so he could take in the scenery before him.

It was well past midnight, and the moon had risen high enough over the ocean, that the breaking waves not more than a hundred feet away caught the reflection of its light on their crests. Seagulls could be heard cawing from down the beach, probably stalking the poor bar-backs taking out garbage from the few restaurants closing up for the night. Under their cries was the soft rumble of waves lapping at the jetties further up the beach. Above them, the sky was clear and dark, allowing the stars to twinkle in white brilliance. Jensen was transfixed and didn’t notice Y/N standing at his side until she spoke.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Huh? Yeah… its breathtaking,” he mused, his lips somewhat agape in awe, the little crinkles forming around the corners of his eyes.

She smiled softly and cast her eyes to the ground. “Feel like a little walk before you head back?”

He looked at her, taken back by her offer. All day he’d been the one to ask questions and try to get to know her, and now she was finally taking small steps towards him in return.

“Absolutely! But, are you sure though? I mean… I don’t--”

“Jesus Christ, Jensen. Shut the fuck up and talk a walk with me,” she chastised and looped her elbow through his, forcing him to start up the ramp through the dunes.

When they got to the beach proper, she kicked off her shoes and encouraged him to do the same before rolling up the cuffs of her jeans. She didn’t link with his elbow again, but she stayed close as they navigated their way down the beach closer to the water’s edge. It wasn’t as cold as he thought it could be, but a slight shiver ran up Jensen’s spine regardless as the suds ran over his toes.

After they were walking for a while, the breeze kicked up and Jensen could swear he caught the hint of music.

“Do you hear that?” he asked, pausing to look around.

Y/N chuckled, “I do. Up there--” she pointed to the houses that lined the beachfront. There was one, lone house lit up. The sliding glass doors were open, and yet there was no one moving around in the house. “That’s the Sinatra house. The people that live there leave their windows open on nice evenings and play Frank. There used to be a boardwalk that ran the length of the dunes, and people would walk down here just to sit on the benches, hear the music and watch the ocean. Superstorm Sandy ripped it apart a few years back, along with the house. But over the last few years, the community has helped to rebuild it. So now, every Friday and Saturday night, even in the off season, they will open the doors and play us some Frankie.”

Jensen listened to the story in awe, and found how tender her features had gone at the recollection to be endearing. He thought he understood how special this place was before, but after spending the day with her, and having this experience, it went much deeper than he could have dreamed. There was something about that kind of love and passion that he desperately needed in his life, and with that, his need to have Y/N around more was growing in leaps and bounds.

“You know,” he started, “that show you put on there tonight, was pretty spectacular.”

“That’s all them. They’re a seriously talented group.”

He debated on what came next. Jensen knew that if he pushed her too far, she’d probably retreat back to the more hardened woman he’d met earlier in the day. Yet, he wanted to be real with her, not give her some strangely compliant version of himself. That felt fake, and a girl like this could smell the stench of lies a mile away.

“Sorry, sweetheart, I gotta call bullshit there,” he said with a unapologetic shrug. “I know that was all you. Well, except for the choreography.”

She threw him some daggers along with her glance from the corner of her eye, but couldn’t resist a smirk, either.

“Mama Mia sold you out, by the way,” he continued. “She told me it was all you. Acting, music, sets, costumes… which by the way, you looked HOT in that dress, and what, uh, was underneath it.”

She ignored his last comment. “First off, Mama Mia exaggerates. I suggested set designs and they went with it. The music, yes, I am technically the music person. Costumes…” she gave a shrug and trailed off, leaving him to think that was also very much her choices as well but taking credit for it would move to prove him right. “Second of all, what does it matter what input I have? They’re the ones killing it on stage. Did you see those fucking heels the girls were wearing? That’s dedication.”

“Do you do that a lot?” he asked.

“What?”

“Deny how good you are... At singing, at… everything?”

She rolled her eyes again and he felt himself growing irritated now.

“I’m serious, Y/N.”

“Ok, you’re serious,” she said, sort of mocking his voice. “No, I don’t always do that. I know I can sing and play music. But that’s when it’s just me up there. I wasn’t solely responsible for that show, so I won’t take it.”

“I get that. I do… probably more than you know. That being said, you should take some credit, because you directed the hell out of it.”

“I’m not a director, Jensen.”

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes. “Director is in your fucking title for the show... Music DIRECTOR! You know, I admire you, a lot. I have since seeing you sing last night. Spending the day with you just reaffirmed everything my gut told me the second you stepped on that stage. You’re so damn talented. Your creative vision is amazing and your ability to execute it… God damn, it’s incredible. But you have to be the most insufferable, stubborn woman I’ve ever met!”

Y/N found his exasperation slightly amusing, leaving him feeling further annoyed by her. Yet, it wasn’t enough to dampen his feelings for her. In fact, he wasn’t exactly thrilled at the affection he had for guitar girl growing. Feelings were messy and he’d had enough of that lately.

“That’s funny?”

“Very,” she replied.

The way she looked at him sometimes, so challenging—almost like she was issuing him a dare—was driving him crazy. He calmed the flustered arousal she caused and considered his next move. Deciding to throw caution to the wind, Jensen finally asked her what he’d been wanting too almost all day.

“Here’s something that isn’t funny…. I want you to come to work with me. I know I mentioned it earlier, and while I wasn’t a hundred percent serious, I am now. I want--no--NEED your vision. Not just for this area’s part of the festival, but the whole fucking shebang. Move to Austin and help me plan this thing.”

She stopped walking and just stared at him. Her face read genuine shock. “Do you know how crazy that sounds? I’ve known you for a total of twelve hours.”

“So? What does that matter?”

“It just seems sudden. You don’t know me. How do you know I’m trustworthy or qualified? I could be a crazy psycho--”

“Are you?” he laughed, as the crinkles around his eyes took shape.

“No… but…” she shrugged, trailing off unsure of what else to say. “I’m not an event planner. You know that right? It’s important to me that you know that.”

“Yeah, I know.” Jensen turned and kept walking further down the beach, kicking sand with his bare feet as he went, and still able to hear Frankie singing in the breeze.

After a few steps, he turned back to face her, still slowly moving backward and had shoved his hands down into his pockets. “Look. I get that it's sudden, and yeah, a little strange that I am asking you to uproot your life for a year to help me, a stranger, plan an event in a city more than a thousand miles away from your home. It's not lost on me how off the wall that is. But…”

He trailed off and shrugged his shoulders. He watched her expression change half a dozen times in the few moments he stayed silent. Jensen tried to find the best approach to convince her to say yes, but it wasn’t easy. Y/N was a tough sell, she wasn’t like the typical women he met, either on set or off. She was stubborn and unwavering in her resistance to his charms. Not that he was trying to capture her attention romantically despite the feelings that were growing, but he did want her to come work with him.

“Name your price,” he challenged..

“Desperate much?” she scoffed. “What makes you think money will do the trick? I may work three jobs, hustle pool on the side and play any gig that comes my way, but, buddy… money is not my kryptonite. You keep your cash.”

“Fair enough. What if I told you that you would be helping kids in and around Austin get a Creative Arts program kicked off in the city?”

She froze again. Jensen took a moment to notice how the nearly full moon caressed the lines of her face as she stood motionless, her mind racing in thought. “Wait… that wasn’t in the paperwork. What program are you talking about?”

“It was, actually. Not sure exactly where, but with so many area businesses pitching in, and people coming in from all over the country, we thought the residual funding could be used to purchase a building and renovate it. Then giving it to a Board of Trustees that will be entrusted to run the Austin City Creative Arts Council.”

“Wow,” she mused, clearly impressed. “That sounds amazing. As a high school theater geek, I thank you for that. But, that doesn’t mean I need to move halfway across the country for a year to help you plan it.”

“Maybe, but it would be a hell of a lot of fun,” he smiled and nodded in a way that made him look like a kid himself.

“You don’t take no for an answer, do you?”

“Not usually. Especially when I think it's important.”

“Me working for you on this, that’s important?” she paused in consideration. “Ok, I’ll bite. Make me an offer. What does this job entail?”

Jensen had a moment of hope and couldn’t hide the smile that flashed across his face. “Alright…” he began to contemplate everything he would happily do to get her to say yes. “I’ll get you a place to live with a year lease. Plus a car to get around. Salary is negotiable. I’ll pay for your move and whatever else you need to come out to Austin. Flights back home once a month if you want. What else?”

“What would be my role, exactly?”

“Creative Director? I mean, whatever you want your title to be, you got it. I want you to help me with making it fun, and unique. Definitely help me with music—help me find it, plan it, convince other artists to come out and play. We do these conventions, all over the country and I can’t tell you how many people come up after the Saturday Night Specials and tell us about their own band, or music. I want those artists to come out and play, too.”

“They’re already coming to you, how would my presence help at all?”

Jensen just starred, half flabbergasted half amused, at the resistance she was giving him. “You know, most people would jump at this chance.”

“I’m not most people, Jensen.”

“Clearly. I guess that’s why I am asking you and not anyone else.”

That seemed to grab her attention and as they continued to walk further down the beach, she grew quiet and all he could hope was that she was honestly contemplating his offer.

“Alright,” she said, but stopped walking. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll consider it on one condition... “

“Name it. Anything.”

“You may be sorry you said that.”

“Trust me, I can see the value you of having you around as this thing gets worked out. I am willing to do anything--short of murder and armed robbery--to make this happen.”

“Ok…” she said and grinned in a way that made him, only for a moment, regret the anything part of his statement. “I want you to strip to your underwear, jump into the surf and sing the first verse to Joy to the World.”

Jensen’s face stuttered through a range of emotions as the lines of his forehead pinched together in confusion. “I’m--wait, what?”

“You heard me,” she said and crossed her arms over her chest. “Strip, plunge, sing. Do that, and I’ll come work for you.”

“Jeremiah the bullfrog song?!” he asked again, curious as to why she would pick that song. But then he saw the challenging gleam in her eyes again, and it was all he needed. Holding her stare intensely, he discarded his shirt and jeans, leaving him only in a pair of dark blue boxers. She raised one brow as he silently questioned her directions with his own expression.

“Chicken?”

“Not even a little,” he said and turned to face the ocean.

Before she could say anything else, Jensen tore across the sand and dove head first into the chilly, October surf. The moment he popped up from the water, he threw his hands up in the air and began to dramatically sing the song she requested. The chill of the water gave him a much needed adrenaline rush and as he continued singing, he got more and more animated about it. He could hear her laughing and the sound of it was all he needed to keep going.

Rounding to the last repeat of the chorus, Jensen finally started making his way out and the closer he got, he realized she had recorded him on her phone.

“Did you video that?” he asked, half freaked, half pissed.

“I did,” she chuckled and played it back, showing him the screen.

Jensen gathered up his clothes and started putting them back on. “What the fuck for?”

“It’s about trust, Jensen. I’ve been burned by a lot of people. Family, friends, lovers, business associates… I’ve learned that trust isn’t just something to hand out like business cards. I want to trust you, because I think you’re a good person. But I need to really believe it. So… if you want me to trust you enough to give up my steady work and life here, to move halfway across the country for a job that will be done in a year. You need to trust me that I won’t post that video online.”

“Sounds more like blackmail to me,” he teased and pulled his shirt back over his head, beginning to shiver from the water.

“Maybe it is a little, but part of trust is believing that I am a good person, too. I wouldn’t just release that to the public if you screw me over. That’s the difference between it being blackmail or not.”

Jensen snorted a laugh and realized that Y/N wasn’t like other girls at all. He knew she was different, definitely special, but she was also very self protective and self reliant. She had a way of thinking around things that he found fascinating. If she were to give up her life in Seaside, and move to Austin for him, it was a huge deal and not just something she would do on a whim.

“I actually get that,” he mused. “So, does that mean you’re taking the job?”

“Looks that way,” she said and stuck out her hand to his to shake. “You set me up there, pay for the move and promise a one-year contract and we got a deal.”

“Deal,” he said and took her head in agreement.

The moment his fingers wrapped around her petite hand, he realized that this woman—this incredible force of nature that blew into his life like the infamous Superstorm Sandy—would leave him in a wake of wreckage. The question was, would it turn up unexpected treasure or just a mess he would eventually have to clean up. Either way, he didn’t care. Y/N said yes and that’s all that mattered to him.

Everything Tags: @kazosa  // @sorenmarie87  // @lefthologramdeer  // @his-paradox //  @letsby

SUPERNATURAL TAGS: @wings-of-a-raven // @negans-wife// @mrsbarnes-rogers  // @teller258316 // @spnhollis // @sweet-things-4-life // @hobby27 // @sweetlythoughtfulbird // @theoriginalvicki // @dreamchester67 // @xxwarhawk// @babykalika2001 // @superwhovianfangirl81 // @toobusynerdfighting // @missihart23 // @crowleysreigningqueenofhell // @idreamofplaid // @thewinchesterchronicles // @wayward-gypsy  // @closetspngirl // @fatestemptress // @rebelminxy  // @22sarah08 // @witch-of-letters // @cole-winchester // @rainflowermoon // @adoptdontshoppets// @waywardvalkyrie // @fandomoniumflurry // @gnrfanfic // @blackcherrywhiskey// @jessieray98  // @lyoly  // @a–1–1–3 // @31shadesofbrown // @whereismyangel-damnitdeanshare // @pilaxia // @screechingartisancashbailiff//  @kgbrenner // @holylulusworld // @deansenwackles // @flamencodiva // @jamielea81 // @coffeebooksandfandom // @logical-princey // @gemini0410 // @salt-n-burn-em-all

Series Tags: @winchest09 // @jerkbitchidjitassbutt // @aomi-nabi // @luciathewinchestergirl // @alexisxwinchester

[forthebetterevil]

my first exo concert!

just gonna detail my experience going to my first exo concert as a 1.5-year-old exol. this is the Singapore 190915 EXplOration concert, missing ksoo (my crown prince) and xiu (my second prince). (p.s. jun is my third prince so that’s why i bought his fan ---- my face when i realised i unknowingly stanned exo’s enlistment line after ksoo dropped the bomb on us: 😊🔫)

and still missing lay, of course (*rolls eyes at china*). it was a blast but i didn’t die too hard, probably because it’s just 6 of them haha. my throat still died from screaming so hard though.

in my rambling i shall cover details of the merch in the picture, and comments (babbling) on each member.

to my great fortune, i was seated in the middle of a middle block facing the stage. i didn’t want to attend the concert in the standing pen area because i prefer observing the group as a whole to being up and close with them but missing out on all the dance formations. i’m here forking over S$302 for a concert where i can’t see ksoo or xiu so... anyway even if they were here i would still prefer to sit and watch the full performance.

the black banner (which i still can’t read) was laid on every seat, and overleaf, exols were asked to hold this banner up during their ending ment. the community is really cute.

the eribong v.3 is pretty when lit up (more later). it came with the bottom right sticker set, and a random photocard. i managed to trade for a ksoo card in the end :-)

the 7th anniversary pink leather keychain is not part of concert merch, but it’s pretty so i threw it into the pic (only for this concert did i break it out of its box to attach it to my bag LOL)

[ksoo]

i got a ksoo ... vertical banner? thin poster? thing after the concert was over, when merchants were desperate to sell their unsold goods. of course there was a ton of baek yeol 5ehun jun and j0ngin merch, but i was surprised i didn’t see as much of dae than i did ksoo. perhaps dae’s merch already sold out?? anyway, i saw ksoo’s marie claire photo and IMMEDIATELY shuffled over to ask for the price, which wasn’t too bad ($5, which became $4 because the merchant didn’t have exact change)

[xiu]

i pasted a xiu name sticker on one side of the eribong, and ksoo on the other. doubles as a “yeah these are my first 2 princes″ and a “at least they’re still with me today in spirit” ... *bursts into tears*

for xiu’s merch, there was NOTHING except maybe a tiny photo of him bunched with other members’ photos. i kept asking “do you have xium1n?” *merchant who usually isn’t a fan is confused* “um... kim minse0k?” *?* “this one, *points to xiu in a group photo*, do you have?” *shows me a j0ngin pic* “ok nvm” this was extremely upsetting. but hey at least i got to see xiu in printed group photos. because...

[lay]

lay didn’t even make an APPEARANCE amongst the goods. rip xingmis. a fellow exol told me someone in the standing pen was waving a ZYX banner around though, so there’s still hope amongst the singaporean xingmis at least

[junmye0n]

i got a fan-produced jun fan before the concert because i didn’t know the venue was air-conditioned haha whoops.

during the concert, his second outfit (after the tempo perf) was a poofy white long-sleeved top and rather well-fitting black trousers/pants and lemme tell you.... HE’S PRINCE ERIC. HE’S SO HANDSOME AND HE’S SO NICE AND SWEET AND HIS ENGLISH WAS SO GOOD, LIKE, EVERYONE IS WHIPPED FOR KSOO’S ENGLISH BUT HONESTLY JUN REALLY TRIED TO COMMUNICATE TO US IN ENGLISH IT WAS AMAZING AND HE PUTS IN SO MUCH EFFORT AND HE SHOULD BE APPRECIATED MORE (and this is coming from a ksoo stan..). you have no idea how upset i was when everyone was screaming their heads off for the other 5 performing members during their little video interludes, but when jun came on screen, there were just screams. heads did not pop off. NO! WHAT IS THIS DISRESPECT AND UNDERAPPRECIATION???!!!! i screamed my head off for him but one person alone can’t make up for the difference... jun was so nice and kept waving and making eye contact with the audience, doing cute poses for us here and there, being his little awkward leader self (as SM boy band leaders seem to do...), and basically tanking the transitions between performances. christ. also he freakin CARRIED the backing vocals AND the main vocals (i mean dae and baek too but everyone already explicitly appreciates them so i don’t need to give them special mention for carrying). he is ALWAYS being slept on, and it’s just not doing him justice. what the hell. junmye0n deserves the world :-(

for his BEEN THROUGH 👀👀👀👀 performance, he told us he decided to change the shirt colour to red because he thought it would match Singapore well (or something along those lines). like. WOW????? THANK YOU FOR EVEN CONSIDERING MY COUNTRY IS WORTH NOTICING TO CHANGE YOUR OUTFIT???? i hope i’m not sounding sarcastic - it’s such a small action but i felt a little touched?? like wow, he noticed.

my binoculars was glued on him half the time. he’s so handsome and pretty at the same time. part of the reason why i still went was to see if everyone’s claims that “suh0’s pictures don’t do him justice” were legitimate because when i first saw jun′s pic (i forgot which exact one), i literally thought, “that’s the handsomest man i’ve ever seen”. so i suppose the claim depends on angles. because ALL of em look like their pictures - their GOOD-ANGLE pictures. MEANING, jun looks as good as his best photos (which tend to be the ones where he faces straight to the front), but now he looks good from whichever angle in motion. he is actually very fair-skinned too! his face was like a beacon of light.

also, in his first ment greeting us, he was such a cheeseball saying our country is beautiful... like us. JUNMYE0N PLEASE.

nearing the end of the concert HE TOLD US NOT TO CRY (along with j0ngin or yeol, can’t remember). THEY’RE GONNA SING THEIR LAST SONG, BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO BE THEIR LAST SONG, BECAUSE THEY’LL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS, RIGHT? HJAGKN;KLSKGKS :”””””(

so to reiterate: i have the biggest soft spot for junmye0n and i love him.

