#if i tried pulling for plot i think id confuse myself more. so

[toelessbastard]

not only do I deserve food. but. I also deserve to go absolutely batshit over this music video

[tathrin]

👀 Do you have any WIPs that you would never let see the light of day? If yes, what are they about? ✨ Choose three adjectives to complement your own writing.⏰ Do you spend more time reading fic, writing fic, or do you do both equally?

👀 Do you have any WIPs that you would never let see the light of day? If yes, what are they about?

Well, I don't have the very first stories I wrote on a computer anymore because they died when the old family desktop did, but I have brought all my files along with me ever since I got my own laptop for college, so let's go have a peek in my oldest folders...

From Star Wars:

Ooh look, here's Baby Tathrin's Very Mature And Not-At-All Mary-Sue-ish Lengthy Backstory Novel for Rhysati Ynr, who deserved so much more character development and screentime than Rogue Squadron gave her and I'll do it myself if I have to, dammit, fic... Yeah, I still think Rhys deserved more story-time, but I'm definitely never going back to that fic because I'm not thirteen anymore XD

Bounty Hunter's Winter, which was supposed to be a young-Boba-Fett-grudgingly-teams-up-with-Sheltay-Retrac-in-Clone-Wars/Purge-Era and then timeskips to juxtapose with an-experienced-Boba-Fett-grudgingly-teams-up-with-a-young-Winter-in-Rebellion-Era fic that basically just existed to show How Fucking Competent all three of them were. There's nothing wrong with this one, it's just not got enough framework/point to be interesting going back to now.

Padmé Jedi Prequels is the working-title for a what-if? re-writing of the Prequel Trilogy where Padmé, you guessed it, was a Jedi too. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon still get sent to deal with the Trade Federation over Naboo, but Obi-Wan has been recently Knighted and Padmé is Qui-Gon's new Padawan. I do like what I have written for this one, but it would be a LOT of work to write the rest of it (basically: everything between "landing on Tatooine" and "the ending scenes w/ the Purge"), and the canon has changed sooooo much since I started working on it that I'd either have to re-work a lot of details or just throw my hands up and go "this is pre-Clone Wars tv show continuity reconstructed from memory, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!" and know that everyone, including me, is going to be so fucking confused lmao.

From Lord of the Rings:

Okay I'm so glad you asked this question mainly for this answer, because I had completely forgotten I ever did this, but: apparently back when I was in college, I started writing a story where a portion of the Fellowship along with Elrond's kids, Faramir, Éowyn, and Éomer were all re-embodied (in the case of the mortals and Arwen) or sent from Aman (in the case of the elf, half-elves, and dwarf) to go deal with some Terrible New Threat by...pretending to be Normal Modern Humans Undercover In College, I guess??? The only things I ever wrote for it were the intro, an "everybody tries to figure out how modern clothing works in a big department store and it's a Disaster, thank goodness they have Éowyn there to wrangle everyone" scene, a snippet of Legolas and Gimli being Very Good At Acting Like Humans on a balcony and annoying Aragorn, and Legolas nearly having a stroke when a bartender serves Gimli and not him, because "he's clearly old enough, but you look way too young; sorry kid try again when you have a better fake ID."

I've also got an ancient Three Hunters get pulled into the Star Wars universe post-War of the Rings when Artoo and Threepio's escape pod lands in Gondor instead of Tatooine story that I can't imagine I'll ever touch again, but does admittedly have some amusing (if very painfully Old Writing) bits written for it, so that was nice to look at (and wince over) again.

Also there's this, of course.

From the X-Men Comics:

A fanfic about a New Excalibur Team being formed that actually has (if I do say so myself, and I will) an excellent beginning, but which I failed to write-down the Actual Planned Plot of, and now I can no longer remember wtf I was going to do with the damn story, so it's probably never going to get any further since that's uhhh. kind of an important part of Writing A Story lmao.

One where Illyana gets shunted back to Mythical Camelot somehow when she dies during Inferno, irritates/distresses Merlin, befriends both Guienevere and Mordred, annoys Morgan le Fay, learns some advanced magic, and eventually has to help destroy Mordred to save everyone else; only then does she find her way back to the present, and comes back to life several years after her younger self has died of the Legacy Virus to be re-united with Kitty and the New Mutants. Given that in the (many) years since I started that fic, Illyana already has been resurrected it's uhhh. kind of a moot point of a story now lol.

Also there's surely some half-started Potter stories sitting around here that idk if I'll ever feel the urge to touch again (Green-Eyed Snake included). Maybe the burst of celebration I'll feel the day she just self-combusts from all that hate and finally just fucking dies will be inspiring...

✨ Choose three adjectives to complement your own writing.

Detailed, plausible, and most especially verbose ;)

⏰ Do you spend more time reading fic, writing fic, or do you do both equally?

Writing, definitely; although I've read a lot more fic in the past few months than I'd read for years, and I'm enjoying it mightily (navigating on AO3 is sooooooooooo much better than trying to slog through FFnet and livejournal and geocities omgggggg I can actually find good stories now, what is this witchcraft???).

[sprnklersplashes]

power of three

canon divergence where cady is not a plastic, and goes to janis’ art show instead (ao3)

It’s a strange feeling, all these eyes on her. 

The room is packed, people swirling around in all directions, conversations fading in and out of earshot. There’s a glass in her hand (lemonade, of course) and people she vaguely recognises coming up to shake her free one, congratulating her on getting this far. She blushes slightly, thanks them and takes a sip of her drink to keep herself from passing out. Rinse and repeat, over and over, for what feels like an hour, but when Damian grabs her by the elbow and pulls her out, it turns out it had been five minutes.

It’s not bad, all this attention, not when it’s praise rather than damnation. When people come up to her with admiration in their eyes, rather than scorn. She’s just not very used to it.

“Thank you,” she breathes into Damian’s ear. He chuckles and loops his arm so that her hand rests on it, like they’re a married couple at some gala far more pretentious than this. She chuckles, and what’s more she can lean on him now. Keeping herself upright is suddenly far less of a challenge.

“Well, it looked like you were either going to explode if one more person came up to you,” he explains as they weave in and out of the crowd. “And funny as that would be, I think you’d need to be in tact when they give you your prize.”

“Oh shush you,” she replies, hoping her feigned nonchalance covers the prickling insecurity in her gut. Maybe it would, if it was someone other than Damian. “Besides, I don’t need to win. Getting to the finals is more than enough for me.” The words feel false on her tongue, and even more so when Damian raises his eyebrow, a silent signal meaning you’re talking bullshit and you know it. She stands her ground for a total of three seconds before she sighs and looks into her half-finished glass. “I don’t want to get my hopes up, is all.”

“Well too bad,” Damian replies. “Because my hopes are all riled up.” He nudges her with his shoulder, and she manages a smile then. “I mean it. They’d be crazy not to pick you. If they do, I’m filing a lawsuit.”

“You do that.” She turns and takes in her surroundings, mainly the other paintings on the walls, and the confidence Damian instilled in her dips a little. When her art teacher told her to fill out the application, she did so mainly to please her. She’s never really been interested in putting her art up to be judged. For her, that would be like ripping a page out of her diary and publishing it in the school newsletter. But she did it anyway, not expecting to get past the application stage. But she did, evidently, and then she got past the second round and the third, each time feeling like there must have been some mistake. Because now she’s looking at the other works on the walls, mostly made by real artists who go to real art schools, and she’s not sure how she’s meant to compare here.  

“You seen Cady yet?” she asks, ripping her gaze away from the other paintings. Damian shakes his head and checks his watch before the two of them scan the room, searching for caramel coloured curls or a funky-coloured flannel. “She has the right address, right?”

“Yeah,” he replies. Janis nods and takes a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. There could be a hundred reasons as to why Cady hasn’t showed up yet, right? After all, it’s a new city and she still doesn’t know it very well, or maybe she’s running late, maybe her tutoring Aaron went on longer than expected. Maybe she couldn’t get out of the thing with her parents after all. She did text ‘sorry, running late, be there as soon as I can’ about ten minutes ago, so that means she’s coming, right?

“Hey,” Damian’s voice whispers in her ear, his hand on her back as if she’s about to fall. “Don’t worry about it. She’ll be here. And if she isn’t, I’ll shove her into a locker myself, K?”

She nods, even though it’s shakier than it ought to be, and turns, her mouth open to reassure both him and herself, but something catches her eye. Something, or rather someone, coming through the door, with all the grace and care of a small hurricane. Someone smaller than her with wide eyes and caramel coloured curls and… a blue flannel.

She can breathe again.

“Caddy!” She waves her over, mindful of the drink in her hand and Damian beside her, and her friend hurries over to her, forgoing a handshake in favour of wrapping her in a brief but tight hug. “You made it.”

“I did,” they sigh. “Sorry, I’m late, I grossly misjudged how far away this place was and it was my first time taking the bus on my own.”

“It’s okay,” she replies. “I mean really, it’s fine.”

“Public transportation is a nightmare in this city,” Damian chimes in. “Glad you made it, little slice.” Cady squeals and hugs him too, stretching up on their toes and wrapping their arms around his shoulders. Damian grins, his joy so bright it’s hard to believe he was plotting their hypothetical revenge on Cady not seconds earlier.

She knows he’d have never gone through with it.

“Let’s go get you a drink,” Damian says. “Unfortunately, we can’t go up to the bar unless you managed to sneak in a fake ID.”

“I didn’t, sorry,” Cady laughs.

“Don’t worry about it,” Janis says as she hands her a lemonade. “Alcohol is far overrated anyway. We wanted to wait for you before we got food too.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that.”

“We know, we’re just awesome people,” Janis says as she and Damian lead Cady to the food table. It’s all little snacks mainly-tiny hot dogs, mini quiches, little finger sandwiches, and Cady is amazed by them. 

“They’re so cute!” they exclaim as they load another sandwich onto their already-sagging paper plate. “It’s like little doll food!” Janis and Damian’s eyes simultaneously grow wider as they watch; this tiny girl who can apparently wolf down more than they can combined. Cady just smiles, brighter than any lamp in the room, and Janis feels compelled to smile back.

Cady’s funny like that. 

“Okay, come on, kiddos,” Damian says, grabbing Cady by the hand and nodding for Janis to follow. The twinkle in his eye tells her everything she needs to know about what he plans and her cheeks grow warmer as she follows them. “We want to get a good seat for this.”

She ducks her head, her hair falling infront of her face like a curtain, but behind is one of the warmest smiles she’s ever known.

“I feel kind of underdressed,” Cady remarks, their eyes scanning the crowds. They pull on their shirt, the gesture seemingly subconscious. “I didn’t know how fancy this was going to be. Maybe I should have dressed up a little.”

“Oh you’re fine.” Janis waves her hand dismissively. “It’s not that fancy.” She feels a little hypocritical here, after all, she was the one who went out and bought herself a new jacket especially for this event, but she stands by what she said. Cady looks fine. “You clearly have your formal flannel on anyway.”

Cady bursts out laughing at that, earning a confused look from some passers-by. That only makes the two of them laugh harder, their snickers hidden behind their hands. It stings for a moment, because that gesture is so closely associated with Regina in Janis’ mind, but it’s brushed aside as Cady links their arms together. Janis breathes out. Regina isn’t even here, and she has no place in her friendships. Not anymore.

“Thanks so much for inviting me, Janis,” Cady says. 

“Hey, no problem, Caddy,” she says. “You’re one of us now. Which means you get dragged to my art shows and Damian’s drama club performances.” Cady giggles at that. “And then to make it fair, you get to drag us to your Mathlete contests and everyone wins.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Cady says. 

Something blossoms in Janis’ chest, something new and exciting. For so long it had just been her and Damian and she was fine with it. More than fine. But when she said what she said to Cady, you’re one of us now… she was saying that there was an us to be a part of. That they aren’t loners anymore. That… that she isn’t. That she can let people in now. 

She wonders how that little 12 year old girl would react if she told her.

“Are you okay?” Cady asks. Janis blinks, her breath coming out in a quick gasp, and she takes a drink to cool her warm cheeks. Cady stands beside her, not overly concerned, but not oblivious either. They squeeze Janis’ hand, their eyes gentle and kind, and Janis tries not to get emotional. Again.

“Fine,” she tells them. “Just nervous.” It’s not entirely a lie. Her eyes meet Damian’s over Cady’s head and he sees right through her, because of course he does. She doesn’t mind though, not one little bit. Because she knows he’s thinking the same thing.

Strange, she thinks, how quickly this little jungle freak infiltrated their tight-knit friendship. She smiles and lets Cady rest their head on her shoulder. Strange, and she loves it.

                                                                          ******

It’s way past dark when Damian’s scooter pulls up outside Janis’ house. Her hair is tangled from the ride home, her back aching a little after having spent the better part of 30 minutes leaning over Damian, but she’s far too happy to care. In fact, it’s one of those rare instances where she can’t find it in herself to care about anything; school, her friends, her future, or the weather. All that matters is her and Damian, and the jokes they’re sharing, and the painting sitting in the jazzy’s front basket. That’s her world right now, and it’s all she needs.

She’s still laughing as she jumps off the jazzy, the cheeks-hurt-can’t-breathe kind of laughter, and Damian follows, making sure to double check all the breaks before he hops off. She goes to lift her painting but he holds one hand in front of her face and grabs it with the other, tucking it beneath his arm instead. She rolls her eyes, but it’s for show. There’s a proud smile on his face, the twinkle in his eyes evident even in the dark, and he stops to grab her hand before they head inside.

“Have I told you how proud I am yet?” he asks her.

“Only a hundred times,” is her reply, and she gives his hand a grateful squeeze.

“Can I say I told you so yet?”

“Only if I can kick you in the shins afterwards,” she says firmly, only for the two to burst out laughing as she turns the key in the lock.

The hallway is far warmer than outside and Janis can’t not sigh in relief when she enters. She takes off her jacket and hangs it up and Damian does the same. Her mom told him back when they were twelve to “make himself at home” and he’s never stopped doing so. They head into the kitchen, following the sound of low chatter and the muted lights. It doesn’t surprise her that her parents beat them home; even if she hadn’t already seen the car parked in the drive, she knows that car beats jazzy every single time.

What does surprise her, however, is the sight of Cady sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea from her Eyeore mug, and making polite chithcat with her parents. 

They had offered Cady a ride on the jazzy, Janis even demonstrating how they would both fit on safely, but Cady had politely declined, insisting on riding their bike instead. Janis had relented, seeing there was no convincing them re: the scooter, and wrote down detailed instructions on how to get to her place and also telling them to call if they got lost. Even with those precautions, Janis wasn’t convinced Cady would make it, and was expecting her phone to vibrate on the way home.

But no. Here’s Cady. Sitting at her table like they’ve done it before. Like it isn’t the first time.

Their eyes find Janis’ as she walks in, and their face breaks out into a relieved smile. Janis hides a smile of her own, a small tug of sympathy in her chest. Cady is sweet, and she loves her parents, but she’s also sure there’s only so many conversation topics one can have.

“You’re back!” her dad announces, half-turning in his seat. “How was the scooter?”

“It was fun,” she says. “We got yelled at by these college kids.”

“Oh don’t tell me that,” her mom sighs. “Really, Damian, I’m surprised your mom let you ride that thing at night.”

“She said as long as I wear a helmet, everything’s fine.”

“I see. And did you?” her mom asks. Damian stops then, his mouth pressed into a thin line, and that’s enough of an answer. Her mom rolls her eyes, but it’s a fond gesture, and she chuckles warmly under her breath.

“At least Cady wore a helmet,” she says, gesturing across the table. “Maybe they’ll be a good influence on you.”

“Or we’ll corrupt them and turn them dark,” Janis jokes, winking over at them. Cady smiles softly, their cheeks turning pink. “One way to find out.” She heads over and pulls up a chair beside Cady, their elbows bumping on the table. “Sorry we left you hanging here on your own.”

“It’s fine,” they reply. “Got talking with your parents.”

“And I think that’s our cue to leave now,” her mom says. Her dad nods and finishes up his coffee before rising from the table, stretching his arms over his head. “You kids have fun, okay?”

“But not too much fun, I still want this kitchen intact when I get back.”

“No promises, Dad,” Janis grins. Her dad raises a playful eyebrow at her, meanwhile her mom counts on her fingers, ticking off her mental checklist. 

“Okay, so the pizza menu’s in the drawer, money’s on the counter, we’ve got the living room set up and we’re just upstairs if you need anything,” her mom says. 

“Thanks Mom.”

“Thanks Laura,” Damian adds, at the same time Cady says “Thanks Mrs Heron.” They shift slightly, only noticeable to those sitting next to them, and Janis threads her fingers through Cady’s, hopefully letting her know she’s just as welcome here as Damian is. Cady smiles softly in return and runs her thumb over Janis’ knuckles. 

“Alright, have a good night kids,” her dad says. “We’re off to watch boring nature documentaries on Netflix like adults.”

“Maybe you are,” her mom adds, tapping his chest. “I’m finishing my mystery novel.” Janis chuckles, warmth fluttering in her chest. Her parents might be, well, parents, but damn she loves them.

Even more so when her dad pokes his head around the door and says “Janis… I’m so proud of you.” Sure, her cheeks burn in front of her friends, but a grin spreads across her face at the same time. Her parents are the best, and she’ll fight anyone on that. 

Not twenty minutes later they’re sitting in the living room, all clad in their pyjamas, the room lit solely by lamps. Janis made sure to bring down as many extra blankets and pillows as she could, ensuring there could be no spot that wasn’t cosy. Three pizza boxes sit in the middle of the floor, each one a different level of demolished. Damian ordered Hawaiian, partially because he knew it would drive Janis crazy, and poor Cady got pulled into the ongoing ‘pineapple on pizza’ debate, something they had apparently missed out on while chasing lions in Kenya. Lucky they have them, then.

“It’s a fruit, and fruits do not belong on a pizza,” Janis says, standing on her couch for the full effect. “I will have pineapple on a lot of things. In a salad. In a cake. In my conditioner so that I always smell like a tropical paradise. But pizza is not one of those things.Thank you for coming to my TED talk.”

“Counter point,” Damian replies. “Tomato is a fruit, and there is tomato sauce on every pizza in existence.”

“Counter-counter point, tomato is an acceptable fruit for pizza, pineapple isn’t.”

“Coutner-counter-counter point, who are you to decide which fruits are acceptable?”

“Counter-counter-counter-counter point, I’m cute,” she says. 

“Cannot argue with that,” Damian replies, leaning back on the couch. “Caddy, be our tiebreaker please?” Janis pouts, suspecting he’s only relenting so he can eat more pizza instead, but it’s a victory and so she takes it.

“I’m amazed neither one of you have gone out for debate team,” Cady says, who had been watching the argument with their head bopping back and forth. They sit with one of the blankets wrapped around them, their chin resting on their knees. They scrunch their face up slightly, their gaze shifting from Janis to Damian and back again, and a mischievous grin forms on their lips. “But… I am ultimately sold on Janis’ point of view, sorry Damian.”

