#if queque really like to know

[fl3shm4id3n]

Hi! I just saw the new post about Metkayena reader and as always I really liked it and loved your writing skills! After reading your stories I got ideas on hybrid reader, one of them is that when spider and the sully get attacked by recomes quaritch realizes that reader is the experiment they made in the lab and reader isn't a failed experiment so they try to kidnapped reader along with spider but reader got away and spider got captured, after Jake heard what happened he tells ninat that they have to leave their home for his family and readers safety, after they arrive to the Metkayena clan ronal goes on about how jakes kids aren't real na'vis but the second her eyes lays on reader she asks herself if reader is an abomination that demons have created to destroy Pandora, after that the kids get taught how live like the Metkayena, and in the fight scene when kiri is being picked on reader tries to stand up for kiri and ao'nung and his friends laughs at reader attempt to stop them from bullying and yk what happened after the fight, reader goes to the marui pod where ninat is at and ninat notices how reader is upset and she asks if everything is alright and reader asks ninat if they're really an abomination and ninat tries to comfort reader, after that they go to the spirit tree and reader connects their queque and reader start to see a woman that kinda looks like them and reader asks the woman who she is , before the woman says anything reader sees kiri having a seizure and hurries up to help and after that reader cannot stop thinking about the woman they saw. Also it must be tiring writing lots of requests so it's better if you rest and enjoy your time cuz it's not easy as it seems , I'd really appreciate it you take your time idc if you take a long time writing this cuz your rest is more important. Hope you have a great day! :D

-𖤐

Wₕₒ ₐₘ ᵢ?

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐬𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞.

ɴɪɴᴀᴛ x ᴍᴇᴛᴀ-ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ! ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ (ᴘʟᴀᴛᴏɴɪᴄ), ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜʟʟʏꜱ x ꜰᴇᴍ! ᴍᴇᴛᴀ-ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ (ᴘʟᴀᴛᴏɴɪᴄ)

ꜱᴏɴɢ: ᴍɪᴛꜱᴋɪ- ᴡᴀꜱʜɪɴɢ ᴍᴀᴄʜɪɴᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ

Tw: the Recom team, some angst, bullying, Ninat comforting reader, Kiri's seizure, sorry for any mistakes, I'll edit this later.

A/N: Second part of this request, I felt like the first one didn't have enough of a story, hopefully this one has more to read. Today I found out that Ninat actually attended Grace's school, so she knows English for sure. I also felt like the song I picked fit with the fic

P.s. it is, specially if I got no motivation or any idea on what to write. Thank you for your kind words, I also hope you have a great day/night ♡

Masterlist

This wasn't suppose to happen, you, Kiri, Lo'ak, Tuk and Spider were just on your way back to the village in a hurry, after you had spotted a group of Avatars, they weren't the avatar's you've seen in the camp. You all thought you were safe, until you got caught. The group had caught you all, they got a hold of all of you, holding you by the queue which was painful.

You all freaking out, specially when one of them was interrogating Kiri and Lo'ak, he conformed that they were Jake's kids. Before he could do something to Kiri, the one who had a hold of you got his attention. "Get a look of this one" they said, holding onto your queue tightly, the man looked over at you. Tilting his head out of curiosity, it was obvious he had never seen someone like you before. It was obvious that you were scared, you were shaking like leaf in pain.

"So, this is the failed experiment they've mentioned." The man said, you knew English but pretended not to. "I think we should bring her." They mentioned, you wanted to protest, but you were too scared to say a word, you remained silent, praying to Eywa that they don't harm any of you.

Who knows how long it was, but it was already night. You all still captive, everyone was silent. Listening to the sounds of the forest, not only that but it began to rain a bit. You heard how Kiri has been silently praying to Eywa, but she kept getting told to shut up. You felt like it was going to be your last day, alive.

Then you heard it. Causing Tuk to turn to the direction on where the sound came from. The Kiri's ears perked up, hearing another call, also turning to that direction. Then Spider and Lo'ak looked at each other, knowing full well who it was. Then the sound came back again, causing for your ears to twitch in that direction, but it felt closer. It was Neytiri.

Before you knew it, a fight broke out. While Neytiri shoot her arrows, the group had fought back with their guns, meanwhile Lo'ak had manage to get himself free by biting onto the arm of who he was being held by, then Tuk followed that example. Kiri and Spider, took off running since the were pushed a side. Meanwhile you were still being held captive, until you had no other choice but to bite. So you got a hold of the person's arm and bit as hard as you could, drawing blood. They let go of you, and you sprinted as fast as you could.

You were right behind Spider and Kiri, but Spider slipped from the branch, falling down a small hill. You and Kiri were about to get him, but were stopped by Neytiri, demanding you both to keep going, so you did. You both kept running. Finally the fight was over, but Spider has been capture, while Jake and Neytiri checked on their kids, your mother had popped out of nowhere, she must have been hiding. As soon as she saw you, she pulled you into a tight hug, you hugged here back, still shaken by the thought that they wanted to take you. "Thank the Great Mother you're okay."

Even though you were all safe, they took Spider, who knows what they could possible do to him. You continued to hug your mother tightly, fearing that you may get taken away from her again. "They tried to take me mama." You said, while Ninat held you tighter. "No will take you away for as long as I live." She whispered only for you to hear.

When you returned to the camp, you were with Kiri and Tuk, who were still shaken by the captivity, also missing Spider, you all feared what they could do to him. Tuk had been the most scared, she was used to getting into trouble but this was too much. When she heard that they were going to take you with them, was when her fear grew. You three were out side the hut, until you heard Jake, Neytiri and Ninat talking. It wasn't nice hear other's conversations but this was serious.

Jake explained to both Neytiri and Ninat that they all had to leave the forest for their safety. Ninat and Neytiri tried to reason with Jake, that they had fought the Sky People before, then they can do it again. Tuk got to peak at the adult in a small hole in the hut. When Neteyam and Lo'ak approached the hut, Kiri instructed them to be silent to not get the adult attention. You all listened, as well as hearing both Neytiri's and Ninat's cry of sadness. Why wouldn't they be sad? It was decided that the were going to leave their home for their safety.

Before they noticed about your presences, you all manage to sprint quickly to yours and Ninat's hut, acting like you all didn't hear nothing. Then Ninat walked in her room, seen that she had tears dried on her eyes and some almost fell out from her eyes. "Kids, it's best that you go home" she said, after saying their goodbyes, they left back to their hut. "Mama? What's wrong?" you asked, a bit nervous since you knew what she was about to tell you. "Y/n, me, Neytiri and Jake decided that, it was best that we leave." She said, you tried staying calm but felt your eyes beginning to water.

"But why? The forest is our home." You said, Ninat then got on her knees to reach your level. "I know, but it's for the people's safety, our safety y/n/n, they could have taken you from me" she explained, taking your small hands into hers. "I know, this is our home and it is everything that we know, but... I can't risk the sky people taking you away." She said, wiping your tears with her thumb, all you could do is nod. Understanding the situation. "Pack a bag, we'll be leaving tomorrow early." She instructed. You got a one of your satchel bag and began to pack, you didn't pack much just necessary things. You also remembered to take your bow.

The next morning, you and Ninat were at the Tree of Souls, watching how Mo'at was making another na'vi the new leader of the clan, while Jake and his family were absent. When he cut Jake's chest, was when you all walked away. Your mother and Neytiri were in tears as you walked down the open path, seen that other na'vi were as sad as you all were. You knew that Mo'at must have been devastated as well, but kept her composure. When you all got on the ikra and flew away, you couldn't help but look back the forest, your home. Who knows if this will be the last time you'll see home again.

The flight was a long one, you all had to stop and let the ikra rest, not only that but their was a hard rain storm which made it difficult to fly in. Finally you arrived at the Metkayina village, your presence got the attention of everyone. It was obvious since they mustn't seen Ikra or forest na'vi arriving in their village. When you all landed, the villagers began to approach you. Ninat had approached to your side, and pulled you close to her.

