#i was just so flabbergasted. 12. how. in what world. my god
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man. I just read a oneshot that has 1k kudos, 150+ bookmarks, and. 12 comments. TWELVE. and some of them were replies from the author.!
I've noticed how oneshots tend to get less interaction/comments than multichaptered works, so when you finish a oneshot instead of kudos-ing and moving on to the next one, maybe shoot some support at your fellow fan with an easy "i love this, thank you for sharing!" it'll mean the world to them, I promise :)
#i dont love the guilt-trippy posts like LEAVE A COMMENT OR UR THE WORST ETC ETC#but we Are in a community and it feels lonely to throw your heart into a vacuum#oneshots r vital to our fandom ecosystem! show some love for your local oneshot today!#THE SHORTER THE BETTER!#i tend to forget to comment or feel embarrassed bc its old#(which is silly bc if they didnt want association with it then theyd orphan it)#but im trying to remember esp for fics that dont have many comments#i was just so flabbergasted. 12. how. in what world. my god#it was for GF if ur curious
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Art Heist, Baby! thoughts pt. 12
chapter 30:
1. sirius pov fuck yeah
2. ..frank that mf used siriusâ deepest and most secret thoughts about reg against him. iâm pissed beyond belief
3. i know i say it a lot, but i love how bitter sirius is about reg and bartyâs brotherhood
4. he chose the marauder + reg crew and iâm very worried. i still donât trust peter
5. sirius will choose reg over everyone but remus every single time. and i love him. sirius drops his life on the good side and drops his freinds and frank and pandora all to go back to reg.
6. iâm so glad both james and sirius trust remus enough to BOTH tell him. i love that remus is jamesâ best friend. itâs healing
7. i was so optimistic the heist would go right. idk why i was surprised and still am surprised
8. jamesâ phone call to his mum is gonna break me so bad
9. shit iâm sobbing on the bus over this phone call. his mum loves him no matter what. fuck, this hurts so bad
10. đłđłđł theyâre about to fuck i think
11. oh shit wait reg is crying
12. i hate knowing in my heart that peter betrayed them. cause everyone is guessing the mole. everyone is worried. nobody knows. but I KNOW. ASK ME!!! I KNOW THE MOLE!! THIS FOLLOWS CANON BITCH
13. marlene and dorcas being the richest lesbians in the world <333333
14. đłđłđł oh shit they might actually fuck this time
15. oh shit they fucked
16. oh shit wait whatâs happening. itâs one am and theyâre getting up. whatâs happening
17. âJames tried not to read too much into the fact that while he was in a sex induced, euphoric, sleep, Regulus was thinking about the heist and traitors and not about how amazing their day had been. Well, maybe he had done both. If anyone could multitask, it was Regulus.â đđđ
18. oh. reg thinks itâs lucius that turned them in. i have⌠suspicions about that. it seems too easy of a fix.
19. đłđł tom riddle is luciusâ new business partner
20. he signed the sunflower note R.A.B. iâm gonna sob. thatâs probably his last note ever, jsut like in canon. iâm so scared. jesus. iâm crying rn and nothing bad has happened yet
21. evan in bartyâs room đłđł i was right about the rosekiller.
22. barty and evan are âjames-nappingâ him. my beloveds <3333
23. james would marry regulus tomorrow if he asked. james would. marry. him. tomorrow. he would marry him. tomorrow ifheaskdjdjdhuejdk
24. reg is back alive, thank god
25. reg is trying to join him in the shower, but the door is locked đđ james is so funny
26. jesus, thatâs a lot of money. iâm just flabbergasted that that much money even exists in this world
27. đ¤˘đ¤˘đ¤Žđ¤Ž severus
28. official apologies to peter. i never doubted you bud
#marauders#jegulus#art heist baby#james potter#mwpp#mwpp era#regulus black#ao3#fanfic#remus lupin#barty x evan#barty crouch junior#barty crouch jr#evan rosier#peter pettigrew#dorcas x marlene#dorcas meadowes#dorlene#marlene mckinnon#james x regulus#lucius malfoy#sirius black#sirius and regulus#remus x sirius#wolfstar#noble and most ancient house of black#anti snape#frank longbottom#rosekiller#euphemia potter
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tagged by the lovely @aloveforjaneausten, thank you so much!!!
1. How many works do you have on AO3? 49!
2. What's your total AO3 words count? 315,193. god help me
3. What fandoms do you write for? actively just the one (potc), but the bulk of my ao3 is final fantasy vii, fullmetal alchemist, and assassinâs creed. almost all of my unpublished personal stuff is dragon age. one day itâll see the light of day. one day
4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?
a house, a hearth, a (s)holmes (the great ace attorney, 2021)
good company (fullmetal alchemist, 2016)
heart & home (fma, 2017)
the need of everything (fma, 2018â2020)
benchfellows (ff7, 2020)
i'm proud of all of these but flabbergasted by benchfellows, which is 800 words and something i wrote and posted impulsively at like 2am. but. yknow. the kudos are beyond my power.
5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? almost always! nothing makes you forget how to say âthank youâ like a normal human being than comments on your work!
6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? almost everything i write ends on a melancholy note, but o sleeper (ff7) is probably the worst of them. and thatâs really just the threat of canon rearing its head
7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? the storm at your door (assassinâs creed) was specifically written to give ezio and sofia a better ending than what they got in canon, and by god i stand by it
8. Do you get hate on fics? thankfully not!
9. Do you write smut? If so what kind? nah. i donât particularly enjoy reading smut, nor do i have any talent for making it not sound stilted. sex will get hinted at but rarely do i write anything more explicit than someoneâs bits being out in the wind
10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written? have you heard the good word of my potc/temeraire crossover that is getting quickly out of hand? and till the long days (AC) is not NECESSARILY a crossover, but entwines the world of AC with greek mythology in a major way.
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? / 12. Have you ever had a fic translated? / 13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before? nope to all three!
14. What's your all-time favourite ship? i donât ship much tbh, and while i wouldnât say iâm the most fond of them, my longest lasting ship has been cloud/aerith. weâre going on 18 years together and iâd be lying if i said they werenât part of why i started writing in the first place
15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will? lmao. most ideas i donât finish iâm content to leave as they are. however, i have one novelization about my dragon age character going through the events of the trespasser dlc that i desperately want to finish, but iâm such a stickler to the dialogue that exists in-game that iâm hamstringing myself. i like the ideas there enough to revisit it every now and then, so itâs not totally a lost cause, but...it's not looking likely gang.
16. What are your writing strengths? lord knows i know how to set a scene. everything i write is in service of eventually getting to describe sunlight or perhaps weather. know this whenever you read something i wrote.
17. What are your writing weaknesses? iâm desperately bad at justâŚstepping back and letting a scene breathe. i NEED to explain everything even if itâs obvious. i also am very guilty of describing what happens in prose rather than letting it play out naturally in dialogue. itâs remarkable how much i avoid dialogue without even realizing it
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic? eh. it can be used well, but i just speak the one language fluently, so i doubt itâd be a fun or worthwhile bilingual bonus for any reader.
19. First fandom you wrote for? itâs either kingdom hearts or inkheart, and it certainly does not exist anywhere anymore. pour one out
20. Favourite fic you've ever written? my answer changes every time iâm asked this. sticking with the recency bias answer of steadfast and dependable (potc), as i''ve been really into the themes in that fic recently
tagging @johnbly @thesumdancekid and anyone else who might want to snag this <3
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supernatural s10e12 about a boy (w. adam glass)
oh i just noticed the episode title. is this where we get de-aged dean? lol not surprisingly i've seen that in fic a decent amount :P i didn't realize he looked so young in this episode
SAM Caught a case. Apparently something is taking people. And leaving their clothes. DEAN Hmm. About time this gig got an âRâ rating.
meta snark?
SAM Look, I know youâre worried about the mark. DEAN Yes, Sam. I am. Between what I did to Charlieâ SAM Charlie forgave you. How about you forgive yourself? DEAN Because Iâm not exactly batting 1,000 here, you know? SAM Yeah, I do know that, but staying locked up in here, sitting on the ground reading the same lore books over and over and over again, itâs not helping you. You need to get back in the game for your own good. You can beat this, Dean. DEAN Do you really believe that? SAM Yeah, youâre damn right I believe that.
the words are there but i am not feeling it
DEAN You know, you also believed in the Easter bunny till you were 12. SAM No I didnât. [SAM pauses] Look, I was 11. DEAN And a half. SAM And a half. Right.
little cute sibling bickering to help the medicine go down
it's hard for me take their conversations seriously when we swing into some goofy fucking music and plot shenanigans. i don't think it's just the edible talking that i've just been too aware they're Acting because the tone of their personal drama and the World Outside they have to deal with are clashing so hard.
and now we get this kid again for dean who is tiny but at least he's playing a more believable age (i looked it up after his appearance in s9e7, this episode he's supposed to be 14, 16 in s9e7)
snippet from my recap this show likes to swing from one extreme to another with the people playing the kids. first 18 year old dean here (who looks like he's in his 20s) with ~supposed~ 14 year old sam and now this kiddo playing dean is 18 but looks quite young and is.. 5'6.5". was looking at his imdb pictures at from about a boy (so he's next to sam) lol
dear lord i paused the episode because i wanted to look the young tina actress up because she reminds me of lara jean's friend in 'to all the boys i've loved before' (one of my favorite romcoms, fake dating hello and it's so sweet, good rewatch) and got completely sidetracked and decided to ramble about all that shit above
reminds me of her for good reason lol. but also she was fray on the magicians?? sad to say i completely forgot about that part. i've rewatched s1-2 a bunch more than s3. she was also in s11 of the xfiles of the re... revival? which i watched and have zero memory of other than that awful wig application they did on my beloved gillian
to all the boys i've loved before (2018) madeleine arthur as christine / the magicians s3e12 the fillorian candidate - madeleine arthur as fray
god, nic. stfu.
yes please show us sam getting unhinged over dean being missing
i feel for this little man having to act like jensen!dean. i can hear it! but it's still weird. habits i can sort of roll with due to affection for our regular dean are harder to swallow (the noisily eating kidnapper provided cake thing) with someone i don't have that builtin
TINA You know, beforeâŚI thought you were just another drunk. DEAN I prefer functional alcoholic.
ha ha. it's not funny because it's true
padalecki is doing a good job selling him being freaked out. damnit they used a sound that's totally a sound also used in x-files score arrrrgh
spn s10e12 / the x-files: fight the future (1998)
(because i know that movie so well i knew this sound was at least in scenes at the jiffy pop poppers and the big ship at the end)
flustered and flabbergasted sam is chef's kiss
the look down to his crotch made me laugh, gotta admit
SAM What? DonâtâWait, wait, wait. Wait a second. Talk to me. DEAN Really, Sam? Now? I got no grass on the infield, and a girlsâs gonna die. Sorry if Iâm not in a chatty mood. Look, you wanted me back in the game. Iâm back in the damn game.
truly living for the variety of faces padalecki is giving us
it's like watching a fic come to life. de-aged teenager dick problems and all
DEAN My voice is weird, and Iâve got like nine zits, and I have zero control over this. [DEAN gesturing to his crotch area.] I mean, itâs up. Itâs down. Itâs up for no reason. SAM Thatâs enough. Yeah, thanks. Uh [Clears throat] that's just called puberty.
crotch mentions: 2
SAM Wait a second. Are you saying you want to stay like this? DEAN No! No, butâŚif itâs between being a psycho rage monster/borderline demon or a teenager, well⌠SAM Really? DEAN Look, Iâm not a fan, either, butâŚSam, this is problem solved. And Iâm still me. I can still hunt. Iâm just, you knowâŚdewier. SAM Okay, look, y-you have a point, kind of, but, dudeâ DEAN I know.
so i'm curious what, if anything, they had in mind there. but me, being the sap i am, was like. then sammy might die first đ (obviously not but still, that's where my brain was goin). could be taken in a variety of directions.
SAM Dean, Iâm way too big to fit in that. DEAN First time you ever had to say that, huh?
crotch mentions: 3
SAM Big talk coming from the dude wearing underoos.
burn. and crotch mentions: 4
(god as ever, the musical score is just random mediocre hodgepodge. it makes me sad)
insert tiktok "i just a baby"
s10e12 / downton abbey s3e5 - lesley nicol as mrs patmore
omg mrs patmore can't get out of the kitchen đ woof. this keeps getting campier by the second.
did dean just burn the hex bag they need to turn the girl back? okay well i can see the appeal of starting over as it were, but looking that young and having no identity is a lot.
workin the beautiful lighting
DEAN Look, I know what youâre going to say, okay? But you were in deep. SAM I know. I know. You saved me, and you saved Tina, andâŚpulled a Dean Winchester. Thank you. DEAN Anytime. SAM Look, man⌠do I wish the mark was gone? Yes, of course. Absolutely, I do, but⌠I wanted you back. And now here you are, and you didnât Hulk out, so⌠[SAM shrugs] Iâll take the win. As for the rest of itâthe mark, everything elseâŚweâll figure it out. We always do. DEAN Damn right. Letâs get out here.
very sweet. dean being awkward about being thanked as expected
seriously truly unreasonably pleased at dean embracing the taylor swift song. i'm not a Fan or anything but i do like some of her music a lot. and shake it off is a fuckin banger and has one of the cutest videos ever. you can like all kinds of music! i don't care what motivated that decision behind the scenes, i'm tucking it in my pocket with a big fat smile
(after i watch her music video again for the hundredth time ;)
youtube
#supernatural#spnwatch#spn 10x12#spn musical score#hiky#spn clip#spnhiky#madeleine arthur#to all the boys i've loved before#the xfiles#by way of#mark snow#taylor swift#shake it off#downton abbey#lesley nicol#Youtube#spn xf score
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Currently obsessed with the idea of a Steddie AU with Eddie as a demon/Hades. Ideas and headcanons so far ďżź
-Steve performs a ritual because Dustin, who he sees as his little brother, is sick and dying. Steve is absolutely desperate and when heâs going through Dustinâs old shit, he sees some âdemonologyâ stuff mixed within his D&D crap, he decides to give a whirl at a ritual he finds. The last thing he expects is for the ritual to actually work. But suddenly thereâs a very attractive demon with hair (almost) as good as his asking what he wants.
-Steve: âoh my god I canât believe that actually worked. Does that always work??â Eddie: âNah, I only visit pretty boys who catch my attention.â
-Steve heartfeltly explaining why he is making this deal and that he will give up his life for Dustin because that kid has so much more to live for than someone who peaked in high school like him. How Dustin is the smartest kid he knows and that he canât imagine ever being happy in a world that would take such a good kid so early. Eddie tearing up. Steve: âwait are you crying?â Eddie: âNo! Shut up! I swear if you ever say that shit again I will banish you straight to hell. I have an image to protect.â
-Steve agrees heâll do anything. Suddenly heâs in hell with Eddie. Steve: âWait, I thought you were going to kill me or take my soul or something. Why am I, still in my body, down here?â Eddie: âoh youâre an idiot if you thought I was going to leave that body behind.â
-Steve asking Eddie why he dresses punk. Eddie: âwho do you think created this look?â
-Steve realizing that he summoned and made a deal with not just any old demon but the actual king of the underworld đ
-For all his flirting, Eddie is actually very big on consent. He really just wanted a companion and didnât want to ever make Steve uncomfortable. Once Steve realizes that this is why Eddie isnât making any moves, he starts pursuing hardcore.
-Dustin realizes whatâs happened when he miraculously recovers right when Steve goes mysteriously missing and sees the remnants of a ritual. He enlists the help of Robin (maybe some others too) and they find a way into hell. Eddie being absolutely flabbergasted at this random 12 y/o who has done something few have ever accomplished and is now threatening to fight the literal devil. Steve not at all surprised.
-Eddie insists Dustin gets him a âhellfire clubâ shirt because it looks sick as hell. Dustin agrees heâll get him one in exchange for Steveâs freedom. Eddie has a mini crisis remembering that the boy heâs falling for is only there because he has no choice. He makes the deal and suddenly Steve finds himself back home.
-Steve makes Dustin and Robin show him how to get back to hell, with promises heâll still visit often. Goes back and starts yelling at Eddie asking why tf he would do that. Angst ensues but they get their happily ever after.
#i want this written so bad#if anyone has any demon eddie content pls send it my way#Iâm foaming at the mouth for this shit#like seriously pls someone make this a fic#also feel free to add more ideas#steddie#Steddie au#Eddie Munson#demon eddie#steve harrington#stranger things#my post#my stuff#devil Eddie#demon au#Steddie prompt#my text post#my prompt
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Me with You ~~
pairing â
bestfriend!Jake x fem!reader
genre â
friends to lovers, fluff, slow dancing, suggestive/smut
words/read time â
3.9k/12-19 mins
warnings â
18+ content, light cussing
synopsis â
Jake is back in his hometown to spend time with his closest friend. During some fun and frivolous dancing, things start to heat up...
author's note â
Iâm really proud of how this story turned out. I'm not a huge fan of second person, so I wrote in first, but if anyone asks, I can copy and post again in second person. It's more fluff than anything, but it does get a bit steamier towards the end, so Iâm just going to go ahead and put a warning.
âââââ§ââââ
When the back door finally slammed shut and the cacophony of barks faded down the street, I could finally let out my sigh of relief that I had been holding in since this morning. I tapped on my phone. How many days had we been watching Mrs. Chenâs pets? And just how was I able to put up with hours of barking, the smell of fresh turd lying across the lawn, and dog walks till dark? Including their rigorous feeding times and bathroom breaks -- Iâm surprised I havenât exploded yet.
I had so much planned the minute they left my house, but instead, the sudden silence felt all too relaxing and I laid my head against the cold countertop. I could finally stop stressing, stop thinking, and stop worrying about reprimanding for chewing on my shoes or peeing in the house or the continued barking that never ended. I was free. I felt like I couldâve stayed laid on the countertop forever, drowning in the evening sun. Who knew watching five dogs would take such a burden out of a person. Jake and I had taken on the job of dog sitting for Mrs. Chen while she visited some family in Tokyo. We both switched off every other day; some of the dogs at my house and the others at his; until we realized it would be easier if he just spent the few days at my house as we co-doggy sat. He got up bright and early to take them on their walks while I prepared their highly detailed and specific meals. Then from there, we spent the rest of the day making sure they didnât run off somewhere or cause too much destruction in the house. But alas, Mrs. Chen came back early from her getaway and picked up Toby, Caleb, Khao, Sofia, and Pickle on her way home. Although I was exhausted from watching 3-foot dogs all day, the pay was amazing for me, and it would help tremendously for all the online classes I was going to be taking next semester.
The warmth of the sun cast a comforting trance over my heavy eyelids, and soon enough I was fast asleep, standing in the middle of the kitchen with the soft sound of nothing surrounding me.
By the time I had fluttered my eyes open, I had realized I was now seated in my dining chair and a large black jacket was placed over my shoulders. I sat up and let out a yawn, wincing at the bright light coming from the tv and shaking my now numb arm awake. I must have been sleeping for a while because the evening sun had turned to pitch of black. The moonlight beamed through the window and danced along with the sways of the large oak tree out front. I stood up and walked over to the refrigerator in which I grabbed two water bottles and some leftover pasta.
I was sure that Jake hadnât eaten since lunch, seeing as he only ate if someone sat food in front of his face. I dragged my feet up the stairs until I heard the slamming of a book and the fast typing of a keyboard come from the living room. I turned and looked behind me. Jake had settled his things on the coffee table and floor, large books, folders, and several amounts of crumpled up pieces of paper found their way around Jake, himself slouched up against the edge of the couch. He had changed clothes since the last time I had seen him, he now wore a plain blue shirt with grey sweats, his eyebrows furrowed as he worked hard on whatever he was getting at.
âOh yes, I was starving!â Propping himself up on the couch, he took the plate of pasta. I placed the waters on the coffee table and settled comfortably on the couch beside him.
âI canât say that Iâve ever seen anybody sleep standing up before. Look,â Jake took his phone off the charger. âI got a picture.â He pushed the screen in my face, and of course, there was my unconscious body laying on the counter, mouth open and all. I playfully pushed it back his way as his face lit up with a smile I was all too familiar with.
âWhat are you doing down here so late, itâs almost 12 in the morning,â I asked. Jakeâs smile disappeared when he was reminded of the work he had been doing seconds before.
He let out a large huff of air. âTrying to get some words on paper but instead it turned into a paper massacre,â he jokingly replied, âsorry for the mess.â
âDonât worry about it,â I replied, taking a swig of water. I was going to ask if he wanted to watch a late-night movie, or pull an all-nighter and talk endlessly until the sun rose, but I could tell by each passing second that Jake was worried about this, and he wanted the time he had now over the summer to work on his music. I wished I was motivated to work on my own music, but unlike Jake, I wasnât in a globally popular boy band. My complicated best friend for over 10 years had been working his butt off since middle school. It was his annual time to sit back and relax while he had the time to, but instead, he chose to use that time to help watch a bunch of dogs with his hometown bestie. God, I loved him.
Jake pulled himself off the couch and right back onto the floor, leaving the rest of the pasta to me. He picked up his pen again and started scribbling down words as quickly as he could, trying hard not to forget the lyrics that had floated into his head. Until he stopped, closing his eyes for just a split second, and let out a powerful sigh. Crumpling up the sheet, he stacks it on top of the others in frustration and started frantically tapping his pencil against the table.