“I am flabbergasted,” Damian sighs, throwing himself back on the couch. He throws his hand against his forehead, the perfect picture of the fainting Victorian maiden. Suitably dramatic, of course. “Horrified. Betrayed. Ultimately humiliated. My honour has been squandered.”

“You never had honour to begin with,” Janis quips as she jumps off the couch. She settles herself beside Cady, pleasantly surprised when they open up the blanket and drape it around her shoulders. She scoots a little closer until their knees touch, and her smile widens.

“Okay losers, what movie are we making Caddy watch?” Damian asks. “I’ve got Sound of Music, Chicago, Cabaret and if we’re not feeling like a musical tonight, we have Heathers, The Bee Movie, Night at the Museum and Legally Blonde.” He takes out each movie and displays it on the floor, sitting in front of Cady like jewellery in a cabinet, and their eyes grow slowly wider.

“Is the Bee Movie just a movie about bees?” they ask, their nose scrunched up.

“Yes and it’s a masterpiece,” Janis replies. “It explores the depths and complexities of human sexuality, the insidious reality of our capitalist society and what it means to truly love someone.”

Cady nods slowly but skeptically, and their hand passes over the DVD. Janis makes a mental note to work on her Bee Movie pitch. Damian shrugs sympathetically, a silent well, you tried in his eyes.

“What about this one?” Cady asks, holding up Heathers.

“Hell yeah,” is her answer. It’s a personal favourite of Janis’, and yes a little bit of a fantasy, not that she’d ever go as far as Veronica did. She taps Cady’s shoulder and pulls herself up.  “I’ll go get the popcorn ready.”

“Why don’t I give you a hand?” Cady asks, already jumping to their feet. Janis jumps a little, taken aback by her new friend’s enthusiasm.

“Um… okay, sure,” she says. “Damian, can you set up the movie?” 

“On it, kids,” he replies. “Go make me a shitton of popcorn.” Janis leads Cady out of the living room, half holding their hand, and into the kitchen. If Cady feels the same awkwardness she does they do a good job of hiding it, caramel curls bouncing around their shoulders as they almost skip after Janis. 

“Hey can you grab some bowls for me?” she asks as she grabs popcorn out of the cupboards. “There’s some really big ones in the back of this cupboard here.” Cady nods and whisks around her kitchen, quick as the little lions they love so dearly, and emerges with three brightly coloured plastic bowls. Janis grins, especially at the size of them. “Amazing.”

“You know, back in Kenya, my mom would make popcorn for us sometimes, too,” Cady tells her.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. But instead of watching movies at night we’d sit outside and watch the animals roaming around.” Janis turns and catches the wistful look in her new friend’s eye. She almost sees it in her own mind, the kitchen floor transforming into a quiet, moonlit jungle. “But we’d be wrapped up in our blankets and sitting in our chairs and we knew we’d be safe. They weren’t pets but were our animals. And it was different every time.”

They duck their head then, hair falling in front of their face as a quiet, shaky breath escapes them. Janis rests her hand on their shoulder, drawn closer to the little jungle kid. 

“You must miss it there,” she whispers. “Africa, I mean.”

“A bit,” Cady confesses. “Sometimes.” They don’t cry, but their voice is thin and strained, and it’s not unfamiliar to Janis. “But I wanted to come here for years. And I’m glad I did. So...” Their voice trails off and Janis can only wince in sympathy as she runs her hand in circles around Cady’s shoulder. They pause, taking the moment together, and Cady leans closer to her until their head rests on her shoulder. A smile graces their face, small but so bright. “Thanks.”

“No problemo,” she replies. Just in time, the microwave goes off and the two open the door to steaming warm popcorn. They shake it out amongst the three bowls, both secretly adding stragglers to their own even if they’ll share with Damian later. Cady balances two in their hands while Janis tidies up after them and switches off the light. They step into the dimly lit hall and are just about to head to the living room when Janis stops suddenly, a new sense of strength creeping in. The last time she felt like this was when she was twelve, and was looking over at Damian on a similar night. Like something is locking in her heart, and she’s deciding, yep, we’re definitely keeping her. 

“Hey, Caddy?” she asks in a low voice. Cady turns, her eyes wide, and Janis feels herself soften. “I’m really glad you came tonight too.”

Cady grins, a kind of breathless gratitude on their face and goes to hug Janis, only to laugh and remember the popcorn at the last minute.

Janis hugs them on the couch to make up for it. 

Damian doesn’t mind, especially not when Maxie decides he wants to join the party too and cuddles up with Damian on the chair. Janis mumbles something about a “traitor dog” before slipping right back into the movie, quoting it word for word like it’s a second language. Cady raises their eyebrows, seemingly impressed by her ability, and Janis simply shrugs.

“It’s a gift,” she tells them. “Wait and see kiddo, soon we’ll have you quoting this movie off by heart.”

“How very,” Cady replies, and the three of them burst into late night giggles.

They put on Legally Blonde next, another classic Cady hasn’t seen. Cady even talks about how excited they are for it, but before Warner has even broken up with Elle, Janis looks down to find Cady curled up in a ball next to her, fast asleep. Janis  pulls the blanket over her, a rush of protectiveness flowing through her as she does so. It makes sense, she supposes. Cady is one of them now after all. They protect their own.

“Hey,” Damian’s voice comes as a loud whisper from across the room. He’s almost asleep himself, his hand slowly running through Maxie’s fur. He lazily points over at Cady, a crooked smile on his face. “You were right.”

Janis blinks in tired confusion until she realises what he’s referring to; that first day in French class, where Cady had so desperately tried to think of their ‘French name’. When Janis had leaned back in her chair and dropped a note on Damian’s desk. 

“We’re adopting them. That’s our new child” it had read and they went into that bathroom that day and never looked back.

“Yeah.” She turns to say something else, but finds Damian asleep too, Maxie curled up in his lap. Unlike Cady, he had no problem pulling the blanket over himself. She chuckles softly, the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. It’s his house too after all.

She gets up slowly, careful not to disturb Cady, and turns the movie off. They can watch it tomorrow morning after all. She settles down on the couch, right beside Cady again, and pretends that her eyes aren’t blurry. 

As she looks around the room, she finds her prize winning painting propped against the wall, and her cheeks flush at the sight. It had been a vague idea in her mind for a while, but when her teacher had told her to “draw from the heart”, it was the first contender. It’s silly and it’s cliche and it’s sappy; all the things she pretends she isn’t. But it’s also the most authentic piece she’s ever created, and that’s why she loves it so much. It’s all the bits of herself she used to be scared of, sitting on a canvas for all to see. The parts that are open and loving and unafraid. Creating it may have been scary, but the rewards go beyond the prize she won.

It occurs to her, in her fuzzy, half-asleep mind, that maybe that’s the reason it won. Maybe she should try it again sometime.

[kdramacrybaby]

The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis: A coup in the Kingdom of Corea leaves behind an orphaned Prince Lee Gon, now a king. The person who saved his life left behind an ID card, and the King spends his whole life looking for that person. The person who saved him, however, was not who he expected it to be, and for his questions to be answered he must travel to a completely different world.

Episode info: 16 episodes / Runtime around 70 minutes

Lead cast (I usually list what roles the actors play as well, but here this would be spoilers so I won't): Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, Lee Jung-in

Link to watch: You can watch on Netflix or Dramacool

Drama rec masterlist | Drama rant thread (beware of spoilers)

Okay so, I want to start with the positive things I have to say about this drama.

The first episode was amazing, and I was so excited to see where it would go. It was just confusing and intriguing enough to leave me wanting more. They used a lot of Alice in Wonderland parallels and I loved every second of it. All of that, however, was forgotten as soon as the second episode started, but we’ll get back to that later.

Another thing I noticed - and I am by no means an expert on this, I just call it as I see it - but the camera work is exquisite. I don’t really know how to explain it because I don’t know any of the terms, but the way they went about shooting the different scenes made it such a smooth and interesting watch. The different camera angles and effects they used fit the mood they were going for and enhanced the drama perfectly. The lighting and coloring of the drama overall also made it a very beautiful drama to watch.

So now we get to the parts I didn’t like, which is pretty much everything else, though it sounds pretty harsh.

This is by no means a dig at Min-ho as an actor, but this is now the third drama I have watched with him in total, and his character is a complete copy-paste. I could take Kim Tan from The Heirs or Heo Joon-jae from Legend of the Blue Sea and put them in this drama, and it would make no difference at all.

My overall disappointment with this drama, though, is how messy it is. Their use of flashbacks is way too excessive, to the point where I was sometimes confused at what point of the story I was even at. At one point they went three flashbacks deep and then skipped ahead in the story, and I was so lost.

And, I never thought I would say this ever, but I wish they would have done a bit more telling instead of showing. It felt a little like they tried leaving clues out for the viewer to piece things together, but often plot just came out of nowhere, and we were just expected to go along with it without explanation. Some things I’m still not sure how or why they were even relevant to the story. A lot of things just happen because it needs to for the plot, and rarely things are set up previous to it happening.

Very few dramas have me as lost and confused as this one did, and I don’t consider myself a stupid person, but this made me feel like I was stupid. And I don’t like that. I could probably watch this again and hopefully understand more of what was happening, but I am honestly not sure if I want to.

It is such a shame, though, because the actors were all phenomenal. And if I step back and look at the overall plot they were going for, it could have been so good if executed well! It is a very difficult plot to pull off though and in my opinion, they failed. The only drama I can think of that has tried something similar and succeeded is Memories of the Alhambra, which is also my favorite drama for that reason.

I could maybe see myself going back to watch this again someday, but until that happens, I can’t really say anything else positive about this drama. As amazing as the first episode was, as disappointing was the rest of it, and I am so sad it came to that.

[snippychicke]

I don't have energy to star my laptop, so have a long post of Aftermath. Maybe later I can myself outta this rut and make it pretty.

Fic: Aftermath

Fandom: the umbrella academy

Rating: teen

Pairing: def. Otto/Oc

Chapter Six

The Recruiter frowned as she watched from across the plaza at the remnants of Klaus' cult. So many timelines messed up by the fourth Hardgreeve. Time was able to shift around the distrubed lives, and thankfully none of them were critical changes to the timeline, but it was still another mark. 

If the Commission was at full strength, they would be able to nudge those lives back in place, whether passively or with aggressive action. But at the moment, anything not rated as Critical was allowed to go unaddressed. 

That's why she was here. They needed agents, new and old. And one of their most senior agents was sitting on the steps of the Destiny's Children's bus, reading a book as the rest of the group preached love and peace to the crowd. 

She could almost understand why Agent Otto had declined her invite. He was still recuperating from his injuries. Some peace and quiet was probably good for him (he'd tire of it soon enough, she surmised. A man that lived nearly 20 years of missions wasn't meant for a dull civilian life.) 

But Agent Axel? The man was a legend just as his brothers. And unlike them, he had come out of the Handler's plot with barely a scratch. So why the hell was he sitting on the hippies' bus reading a book of poems?

She straightened her jacket before walking towards him. Maybe he just needed a way back. Imagine if she was able to lead a legendary agent such as himself back into the fold. She'd get the recognition she deserved. They would see she was meant to be more than just a secretary. That she--

The Recruiter stopped dead in her tracks as Axel whipped his pistol from his pocket and aimed directly for her head. All the while barely turning his head to continue reading his book, an undisturbed expression on his face. "A-agent Axel, I-"

She was silenced as he cocked the gun with a simple movement of his thumb, while his other hand skillfully turned the page. His dark steel eyes finally turned towards her, the serene expression on his face hardening slightly. She attempted to swallow the lump in her throat before starting again. "The Acting Director of the Commission would like to speak with you."

"...No." He uncocked his gun and returned it to its holster as his attention returned to his book. Dismissing her as easily as that.

"B-but! We need agents like you! You and your brothers-!'

She was cut off again by that dark look on his face. He marked his place with a ribbon before standing. The Recruiter trembled as he stalked the short distance between them, unable to look away from his cold grey eyes. 

It was like looking at the face of Death itself.

He paused only a few inches away and leaned to whisper in her ear. "You will leave. And you will not return. Understood?" 

She couldn't even nod, but the terror in her eyes was enough of an answer. 

--+--

Lorelei had a feeling she should have just stayed in bed. 

The cats had clawed holes in her stockings. Her bus was late, meaning she was late for her shift, and then her supervisor had given her a tear down about punctuality and appearances.

And now John Doe was wide awake, glaring at her as if she had personally been the one to cut off his leg. 

"Good morning," she greeted, closing the door to the room behind her. "How are you feeling?"

She was unsurprised by his silence as he continued to watch her with narrowed eyes. Pale icy blue that reminded her of a very displeased cat. "Probably not the best, I reckon," she continued, standing about a foot away from the side of the bed. Both to give him space and in case he was able to slip from the restraints. "I have your morning doses of antibiotics and pain killers."

"No," he stated firmly. And  it felt like deja vu yo her. 

"I can understand if you don't want to be doped up anymore. But you at least need the antibiotic." she tried with her gentle persuasion. "Septicemia is quite a serious thing." 

He shifted as much as he could to lean towards her. "Let. Me. Go." 

Her gut told her niceties were not going to work here. She hoped bluntness would. "And go where, exactly? Your leg is still healing, you still need high doses of antibiotics because the infection went systemic. You leave this hospital and you'll be dead within a week." 

He blinked, completely unmoved. "I need to piss." 

She flushed, more embaressmed about assuming than his comment. "Oh. That I can do...as  long as you promise not to try anything funny." 

He stayed silent but tugged at the restraint. Against Lorelei's better judgement, she conceded. She half expected him to lunge for her as soon as she undid the restraints, but he merely sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the white dressings that covered the stump of his thigh. 

She allowed him a moment; she could only imagine what kind shock it would be to wake up missing little more than half of a leg. 

"I wonder if I can still kick my brother's ass…."

Lorlei blinked, sure she had misheard him (but good lord was his accent similar to Ottos, which was a surprise she didn't have time to ponder.) "Huh?"

He looked up, looking rather surprised, and she guessed after a moment he hadn't meant to say the last bit aloud. So instead of commenting, she offered her hand. "C'mon. Let's get you to the latrine."

He took her offer, and proved the medically-induced did nothing to lessen his strength. His arm quickly went from using hers to pull him up to wrapping around her shoulders to steady himself. 

Lorlei expected it to be difficult to teach him how to move, but he picked it up easily as he used her to balance himself as they walked the short distance. 

"Where am I?" He finally asked after he was in the bathroom, and she stepped around the corner to give him some semblance of privacy. 

"Parkland Memorial Hospital, in Dallas," she answered before tacking on: "Texas. United-"

"I know where Texas is," he interrupted dryly, though she swore there was a hint of amusement. Again, not unlike Otto's.

Or maybe she just had Otto on her mind. Last night still kept repeating itself in her mind. How sure she was Otto was going to kill that man. 

How she was more worried about what would happen to Otto if he did, rather than the man losing his life. 

"...where are you from?" She asked, filling the silence. "Or for that fact, what's your name? We've been calling you John Doe since you didn't have any ID on you." 

John Doe stayed silent. Worried that he may have worn himself out, she peeked around the corner.

Only to have him stare challengingly at her. "Trying to catch a peek?"

"Oh for heavens sake," she groaned, turning back around. "I'm your nurse. I've seen it all before--yours included." 

"...you liked what you'd seen then?"

Lorelei counted to ten. "I should've just given you a damned urinal and been done with it. But I figured being in bed for weeks you needed to get up and moving." 

Snickers echoed from the small bathroom, easing her temper somewhat. "You're amusing, Miss Nurse." 

"...Lorelei, but my friends call me Lei."

"Do you?" He asked, confusing her. She tilted her head to convey her expression without turning. "Lie?" 

"Jesus Mary and Joseph," she pinched the bridge of her nose.  "You're going to be one of those patients, aren't you?" 

"General pain in the ass, yes," he answered. "That seems to be everyone's opinion of me. So can I have some actual privacy, or are we going to be waiting here forever?" 

"Definitely giving you a urinal next time," she muttered. "Yes. Use the call bell if you need help, otherwise I'll go fetch the doctor." 

It wasn't until after she left that she realized he had evaded all of her questions. 

--+--

A few doctors filled the small room some time later, and Lorelei wasn't exactly sure why she was present, but Dr. Edwards barred her from leaving, making her awkwardly stand by the door as he and the Administrator Wilford stood before John Doe, who was settled into bed, sans restraints this time. "Let's get down to business  then; What's your name?" Wilford asked, readying his clipboard.

 "Mickey Mouse," the blonde man answered with a slight smirk. The administor paused, a frown crossing his face while Lorelei had to cough to hide her own smile.

"Now look son, I understand things have been pretty rough for you, and having a sense of humor is good and all, but let's be serious now."

John Doe nodded his head, looking chastened. "Right, sorry." There was a beat before he met the Administor's eye and with a straight face answered. "My name is Donald Duck."

The doctor gave Lorelei a dark look at the slight laugh that escaped her lips, and she glanced away quickly, covering her smile. However, when she glanced back John Doe was looking at her, amusement in his eyes. 

"Very funny," Wilford continued, glaring at Lorelei. "But what is your name, boy."

"Bruce Wayne."

Wilford went to write it down, and Loreli worried her lip, weighing the pros and cons of keeping her mouth shut before clearing her throat and commenting: "That's Batman, sir."

John Doe grinned at her, pleased she caught the reference. She returned the smile despite herself before Wilford snapped his pen. "Godman boy, do you think this is all fun and games, or are you just slow?"

"I think you're the slow one," he answered, shifting his head. "One would think you realize by now I'm not giving you my name." 

"Why not?"

"Because it's none of your business."

"None of our business?! You're our patient in my hospital! We need to contact your next of kin and find out where the hell you belong."

His eyes darkened. "Knowing my name won't help with that."  

"Can we at least call someone for you?" Lorelei asked softly. 

"No."

" What about parents?" She pressed gently. Do you have any siblings?"

"No." His eyes grew cold and hard as he glared at her. "No one."

"I think that will be enough," Dr. Edwards finally spoke. "Maybe after you feel more cooperative, we can discuss this further. As it is, with everything the way it is, I don't see you suitable for discharge any time soon."

-+--

By the end of the shift Lorelei felt a migraine stabbing behind her eyes as she rode the bus home, feeling every slight bump and jerk.

The main cause, she was sure, was the John Doe in 281B. Who refused to say anything to anyone after the 'interrogation" by the Administrator. He did, however, prove to be one of the most uncooperative patients the hospital ever had the grace to treat. 

And somehow also one of the ones that tugged at her heartstrings. Maybe the fact he was alone, or the fact he had a dark, lost look on his face when he thought no one was watching that reminded her yet again of Otto.

The white hair and strong jaw didn't help. Or the fact he had the same accent. If she hadn't known better, she would've sworn they were related somehow. 

