#i washed my teeth like 4 times a day just today holy hell it hurts

[bruciemilf]

Hey guys guess who has an infected tooth and is DYING of pain lmao

[rubix-writings]

Punisher Pt. 4

Fourth part of Punisher. This is a Chicago PD/Fire imagine with an original character. I don’t own any of the plot points or characters from the show. Also, it doesn’t follow any particular season or sequence in the shows.

Series Summary: Josephine (Jo) never expected to find support and pure love when she left Los Angeles. She ran away to Chicago and was content with living an insignificant, hidden life. But everything changes when she walks into Molly’s to get a job.

Josephine (OC) x Jay Halstead

The italicized lines are internal thoughts of the character.

Warnings: language, mentions of drinking, blood, mentions of violence/attack, long (!)

“Jo, can you get that order ready? I have to go do inventory in the back,” Hermann asks. His silver eyeglasses are perched on the bridge of his nose, the reflection of the paperwork on his clipboard plays across his lenses. I nod and start to pour a few glasses of wine to take over to the table in the back corner. A few weeks passed since my first day and Hermann and Stella have started to trust with a lot more responsibility around the bar. It’s been great getting closer with the regulars and I’ve even stopped by the firehouse to have lunch with everyone a few times. I pick up some empties on my way back to the bar and start to wash the used glasses. It was a pretty quiet night and the crowd has only thinned out as the night went on. 

“Hey Jo, how’s loverboy?” Emily insinuated. I met Emily and Silvie during one of my first shifts and they really latched onto Jay’s and my relationship, or lack thereof. We ended up having a few drinks after my shift on the same day Jay dropped me off at Molly’s. The way I feel when I’m with Jay is new, something I’ve never experienced before. When Jay is around I feel….. Safe. It’s like I can fully be myself, there are no eggshells to tiptoe around. 

“He’s at the table near the door, why don’t you go ask him?” I ask. 

“Oh please, you must have noticed how Jay likes to hang around Molly’s, but really only during your shifts,” Emily whispers.

“And how he’ll stay late on the nights you’re closing up,” Silvie lowers her voice to match Emily’s. I pause cleaning and lean onto the bartop in front of them.

“You guys just described yourselves,” I whisper back. 

“That’s not true, we are here… an average amount,” Emily fights back, but not really believing it. Silvie says nothing, but I can tell by the way her eyes are moving that she’s trying to do the math. I smirk and say nothing. They’re not wrong about the amount of time Jay spends at the bar. Sometimes he comes in with a few members of the Intelligence Unit or with Will, but he always spends time at the bar to talk. And then there are the times he’s come in alone and sat on the same stool all night to ensure his spot is saved. But I’ve tried to not think about it if I’m being completely honest. A part of me feels like I’m crossing a line I’ll never be able to step back, I’m supposed to be hidden, flying below the radar. I’ve really tried, people have offered to hang out on my days off or grab drinks and I always turn them down. I could never live with myself if any of these people got hurt because of me. I keep telling myself that I have everything exactly how I want it, but that is a big fat lie and I have no interest in fixing it. 

“Hey Jo, can I close out?” the breath in my lungs immediately dissipates. Jay really is punch you in the gut kind of beautiful. 

“Yeah, course,” I move further down the bar to the register. “How’s Will doing these days?”

“He’s good, the long shifts are killing him, but other than that he’s good.”

“Well maybe you shouldn't keep him out this late,” he smirks and hands me his credit card.

“Yeah, probably shouldn’t. He’s just being a good brother,” I hand Jay his receipts to sign. 

“Will you come around tomorrow?” Really smooth, that didn’t sound too eager at all.

“Can’t sadly, I pulled the short straw of late shift patrol.”

“Wow, how’d you get so lucky?” He hands me back the signed copy. 

“It’s a gift I guess. At least I’ll be with Adam, you remember him right?” Adam Ruzek, probably one of the tallest men I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to forget him since he acts like a teenage boy trapped in a man’s body. I smile and nod at Jay’s question. “Yeah, so at least I’ll have someone to talk to.”

“How are him and Kim doing, still on the outs?”

“Yeah. Hey don’t let me regret spilling that to you,” he taps his knuckles on the wooden bartop. 

“First, I’m offended. I’m an excellent secret keeper. Second, maybe it should be harder than a couple of beers for a detective to start disclosing secrets,” I shrug. 

“It’s called confiding actually.”

“Oh is that right,” I smile.

“Yes. I’m sorry, I have to go. I’ll see you around Jo,” Jay starts backing away towards the front door. 

“Bye Jay.”

Is it too serious to tell him to stay safe? The words were on the tip of my tongue, ready to be dropped, but it never came. I look to the girls at the other end of the bar who give me a look of victory from Jay’s and my interaction. I simply roll my eyes and get back to work. 

****

My eyes are barely staying open as I park my car in front of my apartment building. That’s right, I have a car. A real shitty one to match my apartment. It does provide some comfort knowing that it’ll never get broken into. The frigid air does very little to wake me up, my body is deeply craving sleep. Between the double shift today and the closing shifts the nights before, I haven’t gotten enough sleep to say the least. My feet slowly trudge up the creaking stairs, for some reason someone years ago thought it would be a good idea to paint them white, but never did any touch ups and just left it to chip and fade over time. The ceiling in my apartment was “fixed” a week ago, but by the looks of it I wouldn’t be surprised if it dropped again. 

“Time for sleep,” I smile lazily. I plug my phone in to charge and go to the closet to hang up my coat. My bed has never looked so inviting, hell my water ruined coach looks like a good place to sleep right about now. I start to brush my teeth when I hear a muffled yell. I pause and wait for it to reoccur, but after a few seconds I start to believe it’s my tired mind playing tricks. 

“Help….please,” it’s so faint that if you weren’t looking for it you’d miss the outcry. A loud crash follows which causes the adrenaline to course through my veins and bolt out of my apartment. A woman lays in the hallway, I look to the stairs and the vibrant blood clashes with the white stairs and banister. She groans and tries to move.

“Hey, don’t move,” I say as softly as I can. I take off the hoodie that I always wear under my coat and start to push it under her head as a makeshift pillow. Her eyes flutter closed, but she doesn’t try to move anymore. I start to get up from my knees and her hand quickly snatches my forearm.

“Please don’t leave me,” her voice is hoarse. This is the first time I really look at her face that’s covered in blood and cuts. Her eyes are hollow and tired. I look down to her hand that’s also covered in blood, there’re cuts across her knuckles. She fought back. 

“I’ll be right back, I just need to get my phone. Just relax, you’re safe,” I had no place to tell her how to feel, but once she loosens her grip I take full advantage and run to my phone to call 911. As I’m explaining the events to the dispatcher I take the rolls of gauze and first aid kit from my apartment with me to the hallway. 

“What’s your name?” My voice is calm, I start to try and wrap the injuries bleeding the most. 

“Eve,” her voice faint and weak. 

“Hi Eve, I’m Jo. You’re not alone okay? I’m not leaving you,” she nods slightly keeping her eyes closed. “The police are coming.” Once I finish wrapping the wounds on her face, I start to look over the rest of her body to see if anything needs immediate attention. Her upper arm was slashed and she was stabbed in the leg which is basically gushing. They might’ve nicked the artery. As fast as I can without putting her in too much pain I wrap up her arm and start pilling on copious amounts of gauze to her leg wound. The bright red liquid stains the used gauze and my hands as it can’t be stopped by the gauze alone. I start to undo my belt and wrap it above the wound.