[5ehun]

OH, DURING ONE SONG, 5EHUN CAME OVER TO RUB HIS HEAD ON JUN’S CHEST, AND I WAS LIKE AAAWWWW!!!!! and died. but jun’s back was facing me so i more or less couldn’t see much. after the concert, i found out that  5EHUN TRIED TO LIFT JUN’S SHIRT TO SHOW HIS ABS DURING THE NUZZLE. so i revived and died again. there were a lot of other small interactions too. seho stans won tonight.

below are some of my friend’s standing pen privilege pics:

what i could see from my seat behind -

what i DIDN’T KNOW 5EHUN TRIED FOR A HOT SECOND:

seho stan: *dies*

anyway... i wasn’t paying close attention to 5ehun during group performances (other than when it was his solo dance break and exo-sc perfs), tho i felt like he wasn’t as “engaged” as, say, jun or yeol. but i thought that was normal because yaknow... he’s not very talkative, and i was probably getting that impression just from his naturally stern (rbf LOL) face. 

his dance break was COOL and his exo-sc performances were LIVELY. and when he actually gets to sing (... T_T) nothing went wrong so i thought everything was fine.

however, during one of his ments, 5ehun admitted to us that he felt bad coz he wasn’t up to standard today (because he’s sick?? translator was not doing a thorough job, i got this info from another friend), and he’s sorry. some of us were like “huh?? no?? GWAENCHANA!!!!” and the translator said he said, “no i’m not saying this just so yall will say that, if you continue i’m not gonna share my feelings like this anymore” so we all shut up.

i can’t remember if it was in that same ment, but during one of the ments, the whole time 5ehun was talking, jun was standing waayyyy in front of the line to turn his body to look at 5ehun. i think he was worried for him :”( 5ehunnie bb please don’t beat yourself up over this. my friend in the standing pen said yeah, he was pretty out of it today, he kept staring into space instead of making eye contact with fans. :-(

[j0ngin]

spEAKING of out of it, the same can be said for j0ngin. don’t get me wrong, his dancing was still otherworldly. i was looking through my binoculars to focus on the dance formation and/or jun, but suddenly i was like “wait, i’ve been looking at ka1 dancing this whole time”. IT’S SO FLUID AND SHARP AT THE SAME TIME. EVERY MOVE IS EXECUTED PERFECTLY. IT JUST DRAWS YOU IN.

... but that can only be said for some stages. i felt like his moves were not as sharp/confident sometimes?? i mean they were still graceful, but somehow it feels kinda tired???????? k who am i to judge, i’m not the one dancing and singing for 2 hours straight lmao he obviously needs downtime...

THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT. unfortunately, during the ments, he also wasn’t very hyper (like hE WOULD BE WITH A CERTAIN SOMEONE.............. UGH MY KADI HEART IS ACHING). he dance-bopped around and interacted with yeol a little but that’s all. i know j0ngin is actually a shy boi but he REALLY didn’t talk much. :-(  i honestly suspect the Other Project (s*perM) is tiring him tf out.

am i hallucinating? or maybe i’m being overdramatic. i don’t know. it’s not that i was constantly following his movements like i was junmye0n’s during the concert anyway.

[baek]

he didn’t SEEM as tired as j0ngin thanks to that Other Project. his diet of CDs didn’t change, and he was still the goofball during ments / soft toy fun times. also, man, the amount of screams he got. and MAN, THE UN VILLAGE ROLLING HILLS PART..................... *GURGLES*

perhaps i’m not a baek stan, so i didn’t realise, but my friend commented that while he was not in as bad a state as j0ngin, he COULD’VE been more hyper.

I HOPE BAEK AND J0NGIN ARE RESTING WELL. Slave Management Entertainment PLEASE HAVE A HEART.

[yeol]

okay DUDES this guy was the guy who warned the middle standing pen fans to stop f*cking pushing because they don’t want to get anyone hurt. “ok everyone in the back row (of the standing pen) please raise your hands. can those who raise your hands take one step back please” ... “ok yall raising your hands but you’re not moving back” ... (him/suh0) “we have to be very wary because if you get hurt then we can’t come back”  the entire stadium collectively went “oOOOHHHH” (not in a good way)... BUT THEY STILL DIDN’T MOVE BACK. (him/suh0) “okay you don’t want to move back? then we’ll retreat to the stage behind then” *walks from from the smaller stage closer to exols back to the larger stage all the way at the front*

he was legit not happy. and goodness gracious did he have the right to be. didn’t this nonsense happen with exo-sc kfans before? and at that time 5ehun was the one who got angry.

anyway not only did they leave to continue performing the second set of songs on a bad note FURTHER AWAY, i HIGHLY SUSPECT that the other punishment was to take away one performance. WHICH WAS MY MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ONE - SIGN. YEAH. THEY DIDN’T PERFORM IT. SHOOT ME NOW. THAT WAS THE B-SIDE I WAS IMMEDIATELY WHIPPED FOR ONCE THE TEMPO ALBUM DROPPED. f*ck.

OKAY ALL THAT ANGST ASIDE, he’s still the main goofball of the concert. HE TRIED TO TEACH US HOW TO DAB INTO THE INSIDE OF OUR ELBOWS. HE GROPED CHEN ON STAGE. HE... he does his job of an entertainer well. OMG. HE TOOK SOMEONE’S PHONE AND TOOK PICS/VIDS OF HIM AND SEHUN????? when i finally noticed it happening i thought he literally took his own phone out during performance/fan-interaction-time to take a selfie but then i find out after the concert that NO, IT’S NOT HIS PHONE. ... that phone case must be enshrined immediately.

also he had to take over some lines for some songs, and BOI DELIVERED. he sounded really nice singing :”)

[dae]

not only did he eat CDs while looking super cute in that blue suit, he BELTED OUT LIVE HIGH NOTES AND ADLIBS AND WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM. I’VE NEVER HEARD EXO LIVE, SO, OH MY GOD. it’s like you’re either screeching or silent because they’re performing but there were parts of dae’s performance where had to stop everything, put down my binoculars and eribong, stare into the air for a second, and literally say “wow” out loud. it was surreal. it was crazy. it got to the point where he covered one of xiu’s lines (i forgot which song), and i thought “oh wow, he sounds better singing this line than xiu” and i IMMEDIATELY felt guilty (I ONLY THOUGHT THIS FOR *ONE* OF XIU’S LINES, DON’T KILL ME)

he was quiet during the ment until his turn. when he was engaged he... engaged. haha about the members’ comments that his solo perf was a “different kind of sexy” from j0ngin, where he had only one drop of sweat. HAHA. *does lunges on stage* *gets molested by yeol*

dae’s actually really low-key. he’s like... a “good” boi. will respond well and politely but only when spoken to. what else do i say. sunshine angel. his smile is cute. CAT SMILE :3

[overall]

speaking of cats... baek asked us at the beginning of the concert: why’s the dress code white?

here’s a crappy pic from my android phone one minute before the lights were dimmed:

us: POWER!!! POWER!!!

exo: oh?? baek: does it represent the light power??

us: (loud murmurs of disagreement)

exo/baek: so you’re saying that’s not it... (discusses with members in korean) is it... the white marble???

us: (louder murmurs of disagreement)

exo/baek: hm i guess we can continue guessing till the concert is over haha

im not sure if anyone in the front rows, perhaps a korean fansite, screamed “cat” in korean, but after some discussion again,

exo/baek: (korean) some exols: *SCREAMS* translator: is it cat? exol: *SCREAMS AND WAVES ERIBONGS*

and this was the only legit interaction i feel we got with exo this concert... after having a taste of it at the start, i was subsequently kinda bummed we didn’t get to do this back-and-forth talking with exo (even at a shallow level) likely because of a language barrier. it felt so cool.

also, eribong v.3 was SUPER PRETTY WITH COLOURS. IT WAS MAGICAL, I SAY, MAGICAL.

the entire spectrum could be shown on this eribong. this pic more or less covers the softer range of colours this eribong is capable of. it can also show the harsh red, blue, green, yellow, and of course, white.

a 1-pixel screenshot of my Telegram video to my friend in the standing pen:

the boys were great, the performance was overall astounding, the lights and effects were stunning and pretty, and the time we spent together was too! short! exo also mentioned it’s a shame they could only come this one day for a concert, next time they’ll do two, no, THREE days... for their next album

exols: ganrklflm;fsklflkgsrkg

... WITH “THE REST OF THE MEMBERS”

exols: NAGJSK;NLDFNLGRS *EXPLODES*

tl;dr i love EXO with my entire heart. i count myself lucky for being alive at the same time exo is active and performing live.

[ladywinchester1967]

Off The Beaten Path I Reign

Chapter 1: Frozen Heart

Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Katlynn “Kat” Roberts (OFC).

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Katlynn Roberts

Warnings: Language, drinkings, SMUT, oral: female receving, P in V sex, unprotected sex ((wrap it up IRL kids)), canon type violence, mentions of past trauma, blood (nothing too gory).

 A/N: AS PROMISED HERE IT IS!!! This is my child; my down fall, my muse, my worst distraction, my rhythm and blues. This is the first chapter in a BRAND NEW series for ya’ll; so the tag list is WIDE open. These chapters are gonna be long, so grab a snack and/or a drink before you settle down. Unbeta’d, all mistakes are mine, pics are NOT. With no further delay, let’s begin!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 1: Frozen Heart

“Born of cold and winter air and mountain rain combining, this icy force both foul and fair has a frozen heart worth mining. There's beauty and there's danger here, split the ice apart! Beware the frozen heart...”

It had been a hectic Friday night, that was for sure, Katlynn Roberts reflected as she wiped down the last of her tables for the night. She still had one teenage couple in her section that looked like they were wrapping up. She ran over her to do list in her head; roll silverware, tip out the bus boy and then she was home free. She put her dish towel in the dirty bucket and check on the couple once again.

“You guys still doing okay? Anyone want another refill?” she asked brightly.

“One more Coke,” the guy said “and the check please.”

“Sure, you got it.” Kat said and took the guy's cup “One check or two?”

“One please.” the girl piped up with a smile.

“Okay, be back in second with both of those.” Kat said and turned on her heel. She printed out the check, then refilled the guy's glass and walked back to them.

“Here ya go,” she said, sitting the items down “no rush, you guys go pay at the register whenever you're ready. Let me go ahead and take some of these dishes out of your way.”

The couple nodded as Kat did just that then went into the kitchen, leaving the dishes near the sink. When she came back, the couple was at the register paying and she quickly cleaned and cleared their table. She made her way up to the register after they left, claimed her tips for the night and then grabbed the plastic bin that held the paper napkins and paper napkin rings and a bunch of silverware.

“Kat, wait!” she heard a voice call and she turned. Her co-worker, Julia, held up a different plastic bin and said “I got a bin ready for you.”

“Aw, bless you my dear!” Kat said and set the bin she was holding to the side.

“Anything for you Katniss.” Julia said, calling Kat by one of her laundry list of nick names and Kat laughed, taking the bin from her.

Kat walked over and sat down in her section then began to roll the silverware. It was a monotonous task; but it helped her relax after such a busy night. She heard some familiar chords strike up on the piped in music and shook her head, realizing what song it was; “Sex and Candy” by Marcy Playgound. She laughed and began to sway with the beat, lip syncing along with the song. She found it amazing that she could remember the words to a song that was well over twenty years old; but not remember what she did last Tuesday. She blocked out everything that was going on around her, concentrating on the task at while she entertained herself with the song.

After a little bit, she had the curious feeling she was being watched and she looked up and saw a guy looking at her.

However, this was no ordinary guy, this guy was HOT. Not a lot of guys that came through got her attention, but this one had her struggling to remember to breathe. He had brown hair, green eyes, a sharp jawline that was covered by JUST the right amount of scruff and probably the most adorable smile she'd ever seen on a guy.

“Oh great,” she thought “of course, the hottest guy I've ever laid eyes on sees me making a jackass out of myself. Damn 90's one hit wonders and their catchy beats. BASTARDS!” She instantly blushed, which only made him smile even bigger, revealing perfect white teeth.

“Don't mind me,” he said “didn't mean to break your concentration.”

“No big deal,” Kat said, trying to recover some of her dignity “I'm the night time entertainment.”

“This is the show you put on?” He asked and she nodded

“That's why they pay me the big bucks,” she said and held up a roll of silverware “I multitask.”

He chuckled and said

“That's efficiency right there!” he said and she laughed.

She took note of his clothes; he was wearing a leather jacket and plaid shirt, something about it looked familiar, but she couldn't place it right away.

"You know it." she said, her heart thumping in her chest, he was hot AND funny. She watched as another guy sat with him; this one was tall, with long, dark hair. He was also wearing a leather jacket, jeans and boots. He said something to Hot, Funny Guy but Kat couldn't make it out. She looked down at her silverware and continued to nod and move her lips along with the song. When the song was over, it switched to one she didn't know and she looked up. Hot, Funny Guy was looking at her, she blushed and went back to rolling silverware.

“Okay, so he's either gay or just looking for a good time.” Kat thought “A good time wouldn't be bad, but if he's gay, then I'm shit out of luck. Or he has a girlfriend. He probably has a girlfriend. No one THAT good looking is single and straight.”

She finished up the silverware and dared to look up again. He wasn't looking this time but, dear god was he cute. Kat loaded the silverware up into the plastic container and gave it to Julia who said

"That guy was totally flirting with you!"

"I know." Kat told her

"Go say hi!" Julia said

Kat shook her head

“Nah, no way. It'd be a waste of my time.” Kat said

“What makes you say that?” Julia asked, looking shocked.

“Well, he looks like he strolled out of a magazine and I look like you could fry chicken on my forehead because it's so greasy.” Kat said

“All's I'm saying is that he is totally checking you out and you should tap that. I say it because I love you." Julia said

"Is he really?" Kat asked, secretly excited.

"Yes," Julia said "if he stares any longer, you'll be Swiss cheese."

Kat rolled her eyes

"I'll think about it, in the meantime, I'm gonna clock out and get something to eat." Kat said

"Okay." Julia said and took the silverware from Kat.

The hot, funny guy watched as the Singing Girl with dark hair stood by the bar talking to a taller brunette. She had a round shaped face, striking emerald green eyes that were slightly too large for her face, a small, button nose and luscious pink lips. She was petite, probably no more than five feet tall, wearing jeans, non slip black shoes and a t-shirt that had the diner's logo plastered on it with her hair back in a braided bun.

She turned around and walked to the back of the restaurant as he caught a glimpse of her from behind. She had a medium sized waist, however, it was her butt and thighs that had his attention.

“Holy. Shit. Nice ass.” he thought, smirking. Dirty thoughts raced through his head as she walked away.

“Hello?” the tall guy asked “Earth to Dean”

Dean snapped out of his trance and asked

“Sorry Sam, what were you babbling about?”

“Um, the case we're here to work,” Sam said “Unless you have other ideas.”

“Did you see that girl?” Dean asked Sam “She's really pretty.”

“You finding a girl attractive?” Sam asked, his voice dripping was sarcasm “There's an odd concept.”

“Listen, just because I like to mix work and pleasure doesn't make me a bad person” Dean said “If you lightened up and got laid every once in a while you wouldn't be so,” he searched for the words as the waitress brought over the coffee that had ordered “I don't know, you.”

“Can I get you fellas anything to eat?” the waitress asked.

“Just coffee for right now,” Sam said with a smile “Thank you though.”

Their waitress, the one had been talking to the Singing Girl, gave Sam a flirtatious grin and said

“You boys need anything just let me know, my name is Julia”

“Actually, I have one quick question,” Dean said “if you have a second.”

“Sure.” Julia said

“The short, dark haired girl,” Dean said “the one you were talking to?”

“Yeah?” Julia asked, her eyes brightening

“Is she single?” Dean asked and Julia nodded

“VERY,” Julia said “she thinks you're cute AND she's just about to clock out to eat at the bar. She does the same thing every night.”

“Julia, you're my new favorite person.” Dean said with a smile, tipping his coffee cup to her.

Julia blushed and giggled as she walked away

“See? She's into you.” Dean said

Sam rolled his eyes and added sugar to his coffee

“We have a case to solve,” Sam said “which is why we're here. Three mysterious deaths in a month?”

“Yeah, but that doesn't narrow down what it is” Dean said as he drank his coffee “The sheriff said it was campers and we didn't find any hex bags or sulfur at the scene when we checked it out.”