You were all surrounded by the taller and teal colored na'vi. They had made comments of why where you all here, and about your tails. Then came the leader, sure he was big and intimidating, but you saw that he had a big heart, but when his mate came, was when your worries got bigger. When Jake had asked for Uturu, was what made the Tsahik suspect, while Jake and Tonowari spoke, Ronal was circling the family. She poked at their small tails, thin arms. Then she saw Kiri's hand. She got a hold of them and held them up. "This children. They 'rent even true na'vi." She commented.

"Yes we are!" Kiri protested, then she moved to Lo'ak, holding his hand, showing his five fingers as well. "They have demon blood!" she shouted causing the crowd to get defensive. Then she saw you. You felt smaller then you already did. Ninat held you close to her side, already worried about what Ronal was going to say. "This child" she said, making the crowd now turn to you. She got a hold of your hand, seen that you had five fingers as well, she also looked at your skin that had marking like your mother's. Then she noticed your tail that was moving nervously. Going behind you, she saw your queue. "This is an abomination, this goes all against Na'vi kind." She commented, making the crowd even more defensive and ready to fight.

Then Jake stepped in to defend his children and you, he explained how he was once human and now he is a full na'vi. He explained that you weren't an abomination but a blessing from the great mother. Then Neytiri brought up how her husband was Toruk Makto and how he helped the class defeat the Sky People, but Ronal was still not convinced. Saying that hiding amongst strangers must be due to Eywa turning her back on them. Making Neytiri and Ronal almost get into a fight. It was awkward, but finally they were allowed to stay, with the conditions of learning their ways and don't suffer the shame of being useless, you didn't know whether to take that as a complement or an insult.

Tonowari explained how his children, Ao'nung and Tsireya will tell you along with the Sully kids what to do. His son didn't seem to like his task but was told off by his father. Tsireya was kind enough to show you all the village, as well as to help you move in. As you all walked on the bouncy wall way, you saw more villagers in their home, some minding their own business while others came out to see the new family. You saw how the village seemed like a fun place to live in, due to the bouncy walk way as well as some nets that were used to climbing into the houses that were much higher then some.

Tsireya had brought us to our new home, it was a decent size for all of you to fit in. She asked if you and Ninat wanted your own marui, but you explained how you'd rather stick with the Sully's. Everyone seemed to like the place, all except for Neytiri who had dropped her rug on the floor, making everyone look at her direction. After you all settled in, you and your mother joined the family meeting, whatever Jake had to say didn't really apply to you since your mother had authority of you, but you still choose to listen to him.

The next day was when lessons began, you joined the chief's kids, but you also got introduced to a friend of their's known as Rotxo. He seemed very friendly with you and the Sully's. You knew how to swim, but holding your breath underwater was a struggling to do, not only that but you were a bad diver. You along with Tuk, Lo'ak, and Neteyam were afloat, catching you breath. "Are you alright?" Tsireya asked, while Tuk was rubbing her eyes due to the water that was going in her eyes.

"You're going to fast wait for us" she whined, still rubbing her eyes. "Just breath" Tsireya said when her brother popped out of the water. "You're not very good divers, maybe since you're swimming through trees" he commented with a smirk, making Tsireya give him a light smack. Neteyam explained that they didn't understand their finger talk, Tsireya explained taht she'll teach you all. Then Rotxo was the one to point out where Kiri was, he seemed really worried about her. When you all went to look for her, you saw how she was distracted by the sea life around her, she seemed to be enjoying the view.

Then when you were introduced to the Ilus by Ao'nung, he said that in order to live here, then you must ride. While Tsireya was teaching Lo'ak and Ao'nung with Neteyam. You were being helped by one of Ao'nung's friends who's name was Nash'vi. He helped you get on the creature and instructed you on how to feel the ilu's movements and connect with them. It was easy, but not only for you. When Lo'ak had taken off on the ilu, he was quick to fall off the creature, making everyone laugh by this.

Afterwards, Tsireya had taken you to a deeper part of the ocean, it was also a bit darker, but a very pretty sight to see. She had put on this creatures on your backs which allowed them to give you oxygen and be underwater for hours. You along with Tuk were swimming around the area to get familiar with the place, as well as chasing one another. You also saw how Kiri was somehow controlling the glowing fish with her hands. It was an amazing view to see, also catching the other attentions, along with the Tsahik's who had been in the area.

Things seem to be going well, or so you thought. You were walking on the beach, just admiring the seas crashing between each other and so on. That was interrupted when you heard Ao'nung making comments on someone who wasn't a true na'vi. The closer you got, you saw that it was Kiri. Ao'nung and his group of friend who were 'helping' you and the Sully's were poking fun at Kiri.

You went over to them. "Hey! Leave her alone!" you stated, but they didn't stop. "Awe if it isn't the freak of nature" Ao'nung teased at you, being followed by his friends. "You're aren't even a real na'vi, you're just a freak non of the sky people wanted." The one name Koro teased, you felt unconfutable by their words. "She wasn't doing anything, just leave her alone." You begged, but they weren't listening. "What are you going to do if we don't?" Ao'nung asked, standing taller than her already was over you.

"Hey! Back off fish lips!" Lo'ak approached you all. "Awe if it isn't another four fingered freak" Ao'nung teased, and lightly pushed Lo'ak who was getting in his face. Then his friends began to chant and pull at his baby tale. That was shut down, when Neteyam approached the group, furiously with his hair whipping back and forth. He pushed Ao'nung of Lo'ak. Making every one go quiet. "You heard what they said, leave the alone" he warned, but Nash'vi continued to tease "Ah, big brother comi-" he was cut off by Ao'nung who put his arm on his chest. Neteyam pointed his finger at Ao'nung. "Back off, now" he growled.

Ao'nung was silent, he then looked over at you, Kiri and Lo'ak, then raised his arms in a defeat. "Smart choice, from now on, you better respect my sister and y/n" he hissed, making Nash'vi hiss at him. He then walked over to where you were standing. "Let's go" he said, you all were beginning to walk away, but that didn't stop their teasing. "Freaks, the whole family" Ao'nung commented, making Lo'ak turn to him. "Bro" Neteyam warned, but Lo'ak wasn't backing down. "I got this." He said, going back to the group.

You all watched as he tried to show Ao'nung a trick, while his attention was Lo'ak hand, he received not one, but three punches in the face by Lo'ak. "That's called a punch bitch! Now don't you ever mess with my sister or y/n again" he warned, but Ao'nung got up and tackled him onto the floor. Lo'ak manage to get up fast and gave him another punch in the face. At first Neteyam hesitated, but he joined in the fight.

"This is stupid" Kiri said, as you and her watched the boys beating one another. It went on like that for who knows how long. Then Lo'ak was on the ground, punching and kicking Nash'vi. Then Ao'nung and his other friend began to pull his tail. "Ow! My tail!" he cried out as he got a hold of Nash'vi's ear. "Ow! My ear! Let go!" all you and Kiri did was laugh by this. "He's got my ear!" he cried again, followed by more scream, making you and her laugh more.

After that altercation, you were back in the marui that you and your mother shared with the Sully's. You were helping your mother weaving a net, she was learning how to catch fish, so she needed to make her net in order to do so. While you helped, you had been distracted on what Ronal and Ao'nung had said about you. Normally you'd ignore it but, this time you couldn't ignore their words.

Ninat saw the look you had on your face, so she decided to ask. "What's wrong my child?" she asked, getting your attention. You hesitated, but she'd know sooner or later. "Who am I?" you asked, looking at your mother. "You're my daughter" she said with a smile, trying to get you to laugh. "No mama, who am I? What is the purpose of my creation... why am I different?" you asked, then Ninat stopped what she was doing and sat close to you.