Especially since they both liked to see what odd things they could use as darts. She had to admit, however, that the fact that he somehow got his silverware from lunch wedged in the ceiling tiles was rather impressive. 

The bus finally rolled into the stop in her neighborhood, and Lorlei dragged herself down the few blocks remaining, bag slung gracelessly over her shoulder. All she wanted to do is collapse, even if it was just on her old lumpy couch. 

But there were the cats. And if the last week was anything to go by, Otto was probably still working on the roof (she still didn't understand what spurred him to do such a thing. And he still refused to accept any repayment) which meant it was up to her to cook supper. 

Maybe he would be okay with the diner again, even after the other night. But that meant having to wait even longer until she could sleep and….

Otto wasn't on the roof. She frowned as she walked along the broken pavement that led to the front door. Granted he had done a lot already…. (Had he been a carpenter sometime in the past? Was that a question safe for her to ask?) 

Nala, Freyja,  and Hugo greeted her as soon as she opened the door, wrapping around her legs as she slipped off her shoes. The house was filled both with warmth and the scent of something delicious simmering. Lorele's heart quickened to see Otto in the kitchen, looking completely at home despite his frame. 

She wasn't sure what she had done in her life to deserve a person like him in her life, but she was so very thankful. Without thinking, she slipped into the kitchen, too tired to rethink her impulse to wrap her arms around his hip, resting her head against his muscular back. 

--+--

Otto heard the door open and close, and Lorelei greeting the cats that met her at the door. She sounded...exhausted. He mentally shrugged, working on supper while listening to her slip off her shoes, her stockinged feet as quiet as a cat's as she padded into the kitchen. After the second shift in a row, she often came home worn to the bone, ready to crumple on the couch and fall asleep without bothering to unpin her cap from her hair. Which was why he had taken the initiative to have supper (mostly) finished before she returned. 

He froze slightly as Lorelei wrapped her arms around his hips, pressing her head against his back between his shoulder blades. "I appreciate you so much." She mumbled into his shirt, making him relax. "I'm pretty sure I would just go to bed hungry without you." 

A smile twitched on his lips, unseen as she continued to lean on him. He tried to keep still while finishing supper, enjoying the warmth and weight against him. When he made a slight movement, she would resettle herself with a sleepy noise, her arms tightening around his hips briefly.

Maybe civilian life wasn't so horrible with moments like this. 

Lorelei made a small sound of protest when he finally had to break the moment, looking half asleep when he turned towards her. "Sit down, Älskade."

She gave him a curious look, he didn't explain but gave a soft smile before tapping the tip of her nose. She wrinkled it slightly, making him smile wider before ushering her to the table. 

"How do you make someone behave when they're being so darn obstinate?" She asked as she sat, petting the cats that were demanding attention. Otto paused before he held up the bloody butcher knife sitting near the sink, making her frown as she caught the implication. "I can't threaten him, Otto. He's my patient!"

He tilted his head and thought as he served the food. Nothing fancy, but Lorelei's stomach growled as she placed the cats down on the floor. "I will."

"What? No!" Despite her protest, a small smile appeared on her face. "You know,  I forget you're a violent man sometimes."

He shrugged as he sat across from her. He was perfectly acceptable if she forgot that part of him. Because it meant that she did feel threatened by him. 

"Maybe if I threaten him with you, he'll cooperate?" She continued to muse, stabbing a diced potato. "But how: 'behave or my roommate will come and threaten you?'" 

"Or I'll kill him." He joked, grinning at her scowl. 

"That would make the whole point of saving his life moot." She shook the potato at him, blushing as he leaned across the small table and bit it off her fork. She tried to pretend she wasn't affected as she focused on her plate instead of the playful expression on his face. "I-I mean, the poor boy has had enough. I mean, could you imagine having your leg blown off? And then not having any kin around?"

Lorelei almost missed the way Otto tensed, his expression turning dark before he closed his eyes, forcing those thoughts and memories away. Though when he opened them, she had a concerned look on her face, head tilted slightly. "Everything okay?"

"Ja," he forced a smile. He could tell she didn't believe him, but again, she didn't push. 

"Anyways, I saw that you have half the roof done already…"

--+--

Lorlei was still yawning the next morning when she arrived at the hospital the next morning, the lights flickering to full brightness to announce the morning  

"Oh praise the angels," the night nurse proclaimed when she saw Lorelei walk into the nurses station. It was a familiar sentiment, but usually from a different nurse, not hard-norse Doris. "I was thinking morning would never come."

"Oh?"

She waved her hand towards the infamous room near the end of the hall. "That devil of a boy.  I swear he's Lucifer's own kin."

"...John Doe?"

"Yes!" She huffed, "I hope them doctors do something wise like put him on haldol. Two am and he's singing at the top of his lungs in bad english to some made up song! Woke half of the unit up! And be careful, he's hiding silverware. Threw a fork at the orderlie rounding at him, nicked his ear! He needs to be asylum!" 

Lorlei listened and eventually had to prod the older nurse into a proper report on the other patients. However, she kept her words in mind as she did her rounds, saving his room for last. 

John Doe didn't look quite as angry as the morning before, and had even a little color to his face as he looked over to her. "Did the old goat finally leave?"

"Doris is not an old goat," Lorelei chided as she prepared to take his vitals. Her protest wasn't quite heartfelt, as she had thought the old woman a biddy at times. "She's an experienced nurse as a good mentor."

He snorted and muttered something under his breath, but otherwise stayed quiet. After noting everything down, satisfied that his vitals was within normal limits considering he reportedly hadn’t let anyone come within three feet of him,  she sighed and adjusted her stethoscope. "Look. If you don't start behaving they are going to pump you full of haldol and benzos that you won't ever even be able to look straight."

His faint smirk faded and his glare returned as he remained silent. "I know things are hard, but you don't look insane to me. Or stupid for that matter. I'd hate for you to wind up in an asylum with drool running down your chin after everything you've been through."

John Doe continued to glare at her despite her attempt at humor, though she swore she could see him thinking over her words.  "You don't need to like us, but we are here to help. We aren't going to hurt you. Hell, I'm pretty sure most the staff already want you outta here as much as you do. Just work with us, ok?"

He rolled his eyes, but pulled something from beneath his blanket and threw it at her. She barely caught the pen before it clattered to the floor. "Wait. This is my pen!"

He shrugged. "You need to pay more attention."

Lorlei pressed her lips together, debating her words as she set out the supplies to change his dressing. "You better behave or my housemate will come threaten you."

John Doe raised a pale eyebrow at Lorelei, a faint smirk on his face. "I'm not scared."

"You should be," she said, half teasingly. "He's easily Six foot five, has muscles thicker than your head, missing an eye. He's a scary dude."

 That seemed to interest him, his head tilted slightly "Boy friend?"

"N-no!" she stuttered, "Not...not exactly."

"Oh? He's gay then?" He seemed so blase about the taboo subject, and not even the sneer she expected. But actually...interested?

"What?! No, I don't... I dont think so…"

"Hmm, shame." She paused and looked over at him quizzically. He smiled slyly at her, winking at her. "He sounds cute."

"Oh my god," She wheezed, trying not to laugh at his boldness. No one else in Dallas, or Texas, would ever say such a thing, yet he was so flamboyant about it. "Y-you're horrible!"

"You're cute too," he playfully reassured her as he leaned back in the hospital bed. "But very annoying. Like a bossy sister."

"Yeah, your like an annoying little brother." To his annoyance, she ruffled his hair. There was a melancholy expression on his face, making her regret her actions. "You okay?"

"I'm missing half my leg," he answered with a deadpan expression. 

"I-" she stuttered before he started to snicker. She rolled her eyes. "Oh for goodness sake. I have other patients I need to tend to. Ring if you need anything, you brat." 

"Love you too, syrra!"

[atamascolily]

lily liveblogs BBC Atlantis 1x02, “A Girl By Any Other Name” (first half)

I actually watched this months ago, but I got interrupted about halfway through, and then there was a global pandemic and I lost my groove. This got super-long, so I’m gonna post it in two parts.

Thanks to @girlwhowasntthere for her help in making sure I could see it, and also for pointing out that Ariadne draws a stone in the first episode (which I totally missed!) so she's not just resting on her privilege there. Good for her!

In the pilot, we were introduced to Atlantis through the eyes of Jason, a dude from our world who has surprising connections to this city of dragons and despots that nobody *cough ORACLE cough* wants to tell him about. But he's managed to pick up two new friends - gruff-but-not-so-secretly soft Hercules, and Pythagoras (yes, that one) - as well as a love interest, an ominous enemy, and Not Die several times in exciting and dramatic ways.

Based on the teaser, it looks like the show is about to introduce another female character, which I am super-excited about, even though the name "Medusa" brings up All Kinds of Questions.

(cut for length and for lots and lots of botanical confusion)

Forest at night. Woman running through the woods while something ominous chases her. Are there forests in Atlantis? I don't remember seeing any in the surrounding wide shots when Jason first showed up from the beach. Where the hell is this supposed to be?

(Side note because I am a Certified Plant Nerd: Where was this FILMED? I'm gonna guess England because BBC and also the leaves look SUPER TEMPERATE, there are definitely maples in there.)

Woman collapses and the camera focuses on her bracelet, which I am sure will be significant later on. We don't hear anything, she starts to get up and I brace myself for a jump scare.

She's got a necklace, too, and I wonder if that's a Plot MacGuffin or if she just has good taste in jewelry.

Ok, so we see her pursuer sneaking up on her, and she turns, and we see it for the first time from her POV and... it's a cave troll! Or something very much like it. She screams, we go to credits.

None of the credits are backwards this time, and I'm so relieved because THAT WAS ANNOYING.

I like the juxtaposition of the ocean and the ruins, then the view of the city, because this show is called ATLANTIS, which implies it's really about the city as a whole (or the city as a character) rather than Jason, even though Jason is the protagonist and audience surrogate.

There are some mountains in the background that look like they COULD  have forests, and I will reserve judgement until I see the sets in the daylight, but those mountains look like they ought to be chapparral or the local equivalent, NOT the kind of forest shown in the opening. I'm just saying. I have strong opinions about flora and I will share them.

I am so curious where Atlantis is supposed to be, but I think it's Crete? I'm going with Crete for now until I get more information.

Jason is tossing rocks into a pool because... he's just that bored? Missing the Internet? He's wearing a leather tunic thing and not shirtless, but I'm sure he'll lose it by the end of the episode.

He hears something and gets up and sneaks up on the person coming in the doorway, but I already know it's either Hercules or Pythagoras, and most likely Herc, so I am not surprised when it's Herc. Herc is late AND drunk and Jason is pissed. Apparently, he and Herc are working as security guards for a rich merchant?? (So that answers my question about how they're making money and paying the rent!!)

Jason runs to the Oracle's temple because he's in dire need of Cryptic Exposition and also a Greater Purpose in Life and where better to acquire a Noble Destiny?

"You should not be here," says the Oracle, which is just a classy way of saying GTFO.

"I need answers," Jason demands.

LOL, not happening, dude. She only deals in Cryptic Sayings, not answers. (Although kinda ironic given that the Delphic Oracle’s motto was “Know Thyself”.)

Jason mentions that the minotaur dude claimed he had a great destiny and you can just see the Oracle rolling her eyes, and be all, And you believed him?? LOL.

But Jason DOES  have a destiny, even though it doesn't feel like it so the Oracle has to explain that this, too, is also a part of his destiny, and he should just lean into the suck.

Jason calls bullshit. Oracle explains she's trying to protect him, and "all will become clear", mic drop. Jason walks away bummed, but it's DESTINY for him to be confused right now, and I am sure he will have some sort of Character Development about this by the end of the episode.

Herc fell asleep on the job and wakes up to being licked by a goat, which is probably not the most undignified thing that will happen to him in this episode. Also, somebody stole his keys and robbed the thing he was supposed to be guarding, so I'm sure this will end well.

Cut to Herc trying to explain this to Pythagoras, and Pythagoras is calling bullshit. Pythagoras notes the goat slobber and does the best eyeroll to Jason, I love him.

(Hercules is like the roommate from HELL here. How did he and Pythagoras end up rooming together in the first place?)

There's a knock on the door, but it's not the angry merchant, it's the CALL TO ADVENTURE... an old man who's heard that they killed the Minotaur and wants help locating his daughter. I'm picturing an Atlantis version of Sherlock Holmes starring Pythagoras and Jason and it's awesome.

Herc does not want to touch this with a ten foot pole but Jason is bored and eager to help, and so Herc is going to get dragged into this whether he likes it or not. He tries to reject it on the grounds of money, but it doesn't work. The old man talks about his "duty as a father" to make sure his kid is safe, and that's all he needs to say to get Jason on board, because Daddy Issues.

Jason and a new female character, Corinna, are in the palace, trying to be stealthy and they run into Ariadne, which is... awkward. Jason tries to explain, and Ariadne says it's forbidden for Jason to be here... why? Because he's a man? Because he's a stranger? Because he's on Minos's personal shit list? I need some context here.

Jason quizzes Celandine, a kitchen worker, and learns that Demetria, the missing girl, went to the forest to gather herbs and was never seen again. I don't understand what Corinna's role in all this is , but she persuades Celandine to help Jason out by showing him the place where Demetria went.

Time for another marketplace chase! This time it's the merchant after Herc. Meanwhile, Celandine takes Jason to a forest that's super-arid and looks nothing like the one we saw in the opening. There's rock outcroppings in the background, too. No leaf litter at ALL. All dry ever greens... and then a wide shot showing a hill that looks like chapparral, with a series of mountains beyond THAT that look more temperate and have actual snow capped peaks and those are NOT IN THE CREDITS, NONE OF THIS GEOGRAPHY MAKES ACTUAL SENSE, BUT FINE.

Also, it makes zero sense that Minos would send kitchen servants to the forest WAY outside the city limits... wouldn't it be easier for everyone if they sent special people to do that and the kitchen just picked them up or bought them from poorer folk who did? Where are the roads? Are there any surrounding villages and encampments outside the walls? Shepherds watching their flocks? A road? How do the servants know where to go? What stops them from running away? Etc. Etc.  I HAVE QUESTIONS, OKAY?

Cut to them in a different forest - still evergreen trees, but a different kind. Looks like a plantation. Everything is too neat and open and in rows. There's greenery, but no sign of any herbs or really any kind of understory. LOL.

Are we there yet? Jason wants to know.

These woods are rich with herbs, Celandine says, and I can't tell if she's being ironic or not because I DO NOT SEE ANY, THERE IS NOTHING BUT CONIFERS HERE, CONIFERS ARE NOT HERBS (though they can have medicinal uses!). Then she adds "If you know where to look" and pulls a knife to stab an unsuspecting Jason while he's looking at the ground, so I guess that answers that question.

(For the record, Celandine is a toxic plant that is actually native to n. Africa, and the Mediterranean and western Asia, so I kinda saw that coming from the name and also the ominous music and close-ups of her face.)

Jason wises up in time to Not Get Stabbed, and Celandine runs away. Jason chases after her, and I saw some FERNS this time in the chase scene, but again NO LEAVES or much in the way of forest diversity at all. Celandine drinks something that looks like poison and dies while Jason is interrogating her. The troll-creature lurks in the woods.

Pythagoras IDs the poison as hemlock. (LOL, of course he would know!) The only reason he doesn't mention that it killed Socrates is probably because Socrates hasn't been born yet, but I am sure the writers were tempted. Jason fell asleep in World History, and also every Literature class ever, because he has no idea what a thyrsus is, or who Dionysus and the maenads are, so Pythagoras and Herc get to explain for the audience! Apparently, the satyrs kill any men who crash their clubhouse, so that's what the troll thing is, I guess?

So apparently the maenads just kidnap girls to join their cult? This is not how I remember it, but okay, fine, let's have the all-female religion be EVIL for DRAMA. Does this mean the trio's going to cross-dress?

Demetria (?) is trying to dig her way out of cell, only to get called to a Secret Evil Ceremony that involves blood, chanting, and tearing apart a dude with their bare hands. Oh, wait, no, they just toss him to the cave trolls (LITERALLY LURKING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND), which is easier to show on network TV, I guess.

Jason breaks the news to Demetria's father, and he's... aghast. "I won't allow it!" he cries. The show has not explained why it's a bad thing to be a maenad... aside from the whole killing people bit, but I mean, the king kills people all the time in the name of the gods, what makes this any different? (I mean, Minos's evil, but still! He's in charge!) Why can't Demetria be a maenad and still work in the palace and visit her dad? Isn't that what Celandine did?? I AM SO CONFUSED.

Also: father trying to control his daughter's actions is historically accurate, but sits poorly with me, even though she WAS kidnapped in this case and doesn't want to be there. But what if she wasn't? So far the show hasn't explained to me why EVERY WOMAN wouldn't want to be a maenad. Hanging out in the woods without any men and a lot of intoxicants sounds... way better than almost anything else they could be doing.

The old man collapses in grief and Pythagoras is also a healer, because he makes an infusion of what sounds like "Magnolia remenalis" (??). Which is odd because that genus is located in the Americas and eastern Asia, and even assuming trade routes from China are a Thing here, that wouldn't likely be a part of the typical pharmacopeia, especially if Pythagoras has no money...? And I know there are a bajillion species of magnolia, but I've never heard of this... and would he call it by a Latin binomial anyway? But if it's not that, what is he TALKING about? THIS IS WHY I HATE WATCHING THINGS WITHOUT SUBTITLES.

The old man guilts Jason into going after Demetria, of course, thanks to Daddy Issues. Herc is pissed, especially when he realizes they put the old man in his bed. I love Pythagoras's little smile when he explains that Herc is in charge of their guest, since he's not going on the Mission of Certain Doom!

Herc is so predictable, lol. He brings up the prospect of faking his own death to get out of his debts, and I CANNOT HELP BUT WONDER if this is going to be relevant later on. Like... faking your death so the maenads don't find you, perhaps? And changing your name??

(dear writers, if you don't want me to guess your plot twist, please don't PUT THE WHAM LINE IN THE TEASER, kthanx.)

OH MY GOD THIS IS THE SAME FOREST WHERE THEY FILMED THE FIGHT SCENE IN THE FORCE AWAKENS ISN'T IT? I *RECOGNIZE* THIS PLACE!!

(yup, definitely England. Puzzlewood, almost for certain.)

Of course, the most appropriate way to spend the night is to make a fire, eat soup, and tell ghost stories about maenads first, right? Right. The forests rustle. There's a cave troll stalking them. (Yes, it's supposed to be a satyr, but it looks like a cave troll from LOTR, okay??) He tosses something in the food, which probably means it will only impact Hercules, lol. Hallucinations, maybe??

Why anyone would trust Herc with night watch given his track record, ESPECIALLY these two, I don't know, but PLOT.

Yep, definitely the old mine in Puzzlewood. I'd bet money on it.