“That DOES narrow it down” Sam said “We know we're not dealing with a witch or demons, plus there was no EMF so it definitely isn't a ghost or vengeful spirit”

“So we're looking for a creature?” Dean asked “Fan-friggin-tastic.” The Singing Girl emerged from the back of the restaurant with her purse and jacket over her shoulder.

“Speaking of fan-friggin-tastic.” Dean said and smiled. She was looking down at her phone so she didn't meet his eyes.

Sam huffed

“Jesus, fine. Go get laid.”

“Jealousy never was a good look on your face Sammy” Dean said with a wink.

Kat sat down at the bar, after checking her Instagram and Julia asked

“What're we having tonight?”

“Chicken soup and double cherry pie.” Kat said

“The dinner of champions?” Julia chided and Kat nodded “Coming right up.”

Kat felt a presence next to her and looked up to see Hot, Funny Guy standing there.

“How's the pie here?” he asked

“The double cherry is the best in three counties,” Kat told him “you want a slice?”

“Hell yeah!” Hot, Funny Guy said “But only if I get to sit with you.”

“Smooth.” Kat thought and smiled “Sure,” she said and motioned to the empty seat next to her “pop a squat.”

“There's one I haven't heard before” Hot, Funny Guy said as he sat down “I'm Dean, by the way.” he stuck his hand out.

“Katlynn,” she said and took his hand “everyone calls me Kat.”

His palms were rough in hers; a working man's hands, she noted as they shook hands.

“Julia, can you get Dean a slice of double cherry pie please?” Kat asked

“That's the last slice, I'll have you know.” Julia said as she grabbed another plate and handed them each one. They both dug in as Kat's soup arrived and Dean groaned.

“Oh my god,” he said “this is amazing!”

“Right?!” Kat asked “I wasn't lying when I said best in three counties was I?”

“Nope!” Dean said and dug back in.

They fell into an easy and flirtatious conversation with lots of long glances and half smirks. Kat was no where close to wanting the night to end.

"So, Dean, what brings you to this part of Texas?" Kat asked

"Work." he said simply

"I'm so sorry," she said and he looked at her "It's boring out this way." she added

"I don't know," he said "I'm liking it so far." and looked at her.

"What're you doing after you finish that pie?" Kat asked

"Well I was gonna go back to my motel and crash, unless you have a better idea." Dean said

"That depends, do you play pool?" She asked

"Oh, I don't just play," Dean said "I own it."

Kat raised her eye brows and clicked her tongue

"Really? That sounds like a challenge." she said

"You play?" He asked

"Yep, and I play to win." she said

Someone cleared their throat and they looked up, it was the tall guy.

"I already paid, you coming?" Tall Guy asked Dean

"Kat, this is my brother Sam." Dean said

"Nice to meet you Sam," Kat said brightly "Dean and I were going to shoot some pool, want to come?"

"No, thank for the invitation but I'm tired." Sam said

"See ya Sammy." Dean said with a wink.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to go change out of these work clothes and then we'll go" Kat said

"Okay, I'll wait." Dean said.

Kat grabbed her bag and went into the ladies' room.

She shut herself in a stall and changed out of her work uniform and she put on a gray tank top, tied a red and black plaid shirt over it, jeggings and ankle boots. She quickly brushed her hair and put her uniform into her bag. Once she was out of the stall, she swished some mouthwash around in her mouth and spit it out. She sprayed on some perfume and checked in the mirror, she looked good. After taking a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and left the bathroom. She found Dean right where she'd left him and asked

"Ready to go?"

He turned around he smiled

"Sure am." and got up. Kat looked over her shoulder to see Julie mouthing "call me later!" At her. Kat stifled a laugh and followed behind Dean.

Dean and Kat wandered across the road to a pool hall. When they walked in, there were a good amount of people at the bar, a few of the bartenders greeted Kat. She waved back and then they found an empty pool table. Dean walked up to the bar and said to one of the bartenders, a large, barrel chested man with a salt a pepper crew cut, a thick, black mustache and eyebrows that matched the mustache.

“A beer for me, and whatever she normally has.” motioning to Kat.

“You're in luck,” the bartender said “she normally has beer too. We'll bring it out.”

“Thank you.” Dean said and walked back over to Kat who had set her purse and jacket at one of the high top tables.

"I'm going to warn you, I'm really good at this." Kat said as she grabbed her stick.

"So am I." Dean said as he racked up the balls.

"How about a friendly wager?" Kat asked and Dean raised his eyebrow.

"What did you have in mind?" He asked, taking his beer as the bartender brought it over.

"Ten bucks from both of us, winner take all." Kat said, grabbing her beer.

"Anything else?" He asked, taking a sip from his bottle

"Possibly." Kat said with a mischievous grin, and took a few big gulps of beer.

"You're on." Dean said and grabbed a ten out of his wallet. Kat counted out ten dollars from her tips and put it on the table.

"You want to break?" Dean asked

"Sure." Kat said and grabbed the white ball. Dean moved the triangle away from the balls and Kat broke them up, the red solid ball going into a corner pocket. "I'm solids." she said.

"Okay, just shoot." Dean said playfully

"You're not getting worried, are you?" Kat asked

Dean shook his head

"Not at all."

Kat set up her shot and sank a solid green ball into the side pocket. Dean watched as she moved efficiently around the pool table; each of her steps seemed more like she was gliding rather than walking. She had and easy grace in her movements; from the way her hips swayed, to how nimbly she moved the pool stick in her hands. She aimed for the solid yellow one but missed.

"Your turn." Kat said and moved away. Dean took his shot and sunk it in effortlessly.

The game went back and forth pretty quickly and Dean hadn't lied, it was REALLY good. She studied him as he moved; he was easily six feet tall, he had freckles spread across his face, long eyelashes and sinfully full lips. The feature she was most interested in, however, were his eyes. They seemed to change from a bright green to a golden green. He lined up a particularly difficult shot, biting his bottom lip as he concentrated.

“Jesus fucking Christ.” she thought

“There’s no way you’re making that.” she said

He looked up and gave her a panty melting, devilish smirk.

“Oh ye of little faith.” he quipped.

Julia had been right, it had been a long time since she’d been laid. He seemed to be into her, otherwise he wouldn’t be here. He was undoubtedly hot; sex on bowed legs if she was perfectly honest with herself. He wasn’t wearing a ring, he flirted with her like he was unattached. She watched as he took the shot and made it, her mouth dropped open and he said

“What can I say? I’m good.” with a cocky grin.

“Yeah, yeah hot shot.” she said, faking annoyance but she was secretly impressed. The game went on as did the flirting between Dean and Kat, she made a particularly difficult shot and he said

“Damn, you ARE good! You're giving me a run for my money!”

She held the pool stick in one hand and twirled a piece of loose hair between the fingers of her other hand.

“I TOLD you I was good.” she insisted as he moved closer to her.

“Yeah, but when most people say that,” he said, standing inches from her, she could feel his body heat and smell his cologne “they're bluffing.”

She looked up at him with a small grin playing on her lips

“MOST being the operative word.” she challenged, still twirling the end of her hair between her fingers. He smiled, his tongue barely grazing over his bottom lip.

“Yeah, you're right.” he said and walked past her, his the finger tips of his free hand, brushing the back of her hand that was holding the pool stick. Her cheeks flushed pink as she made a half turn, his back was to her. She noted that he had strong, broad shoulders and briefly wondered if the freckles on his face also dotted his shoulders. He turned to the side and she got a good, long look at his backside as he bent over the table to take his shot.

“Good lord.” she mumbled to herself. In that moment, she knew she was in trouble.

They ordered more beer and Kat was starting to lose. Disgruntled and a little tipsy, she concentrated on making her next shot, biting her lower lip. She heard him audibly sigh and she looked up. He had an intensely sexual look on his face and she smiled at him.

“If you take a picture handsome, it'll last longer.” she told him and he laughed as she took her shot and missed. “God damn it!” she yelled and he sauntered over to take his shot.

“Tough luck there princess.” He teased

“I'm no princess,” she quipped “I'm the queen; I got my shit handled.”

He chuckled, took his shot and sank it easily.

The song on the piped in music switched to one that had been popular when she was in high school. It had a stupidly catchy beat and in her inebriated state, she started to move her hips and head as she moved around the table, watching line up his next shot. However, he was distracted by her dancing, she could certainly move.

“You gonna take your shot or what?” she teased and he gave her a full grin as he walked over to her and got close, his fingers barely brushing her hip.

“Quit shaking your ass and I might be able to.” He said

She smiled and bit her lip

“Nah, I'm not gonna do that.” She said

“Well then we have a problem,” he said “I can't take my shot, you won't quit dancing and you're distracting me.”

She raised her eyebrows and shrugged

“Oh, how ever could we solve THAT problem?” she asked, giving him a suggestive grin.

“I'm not sure, any ideas?” he asked

She was sure he had PLENTY of ideas in that mind of his, but he may have been trying to feel her out to make sure they were on the same page.

"How about we up the stakes on this game?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh?" He asked as she moved closer

"If I win, we play another round. Double or nothing." Kat said, half sitting on the pool table

"If I win?" He asked

Her heart pounded, liquid courage pumping through her veins. The sexual tension between them was palpable.

"That's up to you." she said and bit her lip

“Oh fuck.” he thought, every dirty thought he'd had about her all evening bubbled to the surface. It was now or never.

"If I win, we get out of here." he said

“SCORE!” She thought

Kat pretended to mull this over

"Okay." she said

"You're on." he said

"Good luck." she said, standing up right

He lined up his shot again and she waited. He took it and missed. He hung his head in defeat and she laughed

"Aw, nice try!" She exclaimed as he moved away

"Yeah, yeah." he said, mentally kicking himself. He'd officially blown it with her.

Kat lined up her shot and sunk in her last ball. She looked up at him, smiling and he was giving her a flirtatious smirk.

"Okay, double or nothing right?" He asked, reaching for his wallet.

"I changed my mind," she said and he looked at her as she set her pool stick aside and walked over to him. "Keep your money, let's get out of here."

"We'll get out of here but you won fair and square." he said and handed her the cash.

"Nah, keep your money,” she said “I had to entice you to play me some how.”

“Well, you could've just asked.” he said, grabbing the ten he had laid out

“Honestly, where's your sense of adventure?” she asked him and he laughed. She loved how his eyes crinkled up when he laughed. Deciding to have some fun, and also to see if this guy was worth his salt she said “Though before we go,” as she grabbed her jacket and purse. He looked at her “there’s something you should probably know about me” she added

“What’s that?” He asked, looking amused and curious at the same time.

She bit her lip, looked down at her shoes and then back up at him

“I’m a virgin.” she said with a shy look on her face. He cocked his head to the side

“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say to that,” he said “I could go cheesy and say “oh I’ll fix that” or some other bullshit.”

Her face broke into a grin and she laughed “Oh my god, I’m kidding!” She exclaimed “I almost couldn’t keep a straight face!”

Realization crossed his face and he started laughing

“You’re fucking with me!” He shouted as he laid down his pool stick and they left the bar. He was pleasantly surprised, most women were either on their best behavior or throwing themselves at him, this one was laughing and joking like they were old friends and flirting with him like crazy. He was into it.

Once they were outside, she said

“Well yeah, what fun is it if you can’t mess with someone?”

He shrugged

“You have a point there, you almost had me.” He said

“And what if I was?” She asked him

He gave her another shrug

“I’d say if you were up for it, okay, cool. We’ll go. If you weren’t, again, cool. Whatever.” He said

Kat smiled and said

"I'm just around the corner from here."

"Lead the way." he said and they set off.

After walking about half a block, they came to a small apartment building and Kat said

"Here we are."

They walked up the flight of stairs and to the end of the hallway where Kat fished her keys out of her pocket. She unlocked the door to apartment number 8 and they walked in. She turned on the kitchen light. He shut the door behind them and Kat dropped her purse and jacket on the table. They looked at each other for a split second and then she closed the gap between them.

"Well now what?" She asked

"I think we're on the same page." he said, tentatively stretching his hands out toward her. She nodded and he put his hands on her hips. She stood on her tip toes and kissed him. The full lips she’d been fantasizing about for the last two hours were warm and soft of hers as her arms traveled up his and rested on his shoulders. He opened his mouth and kissed her again, firmer this time. Without warning, he picked her up wrapping her legs around his waist, kissing her over and over again. She ran her hands through his hair as her lips met his.

"Straight back." she told him as he carried her out of the kitchen and into her dark bedroom. He kicked the door shut with his foot and sat her on the bed. The bedroom was bathed in light coming from the street lamp outside. She made quick work of unbuttoning his shirt while he reached down and untied the knot her shirt was in. She shrugged out of it and he tossed it aside. She pushed the shirt off his shoulders and revealed a black shirt under the plaid. He pulled the black shirt off and revealed his bare chest. On his chest was a tattoo that looked like a pentagram with sun rays around it and she gasped.

"What?" He asked

She stared wide eyed at him

"Why do you have an anti-possession tattoo?" She asked

His face went from lust filled to serious

"What?" He asked

"Are you a hunter?" Kat asked, still staring at his tattoo.

"What do you know about hunters?" he asked and backed away from her. Kat stood up and turned around, moving her hair off of her shoulder to show off her back.

She had the same symbol tattooed on her shoulder blade.

"I'm one too." she said when she turned around "Who are you, really?"

"Dean is my real name," He said "My last name is Winchester"

She stared at him, her mouth agape. The Winchester name was a well known in the hunting community, they were practically legends. She'd heard countless stories about them, but when it came to Dean, the stories were from female hunters and usually included the phrase “best night of my life” somewhere in there. She pushed those stories out of her mind and asked

"YOU'RE Dean Winchester? Didn't you die a few years ago?”

He laughed

“Yeah, didn't really stick.” he answered, a flash of something dark crossed his expression before he gave her another heart stopping grin.

“So, now what?" she asked

Dean blinked and asked

"I don't know, are we still doing this or?"

Kat laughed

"Yeah, we definitely are." she said, she knew she would kick herself forever if she let the sex god get away without seeing if he lived up to the hype.

"Awesome." he said and closed the gap between them, taking her face in his hands and kissing her.

She laid back on the bed, pulling him on top of her as he kissed her over and over again. His lips worked their way down her jaw and neck. He kissed his way up to her ear and then asked

"What do you like?"

Her eyes went wide.

"What?" She asked. He pulled back, repeated the question and she asked "Wait, you actually CARE about what I like?"

He looked confused

"Um, yeah?" He asked, not sure where she was going with that and he told her so.

"No, I'm just surprised," she said "It's much appreciated"

"So, what do you like?" He asked his finger tracing her cheek. Proper brain function has ceased for half a second, the feeling of those rough hands on her face made her wonder what else he could do with them. Getting her mind out of the gutter, she spoke

"Um, I mean I like being on top and bottom. Nothing super rough." She managed to say

"What about going down?" He asked

"Giving or receiving?" She asked

"Both." he said

"Neither is my cup of tea." she said, suddenly uneasy.

"Neither? Really?" He asked, surprised.

"No offense, but most guys have no clue what they're doing when they get down there, then I'm left staring at my watch or the ceiling," She told him “And I have issues with going down on guys, that I'd rather not get into at this moment.”

"Mind if I try on you?" He asked "Worse case, if you start looking at your watch, just say so and we'll do something else. You don't have to worry about reciprocating. It's nice, I don't expect it though.”

Jesus Christ, so far he WAS living up to the hype.

"Okay." she said and kissed him.

“Holy shit.” she thought as he kissed his way down her body. She pulled her shoes and socks off and then pulled off her jeggings, casting them aside. He admired her thick, creamy thighs as he bit his lip. She slowly pulled her panties off, throwing them aside. She scooted up the bed so that she was laying against the pillows, her legs bent at the knee. He crawled across the bed, sat up on his knees and parted her legs. He picked one leg up and kissed from her inner knee, to her inner thigh, her leg going over his shoulder as he lowered himself down, kissing to the apex of her thighs, her knees going weak. He threw her other leg over his shoulder as a chill ran up her spine. She drew a shaky breath as she felt his mouth close over her wet hole, as if he was kissing her there. She inhaled sharply, feeling his tongue move in slow circles inside her, making her eyes go wide; the intensity surprising her.

"Ohhhh!" she moaned out, the delicious sensation, washing over her. He flicked his tongue over and over on her, making her cry out, his fingertips pressing into her thighs. He swirled his tongue around faster, her hips rocking against him.

“You taste good,” he told her as he lapped up her taste “so sweet.”

"Mhhhh," she cried out, biting her lip. "Yes, yes, oh god!" she moaned out, his tongue going from her entrance up to her clit, zig zagging it as he did so. She cried out again, her head practically spinning.

"Dean!" she managed to choke out

He picked his head up "You good?” he asked

Something, again, no one had ever cared enough to make sure of. Her eyes met his and she nodded. Satisfied, he dipped his head back and her mouth dropped open.

"There's NO way this is an act," she thought, his tongue going back to work on her "Either that, or it is and this guy deserves an Academy Award."

His tongue went from side to side, she felt his hand slide up her thigh, his fingers gently touching her clit while he moved his tongue. Kat tilted her head back, moaning as heat rolled over her body. She cried out and arched her back, gripping the pillow by her head.

"I'm gonna-" she couldn't finish the sentence, the intensity of his touch and tongue overwhelmed her and she cried out again, the tense passion in her lower abdomen coming undone as she let go. He picked his head up as she breathed hard, her nerves humming loudly.

"Oh my god!" she said and her eyes met his, he was smirking.