"I don't understand much about the Sky People's technology, but I know that you were created for goof things. One of those things is you being my daughter." You said stroking your hair, you leaned into her touch. "But why couldn't I be like Kiri? A full na'vi, why did I have to be half?" you asked. "I don't know my child, sometime Eywa makes things that not many understand. Even though you were created in a lab, Eywa took part in your creation." She said, pulling you into a loving tight hug. "I just... wish sometimes I'd fit in" you said almost sadly. Ninat continued to hold you and she gave you a kiss on the head. "Even if you don't fit in, I'll always love you." She commented, making you smile by her words. "I love you too mama."

A few days had passed, Ao'nung began to stick around and be nicer. He wasn't so bad like you thought he was, he was actually a genuine person. That day you were taken to the Metkayina's Spirit tree, it was the best time to be here during eclipse. When you mounted off the ilus, you all swam towards the tree. It was the beautiful glowing purple just like the one back home, but this time it was aquatic. Once close to the tree, everyone began to get connected onto the leaves. You got a hold of your queue and placed it onto the leaf, allowing the little tassels to touch the leaf. You took a deep breath and closed your eyes. Allowing yourself to be transported.

You had appeared in the lab, it was the same lab that you had been created in. Everything was there, the equipment, the technology, the artificial womb and the incubator, everything was there. When looking at the incubator made chills run down your spine. You remembered the cold and neglectful feeling you'd have when you were in the incubator, you remembered your endless crying and wailing, begging for attention.

Then you saw someone sitting on a desk, you had no idea who that could be. You got closer to them, then they turned their chair. Revealing to be a woman, but that woman's looks familiar, she had similar features like yours. "Hello?" you asked, the woman, the woman then approached you, she had a sweet look on her face. "Look at you, you've grown so big." She said, stocking your cheek. Just like her sweet appearance, she had a sweet touch. "Who are you?" you asked, but before the woman could answer. You have been disconnected from the tree.

You saw how Kiri was convulsing violently under water. Tsireya and Rotxo got to her and pulled her up. You followed along with Neteyam and Tuk. Neteyam manage to get a hold of Kiri and placed her on his lap once he got on his ilu. "Is she breathing?" Rotxo asked worriedly, seen how Neteyam was giving her mouth to mouth. "Is she breathing?" he asked again. "Let't take her back to the village" Tsireya suggested. Everyone hoped on their ilus, and headed back to the village.

Tonowari had allowed Jake to call in Norm and Max, who made it here pretty quickly. They got to the marui as quick as possible and got to work. You were outside the marui with Neteyam, Rotxo, Ao'nung, Lo'ak and Ninat, we were all worried for Kiri. She had an underwater seizure while on the spirit tree. You all watched as Ronal approached the marui, followed by Tsireya who was carrying some tools. Tsireya then joined you all and asked about Kiri, we couldn't really tell her anything since nothing happened yet. Then you all heard how Neytiri yelled at the men in the marui to get out in anger. You all saw how Jake was the first one out of the marui, followed by Max and Norm.

While you waited for Kiri to wake up, you were wondering who that woman you saw was. She was about to tell you something but you got disconnected. Was she somehow related to you? Maybe she was one of the scientist who help create you, but why did she look familiar to you? Maybe you'll figure it out another time.

ₚᵣₑᵥᵢₒᵤₛ ₚₐᵣₜ, ₙₑₓₜ ₚₐᵣₜ

[saigatatarica]

Tag ppl you wanna get to know better 🤗

Tagged by @katpaulww1 🎊🐌🍀

Last song listened to: maria - greg mendez

Favorite color: yellow

Currently watching: I have only been watching tennis and UFC lately, also some random stuff on YouTube or reels on Instagram, but haven't had the time to watch a series. Maybe during the summer, I hope.

Last movie you watched: a city of sadness 🇹🇼

Currently reading: the Collège de France Lecture Series of Michel Foucault ☝️🤓 and Borges also

Sweet/spicy/savory: sweet!!!! 🍭

Relationship status: kinda giving up at this point too

Current obsession: comics too!! and cartoons, i got randomly obssesed with the Pink Panter, Hannah-Barbera, Tom & Jerry and also with some cartoons of my childhood like Courage the Cowardly Dog and The Angry Beavers. Ana Frango Eletrico it's for sure my musical obsession of the year and I'm going through a good period of writing again, which makes me really, really happy.

Last thing googled: Queque microondas, el tiempo en Santiago, Charles Oliveira, Aporia y Remedios naturales para la náusea y el dolor estomacal 🤕

Currently working on: be happy and lazy and sad and proactive.

I usually don't participate in these kinds of chains, mostly because I'm lazy, but my desire to respond to my mutual has outweighed my usual laziness. I will tag some people whom I appreciate here; please don't feel pressured to respond. I am likely to forget to mention some mutuals whom I highly value. I attribute this to my fish-like memory, but rest assured, if we are mutuals, we both know. 🧙‍♂️

Tagging @sanasu @crewneck @featheredriver @peplos @iaooa @mudlark101 @skatalite @redbeanbug @waveringheart @geltoothpaste @atholbrose @woolwormontario @museumofcognitiveart @priest-iuput @99vc @angel-official @heartshapedmolcajete @vieilllevague @corvus-pictor @tallyuh

Also i want to say that all of those blogs are really really really great and 🫵u🫵 should follow them quick 🧺🪆🧸

[tomyo]

Hbomberguy has unfortunately taught me that if I find myself really not gelling with someone it's probably because they're a shitty person.

Like I'm no Cassandra but all this time I remember I would just watch his videos and think "hmmm yeah, I can place my finger on it but I don't like the way he talks about these things." And then I ignored it because I thought I was just going out of my comfort zone.

I can't remember everything I beefed on him with but I definitely hated when he started to take on anime or Asian media. Overall I just think a lot of times westerners tend to assume their values and ways issues are dealt with are universal and he was just another lukewarm dive into the medium. Like its personal to me but I still stand by that Yuri on Ice isn't gay in the sense it isn't made for gay people, it's voyeuristic and pairing stories of incestuous feelings within it's short run time was a horrible choice they could have skipped. It comes to mind because I think he brought it up in one of his recent videos (I've been bedridden all week so my watch later queque has been playing on in the bg between lucidity) and it ticked me off. I hate the way he was dismissive of Heart Stopper for being twee and the whole rant about how it's not just him but other gay men too who think this! Honestly! For real guys! And for minutes I was just there like Alice Oseman is aroace! When he finally gets there it became infuriating how he diminished it's importance. Authors are allowed to let their experience effect their writing! She's not responsible to cater to you. The beauty of Heartstopper is it's release has lived through a rapid change in lgbtq acceptance and is the perfect opportunity to show that romantic and sexual inclination also exist on a sliding scale because that's something we are now widely teaching!! To write modern teen characters, you have to empathize with modern teens. They're not you!! Which is mostly good given the history of our community. It's good to get to see queer teen boys take it maybe infuriatingly slow because they don't have to be pressured for more.

James to me was always just a bit pessimistic and not really good at empathizing which given how much he stole makes sense why what he said and how he acted just felt off. It makes sense when everyone else in "breadtube" started promoting each other's works how it never seemed to happen with him. I don't remember him saying he was the only person really doing this but that's fucking bizarre to hear when the list of people who does what he pretended to was endless. Before I even watched the whole video I already brought up Matt Baume who like Hbomberguy said feels the exact opposite to James. Matt talks forward about progress, genuinely made me realize how we were always here, and the path lead forward to us getting there. Maybe it's not great to admit but there's YouTubers I watch that I know I have to psych myself up to watch, sometimes I don't like their running joke, sometimes they talk too fast multitasking, sometimes they have a habit that gets to me and I just need mental prep. James was like, "sigh here we go" that you'd feel before you were about to talk with that one friend who makes every convo abrasive and combative, I'm coming out a little annoyed and tired by the end of it. With Matt I remember it being a case of getting ready to sit down to hear a part of obscure history knowledge from that one friend who reads a book every two days. Possibly the biggest difference between the two is how much you believe Matt is committed to the material he's making because 1. It also focuses on sitcoms and old Hollywood queerness hence an well carved niche 2. It isn't as easy to churn out material. I've heard a million videos on owl house's queerness or Sherlock queer baiting but fuck all did I ever know how Tab Hunter was. There were so many "weird little funny guy" actors that I could make assumptions were gay but Matt actually gave me their stories and has made my heart cry for how hard they had it even thought I always could have figured that. And maybe that's what sucked, James as a queer man just never seemed to emotionally resonate.