âMaybe itâs best to just try again in the morning,â I advised, taking a small bite of the pasta that was left by my side.
âHow come Iâm having such a hard time with this?â He gazed up at me frantically for a clue, as if I had the answer to fix a problem as big and as important as his was. I looked at his doleful eyes and the bags that were starting to grow underneath them. I couldnât help but think, because I made you sit up and watch a bunch of dogs with me.
âDo you want me to see if I could come up with something?â
âIf you want. But, hold on, I think my thoughts are coming back up.â He quickly grabbed another piece of paper, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
I tried my best to keep occupied by watching videos on my phone, but I found myself suddenly bored out of my mind. I laid out on my back and picked up one of Jakeâs folders. Briefly looking through it, I couldnât help but feel a bit jealous at the amount of fan art and letters, praising him and the other members. Followed with that were just more and more engene stuff, full of nothing but kind words and heartfelt messages. Part of me wished that I was able to travel with Jake and see the world like he was. How fun would it be to meet people that praised you? And how cool would it be to see that you had fans? I couldnât help but plaster on a huge smile as I skimmed through some of the notes until I finally came to one with familiar handwriting.
Remember Me were the words written on the top of the paper in bold and bright colors. But the message written underneath is what caught my attention:
To the person that makes me the luckiest guy in the world, this song is for you. Itâs okay if you donât feel the same, but please just remember me -- it was Jakeâs handwriting.
I didnât feel like I was breaking any crime reading his stuff until this moment, but curiosity killed the cat, and right now I didnât mind being a feline. I checked to make sure Jake was still busy, and he was, almost like he had teleported into his own world. I quietly turned back to the sheet and started reading. It was about a girl, presumably his crush Iâm sure. She was someone important to him, someone who made him love so much that it hurt. But this was far from a happy song, in fact, it was terribly heartbreaking. She didnât understand his love, she wasnât able to interpret it like he wanted her to. But he confesses that he was scared of what telling her would do, worried that she wouldnât feel the same. So instead, it was like he was apologizing, and asking that she forgive him for not being brave enough to tell her, and if he did ever get the courage to, for her to remember him even if she wasnât able to love him like he wanted her to.
The song ends like how the title began, and I find myself flabbergasted at the beautiful mixes of rhymes and metaphors that read like a poem. This was the first of Jakeâs songs that made me feel this way, like I had just finished watching a tragedy movie with Ryan Renolds starring. I blink back the tears that I didnât realize were forming. How come he never told me this? We never kept secrets from each other, like ever. It never mattered the subject or the severity, we had always promised that we would be open and honest with each other. I wish I wouldâve known this sooner, maybe I couldâve saved him from feeling this way. And what girl could it possibly be? I knew for sure I was the only girl he was presumably close to; but was there someone else?
I glanced down at Jake, who was still in a focused state of mind with the pencil in his mouth and mumbling lyrics softly under his breath. I tried picturing my bubbly Jake writing these agonizing words and miserably failed.
Jake looked up at me as if he could feel my gaze on the back of his head. âI think Iâve found the chorus, but itâs the rest of the song Iâm not able to get, and how come itâs so hard to find another word that rhymes with severe? Beer? Sphere? Revere? Appear? Gosh, rhyming sucks some serious ass!â
âThis song is beautiful.â
Jake furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. âHuh?â
âThis song I found in your folder.â I glanced back at it in my hand. âRemember Me.â
Jakeâs gaze leaped from my eyes to the sheet, and I felt his body tense. âWhereâd you get that from?â
âI was just going through one of your folders. Did you accidentally get it mixed up in your fan folder? Cause this is -â
âDid you read it?â He interrupted.
âYeah, and itâs perfect.â
Jake glanced at me for a split second before turning back around, obviously uncomfortable. âI was watching one of those Kdramas you love so much and it inspired me. Could you help me rhyme with severe now?â
I knew Jake like the back of my hand, so I knew continuing on with this conversation would get him upset if heâs clearly avoiding it. But, I wasnât going to just let him off that quickly. âJake, come on, you can tell me anything. Who is this about?â
Jake looked back at me with a hint of something in his eyes, something Iâve never seen before, and something I wasn't able to decipher. âNobody, I was just feeling really inspired, that's it.â His tone had switched from calm to agitated.
I give him my Iâm-not-stupid look and he comes back with his own youâre-being-delusional stare. âItâs seriously nobody, truthfully and honestly.â
âOkay, okay Iâll back off.â I could tell he was starting to get defensive, and when he got like that, it took him at least a few hours before returning to normal. I watched Jake's Adam's apple move up and down, a way in which I could tell he knew I was not convinced in the slightest. âWell, sometimes we go through things that can remind us of situations like that, but not necessarily in that same exact context, you know? It has to be amplified for that audience appeal.â
âOkay...but have you ever felt this way before? Not exactly like how itâs written, but maybe somewhere along these lines?â
I thought I was going to get another vague answer, or worse, an aggravated one. But instead Jake looked down at his pencil as he tapped it along his wrist. â...maybe, but I think everyone can connect to the words in some way. I mean, everyone feels some kind of heartbreak in their life, right?â Jake's answer was still pretty vague, but at least I was able to get something out of him.
âOkay, but you know you can tell me anything, like, anything ever because you know that youâll never actually have to feel this way, right?â I said, maybe too much in a hurry.
âOf course I know that.â He replied, giving one of his awkward grins.
âAnd if anyone has made you feel this way, then you know you can tell me that too cause there a sucker to lose out on a perfect person like you.â I teased in a sing-song way, poking his shoulder hard. Jake chuckled and poked me back.
A weird silence grew in the room, and Jake went back to trying to find rhyming words. I tried getting back on my phone, but I knew I needed to say something to let go of the tenseness in the air.
âHey, crystal clear rhymes!â
He leaned his head back and looked up at me. âNevermind, I give up for tonight.â
I could see the stress that played on his face. âDonât worry, youâll figure it out.â
âYeah, but by the time I do, itâll be too late.â
âWhat do you mean?â
Jake pulled his knees up to his chest and spoke. âThis was going to go on our album comeback that needs to be finished in the next four months. By the time I think of something, it'll be too late and Iâll have to wait until the next four months. But by then, I'll have forgotten. This always happens and I have no idea how the hell to fix it.â I couldnât tell if he wanted my help or just a bit of comfort.
âDid you try asking the other guys to see if they had any ideas?â
âYeah, but theyâre working on their own parts, I canât ask them to do this too.â
âIâm sure theyâd be willing to help if you asked,â I assured him.
âI know they would, but I just donât want to. I always ask them for help, I thought being away from the studio and being back home would help my brainstorming abilities.â He gave a weary chuckle that almost sounded like a groan.
âWell, maybe tomorrow will come with better results.â I did my best to give him some motivation, but I could tell I was failing miserably at that too.
Jake watched as a car zoomed past the window, a low bass sounding off as it zoomed away. âI bet itâs easier to just listen to music than to try and come up with it. I remember when I would just blare NCT all day long and jam out in my room. It seemed so much easier back then to come up with stuff than it does now. I miss it.â He took a slight pause before continuing. â Did you know that song you read was the easiest thing I have written in my life? I remember writing too. I just had this super weird feeling in my chest one day so I basically locked myself in my room and took maybe two hours and just wrote a bunch of words down and connected them to sound like a song. For once my mind had just gone blank and I couldnât stop thinking and feeling that song, like I knew what it was supposed to sound like, I knew what the lyrics were supposed to mean. I just knew everything. And I miss that feeling, that feeling of like- '' He broke off his sentence when he looked back up to my eyes. It seemed like he was talking more to himself than to me. He swallowed hard and looked back at the pencil still in hand.
âWell, I'm sorry you donât feel free anymore. I wish there was something I could do to make you feel like that again-â
âNo, please donât feel like that. Itâs just something that had just recently started happening, something I really just canât fixâŚâ His voice gets softer and softer the more he spoke.
âHave you spoken to your manager about it?â I asked. âHeâs super nice from what I understand. And heâll probably have better answers than your friend who can barely play the piano, let alone produce an entire song.â
Jake laughed before I had the chance to. â See, now you're underestimating yourself. Remember that song from freshman year? The one about-- what was his name, Josh?â Jake teased. I grabbed a pillow and slammed it into the back of his head. âOh my gosh, I thought we promised weâd never bring it up again!â
Jake chuckled and laid his arm on the couch completely turning towards me. âHow about we sneak out and go get ice cream and try to not wake up your mom in the process?â
I suddenly jumped to my feet when I have the perfect idea on how to cheer up the gloomy Mr. Shim. âOr, we could do something even better!â
âUrgh!â Jake groaned.
I grabbed my phone and hooked it up to the speaker. I was going to turn on his hit song Drunk-Dazed as a joke, but Jake needed this break from his career, so instead, I crunk up Beyonce as loud as it could go without disturbing my mom who slept upstairs. I turn back to Jake and reach out for his hands, already moving my hips to the music.
He shook his head and threw it back onto the couch as if throwing a temper tantrum. âI literally dance for a living.â
âOkay but this will be different, I promise.â I grabbed the piles of papers on the ground and threw them in the trash, I then pushed the coffee table near the wall and piled his folders and books neatly on top.
âCome on, cowboy!â I grabbed his hands and helped him up. He was reluctant to get up, but he threw one last groan before standing on his feet.
âThis will get the brain juices flowing again!â I told him. I go back to my phone and switch it to one of my favorite Beyonce songs that she covered, At Last.
I sang dramatically to get Jake to smile, and luckily, it worked. I placed both my hands over his shoulders and swayed us back and forth, still miming the song as overly exaggerated as I could. Jake still couldnât help but smile, and it didnât take him long to join me in the rhythm and sway naturally with me. I learned at our middle school dance that Jake had perfect rhythm. He was able to impress the rest of the crowd when he busted out moves from BTS. Everyone was impressed, including me.
Now we were on a steady roll. I accidentally stepped on his feet a few times, but it was fine seeing as I was wearing foam flip-flops and he was barefooted. After a while, the song switched and played another of my favorites that didnât match our style of dance, but we still moved slowly to the beat. Jake tried twirling me, but since I have two left feet, I almost ended up hitting the wall each time and Jake laughed loud at my clumsiness. The moonlight from the kitchen had now switched to the window in the living room. It gleamed through and glistened on Jake like a spotlight, just like the ones on the stage did for him. In a split second, I was reminded that he wouldnât be here forever, just like he wasnât here for the past year. I tried to not let it settle on my face that I was scared to see him go again, so I played up on the fun we were having now. Jake looked like he was at ease; finally, since heâd been here, he looked genuinely happy and I wasnât going to ruin that.
After another handful of songs full of laughs and giggles, we were soon sweating and taking deeper breaths than normal. Each song was different from the one before, but it didnât stop us from sticking to our style of dance. Even with the simplicity of the moves and the slowness of the steps, I had to take a minute to relax. I hooked my arms around his neck and rested my entire body on his. I could feel Jakeâs own sweat seeping through his shirt, But I didnât mind the wetness that was now attached to my cheek. I thought he would act awkward and ask for me to pull away, but instead, he gripped tighter on my hips and started slowly moving me side to side. I let out a long overdue sigh, trying my best to match the steady breathing of Jakeâs with my own. It was actually therapeutic: hearing his heartbeat in one ear and the softness of the music in the other.
I tried to continue our steady breathing together, but his had picked up a bit, almost out of nowhere. I felt the heat of his breath on the nape of my neck, and it made my entire body tingle in a way it never had before. After this sudden feeling, I realized just how close we really were. His leg hair tickled my legs, I could feel the bone of his foot connecting to mine, I could feel his thin waist against mine as well. I felt like I needed to back up, but instead, I couldnât and continued to sway softly against him. A few seconds later, Jakeâs hands rose a little higher, planting themselves on my waist and tightening their grip as if they were trying to pull me closer than we already were.
The sensation hadnât stopped though, it clung to my body like my damp shorts did on my thighs. Sooner or later I felt pressure on the lower part of my stomach and thought for sure that Jake was messing around and wasnât feeling what I was, which indicated that I needed to pull back before this feeling became too much.
This is so embarrassing. I thought. How could I let myself feel like this? How was this in any way okay? I finally pulled back, the sensation becoming too unbearable, and glanced up at his face. His pupils were large in a way I hadnât seen before. His mouth was slightly open and a drop of sweat slowly traced down his forehead, onto his nose. That pressure I was feeling on my stomach had now doubled in force, and Jake's face had switched from calm and subtle, to alarmed and panicked...
âââââ§ââââ
(part 2 possibly...?)
Thank you guys so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! Please, leave any constructive criticism you have on helping improve my writing!
âââââ§ââââ
None of the images are mine, They all belong to their rightful owners :)
#jake x reader#jake smut#jake scenarios#jake imagines#jake suggestive#enhypen jake#jake enhypen#enhypen x reader#jake fluff#enhypen scenerios#enhypen suggestive#shim jake#kpop smut#kpop suggestive#jake sim#jake#enhypen#!kay! writer#enhypen hard hours#new writers on tumblr
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HOLIDAY FIC REC, PART IV: Below youâll find more fics that have to do with the holiday season.Â
đ (I'm Dreaming of a) One Night Inn by @lululawrence (54k)
When everything Louis had planned for his life falls through, and on his birthday no less, he's left with no other option but to regroup and start over again. The road of life isn't always straight and it certainly isn't always easy, but sometimes it's those twists and turns that find you your closest friends andâif you're really luckyâthe love of your life.
Louis just happens to be very lucky.
A Holiday Inn AU.
đ Baby, Won't You Look My Way? by @peachbootylouis (50k)
Louis tiptoed to the door and opened it, looking over his shoulder for a moment. Harry looked absolutely gorgeous, almost enough to make him strip back down and give it another go. But that wasnât who Louis was. So he sighed and stepped outside, leaving back to his flat. And for the first time in years, he felt alive.
Or the where Louisâ routine centered life runs like clockwork until a chance hook up throws a wrench named Harry into it all. But as it may turn out a change in plans could be what Louis has needed all along.
đ Ideal: An Advent Fic by @iamasphodelknox (40k)
All Louis wanted was some god-damned time to write his novel. He didnât expect to move his and Liamâs entire production of a Christmas variety show to a small inn in Vermont just before the holidays. He didnât expect to save Niallâs inn. He didnât expect Liam to fall in love. He definitely didnât expect to fall in love himself. And he certainly didnât expect it all to feel so much like a Christmas movie.
Oh hell. Thereâs a lot of things Louis didnât expect.
A White Christmas au, complete with drama, fluff, choreographed dance numbers, and idiotic boys falling in love. Just your typical Christmas fun.
đ The Happiest Season by @sadaveniren (37k)
âYouâre going to spend Christmas - and your birthday - with his homophobic WASP parents? Thatâs gonna be hell.â
Louis closed his eyes in frustration. âIt was either that or be apart and I donât think thatâs gonna be good for either of us this year, you know?â
A fic loosely based on Happiest Season but make it ... different
đ maybe this christmas by @nobodymoves (34k)
Harry lives next door to Louis and babysits his daughter. He might be hopelessly in love with Louis and desperate to be part of his little family, but heâs ignoring that in favour of trying to make Louisâs busy life as easy as possible. When he finds out Louis and his daughter donât believe in Santa - someone who is universally considered a real person - he makes it his mission to convince them. Along the way he takes in a man who may or may not actually be Santa, and everyoneâs Christmas wishes might come true.
A Miracle on 34th Street AU.
đ Retiens la nuit by @teamlouis2020 (26k)
Everything is too much for Harry. His exboyfriend, his job, his whole life actually. Flying across the globe to find a quiet place for Christmas holidays is exactly what he needs. Among a warm cottage and snow-covered fields, he doesn't expect to come across Louis, the beautiful stranger that stumbled into his house one night. Love isn't supposed to find a way to his heart, but Christmas has its magic tricks, hasn't it?
đ Neither Wine Nor Dine by @brightgolden (25k)
With Louisâ fringe taking up half of his forehead and eyes crinkling at the side with how wide he grins just by looking at their Christmas tree, he looked so much like the 19 year old boy Harry met in the living room of his shared two-bedroom apartment years ago.
It's too bad that Harry doesn't get to see it often.
OR
Where Harry is too busy travelling the world and Louis is home during Christmas.
đ Baby, You're On My List by @chloehl10 (17k)
Harry takes his niece to see Father Christmas, but he doesn't count on meeting the cutest Christmas elf. Taken by the handsome stranger, Harry decides to recruit as many children as he can so he can see him again, and again, and again...
đ The fic where Harry calls Louis an idiot for ten days straight because he is one. by @mercurial-madhouse (16k)
Theyâve found the perfect get away from their busy lives as nationally-famous footie player and well-respected restaurant critic, escaping to the isolation of a cabin in the woods where they can simply be Louis and Harry.
If only both were actually here.
A gift forgotten in London, the untameable force of the weather, and the scent of burnt snickerdoodle biscuits find Harry and Clifford pitifully alone and Louis... Where is Louis?
đ Unwrap My Heart by @larryficwriter (15k)
Harry is flabbergasted, that much is clear. He also looks emotional, understandably. A little excited shiver runs through Louisâ body because this is just the beginning.
âHarry,â Louis begins as soon as the song is over. âThis begins 12 Days of presents that I have planned for you. Each day youâll get another present from me that will hopefully show you that you mean the world to me.â
or, the 12 Days of Christmas: Larry Edition
đ The Ideal Flatmate by @larryyouknow (12k)
Louis shares his flat with the ideal flatmate (or I-F as he often nicknames him). Harry is a bit younger and a bit taller than him. Heâs polite and there is nothing to complain about. Harry rarely brings someone over, he isnât loud, he eats at the table and when he uses the shared area for his crafting projects he always tidies after himself. Harry doesnât bother Louis and he pays his share in time.
The ideal flatmate.
The only problem is: Harry hates Louis. This will be very lovely Christmas.
đ Fine Lines by @harrystinysantashorts (11k)
The short story is there are two little, white sticks sitting on the bathroom counter with two little, pink lines on both of them. The long story is that thatâs never happened before.
or, Harry gets the surprise of a lifetime and decides itâll be the perfect Christmas present.
đ Run to Me Through The White Night by @mizzhydes (8k)
A horrid last-minute shopping trip amidst a mass of teenage girls and their parents was not what Louis was hoping to get roped into two days before Christmas.
The day started out dreadfully, but fate had something different in store for Louis that day. A chance encounter between a famous pop star and an everyday lad, gave way to an evening that neither of them would ever forget.
đ In Search of the Perfect Tree by @beanno28 (5k)
Harry and Louis work together at Home Depot and are also in a long term relationship. Harry is getting ready to get the store ready for the holiday season. When Louis decides he wants in on the action and their coworkers plan a tree off. Who wins and who loses? What happens when Harry has a secret up his sleeve?
đ may your every wish come true by @cocoalou (4k)
âHarry, right? Harry Styles?â
Harryâs insides are screaming.
âUh. Yes. Louis Tomlinson, yeah?â he replies, trying desperately to keep the manic smile off his face that he knows is already making an appearance because Louis remembers him (!!!!!), little ole Harry Styles; two years below, nerdy as all hell, and his friendâs dorky, younger brother.
Harry and Louis reconnect during the Holidays, it's kind of fate.
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Wonwoo! Will you stay
Jeon Wonwoo! A short series pt one | two | three | four After the rejection, Wonwoo finds your persistence cumbersome. Surprisingly, the quarrel results in you getting new friends.
Our current parents are not the ones who really had you. In actuality, you were adopted to a loving couple that has had no child for 7 years. Your biological parents were too poor to raise another child, and they chose to put you into adoption when you were only 5 months.
When the couples saw you in the centre, they immediately fell in love with you and agreed to take you as their child. You had your name registered under your father's last name and basically became the daughter of their family.
It was illegal at that time, but your parents were desperate to have a child.
It didn't shock you the first time you were disclosed to this information. You don't look like your mother or father, and the brats at school keep suggesting that you're adopted. Your parents then decided to tell you despite your young age.
"You are our daughter. No matter what others say, we love you with our full hearts. Don't forget that, darling," was what your mother told you 12 years ago.
You know they are the best family you could ever have, and they always do. Occasionally, you would thank them. Your mother was never fond of you thanking them, and your dad doesn't have the heart to scold you for the same reason.
He hates it too, but you want them to know that you're very grateful to them.
Your father turns to look at you and stroke your head tenderly. "Where can I find the best daughter like this in this world?"
"You can't anymore. The world only has one best daughter, and that's me~."
"You're super right!" he pinches your nose playfully and has you giggle. "Let's go home. Mommy said she has something for you,"
The next day, you walk to your seat and sit quietly. You feel quite tired from the lacking of sleep. Your friend from America called you last night, and it continued until 3 in the morning. You were too guilty to tell her that you have school in the morning and have to sleep.
In the end, you only got 3 hours of sleep before getting ready for school.
You rest your head on the table and shut your eyes. The students are not making any noises, and you quickly fall asleep.
Wonwoo comes in when you already wake up. He is pretty late as compared to others.
You greet him with a good morning and directly ask. "Your house isn't that far. Why are you late?"
Wonwoo pulls his chair and sits. He's quiet on usual, so you don't know if he's normal or moody.
"Wonwoo, what do you think they have for lunch?"
"Wonwoo, can you teach me Physics? I'm most terrible at it.."
"Wonwoo, what club are you planning to join? Let me join you, OK?"