“Eve, this is going to hurt, but I need you to stay still so I can stop the bleeding okay?” she groans in response. Her skin is almost as pale as the white wooden floor. I leave her for one last time to get a wooden spoon from my kitchen. I start the tourniquet and try to push away Eve’s cries of pain. “I know, I’m sorry,” she doesn’t respond. Once the tourniquet is in place I get more gauze to put pressure on the wound. 

“Police! Call Out!” I’ve never felt so relieved to hear those words.

“Up here! Hurry!” I shout back. 

“Holy shit.”

“Jo?” My head snaps up to Jay’s face. 

“Jay, help her,” my exhaustion slowly defeating the adrenaline in my body. 

“I got this Jo,” Adam moves to put pressure on the leg wound. I slide back to lean against the wall.

“Jo, what happened?” Jay’s face directly in front of mine. I’ve never seen his eyes this close up before, there’s so many blues thrown together.

“I heard her yell for help, I think she fell down the stairs,” Jay follows my gaze to the stained stairs behind him. “Her name is Eve,” he nods and pulls away to talk into his radio. 

“Eve, Eve, can you hear my sweetheart?” Adam yells to Eve, she winces in response. “The ambulance should be here in a minute, just hold on okay?” Eve’s eyes flutter open and frantically look for me. 

“Hey, I’m right here. I’m not leaving,” I walk and practically collapse on the other side of her. Her bloody hand finds mine like it’s her only lifeline. 

“Ruzek, I’m going to clear the rest of the building. Jo stay with Adam,” normally I would fight and tell Jay to not go alone, but my body is gradually fading. 

“We’re good man, go,” Adam urges. “Jo, you okay there darling?” his voice sounds morphed in my mind. 

“Yeah I’m fine,” Adam reaches for his radio, I watch him talk but nothing comes out of his mouth. I shake my head to try and get my mind straight. 

“Paramedics!” 

“Up here guys!” Adam yells back. “Eve, the medics are here, you’re gonna be okay.”

“What do we got?” One medic asks, Adam takes it upon himself to explain the prior events as best as he can from the information I gave him earlier. I release Eve’s hand and move so the medics can help her, she seems to understand because Eve doesn’t fight me moving away. It felt like an out of body experience watching them try and save Eve. 

“There’s a blood trail leading a few floors up, went into the apartment it started from but it’s empty. Cars are on their way to secure the scene,” Jay is back, but I don’t look at him. “Hey Jo, why don’t you sit down?” Jay grabs my arms and gently leads me to a clean stair to sit. “What’s the ETA on that second ambulance?”

“Two minutes,” one medic answers while removing my sweatshirt from under Eve’s head to get her on the back board. 

“Second ambulance?” I ask.

“Yeah, just to check you out really quick. You might be going into shock,” Jay responds softly.

“I’m fine, just really tired,” my voice is barely above a whisper.

“Just in case, okay? Here,” Jay takes off his CPD bomber jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. 

“Jay give us a hand,” Adam calls while grabbing hold of one side the back board that holds Eve. 

“Yeah. Stay right here, I’ll be right back,” Jay rubs my back before getting up from the stair and helping get Eve down the stairs to the ambulance. I rest my head against the wall as my body enters full crash mode. I just want to sleep. “Jo, come on let’s go get you checked out,” Jay helps put my arms through the correct holes of his jacket and leads me down the steps to outside.

The steel of the ambulance is cold against my butt. A woman with red hair and bright green eyes starts taking my vitals. The blue and red lights of the cop cars light up the entire street. People are bringing a ton of equipment into my apartment building, whoever was sleeping in the building isn’t anymore. 

“Well everything looks good. Her body is crashing from all the adrenaline, so she’ll need some good rest, but other than that she’s fine,” the medic tells Jay. 

“Thanks Terry,” Jay replies before taking a seat next to me. He hands me a water bottle, I accept it with my blood stained hand. I should be acting more freaked out about the blood, but I’m too tired to lie. 

“You did a great job in there. You a nurse or something?” Terry asks me.

“Um, no,” I leave it at that. Like I said, I’m too tired to lie. A guy that’s mildly balding with a thick beard appears from around the corner of the ambulance. He has a massive camera balanced around his neck. 

“I need to take photos,” he says plainly. 

“Photos?” I ask confused. 

“C’mon man, can’t you give her a second to breathe?” Jay defends.

“You know the protocol Detective,” there’s no life in his words. I place the water bottle on the ambulance steel and take off Jay’s jacket. The man positions my hands to take photos for evidence. After he’s satisfied with the photos of my hands he starts to circle and take pictures of my clothes, the fact he does it silently makes me uncomfortable. I think Jay feels the same way since he wraps me again in his black jacket and tells the rude man that’s enough. Jay leads me back to my apartment. The building is full of officers and lab techs, the whole place is a crime scene. Jay and I don’t talk till we get inside my apartment. A part of me is embarrassed that he has to see my shitty apartment, but it’s quickly pushed away. 

“Do you know her?” Jay asks.

“No, but I don’t know anyone in this building,” I answer honestly. “I try to keep to myself.” 

“You can wash your hands,” I nod and move to the kitchen to start scrubbing the dried blood from my hands. “Maybe, you shouldn’t stay here tonight.”

“If you’re worried about the noise, I’m way too tired to care. Besides, this building has never been safer with all the cops crawling around,” I try to joke. 

“I have an extra bedroom Jo, it would be no trouble,” he pushes. 

“Thank you, but I’m fine. I promise,” the skin on my hands is just about raw once all the blood is off. I let my hands stay under cold water to try and ease the pain. “Um, will you let me know what you find out about Eve? Let me know if she’s gonna be okay.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard you’re a good secret keeper.”

“Thanks,” I hand him back his jacket. Jay smiles and hesitantly moves toward the door. 

“Before I go, at least take this,” he hands me his business card. “Call me if you don’t feel comfortable staying here, I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay, yeah,” my fingers run over the raised lettering across the card. Without another word, Jay leaves. I lock the door and make my way to my room to finally get some long overdue sleep. I don’t look at the time, I know that won’t help me. The muffled talking and walking from outside my apartment gradually lull me to a deep sleep. 

A slight vibration slowly brings me out of my nightly slumber. I never plugged my phone in to charge after the events of last night, it’s settled next to me by my pillow. I have three missed calls from Hermann. It’s almost noon, but I’m still tired. I call back Hermann knowing he’s probably freaking out since I haven’t answered.

“Hey kid!” His immense energy brings a smile to my face.

“Hi Hermann, everything okay?” 

“Yeah, we’re good. I heard about last night, how are you?” Of course he did. 

“Yeah I’m good, still trying to wrap my head around it, I guess.”