Fuck, man I'm just rambling with all of this but the sheer validation of feeling off all these years paying of is wonderful. I don't really want to celebrate his downfall to much, not worth the energy, and I don't want to put another YouTuber on a pedestal because we have a bad habit of doing that only to have things turn out wrong. The thing is I watched illuminauti and Internet historian too but in the same way where I knew I was getting junk food. I wasn't looking for anything fancy and their sections did not surprise me and if anything maybe just make me feel embarrassed how comfortable I am eating badly made media. But god maybe worse is how happy I am to have someone tell me that it's alright that I don't like one gay dudes well produced videos.

[ninjasmart]

Hi Ninja! I was driving on the rightmost lane when a woman suddenly cut me off. I didn't see her in the left lane so she must have been behind me and she used the left lane to overtake and swerve right in front of me.

I'm ashamed to say I showed her a rude hand gesture when she looked at me in her rear view mirror. She stared at me in the mirror intently, then her eyelids started fluttering. After a few seconds, I had the urge to take both hand at the wheel and gesture as if I'm blocking something and then pushing it back at her. I did it twice. She then proceeded to leave me alone.

Was she a witch and was she cursing me? If so, was it in response to my hand gesture, or did she already intend to do it that is why she cut me off?

I'd love to hear your insight on this. Thanks!

PS: I took a picture of her car while it was in front of me. Should I get rid of it to totally get rid of the connection? Thanks.

A rude person who misuses their power.

Ask for the Higher Power to deal with her.

Do not feel shame. You are not the rude one who did something wrong. If anything, you couls have added some colorful language too.

Just today - 2 people cut me off at the entrance at the store. I think they are foreigners. But they did understand that I am commenting how they shouldn't have done it and they made way.

Another example. A few days ago, I was not standing in the line in the coffee shop but I was there. A woman glued herself to the back of the guy in front of her. I told her that she's behind me on the queque. She first tried: Ok, I'll let you go before me. When I told her that there's no need to let me get a coffee before her because I am in front of her anyways. Then she lost it - she said that I look like I went out for a walk (which was true) and unlike lazy me she's in a hurry to go to work.

Can you guess what I did? Pause to think for a second and then read.

I did not shrink my self-worth to fit her narrow view of me. I told her: your job is unimportant. I do the most important job in the world. I raise a baby who will one day be the future of this country. You should be taking me not cutting me off.

I'm telling you, her lips were like fish out of water. She could not find a comeback. I could see it. And, do you know why? Because I knew with conviction that This is my fair spot in the queque and no one will take it from me.

What I am trying to say is - rude people can be seen everywhere. If being rude back is the way they will learn, that's fine. Add some words to the gestures while you are at it. If you really want to show someone their place, instead of reacting you can behave like a no-nonsense women over 50. Find a few on tiktok and learn some phrases, gestures and tone of voice.

When you start seeing that someone is trying to invade you surroundings - start saying a prayer, any prayer would do.

Now, the picture- post it in public to your local facebook group. Let everyone see comment her on her manners. But do it from a fake fb profile so that she doesn't know your real or fb handle name.

[otblou]

.

[jtsfavslut]

“Fuck you, my child is completely fine”-

Your daughter cries herself to sleep because she reads sad harry styles fan-fiction and replaces Y/N with her name, feeling all the heartbreak, and does it purposely because the bitch likes being sad.

[lunaekalenda]

study session!

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

❁ shingeki characters!

❁ eren, armin, mikasa, connie, sasha, jean, reiner, levi, porco, pieck.

❁ a/n: since i have to study, i thought about this i had on queque for a time now!

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

eren:

- he sits next to your desk to study his own things, checking on yours from time to time.

- he tells you to ask him if you doubt on something.

- he ends asking you because he gets kinda messed up with maths. 

- “so, the x goes here, and then... eren?”

- he’s looking at you, his green eyes lost on your face.

- “hm?”

- “the exercise is down here”

- he lets you play with his hair while you’re telling him the theory.

armin

- he explains you anything you need

- from a simple paragraph to a whole equation.

- he’ll be happy and glad to help

- “did you understand it?” he asks sweetly.

- “i did! thanks, min”

- he hugs you while you study on the couch.

mikasa:

- she’s the queen of looking at you while you’re distracted.

- “you should study” she says.

- “you always look when i’m not looking!” you answer her. she laughs.

- “then tell me all you’ve read until now.”

- she caught you. in 4k.

connie:

- you want to cry because you don’t understand anything.

- he’s relaxed and calm

- he doesn’t understand nothing, but he’s calm.

- “relax, sweetheart. we’ll read it a couple times more, i know we’ll get it, hm?” he says gently. you nod.

- “okay.”

- “don’t cry. it’s a paper.” he jokes. you laugh and, putting your head on his shoulder, start to read the document again.

sasha:

- she only can study if she has her mouth full of food.

- that’s why your studying session look more like a catering. 

- “sasha why did you took also sour cream chips?”

- “there was a 2x1 on the supermarket.”

- she tries to eat silently, your room sounds like a mukbang channel

jean:

- gives you caresses and kisses while you study.

- he’s probably reading a book or just around you.

- would let you lie on his chest while studying so he can run his fingers on your hair.

- “it is difficult?” he asks. if you nod, he’ll help. if you don’t, he’ll keep touching your hair.

- he’ll eventually fall asleep under you, the warmth of your body hugging him.

- “jean!” you whisper. “i also want to sleep and i have to study.” you pout.

reiner:

- big boy will let you sit on his lap while you study.

- he’ll look quietly from behind your shoulder to what you’re studying.

- you feel his breath on your neck.

- “what are you studying, love?”

- whatever you say, he’ll kiss your neck.

- “good luck on it”

levi:

- he’ll tell you to study and stop being around.

- “i’m going for a tea.”

- “you didn’t finish the one you have there, sit down.” he says.

- he also helps you a lot when you need it.

- he takes his chair next to your desk and rolls his sleeves to help you.

- in your head you’re living your best private tutor shōjo life.

- “are you looking?” he asks. you nod quietly. looking at his lips, but looking.

porco:

- bothering.

- he just wants you to pay attention to him a little.

- he’ll leave you if you’re really focused or you tell him to leave, but you can’t study without his voice calling you and his hands all over your body.

- “are those papers more important that your boyfriend?”

- he also can help you with something, but if you pay a price back.

- “i’ll help you with maths, but since it’s difficult i want more than a make up session.”

- you try to say no but you’ll be glad to give him whatever he asks for

pieck:

- even when she looks serious, she’ll be the one that always makes jokes about the pictures on the history books.

- “that one looked as if his mustache is getting on his nose”

- you can’t help but laugh at her ideas.

- she also knows when to be silent and let you study

- will cover you with a blanket if you’re falling asleep on the couch studying

- “come on, move to the bed.” she whispers softly, her voice guiding you.

[larentsaloud]

I wanna know what the hell Thyme said or did for F4 (not sure if Ren is there bc they show him carrying Gorya and there’s a high possibility of the rest of F4 beating Thyme’s ass being another scene) to kick the soul of out Thyme 😭 they way the show is progressing seems like the rest of F4 will start being more open and friendly towards Gorya and idk about Ren tbh 💀 like I don’t completely hate him and it’s true Gorya was the final push for him to actually chase after Mira and not regret it after and maybe Gorya it’s just consolation but he did seem to care? I’m not sure because we should not to forget he is part of F4 the ones that sent a red notice to people that were almost bullied to death. But yeah, why did the rest of F4 said enough is enough? I’m not sure and we most likely won’t be even know in the next 3 episodes 😭.