"Wonwoo, what did you say?" you ask again. You have lost count of how many times to call his name. Wonwoo... Wonwoo... It just rolls off the tongue.
Wonwoo raises his head and faces you. He opens his thin lips and repeats his words.
"You're. So. Freaking. Annoying," he utters word by word as if tearing your heart pieces by pieces. It sends you into speechless mode.
Though he tries to speak through his teeth, some students can still hear him. The girls in front of you are flabbergasted by the vulgar word Wonwoo used.
Never have they ever assumed Wonwoo could be crude to a girl. They study your face, but you're smiling.
"I thought I made it clear yesterday that I'm not at all interested in you. I find you annoying since the first time we meet. You're just a stuck-up rich kid that has no shame," Wonwoo canes his chin with his palm and continues.
"Just look at you. Which part of you is charming? I'll tell you this. Maybe you can get the white boys to line up within a snap of a finger, but I'm not like them. I hate all the girls most when they're rich and think they're superior to others. I don't have to clarify with you which category you're in, right?"
When you and the girls think he's done, you all are wrong.
"I think I should be more clear with you-"
"Enough." the girl with shorter hair stands up and kicks his table. "You could've just rejected her nicely, but you prefer being an asshole, don't you?" she says. Her eyes are burning with rage as he stares at Wonwoo, and they only calm after her seatmate pulls her arm.
"Yeah, Somi's right. I'll talk to the teacher about this, Y/N. We'll have you swap seats with some boy," you read her nametag- Umji, and you're about to say something when Wonwoo interferes.
What he has to say is just him admitting that he agrees with Umji. "Tell everything to the classroom teacher. I can't be bothered sitting next to someone's so annoying,"
"Stop it now, will you?" Somi flares again, and Wonwoo resumes his previous business.
Umji and Somi really keep their word and tell the homeroom teacher the morning incident. The arrangement changes, and you sit with a girl in the second row.
Since then, it's quite difficult to peek at Wonwoo without being noticed.
Every day after school ends, Wonwoo flees before you catch up to him. You want to apologize to him, but the whole week has passed. In the meantime, you make friends with Somi and Umji. The depressing, lonely days become less severe with them.
During the recess, the three of you go to the field and settle on a metal bench. Somi's boyfriend is a basketball player, so she always watches over him at the basketball court.
"Why are your face so red, Y/N?" Umji cups your cheeks and jiggles them. "Are you sick?"
You shake your head from side to side and breathes out loudly. You've been holding to ask them about Wonwoo, and now's the time!
"I want to ask something, but don't get mad. How's Wonwoo's doing?" you literally rap.
"Slow down, Y/N! I don't get you-" Umji holds your shoulder and soothes your nervous heart, but Somi is quick-witted. She reiterates to Umji and then glances at you.
"What's so nice about that a-hole? You still think about him?"
Umji doesn't deny that, but she's curious about Wonwoo. "I don't know. Is it me, or Wonwoo appears to be quieter after you change seat,"
"It's good, though. I hate it when he opens his filthy mouth. I can't forget what he said to Y/N!" you keep silent when Somi makes a comment.
"Maybe he cares about me after all?" you say, unabashed.
Somi frowns and leans forward. "Have you lost your mind, Y/N?"
You shake your head rapidly. "To be honest, I don't feel angry at him for saying that to me. I was wrong in the first place, so he has all the right to snap at me," you sip the grape juice.
Somi and Umji are in disbelief, and it entertains you.
"I don't know if this is true love or you're too naive,"
Umji chooses, "True love, it is," which sounds extremely unpleasant to Somi. She turns away and fakes a gag. "Blergh! Don't you dare encourage her, Umji,"
"Let's go to class," Somi says after regaining her composure. You've been straining the urge to pee since the break started; therefore, you excuse yourself to the toilet, and the two go back to the class without you. On the way, you accidentally bump into your seatmate, Ahin, in the toilet.
She's with her friends, talking about someone.
As you enter a cubicle, you hear a familiar name being mentioned by a girl.
"Wonwoo..." following after is barely audible, "...bullied,"
.
Wonwoo packs his things up and is ready to leave. He hangs the strap on his shoulder, crossing his torso and kicks the chair. The others who are aware of his precedented action make way for him.
You see him and quickly follow after. Close.. very close, and you grab by his bag.
"You're so fast!" you pant.
"Let go,"
"No! Are you getting in or not?" Not responding to you, you pull him by force into the elevator. Good thing; there's no one else besides you two.
You don't waste a second as you make a quick X-ray on him.
"No bruise, no cuts? Are you really being bullied?" you are still gripping his hands while asking him.
Not liking the skin contact, Wonwoo twists your limbs, dominates your wrists and rebukes. "I'll not repeat it. Get your hands off me!"
"I won't do so until you tell me," You undo the action and hold his again. "Are you being bullied, or you're the bully?"
The elevator opens, and Wonwoo escapes. You're too weak to hold against him, but he was just being kind as to not hurt you.
Since you can't do that again, you just chase after him a bit before jumping on his back. You adjust his bag and cling tightly to his neck.
"What are you doing? People are watching-"
"You don't like the attention, right? You might as well answer me!'
Wonwoo stops in his track. It's dangerous to move since you're not stable.
He exhales.
"The latter. Satisfied?"
"You're the bully?" you stretch your head to look at him. You did not expect that answer from him and squeal nonetheless.
"Thank god! I thought you're being bullied 'cuz if that's the case, I don't know what I'd do,"
What was that?.. Wonwoo wonders how could someone be happy when they're just met with a bully.
"Aren't you a fool?" he struggles to stand straight as you shift your weight to the side. "Get down now,"
"Oh," You climb down and instantly admire him again. "You're so cool!" with your clapping hands, you quick to remind him. "Don't let anyone bully you, alright?"
"My dad's here. Bye, Wonwoo!"
Wonwoo can't read you. He looks up to the sky and ponders. "Why would I listen to just anyone..."
âĄâĄâĄâĄâĄâĄâĄâĄ
Sorry for the short chapter. The next ones are much longer, at least to me lol (ÂŻâżÂŻ)
If you like this story, you might as well check out the others here !
#wonwoo oneshot#jeon wonwoo#wonwoo seventeen#seventeen#wonwoo imagine#seventeen imagine#wonwoo fluff#wonwoo angst#wonwoo_will you stay#wonwoo_WYS3#kpop#kpop imagine#kpop fluff#kpop angst#kpop one shot#wonwoo one shot
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Heyho <3
How about 12 and 17 for your book ask? I'd like to hear about those :D
Heyyyy Karo, thanks :D
12 - Any books that disappointed you?
So in the run up to the Booker prize, me and my girlfriend sat down over two weeks and read all 6 of them. I don't generally read literary stuff (not out of principal, just because I firmly believe any exploration of parenthood or interpersonal relationship can be improved with flying castles and tentacled monsters) and she is incredibly well-read and teaches English literature, so we were both interested in the other's perspective. But nothing disappointed me this year more than the book which won in the end, Dalmon Galgutâs The Promise. It's meant to be an almost or entierly satirical examination of whiteness in South Africa through the story of four funerals in one family, but for many many many reasons (the writing quality yes but primarily problems about race) I was flabbergasted it won. There are many, many things it mentions off-hand about apartheid and the role of the white patriarch, for example - and then doesn't interrogate them and acts as if, by mentioning it, that is the act of interrogation itself. I have been told that Coetzee is far better at specifically writing about whiteness in South Africa and what that means, so I want to read some of his books next year. I couldn't believe it. I would have to spend a good 10,000 words outlining why exactly I was so astounded it won, but it's not the place for it here - read it and see what you think for yourself. My favourite to win was Bewilderment, a story of a single father parenting his child during the climate crisis (I also didn't like the ending, but. Overall very moving).
17 - Did any books surprise you with how good they were?
Yes! Very much so. I read The Shining by Stephen King, which - look, I know he's a very famous novelist but I don't read horror and it was the first of his I've read. Wow. Incredibly atmospheric, and psychologically thrilling. Adored it.
I also read the YA book Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, which was the most enjoyable and charming YA I've read in a very long time and reignited my hope for future books. It's set in Mexico and tells the story of a young girl who accidentally awakens a god of death - the problem is, there isn't only one. It's a world of cenotes and Maya mythology and I adored it. The kind of book that is simply written, reads like a fairytale, and diligently carries out all tropes - but in a way that reminds you that tropes are the backbones of stories and have been used that way for hundreds of years across the globe for a very good reason. I am normally deeply suspicious of any 'poor 18 year old falls in love with A Vampire / An Eldritch Monstrosity / The Literal God of Death' book, but this has stayed with me for weeks. It's touching and realistic (??) and bittersweet. Also, her religious and conservative background isn't just relevant once and then never again - it forms the backbone of a lot of her decisions and builds a sympathetic three-dimensional character. I will also remember the descriptions of the underworld Xibalba for a very, very long time. Heartily recommend.
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Blacker Than The Foulest Witch - II
Marauders x Reader - Young!Sirius x Reader eventually
A/N - This is the second part of the story - hereâs Part I if you want to catch up. Set during the 1st Wizarding War. Quick warning! - This part contains some violent imagery (blood, etc.). Please be aware! Taglist: @someinsanefangirl (Iâm sorry if i forgot to tag someone? Let me know if you wish to be tagged in the future!)
Thank you so much for reading!
The sun was touching the black horizon with a faint red tip by the time the unlikely trio arrived to the Borough of Islington; tension hung heavy in the air, despite Potterâs attempts to diffuse it with bits of awkward small talk. Sirius did not speak, just watched the girl - Y/N - from the corner of his eye every time she made a quiet sound of approval, indicating that sheâd actually been listening.
There was something entirely too perplexing about her. She moved with ease and almost swan-like elegance, seemed genuinely interested in whatever vague information Potter threw at her regarding their endeavours during this seemingly never-ending war⌠All in all, she didnât seem stressed or hostile towards them.
However, when Sirius reached out his hand to her outside the mansion so that he could apparate her to his family home, she gave him a long and a very chilly look before telling him flat out that sheâd rather not touch him.
He must have been quite a sight to contemplate once her answer reached his ears, for Potter gave him yet another warning look. Feeling like an utter moron, Sirius dropped his good hand to a side, his mouth a thin line.
âI will shadow youâ, she simply said, like it was supposed to make all the sense in the world. Sirius caught himself frowning while Potter just shrugged. She did look like she knew exactly what she was doing, so none of them asked any more questions as they disappeared into the night. As expected, the girl was there, hot in their steps, as they arrived.
Sirius made sure no one followed them before he led James and Y/N to the square in front of 12 Grimmaud Place. The snarl on his face became even more apparent as they reached the porch. God, he still hated this place with passion - even now, despite it becoming the Orderâs primary place of residence. Nothing could ever erase the memories beaten into those walls - or the hate they emanated.
As Sirius whispered the uncloaking spell under his breath and the house started to stretch, he could feel the girlâs intense stare on a side of his face. It had an almost tangible quality to it.
Oddly enough, when Y/N turned back to face the house, he almost missed the feeling of her gaze boring into him. Almost.
âSomeoneâs hurtâ, she suddenly said, her body tensing like a drawn bowstring, her eyes fixed on the door. âHeâs dyingâ, she added, turning her head just a little to a side, as if she was listening in on something.
Sirius felt his heart skip a beat as he shot James a panicked look. Potterâs eyes were wide as he ran up the porch, swinging the door wide open, barging in.
When Sirius burst through the doors, following him, he almost threw up - the stench of blood quickly filled his lungs like water, nearly drowning him in fear. The whole room was whipped into a frightened frenzy - he couldnât make out any faces in the dim lighting as he rushed to the kitchen table. Even though the bodyâd been beaten into a bloody mess, one look at the man sufficed to put a name on the victim. Alastor Moodyâs magical eye was spinning like an enchanted carousel in its orbit, begging them to do something - anything.
âOut of my way, Sirius!â with his eyes wide and his hands trembling, he felt Molly Weasley push him to a side as she hurried over to Moody with some nasty-smelling potion. He barely registered seeing Evans sitting at the tableâs end, holding Alastorâs head in her bloody hands, her eyes pooling with tears.
âIâm so sorry, Alastor, dear, this will hurtâ, Molly whispered as if not trusting her voice, pouring the potion all over his ribcage. Despite the pain it must have caused him (as the potion came in contact with his torn-apart skin, it sounded like an egg frying in a red-hot pan), Moody didnât even utter a sound.
âMollyâŚâ Sirius heard Remus speak from somewhere behind him, breath still caught in his throat. Lupinâs voice sounded so far away⌠âMolly, thereâs nothing⌠Thereâs nothing we can do, justâŚâ
âDonât you boss me around, Remus!â she snapped at him without looking, still perched over Alastorâs body with the potion bottle clenched tight in her tiny hand. âJust another drop, Alastor, last one, I promiseâŚâ
âMollyâŚâ someone spoke, their voice hoarse and low - as if they had been screaming for days. âMolly, stopâ.
When the red-headed young woman spinned around to face him, with her usually smiling face distorted with pain, Sirius realized that the voice belonged to him.
A barely there sob escaped Lillyâs mouth as she dropped her head like a broken doll; the sound of it so sad, it seemed to break Sirius out of his stupor.
His breaths were now rugged; the rage seemed to take his body and his mind prisoners as he turned around on his heels, pushing his way out of the house.
âSiriusâ, he heard Lupinâs voice again, a faint attempt to stop him.
When he didnât listen, Mollyâs shrill tone nearly made his ears bleed.
âSirius Orion Black! Stop this very second!â
He paid her no mind, running straight into Arthur. They collided in the doorway - seeing nothing but red, Sirius pushed Weasley into the wall, marching on, blood roaring in his ears.
âJust where do you think youâre going, huh?â
He could swear she appeared out of nowhere; lilac sparkles dancing on the surface of her frozen eyes. Her hands crossed on her chest, she flashed him a valiant look. In the back of his feverish mind, Sirius caught himself marvelling at how small she actually was, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulders; yet the craving for blood pushed him forward. She might as well have been the death itself - there was no way of stopping him now.
Without even as much as a quick glance at her beautiful face, Sirius made an attempt to sidestep her⌠Before he knew it, he was shoved aside, straight into the ancient clock he hated, the wood of the intricate design moaning under his weight.
The force with which sheâd pushed him away, like he weighted nothing, left him lying there in the remainders of the family heirloom, gawking at her like a flabbergasted idiot.
It seemed he wasnât the only one - a new wave of shock with a taste of terror spread all around the room like cancer eating at a body. As if expecting this kind of reaction, Y/N didnât hesitate as she made her way to Alastorâs lifeless body.
She stopped just a few steps short of the table.
Half-closing her eyes, as if she were in some kind of trance, she rolled her head back, her lips slightly opened. A soft sigh escaped her mouth as she slowly brought her hands into the air, their movements slow and delicate, like those of a ballerina. Her words were barely a whisper as the strands of her hair danced around her head, soft warm glow forming slowly all around her.
Nobody moved. Completely mesmerised and helpless, all they could do was watch.
The air now buzzed with tender kind of energy as quiet sounds of gentle voices echoed in the room. When Y/N Â lowered her head at last, her eyes fluttered open - her irises shone like liquid gold. With an almost sensual moan, she closed her eyes again, throwing her head back and arching her back.
Sirius watched, hypnotised and unblinking, failing to believe his eyes.
Pure white light, like curls of dense glimmering fog flowed out of her chest; it writhed and creamed, without a sound whatsoever, like a thought trying to form itself on the edge of consciousness. Slowly at first; then all of the sudden it all poured out, blinding and all too warm, caressing Blackâs bruised cheekbone, but most importantly, his hand, just moments ago broken to bits.
The glass in the room sang; the chandelier cried softly and then the light started to fade. Sirius blinked something fierce, trying to see without the bright-coloured spots blocking his vision. He was able to catch the last remnants of light as it faded in Y/Nâs eyes, before she closed them on a heavy sigh.
A round of suffocating cough filled the room followed by a heavy thump. With his face still covered in blood, Alastor Moody rolled off the table and fell, rather ungraciously, on the dusty floor.
Still staring at Y/N open-mouthed, with her eyes rounder than two galleons and just as shiny, Mollie rushed to Alastorâs side. Once she saw his eyes and heard his mile-long curses signaling that he was, indeed, very much alive, Molly cried out in relief, squishing Moodyâs head in her tight embrace.
âYou reckless bastard, what in Godricâs name did you do!â Potter cursed out loud, brushing nervous fingers through his hair, wet trails still glistening on his cheeks. His eyes never quit Moodyâs frame.
âCome off it, James, he almost died!â Lily chastised him rather weakly, now sitting on her knees, by Moodyâs side as well. âHow are you feeling, Alastor?â she asked softly, âHow do-â
âI died,â Moody suddenly said, sitting up straight as his hands roamed all over his chest. âThose sons of witches, they ambushed me! They-â he stopped mid sentence, not sensing any cuts or broken ribs under his touch. âWhat did you- I died, I felt them kill me!â
And the world seemed to freeze all over again, as if enchanted by Alastorâs words. Every person in the room - Remus Lupin, Lily Evans, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Alastor Moody and Sirius Black - turned their eyes towards the girl who brought the wizard from the dead.
In her usual nonchalant yet not overconfident fashion, Y/N slowly raised her chin.
âDo excuse me for intruding on your secretâŚâ she gave it a quick thought. âFight Clubâ, she continued with a raise of her eyebrows. âBut does any of you know where I can find Igor Karkaroff?âŚâ -
The corridor had been quiet for nearly ten minutes now. Clearing his throat, Remus stole a look at his waiting companion.
With her head resting on her left shoulder, she appeared to be sleeping; but Lupin knew better. The moment the commotion from Moodyâs revival settled, and his eyes fell on Y/N he immediately recognised her as one of them. It shouldnât have come as a surprise - during his long werewolf career, he learned to pick up the signs, no matter how subtle they were.
It was in the curve of her neck. In the movements of her wrists. It was sleeping upon her lips.
The suffering.
He recognised her as one of them - one of his own - one of those who were destined to struggle all their lives for the choices that were made for them.
He didnât know her story but he knew.Â
Remus knew that Y/N was one of them.
âSo you just brought her here!â Moodyâs booming voice whipped the walls of the study again, echoing in the hall. Â âNo questions asked, nothing! You just rolled out the red carpet straight into one of our secret locations because you felt like it! Would you like to whip her a Butter Beer now that sheâs here? Maybe offer her some biscuits?â
Remus squirmed at Alastorâs words. For someone who had very narrowly escaped death just mere moment ago, he sure had some strength in those windpipes.
Cursing the reason for which he was, de facto, still alive.
âDonât⌠Donât listen to himâ, Remus spoke at once, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand, not looking at Y/N. âHe canât think straight⌠He was dead just five minutes ago, after allâ, Remus reasoned more with himself, nodding his head eagerly.
He stopped dead, however, as soon as a soft melodious laugh reached his ears. Sharply turning his head to face his companion, Remus felt a smile emerging on his scarred lips against his will.
Y/N wasnât asleep anymore (that is if sheâd been sleeping at all). She sat straight in the leather chair by the dirty window, bringing her legs to hug them close to her chest. Throwing her hair to a side, she faced Remus, her features relaxed and peaceful.
âI donât blame him,â she said with a soft shrug. âI would probably be just as pissed if I was him. I mean⌠â she paused, a mischievous gleam glazing over her eyes. ââŚHe was, indeed, dead just five minutes agoâ.
Remus held her stare for as long as he could - until the two of them burst out in a fit of infectious laughter, nearly missing on Siriusâ response coming from the other side of the door.
âYou have some nerve, Alastor. She brought you back from the dead!!â Black roared like a wounded animal. âI donât trust her and I donât think I ever will, but we have to give her a chance to tell us her story before we jump straight to conclusions - we owe her at least that!â
The sound of his voice seemed to bring both Remus and Y/N back to the real world - where a war was raging outside the walls and where wizards were dying by dozens with every passing hour.
âHe actually sounds like he doesnât hate meâ, Y/N observed out loud, a bit impressed.
âWho, Sirius?â Remus pushed back against his seat, folding his hands on his chest. âIf your surname isnât Black, then you have nothing to worry aboutâ.
Y/N grunted in response, dropping her gaze to the floor.
âI think I heard him whispering to James that I was probably âBlackerâ than his motherâ, she shifted her gaze to face Remus again. âDo you think that counts?â
Lupin chuckled whole-heartedly.
âA profession of love? So soon?â he faked astonishment.
A soft laugh bubbled out of Y/Nâs chest; it was cut short, however, by the slamming of the door as Alastor Moody resurfaced from the study, his face so red, Remus almost got afraid the veins in his neck would pop like champagne bottles.
âWe would like to ask you a few questions, MissâŚâ Moody managed through gritted teeth, stepping aside to welcome her into the room.
âY/Nâ, with her usual grace of a swan, she rose to her feet, throwing Moody a wicked smile. âI would, however, expect a man to remember the name of his saviourâ.
Something sounding a lot like a chortle reached her ears, right before Remus cleared his throat.
Gritting his teeth some more, Moody mentioned for Y/N to come in.
His bright blue eye then focused on Remus.
âWe wonât wait for Dumbledoreâ, Alastor announced curtly. âFetch the Weasleys and Evans, Lupin. Iâm sure theyâd love to hear the witchesâ story.â
#marauders era#marauders imagine#marauders x reader#young sirius black x reader#sirius black x reader#sirius x reader#young sirius x reader
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"Clueless" *Part 11*
Look, you're gonna have to root for Josh, I'm sorry. He's not Nathan. (Some of you will get that reference)
It's not over yet though, be patient my babies!