“Of course. How about when you’re up for it you stop by Molly’s I want to ask you something.” “I can be there in an hour,” Hermann and I exchange our goodbyes. I groan spills out of my lips as I stretch my arms above my head. Once I finally move from my bed, I immediately go to shower, something I probably should’ve done last night. The boiling water feels euphoric against my skin and the steam cleans out my mind. I need to come up with a story with details to explain last night. There’s no way that people won’t push like they did last night, I was given space because of the tragic event. A dull pain flows down my legs as I clean the new bruises on my knees. I didn’t realize how hard I slammed my knees on the hardwood in the hall last night. Once I pull myself from the warm confides of the shower I have to rush to put on jeans and a sweater before being late to meet with Hermann. I don’t have time to blow dry my hair so I throw it up in a bun before grabbing my keys and running to my car. The hallways and stairs are covered in black dust from fingerprinting, it’s surprising how quickly they cleaned everything up. 

Luckily, there’s a free spot not too far from Molly’s. It’s decently full for a Saturday afternoon. The inside heat is slowly thawing my frozen hair and face from the freezing wind. 

“Jo, you want a cup of coffee?” Hermann is the only one behind the bar and I’m very grateful for that. 

“Yes please,” I sit at one of the stools and welcome the hot cup of coffee. 

“How’re you doing?” Hermann comes around the bartop to take the seat next to me. 

“I’m good, still a bit tired if I’m honest.”

“Yeah, what happened last night must’ve really taken it out of you.”

“I didn’t realize that all first responders are such gossips,” I take a sip of the hot coffee. 

“Oh the worst,” he laughs. “I’m not good about beating around the bush so I’ll just go right into it. I have an apartment above my garage. It was meant for my mother-in-law but she had to move into assisted living.”

“That’s - good for you?” I’m confused. 

“I think you should move in there. It’ll -”

“Oh Hermann I don’t think so, I have a place.”

“I know, but it’s a scene of a crime. They still haven’t found the person who did that to that poor girl. You can pay rent if that makes you feel better, and we don’t even have to see each other. It’s that separate from the main house. Look from what Jay said I don’t think it would be good for you to stay there,” Hermann’s eyes grow wide as we realizes he gave away his source. 

“Jay? Was this his idea?” Hermann stutters trying to find a way out of the hole he dug for Jay. “Great, I’ll see you tomorrow Hermann. Thanks for the offer,” I abandon the rest of the coffee and get up to leave Molly’s.

“Hey kid, it may not have been my idea but we would love to have you,” Hermann expresses sincerely. The anger that was boiling inside of me settles at his kind words for a moment.

“Thanks, I’ll let you know,” he nods and makes no effort to stop me from storming out of the bar this time. Once I enter the cold streets I’m met with a few members of the Intelligence Unit including the perpetrator himself, Jay Halstead. I exchange short greetings with each one before they head inside. 

“Hey how are you doing?” Jay says once everyone is gone. 

“Fine. I would ask you the same thing, but you must be tired since you’ve been so busy,” Jay furrows his brows.

“What? What are you talking about Jo?”

“I just had a really interesting conversation with Hermann. About my living situation. That you instigated,” I start to walk towards my car, ready to leave Jay without another word.

“Jo, please. Let me explain -” I spin around so fast it almost makes me dizzy. 

“No. Do you think that shitty apartment in a horrific neighborhood was my first choice? But I’m doing this on my own for once.”

“You don’t have to do this on your own.”

“Yeah well I also don’t need people making my choices for me. Goodbye Jay,” I turn and walk towards my car. Never in my life did I wish I was getting into a Lexus more than right now.

Tags (hopefully I did this right!) - @whit85-blog​

[artificialqueens]

White Noise (What an Awful Sound) Ch.2 (Crystal/Gigi) - Meta

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter! I’ve been having a lot of fun writing it. Please leave any feedback/opinions/suggests you have, I love reading what people think about my work! :)

“Gigi, breakfast is ready!” The sound of her mother’s voice woke Gigi up. She rolled over to check the time on her phone, 9 am. Ugh, who the hell wakes up this early on a Sunday? Her parents must really be laying into the new “suburban” lifestyle. Breakfast together early every morning, family dinners. Oh maybe they’ll even have movie night! Gigi ignored all the texts she’d received from her friends back home while she was asleep, rolling herself out of bed and walking to the bathroom. She rummaged around in the box labeled “Gigi’s Toiletries” in her mom’s beautiful cursive. Pulling out her face wash and moisturizer before turning to the sink where her toothbrush rested from the night before.

Once back in her room Gigi picked out an outfit for the day. Scanning through the clothes she’d already put away in her closet, she decided on a long, pale green skirt that had a small slit revealing some of her left leg and just a cropped white shirt. Gigi gave herself a quick once over before rushing downstairs.

“My god, would you look at that. Sleeping Beauty has finally joined the rest of the living.” Gigi’s dad said. He was sitting at their dining table sipping coffee out of a mug and scrolling on his phone. Gigi was willing to bet all of her savings he was looking at Facebook. These damn 40’s somethings, always on their goddamn phones. Just shameful.

“There’s so evidence to prove I’m not sleep walking right now.’’ She said, taking a seat next to her father.

“You washed your face, brushed your teeth, and got dressed.” Gigi’s mother replied, poking her head out of the kitchen.

“Right…so what’s for breakfast?” She eyed her father’s plate but he had already eaten what was on it.

“Cereal for you since you decided to take so long.”

“Paul stop it,” Her mom hit his arm playfully before putting a plate of waffles in front of Gigi, “apparently, your father’s version of unpacking the kitchen is only taking out the waffle iron.”

“Hate to say it but I’m not surprised.” Gigi said.

“I am shocked and appalled by how little you two think of me, really. Just wow.” He replied, feigning hurt. Gigi’s dad stood from the table, taking his plate into the kitchen and placing it in the sink. He whispered a small ‘thank you’ before pulling Gigi’s mom in for a kiss. The teen just ignored her parents, public displays of affection were normal in their house. Gigi had a theory that her father was so affectionate to make up for how much time he spent at work back in LA, always hugging, kissing, or holding her mother’s hand just to let her know he’s still there.

“Anyway, Gigi honey, your father and I need to go to the store and get some things for the house. Do you want to come with us?” Gigi just shook her head, she could use this time to unpack her room some more. “Okay, well we should be home before 4. Please don’t forget, we’re going over to have dinner with the Methyd’s at 5.”

“I will be ready, promise.”

Her parents made their way out the front door, her mom yelling something about wearing a jacket if she left the house. Please, like Gigi was gonna leave the house. Where would she go? To hang out with all her friends here in Missouri? No Gigi was going to go back upstairs and unpack her room. She hated living out of boxes, even if it had only been a day. Back home she waited until the very last second to pack up all her things. Nicky, her best friend, had told her to ‘stop stalling and pack your shit already’ to which Gigi argued that she hadn’t been. Now she was willing to admit Nicky had been right. Just because she refused to throw some random crap she’d had all her life into a box didn’t change the fact that the ‘For Sale’ sign outside her house was real. But now Gigi was ready to settle into her new room.

About an hour later Gigi had made good progress on her room. She’d just finished organizing her books when she heard a crash followed by a lot of expletives that she was glad her parents weren’t around to hear. Gigi walked over to her window, trying to see what was going on. She chuckled to herself as she watched Crystal struggle with an easel on her porch. “Oh my god she’s losing a fight to a fucking easel.” Gigi said, slipping on a pair of white sandals before running downstairs and out the front door. She made her away across the street, still smiling at the sight.

“Want some help?” She asked, finally reaching the other girl.