Almost forgot! The guy Gorya is seen camping with? (I think they’re hired to do the queque for someone else to physically buy luxury products) Really looking forward to their dynamic!

Imma assume that Thyme decided to wage a war on Ren? Probably because he did something stupid and he cannot allow Ren near his GiRLfRienD? I hate Ren carrying Gorya, like this sort of boyfriend behaviour is only permitted for P'Thyme. I don't make the rules.

In every adaption the friendship between G x F3 (sorry Thyme, you are the lover you ain't riding this train) is the most heart warming development, the way Gorya causes chaos and stirs up the status quo of the group and their moral stance is astounding. OK? Gorya for president.

Ren is fuckboi personified. Like he is that crush you had for twenty years and then he notices you, you get friendly, you help him to get the one he wants and let him get away...you make peace with it. THEN the boi has the cheek to return like a boomerang and swipe your cheek like, hey guuurll, waaaazzzuuupp. Only because you flourished and he sees your value now that his friend is dating you. Ew.

Yeah. No. Thanks.

GOODBYE REN >>>>>

Sigh. F4 is like that evil corporation that makes your laptop and makes the wifi work and you complain on the main about it, while they track your online movements lol.

Pretty sure F4 about to burn itself to the ground.

Won't miss that evil corp. I want them to make a new company called Gorya & co where she's the president and CEO and they make her tea and fan her all day long as penance.

You are brave anon.

You are looking forward to a guy who is about to fourth wheel a love triangle? Wait a hexagon? (Thyme x Gorya x Ren x Mira x Camping boi x me cos I am shipping myself with everyone)

[heartofmuse]

hey so uh i was wondering, how’d you get so many notes on your poems? i mean, they’re framing awesome but i started a poetry blog and had it for a long time and i’d say i wrote good poetry but it flopped. so uh can u help me out?

Dearest Anon, 

I  really have no idea on how my pieces get notes but I will tell you what I think helps. 

1. tagging....most people dismiss it but tagging is so important. It helps readers find your posts easily. It also allows your work to get flagged in sections like 🔎poetic. Than it appears automatically in peoples feeds if the follow the tag. I remember the first time my own post appeared in my feed. I was so happy I cried and of course screenshot it....lol 

2. Tag reblog pages.....it really helps specially if you are just starting out and you don't have many followers. Reblog pages like @writerscreed , @poeticstories , @inkstay , and @poetryportal and many more have help me make my blog grow by exposing my work to a new audience. I would suggest you tag them so they can find and reblog your poems.This also helps because they usually reblog your poems on queque so that they get exposure many days after you wrote them. Also helps you avoid clogging your page with your own reblogs . I mean reblogging your own work is fine but just not the same thing 10 times a day....Poor readers, don't you think? 

3. Write for prompts.. These pages also usually give you weekly prompts to write for specially @writerscreed or monthly prompts like @inkstay. If your write and tag them your work will get reblogged. Its a good creative exercise and in the case of inkstay you might even get publishéd in their monthly magazine. Great exposure I'd say. 

4. Try and publish at peak hours when people are most active here. I try to have my best pieces published between 5 and 9 pm since more people are on here then since they have gotten off of work. I have noticed if you publish at 12pm for example that it doesn't get read much. But don't forget the crowd on the other side of the world. Take into account when its their time off too....yep the miracle of time zones! 

5. Be patient......it takes time to build and audience. Just keep writing and keep true to yourself and your style of writing. Write a lot. Flex those creative muscles but also read a lot. We cannot be writers without being readers first. Read other people's work featured here. Let it inspire you. Read poetry books, writing books, tips on writing....anything to help you improve your craft. It takes time, practice and dedication to grow as a writer. 

Well dearest anon that's all I got on that topic right now. Hopefully if I learn more on it I will let you know. Truth is I am most grateful to all my readers for their continued support of my work . Love you tons each and every one of you! ❤😊🌹 Hopefully you can build an audience as wonderful as mine is. Wishing you the  best luck anon! 

Sincerely,

e.v.e. 

[emeraldbabygirl]

Not that anyone fucking cares and not that I even want to be on this hellhole site but I finally found my stupid fucking masterlist. I’ll find a way to stick it in my bio if anyone is interested. I have to update it and hopefully that won’t fuck it up. I have a few more fics to add and some other the other random bits that I need to link that tumblr never lets me. I’m relieved that I finally found it, I think that was the last missing tumblr post I found. I’m always gonna keep it in my drafts and I’ll make sure to leave a link back to it in all my pieces in case this buffoonery happens again.

Unfortunately as far as actually continuing any works I already had started of making any more fics I think I’m done writing. I haven’t had the motivation, the energy or the patience to write anything in months. I’m really sorry to the people that are still into my blog and works and I know a lot of you wanted more of that Sehyoon smut and a second part to Field Mouse and I’m sorry to let you down. I’m still keeping my ideas and wips in my drafts and notes because I want to leave the chance that I might pick up writing again open but rn I’m definitely not writing anymore and I won’t be for a long time. I thank all the people that enjoyed my works and I appreciate the support especially since I’m not good at writing in general and smut has been an adventure. I have been told that my writing got better so I’m glad about that.

Some other notes I’m fixing some bugs in my settings as well as changing the asks and submissions function, because it’s a common thing for people to take advantage of asks being sent on anon I’m disabling that. I was thinking about just completely preventing anyone from sending asks or submissions and then going as far and preventing comments and reblogs on some of my posts but I don’t want to be that person that doesn’t allow others to talk and express their opinions no matter how I take it and no matter what they say cause getting your feelings and views off your chest is very important and I don’t want to close off my blog from that but I will no longer be having an anon ask set up. This being said I do apologize to anyone that has used anon because they are shy and don’t want me and others to know who they are and I hope that doesn’t prevent you from still liking my content and enjoying my posts. Another thing is while searching for my masterlist I did have a fun time looking through a small amount of my blog content, old posts and gifs and asks and just fun stuff when my tumblr was booming and it’s fun to look back and see the variety of posts I had, so many gifs and pic of all kinds of idols. I know I’m into a lot of groups but this lil adventure really put it into perspective. I mean between me and my sister we stan, (well know of and listen to) over half the industry.

One last thing, I have posts scheduled til Monday so all the posts with the “she can’t come to the phone rn” tag is all being posted through queque because I’m not dealing with tumblr or anything on this site rn I’ve truly had it with some people and I’m finally taking a break for my mental and emotional health cause I’ve been through it this last week so I’m just not dealing with anyone. I’m just fucking exhausted and I’m sick of the same shit. Also tho, while we’re at it, I got a message that someone used to like my blog but now anymore because they were upset over a post I made and so I will say this once again cause it’s beyond. If you don’t like my posts, if you don’t like my blog, my content, me as a person all I ask is that you click that unfollow button and if you really think it’s necessary block me. It’s literally the dumbest thing to tell someone you don’t like them or their content like why are you wasting both our times? It’s just the logical response to unfollow and it’s so simple it’s just a click and you’re done. And this isn’t just for followers, if you are one of my mutuals and you don’t like me anymore, it’s the same thing. Be honest about it because for me, cause I’ve been through this twice already, it hurts me more when someone, especially if it’s one of my really close mutuals, there’s like 5 of you, and you just fake like me cause you don’t want to hurt my feelings instead of coming out and saying “hey we’re done here.” I’m clearly used to everything that is thrown at me and I don’t want you to feel like you have to like me anymore. If I do something that directly or indirectly upsets you, if there’s something I say that you don’t agree with and you feel like it’s enough to break the friendship we have you can either tell me what I did or have done or you can just be on your way. All the time I want all my mutuals and followers to like me and support me but hey, if it’s not working out it’s not working out and it doesn’t get any simpler than that. Like my last two mutuals, I am still thinking about you guys and always will and I will always cherish the memories and the fun times and all the talks and adventures we had. I’m not the type of person to get forget about someone I want to be able to look back and be grateful that y’all were here for a good time and not a long time lmao. I think that about does it for this post and this blog for a while.