Part 10
Part 12
Tag List:
@chasingeverybreakingwave
@lolliepopsicle
@milkshqke
@wanniiieeee
@word-scribbless
@aprildecker-blog
@gibbs274
@objection-argumentative
@stars-in-the-skies-world
-----
The Next Day
After class you walked out to the quad to see Josh sitting under a tree with a blanket spread out and a picnic basket.
"Wow what is all of this?" You asked, astonished a guy would do all of this for you.
"I figured you'd be hungry after Werner's class, I had him last semester." He smiled.
"Oh my god I know right? It's rough," You gave him a look as you dropped your duffel bag next to the blanket and sat down.
"How about that front row?" He teased you.
"Oh god I learned that one the hard way," you groaned with a laugh. Professor Werner had a very overactive saliva gland, so he spat when he talked. Which in a lecture class, is a LOT.
"Same here," he laughed as he held up two sandwiches. "I didn't know what you liked so I went basic; PB and J or Grilled Cheese milady?"
"Oh if it's not strawberry jam I'll take the grilled cheese," You replied.
"....Shut up," Josh gasped.
"What?" You raised an eyebrow.
"I specifically made it with strawberry jam so I could keep it because most people just like grape," He held up the sandwich oozing with red goo.
"Hey! That's so rude!" You hit him playfully.
"I think you're focusing on the wrong thing here," He gave you a look.
"Oh you mean the fact that we must be soulmates because we both like PB and SJ sandwiches?" You teased him.
"I mean I wouldn't say soulmatesâŚ" He started.
"I would," A voice came from behind you.
"Ariel! What are you--?" You were shocked to see Ariel on your campus, it was like your two worlds meshing.
"I thought I'd treat you to lunch, but it looks like Josh here beat me to it," She nodded at Josh with a smile.
"Oh? Been talking about me have you?â Josh smiled playfully, noticing Ariel already knew his name.
"I may or may not have mentioned you," You said with a tongue-in-cheek smile.
"She definitely undersold you in the looks department though," Ariel smiled seductively at him.
What was happening? Wasn't it Ariel's idea to get this guy to be your boyfriend? And here she was just swooping in and taking him?
"Can I talk to you for a second?" You pulled her over to the side.
"What are you doing?! What happened to project boyfriend?" You hissed.
"I'm sorry babe I really am. He's justâŚ.wow," she fanned herself.
"You just can't help yourself can you?" You grumbled.
"It just kind of happens--" she suddenly stopped "but that's going to stop right now,"
She nodded across the quad. You turned to see Rafael walking with one of your professors.
"Please don't walk past here pleaseâŚ." You closed your eyes.
"Oh my god," Josh gasped. "Is that the ADA??"
"Wha-- how do you know my brother?" Ariel looked quizzically at Josh.
"He's going to be a lawyer, ArielâŚ" You muttered.
"Oh right,"
"Wait Rafael Barba is your BROTHER?" Josh was even more flabbergasted than seeing his idol at his school.
"Ex step brother," you corrected.
Unfortunately, Rafael heard his name as they turned the corner walking towards you.
"Ah, Ariel. Scoping out future trophy wife contenders are we?" He smirked at Ariel, completely ignoring you and Josh.
"Oh hey Raff, trolling the campus for fresh meat?" She smirked back, giving you a look.
"Oh Barba, this is the outstanding student I was telling you about," your professor nodded towards you as you nibbled your cheese sandwich.
âOh, well thank you--â You started to blush.
"Not you dear, Mr. Blackwood," He pointed to Josh who was sitting right behind you.
"Oh. Right," Your head dropped.
âOh well thank you sir!â Josh thanked the professor as he stood up. Then he spoke to Rafael. âMr. Barba it's an honor to meet you sir. I hope this isn't too forward, but I'd like to be you someday,"
"Well you're halfway there," Ariel snickered under her breath causing both you and Rafael to shoot eye daggers at her. Luckily neither your professor or Josh noticed.
"That's kind of you to say, kid," Rafael gave Josh a fake smile.
"He's definitely one to watch at the final arguments 'competitionâ'," The professor continued to brag on Josh as you stood up next to him, a little wary of the two of them talking together.
"It's a competition now? I thought it was just our final," You asked nervously. Josh noticed, and put a hand over yours to ease your worry, making Rafaelâs nostrils flared in anger.
"Miss Y/L/N, I think you'll learn very quickly that everything in the legal profession is a competition," Rafael informed you with a stone cold face.
"....Did I introduce Y/N?" The professor looked between you two in confusion.
"Oh they've met," Ariel smirked.
"Oh?" Josh looked at you uneasily. "Do I have a competition of my own?" He asked you in a softer voice.
"Absolutely NOT," You said rather loudly.
Josh smiled and took this as an opportunity to wrap an arm around you. Your own smile began to appear on your face
One half of you was practically giddy to have this happening right in front of Rafael, while the other half felt strangely guilty. When you noticed how upset this was making him, your smile receded.
"Yes well we'll leave to your littleâŚ.picnic here," Rafael sneered, turning to your professor. "Shall we John?"
They walked off, leaving the three of you to your lunch.
"SoâŚ.dare I ask what that was about?" Josh looked between the two of you as the both of you sat back down.
"Nothing," you both replied at the same time.
"Uh huhâŚ." He began to look very nervous and uncomfortable. He might have played it cool for that brief moment in front of your professor but inside he was just as insecure as you were.
"Nothing you should worry about Josh, I promise you," You assured him while squeezing his hand.
âSo what are we having?!â Ariel invited herself to lunch.
â...I only brought two sandwiches,â Josh shrugged.
âOh thatâs okay, she doesnât eat in front of boys anyway,â You laughed.
âThatâs not--â She started to deny it.
âItâs SO true,â You giggled, as the three of you continued to hang out.
----
Rafael had left John at the literature department and was heading back through the quad, just staring at you three laughing and having a good time. That should be him making you laugh like that, with his arms around you. Not that wannabe. He needed an excuse to go to you.
He quickly approached your picnic, Ariel noticed him first. She stood up immediately blocking you and Josh.
âAnd what do you need?â
âActually I was hoping to talk to Josh,â Rafael looked right around Ariel.
âOh I bet you were,â She narrowed her eyes at Rafael.
âReally, sir?â Josh jumped up to meet Rafaelâs gaze.
âDonât fall for this Josh, my exbro here is just trying to pee all over Y/N,â Ariel warned.
Ew, Ariel!â You made a disgusted face while Josh looked from you to Rafael in dismay.
âIs that true, sir?â His voice trembled a bit.
âIâm sorry Mr. Blackwood, are you implying that the Assistant District Attorney of New York would be so childish as to try and âmarkâ his territory on a nonconsequential young woman?â Rafael asked with absolute disdain in his voice.
âNonconsequential?! Now it was your turn to jump up. âYou arrogant son of a--â You started to slap the sass right out of him when Josh held you back.
âY/N, he 's the ADA. You canât talk to him like that!â Josh stared at you.
âAre you serious--??â Ariel started to interject, furious he seemed to actually defending Rafael.
âMr. Barba, I would never dream of accusing you of any kind of misconduct sir, I have higher respect for you than that,â He assured him while the two of you looked at each other in anger and disbelief.
âSmart kid,â Rafael smirked, glancing at your still fuming expression.
âHowever, sir--â Josh stepped closer to him. âI just wanted to let you know that if youâre looking for a fighter, Iâm in. Because Iâll win,â
âExcuse me?â Rafael raised his eyebrows.
â...For the internship, of course.â He stepped back, playing innocent while he draped his arm around you protectively.
âYeah well kid, youâve never fought me,â Rafael growled.
âWait, we have to fight you for the final?â You asked nervously, completely oblivious of the underlying tone of the testosterone fight.
âAw honey,â Ariel gave you a âyouâre so cute and stupidâ look.
âWha-- WAIT. Oh no no no, thatâs not happening,â You jumped in-between them, facing Rafael. âI am not a prize to be won, do you understand me?â You narrowed your eyes at him. He did his best to keep a stoic expression, but the hurt inside him from that statement flashed over his face for a millisecond; of course you would notice it.
âFair enough,â He nodded softly, walking away in defeat. As soon as he was out of sight, Josh let out a breath he didnât know he was holding.
âOh my god...I thought I was going to pass out!â He put his hands over his face as he sat down, wobbling.
âOh honey, are you ok?â You ran your fingers through his hair.
âYeah, sure. I just-- I never thought Iâd be in a pissing match with Rafael Barba,â He shook his head. âHe must really have a thing for you,â
âPlease,â Ariel rolled her eyes. âHeâs upset because someone else wants to play with his toys,â
âHey!â You hit her, offended.
âWell he picked the wrong sandbox to tussle in.â Josh scoffed.
âSays the man practically peeing his pants in fear of the big bad Barba,â Ariel snickered.
âAriel!â You chastised her. âBe nice!â
You turned to Josh and put a hand on his face. âI believe in you,â
As the words fell from your mouth, you really wondered if Rafael really took a run at Josh, would Josh be up for it? Or was Rafael just going to run off any other suitor you had?
#rafael barba#rafael barba x you#rafael barba x reader#rafael barba imagine#rafael barba fanficton#law and order svu#law and order svu fanfiction#clueless
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Book One: Gold (Prompto x Reader) Chapter VI
The next morning, (Y/n) wandered into the convenience store. She offered to do some shopping for the boys and stock up on supplies for their dangerous trip ahead. She looked around at the items on display, wondering what all she should buy with the gil Ignis gave her. While staring at a few potions on the shelves, memories from the past filled her mind. She remembered the time when they were only 12 and Prompto was living with his adoptive parents. They didn't know about her due to the blonde keeping her hidden in the gemstone whenever they were around.
When his parents went to work one day, they left a sick Prompto behind. She took it upon herself to take care of him while they were gone. She was forced to head to a nearby store for some medicine and was gone for almost an hour due to not being familiar with human remedies. By the time she got back, he was crying. Tears were streaming down his face as he wailed at the top of his lungs. A sniffle came from him every now and then. She learned he was crying because he couldn't find her and thought she'd left him for good. The spirit reassured him before showing him what she bought at the store to help with his cold.
Suddenly, (Y/n) was torn from her thoughts when Ardyn strolled over. She tried to ignore him, but it was futile when he blocked her from grabbing some potions. She kept calm and did her best to be nice. "May I squeeze by and get some potions?"
"Why, of course." He stepped aside. "My apologies, (Y/n)."
She grabbed a few potions and elixirs, ignoring the man when she noticed he was staring at her. She headed to the counter and paid for the items, but she was once again stopped by Ardyn when he blocked the entrance of the store. She looked up at his face, seeing his somewhat unsettling smile. "What?"
"I must say, young Prompto truly is fortunate to have you by his side," he said.
Her eyes narrowed. She wasn't sure what made him say such a thing. "And what brought this up?"
"A mere observation on my part, is all." He sighed dramatically. "Oh, if only Callyx was as dedicated."
"Maybe it's not him, but you. Now if you'll excuse me..." She pushes past him to exit the convenience store and returns to the caravan. She handed the curatives to Ignis, who thanked her.
Once they were all ready to ship out, they left the caravan. Noctis begrudgingly spoke with Ardyn inside the store to tell the man they were ready to leave. Callyx told (Y/n) she no longer had to ride with them before entering the red car alongside his auburn-haired man. The girl didn't complain and sat in between Gladio and Ignis in the backseat of the Regalia. Noctis started the engine once everyone was inside the car.
Like the day before, Noctis followed a safe distance behind Ardyn's car. After leaving Cauthess Coernix Station, Gladio glanced at their destination that loomed in the distance. "Whoever thought of tapping into the Meteor's power was a genius."
Prompto glanced at the Disc. "Can you even go near that thing?"
"They harvest fragments found nearby-pieces that broke off when the Meteor fell. Almost fell, I should say, for the Archaean caught it," Ignis explained.
"And he's still there, holding the thing up," Gladio added.
"Guess he never misses leg day," Noctis commented.
"Or any day for that matter," Prompto said.
"His unceasing toil and the Meteor's might form the tenets of worship for the locals of Duscae," the advisor stated.
"Makes you wonder what it's like down there at his feet," the shield voiced his thoughts out loud.
"Speaking of gods, that Callyx guy seems to know a lot about an Astral that's supposedly forgotten," Noctis said.
"It's possible Callyx has access to ancient texts that mention Brahma. He did tell me a little more about the seventh Astral," (Y/n) chimed in. "The creator god's consciousness resides within the Celestial Crescent."
"You mean that cluster of stars you told me about?" Prompto asked.
She nodded. "Yeah. Callyx even asked me if I was hearing voices coming from it."
"Are you?" Gladio inquired.
"Well..." She clasped her hands together in her lap. "I'm...not sure. I think I hear a voice, but I can't say for certain."
"Eh, don't worry about it, (Y/n)," Prompto said. "Let's tackle one all-mighty being before worrying about another."
"Couldn't agree more," Noctis stated.
Ignis, after a couple minutes of silence, spoke up and discussed another topic. "So you know, it's hot where we're going. Will the camera fare all right?"
Prompto lifted up his camera, examining the device. "As long as I avoid open flames, it should be okay. I think."
"We don't have a spare if it breaks," Gladio said.
"Leave it in the car?" Noctis suggested.
"Oh no, I'm taking it. Not every day you get up close and personal with the Archaean. I'd kick myself if I missed the photo op," Prompto replied.
"Spoken like a true photographer," the brute remarked.
"As they say, "Better to try and fail than never to try at all"."
Noctis grinned. "Look at you."
"Well, they say that, not me," the blonde said.
"Well, you just do what you gotta."
"But in all seriousness, try not to break it. It was expensive," (Y/n) chimed in.
"I'd never break it! It's very precious to me, especially since you're the one who bought it for me," Prompto stated.
"You bought it? With what money?" Gladio questioned, glancing at the girl sitting beside him.
"I used to work in a small boutique in Insomnia. It was run by a spirit like myself. I worked hard for every yen I spent on that camera." The guardian leaned back in her seat. "She was the first spirit I met. Callyx is the second."
"Wow. Are spirits really that rare?" Noctis asked.
"Yeah. It'll take some serious dedication on the empire's part if they want to wipe out all the spirits on Eos."
The group, once again, fell silent. Noctis kept his attention on road to ensure he wasn't too far or too close to Ardyn's car. Prompto glanced into the backseat at (Y/n) before looking towards Ignis. "Hey, Iggy. Can your glasses take the heat?"
At the mention of his glasses, the strategist adjusted them. "Well, I don't see why they shouldn't."
"Even if they couldn't, he'd still be all right," Noctis commented.
Gladio nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Iggy's eyes ain't that bad."
Prompto was flabbergasted at the news. "Oh, really?"
"My vision is passable without corrective lenses," Ignis explained.
"Then why not take 'em off sometimes?"
"Well..."
Noctis snorted with laughter. "You don't get it, huh?"
"Ignis likes his world to be crystal clear," the shield said.
"Indeed. I've never been one for ambiguity," the advisor claimed.
"Ah. I think I'm getting the picture now." Prompto sat back down, turning to face the front.
"What if they were to break? Do you have a spare pair?" (Y/n) questioned out of curiosity.
"I'm afraid not," the bespectacled man answered.
Drawing closer to the Disc of Cauthess, Prompto has one more question to ask the strategist. "Hey Ignis, how's it feel being away from the wheel?"
"Positively frightening," Ignis responded honestly.
Noctis glanced at him in the rear view mirror, eyes narrowed. "What're you sayin'?"
"That I'm no stranger to His Highness' driving habits."
"'Preciate the confidence."
"Wait," (Y/n) sat up slightly. "Is he really that bad of a driver?"
"Morosely, yes," Ignis replied.
"I mean, he can't be that bad...can he?"
"Trust us, short stuff, he's the worst driver you could ever meet," Gladio said.
"I'm not that bad!" Noctis shouted.
"But you admit you're bad," Prompto cackled.
The prince rolled his eyes. "Ugh..."
After another minute or two, they arrived at the Cauthess barricade. It was sealed tight with imperial troopers watching the perimeter. What shocked the group the most was the lack of hostility from the enemy soldiers.
"We're here," Ardyn chirped.
"Better not be a setup," Noctis commented.
The auburn-haired man glanced over at him. "Have I given you reason to doubt me?"
"You don't exactly inspire confidence," Prompto answered.
Gladio was in agreement with the blonde. "Yeah, not very straightforward."
"Neither of you are," (Y/n) mumbled, eyeing both men in the car beside the Regalia.
Ardyn looked away from the group and shouts over the wall. "Hello! It's me! Be so kind as to open up!"
At his lighthearted command, the gates open. Prompto gasped in shock at how easy it was for the man to gain access to the Disc. "Wow, that worked?"
"I may not look like much, but I do have some influence. Aren't you glad we came together? Your audience with divinity lies ahead."
"You're leaving?"
"I drop you at the Archaean's open door, and with that, bid you farewell."
As Noctis drives the Regalia through the open gates, (Y/n) spared one last glance toward the red car. Her golden eyes locked with Callyx's emerald ones for a split second before they were too far apart to see each other. Even with his stoic expression, she could sense something much more sinister under the surface.
"I've met some weirdos..." Gladio mumbled.
"I hope we never meet those two again," Ignis remarked.
"Whoa! Little harsh there, don't you think?" Prompto asked.
"There's something off about those two..." (Y/n) muttered.
"Glad we agree," Noctis said.
The prince continued to drive the car down the dirt path until they came to what appeared to be a dead end. The five hop out of the Regalia and located a narrow pathway to the side. They follow the path and eventually stumble upon a stone sarcophagus. Prompto recognizes the design and asked, "Is that what I think it is?"
"Didn't expect to find a royal tomb here," Ignis expresses his own bewilderment.
Gladio elbowed the prince. "Would be a shame not to grab that power, eh, Highness?"
"Let's grab it and go," Noctis blandly stated.
As the raven-haired boy walks up to the sarcophagus near the ledge, (Y/n) heard a voice again from above. It was the same one she heard yesterday. Looking up at the sky, her golden-slitted eyes focused on the Celestial Crescent. She felt as if someone had put her under a trance. Unconsciously, she walked forward a few steps and came to a halt when the disembodied voice addressed her.
You...the...
"Are you...Brahma?" The girl whispered.
Vessel...mine...
(Y/n) was still in a dream-like trance when the ground begins to shake dramatically. She managed to keep her balance while all the boys weren't so lucky. Prompto and Ignis fall down while Gladio and Noct just barely manage to keep themselves upright. "Here we go again," Prompto said, bracing himself.
"This one's huge!" Gladio bellowed over the loud rumbling.
That's when Ignis notices the ground beginning to crack underneath Gladio, Noctis, and (Y/n). "Get away! Quickly!"
The spirit's gaze was still locked on the sky. She failed to notice the danger and hear the painful cries of the prince as he was overcome by another headache. She reached out a hand towards the sky just as the ground beneath her feet crumbled. She gasped when feeling a plummeting sensation in her gut, snapping out of the trance as she began to fall. The sound of Prompto shouting her name echoed in her ears.
(Y/n) feared for her life, but her fall was short-lived. A hand wrapped around her wrist and ceased her quick descent. "I've gotcha!" Her savior shouted. Looking up, she saw it was Prompto who grabbed her.
"Prompto..." The guardian whispered.
"Just hold on!" He shouted. Using his strength, he struggled slightly to pull her up. When he managed to pull her up onto solid ground, he sighed in relief. "Whew... That was close." He wiped the few sweat droplets off his forehead before gazing towards the girl. "Are you okay, (Y/n)?"
"I'm fine thanks to you," she smiled.
Just then, the Meteor begins to rise before them, revealing Titan. The Astral who has been holding the chunk of space debris on his back for many years makes his presence known. Prompto and (Y/n) stared in awe and fear at the sight of the mighty god. They both flinched when the Archaean's booming voice resounded out.
"So this is Titan..." The guardian mumbled.
Prompto, remembering Noctis and Gladio had also fell, peers over the ledge to check on them. He shouts when seeing they were both on a lower ledge. "Noct! You okay?!"
Ignis stood by the blonde and was relieved to see the prince and his shield were in one piece. "Thank heavens you're safe. Is there a way back up?"
"No, but there's a path. Gonna see where it leads," Noctis replied.
"You three try to get down," Gladio said.
The strategist nodded. "Very well. We'll look for a way. Be careful, now."
"You, too," the prince retorted.
"What? We're going where?!" Prompto shrieked.
"No time to dawdle," Ignis spoke up. "We must make haste."
(Y/n) wandered a little ways from the crumbling ledge and spotted a narrow, rocky path nearby. She noticed it went out of the way, but it was the only route leading down. "What about this path?"
"It's our only option," the advisor said.
"Then down we go!" Prompto cheered.
The trio wandered down the path, watching where they stepped. It was narrow and littered with jagged stones. Prompto slipped a few times due to being distracted by the rumbling caused by the Archaean. Luckily, (Y/n) caught him every time he stumbled. She sighed when he nervously laughed and thanked her every time.
They continued to listen to the Astral slam his mighty stone fist into the cliffside. They weren't able to see what damage the Titan was causing, but they were able to deduce who he was trying to reach-Noctis.