Herc follows a woman who looks like an elf from LOTR, lol... but it's a satyr in drag. (Or a hallucination?) IDK why everyone is making a big deal about the maenads when they mostly just stand around and let the male satyrs handle everything.

RUN, HERC, RUN! He's rescued by... Demetria, who also wants to get away. Somehow the satyrs don't see them? *shrug*

Demetria uses Herc's knife and cuts herself and walks out with a bloody mouth, claiming the satyrs killed Herc and she drank his blood... I mean, won't the satyrs call her on it?? But the ruse works and she leaves with them.

Meanwhile, Jason and Pythagoras slept through the entire night without incident, and I just... the satyrs KNOW THERE ARE THREE OF THEM. How come they didn't just slaughter them in their sleep, or at least attack them??

Also, if the satyrs only eat human flesh, how does the ecosystem even WORK? How many of them are there?? How often do they eat? Are they omnivores or obligate carnivores? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.

[imagine-what-would-happen]

A Little Bit of Grey (Part 4)

Here it is my bbs! Hope you all enjoy it! (Spoiler for the ending of this part) Yes, it is quite alike to (spoiler for the ending of my ben solo one shot) to my other writing piece. I had both ideas at around the same time and they work for what I’m intending for the plot so oh well, don’t mind the repetitiveness! Sorry! Hope you all enjoy. Let me know if you want to be tagged in future instalments! 

(Not my gifs! Credit to their creators!)

Link to Part 3

Link to Part 5

Link to Masterlist

Words: 1.7k+

Warnings: None I’m pretty sure! Enjoy!

Tags: @dark-night-sky-99​

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

He could hear the echo. Kylo Ren’s boots hit the floor in a timed pace. Back and forth he went in front of his ship, dark and polished to perfection. He kept an eye on the time ticking away, he knew better than to hope for her to show up- he was never so lucky but he had no idea what else to do. He arrived at the ship two hours early to make sure there was nothing to hold them back as soon as they had to leave. He also made sure to pack rations, clothes, and a few weapons for her, more than enough to ensure her survival, just enough so that no one would notice them missing. He wanted her to have every advantage possible. Although, he would feel beyond foolish if she didn’t show. He stood tall, a perfect stance, yet inside he felt himself crumbling with every moment that passed.

There was no one in this bay, it was his own to do with what he pleased.  Kylo couldn’t breathe, he took his helmet off, dropping it to the ground - it made an overdramatic thud. He ran both hands through his hair and squeezed his eyes shut. Had he come on too strong? Maybe he scared her off all over again - he most definitely wasn’t the best with his emotions and expressing them. He nearly let out a growl, he wasn’t used to his words and actions having this much of a personal impact on his life. His life before her was the war and nothing more, either being on the light or the dark side, it was always about the war and who would rule well... everything.

There was a thud of a door opening and closing. Kylo hesitated to look, if it wasn’t her he wasn’t sure what he would do, if it was, he didn’t know the answer to that either. He gulped and turned around slowly. He tried to hold himself back from using the Force on any unsuspecting stormtrooper. Yet, there she was.

It was her, finally out of her stormtrooper uniform, now in the ragged and torn clothes he had first seen her in a mix of rouges and blacks. She jogged over to the ship - her steps light barely making any sound, the bay being uncomfortably large would take an insanely long time to simply walk over, everything was this way on the dark side - overcompensating.

His eyes would not leave her, “You came...”. He let out a sigh of relief, finally letting himself smile but it was cut short when he realized that he wouldn’t be able to see her anymore after this ride.

She slowed her jog and finally smiled at Kylo, “Andy” she said softly.

Kylo furrowed his brow “What?”

“My name... I kind of made it off of the ID number they gave me here.” She shrugged. “I thought it was the best way I had to thank you...” She looked up at him and Kylo was at a loss for words.

“Well... Care to join me... Andy?” He gave out his hand as his smirk grew prominent.

“Yea... we’re not there yet.” She brushed past him and entered the ship with a near skip in her step. Kylo couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle as he began to follow her in - what did he get himself into? He found himself continuously asking the same question.

The ship departed without a fuss, immediately Kylo turned off his tracker and took in a deep breath. It was just them now. The silence was heavy between the two of them. Kylo had no idea how to go about anything right now. The thought of never seeing the girl... Andy, again. It felt as if they had only just met. Kylo got up, the ship was just cruising now, Andy still had to tell him where they were heading. The main idea, for now, was to just get as far away as possible from here.

The rogue commander paced his ship, leaning his weight through his arms on a low passage frame, he bit his lip. Andy followed over to him. “What is it? Don’t tell me you’re second-guessing this.” She asked hesitantly.

Kylo quickly shook his head, “No, no- never. You need to be safe... Just...” He looked at her, leaning into her while still holding onto the frame. “It feels like we only just met... and you’re going to be gone. I’ll probably never see you again.” He searched her eyes, he was afraid. Afraid of not being able to roll his eyes at her, or her forcing him to hold back a chuckle at the amount of sass she would throw his way. “I truly don’t know anything about you. I want to help you.” One hand let go of the frame to brush her cheek gently with his thumb.

“Then leave... I’m not saying we’re together like that... but, you’re starting to prove that you might be trustworthy. If you hate it there so much why not leave?” Her eyes were deep, it didn’t matter the colour, they were those types of eyes you could get lost in forever and not have another care in the world. He hated and loved how difficult it was to look away from her.

Kylo sighed heavily, he thought about this more than he cared to admit. “There would be nowhere for me to go. I would be leaving the dark side, I’ve already left the light, both sides would think me a double-crosser, and if I went with I would be putting you in danger... Once word got out that I had left and had no protection, you know how many different life forms want me dead? I’d say pretty much the entire galaxy.” He pulled away and sat on the floor, his face in his hands. “How did I get here...?” He whispered.

Andy sat down in front of him, pulling his hands into her own, “You can do it...”.

Kylo pulled away and stood up fairly quickly, there was no use in going back and forth on the topic. He knew the truth, and it was either stay on the dark side and get things done or leave and die... Perhaps that made him a coward, it didn’t matter.

It felt like soon nothing would matter anymore.

“Where do you want to be dropped off?” Kylo asked quickly, he wanted to change the subject completely.

“I’ve got it,” Andy sighed and punched in the coordinates.

It was just a matter of time now. Kylo sat in his chair. It was nice to not have to worry for once about his duties, or what was expected of him. No one in the universe knew where he was right now. It was a delectable feeling, he wished he could have it more often. He would thrive in this.

He looked over to Andy, the girl he had known for only a short few months. He couldn’t leave her, never seeing her again.

“Do you care if you ever see me again?” Kylo questioned carefully, he was scared of the answer he would receive. He felt that they still had so much more to do together.

“Kylo Ren, you’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. You drive me insane, you’re harsh, you’re the friggan leader of the dark side!” She threw her arms in the air and sighed. “I have no idea why, but yes, I do care...” She met his eyes and had a soft apologetic smile with a hint of sass.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Kylo stepped toward her, held her cheek in his hand, pulling her close. He studied her eyes, making sure he wasn’t overstepping any lines that she didn’t want to cross. He nearly held his breath, and when her lips met his he let himself fall hard and deep. He held her waist and put everything he had into that kiss, everything he hoped for the future.

The kiss could have been seconds or minutes, he didn’t care, he didn’t want it to end. He pushed her up against the wall and pulled away for breath, not pulling farther away than needed, just enough for him to breathe. Their foreheads pressed against one another, their eyes closed. He was not going to lose her.

“Wait for me...” He whispered, his eyes opened, stroking her cheek. “I need to get things in order, get supplies and I’ll come back for you.” He was desperate. After so many years of being completely alone, he finally wasn’t. Call it desperation, hope, selfishness, he didn’t care, he just wanted to be there for her. It felt right... he could tell she felt it too. That radiation of her’s was a drug.

“What about everyone who wants you dead?” She questioned, although it came out in a soft laugh.

“Screw anyone who gets in the way of me being with you. I don’t care. Promise me...” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He hesitated for just a moment, maybe it was too good to be true. “If you’ll have me” He whispered, just loud enough for her to hear. It was only them in the universe, nothing else existed, it was all just a distant dream.

“I will.” She whispered, and just like that everything went black.

Kylo came in and out of consciousness.

Andy piloting the craft.

Black.

Sirens going off, lights. A scream.

Black.

Bright white lights. Another scream. Andy...“Kylo!”.

Black.

His eyes didn’t open but he felt himself get thrown onto the ground, a soft groan.

His eyes finally opened, not sure how long had passed between each waking moment. He looked around. He was in a bright white room, strapped to a medical table. Looking out the window with squinted eyes he saw the ship he was on, it was one of the resistances’.

A door slid open behind him, he tried bending his head to see who was coming in but just ended up hurting his neck, he winced.

The person rounded the corner and Kylo was taken aback. “Andy...?” He whispered then shook it off “What's going on..? Where are we?” He was so confused and she touched his face gently.

“The great Kylo Ren... its an honour to finally introduce myself.” She smirked, her posture different than Andy’s... then the girl he knew. “I’m Neira”.

Through a nearby window, Kylo heard a scream “Kylo!” There was Andy.. again? She was banging at the window before soldiers took her and pulled her away.

“Welcome to the resistance.”

[smutav]

So i posted the pictures I had for my xray and comic in this post here and I said id wait a year but I’ve decided I need to lay this project to rest and move on to what comes next. Its under the cut because its mad king heavy

the old man part was fully scripted out so I’m going to throw the script in here first then it’ll be just notes for the general plotline

(M) Old Man   = O1 / (J) Old Man   = O2 / Xray          = X / Vav           = V

we come in on Xray and Vav coming onto the scene but we start lookin at the old men

O2: "Uh Oh, the calvaries here" O1: "issit the popo? tell them they cant make me go back... to that horrible home... fulla old people..." O2: "No.. its those spandex kids again" O1: "Oh, the blue one confused me... so blue jus like those dirty cops" O2: "YOU'LL NEVER TAKE US ALIVE" [O2 throws something that lands nowhere near xray and vav] V : "Look you have to stop causing a ruckus!" O1: "ah ah ah prettyboy we got da bomb" O2: "Thats right if you get in our way it'll be a real stinker!" O1: "Uh Ohhhh"

X : "you have got to be kidding me" O1: "I'm too old for kidding, im old-ding over here" V : "What are you doing with a bomb!?" O2: "We've got demands!" O1: "Oh yeah lots of demands!" O2: "We want.... Pudding!" O1: "Oh yeah and none of that rice shit in there" O2: "get that rice out of our pudding no chunks!" O1: "itsa chokin hazard, I almost died when they had that at the home" O2: "thats why we left they was tryna kill us" O1: "But you only show up to stop two guys havin fun" O2: "Ya punks!" [Vav has snuck over to the obviously hidden 'stink bomb' and gags when he sees whats under the cover]

O2: "Ey!" [he smacks Vav with a cane] "gettaway from there" O1: "These two have no manners" O2: "they jus go touchin stuff that doesnt belong to them!" O1: "Well two can play at that game" [he moves towards Xray pointing at his glasses] "I want those" X : "How about I give you this instead" [he shoots a lazer at the old guy but it bounces off his walker] O1: "uh oh you shouldn't have done that" X : "oh yeah what if i do it again" [it really has the same result smart guy]

[Vav at the same time is dealing with.. a really slow old guy. and he dodges a punch an the old guy just keeps goin down and hits the ground] O2: "Ah! I'm hit thats it for me! [he tries to get up but just knocks himself over again] it's over for me I'm deadd. You killed me ya bastard" V : "I really didn--" O2: "this blood is on your handssss ohhh im goinnnn" [Vav backs off while the old man keeps slowly 'dying' to help out with Xray who's wrestling for his glasses from O1]

X : "Youre smudging up my glasses!" O1: "oh i'll do more than that" [he moves to take a lick at them] X : "no you dont!" [He punches the old man square in the jaw] O1: [catches himself on the walker] "you want a boxing match, i used ta have the belt ya know" [he lands a punch on xray who doesnt even flinch]

V : [Vav comes up from behind and pulls the old man away] O1: "No he's got me!" [he flails a bit but ineffectively to get out] "this is just like the 40s you cant stop all this" V : "We're sending you both back to the old folks home just stay there this time!" O1: "You'll never keep us caged! We'll always be ba-- Oh no is this a heart attack? Ma is that you in the light I'm-- I'm comin... comin to kick your dead ass" [and he's dead]

[Xray and Vav dump the old guys on an elderly bus they're used to dealing with these guys 'dying' and approach the stink bomb which is the stink jug but theres wires and stuff attached to supposedly detonate it] X: "Well I guess we'll have to deal with this" [he kicks the 'stink bomb' and Vav goes green] V: "I guess it'd be best to get it to Hilda she'll know how to get rid of it" X: "right lets go" [he starts walking leaving Vav to carry the barrel, poor vav]

I hope the notes after this make sense plot wise a lot of it was going to be explored deeper as we get drawing XDD ((also you get all my note writing jokes that i make to myself))

V = xray and vav / K = mad king / R  = rimmy tim / M = mogar

(V) - I need,, some basic everyday hero biz to start the story with - tIME TO THROW THE OLD MEN IN THERE (K) - He decides to try out his powers a lil test run ((around Hilda's lab)) - Xray and Vav crash the party ofc - He gets by them EASY slow mo can't do much against teleporting - He didn't have much of a goal for it but, now he knows he has the upper hand on Xray and Vav - He leaves victorious (V) - He gets the business end of a run in with ender ryan - What was that?? he can teleport?? - Well we have to figure something out! (R) - Rimmy Tim runs into Mad King - Which is wild! thought he was dead! - but he does have some weird ass shit going on (K) - Wow running into Rimmy Tim isnt that neat? - He pays no mind to the Battle Buddy (R) - Rimmy Tim is crashing at Jake's place ((to be relevant)) - He also meets Xray and Vav but nobody knows what his full deal is ((and theyre distracted from having they ass kicked))

(V) - Vav is the plan guy - They get intel that he has a weird power source - it gave him the powers so if they can figure it out maybe they can take them away! - We'll need to be stealthy boys... - MOGAR! - ask mogar for help, he distract while they sneak in and nab the gem (M) - The plan involves Mogar fighting Mad King up front - Mogar runs into Rimmy Tim and is suspicious of him (K) - Ofc he knew Xray and Vav would make a plan - Mogar comes to fight him aw they just decided to send a fwiend - Mad King is busy beating Mogar and doesn't notice that they got the gem ((Uh Oh! Plothole!)) (M) - They dont see him at the meeting place (K) - He Notices when he decides to experiment with it and tries out a lesser power source - Resulting in Zombie Mogar

(V) - They HAVE to find Mogar - poking around the outside for a sign of him they find his sword in the dumpster - thats,,, not good - its really heavy but if vav straps it to his back he can handle it - they wind up splitting up for any sign of Mogar (K) - Well if you're going to be rude about it - [teleports in the streets] - Have it your way do what you want - [and he leaves Mogar there] - when he teleports back Rimmy Tim is there and he quips ab how convenient tping is (R) - MK has him get rid of the new power source obviously a failure (V) - It gets dark but vav hears a noise in the alley - He finds Mogar! But he's eating something - Mogar growls and starts running at him - *british screaming* - As he BOOKS IT around a corner Xray runs into him and Vav just grabs his arm - NO TIME TO EXPLAIN - so what the plans just fucking run - oh wait thats Jake's van - *climbs in* wEHAVE TO GO HIT THE GAS - bro its a red light - iTS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THERES NO TRAFFIC JUST - Mogar jumps on the vAAAAAAAA - Thats enough to convince Jake she slams on the gas - " you guys are paying for any tickets i get"

((for context, Jake is my oc she has an ask blog that I was planning to use to be like in between she and rimmy tim are hanging out and you might find out things from interacting w her. But for character knowledge she’s an appliance installer that works with The Monarchy’s Servants. Which that is the company that installs the stuff that comes out of Monarch Labs. there was also a whole bit where she and rimmy tim would be hanging out and he’d be joking like oh do you ever go in like “ah m’lord!! is this installation to your liking thank you m’lord!!” and she’d goof back if he ever had a house for her to install shit in she’d do it just for him.

and for how Jake and Rimmy tim met it was at 3am dennys a few years ago and they been buds ever since))

(R) - Jake's checking on her van later and Rimmy Tim comes out to give a hand - and he asks what happened and she's shaking a lil - she just leaves it as hero biz as usual she thinks (V) - bloody hell we have to help mogar! - yeah what did Mad King do to him! - they gotta bait and catch him (R) - Jake gets a call from xray and vav asking for help getting mogar to a lab - Rimmy Tim tags along and gets to see Mogar (M) - Xray and Vav catch mogar and have him leashed in the lab - But?? Is he dangerous?? Can he contaminate others??