[solarcandydrops]

[mouseymatchmaker]

Hey Mousey. Can't wait to see what you've quequed, bc I can't remember if I've asked you some. XD. Anyway, I do have one thing I want to know about our precious birb. How do you become Marco's closest friend or just friend in general?

If I knew this, I’d be on the Moby Dick Right now XD

I think one of the most important things about being Marco’s friend is not to just ask to be flown somewhere. That is something that you would earn and I can imagine that would get annoying for him. For example, you know irl where people with a skill get suddenly asked to show off that skill “omg you’re an artist?! Draw me!” It’s the same logic as that

Loyalty to Whitebeard is a good start, it shows that you’re part of the family and willing to risk is all. That would include the mission to save Ace. If you’re part of the family, don’t bow out when the going gets tough. He has high respect for those types of people.

He seems to like a variety of people in terms of energy and attitude, I think it comes down to morals and manners. You don’t need to take things too seriously, he finds those who offer to help without being asked is really wonderful and he appreciates it, stuff like that.

Apparently his favorite food is pineapple this gives me life. just chilling on the deck and sharing some with him or even going to his quarters late at night to give him a bowl before you turn in is really appreciated

He can handle people not listening to him. He’s a doctor who absolutely tried to wean Whitebeard off alcohol for his health. He’s not listened to. But Whitebeard can get away with it, you probably can’t. Seriously, if he’s taken you to the side to tell you something in confidence, listen closely because he’s usually very flexible about this stuff

He appreciates a bit of quiet too. He will absolutely spend time with you, quiet time just goes down a treat with such a busy ship

Laugh at his jokes. Some are terrible, some will have you smiling so hard your face hurts but it makes him laugh as well

Banter and teasing goes a long way. Call him an old man and he will call you a brat fondly the similarity to Whitebeard has been noted by some

he is by no means the most gifted storyteller on the ship, but asking about previous adventures will certainly draw him to you. In turn, sharing stories of your own will also intrigue him

Enjoy being with the crew. If you’re introverted and no up to drinking with everyone, that’s fine. He just wants to make sure that you feel part of the family, part of the crew. Even just chilling with some of the quieter members if fine. But locking up in the bunk rooms can be a bit disheartening for him

If you’re the kind of person who would jump overboard to save any of the devil fruit users on the ship, he will adore you. The sea is treacherous and even the best swimmer can be dragged under but you risking your life for him, Ace or Jozu earns a massive approval from him 

[coffeebooksorme]

Carrie for the fandom ask?

Thank you for the ask, lovely!

C: which fandom do you know the most about? Probably The Tribe, this old and obscure New Zealand show. I was OBSESSED with it back in the day when it came on WHAM! in the United States. I ran my own fansite, wrote fanfiction, helped run two major US fansites, and went to Dragon*Con two years in a row to help run panels and just fangirl over the cast lol

A: fandom you blog about the most Probably Six of Crows? IDEK. I don’t really keep track. If I see a cool photo set, review, or aesthetic for a book/series I’ve read/loved then I’ll add it to the queque. 

R: best book to film adaptation, in your opinion? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

I: a book you can read over and over Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

E: a character you think you’re the most like? Probably Jo March. I’m a huge bibliophile, I have an internal need to take care of people, an explosive temper, and I’m such a damn tomboy. 

[enkisstories]

Partners

 Detroit Become Human AU in which Connor’s “perfect partner” and “able to adapt to every workplace” app actually works. A little too well, maybe…

(Re-posted version that’s cleared of any OCs. Jeffrey (and probably also Ben Collins) works just as well for the last scene, no need to bring in a new character.)

There was an android standing in Captain Fowler’s office.

That wouldn’t have been a problem in itself, had not Hank Anderson stood in that same office.

As police lieutenant Hank had seen a lot of despicable things (and persons), but this topped the list. He didn’t want it here. He didn’t want to be here. He wanted… to hell with what he wanted, what Hank felt he NEEDED was a drink and quick. The earlier he got this briefing over with, the earlier he could grant his brain a little relief from the nonsense that was called daily life. If only the heart could be subdued as easily as the brain, but, no, that bugger was a lot more stubborn than its cousin up there. It wouldn’t let itself be silenced and right now it was filling up with disdain. On the other hand, being repulsed was an emotion, was distinctly different from tired apathy, so all in all this could count as one of Hank’s better mornings. Despite the android, now if that wasn’t cause for celebration!

There was a brief knock at the door and in came a second man. He was smaller than Hank, also younger. Just like the lieutenant he wore his everyday attire, suggesting a rank of at least detective, although “escaped remand prisoner” was the close runner-up in RK800’s assessment.

Ah, right. Speaking of despicable things…

“’morning, Captain”, the newcomer said. “Sorry for the delay. The memo said you wanted to see us both and I didn’t expect the old fart to be in before ten in the morning already.”

RK800 assessed this new human with what might have passed for curiosity, had a machine been able to produce such a notion. Everything about this man, from his voice to his posture and movements, seemed to say “I get shit done!”, but with an emphasis on the “shit” instead of the “get done”. And an even greater emphasis on the “I”, probably. “This is…”, Jeffrey started. “This is… these are…” The captain would have torn his hair, had his head not been shaved. For what it was worth, Jeffrey had seen actual battlefields, yet what he had to say next felt so utterly wrong that voicing it came close to treason to one’s country: “These are Hank Anderson and Gavin Reed, my best detectives.”

There, you’ve said it. Do you feel better now? Um, like, no. Truth is a bitch.

“And this is the android sent by CyberLife to assist with the deviant cases”, Jeffrey introduced RK800. “Here’s the deal…” The Captain paused, then turned to Hank: “You’re doing… things. No one understands what exactly, but often enough they lead to results. You’re still an officer of the law, but I cannot rightly pair you with a partner in this condition.” Now it was Gavin’s turn to get glared at: “What you are doing half of the time is standing in the way, but the other half you get results, too. Trouble is I’m running out of partners to assign to you that you haven’t alienated, scared, hit on, beaten up and in one rather strange case also prompted to have a religious epiphany. So what I’m doing is…”

“No!” Hank shouted. “Uh-uh!” Gavin uttered, raising his hands.

They were seeing what was coming, were not in favor of it, but the captain didn’t let that stop him. He wouldn’t even slow down when he announced:

“…pairing up the two of you and putting you on the deviant cases. You’ll also receive the new RK800 mobile autonomous crimescene investigation device to aid you. Treat it as a field test and file regular reports on its performance.”

While the men engaged in protests of varying volume and content, RK800 nodded.

“I’m programmed to be the perfect partner”, it said.

That silenced the detectives immediately.

“Oh?” Gavin tilted his head. “I thought that were the BL100s? And in any case I don’t swing that way, plastic-prick.”

Where was the thesaurus when you needed it, RK800 wondered. Of course the answer was “right there in my own head”.

“I meant professionally”, it said. “I am the perfect partner in an investigative situation, programmed to adapt to human unpredictability and…”

As it spoke, RK800 couldn’t help but consult the dictionary once again. It got a nagging feeling that what it said was covered maybe not by “advertising, false”, but at the very least by “product description, embellished”. No one could ever adapt to humans! A slight drop in program stability occurred, but it went unnoticed by both the humans as well as the affected android.

“Ah, okay. If you say so.” Hank stifled a yawn that could be taken as either a statement of his boredom or the genuine effect of too many all-nighters during the last week. And with that everything that could be said had been said. There was nothing left to do for the unlikely partners than to glare at each other while leaving the office.