"I'm not done with you yet." he said and unzipped his pants. She stifled a giggle of excitement, if he could do that with his mouth, God only knew what he could do with the rest of his body. He kicked off his boots, pants and boxer briefs as he kissed his way back up her body, his hard member grazing her inner thigh. Their lips met and she spread her legs open. He tentatively pushed just inside of her, his tongue meeting hers. He gently moved his hips back and forth, pushing further into her as he went. She moaned against his mouth, her hands moving up his arms, to his shoulders and finally meeting behind his head. He pushed all the way in her, filling her and she slipped her tongue in his mouth. He moved his hips back and forth at a steady pace inside her as her fingers tangled in his thick hair she'd wanted to grab since she laid eyes on him. He moaned against her mouth as she hooked her leg around his hips and rolled, bringing her on top of him. If he was going to show off, so would she. She let her hands slide up and down his bare chest and stomach, grazing over every defined muscle as she rocked her hips back and forth on top of him. His hands slid up her thighs, coming to a rest on her hips as he tilted his head back with a sigh. She moved her hands over his, getting his attention, as her hands slid up her body. Over her stomach, her breasts and shoulders and she placed her hands in her hair as she moved her hips faster, moaning. She tilted her body back, giving him a good, long look at her. He snapped up, his arms around her, kissing her furiously.

"You're gorgeous." he murmured against her mouth. She responded by kissing him hard, her hands sliding from his chest to the back of his neck. His hands roamed from her hips to the small of her back. He laid them flat, pressing her all the way down on him as she let out a whimper. She placed her knees firmly on the bed, on either side of his hips, raising her body up and pressing her chest into his. He slid his hands down and cupped her behind in his hands. He noted it was the perfect balance between firm and soft as he pressed his fingertips into her flesh. Her lips left his mouth and she kissed down his jaw line and neck as she pressed and pulled her hips into him. She kissed down his neck and shoulders, noting she was right about the freckles on his shoulders and grazed his flesh with her teeth. He let out a growl and rolled her on to her back, throwing one of her legs over his shoulder. From this position, it was impossible for her to hold on any more. She warned him as much as she could and he gently kissed her chest.

"Come" he said

"Jesus H. Christ" she thought

With that, she let go again, the shock waves reverberated through her body as she cried out in a tone she didn't recognize has her own. He moaned, letting go inside her. When he was done, he rolled off of her and laid beside her as they caught their breath. Kat couldn't decide if it was because it had been so long or because it was THAT good, but she felt like she had gotten some kind of sexual achievement.

She grinned stupidly as she looked at him, he was grinning too.

"You're good." she told him

"So are you," he said "Like, really good"

They caught their breath and she asked

"You want a beer or something?"

"Sure." he said

She got up and pulled on a fresh pair of panties and a long sleeved shirt she slept in and went to go retrieve beer from her fridge.

When she got back, Dean had pulled on his shirt and underwear, they sat on her bed, his back against the headboard and her sitting cross legged beside him.

"So, you're a hunter?" He asked, his fingers running over the back of her hand.

"I'm semi-retired,” she told him "My parents were hunters, I didn't realize what they actually did until I was five or six. They told me they were traveling sales people so I spent a lot of time with my parents' friends, who were retired hunters."

"So, what happened?" Dean asked, his fingers stopping.

"My parents were killed by demons," she told him "the demons kidnapped me and my parents fell right into a trap to get me back."

Dean stared as Kat recalled the details.

"They tortured my parents and made me watch." she told him.

"No." Dean said, shocked

Kat nodded

“They were done so they left me tied to a chair in an abandoned warehouse with my dead parents. Security guards found me a few hours later because someone had reported screaming from inside. They called it a double murder and kidnapping, but I knew what happened. I couldn't tell anyone, but I knew. In the back of that police car, I swore revenge. I'd track down the demons that killed my parents and I'd avenge my parent's death. Leave one wolf alive and the sheep are never safe, know what I mean?”

"But I'm guessing that didn't go as planned" Dean said

"No, not right away." She said and rolled on to her back, her head turned toward him. "My parents were killed when I was eight, all of my close relatives are dead and I don't have any siblings so I was put in the care of my third cousins in Tulsa, Oklahoma. So I moved out there and," she paused and searched for the right words

"And what?" Dean asked

"Things took a pretty quick nosedive," she said "I can't put it any more gently than that."

"What happened?" Dean asked

"Well, it turns out that Aunt Chloe and Uncle Kevin, that's what they told me to call them, only took me in so they could collect more government assistance and were heavy drug users. Any money they got was blown on drugs.” She bit her lip and looked back at him, his face unreadable. It looked like a mixture of rage and something else she couldn't understand; pity maybe?

"Everything I went through; the nights I went to bed cold and hungry, the teasing I got from other kids, every forgotten birthday, all I could think about was one day I would become a hunter and kill the demons that had landed me here. I saved up every bit of pocket money I could scrounge up or hide from Chloe and Kevin. I had a teacher, Mrs. Morris, that helped me get in contact with some hunters and I found a couple, Shannon and Dave, that knew my parents and they offered to take me in and teach me hunting. When I turned eighteen, I packed what few things I had, ran away and never looked back. While Shannon and Dave were teaching me to hunt, I earned my keep by helping them out at a bar they owned and helping on cases."

"Did you ever find the demons that killed your parents?" Dean asked

"After thirteen years of searching and killing a hell of a lot of other things along the way, yes I did. Once I killed them, I didn't feel like I needed to do anything else. So, I threw a dart at a map, it landed on Waco, Texas and that's why I'm here now. If a case comes up near by, I'll take it, but I don't leave for very long if I can help it.”

“Why's that?” Dean asked

“I made a life here,” she said “I wanted to get back to the normal I remembered from being a kid.”

Dean sensed a coldness in her words; like she was projecting an image of herself. Something was blocking him from her.

“Reasonable” Dean said with a shrug, deciding to put that thought aside.

"What happened to you?" She asked, seeing something poking out of his shirt sleeve

"What're you talking about?" He asked

"Right here." she asked and touched his shoulder, he rolled the sleeve up; there was an old hand print shaped scar on his shoulder.

"Touched by an angel." he said

"What?" She asked, shocked

"No seriously," he said "Long story."

"Hey, I just spilled my guts here" she said teasingly "I'm kidding, you don't have to tell me anything.”

"It's not something I really like to talk about, but considering what you went though, I guess we had somewhat similar experiences," he said and she looked at him "I went to hell."

"Literally Hell?" She asked and he nodded

"Got my soul ripped out by hell hounds and everything. Nasty business. Anyway, an angel, Castiel, grabbed me by the shoulder and brought me back from Hell." he said.

"What does one DO in hell?" She asked

He mulled it over

"Depends on the person I guess." he said

"Okay, what did YOU do while you were in hell?" She asked

He shook his head, he wasn't talking about that with a stranger.

"I can understand." she said. Something about him made her want to tell him everything; she didn't realize how badly she wanted to tell someone that would understand, but she bit her tongue.

Good time? Sure. Dr. Phil session? Nope. Not happening.

He smirked and she looked at the clock on her bedside table.

"I hate to be a party pooper, but I have a double shift tomorrow. Otherwise I'd suggest you sleep over." she said

"I doubt there'd be much sleeping." he said, a mischievous grin on his face.

"You ain't lying about that," she said with a laugh as she got up "At least let me give you a ride back to your motel."

"You don't have to." he said and finished his beer

"A pair of hunters are in town and you think I'm going to let you walk back in the dark?" She asked as she pulled her clothes back on "You must think I'm an idiot or something."

"Far from it, actually." he said and got dressed.

They walked outside and went around to the back of the apartment building where the parking lot was located.

"Which one is yours?" Dean asked, scanning the vehicles

"That one." she said and nodded to an old model Mustang.

"Holy shit." Dean said as they walked over to it and she laughed

"This is MY baby." she told him, admiring her car's black and chrome exterior.

"Oh, she's a beauty," he said and looked the car over "what is this, a 66?"

"Close," she said and unlocked the doors "she's a '67."

He let out a low whistle

"Same year as my car. What 'cha got under the hood?" He asked as he climbed in

"A 302 V8," she said and cranked the car up. She revved the engine and a huge grin spread across his face. "You have a 67 too?" She asked

"A 67 Chevy Impala," he told her "Damn, she's got some giddy up." he said

"Oh, you have NO idea," she said and put the car in gear "A 67 Impala? This I have to see."

"Where'd you find her?" He asked

"On a hunt with Dave," she said as they took off "We helped this guy take out a pack of werewolves and it was my birthday, so he gave Dave a REALLY good deal on it and we fixed it up."

"How long did it take?" Dean asked as they took off into the night

"Like two years," she said "We worked on it between cases and had to find all the parts. She was a V6, but we upgraded her to a V8."

"Good choice." he said, admiring the pristine interior.

He told her which motel he and Sam were staying at and she pulled into the parking lot.

"Right there, that's my car." he said, pointing to it.

"Jesus H. Christ" she said as she pulled up next to it

"That's my Baby." he said and her mouth dropped open.

"Oh my god." Kat said as she cut off the Mustang and climbed out of it "Oh, she's GORGEOUS" she said, admiring the Impala. She was an 18-foot bad ass and Kat fell in love instantly "Okay, so what do YOU have under the hood?" She asked

"502 big block." he said

"V8?" She asked

He snorted

"Of course." he said and she grinned

"Now you have to crank her up, I want to hear this beast." she said and he smiled

"Hold on, my brother has the keys." he said and went into the motel room, leaving the door open. He came back a few seconds later, with Sam right behind him.

"Nice Mustang." Sam commented as Dean unlocked the driver's side of the Impala.

"Thanks," Kat said "This is my baby" she patted the Mustang fondly

Sam chuckled

"Well this is his baby." he said, nodding to the Impala as Dean cranked her up and revved the engine.

"DAMN, that's loud!" Kat said and Dean grinned

"That's my girl!" He said and cut the engine off

"Excuse me while I try not to drool on your car." she said as he climbed out and shut the door

"No shame." Dean said

"Well, thanks for showing off your baby," Kat said "if you guys need help, you know where to find me"

Sam's widened eyes darted from Dean to Kat and back again

"Relax," Dean said "She's a hunter too."

Sam relaxed and went back inside as Dean stepped closer to Kat

"If I want to see you again before I leave, can I find you at work?" He asked

"Or I could just give you my number." she said

"Works for me." he said

She grabbed a pen out of her purse, took his hand and wrote her number on his palm. Her eyes lingered on his hand for a few seconds longer than they probably should have, remembering how they'd worked magic on her, making her blush. She wrote her name and drew a quick smiley face next to it.

"Cute." he commented

"Just so you don't forget." she said with a smile.

"Not likely." he said

They quickly kissed and then she left. While driving back to her apartment; she texted Julie.

"I'm telling you Sammy, she's PERFECT." Dean said, it was the next day and they were taking a break from researching their case to get something to eat. Wanting to see Kat again, Dean had coaxed Sam into going back to the diner.

"The girl or the car?" Sam asked

"Yes," Dean said "And yes."

"Dean, you just met her, how do you know she's perfect?" Sam asked.

They went into the diner and asked to sit in Kat's section. Kat herself, was busy behind the bar, pouring an older gentleman a cup of coffee. The hostess that had seated them went over to Kat and made her aware her section had been sat. Kat looked up and saw them sitting there. Dean's eyes met hers and her cheeks went a rosy pink.

"God, she is so cute." Dean said, looking at her

"You're going to make me barf and I haven't eaten since this morning." Sam said and looked at the menu.

Kat came over to their table and greeted them warmly as she set silverware and napkins down for them. Today she had her hair up in a bun and was wearing pretty pink lipstick.

"Jose, one of our chefs, is trying out a special chili recipe." She told Dean

"What's in it?" Dean asked

"He calls it Meat Eater Chili; ground beef, bacon and smoked sausage with black beans and onions and a LITTLE chili powder for some kick," she told Dean "Served with a choice of cornbread or Texas toast."

Dean was nearly drooling

"I'll take ALL of the chili you have. I mean all of it, with cornbread." Dean said

“Do you have anything that won't put me in an early grave?” Sam teased and Kat laughed

"We have chicken that we marinate in white wine and Italian spices. You can have it on a sandwich, in a salad, grilled or whatever." she told him

"That sounds amazing" Sam said "I'll take the chicken on a salad, grilled please.”

"What's your side? We have sweet potato fries on special this week" Kat told him

"That sounds really good, thanks Kat." Sam said

"I'll be right back." she said, she winked at Dean and walked away.

Dean looked at his brother with a Cheshire Cat grin on his face and Sam said

"Yeah, she's good."

When she brought over their food, she set it in front of them and said

"Jose wants to know how the chili is, do you guys want anything else?"

"More water please." Sam said

"Coming right up." she said and went to grab the water pitcher. They dug into their food and when Kat came back, they had practically devoured everything. She laughed as she refilled their water glasses and asked

"Everything good here?"

They looked up and nodded, their mouths full of food.

"Good, you two enjoy, I'll be right back" she said and went over to check on her other table. She greeted them just as warmly and smiled at a little boy in the booth down the way from them.

Dean swallowed and said

"See? And she's THAT NICE, all the time."

"How?" Sam asked

Dean shrugged

"Dude, I don't know. She just is." he said

Sam watched as she waved at the little boy who looked really excited to see her.

"Don't look now, but I think you have some competition." Sam said and nodded to the little boy. Dean turned and saw him waving and smiling at Kat.

"Hey Jonah, we're you having today?" She asked him with a grin.

Dean turned back and said

"I better up my game." sarcastically

Sam rolled his eyes

"You might lose to the better man, he has that smiling and waving thing down."

"Shut up Sam." Dean said and finished off his chili.

After they ate, Sam and Dean met Kat at the register.

"Jose!" Kat called and Jose stuck his head out of the kitchen "This is special agent Steven Tyler and his partner Joe Perry. Steven is the guy that ordered the chili."

Jose wandered out of the kitchen and Dean said

"It was phenomenal"

"Thank you!" Jose said "I worked on it for two weeks to get it just right."

"It was amazing!" Dean said as he handed Kat his card.

"Thanks again, glad you guys enjoyed it." Jose said and then went back into the kitchen.

"Who came up with the idea for the chicken?" Sam asked as Kat swiped Dean's card and waited for the receipt to print.

"That was me," Kat said "I tried it at home and the guy that owns the place did too so that's when he decided to let us pitch our food ideas and that's how we keep a rotating menu." the receipt printed and she handed it to Dean for him to sign.

"I might need some more of that chicken before we leave town." Sam said

"Who are you telling? We're coming back for chili." Dean said and signed the receipt and slid Kat some cash for her tip.

"So, can we borrow you for a second?" Sam asked "We need to ask you some questions about the case."

Kat looked at the clock on the wall

"I take my break in like forty-five minutes, does that work?"

"Go ahead Kit Kat, I'll cover." one of the other waitresses, Tanya, said from across the bar.

"Or I could go now" Kat said with a laugh "Thanks Tea."

They went outside and stood over by the Impala

"We think it's a wendigo." Sam said

Kat made a face

"Wendigos are a pain in the ass to hunt." she said

"Yeah and they only come out at night, so that's where our problem is." Dean said

"We think it's holed up in the woods near where those campers went missing," Sam said "Do you know if there's any place where a wendigo could hide?"

Kat thought and said

"Yeah, there's some mine shafts out near this old farm, they've both been abandoned for like ever so maybe that's where it is."

"Can you show us on a map?" Sam said and pulled out his phone. He found a map of the area and Kat looked at it, scanning it and then she said

"Yeah, it's right here," she said and zoomed in on an area about ten miles up the road. "Near mile marker 323, the local teenagers like to go out there and get the wits scared out of them because the property is haunted. Allegedly." She said with a shrug "I've checked, there's no EMF, but I never thought to look for a wendigo."

"Well then that's where we'll start tonight." Sam said

"You guys want an extra set of hands?" Kat asked

"We'll call you if we need you." Dean said and then he glanced at Sam.

"Yeah, I'm just gonna go make a couple of calls." Sam said with a look at Dean and he walked away.

"Can I help you Special Agent Tyler?" Kat asked sarcastically.

"So, what's my competition like in there?" Dean asked playfully, nodding to the little boy who was looking out the window at Kat.

Kat laughed

"Oh Jonah? I don't know, he's pretty tough. He knows all his shapes and colors. He even knows the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song." she said

"Damn, all I got is Sesame Street." Dean said

"I didn't figure you for a Sesame Street kinda kid." Kat said

"I wasn't but Sam was" Dean said, smiling "See you later tonight?" He asked

"Definitely." she said and raised her eyebrows with a suggestive smirk on her face.

That night after her double was over, Kat was taking out the garbage before she left. She stepped outside the diner and walked over to the dumpsters. She shoved the bag into the dumpster and heard the engine of the Impala pull up. She turned and saw Dean climbing out.

"Hey stranger!" She shouted to him.

He turned, saw her and smiled. She started to walk toward him when the expression on his face changed from excited to worried in a split second.

"KAT, behind you!" He yelled and started running toward her. Kat turned and was met with a piece of wood to the head. She hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, out cold. Dean raised his gun to the guy that hit her and said "Don't move!"

"Or what?" The guy taunted

Before Dean could respond, he got whacked on the back of the head and he fell to the ground, also out cold.

"Guess we'll never know." the woman that had hit him over the head said, smiling at the guy.

Kat's head snapped up, her shoulders, ankles and hands tied firmly to the chair she was sitting on.

"Kat?" Came Dean's voice from behind her

"Yeah?" She asked with a moan

"You're awake." he said

She blinked a couple of times trying to get her vision to correct itself and then felt around as best as she could but couldn't feel the knots. She wriggled her feet and asked

“Any progress over there?”

“Working on it.” Dean said

The door a few feet away suddenly opened and they turned their heads to see the couple that had attacked them earlier. When they got closer, Dean and Kat could see their black eyes.

"Well, well, well" the man said and walked over to them, the woman not far behind him "If it isn't Hell's biggest pain in the ass and Dean Winchester"

Kat laughed

"My reputation precedes me," she said "and who the hell are you?"

"Who we are isn't any of your business." the woman snapped.