Ignis, Prompto, and (Y/n) soon arrived at a dead end. They looked around for another path, but they couldn't find one. When they walked over to a cliff, they saw a path below. Carefully, they slid down the small rocky slope and land on the path. As their feet landed on the ground, they spotted the Archaean's fist strike across the way. Ignis ushered them to move quickly.
All of a sudden, (Y/n) heard a faint humming. She looked around before glancing upward. Flying overhead were imperial drop ships. Seeing the empire had arrived, Ignis pulled out his phone and tried to get ahold of Noctis. When he managed to get ahold of the prince, he was relieved. "You're safe. Good. Listen, imperial troopers are near."
Morosely, that was all the advisor got to safe before the signal was lost and the call dropped. "Bloody hell," he hissed, shoving his phone back into his pocket.
Prompto was about to ask Ignis about the call, but his attention was drawn to their left when he saw movement in his peripheral vision. "(Y/n), Iggy, we've got trouble!"
The advisor and spirit looked in the direction the blonde was. Their eyes widen when seeing Titan's open-palmed hand heading straight for them. The girl was the first to react. She shoved Ignis and Prompto to the ground just as the Astral tried to grab them.
When the Archaean's hand wrapped around (Y/n), she cried out in pain at how tight the god was gripping her. She could barely breath and only managed to gasp as Titan retracted his hand.
Prompto heard her painful wail and scurried to his feet. "(Y/n), no!" He summoned his pistol and aimed, but he was afraid of hurting her if he pulled the trigger and missed. He watched helplessly as she was dragged away by the god.
The guardian squirmed in Titan's grip. She lifted her head just as she realized she was at eye level with the Astral. She winced the moment the Archaean's booming voice echoed out. She couldn't understand what he was saying and could only stare into his eyes. Feeling the god's grip lighten, she gasped when she could breathe again.
Suddenly, her attention was drawn away from Titan when she heard the voice in the sky speak to her.
Chosen...one...
My...vessel...
(Y/n) blinked in surprise. "Brahma, are you the one talking to me?"
Yes...
You...are...my vessel...
She shook her head. "Please, don't choose me. I-I wouldn't even know what to do as the conduit! There's no way I could become your vessel!"
You are...worthy...
Child...of Pneuma...
Heed...my call...and do...my bidding...
Fear not...
I...shall...guide you...
(Y/n) gasped in pain, shouting at the top of her lungs when she felt an intense heat radiate in her chest. She clawed at her chest, the gemstone on her arm pulsating with a brilliant golden light. Blood trickled from her eyes and nose. She released one final bloodcurdling scream before falling unconscious. Her body went limp in the Archaean's hand.
Before the Astral could place the girl down, Noctis appeared out of thin air. He warped and struck the god's hand, forcing him to drop the guardian. The prince caught her and grabbed his sword. He warped them down to the ground near Titan's feet where Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto were waiting.
Once landing safely with (Y/n), that's when Noctis saw her bleeding eyes and nose. Prompto rushes over while Gladio and Ignis provide protection from the Astral. The blonde carefully took the girl's body out of the prince's arms and pulled her into his. His heart was racing with worry after seeing the blood and seeing she was unconscious. He quickly picked her up and carried her away from Titan as Noctis parries the god's fist. He gently placed her down on the ground, glancing between her and the others. Seeing they needed his help, he reluctantly left her side to rejoin the fight.
As the royal retinue continued to fight against the Archaean, more imperial drop ships arrived. The group was ready to deal with the empire, but they were relieved when Titan swatted away some of the ships before they could attack. With the imperials now disposed of, they continued to deal damage to the god.
Eventually, Noctis built up enough energy to activate the armiger. He dealt blow after blow before performing a joint attack with his companions. They dealt heavy damage, causing the Astral to lose his balance and fall to a single knee. After attacking, Ignis then hurls a Blizzard spell at the god's arm. "The game's up!"
Gladio and Prompto follow the advisor's lead and hurl yet more Blizzard spells at Titan's arm. "You're out!" The blonde shouted. The Archaean's left arm freezes from the elbow down.
"It's over!" Noctis swings his sword down into the arm, shattering it all the way up to the elbow. Titan then collapses. The prince turns around to face his friends. "Hey, we all still here?"
"Yep, still here," Gladio replied.
"If a little battered," Ignis added. "How is (Y/n)?"
Prompto gasped, eyes widening as he ran over to the girl. Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis stood behind the marksman as he tended to her. He fell to his knees beside her and used a potion. He wasn't sure if it would help, but he knew it wouldn't hurt to use one. Prompto cups her cheeks in his palms and wipes the blood off of them. He stared at her with a saddened expression. "(Y/n)...?"
He received no response.
Ignis checked on her and was able to tell she was physically fine on the outside. His only concerns were her bleeding nose and eyes, which could be a result of internal injuries. He assisted Prompto by helping him put the girl on his back. When seeing she was safely onto the sharpshooter's back, he stepped away.
Just then, the tremors resume. The ground shook violently. The group's gazes fell back on to Titan. "What-what is it now?" Noctis asked.
Ignis' eyes narrowed, watching the Astral closely. "What is he doing?"
"He's winding up!" Prompto shouted. His grip on (Y/n)'s thighs tighten and he took a few steps back, readying himself to run.
"For the big one!" Gladio bellowed.
Titan roars, his booming cry echoing all around the royal retinue. Gold lights begin to emanate from his body, some of which coalesce around Noctis, showing him the god's memory of Luna standing before the god. Once Luna fades, he watched another memory of the god fighting a cosmic being. Titan, although bigger than the cosmic being, fell to his knees after being defeated.
When the god's memory fades, Noctis blinks in surprise. "That was...Luna. You spoke with her. That's why... But what was with that other memory?"
Titan and the Meteor suddenly discorporate in a powerful flash that sends all the imperial ships in the vicinity crashing to the ground. Lava spews from the earth as the Disc of Cauthess crumbles around the boys.
"Doesn't get much worse than this," Gladio commented. The four find themselves trapped.
Suddenly, an imperial drop ship descends to their location. Ignis grew tense as the airship closed in on them. "The empire! Now?"
The drop ship's door lowers, revealing Ardyn and Callyx. The auburn-haired man smiled at them. "Fancy meeting you here!"
Noctis and the others stare at the two men in stunned silence. Callyx crosses his arms with a sigh. "Maybe they didn't hear you."
Ardyn continues. "It occurs to me I never formally introduced myself. Izunia. Ardyn Izunia."
Ignis was shocked at the revelation. "Imperial Chancellor Izunia?"
"At your service. And more importantly, to your aid."
None of the boys move, instead offering only uncertain stares. Prompto glared up at the two, remembering what the empire's plans were. He couldn't believe Callyx was working for the empire knowing they were hunting down and killing spirits.
"I guarantee your safe passage. Though you're always welcome to take your chances down there," Ardyn spoke up. He glanced around at the faces of the royal retinue after receiving no response. "Buried among the rubble, is it?"
Ignis looked away from the chancellor and guardian, eyeing the prince. "Dying here is not an option. We have no choice, Noct."
Noctis met his advisor's gaze. "I know."
Reluctantly, the boys board the airship. As the hatch closes behind them, Prompto placed (Y/n) down. He then sat down and pulled her body into his arms. He rested his head on top of hers, ignoring Ardyn as he tried to speak to the others. He closed his eyes, holding her tightly against him.
It wasn't long before Prompto's eyes flew open at the sound of approaching footsteps. Looking up, he saw Callyx and glared at him. He watched the emerald-eyed guardian kneel in front of him. The moment he tried to touch (Y/n), Prompto summoned his pistol and aimed it at the man's head. "Don't touch her."
Callyx retracted his hand before raising it as a sign of peace. "I only wanted to check on her. What happened?"
Prompto lowered his pistol slightly, but kept it aimed at the spirit. "I-I don't know..." He looked down at the girl slumped against his chest. "Why're you working with the empire? Aren't you the one that said they were killing spirits?"
"I made a deal with them a short while ago. They allowed me to keep my life in exchange for loyalty. I'm using my position to warn any guardians I come across. (Y/n) is the first guardian I've met outside the empire."
"Won't they kill you once they learn you're protecting other guardians?"
"Most likely, but I'm willing to risk my life to protect my people."
Even at Callyx's declaration, Prompto didn't trust him. He dispelled his pistol and chose to remain silent. The spirit walked away after taking the hint and rejoined Ardyn and the others.
Now alone, Prompto buried his face into (Y/n)'s (h/c) hair and whispered, "Please wake up soon..."
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In Another World - T. Shelby Imagine Ch. 12
Paring: (Eventual) Thomas Shelby x Aliena Welsh (OC)Â
Fandom: Peaky BlindersÂ
Word Count:Â 10,468Â
WARNINGS: Angst, Alcohol Consumption (borders abuse), Cursing, FIGHT SCENE (Detailed), Existential Crisis, Mentions of Blood & Bones Breaking
Summary: Alienaâs 18th birthday has arrived, but her mental health isnât doing so well. Sheâs feeling more distant from the Shelbyâs and in her role in their universe. Aliena has been partying a lot, drinking a lot of alcohol. How is that affecting her?Â
MASTERLIST Â CHAPTER 11Â CHAPTER 13
A/N: This chapter has a fight scene. Itâs mildly detailed, but be warned. Thomas does interact with Aliena in this chapter, however; itâs not a huge part of this chapter. Along with the previous chapter, this chapter centers on Aliena. Also, sheâs still very depressed. BLACK LINE BREAK INDICATED START AND END OF FIGHT SCENE!!
Me nose was runny and tears slipped out of me eyes. Cassie was holding back me hair and rubbing me back as I vomited me guts out. I sniffed as I fell to me side. I got a hold of the handle and flushed the toilet.
âTank you.â I said.
Cassie nodded with her squinted eyes and her lips pursed. âI got you, honey. I got you, Ali.â She was rubbing me arm now and didnât let go of me hair.Â
Slowly and not steadily, I stood up. Cassie followed me and didnât let go of me hair. I turned on the faucet and rinsed me mouth of the taste. As I bent down to spit out the water, I felt a familiar tug on me hair. I raised me hand and tried to whack her grip away. She finally fuckinâ let go.
I gasped for air, looked to me side, and reached for me toothbrush.
Cassie cackled while walking over to the toilet. She put the lid down ân sat on it. âNot regretting leaving that here now, are you?â
I rolled me eyes as I brushed me teeth. âNevah did, ya divvy.â I spat out the excess before going in and brushing me tongue as well.Â
Anyway after all that, Cassie and I walked out. There was people asleep across the floor, on couches, on chair, ân even tables. Me hand flew to me mouth and I felt nauseous again.
âCassie, weâre not fucking home!â I turned âround and clutched her forearm with a fury.
Cassie had the same flabbergasted look on her face.
âWe fuckinâ fell asleep in the loo!âÂ
Cassie started gagging and I tsked as I stomped me foot.
âYou brushed your teeth with somebodyâs elseâs toothbrush!â Cassie whispered-shouted.
I whimpered while stomping me feet. âI know I did.â I marched over to Angie and smacked her shoulder. âAngie, wake up! Wake up, we have to go!â I began shaking her.
She protested in her sleep, but eventually she couldnât take it anymore and shot up.
âAll right!â She yelled. âAll right, Iâm awake.âÂ
âThank you.â I said with some snap in me tone. I looked over to Tina and luckily, Cassie saved me the trouble of waking her arse up.Â
âThank ya Jesus! Letâs fuckinâ go!â I shouted. Some people fucking whined in their sleep while others glared at me. I fucking glared back. The four of us stumbled our way âtil the front of the house.Â
âWait!â Cassie shouted.Â
I looked back at her and contorted me face in confusion.
She trailed off to the phone while saying, âI have to call Simmons .â
Collectively, we all groaned.Â
I cradled me head and then let it drop limply. I must have stood there for .5 seconds before I huffed. âIâm waiting outside. Join me if you want!â So, I walked outside and sat down on the steps.Â
It was fucking freezing! I really hafta to start bringing coats.
âFuck, Ali! Arenât you fucking freezing?â Angie asked me as she sat beside me.
I scoffed while rubbing me arms up and down furiously. âYes, of course, I am.âÂ
Angie opened up her fur coat and ushered me to get in. I did so without hesitation. She shivered as I stole her warmth. Then, we started giggling.Â
âFucking London winters!â I shouted. This caused Angie to chuckle.
I could hear the doors open and close at the same time as a car engine did. I looked back to see Cassie and Tina walking out, heels in hand.Â
âHeâs here.â Cassie announced while walking past us.
Angie and I got up and followed suit. I donât remember the drive because I fell back to sleep. Once we got to her place, we all decided to take a shower. I was made to go last since I had just flopped on the bed and closed me eyes.
I wasnât asleep, but I didnât want to be awake either. Tina came and shook me awake when it was me turn. I rolled up, grabbed some towels, and walked into the bathroom.Â
I turned on the water ân made sure it was scalding hot before I stepped in. I sighed in pleasure as I was enveloped in its heat. I ran me hands over me hair and down me neck.Â
Tommyâs been busy as was the whole family. Finnâs abar to turn twelve, but heâs growing fast. His baby fat is going away and heâs stretching out.Â
God, was I teased when I came back bladdered the first night I went out! They all had a laugh. Arthurâs booming laugh made me wince which made more snickers go âround. Tommy even teased me abar calling him pretty.
âMe eyes still pretty, Aliena?â He asked me.
I tried smacking him, but he swerved and ran off. As much as me head was pounding, we- I was still happy.Â
I sighed as I lathered me body with soap.
I still feel lost. Iâm stuck cleaning and collecting payments from families. I only did that gig every two week, though. So, I took up another job and started helping Polly with the finances. I just double checked her math and did some of me own. The latter was only if we were swamped, though.
I wasnât getting paid for that either. Two pound was enough, Polly warned me. I didnât fight it. I saved up a lot of money. I just wasnât out enough to spend it on much, but now that I amâ itâs slowly decreasing.Â
I huffed as I washed out the shampoo from me hair.
Finn is âaving trouble reading, finally. That coupled along with his growing desire to be apart of the family business, heâs getting even more discouraged abar school. Been hanging âround with Isaiah Jesus, who was five or six years older than him. Isaiah is a nice enough boy. Honestly, I donât care what they do. Theyâre not me own children, after all.
I looked down at the water spiraling into the drain.
Thatâs a blag. I care deeply with what happens to that kid. Poor thing.
I sighed while turning off the shower. I wrang me hair multiple times to get out as much excess water as I could before bunching it up in a towel.
I didnât like feeling like a freeloader in that house. It was just wrong. But I couldnât deny that I loved the days like this where I knew I had no responsibilities because I already took care of them.
I would just sleep in bed. Or, like last nightâ party âtil I blacked out. I also started writing again. Some original fantasy story. It was more for the 2000s, so I didnât dare let anyone read it. After all, they wouldnât understand some of the jargon I used nor the types of technologies.Â
Once I was done drying off me body, I began to lather me legs in lotion.Â
I was partying a lot! Like a lot. I canât tell you how many times between December 16th and now, that Tommy had carried me off to bed.Â
I kept telling him that he didnât have to do that, but he insisted that he was doing it so I wouldnât get sick. Iâve never not slept with blankets before, so I couldnât disagree. I mean I did it when I was a child, Iâm sure. But, I donât remember if I got sick over it. I was sick a lot as a child.
I tucked in me towel and walked out. âIâm still alive.â I announced while walking over to me backpack.Â
âGood. I was afraid you died in there.â Cassie chuckled at her own joke, which made me smile.Â
I just yanked whatever I could out of it since it was holding everything I needed. New undergarments and clothes. Once I put on me panties, I dropped me towel so I could put on me bra.Â
I finally looked up and watched as they talked amongst themselves. I tugged me hair towel off and patted me hair dry.Â
âHey, Ali. Your birthday is coming up. How do you feel about a party?â
With me back bent as I was drying me hair, I asked. âWhere at?â
They collectively began to hum as I began me fight with jeans. I always had to jump once they got to me thighs.Â
âWell, I wanted to throw you a party at my house.â Angie said as her hands joined in on the conversation.
I froze, instantly. I literally stopped putting on me shirt. âYou mean at your mansion?â
She nodded with a sheepish smile on her face.Â
I let me shirt stay stuck above me bust as I rushed to Angie. I hugged her as she giggled.
âThank you, thank you, thank you!â I chanted.
âUm, youâre welcome. I guess. I mean, Iâm not doing this for a thank you. I want to throw a big party, thatâs all. Youâre one of my best friends.âÂ
I squeezed her tighter before letting her go. âStill, thank you. âCause you donât have to throw me a party at all.â
I gave her a big-toothy smile before I launched to kiss her cheek.
I went home the next day, fully sober. Donât worry, yesterday was a rest day for me liver. Didnât exactly want to die of a failed liver so soon. What am I talking abar? Itâll catch up to me later in life like with the boys.
Knowing me own luck, its gonna catch up with me sooner. Just watch.
I walked through the door and locked it behind me. It was seven, so I knew that Polly had to be up.
âPolly, Iâm home!â
âIn the kitchen, love!â
I walked in the room and there she was sitting with Ada and Karl. I cooed at the sight of him. I made grabby hands which made Ada chuckle. She passed him into me arms and I sighed.
âHello, little one. How are you? Oh, youâre getting heavier. Mummyâs been feeding you right!â
I began to pepper his face in kisses which made him smile.Â
âSo, Ali. Pollyâs been telling me that youâve been to the big city with your friends. How are you liking it?â
I slowly took a seat before answering her. âUm, itâs not bad. I mean, during the day itâs beautiful. Perfect for people visiting, but at night-!â I scoffed while laughing. âItâs like everybodyâs morals are gone with the light.â
Polly chortled. âSo, like here except you get the same during the day too.â
 I rolled me eyes before blowing a raspberry. Karl giggled so I did it again. I looked at Ada and asked, âSo, you and Freddie have any luck finding a flat?âÂ
She looked down, picking at her nails. So, thatâs a no.
Ada scoffed. âItâs just so much harder than we thought. Things are really heating up within the group and Freddieâs friends canât take us in because money is tight right now.â
I furrowed me eyebrows. âIt is?â
It seems that I stepped on a landmine âcause there was a sparkle in Adaâs eyes. And so, she went on a rant abar communism. I only half paid attention, to be polite. Though Polly and I shared multiple judgemental glances at each other.
Karl, eventually, started to get fussy and I gave him back to Ada. Said he was probably hungry.
Polly cleared her throat when Ada stopped talking. âSo, Ali, your birthday is coming up. What do you want to do?â
I hummed in thought. âWell, um, one of me friends offered to throw me a party at her place. So, Iâm not sure. Plus, everyone is so busy. I donât want to impose on anything.â
âWell, then. Guess a little celebration at the Garrison the day before wouldnât be so bad, right?âÂ
I whipped âround to see Tommy leaning against the entrance of the kitchen, taking a drag from his ciggie.
I stopped getting after him abar them a while back. Didnât see the point anymore. Especially now since I smoke too from time to time.
âNo, it wouldnât.â
He nodded. âWe can see you drink in action. Wonder how many glasses of whiskey âtill you feel a buzz?â
I felt me cheeks heat up as Polly and Ada snickered. I went to strike him ân he just lifted his arm.
I sighed and leaned on me head with the support of me hand.Â
âWhere am I needed today?â I asked, slightly already exhausted.
Polly hummed as she quickly swallowed her sip of tea. âIâll be needing your help in the shop. Come on.â
I bit me lip, in order to stop the sigh that wanted to escape me mouth. I looked over at Tommy one last time, who was still looking at me.Â
I spent the whole day running âround for Polly. Counting up money, retrieving money from the boys, and putting it away in the safe. I didnât know the combination. I was just tossing it in.Â
When she didnât need me help, I was to go and make dinner. I did, in fact, make lunch as well.Â
As I was doing that I went and called Cassie.
âHello!â Cassie answered with a sing-song tone.
���Hello, Cassie.â
âOh! Ali, whatâs going on?â
I shook me head, even though, she couldnât see it. âIs nothing. So, the Shelbyâs are throwing me a little gatherinâ at the Garrison. You know the bar that Arthur owns now. And I was wondering if you and the girls can make it?â
I heard Cassie hum. âWell, I donât see why we couldnât. I know Iâll be there, but let me ask them and Iâll call you back.â
âOkay.â
We hung up and I refocused on finishing dinner. She called me back a little later saying that they agreed to come. Now, all that was left was for the day to come.
Today we were celebratinâ me 18th birthday. Iâve been with the Shelbyâs for a year and 11 months. On me first 18th birthday, I was given a car. I wonder what Iâm getting this year. Prior to the whole Kimber operation, I had been drawing a lotâ but since, I stopped. I still have loads of paint and a single canvas left.Â
I just hoped that they donât give me the same thing.Â
I wasnât woken up the same way like last year either. It was the sun that woke me. I opened me eyes and laid in bed. I looked at the door in silence then turned away.
I could feel it in the air. Today was not going to be a good day.
I huffed while shutting me eyes close tightly. I slowly got up and turned âround so me feet where almost touchinâ the floor. I took a deep breath and let me feet touch the ground.Â
I figured since we werenât gonna be at the bar âtil late at night. I was expected to still do me regular duties. I mean, after all, tomorrow was me birthday. I threw on a simple dress and boots then headed downstairs.Â
I started working on breakfast. For who? I donât know. Maybe just for me. I could hear the bustling of the shop. Men shouting.Â
This empty room. This empty, vacant room with only me filling it.Â
I closed me eyes and clenched me fists. The stinging pain of me nails digginâ into me palm distracted me from crying. I shook me head and quickly plated me omelet. The chair scraped against the floor as I pulled it out and then I sat down.