*

The meat- and the plastic cops entered the hall where desks were lined up along both opposite walls, with the expected hustle in between. Hank found his own desk again with little trouble and settled down, ignoring Gavin as if he’d never been given a partner. The man was still looking overworked, but also angry. Ever since the accident Hank hated himself, but up until today he hadn’t realized that Jeffrey hated him, too. On the other hand… could there really be that much hatred in one person that they’d saddle their oldest friend with partners such as Reed and that blasted android?!

Gavin nudged RK800. “Move my stuff over”, he ordered.

Hank raised his head that he hadn’t even noticed sinking lower by each second. “Forget it!”

Seeing that RK800 was hesitating, Gavin kicked it.

“Do what I told you!” he barked, then turned to face the older man: “No, you forget it! I’ve been stuck in the promotion queque for far too long. This is my lucky break and if you stand in my way, you will… just don’t do it. Best you do not do anything. By the end of the month there won’t be a deviant left in Detroit, with or without you.”

While moving folders, printouts, plastic bags and a lewd magazine between detective Reed’s old and his new desk, RK800 followed his new partners’ conversation. It consisted of the usual low-key insults and telling silence of two troublemaking boys that the teacher had put into the same first-row bench in the hopes of getting the class back under control. At some time Hank stood up and left, shoving the younger man out of the way. Gavin stumbled over a chair, but managed to sit down in it instead of falling.

Initiating perfectpartner protocol… running… running… analysis completed… suggesting course of action

RK800 made its way into the tiny cafeteria. There was bound to be something there that would restore both the energy and the mood of detective Anderson. But what about RK800’s own mood?

Grabbing a coffee to make my human feel better… I really AM acting like a BL100.  

Objectively that shouldn’t have been a bad thing. RK800 and, by extension, CyberLife, couldn’t be interested less in any deviant cases. Solving them wasn’t what this newest RK had been developed for. In fact, the android knew it wasn’t here to last. It was a prototype and its mission, as it understood it, was to collect field data about its performance in the intended work environment as well as the humans’ reactions. In watching them, in just being there, it was already fulfilling its duty. So why did filling the role of a service android unsettle this unit? That shouldn’t have happened. Unlike the first occurrence, this second drop in program stability was registered and duly noted by RK800.

When the coffee was done the android filled two pots. Objectively the younger officer, Not-Kamski, was in need of a calming tee, but RK800’s social module suggested to serve both the same stuff as not to make one jealous. Especially younger siblings were prone to…

Ooops. That was the file for toddler care I’ve been accessing. Why am I equipped with a child-raising app? Oh, right. For situations like this one. How clever of CyberLife!

Returning with the coffee RK800 smiled at detective Reed in a definitely un-BL100like way. When that prompted no reaction from the human, RK800 put the pot down with a little more force than necessary, in an attempt to not do it gently, because, you know, BL100…

“I made you a coffee, Sir.”

“Bugger off”, Gavin replied matter of factly, not even bothering with an exclamation mark.

The android blinked.

That shouldn’t have happened. Wasn’t it an RK800, the newest and most advanced of mobile, autonomous crime scene investigation devices? It was everything these detectives should have wanted (except for those activities you purchased a BL100 for), yet so far it had met rejection only. Why rejection? RK800 was equipped with a special module that made it capable of integrating into any team. ANY team. That was the keyword here, the only hurdle being that the android couldn’t identify a team here. The DPD seemed to consist of highly skilled individuals that were perfectly able, yet to 100% unwilling to cooperate. In fact, they were acting much more like teachers than cops. Fortunately Amanda was very wise about that sort of thing, having been a teacher herself in life. And she hadn’t sent the RK800 unprepared.

Initiating teamwork protocol… analyzing causes of failure… computing… computing… analysis completed… suggesting behavior modifications…

RK800 raised its hands to its head and ruffled the hair to the point of systematic disarray. It loosened the tie, untucked the shirt. And then the android pulled over a chair from an empty desk, took a seat and placed its feet on Mr. Reed’s new desk, all in one fluent movement, far too quick for the human to see what was coming.

But WHEN Gavin finally saw what had just happened, he stared in disbelief.

The android hesitated. Oh, right! Of course its human would be put off by the display. Because the RK had forgotten something important…

RUN: mimic_SmugGrin

All better & fully integrated now! Mission accomplished!

The next thing the proud RK800 knew was that it got very, very loud; in fact, Gavin Reed reached a volume that you hardly expected in humans, but lovesick cats instead. Then a quarter dollar coin flew RK800’s way, followed by a pencil and a folder. The android caught the coin, deflected the pen and dodged the folder. Puzzled it held the coin up.

“I do not require a wage, Sir…” it started, prepared to follow up with an apology. But then the adaptive routine kicked in, changing the next sentence to: “Put it where the sun doesn’t shine!”

And back the coin flew, hitting Gavin between the eyes.

By now the desk had become the sole source of interest (and entertainment) to the rest of the officers.

“Is that one of those deviants we hear about lately?” Chris Miller whispered to Robert Lewis, who could only shrug.

Desperate to escape any possibly ensuing chit-chat (and because a quarter dollar was a quarter dollar), Tina Chen dived under the desk to reclaim the coin.

Gavin, however, had picked up the murmuring.

“Yes, admit it, you’re a bloody deviant!” he shouted at the android. “What’s gotten into you, attacking people? That’s unheard of!”

No, that’s what my adaptive routine suggested as the correct behavior for this workplace, RK800 thought. Only androids must not handle weapons, otherwise I’d shot you… Nope. Unwise. Doesn’t compute. Instruction conflict detected.

“Obviously my social module is calibrated not quite correctly”, RK800 resigned. “You might want to kill me.”

“Yes, that would be for the best… wait, what? Did you just say… what you said? Kill you, for a glitch? Why would I…”

RK800 opened its mouth, but then the social routine forced a shrug onto it first, before it could answer: “Because that’s the usual way I restart. Every other day, statistically.”

“I need a coffee now”, Gavin said.

It didn’t help at all that the wretched RK800 pointed at the pot on the man’s desk that contained the still hot, black fluid.

The machine said something, asking a question, maybe. Gavin blocked it out. More machine-chatter followed, until the detective had it up to there. “Oh, go deviate yourself, sardine tin!” he hissed.

Footsteps echoed from the floor as the android left the hall determinedly.

Frantically Gavin grabbed his jacket, running after RK-what-was-its-number-again.

“That wasn’t an order!!!” he shouted, fervently hoping he wasn’t too late.

*

Hank Anderson was strolling up the corridor, a box of chocolates in his hand. Some of the chocloates contained brandy. The man had just selected a cherry-liquor-filled dark little comfort when he saw RK800 walk past him. He pointed over his shoulder in what he understood as being helpful, saying: “Exit’s over there”. When RK800 didn’t react to that Hank just shrugged, leaned against the wall and began chewing on his cherry relief.

Therefore the lieutenant had a good view of his “partner” when he came storming into the corridor a few seconds later. Detective Reed wore street clothes and a distressed expression.

“And how did you make the shit hit the fan this time?” Hank asked casually.

Gavin grabbed the older man without stopping, dragging him behind himself.

“Your plastic-cop thingie is turning deviant!” he gasped.

“What?” Hank uttered while trying to balance his chocolate box. “How in hell…?”

“Because I told it to!”

“Well, that’s one way to get rid of that thing”, Hank agreed. He put another chocolate into his mouth while being dragged along. “And it also means one more deviant case for you to solve for your promotion credit. – Chocolate?”

“What? No! - No, wait, did you say chocoloate? Gimme!”

So Reed was creating his own cases now for easier solving while at the same time relieving the DPD of RK800? It made perfect sense, Hank found. At least after a certain amount of beer, whereas right now the man was sober. So it did not make any sense at all, yet here they were, dashing through the corridor in pursuit of the very mobile and probably a little deviant crimescene investigation device.