“Jesus, fuck. You were not supposed to see this.” Crystal laughed. She ran a hand through her curls before looking up at Gigi, a fake pout painted across her face. She is way too adorable for her own good, holy shit.

“Well, too bad.” Gigi said. She bent over and started picking all the art supplies that, she guessed, had been knocked over during the struggle.

“I can’t get it to stand up. I don’t know what’s wrong, it was fine up in my room.” Crystal sighed, giving up and letting it drop to the floor. Gigi nodded.

“Okay, well how many times did you let it do that?” She joked.

“I-I may have dropped it three times while dragging it down the stairs, yeah.”

“I think I may know what your problem is.” She said.

“Wow, you know I am so glad Missouri has someone of your intelligence level living in it now. If it wasn’t for you I would still be fighting for my life against that thing.” Crystal pointed in disgust towards where the easel lay on the porch. Gigi just laughed in response. A silence fell over the girls. To Gigi’s surprise, for one of the only few times in her life, it wasn’t an awkward silence. Crystal wasn’t expecting a response from her, instead she turned her attention to focus on organizing her paints.

“Uh, okay, I, um, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to hang out today?” Gigi shifted in her spot, running a hand awkwardly through her hair. Crystal raised her eyebrows and smiled.

“Actually, I’m just not entirely sure I can handle a full day with you,” Crystal said. Gigi’s eyebrows furrowed, “I mean you just have such an overpowering personality.”

“Right, yeah, I’ve heard that about myself many times.” Gigi nodded in relief.  Just as she finished talking Crystal phone vibrated, she pulled it out of her back pocket to check the notification.

“Well Ms. Gigi Goode, you’re in luck. My friend Lux just asked me to go thrifting with her. Wanna come?” Crystal stood up and walked closer to Gigi. She bit her lip while waiting for the brunette’s response.

“Oh um, yeah sure. I’d love to.” Gigi said. In that moment she was positive she would’ve said yes no matter what Crystal invited her to.

Crystal ran inside to grab the keys to her car and say bye to her mom before dashing back to Gigi and grabbing her hand, “Okay let’s go.” She pulled Gigi toward her car, her skin burning where they’d made contact. Crystal’s car was very old and a horrendous mustard color but she loved it because it got her away from her parents. She was the only one in her friend group with a car, which meant all her friends loved it too. Gigi had to admit, Crystal was not a very good driver. She was always just a little bit too far over the speed limit for comfort and drove with her left leg up on the seat. They drove in silence, well Gigi was silent. Crystal couldn’t help but sing along to every song that came on as they made their way in town to the thrift store. Crystal’s taste in music was definitely different from Gigi’s, playing songs from King Princess, Cage the Elephant, and Hozier, whereas Gigi was more of a pop girl. She basically played Dua Lipa on repeat 24/7. Sitting so close to Crystal while Cherry Wine played throughout the car made Gigi feel overwhelmed, she tried to slow her breath as she stared down at where their hands both rested on the console. She resisted the urge to intertwine their fingers together, missing the feeling from earlier. She studied the other girl’s fingers, the way they dance ever so slightly to the music, the chipped purple nail polish she wore. She had rings on almost all of her fingers.

“You okay?” Crystal asked, glancing at Gigi out of the corner of her eye. She looked like she was going to be sick. But as soon as Crystal spoke Gigi snapped out of it, smiling and peeling her eyes away from their hands to look up at Crystal.

“Yeah, just uh- never mind.” Gigi stopped herself from saying something stupid. She felt foolish, she hadn’t even known this girl for 24 hours and she already had the urge to profess her love to her. She didn’t even know if Crystal was gay. Well, actually that’s not true, she listened to King Princess and Lana Del Rey. The girl was definitely some flavor of gay. Plus nobody that dressed like that was straight.

“What? No, tell me!” Crystal pouted.

“It’s nothing. Just your music makes me feel like I’m in a coming-of-age movie or something.” Gigi said. She tried to fight off the blush creeping across her cheeks. Crystal just laughed, making Gigi regret she said it.

“I like to listen to this kind of music when alone or like painting. It makes me feel calm and inspired. Or like I’m gonna be the next great sapphic artist,” Well, shit, there it was. The confirmation Gigi needed to insure her gaydar wasn’t completely broken. She swallowed hard, not wanting to show any reaction. “I just need to find my muse.” Now it was Crystal who was stealing glances at their hands, moving her hand just close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from Gigi’s. Missing that same heat when she reluctantly pulled her hand away so she could pull into a parking spot.

The girls made their way into the small shop that was filled with very loud clothes. The way Crystal dressed suddenly all made sense. There were only three other people in the shop, they were all standing together loudly talking about how horrendous the huge bubble gum pink dress in front of them was.

“Oh thank fuck, finally. Crystal you have to try this on!” One of them said, grabbing the dress off the rack and running up to Crystal. She stopped and gave Gigi a confused, but welcoming look. The girl looked so much like a fairy, Gigi had to suppress the urge to ask her how Tinker Bell was.

“Hi, I’m Daya.” Another girl, the tallest in the group, came up to them and put her hand out for Gigi to shake.

“Gigi,” She said, taking her hand. Gigi couldn’t help but notice how pretty they all were. What the hell is in the Missouri water?

“That’s Lux,” Crystal said pointing to the small blonde who was being swallowed by all the fabric of the dress she was holding, “and that’s Daegan.” Crystal pointed to the girl who was standing next to Daya.

“I really like your hair.” Gigi said, looking at Daegan’s bright pink hair. She wished she could pull off a color like that but alas she was destined to have boring brown hair for the rest of her life.

“Oh, my god thank you.” Daegan said, “I like her, Crystal can we keep her?” She made puppy dog eyes toward the girl who just laughed.

“Excuse me, hello?!” Lux huffed from under the dress, “Can we get back to Crys trying this on please.” She whined.

“Holy shit, yeah babe you have to try it on.” Daya said pushing past Gigi and taking the dress from Lux. Gigi felt her heart drop into her stomach. Babe? Crystal had a girlfriend? Not just that but a fucking hot girlfriend? Ugh the homophobia of it all. Gigi just walked over to the nearest rack and started looking through all the clothes, trying to ignore the giggles coming from Crystal as Daya pushed her into a dressing room.

A few minutes later Crystal emerged from the dressing room, pulling the thick velvet curtain back dramatically. She walked confidently out into the middle of the store and spun around for all her friends to see.

“You’ve never looked better.” Daegan said as she pulled her phone out to take a video of Crystal dancing around like an idiot. Crystal curtsied and let out a ‘thank you’ in a horrible British accent.

“I think we found your prom dress!” Lux added jumping up and down like a little kid. Crystal made a disgusted face.

“I’m not going to prom, and even if I was, I would never wear a dress.” She put a finger in her mouth and pretended to throw up.

“Ugh not this again. Crystal Elizabeth Methyd you’re going to prom, you have to,” Daya crossed her arms and stared sternly at Crystal for a few seconds before giving up and turning to Gigi, “Tell her she has to go to prom.”

Gigi looked between the girls confused. What kind of power did they think she had over Crystal? They’d just met, you couldn’t even classify them as friends yet. Shouldn’t Daya be the one to convince Crystal, she’s the one that’s her girlfriend here not Gigi. “I-I’ve never been to prom before but I’m sure it’s really fun. My mom says everyone should go to at least one of their proms.”