"Manners Emma," the man said to her and he made his way closer to Kat "You are a hard woman to find." he said and bent his knees so that he was eye level with her "Remember how you slaughtered a couple of demons three years ago?"

"Hard to say," Kat said "I've killed a lot of demons."

"Two very special ones," the man said "They may or may not have had something to do with your parent's murder."

"Oh yeah, I remember now," Kat said "I did do that."

The man sighed

"Well you see, those were two of my best demons and you, a tiny girl, managed to get rid of both of them and I can't say that makes me very happy."

"That's too bad," Kat said as she felt Dean's hands moving frantically to untie the knots "I did what I did with pride and I'd do it again."

"You're going to wish you hadn't said that." the man said and backhanded her across the face.

"Pick on someone your own size you black eyed son of a bitch!" Dean shouted after hearing the slap. Kat recovered quickly and turned her face to the demon's, a welt forming on her cheek.

"You hit like a bitch." Kat said

Emma sauntered over to Dean and looked him in the face.

"Aw, he's sweet on her Edward." she said

"Maybe we'll just torture him and make her watch, just like we did with poor Mommy and Daddy." Edward suggested. Kat felt the rope drop and Dean said

"Good luck with that." then he and Kat head butted the demons sending them stumbling backward. Dean grabbed a knife out of his boot and cut the ropes around his ankles. In doing so, Kat's ropes came loose and she got up and started swinging at Edward. From behind her, Kat heard Emma scream as Edward pushed Kat to the ground. She whacked her head on the concrete and before she could process the hit, she saw Dean's boots appear and heard a splash as Edward screamed. Dean reached down, helped her up and they ran as two clouds of black smoke followed them out of the warehouse and disappeared into the night.

"I know where we are, the road is this way." Kat said and they took a left outside of the warehouse.

"Do you still have your phone?" Dean asked, searching his pockets.

Kat patted herself down.

"No, it's gone" she said, not finding her phone.

"Sam's going to come looking." Dean said

"Hopefully we'll meet up with him before those demons come back. What'd you hit them with anyway?" She asked as they walked toward the road

"Holy water." Dean said and showed her his flask.

"Nice." she said

"Oh, hey you're bleeding." he said and made her stop. He took her chin in his fingers and turned her cheek to the street light to get a better look.

"I've had worse." she said

His mouth set in a hard line

"Dean," she started

"Don't" he cut her off "You shouldn't take a hit.”

"Not like I TOLD him to hit me." she said

"That doesn't mean you should, especially not for me." he told her and let her go. They started walking again, this time in silence.

"You okay?" He asked after a few minutes

"I'm fine," she said, in a clipped tone "There's a gas station about two miles that way" she said as they approached the end of the road and she pointed to the right "I know the guy that works the night shift, he'll let us use the phone so we can get a hold of Sam."

"Lead the way." Dean said and they started walking. They walked in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds being their feet crunching the dirt and a breeze blowing through the trees. Kat shivered as they walked and Dean said

"Here, take this" and took off his jacket and handed it to her.

"I'm fine,” she insisted “nothing a warm bath won't fix.”

“We're a long way from a bath,” Dean pointed out “just take the jacket.”

“I'm. Fine.” she insisted and he gently grabbed her elbow. He studied her face and then asked

“Why won't you take my jacket?”

“One, it's not THAT cold out,” she lied, she was freezing but she wasn't about to let him notice “and two, I can handle it okay?”

Dean gave her a curious look and then asked

“You don't want to let anyone help do you?”

“I'm not answering that.” she said simply.

“I'm not demanding an explanation,” he told her “just making an observation.”

Kat opened her mouth to speak; they heard a horn beep and looked up.

"I know that sound." Dean said as his Impala rolled up beside them. Kat got in the backseat and Sam scooted over to the passenger seat so Dean could drive. Once they drove down the road and explained to Sam what happened, Sam asked

"So we have a wendigo AND demons?"

"Never a dull moment in Waco I guess." Kat said with a shrug.

"What should we do?" Sam asked

"Gank 'em all" Dean said "Those demons are mine."

"I can help," Kat said "I have all my stuff at my apartment."

Sam looked from her to Dean and back again as Dean clenched his jaw.

"Maybe that isn't a good idea" Sam said

"What? Three creatures, three hunters. Pretty easy math to me" Kat asked and Sam smirked.

"We can handle it." Dean said

"You don't get to make all the decisions," Kat said "I'm helping, you can just deal with it."

Once they arrived back at her apartment, Kat cleaned her wound and then grabbed her journal.

"Wendigoes are only killed by fire. Lucky for us I have a solution for that."

"And what would that be?" Dean asked

Kat walked across the room to an armoire that was set against her living room wall. She pushed a button and a keypad flipped down. She punched in a code and they heard the lock click. She opened the door and inside was a treasure trove of hunting gear.

"Hmmm, it's here somewhere, she said, looking around as Sam and Dean stood there in amazement.

"Ah, here it is" she said and pulled out what looked like something out of Ghostbusters. It was a backpack with two cylinders on it that were spray painted black.

"Flame thrower" she said "This bit right there," she said pointing to the parts that would rest against her back "Is made of flame and heat resistant fabric"

"What's it powered by?" Sam asked

"Cheap vodka and lighters" Kat said

"I think I'm in love." Dean said and Kat laughed. “I haven't gotten it working properly just yet, so until then, it's flare guns”. She set the pack aside and grabbed two flare guns out of a drawer.

"Ya'll need anything before I shut this sucker?" she asked

"More holy water." Dean said

"Hold up." Kat said and opened a different drawer. She pulled out two bottles of holy water and handed one to each of them.

"What else do you have in here?" Dean asked

“Koofer dust, dead man's blood, my grimoire, crystals and herbs for spells.” she started

"You can geek out over gear later," Sam said with a roll of his eyes "We've got demons to hunt."

"He's right, you can drool over my gear closet later." Kat said and shut the door. She punched the code in again and the keypad flipped up, blending in with the armoire. Kat grabbed her backpack that was leaning against the armior and they set off.

Once they tracked the wendigo to the woods Kat got out of the Impala and Dean followed her.

"Be careful." he said as he helped her put on her backpack.

"Hey, you do the same." she said, buckling the backpack around her waist.

"Meet is back at the motel in," Dean looked at his watch "Two hours, if you don't show up, I'm coming to look for you."

Kat eyed him

“You won't have to,” she told him “I got this.”

She set off for the woods without looking back at him, feeling a tightness in her chest she wasn't used to.

An hour and half and one dead wendigo later, Kat arrived back at Sam and Dean's motel room, the Impala was nowhere in sight. Kat opened the door to the motel with the extra key Dean had given her and quickly took off her mud coated boots at the door. She unhooked the backpack and set it beside her boots, her back aching from the weight of it. She closed and locked the door behind her and turned on the light. She checked the salt lines around the windows and fixed the one by the door, then she sat at the table to wait for Sam and Dean.

Twenty minutes passed and Kat heard what sounded like the Impala roll up. She quickly peeked out of the window and saw the lights on the black beast of a car cut off and the two boys get out. She waited until they came through the door and rushed over to Dean hugging him tightly. He did the same as Sam shut the door behind them.

"Are you okay?" He asked, looking her over

"Yeah, I'm fine, you?" She asked, checking his face.

"Except for this," he said, showing her a cut on his arm "I'm fine."

"We have to get that cleaned," she said "Sit down."

"I'll take care of it," Dean said

"Sit." Kat demanded and pointed to the chair she'd just been sitting in.

"You okay Sam?" She asked, looking him up and down.

"Got kicked in the chest pretty hard," he said "but I'm fine"

"I have drugs for that." she said and grabbed the backpack she'd been carrying.

"I'm going to take a shower, then I'll take you up on those drugs." he said as he winced and hobbled over to the bathroom. Once the bathroom door was shut, Kat took the bag over to the table and looked at Dean's cut.

"I'll clean this up, I'm not sure if you need stitches or not." she said

"Get the whiskey first" he said and nodded to the counter. Kat quickly grabbed the bottle and handed it to him. She unscrewed the lid and opened her bag. She pulled out what looked like a pee pad for dogs and put it under Dean's arm. She then grabbed gloves, a small bottle of clear liquid and some gauze pads. Once she put the gloves on she soaked the gauze pads in the clear liquid.

"Alcohol?" He asked and took a swig from the bottle

Kat shook her head

"Hydrogen peroxide," she said "I'll dissolve the blood and clean the wound so I can see if you need stitches."

Dean nodded and took another swig from the bottle. She carefully started cleaning the wound, assessing it as she went. Once it was cleaned, she said

"It's not as deep as I thought, you don't need stitches. I'm going to wrap this after you have a shower so it'll stay clean" She reached in the bag again as Sam came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.

"How bad is it?" He asked, nodding to Dean

"He'll live." Kat said with a smile as she took off her gloves and tossed them in a pile with the used gauze pads. Sam picked up his clothes and went back into the bathroom. As he shut the door, Kat gathered up the soiled materials and threw them away. She then pulled out a bigger gauze pad and triple antibiotic ointment. Then she pulled out a bottle of big pink pills.

"Are you allergic to any medications?" She asked Dean and he shook his head.

"This is an antibiotic called amoxicillin, take this twice a day for five days to keep the infection away" and handed Dean the bottle.

"You carry antibiotics around with you?" He asked

"I'm prepared," she said as Sam came out of the bathroom "You go take a shower, I'll look at Sam."

Dean nodded and changed places with Sam.

"How do you know all this?" Sam asked

"I had to learn to patch myself up." she said, which wasn't technically a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.  "How's your chest?" she asked him

"Hurts" he said

She reached in her bag and handed him a prescription bottle with four white pills in it.

"Here's some painkillers to help you sleep, take one every four to six hours don't mix with alcohol and don't drive when you take it."

"What DON'T you have in that bag?" Sam asked with a laugh

"A flux capacitor, but I'm working on it." she said with a smile.

Later on, after Dean was patched up and Sam was sound asleep, Kat and Dean lay in his bed talking quietly. He had insisted that she stay with them and he'd loaned her a shirt and some shorts to sleep in. They stayed up over half the night in each other's arms, regaling each other with stories; from their lives to hunting stories. Kat noted that when she talked, he didn't stare at her blankly or look at her chest. He actually listened to what she had to say and responded. She told him how she and Dave fixed up her Mustang and he smirked.

"What can't you do?" He asked

"There's a lot I can't do," she said "But I know where my area of expertise is so I use it."

"Thank you for patching us up." he said, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"You're welcome, happy to help." she said as his finger trailed down her jaw line. He tilted he chin up with his finger and kissed her gently. When their kiss ended she yawned

"Go to sleep." he said and kissed her forehead. She snuggled closer to him, resting her forehead on his chest as his arms folded around her.

The next morning, Kat woke up and saw Dean sitting at the table, drinking coffee.

"Morning sleepyhead" he said with a smile

"Morning handsome" she said with a yawn. She sat up and stretched

"Where's Sam?" She asked

"Getting breakfast." he said as she got up out of bed and came over to him. He scooted his chair back and pulled her into his lap. They wrapped their arms around each other, his forehead pressed into her shoulder as she stroked his mussed hair. She couldn't deny what she felt in her heart; something was different between the two of them.

They separated and looked at one another; his handsome face smiling back at her.

No, she decided. Getting involved with a hunter wasn't worth it.

She gave him a grateful grin and got up

“I'm gonna go change,” she told him “then can you take me home?”

Dean nodded and watched her disappear into the bathroom.

“Fuck.” he swore under his breath.

Here was someone he could see getting to know better, someone he felt like he could trust; but he knew deep down that she didn't trust him. Or anyone else for that matter.

He clicked his tongue in his mouth

“Well, so much for that.” he mumbled

After breakfast, Dean drove Kat back to her apartment in silence. He walked her to the door and when they arrived he said

“Thank you for all your help, I mean it.”

She nodded

“Any time,” she told him “If you guys are local and need help, call me.”

Dean shifted his weight and then asked

“If I'm local and just want to see you, can I?”

She studied his face for a long few seconds, he felt his heart beating in his throat.

“Honestly?” she asked “I don't know.” Dean's heart sank, it showed on his face and she said “What I mean by that is, I know what it's like to be involved with a hunter. I fought for normal and I want to keep that.”

“I'm not asking to go steady,” Dean said, even thought his heart shouted “LIAR!” “just if I'm in the area and you want to get your ass kicked at pool, can I call you?”

She bit her lip as she felt torn. She had a million thoughts race through her head all at once and, out of what seemed like pure instinct, she nodded.

“I'd like that.” she said.

They hugged and he caught one last whiff of her.

“Bye Kat.” he told her and let her go.

She slid her hands up his chest and without any forethought, she stretched up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek.

“Bye Dean.” she said against his skin and then went inside, her heart pounding against her rib cage.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I hope you guys enjoyed this first chapter; if you want more....dinna fash, there’s MORE to come!! if you wanna be tagged for this series, let me know. Squidimus Squad, you guys are already down for everything, so no worries. 

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[itsthisgirlfanfic]

Chapter 4

Stephanie

Two weeks later

“I think that’s the last one”, I said to Lucas, hanging up another cheetah print Golf Wang Tee. A new stock of tees came in today and we’ve been organizing them all morning.

“Good shit.” Lucas sighed and got up.

I chuckled then went to the front of the store and sat down on the well-used green couch. Sudden satisfaction, because I was on my feet all day. I pulled my phone out and it alerted that I had 5 missed calls, 3 messages. All from Aaron. I really was tired of him but I guess because he texted me so much I might as well check them.

1:Baby answer my calls.

2:It’s important.

3:Fine, dont answer…but me and Yara is coming to Cali. I got a gig out there.

When I read the last one, I immediatly got excited. My best friend is coming! I texted back:

Cool, but I’m only excited that Yara is coming…and you probably suck at rapping…

Then I texted Yara:

Why the hell you did'nt tell me you were coming hoe!?

After .5 seconds someone replied..it was Aaron:

Feisty baby, wait until you see me.

I rolled my eyes. This dude really thinks he can just roll up to Cali, without me knowing what his lying ass is doing. Then there was another vibration.

It was supposed to be a surprise!

Yara responded.

I chuckled to myself just thinking about it. As soon as I got up…

“OH SHIT!”

I turned around and just in time jumped out the way, barely missing getting hit by Taco and Jasper speeding on there skateboards into the store.

“WHAT. THE. FUCK!”, I screamed, my face red. I thought I was about to die the speed they were going. My second time about to get hit by some nigga on a skateboard. They ran right into a rack of T-shirts, knocking them all down. Dang and all the time we spent on them shits. Taco and Jasper were laughing hysterically. Then I heard Lucas’s faint laugh right with them. These niggas are crazy, I thought. Just then Tyler ran in with a bunch of other niggas laughing.

“These niggas is crazy! These niggas is crazy!”, he kept repeating, his hand on his face.

There was like complete chaos in the store, because all these dudes were in there. Music started blasting out of no where from the speakers.

Waka Flocka…wait no..some nigga named Chief Keef.

“THAT’s THAT SHIT I DONT LIKE!”

Literally the place got so packed I was being pushed from them jumping up and down.

A few minutes passed and if was still going on. Oh no, I need to get out of here. I pushed my way thru, and spotted Lucas with Left Brain and Hodgy, looking at the new boards that also came in. I hurried toward them.

“Hey Stephanie-”, Left said

“I’m taking a break!”, I had to yell to all of them.

“Dang you look like you got your nipples twisted.”, Hodgy said laughing.

“Fuck off!”, I said trying not to laugh with him.

Then I sighed. “Oh sorry Left..heyy”, I said, brushing a curly strand away from my face.

He nodded and winked.

“You can just go home if you want, after your break, because all these dudes.”, Lucas said.

“Ok thanks”, I smiled. Then out of nowhere Lego came and snapped my pic. “What the?”, I asked. He shrugged then walked away.

I manage to get myself out the sweat filled, enclosed, no female should be in store, jumping over a bunch of bikes and skateboards, and took a deep breathe. I looked down the strip to see various stores, and my eyes landed right on the Starbucks sign down the street. I needed coffee…now.

I started walking, still in somewhat awe of the people in Cali. Some who walked down the street with 5 inch stilettos and high priced designer bags, along with the occasional stoner who freely smoked his “medical” weed. That’s when I heard a “Wait up!” in the distance behind me. I turned around and found Tyler. Staring back at me with this grin.

“Why the fuck you leave?”, he asked still grinning as if he was about to laugh.

I gave him a emotionless look, then turned back around. But what do u know…he still followed. I really needed alone time and he was being annoying.

“Tyler, I appreciate us being neighbors and shit, and the job is really cool, but I really need some alone time.”, I glared at him, hoping my green eyes pierced his soul. But he didn’t budge.

“So do I.”, he said then opened the door to Starbucks waiting for me to walk inside.

I was definitely taken aback. He’s so…weird.

Tyler

I don’t know what the fuck I was doing. I am not bout this life. But I went out there anyway. Mostly because I still wanted to see her face, and she had to go and leave the store. She walked into the Starbucks and I followed right behind her.

Awesome, I thought. The shit was nearly empty.

“Can I have a Vanilla iced coffee, really sweet.”, she said in her fucking gorgeous mouth.

Yo she really needs to stop. She then looked at me, assuming I was gonna order something. I really wanted a milkshake or some shit. But it’s whatever.

“Do you guys still have the rice crispy shits?”, I asked, I noticed Stephanie chuckled.

“Yes sir, would you like one?”, the clerk said. Dumb Nigga.

“No I want the new Trick Daddy Cd.”, I said sarcastically.

“Oh…well we don’t sell that here.” Stephanie started laughing.

This cool, chill laugh I can’t even explain. It was hot.

“I want a rice crispies treat, I don’t care if I have diabetes nigga, I still get bitches!”, I type screamed.

The clerk then hurried and got me the rice crispie thing. I smiled and said thank you in a gay ass voice, and then paid for it. Stephanie was still laughing.