I stared at it and stared.Â
Iâm not that hungry.
âAli, whatâre doing?âÂ
Me head snapped up and I locked eyes with Tommy. I blinked furiously before shaking me head a little, ân it really was just a little.Â
I gulped before taking me fork, cutting a piece, and placed it in me mouth. âI was thinking.â I said with a little scoff, a goofy smile on me face. âDidnât realize I was thinking that hard.â
He tipped his cap at me with furrowed eyebrows and squinted eyes before he walked off.Â
I watched him and then dropped me fork. It didnât taste of anything.Â
To avoid causing up a stir, I scarfed down the rest of that omelet and then went abar me way.Â
I went outside and pulled down the laundry. I tried keeping me head clear of everything and anything. But it was impossible. I kept making up plots in me head. I was just so bored without anyone to talk to.
âI miss the kids.â I caught meself thinking. I sighed while I clutched the basket closer to me body. I looked away before looking back ân walked back into the house. I had to start folding.Â
Once I folded the clothes, I placed them in the room of their respective owners and then went back downstairs to clean up the place. I was in the middle of sweeping when lunch came âround.Â
I did the usual and brought the boys and Polly their meals. Esme was at home today. However, there was one odd man out, Tommy. He was probably overseeing the designs of his office. They were going to start building soon. He said it would take anywhere from four to seven months.Â
So with me basket like little red riding hood, I had to go on an adventure to take Tommy his lunch. When I got there, he dismissively thanked me. He literally didnât even pick up his head, just took the bloody sandwich.
I didnât even roll me eyes as usual. Didnât see the point. I just went on me way.Â
There was this pit in me stomach. It was making itself known more and more by the second.
I gasped in pain and leaned on a wall for support. I started smoothing me stomach by rubbing it harshly. But then I could feel the stares, so I stood up and began on me way again.Â
By the time I got back, it was already late afternoon. I had to hurry up with the sweeping, dusting, and then beginning to polish the silver. I was not going to be able to finish that today!
I bought meself a type of curling iron and was dying to try it out. It was Tina who suggested it to me. Well, it was curling tongs but I was willing to burn meself to curl me hair.Â
I picked out a pale-blue, dyed Burberry lace dress for tonight. Iâve been dying to wear it! I had a pale blue undergarment set to match. I put on said undergarments and dress, then worked on me hair.Â
I got burned a couple of times, but it was worth it. The waves Iâd get from having a bun just werenât the same. I decided against makeup today. I just put on some chapstick and waited for night to roll âround.Â
I kept meself busy by writing. I was on a sex scene for me story. It just kept me mind busy and away from negative thoughts. I didnât stop writing âtil there was a knock at me door.
âAli, dear, are you ready?â
I slammed me journal shut and shoved it in its drawer. âYeah!â I called out. âIâll be right out!â
âOkay.âÂ
I got up from me seat and rushed out. I guess from the way I opened me door, Polly flinched. I gave her a sheepish smile.
âShall we head out?â I asked.
She nodded while giving me a smile back. âLetâs go, love. I suspect the boys are already there. Starting without us.â
I scoffed. âOh, Pol. I wouldnât doubt it.â We shared another smile before we headed down the stairs arm in arm.Â
âAliena, have you met a boy in London?â Polly asked.
I shook me head. âNah.â I took me coat off the hook, put it on, and managed to tug out me hair.
âWhy not? Iâm sure thereâs hundreds of men out there that want to talk to ya!â She asked as we walked out the door, locking it behind us.
I tucked a piece of hair away from me face. âI mean, yeah. I have talked to men at the clubs.â
âBut none of them worked out.â
I shook me head. âThey all seemed to want one thing, you know. The ones that did seem sweet, fuckinâ turned ballistic on me at some point in the night. Then the real gentlemen just-!â I sighed. âThere was just something missing.â
Polly sighed while patting me forearm that she was holding. âYep, thatâs men for you. Dogs that think with their cocks.â She sighed. âWell, thereâs no rush. Take your time. Find someone youâll want to spend the rest of your life with. But not too long, I want to be around to see that little one.â
A genuine smile and giggled let me lips. âI promise, Polly.âÂ
She pinched me cheek as we walked.Â
âIs Ada and Freddie coming?â I asked.
She shrugged. âNo idea. Last time we talked Ada said she wanted to come. But, with the new baby and the fact theyâre practically still newlyweds because of all thatâs happenedâ they probably would rather stay in.â
I half rolled me eyes. âYou mean Freddie suggested that Ada stayed home.â
âMost likely.âÂ
We both grumbled at that.Â
âIs that how married life is, Pol?â
She looked at me then looked away. âItâs not everything. Itâs a part of it. Compromise. Ada canât very well expect to go out whenever she wants. She doesnât have a babysitter to take care of Karl, and you canât bloody well expect the father to help.â She scoffed again.
Sounded like she was reminiscing.
I hummed and said. âTrue.â
We arrived at the Garrison, soon enough, and I opened the doors for her. It was just polite. Right?
We immediately went into the snug where the whole family was excluding Johnâs kids and Ada. So, really. It was just Arthur, Tommy, John, Finn, and Esme. Yes, Esme was here.
While it did irk me that she was here instead of taking care of the kids, it was not me decision to make. They had their own parenting style. And, Esme was not a bad person.
They cheered as we walked.
âOi!â
âThereâs the birthday girl!â
âHappy Birthday, Ali!â
I smiled while taking of me coat. Arthur came âround and helped me. I quickly thanked him and then found a spot to sit in.
Tommy stood up from his seat and reached over to me. âNo, come on.â He said while pulling me up. âUp you get. Finn, go and get the cake.â
Finn was actually smiling rather than grumbling abar being made to get the cake. I covered me mouth with me hand in embarrassment. But went along with it, nonetheless.
Finn came back in balancing the cake in one hand as he had to close the door behind him. Polly took it from his hands and set it down on the table. Arthur and John were working on lighting all the candles.
The air was somewhat awkward yet filled with excitement at the same time. It was weird.Â
As Arthur lit the last candle, they started singing. It was happeninâ all over again. I was covering me mouth with me hands and doubling over.Â
âHappy Birthday, dear Aliena. Happy Birthday to you!âÂ
âBlow out the/your candles.â
I leaned down and thought abar it. âI wish I find happiness here soon.â Then, I blew them out. They cheered and Polly was the first to hug me.
She whispered me a happy birthday in me ear before pecking me cheek and moving out of the way. Finn was next to wish me a happy birthday. I squeezed him tight while swaying us side to side. John stole me from Finnâs grasp, as always.
âHappy birthday, Ali. Is that a wrinkle I see?â
I gasped horrified and smacked his arm just as fast. He fucking cackled as he flinched.Â
âDonât listen to âem, Aliena. Happy birthday, Songbird!â Arthur roared as he brought me in for a hug. He shook us with made me make the sounds to match. I wasnât expecting him to shake me.
Esme squeezed her way over to me and she wished me as well. We exchanged a quick peck on the cheek before I was left with the last one.Â
âWell, arenât you a sight for sore eyes.â I teased while leaning back, me hands on me hips.
Tommy rolled his eyes, a small smile on his face. âHappy Birthday, Ali.â He hugged me and as I went to part from him, he kept me there. I felt him lean into me ear and I bit me lip harshly so I didnât flinch. âFor your present, I-!â He sighed into me ear, and I couldnât help but flinch. âI, for lack of better words, added a headstone for your father. Happy Birthday, Aliena and Iâm sorry.â
This imaginary romantic atmosphere was instantly shattered by the mention of me father. Great job, Thomas!
I smiled and thanked him as we parted. I made me way back to me seat.Â
âRight!â Arthur shouted. âI say we get to opening these bloody presents. Get it out the way and drink Aliena till she drops!â He raised his mug to me while taking a drink of his bevvy.
I squinted at him while titling me head. âFine, letâs get them out of the way!â I slid a box over from the middle of the table and began ripping it open. I shimmed the lid off of the box to reveal shoes.
âYouâre gonna need a good pair of dancing shoes, if ya expect to be dancing âround clubs all the time, Ali.â John said with a cigar between his lips.Â
I plastered on a smile and thanked him. I set in under the table and dealt with the rest of them. Arthur bought me more canvases. Something abar that made me laugh. I should expect canvases for all of me birthdays.
Once I sobered up, I opened up the last big box on the table. It was a coat from Polly. I faked a squeal, hugged her, and thanked her incessantly. Itâs not that I didnât like the coat. Itâs just I never asked for one, either.
Then, there was this little box. I tugged on the ribbon and shimmed the lid off of it to reveal a rather expensive looking necklace. The snug quieted down and we collectively tried to find the culprit. Our eyes locked on the boy who was smiling the brightest.
Without a care in the world, Finn wished me a happy birthday. Cue Polly smacking him upside the head.Â
âFinn, whereâd you pinch that from?â Tommy asked while rubbing his bottom lip.
Finn, who was shielding himself from the last of Pollyâs blows, answered. âSome jewelry store in London. Think it was called Madison. Itâs not a big deal.â
All us shouted that it was indeed a big deal. I covered the box and pinched the bridge of me nose.Â
Polly sighed. âNo point in worrying now. Iâll be reading the papers in case people are looking for it. For now, give it to me. Iâll hide it away. Itâs no good to be wearing that around here or right now.â She held out her hand for me.
I instantly gave it to her. I looked over at Finn who was looking rather ashamed. âYou better beaut, you.â I shoved his face away, playfully.Â
A small smile graced his face.
After that debacle, I ate a piece of me own cake while drinking gin. Itâs been the first time in a long while that Iâve managed to get the chance to talk to everybody like this.
Made me really think abar how much I matter and how much I donât. How much doing over Kimber changed this family. They were all busier. I wasnât. They wouldnât have done this if it hadnât been me birthday. Well, they wouldnât have invited me and Polly. Itâs a fucking boys club in this family. Well, they did invite me in the pastâ but thatâs all it is now, the past.
I downed a glass of whiskey and felt it burn me throat. I was getting used to it. I mean I started to drink at least twice a week. I could only limit me vices so much. Itâs torture enough as is that Iâm holding down the urge to smoke a ciggie right now. But, I am exposed to all the second hand in the air.Â
âSo, Ali. How are you feeling?â Arthur asked me as he was leaning close to Tommy. As if they had a secret bet or something. I knew what he meant by the question.
I shrugged me shoulders as I smiled. âI feel fine. Warm and fine.â
He scoffed and nodded before turning his head toward Tommyâs ear.
I rolled me eyes and went back to me conversation with Polly. We were talking abar how we were gonna get a grip on Finn. Itâs sad that it took that child to do an actual robbery before anyone decided to listen to me. But, at least itâs happeninâ now.
After that I went on a conversation with John, who also asked abar me love life. It was getting so annoying to repeat the same damn things! Then, Esme had to add her two cents in and I couldnât âsnapâ back in fear of getting on the wrong foot.
âI think you should experience life as is. Settling down is something you do later.â
I widened me eyes and put on a polite smile, but still had to bite me lip. Didnât she have an arranged marriage âcause she was too wild. I nodded and then moved back to where me seat originally was.
One minute turned into five which turned into ten.Â
Were these bitches really not going to show up?Â
I looked âround to see everyone engaged in some kind of conversation. The boys were playing a card game while Polly and Esme talked. I was the odd man out. Just nursing me fucking bevvy.Â
I donât want to admit it, but this set up right here was hurting me feelings. Never liked feeling excluded.Â
I took another glance at them again as I trailed me finger âround the rim of the glass.
I didnât mean to do it, but I began thinking abar how it would be if I wasnât here. Would they still have met up today? Under the circumstance of a nice day to relax after work. Did me presence actually affect anything? Why was I here? What was me purpose here? Am I supposed to help someone in the Shelby family?Â
Am I supposed to prevent the second war from happening? Was this a blessing or a curse? Was this a curse?
âAilena! Aliena, hun, weâre here!â Cassie shouted from outside the snug.Â
I shot up from me chair, whipped back the door, and threw me arms âround her. We both laughed and swayed a little.
âYou came. You fuckinâ slags. I thought youse werenât gonna show.âÂ
Cassie laughed while petting me hair. âWe thought you were home then we had to ask around where this bar was. Weâre not from here idiot.â She knocked on me head as if she were knocking on a door. âWe werenât going to find this place if no one showed us it before.â
I pursed me lips. As I dropped me hip to the left while knocking me own head. âOops, my bad.â I took Cassieâs hand in mine and ushered her into the snug. Angie and Tina followed suit. âShelbys, meet my friends. This is Cassie Johnson, Lady Angelica Sallow, and The Honorable Christiana King. Friends meet the Shelbys. That is Arthur, Thomas, John, Finn, Esme, and Polly Gray.âÂ
Cassie uttered a âhi,â while waving with a smile. Tina just waved and smiled.Â
Angie pushed her way through and greeted Polly. âGood evening, itâs so nice to meet you all, finally. Aliena has said all good things.â
Polly shook her hand, but I knew that face. She was studying her. I cleared me throat and clapped me hands.Â
âWell, I wouldnât want us to be all cramped up in the snug. So, weâll be out there! Okay? Okay.â I grasped Angieâs hand and dragged her out of the snug.
âIt really was nice meeting you all!â She shouted before I slammed the door shut. âWhat the âell, Ali? She didnât even get to say anything.â
I rolled me eyes. âBelieve me, that was probably a good thing.â âShe was sizing you up,â was left unsaid. I flicked her forehead before leading them to the bar top.Â
I waved Harry over who looked like he was stammering for words. He leaned down to the men sitting and said something to them that made them leave. I smiled and took a seat there.
âAnything I can get for you ladies? On the house. I know itâs our special Alienaâs birthday.â Harry said as he leaned against the top.
I smiled and said. âCan we get four gin and tonics, Harry? Thanks.â
âComing right up.â
I turned âround so me back was against the top. âThank God, youse came when ya did. I was dying of boredom in there.â
Cassie scoffed. âMaybe you should just-!â
I held up me finger, effectively shutting her up. âI literally just said that I was bored. I didnât say I was being abused.âÂ
Cassie tsked while rolling her eyes which made me smirk. Tina cleared her throat before she spoke.
âSo, that was the Tommy, youâre always talking about?âÂ
Me eyes widened to the size of saucers as I shushed her while me head did a full 180. âDonât go announcing it to the whole fucking bar, Tina!â I looked âround a bit more before I leaned over Cassie and whispered. âBut yes, thatâs him.â
âHe looks really intense. Is that your type?â Tina asked, unfazed.
I looked away before answering her. âYes and no. Heâs my type, obviously, since I have a crush on âem. But, the only thing he and the other men that Iâve been enamored with is high cheekbones.â
She oh-ed and nodded.
âHere you ladies are!â Harry said as the glasses clinked against the bar top.Â
All four of us grabbed our drinks.
âToast!â Angie shouted. We held our drinks in the air. âToday, we celebrate our little Aliena turning 18 a day early. Letâs try not to not drink too much âcause we are gonna party like itâs the end of the world tomorrow! To Aliena.â
âTo Aliena! To me!â
Then, we drank as much as we could before having some sort of reaction. After that we paired off, I was talking to Angie.
âSo, what happened to that guy you left with some nights ago?â I asked Angie as I took a sip of me bevvy.
She sighed as she used the straw to stir her drink. âIt was a complete waste of time. In all honesty, Iâm beginning to lose hope. I might as well just give up and let my father match me off.â
I shook me head furiously. âNo! No, Ange. Donât give up. What are you? 19, 20, you still have time to look. If you were 30, Iâd be saying otherwiseâ but youâre not. Youâll find a guy when the time is right.â
Okay, Iâm not bashing 30-year-old single people. Angie is expected to marry off at an early age in order to comply with the societal norms of the 1920s. Besides, she and her father have this arrangement that if she doesnât have anyone she wants to marry for love by that ageâ then he has the right to marry her off.
She groaned while supporting her head with her hand, her elbow on the bar top. I rubbed her back up and down.
âYouâll find your Mister Right, Ange. I just know it. Hey, maybe, you have already met him.â I attempted to lighten her mood. âEither way. I think itâs too early to call it quits. Maybe we stop trying to find the love of our lives in clubs, eh? Try a cafe or a country club, instead?â
Angie turned her gaze to me and we shared a giggle.
âEh?â I tried again.
âYeah.â She whispered. âYeah. Youâre right.â
I smirked as I put me hand down and used it to bring me drink to me lips. âI know I am.â
I had two more gin and tonics before I felt that I was out of it. I was shoutinâ, for sure. I was borderline slurring yet me sentences were still understandable. I had, technically, pre-gamed âcause the boys were trying to drink me under the table.Â
I had stumbled out of the loo when I was attacked by me friends.
âAliena! Ali!â They shouted.
I shook me head as I gripped their arms as they did mine. âWhat?â I shouted, confused.
Tina shoved Cassie forward who was cradling her cheek, but her lip was bleeding too. Me eyes widened and I immediately started inspecting it.
âWhat the fuck happened?â
Cassie looked away before looking back into me eyes. âI was talking to some guy. He came up to me at the bar. Then, this girl came up to me and just slapped me. She said that I should go to hell for being a homewrecker. That she bets that Iâm nothing but a prostitute.â Cassie choked on a sob while rubbing her eyes. She smeared her eyeshadow ân mascara, making her look like a raccoon. Just like how I first met her. âSeems like theyâre together or something. But I didnât know. He came up to me. I swear. He came up to me. I would never flirt with a taken man, Ali.â She hiccup and whimpered.
I looked back to see Angie arguing with the girl. I could feel me blood boiling. I was filled with rage. That bitch made me Cassie cry.Â
âAli, she was wearing rings.â Tina pointed out, her voice strained. She motioned toward Cassieâs busted lip.
I titled her head down to get a good look at it. Then, I began to shake me head softly before I muttered, âIâll take care of it.â She shouldâve known who she was hitting before sheâd done it. Shouldâve hit her unfaithful man instead of slapping me best friend.
I grabbed a drink that was idle at the bar top. Angie and the girlâs arguing got louder. I saw as the woman began to raise her arm, her fist clenched.
âOi!â I yelled. The girl twirled âround and I threw the drink in her face before punching her straight on the nose. She gasped in pain as she went to cradle her nose. I gave her a moment to recuperate.
Letâs have a fair fight now.
She looked up at me, her nose bloody. âYou crazy fucking bitch.â
âA fucking bitch whoâs friend you messed with, dumb cunt.âÂ
She growled before she launched herself at me, rather pathetically. I grabbed the hand that tried to slap me and gave her one instead. I managed to get both of her arms in me hold, I titled me head back, and head butted her.
Fuck did that bring tears to me eyes.
She fell to her knees as I let go of her arms. Instead of cradling her head, she wrapped her arms âround me legs and forced me down.Â
I groaned on impact, but quickly shot up and punched her. She yelped and went to clutch her face.
The fact that she managed to make me fall pissed me off even more.
I grabbed a wooden chair that nearby, raised it in the air, and started beating her with it. She whimpered with each hit and started wailing.Â
I didnât care. This felt good. This felt cathartic. Why was me heart beating so loud? Why was I fighting off a smile? There was this cracking sound and before I knew it, the blood from her nose splattered across the floor.Â
Her arms finally came up to protect her head, but that didnât deter me. She turned over on her side, but I still didnât stop. I gave one good strong swing and she left out a blood-curdling scream just as there was an audible crack in the room. Did I manage to break her arm?
âAli! Aliena!âÂ
Me head shot up and I didnât raise up the chair again. Thomas stood there with his hand out, signaling for me to stop.Â
âEnough.â He breathily pleaded. âEnough now.â He took a hesitant step toward me, as if I were a fucking animal.
How fucking insulting!Â
I couldnât help it. I was just so mad. I raised the chair and slammed it against the wall of the bar top. I could hear people gasp. All that was left in me hand was one of the chairâs legs.Â
I panted for breath. âThere. Now thatâs enough.â I ran a hand through me hair, effectively getting all me hair out of me face. The girl was whimperin' incessantly. It was so annoying. I kicked her softly as I stepped over her body and told her to shut up. Â
âCome on. Letâs go.â I called out to me friends. I could hear their shuffling behind me as I continued walking on.
Just as I was abar to pass Tommy, he caught me arm.Â
âWeâre gonna talk about this at home.â He whispered. His tone stern and chastising.Â
I tsked and yanked me arm away from him. I marched on and caught the eyes of me employers. The look in their eyes were mixed with astonishment and disapproval.Â
I rolled me eyes, hard before I opened the doors with bang.
âAll right! Showâs over. Go back to what you were doing.â I heard Tommy yell.
I started walking faster. When I realized me friendsâ heels were clacking behind me, I turned âround and waited for them. I rushed to Cassie and hovered me hands over her inflamed cheek.
She caught me wrists and held them tightly.
âWe need to get some ice on it. We canât have it bruising.â I muttered while inspecting her face again.
Angie scoffed. âWhat the fuck was that, Aliena?â Her face was contorted in some weird mixture of anger and disbelief.