(R) - This is wrong - RYAN is wrong - Rimmy Tim,, Has to do something - discussion doesnt work, Ryan's just a wall discussion wise - theres no talking him out of anything he's too absorbed (V) - Mogar has good moments - reference the rotten flesh test w vav (K) - Rimmy Tim is getting increasingly worried ab him - Rimmy Tim mentions Mogar - Well it wasn't on PURPOSE - but yeah i did that - No, I don't particularly know how to reverse it (R) - Rimmy Tim tries talking hey what if we just did this partner like - Nothing can beat the battle buddies then this can all be done right? - Mad King brushes him off and tells him to stay out of his business - Ryan gets caught in the rain - He claws Rimmy's face oh no! his money maker! - Rimmy Tim decides enough is enough and leaves to help Xray and Vav fix this,,, fix him,,, (V) - They hear Mad King in the rain - hhhhh i dont want to deal with more monsterrrrssss - Rimmy Tim joins the team! - he explains his history with Mad King - and how he's worried - wORRIED LOOK WHAT HE'S DONE TO MOGAR - He digs out the lesser power source that was used on Mogar - THIS made THAT *points at Mogar* (K) - Mad King is bandaged and goes to sleep off the pain and *emotions* (gross) of the evening - as he drifts off instead of dreaming he finds himself seeing through Jeremy's damaged eye - He just sees xray and vav but he cant hear a word - needless to say he feel betrayed

(Finale leadup)

- they need a plan to catch MK - Xray and Vav decide to drill RT ab possible weaknesses - he doesnt have much to contribute though they havent worked together in years and he didnt have all this magic junk going on. - and all RT's seen of the magic junk is teleporting - Well have you seen his hideout? can you explain like layout or whats going on there - oh fuck yeah i guess that is intel lemme sketch it out

- Hilda is playing around with whats the difference between the gem they stole from MK and the one that RT says changed Mogar - Mayhaps after some experimentation gone wrong she figures they cant use the thing against him but need a device that'll remove that specific energy - so you know a SUCKING machine - While she's working so closely with this she starts having enderhilda dreams but like when she's awake shes like yeah thats neat but you aint caught my interest you dumb gem

- Wait RT if you and MK used to be in cahoots do you have any powers that can beat him? - I got guns we were guns for hire you know battle buddies - wot MK doesnt use guns he plays mind games - well yeah NOW he does he uh-- didnt have it all together after our last mission

(flashback)

- Battle buddies are cleaning up after a mission - they're both pretty angry like we wound up being the bad guys AGAIN how does this keep happening - RT agrees he's not a fan of dirty cash - MK comes to the conclusion if i controlled these sheeple nobody would be calling my shots and makin me do the wrong thing - come on ryan ya cant control people thats wrong - whats a little more blood on my hands if it means making things better on the whole - and MK winds up leaving the battle buddies :C

(Finale)

- Hilda comes in like hey i got your guys's sucking machine go suck off mad king or whatever - and vavs like Alright! lets make a plan lads! - then we go to MK - he can see them coming, he's gotten practice watching through RT's eyes - he gets the machine from them as theyre barely through the door - "well I was curious what this would do but what does it matter anyways" - and he's got like some full ender shadow clones to help with the fight and they all pair off ((not like an army literally just enough to pair off MK dont need an army to beat these guys)) - the real MK personally faces off RT though :) - RT "why do i get the real ryan why couldnt you face off with like vav or something" - MK "im curious if you could shoot me 'buddy'" - RT "well I doubt i'll do something but i do owe you one ;)" and he do shoot him but yeah the bullets are stopped and do nothing - MK "I do hope you brought something else if youre turning against the MAD KING you have best be prepared" - RT "what can i say" [drops gun] "I stick to my guns" [throw punch]

- but yeah after the fighting and witty dialogue clears it looks like MK do have the upper hand - RT was left bleeding out ((stabbed through with pointy fingers oooo MK got his blood literally on his hands)) - While MK is monologuing RT sneaks into the bathroom which MK pauses mid monologue when he sees a flash of RT's bloody hand reaching for the showerhead - cant believe that fuck - and RT comes out and hoses him down ((yes it reaches that far LOOK its got a long hose)) - then MK's on the ground fucking sizzling - vav's like oh right! and jumps up to get the sucking machine and they use it on MK

(epilogue)

- Jake drops RT off where they got MK locked up and shes like "do what u gotta do man" and RT's like "thanks for understanding bud" - and he gets in MK shifts to look at him - RT starts to apologize for ruining his plan but gets interrupted as MK says "you were right" - which is a SHOCKING thing to hear from that guy - and mad king is like "thank you" - and we end on "anytime buddy."

so that was my plot I havent been kidding when I said it was a long comic plan. Its been heartbreaking to have this whole thing ripped from me but I can’t tell a story about friendship w a manipulator. 

I’m not sure how long it’ll be until I actually get another thing started but I hope its soon because I was very excited to share a good long story with the xray and vav fandom and I thought this plot wouldve been like a good season worth of content

I had some draws tagged under “#its all connected” and they were all me working on this idea before I actually decided to write it out and try for a whole comic after being inspired by some close friends and the good at being bad animation collab

[guardians-of-exo]

The King: Eternal Monarch

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis: A coup in the Kingdom of Corea leaves behind an orphaned Prince Lee Gon, now a king. The person who saved his life left behind an ID card and the King spends his whole life looking for that person. The person who saved him however, was not who he expected it to be, and for his questions to be answered he must travel to a completely different world.

Episode info: 16 episodes / Runtime around 70 minutes

Lead cast (I usually list what roles the actors play as well, but here this would be spoilers so I wont) : Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, Lee Jung-in

Link to watch: You can watch on Netflix or here

Drama rec masterlist | Drama rant thread (beware of spoilers)

_

Okay so, I want to start with the positive things I have to say about this drama.

The first episode was amazing, and I was so excited to see where it would go. It was just confusing and intriguing enough to leave me wanting more. They used a lot of Alice in Wonderland parallels and I loved every second of it. All of that however, was forgotten as soon as the second episode started, but we’ll get back to that later.

Another thing I noticed - and I am by no means an expert on this, I just call it as I see it - but the camera work is exquisite. I don’t really know how to explain it because I don’t know any of the terms, but the way they went about shooting the different scenes made it such a smooth and interesting watch. The different camera angles and effects they used fit the mood they were going for and enhanced the drama perfectly. The lighting and colouring of the drama overall also made it a very beautiful drama to watch. 

So now we get to the parts I didn’t like, which is pretty much everything else though it sounds pretty harsh.

This is by no means a dig at Min-ho as an actor, but this is now the third drama I have watched with him in total, and his character is a complete copy paste. I could take Kim Tan from The Heirs or Heo Joon-jae from Legend of the Blue Sea and put them in this drama and it would make no difference at all. 

My overall disappointment with this drama though, is how messy it is. Their use of flashbacks is way too excessive to the point where I was sometimes confused at what point of the story I was even at. At one point they went three flashbacks deep and then skipped ahead in the story and I was so lost.

And, I never thought I would say this ever, but I wish they would have done a bit more telling instead of showing. It felt a little like they tried leaving clues out for the viewer to piece things together, but often plot just came out of nowhere and we were just expected to go along with it without explanation. Some things I’m still not sure how or why they were even relevant to the story. A lot of things just happen because it needs to for the plot and rarely things are set up previous to it happening.

Very few dramas has me as lost and confused as this one did, and I don’t consider myself a stupid person, but this made me feel like I was stupid. And I don’t like that. I could probably watch this again and hopefully understand more of what was happening, but I am honestly not sure if I want to.

It is such a shame though, because the actors were all phenomenal. And if I step back and look at the overall plot they were going for, it could have been so good if executed well! It is a very difficult plot to pull off though and in my opinion they failed. The only drama I can think of that has tried something similar and succeeded is Memories of the Alhambra, which is also my favourite drama for that reason.  

I could maybe see myself going back to watch this again someday, but until that happens I can’t really say anything else positive about this drama. As amazing as the first episode was, as disappointing was the rest of it, and I am so sad it came to that.

[shattered-catalyst]

So this  isnt for anything other than just to say what happened just so I feel heard and I can explain why I cant be as energetic and socially active on here. Its not a callout post or to be reblogged/shared by people. Its not to get anyone in trouble or to cause any reaction. It’s just for me to let it out and reclaim this space again. Its been a year since it happened and I guess I’m just still noticing how badly it has impacted my PTSD. How much its changed me as a person both online and off, and this isnt a woe as me thing either this is just me feeling a need to be heard and explain my own behavior over the year and also to make one simple request of you guys: no matter what you do, always treat your rp partners as people first and writers second.

Because I feel myself becoming bitter and that isnt who I am and I dont want to be someone like that. Or like this. I want to be me again

The person who did this wont be named mainly because they dont deserve it and yall dont need to know. Their behavior when I confronted them more than cements the impression that they dont see any harm in what they said and how they reacted. And again this isnt about them though In A Way I suppose it is? it takes two to tango but it takes one to encourage someone to kill themselves.

This is going to be long because I need to inform on the activity that lead up to this  because it didnt just happen over night- though in a way it did. But you need a better picture of this person because apparently they present a really great face that only a few of us see the manipulative and toxic side of.

This person was always very judgemental and hyper critical. I witnessed a lot of very negative and toxic behavior from them but I was naive and just hoped they would mature as they grew older and gained more independence. I thought it was just a toxic friend group and that perhaps she would recognize her self destructive and immature behavior and grow from it. 

My first red flag should have been when they accused me of being their ex girlfriend SOLELY because I was living in PA. I hate to break it to yall, but PA is a big ass state and has a lot of comic book loving ladies. Thankfully I have never met this person IRL and I hope I never do.

They tried to pull me into making fun of other muns on discord, including mocking sensitive pictures from a mun’s personal blog. I blatantly said it wasnt okay and made me uncomfortable and she continued laughing and making jokes about it with her friend group on discord. She kept trying to pull me into it no matter how often I tried to change the subject.

Her group of friends also did this thing where one of them would go interact with a mun an they would take screenshots of the convo and share it with the group and mock the mun they were interacting with. Whether it be their presentation of character/grahics/writing style/ etc.

The other red flags I ignored? How much she complained and mocked other muns and compared them to me; if anyone did anything or said anything she disagreed with it was an instant blow up. She took EVERYTHING personally including other people writing the same characters she did, having differing headcanons, not knowng obscure details about canon, etc.

She once tried to make fun of a new writing partner I had who was writing the same character, and I had to break it to her that this new person could write in her first language if she wanted to; im being very vague but let me just say if you and your character have the same first language and you want to write in it then its completely WRONG for a white mun to try and make fun of you for it.

She once suggested I had stolen pictures off her pinterest when she sent me a moodboard request for my character. Jokes on her I didnt even know she HAD a pinterest and I had gotten all my pictures from the ‘green aesthetic’ tag on tumblr. Which I told her but she kept pushing the idea on me I had stolen them. I of course dismissed this and put it on the back burner despite the alarm bells going off.

This hyper critical and paranoid behavior continues with everything from other canon blogs making similar head canons/ vaguely similar graphics/ to fanfiction authors having similar head canons/plot ideas.

My penname Citrus? I didnt want one. I didnt want it. She demanded I have a pen name and if not she was going to call me Cat. Now as yall know I dont like being enmeshed with my muse so I keep myself separate from them. I didnt like being called Cat and I told her that explicitly. She kept doing it. So I had to make a pen name because she refused to respect my boundaries.

When the Deadpool movie came out she DEMANDED I change my FC to reflect the movie Despite Not Changing Hers to reflect her own characters new look - which might i add is fat erasure. It was clear then that the rules and standards she held other people to didnt apply to herself. I was labeled problematic for not giving into her demands to change FCs (which I have a literal logical reason for not changing and im not explaining that here)

So I shouldve left. Long story short I didnt because every friendship I’d been in until around this time had been abusive and toxic. I thought this was all normal behavior for people to have and I was convinced I was just being critical of someone elses opinions/ insensitive etc. Thanks to my colleagues in graduate school and to several of you on here I learned that ‘hey dumbass friends dont treat your ass like this’.

Im leaving a lot out about the shit she did/said to me but those snippets give you an idea of things.

Leading up she decided to leave fandom and asked we didnt talk about marvel I said cool okay and didnt talk about marvel with her. If I did I would ask first if she was okay if we talked about one small aspect I thought might excite her/ she would like to know about but it wasnt often that happened because she began ghosting me. Hard. She stopped replying to me at all over discord when I would try and talk to her how we used to about our lives. She didnt answer any asks for munday or character development, in fact she blatantly ignored me.

I checked in a couple times with her to make sure I hadnt done anything to make her uncomfortable and she said no. May I emphasize she said no here. Im emphasizing it right now. She said no. She said everything was fine. So when I was like hey dude this is super triggering for me can you send me like a hi every once in awhile just so I can know we’re okay because its super triggering for me. Yall know what she did? She ‘lmao’-ed. she thought that was hecka funny. Yeah triggering ‘Citrus’ is hilarious isnt it? No it isnt and I shouldve cut her ass off right then and there.

Heres where shit gets confusing: she kept fucking talking about marvel to me. Id get messages at random times about marvel and then silence for weeks. I vividly remember during this period I was cleaning the museum vault and she kept messaging me about her marvel fc’s and how she wouldnt get a plotline and how characters were wrong etc.

I remember being REALLY confused because she had said NO MARVEL. But here she was bitching at me about marvel. In fact thats all she did when she did talk to me. Which was only like three or four times during the ghosting time period. She’d bitch about marvel and then vanish.

Shed make claims about not watching her dash and thats why she never responded to me/ interacted with me. She’d say she wasnt talkng to anyone while I see her on the dash TALKING TO PEOPLE and Id like to point out Ive told her I would be fine ending anything as long as she let me know.

but she followed me on every blog and throughout this time period she made and followed me on numerous ones. She kept reaching out sporadically to bitch about her fcs/how horrible marvel was/ and thats it. 

It was extremely confusing because if someone doesnt want to talk to me I assume they will; 1. unfollow 2. block 3. say goodbye 4. ghost and stay ghosted.

Not cycle through behavior rapidly. I asked her a few times if we were good and that I was confused and I got another ‘lmao’ reaction so I assumed we were good. At this point I still have no idea what was going on/ what message I was supposed to be receiving other than confusion.

So following this is heavily suicide tw and I encourage you not to read this part and to scroll down until the suicide tw is over which is highlighted in bold- if you’re triggered by that because I care about those who follow my blog.

So thats when this shit happened. I had tried reaching out to her on a different fandom platform to try and maintain the friendship. Because she said numerous times that we were friends. So like I reached out thinking maybe she just didnt want a marvel blog period.  It wasnt too long after that that she suicide baited me.

I was in a really bad place and had been for awhile and when I posted about how the only thing holding me on was the new comic coming out and specifically said “im seriously suicidal and this comic is the only thing giving me hope #idk what to do anymore ”. I was surprised when she liked the post.

I was three steps into a four step plan. I had everything but the method planned out and was just waffling along with that. Because yknow its complicated and you do it you make it count amiright. Right. I was in a fucked up place. I had just realized I was gay, I was horrendously depressed, I was in considerable physical pain, I was working 70 hours a week, my OCD was at an all time high and the only thing that kept me on this earth was a fucking comic book. You hold onto what you need to yknow?

WELL APPARENTLY NOT

Because this person who doesnt read her dash? This person who doesnt want to talk about anything? Liked that post where I specifically stated I was suicidal and sent me a discord message saying “dont have hope”.

Thats all it said “dont have hope”

Now I know what youre thinking but hold on because it gets worse.

I said something about being confused I dont really remember because I was pretty out of it. I do remember she kept going on about how horrible the comic would be and that it would be a piece of trash. I remember telling her I was really numb and in a bad place and couldnt feel anything. I remember her sending me screencaps and continuing to go ON AND ON about how it wasn’t worth reading.

I remember with gross intensity how someone who said they were my friend was taking away the only thing that was keeping me alive.

I dont remember how the conversation ends. I called out of work for the next three days. I was catatonically depressed and unable to really move. I didnt eat either. I went to internship, work, and school in a state of dissociation.

 I took screencaps of everything and set them aside for later. IDK what I was going to use them for but I set them in a folder on my desktop, looking back I regret what I did next; because I deleted them. I deleted them because I thought maybe she had been manic or drunk and hadn’t realized the scope of what was happening. I wanted to talk to her about it and clear things up because I believed in her. I believed there was no way she would be so callous as to do that on purpose. No way would someone try and get someone they called a friend to kill themselves. So I deleted the screencaps and my post on tumblr. I deleted all evidence to protect her and I encourage you all never to fucking do that even if you think that person misunderstood the gravity of your situation. Because if you’re wrong no ones going to believe you.

I remember shifting between intense depression and total denial.

I spent the rest of that month in and out of intense dissociative states when I wasnt in class or working with my clients.  During the middle of October my sister sent me pictures of a litter of puppies and I was like ‘well, i really need to either kill myself or make sure i dont’. I spent a few days continuing to waffle with that decision but then i remembered my mom cosigned my loans and I cant leave her with that debt because fuck we cant even afford my funeral to begin with. So I adopted a dog, I named him Julio to remind me to keep living and he finally came to me on halloween.

He was the only reason I left bed on my days off. I tried not to think about it but I did.  

I continued to spiral with heavier dissociative episodes and vivid nightmares about it.

SUICIDE TW OVER

I waited until Christmas to ask her to clarify the situation and let her know I no longer felt comfortable writing with her. I reminded her what happened and told her to check her discord if she wanted to see for herself etc.

She sent two long asks of combative, emotionally abusive, and gaslighting accusations. The first thing she did was say I needed to provide evidence if I went around making accusations like that. Then she cascaded into how I always talked about marvel *points up to where i explained what happened earlier*.  She tried gaslighting me like a champion and tried turning me into a horrible person the only problem is everything she was accusing me of doing was the shit she was doing to me. Everything. 

Even if I was bad at any time I had given her numerous chances to tell me I was overstepping a boundary- she always said no. I gave her numerous times to unfollow me if she wasnt interested in interacting with me- she never did. In fact I had unfollowed her that month because of her behavior towards me and she hadnt even noticed.

I let her know I could tell she was angry,  and that I didnt take receipts of private conversations because I believed in settling things like adults, and that if she ever wanted any proof it was all in her discord anyway. I let her know she could contact me to apologize but otherwise I didnt want her on any of my blogs and I told her the first thing she should have done wasnt demand receipts but she should have asked if I was okay. Its a real reflection of where her priorities were when she demands evidence rather than checks to see if a writing partner is okay.

Even if I did something horrible it doesnt warrant someone trying to get me to end my life. 

I was notified she put a post on her blog apologizing to her followers for being a bad friend and that she was a horrible person and ofc everyone was like ‘noooo youre perfect’ and its like ya thats not for me who hasnt followed her in months- thats to save face.

Her friends blogs kept visiting my profile and going through the month where this happened.

Everything she did and said was to save face. Her blog and her reputation are the only thing she cared about. She has never approached me to apologize or anything of the sort and I doubt she ever will. I would hope she would never do this again and I hope she has grown as a person since. That her life is better and her mother is okay, that shes happy and learning. 

 I know by posting this I will never receive an apology- then again i never expected one to begin with. I could go through all the trouble of restoring the deleted files but to be honest it isnt worth it because theres no room in my life for that type of toxicity.

Since this happened I:

I have stronger episodes of depression and dissociation since.

My PTSD has increased and I have week long spikes in anxiety attacks, depression and decreased self worth if I even see her around the rpc despite being blocked, blacklisted on xkit etc.

Have more difficulty completing basic self care tasks due to an increase in depression and a decrease in self worth.

I have nightmares about this event and her to this day a year later.

I cannot interact with the RPC how I once did as I fear seeing her on my dash or any sort of information getting back to her about me.

It took me half a year to see the character she wrote as as safe again and for awhile I couldnt even look at him without experiencing an anxiety attack.

I keep having nightmares. Its been a year and I still have nightmares about this.

I find myself having more difficulties connecting with people online especially on this blog. I’m constantly on edge when interacting with people and I feel spikes of anxiety at the merest thought of someone talking about me to her.

I find myself unable to have confidence as a writer or creator online because I have been reminder of the cement wall between oc characters and their canon counterparts.

I cannot go out and just follow anyone and be friendly and trusting with them anymore, even with people I already know. In the back of my mind is a constant reminder of how she and her friends used to check up on people and pretend to write with them/ interact with them just to take screenshots of conversations to share with the group. I have become a paranoid little bitch in the past year is what Im saying. like theres 0 need for that shit.

I blocked most of the people she interacted with simply to save myself from being triggered by her blogs/ mentions of her and that isnt fair to those people.

I remember the photo incident and how people derived such joy from mocking someones body. I can think of so many incidents of them making fun of others and I remember how that could be happening about me rn, and I wonder if anyone would stick up for me like I did for the other mun.

 I hope by posting this I can try and return to the person I was before this happened. I can try and not be so bitter and reach out again to others. That somehow I can continue working on making tumblr a safe place for me again and not a PTSD laced minefield.