Crystal rolled her eyes, “Your mom sounds like mine.” Why couldn’t her friends just leave it alone? She already told them a million times she wasn’t going, although the thought of seeing Gigi in a prom dress did intrigue her. Crystal turned around and walked back into the dressing room.

The girls stayed in the shop for a couple of hours, trying on ugly hats and way too big sunglasses, before Lux declared that they had to leave because she was hungry. Crystal bought three button up shirts, that Daegan said looked something her dad would wear, and a bright turquoise and pink windbreaker that Gigi’s mom definitely would have owned in the 90’s.

They all climbed into Crystal’s car, Daegan complaining that making her sit in the back was transphobia. Crystal just ignored her and opened the passenger door for Gigi. She felt awkward in the front, shouldn’t Daya be sitting here so they could hold hands or something? Gigi ignored her thoughts, enjoying the way Crystal’s perfume smelled.

Being in the car with Crystal’s friends was very different than being with just Crystal. Daegan immediately stole the AUX to play Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Nicki Minaj while Lux complained that she wanted to listen to Grimes. Crystal just ignored them trying to focus on driving with all the yelling going on around her.

They had finally calmed down, Lux accepting that there was no chance in hell Daegan was changing the music for her, until the question of where to eat came up. Daya voted for Taco Bell while Daegan complained that they had Taco Bell last time. Lux suggested Chick Fil A before being shut down by Crystal, reminding her that they no longer supported the restaurant because of their anti-lgbtq beliefs. Lux rolled her eyes while Daegan joked that the only reason she ate there was because their hatred for her existence made it fun.

“What about pizza?” Gigi offered. Before anyone could protest Crystal said yes, giving everyone in the back seat a stern look. They all murmured reluctant okay’s before changing the subject to gossip about someone from school.

They finally pulled into a small pizza place with picnic tables scattered out front and a burnt out sign that read ‘The Big Slice’. Daya and Lux grabbed a picnic table while Crystal and Daegan went in to order, Gigi opted to stay outside and wait for them to come back.

It was kind of awkward without Crystal there and Gigi found herself racking her brain for something to say. The other girls hadn’t said anything since they sat down either, instead staring at their phones.

“Uh, so uh Daya how long have y-you and Crystal been dating?” Gigi asked, nervously looking between her and Lux.

Daya choked back a laugh, “What? Crys and I aren’t dating. Ew that would be like dating my sister.”

“Oh I’m sorry, I-I just heard you call her babe and assumed.” She couldn’t help but feel relieved, hoping her face didn’t show it. Lux busted out laughing at the idea of Crystal and Daya together and couldn’t stop.

“I call everyone babe, don’t worry.” Daya assured her. Gigi swallowed, oh god could she tell that Gigi liked Crystal. She thought she had been discreet when she looked at her but apparently not.

“Oh I’m no-” She started to protest.

“What’s so funny?” Daegen asked as she and Crystal made their way to the table. She sat in between Daya and Lux while Crystal planted herself right next to Gigi.

“S-she,” Lux tried to get out, pointing at Gigi, “she thought you two were dating.” Daegen joined in and after a couple of seconds Daya found herself laughing too. Gigi tried to laugh but it just came out as an awkward chuckle. The only one who wasn’t laughing was Crystal. She wore a horrified expression, her eyes bouncing between Gigi and Daya. “Why, why, uh um why would you think that?” Crystal’s eyebrows furrowed as she turned attention completely to Gigi. But she just shrugged and said it didn’t matter.

The conversation was forgotten as soon as the waitress brought out the pizza and everyone was too busy stuffing their faces to talk about how bad of a couple Crystal and Daya would make.

As time passed it became easier for Gigi to be around Crystal’s friends, she actually enjoyed how loud they all were. With everyone else fighting to talk over each other no one really noticed Gigi’s lack of input. Thank god, she used to hate how her friends back home would always try to pull her into the conversation. Why couldn’t they understand if she had something to say she would goddamn say it.

“Oh shit. It’s almost 4. My parents are gonna be home soon and I promised I would be there to get ready for tonight.” Gigi said looking down at her phone. She started to stand up from the table.

“Oh okay, I’ll uh drive you home.” Crystal said, standing up too.

“You don’t have to, I can just walk or uh call a lyft or something.” Gigi said, secretly hoping Crystal would insist.

“Excuse me, what about us?” Lux whined.

“Also what’s tonight?” Daya asked.

“Huh? Oh Gigi and her parents are coming over for dinner.” Crystal mumbled, knowing there was bound to be teasing from her friends. They all raised their eyebrows but before any of them could say anything inappropriate Crystal pushed Gigi toward her car. Crystal yelled at them to find their own way home.

“I hate you, bitch!” Daegen shouted at Crystal. She just put up her middle finger and held it up as she climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Don’t let her make you listen to One Direction Gigi!” Daya added before Gigi closed her door, unable to hear them anymore. She couldn’t help but laugh.

The drive was quiet, but this time it wasn’t a comfortable silence. Both of them wanting to say something but too afraid to say it. Crystal put on the same music from before, calm love songs that made Gigi feel like she never wanted them to stop driving.

“Why did you think I was dating Daya?” Crystal asked abruptly, pulling Gigi out of her daydream.

Gigi’s eyebrows furrowed, “What?” God why was she bringing this up again? Gigi never wanted to think about that again.

“C’mon I wanna know,” Crystal pouted, “please!” She begged, turning to look at Gigi.

“It’s nothing, I uh, heard her call you babe and I just assumed,” She shrugged trying to look anywhere but at Crystal.

Crystal didn’t respond, instead they just fell back into uncomfortable silence. Gigi tried to come up with something to say. God the one person she actually wanted to talk to and she couldn’t come up a single fucking thing to say.

“This doesn’t sound like One Direction.” Gigi said.

“Yeah I uh, I only bring that out with people I like,” Crystal shot her a devilish smile, “sorry.”

“You’re such an ass, oh my god.” Gigi laughed, hitting Crystal lightly on her shoulder. She watched as Crystal picked up her phone and unlocked it, quickly changing the song to ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ making Gigi laugh even more. “That’s more like it.”

Crystal finally pulled into her driveway, reluctantly putting the car in park. Gigi lingered in the passenger’s seat, not wanting to miss the heat from Crystal’s body. She slowly unbuckled her seat belt, grabbing the handle to the car door.

“So uh, I’ll see you tonight, yeah?” Crystal asked, unbuckling her own seat belt.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m looking forward to it.” Gigi pulled herself out of the car.

She was halfway down Crystal’s driveway when she heard her name. Gigi spun around to face her, “Yeah?”

“I had fun, uh with you,” She stopped as if she was searching for a difficult word, “today. I had fun with you today.” She ran a hand awkwardly through her hair.

Gigi chuckled, “I had fun with you too, Crystal.”

“Okay, good.” Crystal spun around and stumbled cheerfully up the stairs of her porch, turning around to wave at Gigi one last time before disappearing into her house.

Gigi continued walking back to her own house, smiling the entire way.

[storybookhall]

The Journey Pt.4- Survive

A/n- This is a difficult part to read.

Summary- while being tortured you start to lose hope, but your people never fail.

Trigger Warning- Detailed depictions of rape and abuse, death, strong language.

“Let me out you fucking bastards!” you scream, slightly hurting your own ears because of the echoes in that metal hell.