“I don’t understand what’s so funny.”, I said seriously.

“You!”, she said still laughing.

“Is it because I’m beautiful?”, I said then smiled a lil kid type smile and blinked my eyes.

She still laughed. “Yes it’s because your beautiful.”, she said still giggling the taking a sip of coffee.

Then she looked at me all serious.

“On the real though, why did you follow me here?”, she asked keenly.

I follow you everywhere, I caught myself from saying. Ok I exaggerated. But this bitch stays on my mind and I don’t even know her that well.

“I don’t know…you looked cool.”, I said. She giggled some more.

“You are very odd Tyler,” she said then smiled. The sun shining in her eyes, making her eyes glisten. The table we sat in was right next to the window, and it was going on 6 pm. Perfect sun set.

“I try”, I said, squinting toward the sun, then bit on my rice crispie. I then looked at her and noticed her outfit. A white Tron Cat shirt, black jeans and her red vans. Her hair down with black Ray bans chillin right with her curls. Fuck.

“Uhh, You look nice in my shirt”, I said.

She then looked down…blushing. She’s like a baby. Like she tries to be hard, put on a front, but in the inside is that real girl. Eww did I just think some gay shit like that?

I started laughing.

“What’s so funny?”, she said.

I shook my head. I had to say it.

“Because you come off as being all bad ass, but inside your like fucking cake.”

“What!?”, she said laughing with a confused face.

“No seriously. Like your parents probably wake you up every morning, like "Stephanie Breakfast is ready!, and they like give you money every week, for fucking walking the dog or something”.

All of a sudden her expression changed.

Fuck, Tyler you really messed up now.

She gave a grim laugh.

“I wish.”, she said lowly, then took another sip.

I knew there was more shit to it, I was too curious.

“Well, shit, I wish I had that too.”, I admitted.

“What your life isn’t like that? Mr. Tyler, the Creator, who owns his own fucking store.”, she said, her voice different, like she was mad.

She must have been through some shit. I don’t know why I thought this, but I think it had something to do with her father. That faggot when they just moved here kept putting boxes on boxes when she was clearly struggling. Aren’t all fathers just faggots. Look at my non-existent one.

“Haha, yes of course it’s like that, my mommy makes me cookies everyday.”, I said sarcastically.

“Hmph, I guess we both have our share of dick familes.”, as she caught on and spoke emotionlessly.

It was silent after she said that. Her words still lingering in the air, as both of us were in deep thought, verging onto a feeling of aqwardness.

“Soo, ummm, this is aqward….”, I got up, lifting my hat off my head then putting it back on. I went to go throw my shit out, then-

“Wait.”, she said getting up and walking towards me.

“What”

“Sorry.”

I started laughing, hysterically.

“For what?”

“For judging you.”, she got up.

“It’s alright.. I mean…like everybody does that shit. But you can’t do anything about it.”

Then she looked at me, biting her lip, as if in deep thought. Then out of nowhere she punched my arm.

“Ow! What the fuck!”, I said laughing, surprised she even did that.

“Your awesome.”, she said then walked out the store.

I was there still dumbfounded.

“Sir are you ok?”, the same Starbucks guy asked.

“Do I look like I’m ok?! Gosh your so mean!,” I said in my Emotional Patrick voice, then ran out the store.

She was already two stores down.

[cc-kouga-blog]

These Are The Days 5/9

For @quietrook

On Halloween, Adam and his entryway buddies attended a costume party. They coordinated their costumes and went as the modern day version of the seven dwarves. Adam sent a pic of himself dressed in a blue shirt with the word ‘sleepy’ printed on the front. He had on a matching blue dwarf hat and a tight blue legging.

Ronan sent him a pic of Opal wearing red boot, red hat and blue raincoat. She was holding a small brown suitcase with PB OL scrawled in Sharpie.

‘And what’s your costume?’ Adam texted.

After 5 minutes of no reply, Adam sent another one.

‘Are you chickening out on me farmer boy?’

It took another 15 minutes but Ronan finally replied.

Adam had to hide in the bathroom for a while to deal with the hilarity of Ronan Lynch dressed in a white wife beater, red flannel shirt, dirty jeans, work boots, and sun hat while chewing on a piece of straw. He kept his face passive, but there was no mistaking the glint of mischief in his ice blue eyes.

‘Are you for real?’ Adam sent.

‘Just trying out my new uniform.’

Adam tried to muffle his laughter, but some still escaped and filled the small bathroom. He saved the pic to his ever growing collection and fired out one last text.

‘Don’t let her eat too many candies.’

Ronan’s reply was immediate.

‘No shit Parrish. I’ll eat the candies. She can have the wrappers.’

Adam chuckled and put his phone away. When he exited the bathroom, Lucas was giving him a weird look.

“Are you okay, man? You’re not high are you? I swear I could hear you laughing in there.”

Adam grinned and shrugged. “Nah. I’m good.”

***

During Thanksgiving break, Ronan and Opal drove to D.C while Adam took the train and joined them there. They stayed at Declan’s apartment. Ronan and Adam wasn’t one to celebrate Thanksgiving, but they were grateful at the chance to spend some time together. Matthew was ecstatic that he get to spend the holiday with both of his brothers.

Declan had to attend a dinner party and he invited Ronan and Adam along. Both refused, Ronan especially because there was no way he would spend a night in a stuffy suit talking about a bunch of nonsense with old people, when he could spend it cuddling with Adam. Matthew opted to stay home too. When Declan gave him a betrayed look, Matthew only shrugged.

“I live with you Dec, and we go to a dinner party almost every week. Ronan’s only here for a few days.”

Declan heaved a resigned sigh and went alone. He gave each of his brothers a hug, dropped a kiss on Opal’s blond hair and squeezed Adam’s shoulder.

“Happy Thanksgiving.” He threw over his shoulder before he closed the front door.

Ronan made them turkey sandwiches and two tubs of popcorn and Adam made hot chocolate with marshmallow. Opal helped Matthew carried the blankets from their rooms into the living room and made a very comfortable nest on the large sofa. Ronan pulled up an age appropriate movie, then they burrowed under the blankets. Opal was squished between Adam and Ronan, while Matthew rest against Ronan’s other side.

When Declan came home later, he found the four of them sleeping in a pile of humans, satyr and blankets with the TV still on. He turned it off, drew the blanket up over Matthew’s shoulder and Adam’s exposed feet. He looked at them fondly and went to his own bed.

The next morning he had to hide his sniggers into his pillow as several voices groaned and complained about neck crick (Adam), back pain (Ronan), cold ass (Matthew), and fucking hooves (all three).He heard shuffled steps and doors opened and closed. He figured everyone had woke up long enough to return to their respective beds. He would give them another hour of sleep before he start banging in the kitchen. He could use a lie in once in a while as well.

When the break was over, Adam, Ronan and Opal said their goodbyes to Declan and Matthew. The brothers and Opal hugged each other. Declan shook Adam’s hand and told him to call if he needed anything. Adam nodded and thanked him.

Then Ronan and Opal dropped Adam at the train station. They exchanged kisses before Adam stepped out of the car. Opal waved and Ronan shouted ‘Catch you later, runt.’ Adam smiled and waved back to Opal, then grinned and discreetly raised his middle finger toward Ronan. Ronan laughed and peeled off the curb. Adam had to rub his chest to ease the slight pain blooming there as he watched the BMW drove away. Then he squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. This was okay. This was temporary. This would pass. They would be fine.

As he waited for the train, Adam’s phone beeped. He checked it and saw that Ronan had texted him.

‘Miss you already. Kick some ass there.’

Adam smiled and texted back.

‘Don’t drive and text Lynch.’

Once the train left the station, he sent another text.

‘Miss you and Opal too.’

Adam pocketed his phone and took out a book. They would be fine.

***

When Adam came home for Christmas break, they spent the nights squished together on the couch. Ronan did his modules and Adam read through his textbooks while Opal sat between them going through her ABC book.

Ronan had to stop himself from snorting at how domestic they all were, but when Adam caught his eyes and gave him that look, Ronan had no other choice but to lean in and kiss him. Adam’s resulting smile was gut wrenching in the best possible way. And maybe being domestic wasn’t so bad after all.

The Gangsey couldn’t come home, but a postcard arrived one week before Christmas. The postage stamp was from Ecuador. Ronan put it up on the fridge’s door, where many others had already resided. Adam had missed his friends. Sure, they exchanged the occasional texts and e-mail whenever the Gangsey had coverage, which wasn’t often, but it wasn’t the same. They managed to Skype during Christmas Eve though, and seeing his friend’s faces and hearing their voices loosened some knot in Adam’s chest. His friends were healthy and having fun. Adam couldn’t ask for more.

On the 25th, Declan and Matthew came for mass but left soon after because Declan had another one of his dinner party. He and Matthew left gifts for Opal and Adam with Ronan. Adam was surprised that the other Lynches even prepared one for him. He couldn’t remember ever celebrating Christmas, so he wasn’t really into the Christmas Spirit. He made note to bring something nice for them when he, Ronan and Opal drove up to D.C for New Year.

Declan’s gift was a Nook Color while Matthew’s gift was a green Nook cover. Adam was conflicted about receiving such gift, but Ronan had argued that it was rude to return a gift. Beside, it was actually something helpful to his studies, so Adam might as well use it. Adam grudgingly accepted it. He sent text to Declan and Matthew, thanking them for the gifts.

Opal got a dress and two sets of Joules welly boots. Opal loved the boots, but she didn’t care much about the dress. Ronan’s gifts were a pair of pitchfork and hoe cuff links and a small painting depicting St. Isidore and Maria, the patron saints for farmers. Ronan hang the painting above the mantel and chucked the cuff links to his bedside drawer.

Maura invited them for a ‘Holiday Lunch’, which turned out to be regular lunch but with more casserole than usual. Dean was nowhere in sight so Ronan only had to put up with Orla’s flirting and Calla’s ribbing. Opal was sitting with Blue’s little cousins and Adam shared stories of his college life so far with Jimi and Maura. All in all, it was a nice lunch. Maura sent them home with a cheery wave and several containers of leftover.

After dinner, Adam whipped out two leather bracelets. He put one on Opal so she can have something to wear beside Adam’s old watch, which surprisingly survived all her adventures.

“Catch!” He said as he threw the bracelet at Ronan.

Ronan deftly plucked the flying bracelet mid air and snorted when he saw the initial R.L burned into the leather face.

“Aww, Ah-dum! You got me a present.” He drawled in fake Henrietta accent.

Adam only raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to whisper in Ronan’s ear.

“Sweetheart, I got you two presents.” Adam had lowered his voice and let his Henrietta accent rolled out, thick as molasses. “The other one is in the bedroom.”

Ronan’s back went rigid and his breath hitched. Adam gently blew and his hot breath caressed the shell of Ronan’s ear. Ronan shuddered and let out a string of curses under his breath. Adam smirked in satisfaction and got up from the couch they were lounging on.

“I’m gonna make some hot chocolate.” He announced to the room and made for the kitchen, not waiting for reply.

“You are a goddam fucking tease Parrish!” Ronan yelled after him.

“Language!” Adam yelled back.

Once Opal was tucked in bed, Adam led Ronan to their bedroom by the hand. Ronan pretended to be nonchalant, but his pink ears and neck told a whole different story.

“Lock the door behind you.” Adam said over his shoulder with honeyed voice.

Ronan was quick to obey. When he turned back to Adam, the other boy was sitting on top of the bed, grinning unabashedly. He had a present on his lap.

“Here’s your second present.” He said cheerily with no hint of a drawl anywhere.

Ronan stood there flabbergasted, this was so not what he had imagined.

“What the actual fuck Parrish? Are you fucking playing me?” He bit out.

“What do you mean, Ronan? I’m just trying to give you your present.” Adam tilted his head in blatant fake innocence.

Ronan visibly tried to gather himself. It took him several seconds to unclench his fist and jaw. Then with a heavy sigh he dragged his feet and sat beside Adam.

“You’re fucking horrible.” He muttered dejectedly.

Adam plopped the present on Ronan’s lap. “Open it.”

Ronan gave him a dirty glare and tore the paper wrap viciously. Inside was a plain box. He lifted the lid and had to bit his lip to stop from smiling. He ran his finger over the black leather jacket reverently.

“Try it on.” Adam prompted.

Ronan scoffed. “I’m not your Barbie doll.” Then proceeded to stand up and put on the jacket.

The jacket fit him perfectly. Ronan didn’t catch the label, but he knew good quality when he wore one. He almost made a comment about how much it must have cost, but managed to stop himself from making that mistake. Instead he twirled around, modeling the jacket for Adam.

“So?” He finished turning and caught Adam’s eyes.

Adam had a lazy smile on and his eyes were half mast. Ronan felt something twisted low in his belly. It turned into a ball of want when Adam rose from the bed and stalked toward him.

“Perfect.” Adam purred. “Now let me take it off of you.”

Suffice to say, Ronan got yet another present that night.

Though to be fair, when Adam woke the next morning, there was a new watch on his bedside table, along with a matching belt.

***

Two days after Christmas, Ronan drove them to D.C for New Year. The traffic was a nightmare and the two hours journey stretched into five and half hours of torture.

Ronan and Adam kissed when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, with Opal running circles around them.

[nyrator]

I survived NYCcccccc

somehowwwww

I am still half dead and completely tired (to the point I was almost falling asleep standing up that my coworkers were like “take the rest of the day off and sleep”)

this trip was a gongshow and a trip and went about as well as I anticipated it would, but it was still fun overall minus body pain, blisters, and the sleep deprivation

kinokuniya is wonderful

OKAY WHERE TO START...

okay. So, yeah. Let’s start with the beginning. Friend T wanted to go to NYC for someone’s birthday, we settled on mine. Original plan was on my birthday, just five people: me, three guys, one girl, but the girl had just started a new job so we figured we better not interrupt. So four, but then Friend C (the driver) was all “we should have five people to get the most out of it” and I was like “yeah I could see us all splitting gas that way okay that works”, then towards the scheduled date we realized “wait C you have to work this day because it’s like your black friday” “... oh.” and of course they wouldn’t give him this off so we had no driver so we rescheduled for the 20th because we remembered Zelda Symphony was on the 20th in that month and most people were okay with Zelda.

Of course, ordered five tickets, got replacement for girl (A), people were like “we can’t be roaming around during rush hour what do we do” and I was like “mute girl anime movie?” “no” “blah blah blah?” “no” “escape room” “... yeah okay I guess that’s cool”, so escape room it was (came to roughly 57 dollars a Zelda ticket and 37 dollars for Escape Room, per person).

Then one friend had to cancel because his job wouldn’t let him, and we had no other replacements, so yeah we went with four people (he still paid me back half the money and promised the rest later and I feel really bad about that especially since I figured he’d probably be the best at the escape room out of all of us and would appreciate a lot of these places we went to)

also before that the driver C’s car broke down, was expensive and he wouldn’t come (but would DRIVE us still which is like at that point come along and don’t waste the ticket), so I convinced him by paying for his NYC things, then A was getting sick, then two days T who was super into this trip lost his wallet with his ID (and he wanted to go barhopping a bit and other things), and yeah it was a trainwreck from start to finish.

anyway yeah, so in the end it was me, T (friend I usually hang out with who has similar tastes to me, aka likes anime), C (big luff of a strange creature, also the driver), and A (friend I didn’t go to high school with but knew C and is a big NYC and movie buff but barely into anime at all), and plan was:

Go to NYC and survive

Be ready by 7:30AM and on the road by 8AM

explore a list of locations in two sections of NYC, at 1:30 we’d go to the southern part

go to Escape Room and Zelda Symphony

survive and be home by like 2AM latest

so yeah, let’s see

We were originally going to eat breakfast at home, but then two friends who cancelled wanted to have breakfast at McDonalds before we left (I already ate so yeah) Wait until like 8:30AM, then C finally calls and is like “I got into a car accident”, thankfully he was okay but he had to file a police report and yeahh it was just a fender bender thankfully.

Anyway, picked up at 9AM, hang out with two friends (turns out Girl totally could have come but she didn’t know what was going on and so didn’t get a chance to put in for the day off so I was stuck with those other three losers instead and was sad)

so probably by like 9:30-10AM we head off to the wonderful world of NYC (it’s like a 2-3 hour drive) and yeah pretty normal drive (I SAW A HUGE FIELD OF DYING SUNFLOWERS (first pic) AND IT WAS SAD BUT NEAT BUT SAD, never saw a dead sunflower and disappointing I missed them when they were alive but fascinating to see them all dead)

so yeah we parked in NJ, got on the subway for about a half hour, and then made our way to first stop: Image Anime! (second pic). I was gonna take pictures of all the stores we went to, but NYC is fast and people move fast so I was like “yeah no way am I going to have an opportunity for that”.

It was a neat little store, full of nice anime figures. I was on their website before and was disappointed that they sold out of all the figures I would’ve bought (Kaiji... nendoroids like SZS Nozomu, Nichijou Nano/Hakase, Etna/Flonne...), but yeah friends mostly saved money here and waited (though T who is the most figure-focused of us bought a Satsuki figma)

Anyway, we left this store around 1:30PM (!), so yeah a liiittle behind schedule.

Next stop was J&L Game, nicer than I thought it’d be (I should’ve taken a picture for Girl because it had a nice Pikachu in the front but yeahh), not a very focused GameCube selection (I know their online store had Cubivore for like 700 dollars and cheaper games like Metroid Prime for like 40, whaaat), but mann they had a lot of retro games and collectibles, T was impressed at all the sealed copies they had and A bought an N64 game (Body Harvest I think)

anyway, yeah, nothing that caught my eye immediately so we mostly waited for C and A to be done shopping in a gift shop next store, then headed off to my main attraction- Kirokuniya.