âShe got what she deserved. The dumb-arse raised a hand to Cassie expecting no repercussions. I decided to give her some.â I said with a booming voice.Â
Cassie shook her head. âWhat about your hands?â She asked as she gently took me hands in hers and started to inspect them. âYou punched her good. Are your knuckles swollen?âÂ
I shrugged me shoulders. âDonât know. I feel quite a bit of pain, though.â
Angie groaned loudly. âOf course you would feel pain. You broke her nose, Ali! You headbutted her and then beat her with a chair.â
Me head snapped toward Angie. âThank you for the play-by-play! Whatâs your deal?â I asked.
She scoffed again as her hands began to join the conversation. âWhatâs my deal? Aliena, YOU BEAT THAT GIRL WITH A CHAIR!â
âIT WAS AN OLD WOODEN CHAIR! Look at the end of the day, I would have done that for any one of youse. She fucking busted Cassieâs lip over a man. A man, Angie! So, I busted hers.â
Cassie sniffled loudly. âThank you.â She whispered. âThank you.â Cassie hugged me tightly and hid her face in me neck.
It has something to do with her past. But, I wasnât going to out her to the rest of the girlsâ just because they couldnât understand.
Tina waved her hands between Angie and I. âAngelica, Iâm sorry but Iâm with Ali.â
Angie scoffed as her eyes bugged out of her head.
Tina continued. âMaybe the chair was excessive, but weâre all drunk. Weâre drunk! That fucking bitch just straight up slapped Cassie while she had her rings on, and...and-! Belittled her! Thatâs not right!â
âTina just because we are all a little drunk does not excuse violence. I was handling it!â
I scoffed and ran me hand through me hair again. âSure, you were handling it alright! Then, why did I have to stop her from hitting you?â
Angie averted her eyes. âShe wasnât-!â
âYes, she was and you know it. You must have seen her cock her arm and/or at least see that her fists were clenched.â
Angie looked down at the cobblestone. âIt just felt a little excessive.â She whispered as she hugged herself.
So, the leader of this pack has a little bite.
I sighed while pinching the bridge of me nose. âI admit the chair was a little over the top. I just got so angry andâŚâ Me voice trailed off. âIâm sorry for, I donât know, upsetting you. But what Iâm not sorry for is defending you and Cassie.â
We left it at that and regrouped at the house. We talked abar it a little more before I poured everyone some water and distributed the bread. Cassie insisted on icing me knuckles, so I let her. When it was âround two in the morning, Cassie called Simmons.
I was hugging me arms as I watched them pile into the car.Â
Angieâs head popped out as she said. âRemember Iâm picking you up at four tomorrow, all right!â
I nodded. âYeah, I got it.â I laughed as her head disappeared back into the car. I faced Cassie. I couldnât help the pitiful gaze on me face.Â
âThanks again for, ya know, fucking her up for me.â Cassie whispered as she picked under her nails.
I winked at her. âWeâre crazy together, remember.â We shared a laugh and then a hug. But after, she climbed into the car and I waved them off. I looked âround and then ran back into the house.
I already had a plan. I was just going to go to sleep to avoid a very uncomfortable conversation that I did not want to go through again. It was too unpredictable.Â
Was I going to be confronted by just Tommy or is Polly going to be there too? Would it be a fucking family meeting? Might as well be, theyâll probably just harass me individually.
Oh fucking well!
I raced up the steps and slammed me door behind me. Me chest heaved up and down as I tried to catch me breath. I realized that I didnât put makeup on tonight.Â
Iâm a fucking genius!
I ran to me bed, jumped in, got comfy, then closed me eyes.Â
âOi! Wake up! Thereâs no avoiding this, Ali.â
I jumped awake. Me heart was in me fucking throat and I threw a glare at Tommy.Â
âLeave me alone!â I sluggishly demanded as I went to turn âround in me bed.
âAliena, thereâs no avoiding this so letâs get it over with, yeah.â
I shut me eyes tightly before letting out a big sigh. I rubbed me forehead before I yanked me blankets off me body. I heard Tommy walk out rather than see it. I got to me feet and walked after âem.Â
As I extended me right hand fingersâ, they throbbed in pain. Iâm sure if Cassie hadnât hounded me to ice them, they would be in much worse condition.Â
We walked all the way into the family meeting room that was in the betting shop. Lights were lit, people in their usual spots. Esme wasnât here, though.
Thatâs nice.
Polly with hands on her hips walked âtil she was at Tommyâs side.
âYou wanna tell us what that was all about?â She pointedly asked me.
I sighed while I rubbed me forehead again. âThe woman hit Cassie. This man came up to her and started chattinâ her up. Turns out the fella was taken. The woman directly confronted Cassie as the problem. Called her names. Called her a homewrecker and said she was a prostitute. Thatâs when she slapped Cassie with rings on her hand.â
They all just stared at me blankly.
Well, fucking say something! Say it wasnât me own fight! Say that they couldâve started this and not the woman. Say that I did a good job, or I had no right doing what I did! Say that I was out of control. ASK ME WHATâS WRONG WITH ME!
I looked down at the floorboard. âI knew it wasnât me own fight, but Cassie is me best friend. And I wasnât thinking clearly. I had tossed back like three gin and tonics after drinking all that whiskey in the snug. It wonât happen again.â
Tommy sniffed, flicked his nose, then spoke. âRight, guess thatâs it then. Donât let it happen again, Ali.â
Me head shot up and I blinked a lot.Â
That was it?
I just nodded and headed up the stairs. As I gently closed me bedroom door behind me, I slid down it with me hands hiding me face. Me body shook violently as I inaudibly sobbed.
I woke up with a headache. Not a hangover, but a headache. Luckily, I had a day off today. Afterall, today was me actual birthday. So, I turned âround and shut me eyes. I wasnât going back to sleep, I knew that wasnât happeningâ but I just didnât want to get up yet.
Me hand was throbbing. I tried clenching and unclenching me hand as a way to soothe it. Just like the day before, I took me time getting up. But, I didnât start getting ready.
I took off the dress I fell asleep in and picked out me fuzzy black sweater and grey joggers to match. I ran a hand over me face before sighing and dropping me hip to the side. I racked me hand in me hair, pushing it away from me face, and then walked over to me desk. I opened the drawer and pulled out me art book.Â
I tossed it on me desk and flipped it open to a blank page. I just sat there and pondered abar what I should try drawing. I blew a raspberry before I snapped me fingers as the thought came to me.Â
I was gonna try and draw Tommy using watercolours.Â
I spent the whole morning working on it âtil I couldnât stand the ache in me stomach anymore. I sighed while racking me hair back again. I got up and walked downstairs.Â
I was fairly greeted by the shouts of men coming from the betting shop. I walked to the kitchen and grabbed the bread nonchalantly. I cut meself two slices, kept the knife in me hand, then grabbed the jam with the other.Â
I sat down with one leg tucked into me thigh on the chair while the other was bent. Grabbed the knife ân began to spread the jelly âround as I yawned. I took two bites before I decided I desperately needed water to wash it down.
I strolled over to the cabinet and pulled out a glass. We drank from the tap, so thatâs what I did. As I was drinking me water, the front door opened.Â
For fuckâs sake.Â
I silently prayed to God that it wasnât who I thought it was. And sure enough, Tommy Shelby came into view. I mouthed, âFuck,â before sitting back on me chair. I could feel his eyes on me. I kept me gaze locked on the table.Â
Tommy cleared his throat ân I instinctively raised me head. Tommy grabbed his cap off of his head ân held it in one hand as he pulled out a chair. He groaned softly as he sat down.Â
He tsked. âSo, Ali. You wanna tell me what yesterday was really about?â
I blinked. âI already told you what it was abar.â
He titled his head and his lips pursed a little. His eyes flickered to mine.Â
Was he trying to say something with his eyes? âCause it felt like it. It was like he was begging me to tell him me troubles. But, I didnât want to.
âAre you sure, Ali? Youâre tellinâ me you did all that because she roughed up your friend.â
I rolled me eyes as me tongue prodded the inside of me cheek. I kept quiet before scoffing. âShe just caught me on a bad day. I was already drunk ân agaited. Angie said something that ticked me off earlier. And I think me Aunt Flo is abar to make a visit, so yeah.â I smiled at him mockingly before I took a big bite of me scran.Â
He studied me face for a little more before he tapped his finger on the table and rose up suddenly. âRight.â He muttered before he left the room.Â
 After that interaction, I scarfed me scran down and went back upstairs. I worked on me painting âtil it was four. I heard that familiar honk and cursed in surprise. I was lost in painting. I scrambled âround to collect me things. I was going to stay over the weekend.Â
Her incessant honking was raising me blood pressure and I fought back the urge to shout at her. I was zipping âround me room gathering everything. I slug me backpack on and flew out the door.
Just as I was grabbing me coat, a voice caught me. âAliena, love. Are you sure this is a good idea?â
I stilled and looked at Polly. âHow do you mean?â
She looked at me with a concerned face. âShould you be partying with what happened yesterday?â
I averted me eyes. âItâs me birthday, Pol.â I whispered.
She didnât say anything in response.
I looked up at her before taking me coat hurriedly off the hook and running backwards. âLove you, Pol! Bye!â
As always, Cassie was waiting for me outside the car. We hugged and then climbed inside of the car. We brought up what happened again ân really cleared the air.Â
I just wanted it to go away, ya know. Be forgotten. It literally happened yesterday night. It wasnât going away anytime soon.
When we got to the flat, the girls wasted no time pushing me into a chair.Â
âWhat are youse doing?â I asked through me laughter. I noticed there were other women in the room as well.
âI hired these women to do our hair and makeup. I want you to look your best! I even hired a photographer. But first, the dress you will be wearing!â Angie divulged as she walked over to the closet. She reached inside and pulled out a silk green dress.
It looked exactly like the one Kiera Knightly wore in Atonement. Me own gasps were not the only ones heard throughout the room.
Tina came into me view and took the dress out of Angieâs hand slowly. âI showed my familyâs dressmaker the drawing you drew of me in this dress. I asked them to make one just like it. I wanted you to have the real thing.â She walked over to me and I took the dress into me hands as she held onto the hanger.
I stroked the fabric, silk. âOh, Tina. Itâs so beautiful. Just how I-!â Just how I remembered it. I hummed with a painful smile on me face. I hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. âThank you.â I whispered in her ear.Â
Cassie clapped her hands. âAlright. Letâs get dressed before we get our hair and makeup done.â
We did as she suggested. Once we were all done changing, we sat down on the chairs where the cosmetologists were standing patiently. In a very movie-esque fashion, the cosmetologists flapped open their smocks and draped it over us, simultaneously.Â
Angie was sitting in the chair beside me.
I looked over at her. âAngie, you didnât have-!â
She held up her hand, effectively shuttinâ me up. âI didnât have to, but I wanted to. So, letâs all just enjoy this.â
The cosmetologist began by curling me hair in loose waves and then proceeded to give me a faux bob. Something I could never achieve if I did this by meself. I struck up a conversation with her and she was happy to give me some tips.Â
I looked at meself in the mirror. I couldnât believe how me hair looked. I looked like I finally belonged in this era. I couldnât stop the Cheshire-cat grin on me face. But I had to relax it as ordered by the cosmetologist.Â
When it was all said ân done, they women left and I opened Cassieâs present. She got me an amethyst earrings and necklace set this time for me maâ. When I started to tear up, the girls rushed to me and begged me to stop before it could even begin. That got a laugh out of me.
The earrings were Long Cluster Gemstone Earrings and the necklace was silver with an amethyst teardrop. I rushed to put them on and then it was time to go.Â
God was Angieâs mansion intimidating. Even more so that it was filled with people from high society that were unfamiliar to me. I knew I was going to meet with a lot of people tonight.Â
The party was in a light swing when we arrived. I stuck to Cassie like gum on a shoe. While I desperately wanted to find a table and stand ground there or find some secluded place so that I could relax, I was stuck with Cassieâ greeting her other friends and acquaintances.Â
It was so embarrassing when they asked abar me family. Only to tell them that Iâm an orphan and I met Cassie when I was giving her directions. I didnât miss the faces. The faces of people who sneered at me. Teased me for me status behind me back. Made stories up abar why they were keeping me âround. Maybe even for the dress. It was a 1940s style dress, I think.
I didnât expect to feel this way. I thought I could move past it, bury it all down. But, I was finding it harder to do than expected. Still, I kept a polite smile and dug me nails into me palm.Â
When the mansion was packed, Angie ushered me to the stage where the band was playing. She made a big spectacle of it.
âEveryone, I gathered you all here to celebrate my good friend, Aliena Welshâs 18th birthday.â She clapped which was mimicked by everyone in the crowd.
For pride, I suppressed the need to cover me face and spazz out. I kept that tight, polite smile on me face.
âBring out the cake.â Angie shouted. On her orders, men in tuxesâ the stewards or butlers or manservantsâ rolled out a cake and left it in front of us. Angie guided me where to stand. âWeâll sing Happy Birthday on three, everyone. One, two, three!â
A whole crowd was singing happy birthday to me. It was absolutely mortifying. I kept me gaze as Cassie, who was singing with a thumbs up. She knew I was freaking out.Â
When the whole singing was over with, I made the same wish I did yesterday. I walked off the stage with Angie. I rushed over to Cassie and hide me face in her neck.
âThey were all looking at me.â I whimpered.
She rubbed me back. âI know. I know, honey. How about we get a piece of cake, eat, then get fucking drunk. Huh? Sound alright?â
I looked up at her and nodded. So, thatâs what we did. We ate a piece of cake and marched over to the bar.Â
âOooh!â I exclaimed. âLetâs play a drinking game!â
Cassie furrowed her eyebrows. âWhat game?â
âI think itâs called blowjob.â
She gasped while slapping her hand over her mouth. âOh my god! Ailena!â
âLook we order three shots each and whoever drinks it the fastest without using their hands wins. You game?â
Cassie looked hesitantly. Her hand covering her mouth to hide her smile. âFine! What the hell, right? Youâre the birthday girl, after all.â
I cheered and called over the bartender.
We could only play one round of that game. I got buzzed fairly quickly since it was vodka. But we settled for beer.Â
We danced, sat down, drank, smoked, and eventually I got so drunk that I started dancing modernly. I was swaying me hips while holding a bottle of whatever, dancing to the music in me head.
I felt hands wrap âround me arms. I turned âround to see Angie.Â
âAngie!â I squealed before going in to hug her. She giggled before titling me head back.
âAliena, you need to slow it down.âÂ
I blew raspberries. âIâm âaving fun. âAve fun with me.â I kept her hand in mine as I leaned away and started dancing again.
Angie sighed while clutching her forehead. âFine, Iâll have fun with you. Just! Stop dancing like that!â
I shrugged me shoulder and stilled instantly while a piece of hair fell into me eyes. âOkay.â Then, I pulled her to the bar where we chatted and drank.
I donât know where I was. I was just extremely nauseous. I used the walls to support me as I stumbled along. The entrance doors were in me sight. I walked faster and felt me mouth water. I immediately doubled over into a plant and vomited.
When I was done, I stood straight while wiping me mouth. I gathered what was left in me mouth and spat it out. I whimpered as I clutched me tummy.Â
I stumbled down the steps. Me legs were shaking like leaves. I groaned and plopped down on them. I bent over and started taking them off.
âFucking devil shoes.â I grumbled. When I was done, I wobbled me way back up to me feet and walked further out in the backyard garden area, place, thingy.
I chortled at me thoughts.
When I got tired of walking, I sat down on some undistinguishable patch of grass. I was surrounded by acres of sophisticatedly cut grass.
I used me arms to support me as I leaned forward. I picked at the grass for a while âtil it hit me.
I just threw up in one of Angieâs plants...Â
Stutteringly, me arms gave up on me and I was laying down. I raised me arms to cover me face as it started to contort. A sob escaped me lips. Me shoulders shook violently.
Iâm turning into an alcoholic. I drank âtil I threw up in me mateâs flowers.
Whatâs wrong with me!Â
TAG LIST:Â @amirahiddleston @nemesis729â @salvatoreitmeanssaviour @tlfshelby1 @halepea @lilymurphy03 @marsfireeyes @masumiyetimziyanoldu @i-love-superheroâ
#thomas shelby#thomas shelby imagine#thomas shelby fanfic#thomas shelby angst#thomas shelby x reader#thomas shelby x oc#in another world#Peaky Blinders#peaky blinders imagine
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Kerense Part 2
This is a continuation of Kerensa - read Part 1 here
Kerensa (Part 1)
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 , Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13
Chapter 1, Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Warnings : Just like Keanu in these fics, I don't actually know any of the other real people portrayed here so my versions of them are all supposition!
LA Home?
After a couple of weeks, they moved on to LA. Kerry was Flabbergasted by the size and style of his home. It had a cool feel due to the size of the rooms and the large pieces of art in the main living area which had vast bi-fold doors leading out to the patio and pool. He was most excited to show her his pond with Koi Carp and the breathtaking view.
His office and bedroom were warmer in style, more in keeping with the man and she was thrilled with the kitchen which his sister had designed with herself in mind for when she visited and wanted to cook or for Keanu when he had a caterer come in.
On their first night, they ordered take out and ate outside by the pool. They were both tired from travelling but he promised to take her out to some favourite haunts soon. His bigger priority was making her and Scout feel at home and welcome.
That started with meeting his mum. Having heard a lot about her before he left, his mother, in particular, was very keen to make her acquaintance. She invited them over and had a meal catered.
She was welcoming but there was an edge of scrutiny in her gaze and her questions.
In the car on the way home, Kerry pointed it out.
Itâs just like Jason Robards says in Parenthood. âIt never endsâ
âWhat?â
âWell, your mum was clearly concerned I might be some kind of leach!â
âKerry, she thinks that about everyone I meet, but especially women. But she liked you, I could tell. And you bonded over all your English connections right?â
âI guess!â
Next up was Karina who had them over for Thanksgiving. She was more easygoing than her mother and they had a very relaxed day with Keanu and his brother-in-law bonding over the football and Kerry and Karina enjoying working together in the kitchen.
In the weeks running up to Christmas, their projects were on hiatus and they focussed on getting Kerry acclimatised to LA. Keanu bought her a car (she was not up for driving his Porsche) and they went on bike rides up PCH, took Scout on hikes in local parks and continued her introductions to his friends.
Key amongst them was Alex Winter and his family. They spent a great day on the beach at Malibu with him, his wife and their 2 youngest sons. Alex took a cute pic of Kerry and Keanu there - She had straggly wet hair from messing around in the sea and was wearing a loose shirt over her swimming costume. Her arms were draped around Keanuâs neck and they were both grinning broadly. She liked it so much, she had it printed and framed and placed it on their dressing table. It was one way she could try to settle in.
She certainly felt safe and welcome in his home, but, truth be told, not really at home
Some of that was connected to Scout. There was an inner courtyard where Scout could chill in a shady spot and you could walk him along the road nearby but only in the evening when the surface would be cool enough. To walk the dog, you really needed to go to a park, beach or further out into hills. It wasnât just a stoneâs throw away like at Sennen.
Also, in one sense, the house felt huge but at the same time, claustrophobic. It was curious that she could feel hemmed in despite the space and open view at the back - it was like you couldnât touch the nature that was so near at hand and when she felt like that, the waves of nostalgia for Sennen were powerful.
Another challenge she faced and hadnât really expected had been the number of female friends Keanu had who, it was clear, were past sexual partners. It wasnât that anyone said anything to her, least of all him for whom it was all just water under the bridge, but some of them had an unmistakable body language towards him, while others displayed a certain possessiveness that she found, if not threatening then at least challenging.
She knew heâd had a different life from her, longer in single mode, less settled in one place and with a lot of opportunity to be promiscuous, so she knew she had to accept it, but she also struggled to imagine still hanging out with people youâd been so intimate with in the past as it had been a very rare experience for her.
Fortunately, Karina was a bit of an ally in at least filling in the gaps as to who was or wasnât an ex. Kerry didnât want to come off as jealous or obsessive, so asking Keanu was a no-no, at least at first. One day, Karina had come over to talk Christmas food and caught Kerry staring off into the distance.
âHey, where have you gone?â Karina asked her.
Wha âŚ? oh sorry, nowhere, Iâm right hereâ
â oh no, not falling for THAT. What did he do?â
âKeanu? Nothing. Honest.â
âKerry?â
âHonest he didnât. Itâs just, errm Autumn came over last nightâ
âUghhhâ
âWhat?â
âNothing, sheâs just not my favourite of his exes that still hangs around himâ
âOh so she IS an ex, I wasnât sure and he didnât say soâ
âHe wouldnât, to him itâs ancient history - and it is. They properly dated in the 90s and then Iâm pretty sure she was, you knowâŚ. A friend âŚ..â
âWith benefits?â
âYeah, sometime in the 2000s but not in the past few years. Was she civil to you?â
âYeah yeah, she was just quite, erm touchy with him and sort of â
âPossessive?â
âNot exactly, but she made sure to mention things from way back several times as if to remind me and him that Iâm the new kid. I mean maybe I was being over-sensitive, it was weirdâ
âNaah, thatâs her thing. She didnât manage to clinch him and that still riles her so she hangs in there with the âtrusty oldest friendâ card.
âYeah but sheâs not his oldest friend right? Brenda is from school and that lovely lady Clare is from before her time right?â
âRight, I mean Autumn is from way back but sheâs not the unique one she likes to think.â
Mostly, the exes were subtle in their comments or behaviour but China Chow came close to making Kerry spit her drink out at a Christmas party when she was a bit drunk. She was saying how happy she was to see Keanu happy.
âAnd you my friend are a lucky girl, heâs good between the sheets too huh?, hic!â
The following morning Keanu and Kerry were lying in bed with a coffee, nursing hangovers and doing a party post-mortem.