I would like to remind this isnt a callout and I request if you know who this is about you dont say anything to them. This isnt for them. They have NEVER reached out to apologize for their actions. They have NEVER checked to see if I was okay after that. They have NEVER shown any remorse for encouraging me to kill myself and while I hope they’ve grown from the situation and will never do it again I doubt I will ever get closure from such an event. But i DO hope by writing this I can take this place back.

Consider this my first step towards bringing this up to a therapist.

 Consider this another step to me taking this blog back and feeling safer here; and maybe just maybe Ill make up a cool pen name for myself and own that shit.

If you’ve read this far thank you for your patience with me, and I request you always treat your writing partners like the people that they are. 

This post is not intended or written to leave this blog and therefore I request you not reblog it or share segments of it with ANYONE. If I find you have shared anything on here without my explicit permission I will block you.

‘Citrus’

[toxxicsky]

Alas Al Cielo (part 3)

It’s hard to pull out what I’m thinking and pull it out perfectly. there is no torture this round. but discussion of discrimination in culture. just a warning each chapter is going to be around 1000 words. and I’m really trying to stick to my goal. hope you enjoy this wild ride.

Allura turned around to see the other paladins. Keith was being held down by Pidge who was crying on Keith’s shoulder as he sat there frozen in Pidge's arms almost like Life was stripped completely out of him. She looked over next to Shiro, and Coran who looked down and hopeless, she then looked around to see Hunk standing off in the corner looking angrier that she had ever seen him.

“It’s alright Hunk? I know things seemed dim. But we will get Lance back. We need to work together to get him back.” She then heard him scoff and looked at in confusion, but wanting to change the subject to figure out things. “By the way, if Lance has wings they looked rather sad. But do the rest of you have them?” she asked but heard a loud thump like a wall being hit. And Hunk moved away heading to the door.

“Like hell we do. Or at least I don’t I guess I don’t know my best friend as much as I thought. I’m going to cook.” and with that Hunk was out the door. Allura just stood there dumbfounded.

“I guess I’ll explain some. Just to put this out here no one else is a  Fterotós daímonas right.” Shiro started to speak and looked around.

“Just Ftero.” Pidged snapped wiping her eyes that had tears. Then finally sighed “And no I’m not… Keith” She shook the man in her arms and he just shook his head. A small “no.” could be heard from his lips. As he sat there taking in Pidge’s warmth.

“Sorry, Ftero. I forget that the other is kinda dehumanizing, but now that, that’s out of the way.”  He turned to Allura and Coran, “Princess, on earth. Humans don’t have wings typically, and I can only explain so much because not much is known about them.You see whenever one pops up the government takes them immediately. For what I know id they test on them. Trying to figure out if how they are created, because anyone can have them.  but really are probably tested to become weapons like nothing more than a trained animal. Everyone else sees them as demons. Cursed humans sent from the devil, or anything that earth worships. That’s mostly because the only time we ever see them is attacking someone.” Shiro was trying to do his best to explain all about the history of them, but he hated he knew so little about it. even though he understood why Lance did it, he still felt bad that Lance didn't trust them enough to tell them what was going on. He then looked over to Keith and Pidge who had now separated away from each other. Keith now stood away from the group leaning on the wall listening to them. While Pidge had walked to him watching him close. "You have more to add?”

She just nodded. “You got most of it. And your suspicions were right. They are being used as Military weapons. That's why the only time you see them is fighting. And there is more out there than we think. Lance is proof. He has been alive for 17 years and no one ever knew. I didn’t even know, and I have been working with Ftero’s my whole life. and Shiro,” She said sternly looking up at him with fire and leftover tears in her eyes. “Lance is not evil. And if you or anyone else say so I will go down there myself and get him. He is just as much Human as the rest of us, and...”

“Woah, hey, calm down Pidge we are going to help him. And get him out of here. Don’t worry.” He looked over at the figure in the corner. “Right Keith?”

“You’re damn right. It’s not Lance’s fault he is stuck with all this Shit.” the red paladin pushed off the wall and walked over to the group ready to do anything to help to get him out.  

Allura still felt almost just as lost as before, as she tried to understand what they meant. She just couldn’t seem to fathom people discriminating others just because of who they were. Especially with them being the same species. “So Lance is still human. And because people have been treating his kind very poorly. He had to hide it from everyone, right? Is that why are wings looked so sad and mangled because his wings didn’t look freshly mangled. They looked dull. And small. I’m pretty sure they were cut at the ends, and not maintained at all. Is that normal?” She asked looked around at them and took the sigh. “I guess we will figure it out. We just know we need to get him back to us as fast as we can.  Can someone people get Hunk. we need to plan now.”

“I’ll go talk to him. You guys start without us.” Shiro said as he headed towards the door. leaving the planning to the others hoping they would get things done. Leading through the hallway and towards the kitchen. When he made it to the Kitchen He looked around to see bowls of food piled around and Hunk leaning over the sink seemed to be crying.

“Hunk is everything okay? What’s  wrong. I know You’re worried about Lance, but we all need to work together to get him out.” Shiro spoke softly. He placed his hand on his shoulder

“Shiro, you don’t understand. I didn’t know my best friend was one of them!” Hunk yelled while with such bitterness as he turned around to face him. “I can’t face him… They are… nothing but monsters… and in my mind I know he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. Hell, we shared dorm rooms together. So he had all the chances to do something. But, knowing he is one of those things… I just can’t see him the same. I’m sorry Shiro, I will help you save him. But I will not go in there and see him. I’m sorry. I’m not proud of it. Just something in the past happened… and seeing him kinda brings it back.”  He gave Shiro a very sad look but tried his best to encourage him. “He’s my best friend. And I hate myself so much for not even be able to see him and help him so much, but I just can't.” Hunk started to shake in Shiro's arms looking so lost and small.

Shiro just gently brought him closer hugging him tightly. “It’s alright big guy. We can work something out. But right now I need you to try to be strong and to come back to the bridge we have lots of planning to do and a loud, happy guy to save.” Shiro gently pulled Hunk away from the kitchen and to the bridge.

The two entered the bridge to hear talking. The tension seemed to have gone down considerably. Shiro saw Pidge and Allura strategizing over the star map. Coran was leaned over a monitor with Keith they seemed to be looking for something, and Shiro was very proud to see Keith so immersed in helping in the mission. He was only sad that it was at the loss of one of their own. “So, what did we miss guys?” He asked trying to lighten the mood but knew he wasn’t even close to doing as good as a job as Lance did.

Pidge just looked up and gave a slight smile. Diving her nose back in the star chart that he now noticed that there were notes all around them “Glad to see you guys. Come over here. I think we just about got a game plan. Keith and Coran are looking for Lance’s position. They have located the general location. But there is just too wide of a range to locate the right planet or ship he is at.”

“So we are fixing to make a jump nearby to narrow it down some more. We are almost certain he is on a ship that is in between these four dead planets.  But if not there are a few other planets nearby to hit them.” Allura spoke looking up her hair was now tied in a tight bun to keep it out of the way as they planned.

The rest of the team planned for a while longer. Finally coming with a good plan. Pidge and Keith would go inside the base. To try to disable the sentries and get Lance out of there. Hunk and Shiro would stay in their Lion’s to fend off any oncoming enemies. The castle would provide more support as well as get pod ready for Lance and whoever gets hurt.

“Alright, team let’s go, Let’s go save Lance!” Shiro said proudly hoping they could get to him in time.

one last note. I wanted to put this at the end so I didn’t ruin the plot. But I did change the paladin’s background. especially Hunk’s and I know that’s not how he normally acts but I will explain more in later chapters. I am always happy for feedback. 

[groovyzombiellama]

Storm 2

(OMG Just imagine this is actually going to happen to a very lucky woman some day. I mean the proposing part, maybe not like this, but it’s gonna happen...)

Title: Storm 2 Requested? Yes. Plot: The second chapter of the Storm imagine, where it’s your 4 year anniversary and Alex decides he is ready to be someone’s husband. And the most epic proposal ever is in full effect. Warnings: Epic proposal ahead! Word count: 1352

Part 1

---***---

It's an early Sunday morning in Dublin, the sun was shyly showing it's rays through the curtains of the penthause apartment window. I slowly opened my eyes as I stretched my body, one of my hands feel the bed next to me, soon noticing it was empty and that I was alone. I figured Alex had started making breakfast already, so I decided to begin my wake up routine slowly. Suddenly I felt something soft under my fingers, turning my head to look at the mysterious object I have encountered. It turned out being a red rose, with a note attached to it. The note read:”Good morning beautiful! It’s a big day today, so dress pretty and meet me at the park. Your secret admirer.” I smiled, knowing it was Alex playing tricks on me. I had been thinking about today before I fell asleep last night. Today is four years since Alex and I started our relationship. It felt like it was just yesterday when I first met him, after arriving to the set of Vikings, thinking I was just going to be an extra, and instead getting the big role I play.

Like clockwork, my phone lit up, signaling I had a text. It was the infamous secret admirer, who snuck into my phone last night to change his caller ID to “Secret admirer”. For a moment I thought it might not be Alex, but instead one of the boys trying to pull a prank on me and my boyfriend just deciding to go along with it. If that’s true, and he plays a prank on me, on our anniversary, he is going to be in so much trouble I swear to God. The text read that, knowing how much girls scramble through their clothes to find something to wear every day, an outfit was waiting for me in the living room, just waiting for me to put it on. I replied asking him how he could possibly know I would like the outfint, and he got back to me saying he was 100% sure I’m gonna love it. Alright, let us see what my little monkey man has in store for me to wear today. I quickly showered and did my make up and hair, walking into the living room with caution, as if I was going to encounter a robber who was going through my stuff at this very moment.

I was greeted instead with a beautiful dress, shoes to match and accessories. It was actually a set I wanted to buy ages ago, but somehow always seemed to forget as I was too busy with work and everything. Now comes the next task, will it all fit me? Like a glove! Everything looked perfect and I was ready for the perfect anniversary celebration. If only I knew what was in store for me. Once I arrived to the park, even as the taxi pulled up, I noticed a lot of people swarming the area around Alex. I soon realized it was almost the whole cast, escorting him. I was confused, wondering why he brought all of them with him, and adding to my confusion was a camera that Marco was holding. An anniversary with the whole cast? Not what I was expecting, but I don’t mind. They are my family and I love them, so if he decided they are coming with, fine by me. I gave the money to the taxi driver and exited the vehicle.

The moment one of my feet stepped on the ground, a very familiar song started playing. I looked up at Alex in shock, which was soon replaced with laughter, as some of the cast started dancing and the others walked to a bench, holding mysterious boxes. Alex was playing the role of Bruno Mars for now, pulling his best smug face. “Just the way you are” was the song of choice, and soon, the secret admirer had started singing. I was shocked, not able to move. He was actually singing, no lip-syncing whatsoever. It was all the beautiful voice of the man I love, and it just made my day, we don’t need anything else. I tried walking towards him, soon stopped by the guys with the boxes as they poured rose petals to create a road for me, leading up to a heart shape, where my cue was to stand and watch probably. And now I get to feel bad, since all I got Alex is a watch he wanted for his birthday, but I bought him something else instead, wanting to save this for the anniversary.

I took my stand in the heart and continued on watching as they sung and danced around Alex, Marco filming the whole thing. Suddenly I was showered with rose petals and gold and silver confetti. He is trying to ruin my dress and makeup to make me look stupid once he posts this, well, that might be one of the things he wants. Jokes aside, I watched in awe, swaying my body a little to the music, soon having chocolate lollypops and candy given to me, one person at a time, on cue, until I couldn’t hold it all anymore and Katheryn approached me, taking some of it , to put in a bag next to the heart shaped on the floor by the petals. It was all fun and games until the real deal started. The lyric were changed in the last minute. And I tried singing the end in my head, only to be shocked when Alex switched the lyrics, the song becoming a little slower, and turning into another song by Bruno.

My hand flew up to cover my mouth as Alex started approaching me slowly, singing the new song’s last part, to replace the one he should have been singing. Instead of singing: “ ’cause girl you are amazing, just the way you are.” my boyfriend of four years was singing:” ‘cause it’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do, hey baby, I think I wanna marry you.” And continuing on with the rest of the final courus, getting on one knee as he  finally stood in the heart shape with me. Tears began to fill up my eyes, escaping them soon after. I’m trying to make sense of the situation, but right now, I forgot about everyone else. I forgot about the huge cast and crew surrounding us. I forgot about Marco filming the whole scene. All I knew right now was that I had the love of my life kneeling in front of me, telling me how much he loves me and that if he is going to be someone’s husband, he would only want to be mine. he had his black fedora, looking at me with pleading eyes.

“Light of my life, Y/N, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?” The question left his mouth, making my heart want to jump out of my chest. I began whispering yes, while nodding frantically, soon regaining my voice and screaming. “Yes! Of course I will marry you!” He beamed at me with his smile, as he slipped the ring on my finger, than standing up to cup my face and connect our lips into a passionate kiss. The crowd cheered and we both laughed, hugging and kissing. I made everyone laugh, with my comment about having to plan a goddamn wedding, now in my busy work schedule, dramaticaly holding my head and stomach, the ring glowing magicaly on my finger. “Don’t worry, your fiance will help you with everything.” Jordan added, Alex nodding soon after, and I knew I could count on all of them to help me, not just Alex, and that made me love them even more. “It’s official guys, this boy is getting married!” Travis yelled out, every single person on the streets at the time cheering, making both Alex and I blush. I get to spend the rest of my life with my little monkey man, there is absolutely nothing that can be better that this.

---***---

OMG I NEED HELP! This is so cute, If I might say so myself. I hope you like this and it is as you expected it to be. Love you all! <3

Tags:  @imagine-this-motherfucker

[andinewton]

Born To Be King - Avengers Redemption Series - Part Three - Chapter 25

Characters: Loki, Sigyn;  pretty much everyone from the MCU appears at some point!

Pairings: Loki x Sigyn; Bucky x Amelia

Warnings: Smut, canon typical violence, swearing

Word Count: 60k + (complete with ongoing epilogues)

Summary:

He never wanted the throne…

Loki’s life seems to be charmed of late. His dead wife has been reborn and has married him once more, they have beautiful twin boys, and they are working and living with The Avengers. The only blot on his otherwise perfect landscape is the constant friction Odin seems to be able to cause with one simple request delivered by Thor. Odin wishes to meet the twins but will not cancel Loki’s banishment, allowing him to travel to Asgard with his wife and children. Loki finally caves but has a sense of foreboding about the trip which proves to be all too true…Join Loki, Sigyn and the team as they fight to find one another against all odds and protect their sons from those who would have them as their kings.

Master List

Chapter 25

Summary:  The team return to New York while Thor remains on Asgard; Bucky sounds the alarm and Fandral gets a shock.

‘That could have gone worse.’  Thor said proudly as they strode confidently to the bifrost site, knowing this time they could travel freely between realms by this manner.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I am not happy with the outcome, however you are correct, it could have gone a lot worse.’  Loki had negotiated a temporary peace treaty with the Jotuns that would be officially documented with advisors from Odin’s council, both sides signing the agreement until a permanent deal could be brokered.  So far it stood that Finnvid would continue to rule, accepting that Loki was still heir apparent but that it was his own decision as to when to intervene in matters, if at all.  There would be no repercussions against the Jotuns for the acts caused by Amora, and if she were to return to Jotunheim they were to take her as a criminal for attempted regicide and murder, as well as abduction, attempted abduction, and crimes against the Jotuns as a race in general.

‘You always did have a silvertongue.’

‘I have had no complaints of late.’

‘You’re talking kinky about Mrs Mischief again.’  Tony pointed out.

‘How can I not?’  Loki flashed him a small smile.  ‘Once we find Amora this matter is as good as settled, Sigyn and our boys will be safe, and the realms a better place without her.’

‘I want to hear the story about how she seduced you.’  Tony looked to Thor.

Thor shook his head.  ‘It was not one of my finest moments.’

‘You must understand, she is an expert manipulator.’  Loki interjected.  ‘She uses her charm and sorcery to get what she wants, which is power.’

‘Surprised she didn’t go for you.’

Loki gave him a sideways smile.  ‘She tried, Anthony, trust me, however with my sorcery she was unable to affect me as she needed.  It was another reason her control of Thor did not last long.  It did not take much for me to see exactly what scheme she was plotting.’

‘Which was?’

‘Sleeping her way through the palace for one, gaining power as she went, both magical and political.  I do not doubt she would have made a play for the throne, had she been successful in fully  corrupting Thor.’

‘She is far too good at what she does.’  Thor said with a hint of anger.  ‘She needs to be stopped.’

‘No argument here.’  Steve said.

Soon they were back in Heimdall’s observatory, finding Fandral waiting for them.  ‘Ah, the merry wanderers return!’  He said jovially as Thor greeted him.

‘Fandral, what news?’  Thor asked as Heimdall removed his sword while the observatory realigned itself.

‘The city is secure.’  He looked among them.  ‘Where’s Sigyn?  Were you unable to find her?’

‘She is safe and well, back on Midgard.’  Loki told him.  ‘And I am anxious to return there myself.’

‘The Allfather has asked that you report to him with an update,’ Fandral looked to Thor before back to Loki, ‘but I am at your service to escort you back to Midgard, to aid in the clean up of any stragglers.’

‘Extra hands are always welcome.’  Steve said.  ‘But there aren’t any stragglers, right?’  He double checked with the brothers.

‘As far as we know all the Jotuns returned to Jotunheim with us.’  Loki confirmed.  ‘All the same, as Steven said, you are welcome, as we have another problem.’

‘Another?’

‘I will meet you back at The Tower.’  Thor touched Loki’s shoulder briefly and left.

‘Remember that one woman who would not give you the time of day?’  Loki asked Fandral as Heimdall realigned his sword.

‘Besides Sigyn, you mean?’  He quirked him a small smile before thinking for a moment.  ‘I admit there have not been many, she was certainly the most resolute.’

Loki shook his head.  ‘Indeed she was, but think later, after she was lost to us, someone whose plotting and scheming almost cost us as a people a great deal.’

Fandral frowned slightly then his brows shot up.  ‘Not Amora?’

‘The very same.’  Loki strode towards the portal as it begun to open.  ‘She had fooled the Jotuns into aiding her, among other things, and we need to be cautious.’

‘I had assumed her dead, having not heard from her since her banishment from so many of the realms.’  Fandral fell into step beside him.

‘Apparently not.’

‘Just what was she banished for?’  Strange asked, not liking yet another Asgardian sorcerer on the loose and potentially attracted to Earth.

‘Originally she was incarcerated because she possessed Brunnhilde the Valkyrie.’  Fandral said as the portal began to swirl before them.  ‘Then banished because she went after our throne by beguiling Thor.’

‘Pretty much as soon as her imprisonment was over.’  Loki added.  ‘Her time in the dungeons did little to stop her treacherous ways.’