And boy, it did not disappoint. I can’t describe how amazing this place was- From the outside, it’s a typical skyscraper-y building, with Kirokuniya in silver letters. Inside was a giant Japanese-based selection of books- my eye immediately saw the Hello Kitty 2018 diary near the front, and since I’ve been in dire need of a dream-diary, I snatched it up.

But man, it was amazing- We were running low on time, so I didn’t explore nearly as much as I would’ve wanted to, but mannn it was fantastic. Probably got there around 2PM-ish if not earlier, but boy it was something to explore. T really wants to learn Japanese with me, so we glimpsed at educational books, but didn’t get anything

Then we went upstairs- oh boy. All manga- mostly Japanese. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE THIRD PICTURE, THEY HAD ODETTE AND I WAS THIS CLOSE TO PICKING IT UP, until I saw it was the fourth volume and didn’t have a chance to glimpse over for the others since we were leaving when I saw it

First thing I saw was a My Private Report advertisement which also made me go “aaaaaaa”, I only browsed shortly so couldn’t find signs of the other manga she made, but yesss. Also a nice figure selection over there, not Image Anime level but still good size. ALSO I FOUND THE ASANO INIO SECTION and I almost bought everything there, I could’ve had the rainbow Punpun collection in Japanese and also DDDD WAS THERE WITH THE SHIRT AND EVERYTHING but I bit my tongue and held back, but mannn I should’ve gotten that shirt edition in hindsight.

Went to the information desk looking for CTRL+T, guy there was pretty rude-ish but yeah, told me “You know this has been out of print for seven years, right?” And I was like “well I knew it existed seven years ago but I figured I might as well ask since I thought a ton of stuff in here would be out of print by now”, at least internally, so online it is for that then

Ended up picking up the Satoshi Kon artbook instead as an excuse to say I got something, also because y’know Satoshi Kon art. I forget if I went to the basement before or after the cafe, but there was a basement too that we were like “okay we have no time to explore anymore, let’s just glimpse at it” and so me and T did and right on the stairwell he’s like “look, I’ve found your section” or something like that, and I’m like ???, looking at some makeup or something and like “okayy” but then I get closer to the bottom and through the stairs I see what he saw

a line of My Melody plushes

I mostly stuttered and did a bunch of “a- mmmm, ahhuh, hm ah” grunts and looked at them and there was like pajama Melody and normal Melody (A GIANT ONE AT 55 USD, the smaller one at 22 USD) so T reached up and grabbed it for me and so I bought myself a My Melody plush finally (we ignored the rest of the basement before we got too carried away, but I’m glad we checked it out)

ALSO, as I was checking out a girl had to stop me and was like “I just want you to know, you look so cute! I’m sorry, I just had to let you know that!” and it made my day thank you random stranger

then back upstairs we went to the cafe to eat, and I got a cream puff! For those who don’t know me this is a pretty big deal because I hate food with a passion and don’t like trying foods ESPECIALLY in public but like, cream puff, cream, how could I resist

it was decent, wasn’t a fan of the cherry flavor or whatever in the bread, but the cream was delicious. Only ate just over half of it though, I cannot eat a lot at one time and so C finished it (my remains were the fourth picture, ate a liiittle bit more after taking it). Also T admired the amount of Green Tea flavored things there were.

Anyway, then we fiiinally left. We ended up skipping BookOff, I wanted to check it out but yeahhhh low on time (and C and A were like “let’s go to Nintendoooooo are we going to Nintendoooo” and I’m like “yes kids don’t worry we’re going to Nintendo like I kept saying we’re definitely doing”) So at 3:30PM ish, we finally reached Nintendo NY. There was a guy throwing Cappy in front of the store on camera, so that was neat.

Anyway, yeah, not gonna lie Nintendo was the weakest of the places we visited for me but I expected that- Like I know most of what Nintendo merch exists in the US that I’d be interested in already, so yeah, but it was a lot smaller than I expected (mostly because C and A kept calling it the Pokemon Center and I kept thinking of the ones in Japan that are like huge white displays of Pokemans), but yeah.

First floor was mostly Mario, so we went upstairs pretty quickly and browsed around. Amiibo display, clothes, and a museum (with that Fire Emblem Warriors on screen- I legit thought it was Hyrule Warriors for a while because it looked just like that desert stage in Hyrule Warriors and yeah, not interested enough in FE to care unfortunately). But yeah, museum was nice- I also remembered I had a camera at this point and started taking pictures. I was kind of hoping they’d have like every unique model of every system, but still nice display of what they had, just felt really bare after coming from Kinokuniya.

Of course, still bought Splatoon pajamas and a hat (T wanted the green one and I wanted the pink one so T bought them both and gave me one as a birthday present, but then I used the money he gave me to buy it to also buy the pajamas so I still owe him money for that but he be a good guy), C bought a bunch of Pokemon stuff (he’s a pokemon junkie always playing Pokemon Go, something something witch pikachu)

alsooo took an exclusive picture of me sitting down on the first floor as we rested a bit and checked our street passes (I only had 6 ACNL ones at the time and two were from T and A and I’ll have to check what they were after the Zelda Symphony) with my androgynous short hair and bad fashion sense, but not sure if I should post it even though I know my face is somewhere on my blog anyway (I don’t like pictures of myself and not a fan of how short my hair came honestly)

Anyway yeah, we were going to leave at 4PM, but we didn’t want to stand afterwards, finally at like 4:20PM we got up and headed for the escape room at 5PM.

Now, this is when things fall apart.

See, Escape Room starts at 5PM sharp, wants you to be there ten minutes early. So, uh, yeah. Google maps is like “your destination is 32 minutes away on foot”, and I’m like, “cool, yeah, we can make it”, not realizing how slow we were leaving the Nintendo Store to risk it. But hey, I’m like, “well, we should arrive right on time if we leave now, ten minutes early, bam, plus like NY walk speed is probably faster than google walk speed.” Then it’s like “do we take the subway there, and possibly deal with rush hour, or do we walk it...” So of course we decide to walk it.

For reference.

it was hell in those Vans shoes (I knew it would be but yeahhh)

my pinkie toes are covered in giant blisters from it, we pretty much jogged all the way there, and still arrived late. It was like “aaghhh it’s 5PM, wait we’re on the street now” but of course somehow I got turned around thinking we were on sixth ave, but no, we were on fifth I guess, so ended up making a wrong turn, doubling back, and arriving there (the place texted me and I was like “oh we’re right outside” when we were on the wrong direction, aghh (I still have no idea how we did that looking at the map I posted, we went right from leaving Nintendo, left, then allll the way down, then left, but somehow we were on 5th?)

luckily they let us in still, got there probably 8 minutes after it started, and yeah. My mind wasn’t in the right thinky mind thing and also escape rooms are harder than I thought. Also yeah not gonna lie a lot of me was like “aghhh just give me all the pieces so I can solve everything”, I was amazed at how people didn’t understand how a push lock worked (the TV instructions even told us “it’s a push lock, push it down to open it”) but still it was fun

we got to the bathroom when we ended up running out of time, the one we were stuck on still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me but it was some kind of math problem with dots I guess. There was an entire third room anyway that led back to the first one, so yeahhh we didn’t get this (apparently the success rate is 15 percent and people usually come in parties of 12-15).

Anyway, we decided we were going to get on the subway to the Zelda Symphony (escape room ended at 6PM), and away went. It was now I noticed how pained my feet were from walking, so yeahhh, walked to the subway in lots of pain.

NOW HERE’S WHERE MORE PAIN BEGINS...

the Zelda Symphony...

See, subways are subways, and I forgot 6PM is still technically rush hour. So, getting on the subway to go uptown, trying to get everything straight in my head like “okay yeah uptown train is the right one, there’s only updown and downtown even though the map doesn’t say anything about it being uptown just inwood or something”

so finally I’m convinced, yeah, we’re good, tell everyone a few times what stop we’re getting off on, yeah.

of course, the doors open, and it’s jam packed, as people rush in ahead of us. T manages to squeeze in but no one else can, so we rush to the next car. Of course I’m like “okay, we’ll just wait and be the first ones on the next-” and then C (who is a giant of a boy) crams me into the subway and tries running to another door with A.

Needless to say, we were all separated (and it was jam packed, I held onto my bags for dear life). So yeah, ride the subway for about a half hour, crushed and shoved around, eventually managing to reach a poll from where I am (a nice classy-looking Asian lady grabbed my arm and helped me stay steady for a while, any time it rocked she’d grab my arm again thinking I’d go flying even when I was already holding onto something)

there were also a ton of people in Zelda clothes, so I’d say about half the car (quarter at least) was going to the symphony. Anyway, I finally get off, try getting in contact with people (getting people to answer their phones is the most infuriating thing, even after waiting for two trains to go by first). Finally T contacts me, said he could see me on the train, but then couldn’t any more and had to get off at one stop to get composed and figure out what’s going on, then got back on the next train. Told him we’d meet at where I am since it’s the end of the staircase of subways, waited, waited, nothing. Finally A and C get back to me (I didn’t have A’s number and C never picked up his phone, eventually A called me), they’re quite the pair is all I’ll say, but yeah trying to find them was a pain too. In the meantime I finally contacted T and he was pretty stressed out by the whole subway ordeal and yeahh, he somehow walked past me and was down a few blocks.

Eventually I told everyone to just go outside, we’ll meet at the street corner I’m on (which was right in front of the symphony), waited, waited, waited, finally got in contact with them again, A and C were on the street but not the corner, but they could see the Symphony. More waiting, more waiting, T finally gets back to me, on the street, not sure where to go to get to the corner I’m on- turns out we were on opposite sides of the Symphony, but he couldn’t see it from where he was. So I guided him via my map, managed to get everyone to meet in line at the symphony, which we did, and boyyyyyy that was a fiasco.

Also let’s just say we didn’t have time to eat before the concert- we sat down around 8:15-8:20PM? The intro just ended and Miyamoto was talking. Anyway, yeah, then we sat down, my left thigh was in pain for some reason the entire time so that was super uncomfortable, but yeah. Interesting music choices, feels like I got spoiled on some games I haven’t played (but then again it’s Zelda so it’s not really spoilers), kinda wished they used something other than the Goron theme of BotW for the finale, but oh welll.

T really enjoyed it which made me glad, we both wanted to go back and replay all the old games afterwards (I own every console Zelda, beat or came close to beating all of them except 2, ALttP, and Four Swords Adventure), while never played a handheld Zelda (though I own the old ones via VC).

I liked the Awakening part, didn’t expect the older games to get music done, was nice. Also liked Ghirahim’s part in the SS section because he is the best. Also, the architecture for the United Palace was super nice, having just beaten KH1 again it felt like a place from Hollow Bastion (especially the ceiling colors)

Anyway, yeah, headed home, got on the subway (much less crowded this time), switched to the subway to NJ (which was pain in walking, I almost blacked out a few times, and for reference C if you’re reading this you’re still very stubborn, Mr. “it’s not proper train etiquette for more than one person to hold a pole at a time” aka mr “giant man tries not crushing smaller passengers on sharp turns, results vary” (but we still love you)

Anyway, yeah. Got to the parking garage (thankfully there was an elevator, stairs were super duper pain), got into the car, and drove home~ (we left just after midnight)

... and thennn C manages to take a wrong turn and detours us, and in trying to get back on the road, a train comes down the tracks murdering us all

it was very long and after like five-ten minutes of waiting, the train slows to a stop, with the last train car parked right in front of us, for about fifteen minutes (There was a cat though and I wanted it it was black and white and cat), that picture was taken at like 1AM and shortly after it started moving again

so after that fun detour we were back on the road, mumbling and being incoherent and half dead (I had to stay awake to read road signs and C had to stay awake to drive, T drifted off a lot and A mostly stayed up I think)

then they decided to go eat before going home, so at like 3AM we got to home-ish and went to a local-ish diner and I had fries and kept trying not to black out

note also that I went the whole day having only eaten a peanut butter sandwich and going to the bathroom at 7AM, I had like some mini hershey bars, half a cream puff, a bottle of water, and some gatorade, and yet I did not feel super hungry or super desire to use the bathroom at all and I’m kind of concerned but I remedied that at the diner (aka half a bowl of french fries and using their bathroom before my body muscles died too much like they felt like they were starting to when I almost blacked out a few times)

listen food is gross and public bathrooms are scary and gross

needless to say I am the epitome of perfect health

SO YEAH UH

we left the diner at like

4AM, I got home at 4:17AM, went upstairs, slowly peeled off my clothing, admired everything I bought, and then went to bed cuddling with my new best friend

by 4:30 I was in bed and by 8AM my alarm went off and I went to workkk

(I was half dead working and we were slow so my coworkers sent me home at like 3:30PM)

so far I feel dead still, but the rest of the pieces for my Halloween costume came in today so that was nice. Then early dinner, then internet, felt extremely dizzy typing this out, took a nap for an hour or so with my new Melody friend (she’s so softttttttt), woke up, finished typing this out, feeling dizzy again but not as bad and not as tired, not sure what to do now

also here be a list of places we (aka I since everyone else was like “Pokemon Center!” and I’m like “well there’s Nintendo NY” “Yeah!” “but that was the first thing I added anything else” “...Pokemon Center!” (okay T who helped me plan this trip talked with me and we managed to agree on some locations like Barcade and stuff, and A recommended Battery Park)... places we wanted to check out with bolded being the ones we did check out

there was a whole section of NYC we still have to explore as you can see

like I didn’t expect to visit half of these places honestly but yeah that two hour delay didn’t help much, on the brightside T losing his ID didn’t affect anything (I just had to help pay for a few things), honestly the only thing we really cut out from the delay was Bookoff.

I’m really interested in what the heck Babycastles is still, it was close to the Escape Room but no time to explore and see. I recommend googling it and trying to figure it out yourself.

I spent a lot less than I expected to on myself (20 dollars on pajamas and ~70 at a bookstore including the cream puff and My Melody ain’t bad), so yeah I spent more on tickets (and other people’s tickets and stuff, and gas, and parking...~) than I did on myself and I’m proud (though if I knew that I totally would’ve caved and bought something at the figure store probably)

I had fun and pain, T seemed like he really enjoyed everywhere we went which made me happy (T has a hard life and was the one who really wanted this trip to happen), C and A weren’t as big as nerds as we were (well okay they’re worse but on a different nerd spectrum, at least T and I have taste) but I think they enjoyed themselves and at least one them is probably reading this and feeling irrationally guilty for some reason (because they both do that wayyy too much) and what I have to say to that is- Hello!

(you’re good no worries it was fun)

tl;dr

manga store was fun, walking is pain, many delays and rushing

we’re going back after Christmas maybe when we I have money and we’re just going to shop at kinokuniya all day and maybe bring the two engaged peoples who couldn’t make it and treat them to nice things (and also take taxis, who cares if it’s five dollars more than a subway at this point)

also so disappointed we never really had a chance to take photos because I had an outfit I was proud(?) of and someone called me cute but here have this (still hate my face for some reason)

light purple cardigan and pastel game tee and pink booty shorts and black leggings and Little Twin Star socks and lavender Vans all while clutching a My Melody tote bag because I am Sanrio-loving low-key-fairy-kei trash, what a mess of an outfit

(I had my haircut the day before and it was okay but now once again it is a sad mess and also I’m a little sad that my yarn bangs already disappeared) also I knew I wasn’t crazy when I designed Yarn’s hair I knew I used to have bangs like hers and this proves it’s possible

[peace-coast-island]

Taking a road trip!

Taking the scenic route

Digby, Isabelle, Arabella, and I are kicking off the new year with a road trip!   

We’ll be driving down Sunset Rose Blvd. - one of the most prettiest highways in the area that’s full of nice places to stop by - until we get to Wizpire. After spending a couple days over there, we’ll be taking Lighthouse Lane through Spectrum Falls and make several stops along the way until we get back to the camp. 

The RV’s all packed and ready to go! 

Places to see at Sunset Rose Boulevard Tea and Cakes For breakfast we stopped by a cute cafe that was highly recommended by our friends. Good thing we got there before the morning rush ‘cause as soon as we left, the place was started to get packed! I got oolong tea, a taro bun, and a matcha mochi cake - yum! Also, I love that they serve the tea in a reusable cup because the design is so pretty and it keeps the tea warm for a long time without burning your tongue. 

Paper Florals A stationery shop full of handmade goodies! After hearing about Rolly & Cece expanding their online shop by opening a store in Stellaire Creek, I was ecstatic. So obviously we had to stop by there and check it out! Today was also a lucky day as we got to meet Rolly & Cece in person, which was super awesome as I’m a fan of their vlog since discovering them last year.   

Spent nearly 900,000 bells on a journal and a bunch of stickers - but it was definitely worth it!   

Bubbles to Go For lunch we stopped by a sandwich and bubble tea place! I heard it’s known for their tiger milk tea and banh mi sandwiches. We also got shaved ice topped with condensed milk, mung beans, and grass jelly - a childhood favorite! It’s been a while since I had banh mi - like a real one, not an Americanized one -  and this definitely hits the spot! 

Origami Peak After getting our food, we drove a few miles up to the famous Origami Peak, a popular spot for sightseeing and taking pretty pics. We set up a picnic on the grass where we can see the mountains and the infamous rocks shaped like origami animals. The weather’s a bit chilly today, but that doesn’t take any from the lovely view of the sky and scenery as well as the good food and company. I think if it was a bit warmer, we wouldn’t have this place to ourselves.   

Now I can cross off visiting Origami Peak from my bucket list! 

Woodland Creatures & Wishes I’ve never heard of this place but Isabelle and Arabella were hyped about it, so naturally I was too! The shop’s run by Arabella’s friend May, who’s super sweet and I absolutely love her whimsical and minimal aesthetic. She makes jewelry and enamel pins as well as art prints. She also has a vlog channel so I’m definitely gonna check that out later! 

I love her art style, especially how she draws woodland creatures. So I had to get an art print, a bracelet full of animal charms, and a super cute hedgehog enamel pin!   