“ Ain’t nobody gonna hear ya darling, save those pretty vocal chords for later.” Merle almost purred to you, making your stomach turn.

“ Merle, what would Daryl say if he saw this. You really think he’d have ANY respect for you. He’d fucking hate you!!” you say getting aggited and spitting at him from your chair.

“ Listen here you bitch, you’re lucky the governor isn’t letting me have my way with you. You’d be bent over a table. Got that?!” he half yells as he grabs your face and squeezes your cheeks until they hurt.

“ Ain’t I fucking lucky.” You say under your breath.

Merle walks behind your chair and takes the bindings of your hands and feet. You stay put slightly confused as to what this psychopath is doing.

“Stand up” He hisses through his teeth and he looks at your body.

You don’t move. Partially in fear, partially because fuck him.

“ I said stand up you little bitch!” He yells as he cocks his gun and points it at your head.

You stand up and your legs begin to shake, but you lift your head not showing fear to this asshole.

“ Strip.” He said plainly while gesturing with his gun.

“ Please… Don’t.” you shakily say hearing the fear in your voice.

“ Oh no little girl, your chance to be nice is gone. Now strip” he laughs as he sees your face contort in disgust.

You begin to quickly take off your shirt as he gestures to you to slow down. So you slowly take off your shirt and pants. Keeping a strong face and never letting your head hang to the floor. You stand up straight in just your underwear and bra. 

“ Who the fuck said to stop?!” he barks in your direction and cocks the gun.

“ okay! Okay. Fuck.” You sheepishly say as you choke back tears.

Slowly stripping the last articles of clothing you stand covering your breasts with your hand pressing your legs close together. Still not showing weakness to Merle.

“ So what are you gonna do now, you gonna have your way with me like you said?” you try to say it confidently but it falls short.

“ No, no, no darling. The Governor said I can't remember?... That doesn’t mean my friends can’t have some fun. Come on in boys!” He yells and bangs on the metal door.

You watch 3 men stride in laughing. One of the men walks forward as you back up into the wall. As this is happening Merle leaves and shuts the door behind him. The two watching had their guns on you, in case you tried something. The man kept getting closer looking up and down your body licking his lips. He grabbed you by your hair and shoved you into the table so you were propped up for him. In a split second you kick your leg up and kick him in the balls, not hard enough… He dragged you back up by your hair and once you were standing he punched your face, hard. You begin to cry but he grabs you by your hair and shoves your face into the table.

“ Please stop! I’m begging you!” you exclaim screaming and fighting against him. 

He enters you hard and you cry out in pain, the first few minutes you continue begging. After a while you go silent and just stare into the wall as he has his way with you. Once he finishes he grabs you and throws you back into the chair putting your restraints back on, still naked. You prayed this was the only time. It wasn’t. For the next week they came in having their way with you. Until one day you hear a familiar voice in the unit next to you.

“ Please don’t hurt Maggie” Glenn pleads as you hear his captures walk out and close the door.

“GLENN GLENN!!!” You scream praying he hears you.

“y/n is that you?!” he says, sounding completely confused.

“ Yes it’s me. Oh my god you're okay!” You let out a tear at the sound of a friendly voice

“ Are you okay?” he asks, sounding worried.

“ Yes, I’m okay. Is everyone okay?! Is Daryl okay?” you ask through your tears.

“ We lost a few at the farm, but Daryl is alright.” He says hearing the pain in your voice. 

You smile for the first time in the last week, knowing he’s okay will keep you going. You hear footsteps walking up your door and thought today you’d fight back. Yell, scream, do anything you have to. As they walk in you lower your head.

“ Well hello beauty, seems like we'll have an audience listening in today.” Your assalent says loud enough for Glenn to hear.

“What are you talking about? Don’t fucking touch her.” glenn screams and you hear him fight his restraints

“ Too late for that.” He says proudly 

After undoing your restraints he slams your face into the wall between you and Glenn. 

“ Glenn don’t listen! I’m okay! Don’t get yourself killed!” You yell to him as your assalent starts to enter you.

Screaming in pain from no lubricant he starts going, grunting and enjoying himself as you scream and cry. Closing your eyes you pray for Rick Or Daryl or fucking anyone to save you. Once he was done, you heard Glenn crying loudly. Throughout the night you hear them doing unspeakable things beside you. Then you hear gunfire, you perk up in your seat. Knowing this could be them. You get slightly embarrassed for a moment knowing your savior will see you… all of you. You hear screaming in the streets and begin screaming yourself. The door next to you opened and you hear Rick yell that they found Glenn and Maggie. You start smiling wider than possible as you sit there knowing it's time to go home. 

“ The one next to us has y/n!” Glenn says to rick as he begins to open all the units.

Rick opens the door and walks in looking at you, avoiding your body. He takes off your restraints and sees how weak you are. Taking off his button up he puts it on you and helps you button it.

“ Come on y/n, stay close. Oh. we thought you’d like these back.” He hands you your father's bow and arrow as well as your pistol and knife.

“ Thank you Rick.” You say with a beaming smile, the biggest you’ve adorned in a long time.

You follow close behind Rick as you make your way out of woodbury, he has to help you walk out of the gates. As soon as you’re safe you drop to the ground exhausted. Rick insists on continuing to the cars. So using the last of your strength you get up and walk the road to the car. You hear the rest of the group making their way out of the wall, not able to see them yet. You get to the car and Rick get’s water and hands it to you. Drinking it down feverishly you thank him and wait for the rest of the group. As soon as Glenn gets to the cars he looks at you with the most pitiful look you’ve ever seen and gives you a hug. Michonne was up next, pulling you into a tight hug and lingered. Maggie came up and you both knew you went through similar things, so you express how sorry you both were and embraced. You then stood up out of the car and saw Daryl about 20 feet from you. Up until now you hadn't cried, but seeing him made you break down. He drops his bow and runs over to you holding you close to him as you both cry softly. You hold onto him tighter than you ever have and never want to let go. 

“ What the fuck did they do to you?!” He aggressively asks as he sees all your bruises and the fact that you have no clothes other than Ricks shirt.

You can’t bring yourself so say it so you said the only thing you knew was right.

“ It doesn’t matter what they did, I did what I needed to in order to survive.” you quietly say looking to the ground.

The whole ride back to the prison Daryl was watching you, protective as ever. As you start to yawn he picks his arm for you to lay on his lap. You fell asleep while he played with your hair.

“ I will never let anything like that happen to you ever again y/n” you hear him whisper seconds before slipping into unconsciousness. 

Daryl gently wakes you up once you pull up to the prison. You grin seeing your friends, no, your family waiting for you. Getting out of the car you look over to Beth and Carl while Judith is sound asleep in Beth’s arms. You walk up looking around for Lori, you missed her almost more than anyone. 

“ Where’s Lori?” you ask, still half asleep.

“ She didn’t make it…” Rick says as he places a hand on your shoulder

“ Oh my god… I’m so sorry.” you look at him empathetically, seeing a slight coldness you didn't recognize.

“ Carol will bring you to the showers and will get you some clothes to wear” Rick says, changing the subject quickly.