âOh my God, China was drunk wasnât she?!â Keanu snorted.
âIâll say!â She replied rolling her eyes
âWhat?â
âHave you had sex with all of your female friends?!â She asked pointedly.
âOh my god, what did she say?â
âOh, how happy she is for you âŚ..â
âMmmmm, so?â
âAnd how lucky I amâŚ.and how good you are between the sheetsâ
It was Keanuâs turn to almost spit out his coffee.
âThat must have been awkward.!â
âWell would have been worse if we werenât both at least a little drunkâ
âDo you mind?â âThat I have a past?â he clarified when she looked questioningly at him.
âNo, I just, I never had an ex who I still hung out with after we split so itâs a little weird for me. And theyâre all so, you know, LA glamorous.â
âCome âere.â He said pulling her close after seeing the uncertainty in her eyes.
âItâs you I love, you I want to wake up with every morning and hold in my arms each night. And they're so called glamour is no match for your beauty. And, itâs like, over 10 years ago that I was with any of the friends I still see, sexually. Kerry, I promise. Are we ok?â
âyeah, weâre goodâ she reassured.
And they were. Christmas was around the corner and Kerry enjoyed shopping for gifts, getting a tree and decorating the house. They placed the bird decoration for Ava on the tree and he gave her two angels to hang for her babies and a Celtic fertility symbol in hope of a future as parents. They spent Xmas Day with his mother and Karina and Keanu went on his usual Boxing Day bike ride with old friends while Kerry went to the cinema with Karina.
On 29th they headed back to the UK, where they spent New year with her sister and family and 10 days having catch-ups with friends in London and Cornwall.
By mid-January, they were back in LA and finally, it felt like there would be a period of being more settled. They socialised but there were no more big introductions to make and Kerry planned to crack on with her novel.
@fortheloveoffanfic @kindainlovewithkeanu @omg-imagine @keanureevesisbae @penwieldingdreamer @paperplanesandwallflowers @witty-wallflower @karlee1225 @bitchyslut99 @toomanystoriessolittletime @ladyreapermc @kissmyromanticquote @tacticalchics @utterlynuts @kylosbitch @thebigbubowski @thelightnessofthebeing @gatsbynouvel @keanuficfiles @fanficsrusz @jardaniswife @cheezbort @mazzylana97 @maggiemoo1892 @girlfriday007 @siriussnape07 @yomnaislame @soarocks @fadingkideclipseempath @franny-banks-world @keanulowe @babylovejongin @lucky134ever @jasmindaughteroftheworld @tomorrowsanotherday @fokinqueen @littlefreya @leftyreea @wheretheriversrunintothesea @iworshipkeanureeves @fics-not-tragedies @ficsnroses @fickenstein @popacherryvisitalibrary @aah8903 @thethirstyarchive @cynic-spirit @australianpsychos @meetmeinthematinee
#keanu fanfic#keanu reeves fan fiction#keanu fan fiction#keanu reeves fan fic#keanu#keanu reeves#keanu ofc fiction#keanu reeves imagine
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wait honsetly i do not give a shit if u like couples that i think are dumb or poorly written so if u get offended by this itâs ur fault
but im confused
am i stupid for not understanding the relationship between that high schooler and the old man? like....what am i missing here? itâs not healthy, or right, and it doesnât really matter. it doesnât mean no one can like it but iâm like confused at pretending that itâs like positive and healthy or whatever like at best itâs embarrassing and fucking stupid at worst itâs uhhhhh gross and probably illegal (not that it matterse bc crime is BS and this person wouldnt be persecuted anyway so)
like i know these writers donât care, canât write, think writing âshockingâ things that everyone else has already done is like a big deal but they are doing the exact thing like with every ~pRobLEmAtIc~ storylineâwhich btw we need to start calling it what it is: misogynist, patriarchal, capital inducing, transphobic, toxic, fucking strange and also just a stupid way to get people to absorb information. like being specific about the actual problems not just atlking around it and alos breaking it downâitâs coercing people into liking it because itâs not about the content in their differences. they barely take that into account. iâm kind of surprised at the idea of longterm positivity in a relationship that cannot withstand that. and people do grow up and realize.Â
i get their existence, i get why people would like it, but i donât think you can sort of project positive things onto a relationship that is simply not positive and is not intended to be by the writers nature. even if it is accepted because harm is the norm, it upholds whatever power structures, so itâs like well fighting against that is the real story. like they exist but itâs not some statement about the lgbtq+ community particularly because that sort of relationship is common (in all communities) and uh not very good like i said and it NEEDS to be saved because thatâs what these structures rely on it relies on being beholden to someone that you have no chance in matching at any point. itâs honestly a literal drag!
they dont hvae to break up or whatever but i kind of donât get removing that reality from them. i mean i do because again this is what the writers do which is why it isnt effective, transgressive, or particularly fun (to me) and itâs so fucking common. itâs just like this IS the norm so it kind of needs to be pushed against. Â i know they donnt give a shit but some of the comments im like.... am i imissing something did he like time travel to be an acceptable age or are we gonna accept he was lurking around a fuckin (immature as fuck) teenager.Â
thereâs def things that i like that i am also like âwow this is so grossâ lmao thereâs this brazilian movie about two brothers in a rship and they have an age gap and terrible parents and me and my best friend watched it when we were younger so we have like this place for it in our memory but we knew, and ofc back then, the immensely fucked up thing we were seeing. i can only stomach itif im extremely bored and itâs few and far between because IT IS S OFUCKING WEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD but they have good chemistry but itâs not like i dont see it. the film exists in a fake world too but idk enough about the background of the film and the filmmaker to know what their point was but i do know that it was a huge deal ther ebc gay and also the taboo nature and it was like. u know. bonkers lmao. also they were just two white brazilian dudes with money, probably some missing class commentary. in its nature everything about it is not something that i like (not reality of brazil idc abt white brazilians) and ummmm being fucking related. but look you know it was fucking fukced up and weird and the dudes did have chemistry. like seriously that movie so gross lmao so like we all have the capacity but im not gonna pretend it fucking makes sense like EW AND i wanted them to end up togehter but i still yell âEWWW NOOOOO NO NO but theyre so hot they have good chemistry OH NO NO NO NO NO NO NO THIS IS OS BAD OH NO WHY IS THEIR DAD OKAY WITH IT OH NO WHAT AM I WATCHING?â and theyre so close it is SINCERELY creepy and the movie is like HERE U GO GUYS and u absolutely do not feel comfortable. itâs actually uncanny because everyone is comfortable with it in their lives that it makes it even more weird. itâs like picking at you consistently, you canât ever forget. i donât like that these shows make you forget. they allow you to remove this fucked up background and history and/or traumatic shit from your memory SIMPLY for enjoyment. and thatâs not how life works, nor art. it isnt just there. and they say this has meaning.Â
idk anyways thatâs just how i feel cos i only thought whatshisface was like idk 5 yrs older than him and that wouldnt be better to me but i was rly like this nigga is 12 yrs older than him? bitch thatâs literally r. kelly like im not joking LMAO im just like how r u pushing thirty dating a teenager my nigga i cannotttttt lmaoooo like ARE U NOT EMBARRASSED HOMIE? also like on a sociopolitical level this message actually fucking sucks like their marriage is shitty tbqh lmao it took forever for taiwan to get to where it is and thereâs still massive issues with their marriage laws (and what is afforded to people with marriage; just like eveyrwhere. marriage is important because of so many laws and rights and that is why it is necessary not just in the ceremony) so itâs like flabbergasting frankly people hav elike actually isssues or like papa+daddy about taiwan and these bozos are getting married like itâs boring at this point my god
idk
go back to film school lmao
imagine if this world gave a shit about minorities and poor people even itâs literally just ......fuck man lmao i just cant let things rest. i didnt get this stupid degree and also just live 29 yrs on this earth to be able to like.....watch garbage without a critique so the garbage can continue meanwhile artists who give a shit have a harder time making things like listen kid. WRITE YOUR SCRIPTS. THESE FUCKERS CAN, YOU DO IT. look at this garbage! u can!!!! this is the advice i do not take myself
#history 4#history 3#history 4: close to you#history 3: make our days count#if u do not understand that u can lik e'bad' things then idk what to tell u except grow up#i refuse to entertain that line of thought anymore#it's about what the people ARENT doing when doing these stories#and it's shitty lazy art
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Queen B Mamma Mia!AU pt.3
Summary: This chapter will be about Poppy and MC, with Poppy having the role of Sam from Mamma Mia. After this I will be writing the endings, where I will write about MCâs future with Chloe, Veronica and Poppy. Trying to give all the stans what they want. Hopefully, I nailed Poppyâs character. Please tell me what you thought.
Taglist: @somewillwin @belvoiresqueenbee @origmansello @clownery-is-a-new-personality @kamilahtrash @poppysminion @poppysimp @minsinclair-lee @poppysmc @iiizdumb @uselesslesbianfr @scattered-to-the-winds @idiot-justidiot @toyhenoctus @begoniathotia @otakufangirl-12 @malvinghlein @ariaminsinclair @queenpoppyminsinclair @lavenderrtown
Warnings: smut, nsfw (not safe for clowns)
Play I HAVE A DREAM.
â˘You were making your way around the island after being dropped off by Veronica, and as you were exploring the many sights to be seen, a small little house catches your attention. You make your way towards it and enter, the place may look run down and old but you can already imagine how it would look if a little bit of TLC was used to build it up again.
⢠You can already imagine it as a popular hotel for people to visit, boosting the popularity of the island and hopefully increasing the economy for the people who lived there.
⢠There was a staircase and out of curiosity, you decide to go up and explore upstairs, it was dusty. The house clearly hasn't been used or cleaned for years. In all your excitement, you slide down the staircase which causes it to fall. Letting an awkward giggle you run away, hoping no one heard you.
⢠As you were making your way towards a small barn, the rain starts to pour and you can't help but think about what Veronica said. "A storm is coming." You just laugh in delight, as you run in the rain. You reach the stables and the building begins to creak and you're about to make your way out until you hear the sound of an animal in panic.
⢠You go in to see a panicking horse and seeing that you wouldn't be able to calm it down by yourself, you quickly reassure the horse that you'll be back with help. "I'll be back, I'm just coming to get someone to help, stay there okay."
⢠You quickly run outside, desperately hoping for anyone to pass by in the storm. You yell out desperately "I NEED HELP, ANYONE!", hoping to attract anyone's attention.
⢠You hear the sound of a motorbike, and a blonde woman stops in front of you. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she says and you're immediately awed by her beauty, even with her hair a mess from the rain and her clothes dripping, she still manages to look gorgeous. Her brown eyes glimmer in anticipation, as if eager to help.
⢠You quickly explain that you need her help to take care of the horse, she immediately follows you inside the stables, and the two of you carefully approach the horse, making sure not to startle it.
⢠"Well this is gonna be easy, I'm a veterinarian." she says and you're immediately relieved as you ask "Really?" She just looks at you with a wry smile and as she says "No, I'm not, I'm an architect." You just shake your head and say "Okay, just talk to horse gently, to make them feel at ease." She gives you an affirmative nod as she gently calms the horse down. "This would be easier if I was calm" she says.
⢠You take the reins off and immediately open the gate to let the horse out from the shaky building. You can't help the relieved sigh that comes out as you get out safely. You look at the stranger and say "Thanks, also it's nice to meet you. I'm Rosie Hughes by the way."
⢠She looks at you as she flashes you a charming smile "Poppy Min-Sinclair, the pleasure is mine Miss Hughes." The two of you smile at each other, and you suggest that you find a place for the horse to stay.
⢠The two of you decide to tour around the island together, and you both make your way to market, and you're looking for new clothes. Poppy makes conversation by asking "What brings you here?" and you just shoot her a smile as you say "I don't know, I just wanted to explore the world and this place is absolutely beautiful. Plus I wanted to piss off my mother, she's always touring." Poppy looks at you with something akin to understanding as she says "Your mother sings?" You nod at her. "Yes, with a voice as sweet as sugarcane."
⢠She sees a dress and is about to tell you "This will suit -" she's cut off as you appear in front of her wearing overalls. You laugh at her as you say "You really, don't know me at all."
⢠The two of you head down to a local pub, and you're immediately entertained by the band that is playing. "I absolutely, love this place, oh my God." you say as Poppy just gives you a questioning look that says "Are you serious?!"
⢠The two of you start to talk and you talk about your personal lives and Poppy asks "Your mother wouldn't miss you?" You just look and smile at her. The smile not quite reaching your eyes as you say "She's not that kind of mother." Poppy looks apologetic and she's about to apologise when you cut her off. "Don't be sorry, it's okay I'm not angry at her, it's not a sob story."
⢠Poppy tells you that her whole life has been planned for her. "I'm only here because I wanted to get away and finally achieve freedom. I'm not going to be able to stay forever, but hopefully, I find something to make me stay."
⢠Poppy hesitates and looks like she's about to say something important but you were already distracted by the band finishing their song. "That was amazing! I loved it!" you turn to the bar and speak to the lady. "Are you the owner?" she just points forward as she says "My son the owner, because no one else let his band play."
⢠The owner approaches you and says "Thank you, how do you like the island?" You practically vibrate with excitement and Poppy can't help but think that you're cute. "I love it here, it's very relaxing. I also love your band, you guys are amazing. I would love to sing with you guys and my friends from home." He looks at you as he says "You sing?"
⢠You're about to shyly deny, until Poppy interjects and says "Yes she sings, sweet as sugarcane." The man looks at you expectantly as he hands you the microphone. "Sing." he says and you're flabbergasted "Just like that? I need time to prepare." He just replies with "Here on island, everything just like that."
Play Andante Andante.
⢠As soon as you get up on the stage, your voice starts to fill the room, and Poppy's eyes are drawn to you. The whole pub becomes more lively as people start to sing along with you, and you're happy because you love singing. After, he says "You're hired!" as everyone claps.
⢠After that day, you and Poppy get a little bit closer, the two of you got out for long walks basking in the moonlight, where you both have your first kiss. The funny thing is that your first kiss was also in front of where you met.
⢠The two of you decide to go on a date, Poppy rowing, and you're off to go to on a picnic. For someone so small, Poppy can be strong. "I don't think you know what you're doing Pop." Poppy just laughs at you as she says "I'm hoping that if I keep rowing forward we'll bump into land. There's another island over there, I was hoping we might go for a picnic." You look at her, curious "Where are we going to get the food?" and she just says "I was hoping we can catch it on the way."
⢠Your expression turns serious, and you struggle to form the words until a sudden burst of courage overtakes you. You clear your throat. "Uh, we should probably talk about last night. I don't usually do that, I mean hardly ever. Well, sometimes. A bit recently in fact. But, on the whole, not." Poppy looks at you, clearly amused by your sudden shyness. "I thought it was miraculous." she says with a gentle smile.
⢠You bite your bottom lip shyly as you say "Um, I'm gonna say something, and you're probably going to think that I'm crazy but you should shut up as I'm saying it." Poppy tries to cut you off but you just keep going "I want to stay here, and I think you should too. I think we should choose to do something radical, wonderful, and amazing. To live in this extraordinary place with someone miraculous."
⢠Poppy looks at you entranced and you notice the way she was staring. You shake your head slightly as you say "I told you, you'd think it was crazy." Poppy makes eye contact, sadness hidden in those brown eyes "I just don't think it's that simple. Nothing usually is."
⢠"Everything is. When you break it down." you say voice unwavering, and Poppy looks away and it's clear that she's thinking. She chuckles as she says "I don't think it's crazy."
⢠Poppy starts to take photos of you, and she knows that she's become smitten in the short time you've spent together. The way the two of you look at each other with such affection in your eyes makes it obvious that you adore each other.
Play THE NAME OF THE GAME.
NSFW UNDER CUT
⢠Whilst Chloe was soft and sweet, Veronica passionate. Poppy was everything you wanted, the two of you knew exactly what the other needed and it was addicting. She was like a drug you can't quit or get enough of.
⢠The two of you spent the night together. For someone who looks as elegant and proper as Poppy, you're surprised to know that she can be quite the little minx in bed.
⢠It starts off with a bang, both of you can feel electricity with each kiss, neither of you know who kissed who first. The kisses start off slow and gentle as if you're just getting used to each other. Your hands find their way to the small of her back, and you start to circle your thumb against her.
⢠Poppy's moans into the kiss, and you're left wanting more because Poppy sounds so good. Her hands start to wander, and she reaches your lower back, which she gives a firm squeeze and you can't help the groan that escapes your lips. Poppy looks at you with half-lidded eyes and pupils blown as she starts to strip you until all that's left is your underwear.
⢠She deftly moves a hand to cup your breast, whilst the other unhooks your bra. Her mouth trails down from your jaw to your breasts where she nips and sucks at every patch of skin she can reach. You both stumble into bed, and Poppy's mouth finds your nipple, which she gently starts to tease with her tongue.
⢠The sounds that come out of your mouth is pure sin, a mixture of muffled moans and screams as you cover your mouth with the back of your hand. Poppy notices and she's quick to take your hand away. "I want to hear every noise you make. Don't be shy." she says huskily and it sends a wave of arousal down your inner thighs. This causes you to rub your thighs together. Poppy notices the moist fabric, and her fingers trail down to touch the strap of your underwear. You're already left whining at the contact because you want her to touch lower.
⢠"What is it that you want Rosie? Do you want me to touch lower?" she says voice dropping an octave. You're whining mess underneath her, and you know there's no point in playing hard to get so you just nod your head so fast it could have caused a normal person whiplash.
⢠Poppy moves her hands lower, and she removes your underwear. Her fingers find your clit and she presses the pad of her fingers on it. Desperate for any kind of friction your hips grind against her. Poppy holds your hips down as she makes a displeased noise. "Tsk tsk, Hughes, I'm in charge, you're only allowed to moved when I tell you to." Your head is spinning and you're, really desperate but you follow her wishes.
⢠Poppy starts off by teasing you, slowly tracing her fingers on your pussy, and as she feels how wet you are, she lets out a satisfied groan."You're so wet for me, how much did you want to do this?" she says as she slowly starts to insert her index and middle finger into your core.
⢠A sob escapes your lips and you have to bite your lips to stop moving against her finger. Poppy notices how needy you look and she says "What do you want me to do? Tell me clearly." Your voice sounds shaky as you stutter out the words she wants to hear "Poppy, please I need you to move your fingers, I'm begging you please."
⢠Poppy's eyes light up as she hears you beg, suddenly she leans forward to kiss your neck. "Anything my baby asks for she gets." She starts to thrust her fingers in and out at a steady pace, she can see your face contorted into a look of pleasure. "Does that feel good?" she asks and your answer is only to pull her in her closer. She gives you a noise of approval as she works you up faster. When you're close Poppy stops and you whine.
⢠She looks down at you and says "Grind" and you follow. You start to grind on her fingers as she thrusts it inside you. You can feel your muscles go taut, and your vision begins to turn white. Your body starts to spasm, as you reach your climax, letting out a scream as you do so, only to be muffled by Poppy kissing you.
⢠Poppy looks satisfied until she sees the troubled look on your face. "What's wrong? Did that not feel good?" she asks, worried. You just shake your head at her. "I want to make you cum too." Poppy flushes and she's about to deny you until she feels you tugging on her arm. "Sit on my face, princess."
⢠Poppy's whole body turns red and you laugh as she settles herself down on your face. "This is gonna be fun" you say as you lap at Poppy's cunt, eyes rolling back at the taste. Poppy's hands make their way to your hair where she tugs. "Fuck you taste so good Poppy. I could get addicted." you say as you let Poppy grind her hips against your mouth. You tease her entrance and flick her clit with tongue. The noises that escape Poppy are intoxicating, you don't think any song can compare." You can tell Poppy's about to cum when you hear her ragged breathing and her hips jerking faster.
⢠Poppy climaxes with a loud moan, so much so you're pretty sure everyone in the vicinity heard you. Poppy falls forward and has to put her hand against the wall to keep herself from falling. You catch all of her cum with your tongue, and it tastes uniquely of Poppy and you know its something you can't forget.
⢠Poppy gets off you and as she lies down on the bed, you can see her chest heaving and Poppy gasping for air. The two of you share a fond look, as you both bask in the afterglow. After a few minutes, Poppy drifts off to sleep and you know that you're falling for her really hard.
Play KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU.
⢠The next day, as you make your way to the kitchen to make some breakfast a journal catches your attention. Curious, you open it to see a photo of Poppy with a man and a ring on her finger. Anger and rage fill you as you wake Poppy up to confront her.
⢠Poppy wakes up with a jolt. "When were you going to tell me that you were engaged?!" you yell angry tears falling from your eyes. Poppy looks at you and say "I can explain, please let me talk." You look at her, silent fury visible in your eyes. "Yeah you can talk, I have three questions for you and you're going to answer them for me" you say as calmly as you can.
⢠"Are you engaged to that wonderful man?" and she replies with "Yes." voice shaky as if she's scared to lose you. "And did you tell me about it?" you ask. She shakes her head at you "No" and you just throw your hands in surrender as you say "And did you seriously think that I was going to forgive you?" you say as you turn away from her. "Wait, please I can explain!" she pleads and you're done "No more talking, go!"
⢠Poppy packs her things as she gets ready to leave the island. She sees you as leaves, your figure fading in the distance, and she knows she blew it. She doesn't think that she can love someone else the way she loved you.
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