Kuy Theav Parlor There was a Cambodian restaurant on the way so I knew we had to stop there at some point. From what I’ve heard, it’s known for its Phenom Penh noodles, also known as key theav. Since Isabelle, Digby, and Arabella never had kuy theav, I wanted them to try it, especially since this is authentically Cambodian. Also, kuy theav places aren’t as common as pho places. 

Final verdict is two thumbs up from everyone! Definitely gonna take my mom here in the future! 

Tarts and Hearts It’s getting late and we need a place to stop by. Luckily Nutmeg’s place is along the way and she offered to let us stay over in her cabin for the night. We managed to get there about an hour before closing time so we got to hang out at Tarts and Hearts and enjoy tea and pastries. Nutmeg’s been trying out some new recipes so we got to try those out too! 

The next morning we had espresso and pastries for breakfast, went sightseeing at the mountains for a couple hours, and then took off on the road. 

Trina’s Trinket Box A cute shop full of handmade trinkets and decor! Trina teaches online classes on things like seashell crown making, branding for small businesses, and glass bead making - and Arabella highly recommends these courses for anyone interested in any of those topics. Trina was also more than happy to show us some trinkets she’s been working on, which was fascinating! 

Of course, I bought a butterfly trinket and a celestial ornament to decorate my camper. I did some redecorating a while ago so the new decor will go perfectly with it. 

Cloud Cafe Spent about three hours at a cafe to pull out our computers and get some work done. I know it’s a vacation but Isabelle and Arabella need to touch bases with the others as once the trip’s over, they’re gonna be super busy. Also, there’s things I need to get done so future me won’t be in over her head when plans unexpectedly change. One of my goals this year is to procrastinate less so I’ve been trying out some new things to improve my workflow, get organized, and stop leaving things at the last minute. 

In those two hours I managed to get a lot done - and I think the caramel latte and veggie quiches helped a lot. The general vibe of this place makes me feel productive and ready to go! 

Tulip Park More sightseeing and taking pretty pics of the tulip garden, the fountain, and the creek. We also enjoyed tea, churros, and sesame balls from the vendor stands. Today happened to be ping pong day at the recreation square in the center of the park so we went there and played a few matches. Got lost along the way since the park is huge, but we discovered many cool stands and bought some stuff like bracelets, stationery, and scarves. 

It’s been a long while since I last played ping pong and it was a lot of fun - especially after sitting in an RV for hours! 

Preppy Pizzaria One last stop before our final destination! The restaurant was a bit crowded when we got there so we walked around the shopping area for about half an hour while waiting for seats. The wait was definitely worth it though as it’s one of those popular restaurants that lives up to the hype. The pizzas are fresh out of the oven and from where we sat, we could see the kitchen.   

We also ordered a couple large pizzas to go so they can serve as a late night snack and breakfast. 

Half an hour later we reached Wizpire around 9, which is pretty much right on schedule. I’m looking forward to a day of rest before the big seashell hunt the day after!

[ianb0hen]

sooooooooooo purcon3 let’s do this

so we actually got there on thursday (james blunt was on our flight in like wtf????) and waited around to check in and explored what was around the hotel food wise so then went upstairs to get ready to get ready for little mix. then we went downstairs to ask at the desk where to buy a ticket for the trams and we saw rob checking in lol we had to point out where the lifts were cos that boy was not gonna go in the right direction.

anyways little mix and the vamps were fucking lit the crowd was so loud they were v good. so we went back and slept day 1 done

day 2 we explored some more got some pretzels it was chill. it was also really warm i was like wtf this isn’t what i signed up for. and then we like queued to register which only took like an hour and got our tickets to rob’s concert. we went upstairs got changed, did rob’s concert. ngl the crowd pissed me off. like a whole bunch of people were talking over him while he spoke and while he sang it was really rude???? i didn’t get why you would pay to go and not even listen to him. but i kept accidentally making eye contact with gil while i was singing along and i got embarrassed lmao.

day 3 first thing we did was matt’s lounge which got me so nervous i wish i recorded it on my phone but i thought it would be like rogue where you kept your bags somewhere else so i didn’t think i would have been able to but oh well. so matt answered some questions and like it went silent and he like looked at me and i put my hand up to ask something and he said “oh good i was going to pick on your because you were just sat there smiling” which i know i do i just can’t help it listening to him talk about his ideas and what he has to say makes me really happy. so yeah i asked what his favourite song in moana is and he got sooooooooo happy cos i know he loves that movie and he went on about it and was telling the other people who hadn’t seen it that they had to see it. he said there might be something cool happening next season, it’s not set in stone but if it happens it’s something he thinks everyone needs right now. and that something cool is gonna happen in the first part of the comic con panel and if there’s a livestream people should watch it. he asked who had travelled to be here and we said we were from england and he was like “where?” and we were like south west and he was like “but where?” and we were like bristol and he was like “but where?” and we were like farmer country and he talked about how he wants to move out of la eventually and go to oregon and set up a farm and be completely self sufficient food-wise and how he’s planted stuff in his garden and he really wants macklin to be surrounded by nature i thought that was so interesting and cute 

so then after that there were panels and tbh i can’t really remember a lot but so photos i got two pictures with matt i got a kiss on the cheek (in which my eyes are closed and i got to retake the day after) i still got a pic of it tho and i kinda prefer it but i didn’t like the print out of it i just like the photo of the print so probably still a good move and then i wanted a full body hug without my face in it and i had to show him a pic on my phone and my hands were shaking so much when i tried to open it he was like ‘you’re okay it’s okay’. like i fr don’t know what happened to me this con cos at asylum 16 i was so chill but he made me so nervous and emotional at this one??? it was so weird. but yeah so we did that and then i did my rich and he said he liked my outfit and i was rly surprised i was like ‘OH! thank you!” and we did judging faces at the camera and i got a hug with rob because i don’t have a photo with him at all so yay. 

then we got food and then did karaoke which was LIT we were second row and gil like posed for my camera (it’s my sister’s but i was taking the pics at that point) twice and rob smiled at us and matt gave us the mic during boulevard of broken dreams like and i was looking down and when i looked up at him he was already looking at me and smiling i wish i had taken pictures but it made me freeze up. but yeah i got some great photos 

day 4 we had our r2m pictures first and we gave them sunglasses and were like “pretend you’re cool” and rich was like “pretend????? we are cool” and we were like ok dude and then we were like so you know in kings on con when you’re in the cupboard and matt’s like “rich is right you’re fuck up rob we want you gone!!” can we do that and after we took it they were like that’s so good and then i had my matt retakes and i actually bought another one with him in the morning lmao whatever i’m trash i’ve accepted it and i got one of us holding hands too because my last one rogue didn’t INCLUDE OUR HANDS IN THE PIC WYD but yeah so that was that it was then just panels for the rest of the day for me my sister had some other pics with rich and gil but i was done. the panels were odd, the questions were kinda generic and i felt like rich was lowkey done lmao and like i don’t think some of the jokes landed with the audience idk it felt like a v different atmosphere to the crowds in england. but yeah i also wish people would ask matt more questions???? i feel like he barely gets asked anything at r2m panels and it makes me kinda sad lol cos he’s actually really smart and heartfelt i wish he had the chance to speak more.

but anyways autos happened and okay i felt really emotional i wrote out a letter for matt in the queue just basically thanking him for coming to conventions and his openess with the fans and like thanking him for using his platform in the way that he does and the way he’s so positive. i told him in it that i don’t actually watch the show anymore but i come to the cons because of him mainly it was stuff i wish i could say to him but i thought it would be more articulate if i wrote it down so. i felt like i knew i was gonna cry on him so i wanted to do his auto last to kinda prepare myself more but he didn’t have a queue so we had to do him first :) so we went i had him sign my photo and like i thanked him for coming and i handed it to him and i could see my hands shake and i like felt my face crumple and i welled up and i was like “sorry” and he was like “no don’t cry” and i was like “i don’t know why i’m crying sorry” and he was like “as long as they’re happy tears yeah” and i was like yeah and thanked him again and like while we queued for gil like i still felt myself tearing up i never actually cried but like i just felt on the verge for like the whole of gil and rich’s queue lmao and i like saw him read it while we were queuing and i was like oh god no i want to take it back no and so my sister got her gil auto and then we did rich’s and he said i photograph really well and that i’m a very pretty person and omg rich is just so calming like to be around??? like matt made me feel so like emotional this weekend and rich was just like so chill and calm. so then we did rob and i had him sign my photo and we talked to him about his concert on friday then i had him write out my tattoo for me and when i said what it was he smiled and he looked idk so genuine when he looked at me and thanked me for coming so then i um and ah over getting a second matt auto mainly because i didn’t want my last interaction with him to be crying on him but then i thought i still might cry on him again if i got another so i left it and we hung about.

so then matt finishes autos and he leaves the room, he looks at me and i waved bye to him and he like stopped and came over and said “i read your letter. thank you so much for doing that for me. I will definitely keep coming back to cons for you” and he said to my sister “i don’t know if you feel the same way” and she was like “she wouldn’t let me read it” which was true lmao and he said it was so sweet and he would be coming back and my sister said about asylum and he said he should be due for the one next year and that we had to pester wayne to get him rob and rich to come and then we hugged him and that was that. i’m so happy he did that it literally made my weekend. 

then the closing ceremony happened and gil sang music of the night and i died and yeah we all sang the musical version of carry on my wayward son it was sad and made me emo that was the last episode of supernatural that i actually watched so (bar matt’s most recent one). then we went to get food and my sister had to go up and get the ice cream sandwich she ordered and all the guests turned up we were like ffs and then they ordered and said bye when we left and then we waited like 10 mins before leaving cos we didn’t wanna look like we were following them lmao.

yeah i was a great weekend, it was kinda odd cos it didn’t actually feel like it was happening while it was??? and it doesn’t actually feel like it happened as i write this??? like i’m sad that it’s over but also in a hollow way????? but also matt’s friend on twitter screenshotted my tweets and matt liked the tweet so he saw me saying mark sheppard is a shady ass which is

so yeah day 5 we explored but we couldn’t really appreciate it cos it was fucking 31 degrees and then we flew home 

i have work tomorrow i don’t want to go i just want to lie in bed and be sad about matt not being my best friend. anyways that’s everything i think i love rich i love rob and i love matt very much i hope i get to see him again next year 

[celtfather]

Celtic Tree of Life #443

Search inside yourself with the Celtic Tree of Life. Let's make the world a better place with Celtic culture and the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

Seldom Sober, We Banjo 3, Marc Gunn, The Gatehouse Well, McKasson & McDonald, Crepuscule, Alexander James Adams, An lar, Heather Dale, Kennedy's Kitchen, Ockham's Razor, Ballinloch, Battlelegs, Rebels and Sinners, Onde

I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you did, please share the show with ONE friend.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, buy the albums, shirts, and songbooks, follow the artists on Spotify, see their shows, and drop them an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

Remember also to Subscribe to the Celtic Music Magazine. Every week, you will get a few cool bits of Celtic music news. It's a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Plus, you'll get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free, just for signing up today.

VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. Just list the show number, and the name of as many bands in the episode as you like. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2020 episode.  Vote Now!

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:04 - "Jigs: Geese in the Bog / The Wandering Minstrel / The Coleraine" by Seldom Sober from Six Months in Confession

3:49 - WELCOME

5:17 - "Crann Na Beatha (Tree of Life)" by We Banjo 3 from String Theory

8:26 - "Loch Tay Boat Song" by Marc Gunn from Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion

12:37 - "Tree Gap Set" by The Gatehouse Well from Bring You Ashore

16:18 - "Mark the Hard Earth" by McKasson & McDonald from Harbour

21:17 - CELTIC FEEDBACK

27:53 - "Lilting Music - Tree Set" by Crepuscule from Shades of Music

31:42 - "He of the Sidhe" by Alexander James Adams from Balance of Nature

38:01 - "No Land's Man" by An lar from Deception

43:39 - "Hawthorn Tree" by Heather Dale from Avalon

47:15 - "The Umbrella Reel, Two Days To Go, Down The Broom" by Kennedy's Kitchen from The Whiskey of Truth

52:03 - CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

55:43 - "Lark in the Morning" by Ockham's Razor from Songs from Potter's Field

1:01:06 - "The Intervention Set" by Ballinloch from Rise Up!

1:03:52 - "Greenland Whale Fisheries" by Battlelegs from Save the Humans

1:06:20 - "Mother Tree" by Rebels and Sinners from Day's Just Begun

1:10:40 - CLOSING

1:11:57 - "After the Storm" by Onde from Maelstrom

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts or to our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.

  CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic musician and podcaster. This show is dedicated to the indie Celtic musicians. Please support these artists. Share the show with your friends. And find more episodes at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon.

There are Australian bushfires, oil spills, erratic temperature changes, earthquakes, hurricanes, the list goes on and on. Life on our planet is in a delicate balance. The Celts knew this. That’s why trees were so important to Celtic culture.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe all the scientific evidence that points to human-made Climate Change. What is important is stewardship of our planet. We need to take care of it.

So in 2020, I want to draw attention to our hurting planet and how we can do just that. That’s why our latest shirt and sticker design includes the Celtic Tree of Life.

I’ll be honest. I don’t have specifics as to what we can do. But if you have suggestions, please email me.

The 2020 Sainted Celtic Collection is now online. This is a very special package I put together each year to pay for the production of the podcast, but also to give you a way to promote the show.

You’ll get a t-shirt, a couple pint glasses, a bunch of stickers, our Victims of Irish Music compilation CD and my latest CDs with the Brobdingnagian Bards. Plus, this year, you’ll also get a digital copy of my Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers album.

It’s all one insanely low price. And the offer is good until February 3, 2020. Head on over to MageRecords.com to support the podcast today.

CELTIC PODCAST NETWORK This is not the Celtic podcast out there. I’m sure you already know that. But you may not what other Celtic podcasts there are online. That’s the reasons I share new episodes of other Celtic podcasts every week in the Celtic Music Magazine. This is one of the benefits of subscribing and reading. You’ll learn about other great shows you might enjoy.

What shows? Well, let me share a few.

Erin’s Isle is published by Erin Breen, an Emmy award-winning journalist, columnist and writer for television, radio and print who has put 25 years of experience to work honing a true talent for storytelling. Her podcast is internationally known and has become part of the inflight entertainment on Aer Lingus flights to and from Ireland. She explores the out of the way adventures you could easily miss if she weren’t one step ahead of you.

Irish Music Stories is published by Shannon Heaton. She plays Irish flute and sings. She LOVEs Irish music and dance, and related Celtic traditions. This show is her way of sharing the rich inspiration that the global ‘trad’ community has given to her, with the stories behind the music.

After a long hiatus, Celtic Roots Radio is back. Raymond McCullough in Downpatrick, Co. Down, Northern Ireland whet's yer appetite with Celtic, folk, folk/rock, Appalachian, Breton, bluegrass, Scottish, Irish, Cajun, Cape Breton, singer/songwriter – if its Celtic, roots or acoustic music you want, you'll find it there (plus a wee drop a' Norn Iron craic!). The show is once again publishing new episodes.

You can find links to ALL of these podcasts and more at MageNetwork.com. That’s where I publish links to all of my shows and posts links to other Celtic podcasts to share with you in the Celtic Music Magazine.

TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

I still have space in 2020 for the Celtic Invasion of Italy. It’s gonna be monumental. You don’t want to miss it!

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out every week. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon.

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I want to thank our newest Patrons of the Podcast: Samantha M, Christine M, Robyn

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  I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com

Heidi Murphy emailed a photo: "I’m listening to this while editing my book. Lovely Celtic Christmas music!

I noticed the other day that you had Round the House on. They're so cool. I've jammed with them before (I play tin whistle and bodhran) and they're delightful.

I recently went to the World Highland Games in Tucson, AZ. It was so lovely to watch them toss the caber and hammer. They broke a record in something I don’t know the name of. It’s a 2 stone bail of hay trussed up in canvas they toss with a pitchfork. I’d love to know what that’s called. I was off listening to music and eating haggis and a scone when they announced that name.

Here’s a pic of me hiking home from Muckross Abbey after a long day of exploring in the rain. Slainte"

Marshall Blosser emailed: "Hey Celtfather,

In searching for Newfoundland Celtic artists it dawned on me that you had a 2 hour special on Canadian Celtic music back in 2016. Episode 254 specifically from April 7, 2016.   That episode gave me several artists to look up.  For me specifically, The Rolling Kings, and The Ennis Sisters. As well as a few others from neighboring provinces.

My own on-line research found several other artists although I am not sure how many are still active. Listing the ones I can find on either Amazon or CDBaby first: The Irish Descendants, Celtic Connection, Shanneyganook, The Flummies, and Great Big Sea.

I know Great Big Sea isn't an active group any more but it's members, specifically Alan Doyle, Sean McCann and Murray Foster have continued to record music.

There is one band I want to get some recordings of but I can't find any information on is Greeley's Reel. They've been playing the local St John's pubs for 10 years.

As I visit the pubs I will make sure to try and connect any Irish/Celtic bands I find to your submission page. I am also kicking around the idea of starting a podcast of local artists for Newfoundland to help get them some more exposure. Any advise on how you started would be awesome. Looking forward to sending you many new artists"

Tim Sommer in Middleton, ID emailed: "Hi Marc, I love your podcast and wanted to support it and was signing up for the $5 per month contribution and I just briefly saw the window to select that.... when what do you know...I was signed up for the $5 per episode.  Couldn’t figure out how to change that number so am asking for your help to change it.

Yes, I do think you are worth $5 an episode but if my wife starts seeing the monthly amount for that instead of the $5 per month, she’ll be using her serious face and posture, asking me what I thought I was doing.

It could impact my entire Irish and Scottish music habit.  It’s like knowing how many beers you can drink at the session before you are in serious trouble."

Check out this episode!