As you feel the water on your skin, you feel grateful to scrub off all of the filth of the last week. You begin scrubbing harder and harder, almost trying to scrub off the feeling of the hands all over you. You don't cry though, you finish washing up and you get dressed in black shorts and a light blue tank top. Throwing your dads crossbow over your shoulder and putting the gun in it’s holster you walk outside. You walk up to Rick and the others as you hear them planning a strategy for when they come. The crowd gets quiet as you approach.

“ y/n you should be sleeping” Carol says as she tries to usher you inside.

“ No… I’m gonna fight.” you state loud enough for everyone to hear

“ but…” Glenn began to speak but you cut him off.

“ No fucking butts! You don’t know what they did to me! I want them to suffer…” You raise your voice and make your point. 

a/n- Holy shit that was a hard one to write. As a rape survivor i want to do a little disclaimer. I am not glorifying rape, it’s a horrible thing women and men have to go through daily.

@aquariusfangirl​ @mysterious-398​ @onlydarylnormanfic​

[shadowhuntersimagines]

Wayland

Words: 1247 A/N: I would like to apologise for me taking so long, im just way to lazy to start on imagines, but when i first get started... yeah. love you xx

You kicked the demon in the stomach before rolling onto the concrete, taking the seraph sword you dropped a minute ago, jumping up to put the sword right into the demon. As you saw it disappear, you heard another scream. Before you could react the sword in your hand was gone. The demon had knocked it out of your hand, which meant you no longer had a weapon. You tried to kick the demon but missed and instead it grabbed your leg pulling you towards it.

On a mission with Jace, he leaves and you die… beautiful. The demon leaned across you, and its venom dripped down on you. You screamed out in pain as you found your stele in you pocket and jammed it into the demon. You let out a deep breath as it disappeared into the thin air.  “Holy crap, that was close.” You hid your face in your hands, as a sound behind you, made you get up and turn around in defence mode. Jace leaned against the wall smiling cocky at you. “Damn it I should’ve known it was you, Jace Wayland.” You dried off the venom with your sleeve, and activated your iratze. “Where were you, Jace Wayland.” You never knew where you had Jace. You had the biggest crush on him and you were afraid, you already had fallen for him. But he also made you want to burn down the whole institute with him inside. So, annoying and yet so handsome. “Yeah, who else would it be? And I was downstairs when I heard the little scream of yours. Did it hurt?” You shook your head sarcastically and picked up your sword. “Who would just stand against the wall looking at another shadowhunter almost getting killed. Only you, sweetheart.” You punched his shoulder, walking towards the exit of the room. “Well baby, I knew you wouldn’t die!” Jace wrapped his arm around your shoulder. “You know I would always save you, if you really need it.” You shook his arm of your shoulders. “Stop making fun of me, Jace. What if one day you don’t realise it, and I will die? How would you feel about that, huh?” Jace opened the door for you, walking outside before walking towards the institute. “Are you scared that your prince won´t be able to save you?” You let out a deep sigh. Did he know you have a crush on him? Did he have a crush on you? Why did he call himself your prince? Does that mean you´re his princess? You felt yourself blush and you really hoped Jace wouldn’t noticed it. Luckily it was way too dark for him to see you red cheeks. “Getting all quite there Y/N, what´s going on in the head of yours?” You could now see the institute there was only a few more minutes before you could take a shower and getting in bed. “Just loving the fact that I in a few minutes, I don’t need to look at you anymore today.” You smiled and opened the door into the institute. “Aww, don´t you love me anymore?” Jace held to his heart as if the words had stabbed him. “I hope you sleep bad the whole night. See you tomorrow.” You smiled sarcastically and went into your room.

As you stood in the shower you felt angry. That demon just had to… and it would be over. You let the water run down your body, trying to wash the anger away. It didn’t work. You turned off the water, and picked up a towel for your hair and body. Your quickly brushed your teeth and braided your hair. You went into your bedroom and put on your oversized t-shirt, and went to bed. The warm shower made you so tired, as soon as you laid down on the bed you fell asleep.

You woke up with a start, you felt like you were about to suffocate. That demon from earlier today, should supposedly was back in hell but you were pretty certain that it was inside of your head. This time you didn’t get to stab the demon, but Jace leaned against the wall, laughing as the demon weirdly enough strangled you to death. You were so shaken you felt like you would never sleep again.

You had laid for hours staring at the celling, you were so tired but somehow your body wouldn’t allow you to sleep. Jace also kept popping into your head. With his cocky smile against the wall. You turned over to look at your alarm. 02:49. You let out a deep sigh, pulled the duvet off you. You put on some shorts, and went into the hallway. You went down the hallway and stood in front of the door, which belonged to Jace. You were about to knock on the door, but you paused. What were you even doing? Why were you knocking on Jace´s door at 3AM? “Damn it.” You whispered to yourself. You knocked on the door, and opened it slightly. “Jace?” You whispered into the dark, slightly hoping he was asleep. You slowly went into his room, closing the door behind you. “Y/N?” The light was quickly turned on and Jace placed himself in a sitting position so his pretty muscular torso was on display. “What´s going on Y/N? What time is it?” You went to his bad, and sat down taking some of the duvet. “It´s around 3, and I couldn’t sleep because I had a nightmare like 4 hours ago, and I haven’t been able to sleep since.” Jace wrapped his arm around you pulling you close to himself. “Was it about today?” He looked slightly down at you as you nodded. “You laughed as the demon strangles me, don’t ask me why I’m being strangled but I am.” Jace sat up quickly and hold you with his arms stretched out. “You thought I didn’t want to save you today is that it?” You tipped your head to the side. “Well, you were smiling at me, while I was covered in venom. When I was hold down by the demon.” Jace look at you for a long time, searching for something in your face. He then laid down holding you to his chest. “Babe, I was downstairs looking for demons, so we wouldn’t get a surprise when we got down. But when I heard you scream, I mean it literally my blood froze. But when I got upstairs again I saw you stabbing the demon with your stele. I would’ve saved you, but the demon was already gone.” You nod feeling stupid. You knew Jace Wayland and he would never abandon you or anyone else. “I know I’m sorry… I’ll go back and get some sleep.” You stood up, but Jace pulled you down immediately. “No stay here, so I can chase the bad dreams away.” Jace smiled his smile, and kissed your forehead. Jace turn off the light, and you both laid down, Jace holding you close to himself. “Jace… I need to tell you something...” You paused and bit your lip. “I think I lo…” Jace kissed the back of your head. “I know, I feel the same way. But now you need to sleep so we can talk about this in the morning, love.” He kissed your hair one more time, before pulling you to his chest holding you tight. A smile creeped onto your face, as you fell asleep.

[ar3volut1on]

I keep thinking about Noah lately.  Wondering what he thought about things in his day, how people treated him as he built the ark and when he warned them that God was about to judge them for their vile abominable sins.  I imagine it was much like today; where sin, lies, deceit, denying of the Truth, rejection of the Lord are common place, even applauded.  But  God-fearing, bible teaching, America loving freedom patriots are the target of all those a fore mentioned evils. I think Noah would get what I mean, and that is what worries me.  I feel such a sense of urgency, it grows by the day, to spread the good news of Christ to as many as I can before time runs out.  And trust me, it is running out fast folks. Jesus is coming back soon, he is going to claim his own, those who are saved through his grace by believing in him and this world is going to become a literal hell on earth for all those scoffers, deniers, unbelievers, and such for seven very long years before he returns in triumph for the entire world to see and puts an end to all the suffering and sin in this cursed world.  He is gonna bind ole slew foot the Devil and toss him in the pit for a thousand years during which Christ will reign in our “7th day”, earth’s sabbath.  Think of it, this world will be changed, somewhat restored to it’s original glory, not totally the scars of six thousand years of sin and death can’t totally be erased but it will be better than anything we can imagine, ruled in perfect justice and perfect love by Christ our King and Savior.