‘Unlike you!’  Fandral slapped Loki on the back and earned himself a glare before the portal sucked them into the bifrost for their journey back home.

‘FRIDAY!  Sound the alarm!’  Bucky yelled as he raced across the glass littered floor to the balcony, looking around in the hope there would be something to see.  ‘Nat!’  He yelled into the comms and got an instant reply as the alarms began to ring.

‘What is it, Buck?’

‘Some jackass just appeared on the balcony and grabbed Sigyn!’

‘What?’  Several voices echoed over the comms this time, not just Nat’s, but she was the one who asked; ‘Who grabbed her?  Where are you?’

‘Common room.  I don’t know the guy, but she did.  Looked like Errol Flynn.’

‘What’s going on?’  Jane asked Bruce as he walked away from the computer simulation they were running.’

‘Someone just grabbed Sigyn.’

‘What?  Who?’  She stopped and realised why he was suddenly not interested in their results.

‘Someone she knew, Bucky thinks, looks like Errol Flynn.’  He shrugged, not knowing who that could be.

‘Wait, a blond?’  She asked in confusion.  ‘He’s friends with her, he wouldn’t just grab her.’

‘You know who it is?’  Bruce looked at her in surprise.

‘Yeah, Fandral, I think.  He’s one of Thor’s friends, part of The Warriors Three.  He’s on our side.’

‘Maybe not.  Could you ID him from the security footage?’

‘Sure.  But it can’t be him.’  Jane argued as they went for the door.

‘Angel?’  Bruce asked.  ‘You on the security footage for the common room?’

‘Already bringing it up.’  Amelia replied.  ‘I’ll send it straight to your phone, Bruce.’

‘Thanks.’  They hit the elevator at a run.

‘What the mother loving fuck is going on?’  Bucky murmured as he looked around the balcony, the street, the sky, for anything that might be a sign of where Sigyn had gone, but nothing, not a trace.  He knew the elevators were on their way here with the team on the emergency extra fast setting, but he wasn’t sure having them here would actually do any good.  He wouldn’t even know where to begin looking for her.

Before either elevator could arrive the balcony lit up again, Bucky diving through the doorway instinctively out of its beam, rolling over his shoulders and turning on one knee, drawing a knife from his combat boot, grateful he hadn’t yet changed out of his tactical gear.  As the light dissipated before him stood Steve, Tony, Strange, Loki…and the Errol Flynn lookalike.  Bucky rushed across the floor and had his metal hand around Fandral’s throat in seconds, dragging him to the edge of the balcony and over the side, holding him effortlessly above the street before anyone could stop him, but it was only moments before Steve was on one side of him, Loki the other, Steve’s hand hovering close behind him, unsure what had triggered this.

‘Where is she?’  Bucky yelled as Steve tried to talk him down, Fandral glancing down as his hands gripped this Midgardian’s arm which appeared to be made of metal, his strength rivalling that of his kinsmen.

‘I don’t know who you’re talking about!’  Fandral said rapidly.

‘Buck, bring him back over the side, we can discuss this!’  Steve said, hoping to avoid what almost looked inevitable.

‘Sigyn!  Where did you take her?’  Bucky shook him slightly and Loki froze, his eyes going wide.  He touched Bucky’s shoulder, trying to make him face him.

‘What do you mean, where did he take her?’

‘I mean he was here just minutes ago and he grabbed her, did some magic and she was gone!’  Bucky growled, not taking his eyes from the blond he held.

‘Buck, he was with us, on Asgard.’

‘And Fandral holds no magic.’  Loki said but his voice was quiet, the situation sinking in in a way he did not like.

‘Buck.’  Steve repeated.  ‘Bring him back over so we can talk about this.’

Bucky let out a breath through his nose before pulling Fandral back over the side and tossing him into the room before he could make his escape.  ‘Start talking!’  He snapped as two of the elevators pinged open almost simultaneously, Nat and Clint coming running from one, Bruce and Jane the other.

‘What happened?’  Nat asked as she took in the scene before her, Tony stepping out of his suit and putting himself between Bucky and the Asgardian who was getting to his feet.

‘This is the guy, this is the one who took Sigyn!’

Steve and Tony shared a look.  ‘Sorry, Buck, if it was in the last few minutes he was with us, on Asgard.’  Steve assured him.

Bucky turned to look at his best friend who nodded, Fandral getting cautiously to his feet.  ‘I assure you, I would do nothing to harm our fair Sigyn.  She is like a sister to me.’

‘Amora.’  Loki said quietly and they all turned to look at him.  He had paled and his eyes were aimed at a spot on the floor but out of focus.  ‘She disguised herself as someone Sig trusts.’

‘Here.’  Bruce flicked his Stark phone and between them appeared the security footage of the balcony, revealing just what had occurred.

‘Things are certainly never dull around here.’  Strange remarked as the video played from several different angles at once on various floating screens.

‘Nope.  And Cherry Bomb does like to wreck my stuff.’  Tony remarked offhandedly.

‘I’ll kill her.’  Loki said in such a hushed tone it was only Bucky and Steve who heard him, and they turned to see his fists clenched, his eyes blazing.

‘We need to find Sigyn first.’  Steve approached him carefully.

‘She will be wherever Amora is.  And then I will kill her.’

‘Let me return to Asgard, inform Odin and Thor.’  Fandral offered, not moving from where he stood in case he somehow provoked the man with the metal arm again.  ‘Perhaps Heimdall can find her?’

‘Perhaps.’  Loki nodded but anger threatened to blind him.  How could it have happened again?  How could he have left her so soon?  He knew blaming himself would not help, but if anything happened to her he would never forgive himself.

‘Guys?’  Amelia’s voice came over the comms.  ‘That energy signature we’ve been tracking?  It’s back!’

‘Where, sweetheart?’  Bucky couldn’t help but use one of her pet names.

‘About fifty feet above The Tower.’

‘What, she’s going to drop shit on us now?’  Tony asked as he stepped back into his suit.

‘I would put nothing past the conniving wench.’  Fandral went back to the balcony.  ‘Taking my face, indeed.’

‘Sorry about the throat.’  Bucky called as he followed the team to the elevators, apart from Tony who went vertically.

‘No harm done.’  He turned to Loki who had hung back.  ‘We will find her.’

‘Amora wants her dead.’  Loki shook his head.  ‘The only saving grace may be she wanted originally to steal Sig’s powers for herself.  That would take time.’

‘Do you have any idea where to start looking?’

‘Not a one.’  Loki gave him worried eyes and Fandral rested his hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

‘Go to the roof with your friends, see what can be done.  I will have all of the realms on the look out for our missing princess.’

‘Thank you.’  Loki replied, leaving for the elevators.

Fandral called Heimdall and went back to Asgard while Loki raced to meet up with the team.  Things were getting worse and worse.

Sigyn awoke laying on a wooden floor, still in her armour, less boots.  She groaned as she pushed herself up to a sitting position, her muscles stiff as though they had been shocked, perhaps they had, she really didn't remember much except Fandral’s hug and a pulse of power.  No, it wasn’t Fandral, it had to have been Amora, disguising herself as someone she knew Sigyn would trust.  And she had fallen for it.  She was married to the trickster god, she had sorcery abilities herself, just how gullible could she be?  Very, was apparently the answer.

She looked around as she pushed herself to her feet.  The room was dark, wherever it was, with no windows and occasional spotlights which created pale pools in two straight lines across the room and she seemed to be on some kind of pedestal, approximately eight foot in diameter and a shimmering all around her showed some sort of forcefield or shield blocked her in.  She carefully pressed her palm to it, jolting back when it gave her a shock and she shook her hand, wriggling her fingers back to life.  This wasn’t going to be a straightforward thing to get out of.  She needed to think and test it.

Thor dismounted from his horse as he reached the palace, heading towards the steps that would lead him to the throne room where no doubt his father would be waiting for news.

‘My Prince?’  A call went up from one of the groomsmen who tended the horses and Thor looked back.

‘What is it?’  He stopped as he reached the top step, turning back.

‘The Allfather is at the garrison, preparing the Einherjar in case they are needed.’

‘Thankfully they are not.’  Thor started back down the golden steps.  ‘But thank you.  I shall find him myself.’

The groomsman bowed and Thor set off around the side of the palace, knowing where he would find his father, and was thankful he would think to raise the garrison to aid Loki in his time of need.  It was further progress on the road to forgiveness and while he was sure things would never again be as they were in their youth, anything was an improvement.

The garrison stood far to the east of the palace, down a treelined well beaten horse track, and he was rounding the corner that would leave him in direct sight of it, when something didn’t feel right.  Reaching for Mjölnir on his belt he realised his intuition was correct just too late, when power struck him from behind.  He had a moment of disorientation, where the world began to tilt, but blackness fell over him before he even hit the ground.

‘There’s nothing to see.’  Steve pointed out as they all looked at the sky above The Tower.

‘Let me see what I can do.’  Amelia said, wheeling her chair back to the monitor behind her.  ‘Boss, you picking this up yet?’

‘Nothing yet, Angel.  What are you trying?’  Tony asked.

‘Just tweaking something.  FRIDAY, patch that change in, please?’

‘Will do, Angel.’  The AI replied.

‘Holy shit!’  Tony exclaimed as the patch Amelia had created booted through his system.  Suddenly he could see a rip in the sky, like a violet gash torn across the night, jagged and raw.

‘What?  What is it?’  Steve asked as Loki came through the door to join them, striding rapidly.

‘It’s like someone tore a hole.’

‘What is?’  Loki asked as he reached them.

‘The hole, portal, whatever.  Like a purple rip.’

‘She either means to deposit something here or…’  Loki didn’t get to finish.  The purple rip shot a beam of light downwards at the two stood side by side and Loki threw himself at Stark, shoving him aside despite the weight of the armour, but it left him still too close, and by the time the rest of the team realised what had happened, Loki was gone.

Chapter 26

[um-got7scenarios-blog]

Rules (JB)

For: Anonymous

Prompt:  JB as the beast and y/n as Belle.

Okay so I started this about four or five times with four or five different plot lines. And this probably isn’t exactly what you wanted but it’s what I ended up with. I hope you’re not too disappointed.

Other staff at the cleaning company you worked for had warned you.

“He’s moody.” They’d said.

“He’s anti-social.”

“He’s volatile.”

“He’s downright mean.”

After working for your new client for almost two weeks you  didn’t know why everyone had been so quick to speak badly of him. Okay, so he hadn’t said a lot to you since you’d started working for him. And yes, when you did cross paths he did tend to glower at you. And admittedly he had snapped at you once when all you’d done was pick up his mail and put it on the sideboard to stop people standing on it. But it had only been once and as he’d pointed out his mail was private correspondence and tidying it away wasn’t on your job list. Overall though working for Mr Im was like working for anyone else, you just had a few more rules to follow. Such as:

‘Don’t pick up the mail.’

‘Only was the clothes in the downstairs laundry basket, not the upstairs laundry basket.’ Since you hadn’t come across one pair of boxers or briefs while doing laundry you were assuming that was what was kept in the upstairs basket. If so the fact he didn’t want you to see his underwear was kind of cute. If not then it meant he preferred to go commando which probably wasn’t something you should be thinking about. The avenues your brain went down when you did were inappropriate to say the least.

And the most important rule. ‘Never enter the room opposite the study.’ He’d told you this one at least three times.

This rule baffled you slightly. You were allowed into his bedroom to make the bed, you were allowed into his bathroom to clean and into his study to dust. Those were surely the three most personal spaces in a person’s home. So you had no idea what he could be keeping in his spare room that was so private that he didn’t want to let you in there to clean.

As someone who watched far too many crime dramas your mind had strayed to some very dark places. Was he hiding shrines to the people he’d stalked and killed? A torture chamber? Freezers full of body parts?

As someone who watched far too many Disney movies your mind had strayed to some less dark but more ridiculous places. Did he have a sister who was scared of her own magical powers and was hiding away from the world? Was it a doorway to another dimension like in Monsters, Inc? Had a witch cursed him to be an anti-social recluse until the day he died unless he found love before all the petals wilted from a magical rose and that was the room he kept it in?

Okay, maybe comparing him to the Beast from Beauty and the Beast was a little harsh. You couldn’t expect everyone to like you.

And you managed to stay out of that room and out of trouble for another two weeks. And then came the day that the electrician knocked on the door. He’d come to look at the lights in the kitchen which had been flickering even though Mr Im had changed the bulbs twice. You’d told him you thought it might be mice, they’d chewed wires in your grandparents’ house and the same thing had happened there but he’d just grunted and carried on down the hallway to his study. And then apparently he’d called an electrician. Now, you were allowed to answer the door and sign for packages as long as you didn’t touch the said packages but you weren’t allowed to let workmen into the house without getting Mr Im’s go ahead first, even if they had ID, that was clearly stated on your rules list. So you’d asked the electrician to wait and had gone back into the house to find him.

Being loud inside was something else that was forbidden, ‘Work quietly and don’t make unnecessary noise’ being rule number seven on your list so rather than shout for him you’d gone door to door, knocking on each door and then pushing it open slightly so you could check he wasn’t just ignoring you, as he was wont to do. Ignoring you was something he was good at. And without thinking you were soon knocking on the door to the spare room and pushing that open too.

And you were met with a room lined with bookcases. Okay, so that had not been what you were expecting when he’d told you to keep out. Unless they were filled with books he’d be embarrassed at you finding him reading. But no, they were just books you’d find on anyone’s bookshelves you realised as you stepped further into the room and started scanning the titles. Some were fiction, some were non-fiction. There were fantasy novels, crime novels, some classic works. Reading was something of a passion of yours and you soon found yourself running your fingers over the spines of the books, trying to decide which one to pick up first. And then you remembered you weren’t in a library or a bookshop, you were somewhere you shouldn’t be and you pulled your hand back quickly and began backing out of the room. Only to bump into something solid.

As you turned, surprised, you realised that the something solid was Im Jaebum. Your client and employer Im Jaebum who had warned you never to step foot into this particular room. And he looked furious.

“Um… I was…” you started to say but the look on his face made you stop. He looked hurt as well as angry.

And the yelling you’d been expecting since you’d turned to see him there never came. There was a beat of silence as he continued to frown down at you and then he said the words “I thought I could trust you.”

He said them ever so calmly and ever so quietly but they still hit you like a slap in the face, and the thing was you weren’t even sure why. It wasn’t like you were that close. But nonetheless you found yourself stumbling over your words as you tried to explain yourself. “You can I just… you weren’t in your room, or the study… and there’s a man at the door… an electrician and…”

“Electrician…” he repeated.

“I didn’t want to let him in without asking you first.” You explained.

“Right.” He said, not looking any happier. And with that he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.

For a second all you could do was stand there, rooted to the spot. You’d expected him to blow up at you, yell at you and tell you that you were fired. Maybe he still would.  You hadn’t expected was for him to look so sad, so disappointed. You found yourself hurrying after him.

You caught up to him just before he made it to the front door and you grabbed his arm. Okay, so the electrician had been waiting for a while but he could wait a little longer. This was important.

“Look,” you said as he stopped and turned, a look of confusion on his face, “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking when I opened that door, I was so focussed on finding you. And then I saw all the books and I know it sounds silly but I just couldn’t help myself, it was like they were drawing me in and before I knew it I was in the middle of the room and…”

“I like books.” He said, cutting you off, his eyes taking on a faraway look. “But she loved them. If I came home and couldn’t find her that’s where she’d be.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. In the month you’d worked for him the only emotion Mr Im had ever shown was mild annoyance. And now he was standing in front of you, shoulders slumped, a real vulnerability in his eyes and in his voice and you had no idea what to do. “I’m sorry.” You said again. You desperately wanted to know who this ‘she’ was and why she wasn’t around, how she’d hurt him so badly but you didn’t want to push him. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s not…” he started to say but he was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. He straightened up, the mask of indifference he’d worn since you’d met him slipping back into place. “I’d better let him in.” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s something you’re ready to talk about yet…” you said to his retreating back, “… but if you ever decide it is, then I’m here.” You told him. “I’d listen.” Saying so was a risk, you knew that. There was still every chance that he was going to fire you. You’d broken rule number one after all. But the look on his face when he’d mentioned her… whoever she was… he’d looked heartbroken.

Mr Im paused for a second, his back still to you. “I’ll think about it.” He said quietly. And then he stepped forward to open the door.

I’ll think about it…

Maybe you weren’t going to be fired after all. But more importantly than that maybe he would. Maybe he would think about it and maybe he would talk to you. You hoped so. You couldn’t help thinking it would do him good.

[alicemoonwonderland]

Sing To Me Now

Spiritual follow up to Sing To Me.

I changed the POV, from first person to third person. Also, in this one, Fili hadn’t been there at the club. You don’t have had to read Sing To Me to know what is going on. 

This is written for @nebulous-deity . I hope you like it. This is what my plot bunny gave to me based on what you asked. 

Listened to Love Me Like You Do when writing it and inspired by it. 

Fandom: Tolkien, the Hobbit

Pairing: Fili/Male!OC

Modern Alternative Universe

He felt the urge to press his cold glass of scotch against his temple, feeling the ice cool his skin. Maybe he shouldn't have come tonight, work had him tired to the bone. Honestly, his uncle treated him like a slave at work. It was like dealing with a whole different person than when the man came over at his mother’s house.

But it was his best friend’s birthday party. He couldn't just skip that. He looked up and laughed when he saw the man towering above everyone else. A petite woman, dressed up as Red Riding Hood, perched on his shoulder. His best friend looked like the Big Bad Wolf.

He sighed. Bloody themed party. Fairy tales and mythology. His friend and his girl definitely coordinated their outfits. Fili hadn't had the pleasure to meet her just yet, but surely he would during the evening. He, himself, was dressed up as a gladiator – that was kind of mythological right? Eh. He could just say he was Hercules or something. His friend should be happy that he got dressed up at all.

Taking a big sip, he turned away and leaned against the bar. He could do with a long sleep like the god Hypno, though. That was his name, right? Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up and find all his work done already? It sounded like absolute paradise.

“Penny for your thought?” He looked up and blinked when he stared in the face of a bright-eyed smiling redhead. The man was dressed in Roman attire and leaning against the bar with silent confidence.

“Isn't it, sacrifice for your thought, Apollo?” He drawled, amused, when he saw the bow and arrow. The man laugh, the sound making Fili’s stomach tighten in a pleasant way.

“Ah! Someone guessed my outfit right.” Apollo smiled happily at him. Fili shrugged with a smile and sipped his drink.

“Bow and arrow with roman attire limited it to two suspects; Apollo and Eros. Seeing you don't have any cherub wings, I went with Apollo.”

“You know your mythology.”

“Nah. I just picked up a few bits and pieces from one of my friend. They’re a big walking talking book of knowledge.” He explained, Apollo watching him curiously. “Ah, the name is Fili. Sorry for not introducing myself sooner.”