But just like in Noah’s day, and as Jesus said the latter day’s would be, most people don’t believe it, they say believers like me are crazy, stupid, or worse.  They hate our message because it makes them face, even if only for one split second, the fact that all have sinned, are unworthy before God and need a Savior to be restored before Him so He sent Jesus, his only Son, to take our place and die for our sins, to make us clean then rise from the grave, conquering death and offering eternal life to all who believe in and confess Him as their Lord and Savior.  In Christ we have hope, love, rebirth,fresh starts, heaven, eternity, God!.  They hate facing the truth, knowing they are lost.  They would rather continue on in their comfortable, distracted, entertained, sin not seeing truth.  But just like Noah we have work to do, just like Jesus we must see it through no matter the cost.  So let’s read a little of 2 Peter tonight and get let’s so good seed onto as much ground as possible so that some of those who are willingly ignorant will no longer be too blind by it to see.

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  2 Peter 3:1 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:  2 Peter 3:2

Peter tells us straight up why he’s writing this letter, to warn us to be diligent to remember the words of the prophets as well as the commandment of the Lord through the apostles.  He wants to inspire us, lead us, and yes in a way convict us, spur us to embrace our call as disciples, Christ followers. Because he knows we need to be strong in our faith and walk with the Lord because it isn’t all gonna be sunshine and roses, a walk in the park.  Nope, we’re gonna face trials and tribulations, taking up the cross isn’t always easy but it is so worth it.  Nothing we can or will ever do is as important as this, answering God’s call on our lives.  Peter knew this and he wants us to bear it in mind as he proceeds to tell us what to expect.

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  2 Peter 3:3

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.  2 Peter 2:10

Scoffers, I know more than a few of those; I’ve spent a lot of time on my knees for them, praying that the scales fall from their eyes, they see and hear the truth.  I also know those who walk after their own lusts, doing whatever they want without considering who it hurts or what the consequences may be.  For instance having sex outside of marriage and ending up pregnant so you decide to have an abortion to fix your mistake instead of owning it – by doing so you kill an innocent life and miss out on one of the greatest joys you will ever know.  But you what, I walked after my own lusts too, before I knew the Lord.  My soul was filthy, I was dirty, weak, broken.  But the day I stopped being willful and saw what I was, where I was headed I knew I had to do something.  That’s when I met my Lord, my Savior, my Christ accepting the gift of grace He offered me.  Nothing I could ever do would save me, except my decision to let Jesus take my sins and wash me clean through His blood shed on Calvary.  Without Him I would be lost to this day, all I can do is praise Him and thank Him, serve Him.  That means following Him, sharing the gospel, the good news, the love He has for us all with all of you in the hopes that the seed takes hold in fertile soil and snatching another soul out of Satan’s grasp, out of the lake of fire.

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  2 Peter 3:4

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Matthew 24:48-51

In some ways those who say all things continue as always have a point; the earth keeps going around the sun, seasons come and go, people are born others die.  But at the same time it’s not the same at all.  What Daniel said in his prophecy about the end times has come true:

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.  Daniel 12:4

Up until the last century things had pretty much stayed the same.  Sure there were a few advancements in medicine, travel, industry, etc.  But the main mode of transportation for the majority of the world was still basically the same as it was in Daniels day – your feet, a horse, and maybe a buggy or wagon of some sort, a chariot in the old days.  But look at travel today: we zoom around in cars, planes, even rockets;  going in farther in a couple hours than we could in days just 100 years ago.  We’ve sent men into the heavens and chased the sun around the planet.  We truly run to and fro, all day long, but only in the last 50 – 75 years did that phrase of Daniels really start to make sense.  Knowledge did increase over the years but not at the rapid pace of today when we have an explosion of advances in every field imaginable.

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  2 Peter 3:5

We know so much it seems but man willingly rejects the most basic of truths, turning instead to his supposed knowledge.  Knowledge which is often only correct in his own eyes, because he uses it to try to deny God.  And you God will let him twist and use it that way, He’s a gentleman God is He won’t force us to believe in Him, accept Him.  Nope, but when we decide to reject God then there are natural consequences we will suffer for our folly.  Let me tell you, they are not worth it.  Nothing in this world is worth denying, rejecting, and ultimately spending eternity separated from the God who created you, knit you together in your mother’s womb, made himself man just to then suffer and die for you before rising from the grave triumphant over death thereby offering you eternal life.  No there is nothing more precious, than God and his love for us, for you.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.  Genesis 1:6

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.  Genesis 1:9

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  Psalms 33:6

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  Hebrews 11:3

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  Colossians 1:17

Man today vehemently denies the very existence of God, a supreme, intelligent creator of all things.  Instead he scoffs and says that of course the universe created itself, through the chance collision of well nothing.  Nothing collided with nothing and bang! something. They got it right in one part, it started from nothing but they missed the key, God created, God spoke and BANG! there was light!  Then over the course of six 24 hour days (let’s be real here folks, he’s God he just spoke and a universe was born, I am certain He can pull this off in six days, he could have done it all at once if he wanted!) he created the entire heavens and earth complete with plants, animals, man.  God did that and it all started with one simple sentence “Let there be light.”  Now I think that the power of that sentence being fulfilled might have been loud, might have been a bang, but it wasn’t millions or billions of years ago.  Nah, it was just about six thousand years ago.  Which puts us in a unique time today, because I think there is a reason God took six literal days and then later told us that to Him a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years a day.  See scripture interprets scripture, and when we really dig into the word even seeming puzzles and so called issues make perfect sense because God gave us all the answers.  We just have to look for them, seek them.  So I think that the six days of creation work were a foreshadowing of the six thousand years man would rule the earth, the Sabbath day or 7th day symbolizes the millennial  reign, the last thousand years before eternity.  That means it’s time, time to wake up, realize that God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you, it’s why he created you.  You are His precious creation, His child.  He loves us so much he died for us.

This post is getting long, and I don’t want to overwhelm you, God’s telling me it’s time to shush for the night and get some rest, give Him time to work on some hearts with what he put on me to talk about so far.  So I will pick up again tomorrow night with 2 Peter 3:6 in pt.2.

Let me make this appeal to you tonight, do not wait, accept Christ tonight, repent of your sins, be saved, made new, accept the gift of eternal life with the God who created you, loves you, wants you just as you are.  All you have to do is let him in.  Pray the prayer below right now and know that no matter what the next second brings you are secure in the arms of the Lord.  Because Jesus could come for us, His church, tonight or he may tarry a bit longer for it is not God’s wish that any should perish but that all should come to the saving knowledge of Christ before it is eternally too late.  And trust me, one day it will be too late for each of us.  If we go through the grave and we are not Christ’s then it’s too late.  There will be no second chance then.

      Willfully Ignorant pt. 1 I keep thinking about Noah lately.  Wondering what he thought about things in his day, how people treated him as he built the ark and when he warned them that God was about to judge them for their vile abominable sins.