Apollo blinked but shook his hand firmly. If Fili wasn't mistaken, there was a flash of recognition in the man’s eyes. Eh. Must be the lights.

“Michael. So, you're a friend of Daerion’s?” Fili nodded as he tried not to stare at Michael too much. The clothes left the man’s arms bare. And what nice arms to look at. He had to admit, he always had a thing for well-defined arms.

“Best friend. Have known the prick since we were in diapers.” It felt at times longer. But he wouldn't trade his friend for anything in the world. He was like a brother to him. “You?”

“I’m actually the brother of Aeya, his girlfriend.” Fili glanced surprised towards the girl sitting on Daerion’s shoulder. The tall man lifted her off and gave her a soft kiss. Fili felt an odd sense of jealously. He wanted to have a partner to kiss. “Yeah, I know. We don't look alike.” Michael laughed softly and shrugged. “I favour our father. She favours our mother.”

“Ah, I see. I see. I know how that is.” He nodded and sipped his whiskey again, its warmth nicely burning his throat. His gaze returned to the redhead. “Want a drink too?” He asked as he tried not to let his gaze drop to Michael’s lips.

“Yeah! That would be great. Can't seem to find my way here.” Fili chuckled and gestured for Michael to follow him, making their way through the house to the kitchen where Daerion and his brothers had set up the bar.

“Anything specific?” He asked as he poured himself another whiskey. Michael told him he wouldn't mind a beer, and the blond grabbed one out of the fridge. Popping off the cap, he handed it to Michael. “To the giant.”

Michael gave him a radiant smile and tapped his beer against the glass. “To the giant,” he agreed with him. This could turn out to be a very interesting night for him.

The interesting night turned into an interesting week, and then a month. Fili couldn’t remember a time he had been happier than those days after running into Michael – well, more being approached by him – at Daerion’s party. The man could only be described as an imp, a riot, but most importantly, the nicest fucking guy Fili had the privilege of meeting.

The redhead made him laugh untill he cried and his belly ached, and dragged him off on adventures that would make some interesting stories if he ever had grandchildren or grandnieces/nephews.

He visited Michael at his work place, the man was a fantastic singer. He could deliver songs with so much power and emotions, that Fili wondered at times why some big name agent hadn’t picked him up yet.

In return, Fili took Michael with him to museums after revealing the fact that he was bit of a nerd. Telling the man stories about whatever they were currently viewing. It made him feel a bit proud to surprise the other man with little trivia he did not know yet – and he knew a lot himself.

At night, or when they didn’t hang out, they texted or talked with each other on the phone. It surprised the blond that they rarely ran out of things to say. His heart always skipped a joyous beat when he woke up and saw the man had texted him. Or when he picked up the phone without checking the caller id, and heard the lovely accented voice of Michael

Sometimes, however, he noticed Michael watching him in a particular way. Almost in a tortured way. He would ask if Michael needed to tell him something, seeing the way the redhead tense and hastily denied it – changing the subject quicker than Kili when he had done something wrong. He didn’t push though, if Michael wanted to tell him something, it was up to him. It wasn’t like he was his boyfriend…

Fili rolled his eyes amused as he watched Kili flop down on his sofa. Making a whole show out of it. He texted Michael he would be back in a second and put down his phone. “And to what do I owe this visit? Uncle harassing you again? Or mum?” He rolled his eyes amused when he only heard faint grunting and grumbling.

He pushed himself out of his chair and smacked Kili’s behind with a pillow. “Want something to drink?”

“Beer.” Beer it was. Fili returned with two bottles of beer, tapping one against the brunet’s cheek. Kili grabbed the bottle and sat up, taking a big sip from it. Fili plopped down in his chair again, letting out a soft sigh and rolling his shoulders. “So, what's up?”

“Am I not allowed to hang out with my darling brother?”

“Of course you are. But usually you have a reason to act like this.” Fili frowned for a second. “Boyfriend troubles?” He remembered his little brother mentioning having met a nice guy at a bar. A singer if he wasn't mistaken. Just like Michael... “What was his name again?”

“Mike. And it never went anywhere.” Mike? Fili suddenly had a weird feeling in his chest. 

“Ah that's a shame, I'm sorry,” he spoke sincerely. Like any older brother, he wanted his sibling to be happy to find someone. Kili shrugged as he took another sip of his beer.

“It's fine. We are still friends. So it's cool.” Fili watched his brother curiously. Trying to ignore a nagging voice in his head. But failing.

“Hey, now that I think about it. You never showed me how Mike looked like.” Kili blinked in surprise but pulled out his phone. Unlocking it.

“Really? Damn. Sorry, must have slipped my mind.” He handed his phone over, and Fili’s stomach plummeted when he saw the guy standing beside his lanky brother. Michael. Fuck….he had fallen for his little brother’s almost boyfriend.

He had buried himself in work the last few days. Trying to figure out what to do with the situation. Feeling torn inside. It was an unspoken rule in the world that you didn't date the ex partner or someone a sibling was into. It was just a faux pas. But fuck, he had fallen hard for Michael.

But what tore him up even more…was that Michael knew who he was. No way in hell that Kili hadn't mentioned him to Michael. Their names were practically the same. And he knew Kee had a picture of the two of them as his background and profile picture on different social media. So why hadn't Michael mentioned it?

The doubts, confusion, and questions had kept him up at night. Disturbed his thoughts the whole day. Worried, his mother had asked him if there was something wrong, but he had just denied it all. He didn’t wish to worry her or get her involved.

A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. A glance in the mirror told him he looked like shit. His hair a disarray, his jaw shadowed by dark blond stubble, and dark bags under his eyes. No wonder his mother worried about him.

He froze when he saw who it was standing nervously on his doorstep, phone in his hand. “Fili! God, I am so glad you opened the door. I have been trying to get in touch with you for days. Is everything alright? You don’t look okay?” Fili tried to process the onslaught of questions that came his way.

For once, the usually chipper but slightly serious man had trouble speaking. His fingers tightened on the doorframe, part of him wanting to slam the door shut and crawl back into bed. But Michael looked so genuinely concerned. Why hadn’t he told him that he knew his younger brother. Almost had been partners.

But almost wasn’t truly. Fili’s shoulders sagged, and he stepped aside so Michael could come in. “Want something to drink?” Best have that talk right now. He needed to know. Needed to know what Michael felt for him. Maybe Fili put himself through agony for no reason because Michael didn’t see him as a potential lover at all, just as a friend. It would just be his luck though.

“No, no, you want me to make you something?” Michael asked as he followed Fili close behind. The blond shook his head and sat down with Michael on the couch.

“I…I need to ask you a few things,” Fili whispered carefully, looking at his hands. Michael’s warm bigger hand touched his almost hesitantly.

“You know you can ask me anything, Fee.” He had missed hearing Michael’s voice, the soft Spanish lilt in it. He licked his chapped lips as he felt cold inside.

“Are you the Michael my brother met in a café?” Michael’s hand stiffened on Fili’s arm, and he had his answer, yes, they were indeed the same person. Michael sighed, and Fili glanced into his direction.

The redhead looked pained and apologetic. “Yes, I am the same one. And it ate me up from the inside to not telling you sooner, Fee.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wanted to get to know you without you feeling guilty about anything. Kili and I…yeah we flirted a bit. Your brother is a nice guy, but it never went further than that. But when I realised who you were, remembering what Kili told me. I knew that you would be hesitant to get to know me because of loyalty for your brother.”

“I just wanted to get to know you, to become your friend. I didn’t know when I approached you that you were Kili’s brother. And I feel bad for not telling you sooner.”

Fili, for some reason, wanted to be angry, but he wasn’t. He truly understood Michael’s reasoning. To be honest, he would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed. He could see how much not telling pained Michae. Heck, Fili should have just asked when he had heard Michael’s name. But subconsciously, he hadn’t wanted to know because of the reason Michael said.

To become your friend. He licked his lips again. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for deceiving you.” Fili shook his head as he took Michael’s hand.

“You didn’t deceive me. Heck, you made the right call. I would have kept my distance as I wouldn’t want to offend my brother.” He looked away. “But I can’t be friends with you...”

“Fili….”

“…because I am falling for you.” He heard Michael gasp for air, and his fingers twitched in Fili’s hand. “I understand if you don’t feel the same and….” His words got stolen out of his mouth as Michael kissed him deeply. Fili closed his eyes as he leaned into the touch without thinking about it. The redhead’s lips were as warm as fire. His gentle hands holding his face tenderly, thumbs brushing over his cheekbones.

“I am falling for you too,” Michael murmured when he drew back a little. Fili followed him instinctively.

“How about we start over?” the blond asked as he pulled back and held out his hand, a huge smile on his face. Michael replied with a bright sunny smile of his own.

“I’m Michael, and I flirted with your brother but fell in love with you.”

“I’m Fili, and even though I love my brother, I am glad you fell in love with me.”

[laurensisalinamonroll-blog]

Tall, Dark and Handsome

 Words:2172 

This is my first X Reader for the Hamilton fandom, I hope you enjoy!- Grace

Modern and Soulmate AU. For the sake of the plot, Reader lives in the U.K.

"You can hear your Soulmates's thoughts, and they can hear your own. You have the ability to 'tune' them out. Although, any attempt to find one another before fate has planned, will ultimately fail. That would include asking each other's location and so on."

Everyone first hears their soulmate at a different age. I first heard mine when I was 14. I was in the midst of an English literature exam. I remember looking at my paper frustrated, my pen tapping rhythmically against my forehead. 'Provide a short statement using the Rule Of Three'. I couldn't remember what it was, never-mind give an example.

I let out a growl in vexation, which prompted Mr. Johnston to narrow his eyes and glare in my direction. I quickly looked away. 'Think (Y/N), think! Rule of three, think of an example for the rule of three. I mean, it has something to do with 3...'

"Tall, dark and handsome," a voice said. I looked at the classmate who had sat beside me- then at everyone else in my vicinity. My eyes were wide with confusion, that voice had sounded eerily close. Then my jaw went slack in realisation. "Tall, dark and handsome," the voice had repeated, "while they are three words that perfectly describe me, it's also an example of the Rule Of Three."

That was five years ago. I'm now 19, and in my first year of university. Since that day, I speak to my soulmate everyday. He turned out to be a 17 year old (now 22) boy who lived in the Caribbean. His name was Alexander, and after two years of  us speaking, he moved to the U.S. That didn't make much difference to me, as I lived in the U.K. Although, as of four months ago, I moved to America.

I had gotten a full Scholarship to NYU to study modern languages. When I had first tried to tell Alexander that I was now living in New York, it was almost like a phone line cut off. It just went silent and at first I thought he had left me. Soon after, however, he said my name and it was like the connection was fixed once more. This had only happened once before, when we tried to tell each other our last names. Fate had intervened.  

Now I'm leading a normal life as a student. I share a two bedroom apartment with my flat mate, Mia. She also goes to NYU, but she's studying law and is in her second year of University. She had contacted me via the university, looking for a new roommate. I accepted it immediately, she had lived in New York most her life and I was new to town- I'd need her.

Mia and I quickly grew close, and eventually became best friends. At the minute she's looking through the middle draw of the cabinet- the menu drawer. It was dubbed the name 'Menu Drawer' a few weeks after my arrival, as all take-out menus were shoved in there and forgotten until Friday evenings.  "We had a Chinese last week, so how about pizza?" Mia spoke up, stopping my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes as I broke out into a grin. It was her turn to pick, which meant pizza. I'm surprised she isn't sick of it at this point. "Go for it, not too many toppings though." I replied. With her chosen menu in her right hand and her phone in the other, she furrowed her eyebrows at me, "Why not?". I stood up from my place on the sofa and strutted to the middle of the room. I then continued to run my hands down my sides while wiggling my hips. "Because, I need to maintain this figure." I said, then proceeded to burst out into a fit of giggles. "Just messing, add as many as you like." Mia laughed along with me, blond hair bouncing at her shoulders.

I sighed and walked out of the main room, and headed down the hall to my bedroom. Mid-terms would be in a few weeks, and I really needed to revise. My Spanish is flawless, if i do say so myself. As is my German, but my French... my French is horrendous. I am going to fail French. "Aw, ma petite fleur. Qu'est-ce que tu as?"

"Alexander, I didn't know you spoke French, and like I said, I'm going to fail."

"I'm fluent, actually. And I'm sure you'll do fine, (Y/N). You're a smart girl."

"Says you, who finished college early and can speak French fluently."

"Yes but that's myself, you are dif- You said college."

"Uh, yeah?"

"You're British, they don't typically say College."

"Oh, I guess you're right"

"I'm always correct. Although, tell me, are you in America?"

"Yes! I tried to tell you that before but then w-"

"Hey, Pizza is here!" Mia called from the main room. I contemplated staying in my room and just talking to Alexander, but my duties as a friend calls.

"I gotta go, Alex. Can we talk later?"

"(Y/N)! You can't just leave, we're in the same country! Maybe that's why the time differences changed, I mean I didn't think to ask... Which state are you in? Wait, which University?"

I laughed slightly before replying, "Goodbye, Alexander."

I sat on the sofa nibbling on a slice of pizza. We were watching some old DVD Mia had. I had tried reaching out to Alexander to ask him what his favourite type of pizza was- but I didn't get a reply. I think he's still annoyed that I tuned him out earlier, which I understand. I still apologised, and pushed the slight doubt that he'd left me forever to the back of my mind. My train of thoughts then went to past conversations with Alexander.

He rambles a lot. When there's something that's annoyed him or something he feels passionate about, he will tell me. I think that's amazing. I personally am one to keep to myself. Alexander is such a contrast to me, and I'm pretty sure that's a good thing. If we were both very talkative or very quiet no actual conversation would be made. As the DVD continued, I kept eating my pizza and thinking of Alex.

It's Saturday afternoon, and I'm supposed to be revising French. The more I look at the text book, the more I get irritated. One hour in of doing nothing, I just screamed. I yelled and shouted profanities to get across that I cannot, for the life of me, remember any of this. A few seconds after, when my throat was hoarse and I was breathing heavily, Mia entered my room. She swung the door open, eyes open and alert.

"Is there a burglar? Or a spider?" She asked, looking around my room. I sighed and rested my head in the palms of my hands. "Neither. That was me practising the sound of despair I'll make when I fail my mid-terms." I mumbled. She made a soft 'Oh', and then made her way over to my desk and I. She heavily planted her hand on my head and ruffled my hair. I groaned and tried to shake her off.

"You'll be fine! What if I told you, that there is a guy in my Criminal Justice class that is French." she said. I raised my head to look at her, hair covering my eyes. I pushed my fringe out of the way and answered her, "I would say, 'good for him'? I don't see how that effects anything."

Mia giggled once more. "He's low on money, and is totally willing to do anything at the minute. He could tutor you in French for a few extra dollars." This made my ears perk up, a tutor! I still have a few hundred dollars in my saving account from birthday money and my job. "Do you think he'll accept $100 for three weeks of tutoring? Around two nights a week?" I asked, voice suddenly hopeful.

Mia's brown eyes twinkled as she nodded enthusiastically. "I'll text him now and ask him. But don't worry, he should be up for it!" she replied, phone already in hand. I sprung up from my chair and pulled her into a hug, jumping up and down. "Thank you, thank you." I chanted, she laughed and patted me on the head before she unlocked her phone.

The tutor worked a charm. That was four weeks ago, and I just got my results from my French exam. My tutor was called Lafayette, and he was possibly the kindest human being possible. After the three weeks of tutoring were over, I tried to give him a payment. When I did, he refused and said he would only give it to me after I got my results. As I walked out of the university campus, I couldn't help but think of the A I got.

"Well done. I told you that you could do it." I stopped and paused, that was Alexander's voice. He hadn't spoken to me for almost a month now.

"Alexander. Hi, and uh thank you."

"I'm sorry (Y/N). I shouldn't have ignored you. It was childish, and I've been busy at work, just please forgive me."

"Well... you're forgiven. I just got an A on my French exam, nothing can ruin my mood now."

"Good, I'm glad you got the results you deserve. When we meet I'm bringing you out to dinner to celebrate. Wherever you want to go."

That's when the reality hit me, 'When we meet'. I will meet Alexander. We're in the same country, we're both aware we're in the same country.

"That sounds great, Alexander. I just ca-," my thoughts came to an abrupt stop when my phone began ringing. "Alex, I need to go. I'm getting a call, I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, love. My break is nearly over anyway, goodbye."

I blushed at the nickname before tuning him out. I looked at the caller ID to see Lafayette, then I quickly answered. "Hey, Lafayette!"

Lafayette was ecstatic to hear about my grade. We made arrangements to meet up at a small bar, so I could give him his fee and so we could catch up. I put on black skinny jeans, my favourite t-shirt and a pair of boots. I grabbed my jacket before I walked to the bar.

When I arrived, I spotted Lafayette at a table but he wasn't alone. Three other men accompanied him. Suddenly feeling small, I tip-toed over. They were laughing at something I wasn't aware of, and none of them seemed to notice me. I gently tapped Lafayette on the shoulder. He turned around and grinned at me. "You made it!" he all but shouted.

I simply nodded and waved back, a small smile on my face. On the inside I was panicking, I don't do well with new people. Especially if they're drunk. Well, Lafayette and the tall, muscled one were drinking. The guy with the freckles wasn't drinking, and neither was the attractive one with the long hair. It didn't matter, I was still panicking.

I can't do this, I'm going to die.

"(Y/N)? Is everything okay?" I visibly relaxed at Alexander's voice.

"I'll be fine, don't worry."

I heard Lafayette say something to me, then I snapped back to reality. "Oh sorry, that was rude of me. I was just, uh talking" I quietly explained, hoping he knew what I meant. His eyes widened and he nodded vigorously. "Oui, of course. Do not worry!" he said, accent coming through stronger than usual. Then, I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a white envelope. It was his fee (which I raised to $150, because his tutoring was amazing).

As I handed it over Alexander spoke once more, "You know there's a girl here who might just steal me away from you."

"W-what?" I replied, even stuttering in my mind. There had been stories of soulmates who left each other for other people.

"(Y/N). Look at me please." Alexander spoke again, only this time it wasn't inside my mind. I looked around, and immediately locked eyes with the man with the long hair. He smiled at me and unexpectedly I blurted out, "Well if it isn't Tall, Dark and Handsome."  

I heard the tall muscled man mutter 'what the fuck' under his breath, but before I could respond I was pulled into an embrace. I'm almost positive he knocked over a chair getting to me. I hugged him back, as my heart raced a mile a minute. "How did you know it was me?" I asked, voice soft. I felt his chest vibrate as he chuckled. "Your accent was kind of a give away, and I couldn't take my eyes off of you. You never mentioned you were fucking gorgeous."

I squeaked and buried my head into his coat in embarrassment. He stepped away slightly and looked at Lafayette. "Sorry, Laf. I think I'll be tutoring her from now on."

Fin.

I don’t have anything to say.- Julia (She manages the account because Grace can’t use technology)