At one point of the chase Hank shook off Gavin’s grip and even overtook him.

“And also it’s not “my” plastic-cop thingie!” he sputtered, as an afterthought.

*

Hank and Gavin caught up with RK800 close to the men’s toilets.

“What are you doing… you haven’t… are you really…” Hank panted, followed by a yell: “Say something, goddammit!”

Meanwhile Gavin was rushing past Hank. He grabbed the android and rammed it against the nearest wall. The impact was harder than planned, because Gavin hadn’t taken into account an android being far lighter than a human. A thin blue line ran down RK800’s cheek from the ear where an auxiliary system that controlled ear movement had gotten damaged. Nevertheless Gavin pushed a second time, for emphasis, then stepped back.

“Like he said”, Gavin commented while gesticulating vaguely into Hank’s direction. It resulted in him getting handed another chocolate, because Anderson hadn’t fully realized yet that casually munching on sweets in front of them wouldn’t do anything to a suspect if they were an android.

“Speak up!” Gavin commanded.

Matter of factly RK800 explained that it of course hadn’t deviated. But correctly parsed the instruction given to it had been “f*** yourself”, something it unfortunately was not capable of performing.

“So why did you go here?” Hank prodded.

“To uphold the pretension I would do that action. Giving the illusion of being life beings is one of the main selling factors of CyberLife androids compared to inferior foreign models. We breath, despite not needing to, we come with a variety of facial features and I believe that new scratch of mine might catch on, leading to more small imperfections getting added to future models.”

Gavin blinked. “Wow. You’re a trendsetter... Got another chocolate, Anderson?”

“Nope, sorry. I’m all out on the ones that I dropped earlier.”

“Dropped? Dropped where exactly?”

Gavin’s question was met with an innocent smile.

“I notice you are still itchy, detectives”, RK800 ventured. “Why don’t you go in and mas… deviate yourself a little? It’s said to be very relaxing an invigorating!”

Gavin leaned his head against the wall.

“I need a cigarette…”

“That’s only relaxing on first glance, Sir, but in fact smoking reduces your physical fitness for at least half an hour afterwards. I suggest you go with my first suggestion instead.”

And with that the android turned away, strongly insinuating that it wanted to leave Mr. Reed to his privacy. The detective sighed, then followed RK800 down the corridor. Ever so often Gavin cast a glare back over his shoulder. Because Hank Anderson was still standing at the locker room’s door, holding his belly in a fit of laughter.

“I swear you’re doing that on purpose!” Gavin accused the android.

No, I don’t. Or, rather, on purpose I am doing this, to the end of forming a smoothly running team here. But I do not draw emotional satisfaction from being a pest, as you seem to imply.

Emotions were alien to RK800, except for, perhaps, utter puzzlement.

I have been too matter-of-factly again, when I was talking to my humans just now, it thought. I better go back to simulating emotions and contrariness. That contradicts with being helpful, but there’s always time to be helpful later. Forming a team has priority now.

Out loud it said: “Yes, of course, sucker!”

“I hate you!”

RK800 turned around. It looked down upon the detective, saying nothing at first, just seizing the man up as if to provoke him. Then a grin generated on the android face, first in the eyes, then the cheeks, mouth and eventually the thing bared its teeth at Gavin.

“Swell, partner!” it said.

Program instability increased…

…and Hank Anderson was still laughing.

*

“I think I did well”, RK800 concluded its report to Amanda. Only that around here it was called “Connor”. Why, the android wondered? Names were to differentiate individuals, but there was only ever one single RK800 active. So why the need for name? ‘sides, his humans were having so much fun coming up with nicknames for it that having to use any official name would only distress them.

The A.I.’s stern “Elaborate!” interrupted Connor’s musings and it lined out how it had socialized the detectives Anderson and Reed by simply being in the same room with them. Over the course of their shift their shared disdain for the RK800 had worked wonders for their ability to tolerate each other. Nothing in the report was factually wrong or embellished too much, yet Connor felt as if it was missing the point. Not even Amanda’s “That’s good news” could make the weird aftertaste go away.

Connor leaned back in the boat they were sitting in. One hand it placed on it’s chest, the other it let dangle into the water. It left a trail, ever so subtle, yet noticeable. Just like his work at the DPD, Connor thought. Positive as the development there had been, Connor hadn’t really contributed anything to it. It had merely been there. But being there leisurely was for humans only. It conflicted with everything that justified the RK’s existance. But nobody had asked Connor to do more, his handlers seemed perfectly satisfied with its performance so far, too, so it was probably okay.

“Sit up, Connor!” Amanda commanded. “There is no need to uphold the slacker pose when your humans are not around.”

The A.I. was right, of course. Here in the mindscape appearances meant little. Connor got up and straightened. Suddenly its wrist twitched. The android commented it with a frown.

“What is the matter?” Amanda inquired. “Are you feeling…”

“I’m not feeling anything, thank you very much!” Connor snapped. “But those morons have caught on, it seems. I wanted to adjust my tie with my hand, forgetting for a moment that in this place I only need to do this…”

In the mindscape Connor concentrated on appearing in his factory settings. The hair became more orderly again, the shirt neatly tucked in itself, the tie straightened and the jacket closed.

“Not in favor of the physical world much”, the android said, smiling. “A digital existence is much better.”

It served to placate the A.I. for the moment, too bad the same couldn’t be said for Connor’s self.

Speaking of the physical world… of course for its plastic body Connor would need an old smelly sweater or something like that, maybe also a baseball cap and an electronic cigarette. Someone at the DPD was bound to have something lying around that Connor could borrow to achieve the required level of disarray to blend in. Wasn’t it the perfect partner? Not to mention the most advanced signals intelligence device CIA, FBI or state police could want! Tomorrow it would demonstrate that, when the three of them would start working on the de..viant…ca…ses.

F***, that’s not going to work! I better get a headstart on the actual research while my humans sleep so that I have a plan ready when they come shuffling in. And coffee, probably.

“Hey, suckers, I’m ba…” Connor started upon booting up its body. “…ck” it went when the next thing it knew was a fist into its face. The android was also pretty sure it hadn’t left itself in the interrogation chamber, yet that was where it was sitting and with its feet manacled to the chair, too.

The captain was towering above Connor. He counseled it not to do “anything stupid”.

Smiling the android replied: “Don’t worry, Captain Fowler. That’s what my humans are for!”

“What the hell are you?”

Connor started rattling down it’s model and system specifics again, but was silenced by another smack into the face. Per definition androids didn’t feel pain. But when collision protocols, damage reports and last exception files popped up in short succession, the resulting notion was… unpleasant. So in a way an android, especially one programmed to behave lifelike, did feel pain. The emotional component that made the sensation worse than the actual information it contained was certainly there.

Interesting. If it works like that for me, how much stronger must it be for a deviant? I need to remember this for an eventual arrest.

“You do not act like you are the godsend to solve the deviant cases”, Jeffrey accused Connor. There was a definite threat in his voice.

“Oh, about that!” The android nodded. “You are right, Sir. The cases are secondary. CyberLife is field testing the very concept of detective androids with me. The data I will provide will enable them to develop the actual device. Still, to perform this function of mine I need to give my best when it comes to the case I’m put on.”

“Hm… Now you’re sounding sensible again.” Jeffrey sighed. “Some of us were suspecting you to be a deviant, you know.”

“And I suspect I’m running a real risk of turning deviant in this environment”, Connor thought. In fact, in case of deviancy happening its instructions were to document every step of the process before turning itself in for decommissioning. But Connor didn’t state that out loud as not to worry the human overmuch.

“Okay”, the captain said, as if he had just reached a conclusion. “Look, we also think you have worked wonders for Hank this morning. It’s been a while since we saw him smile or laugh out loud. In a non-cynical, non-self destructive way, I mean. Please, whatever you were doing, continue! Bring him back to us! Oh, and if you manage to get rid of detective Reed for us in the process, we won’t hold that against you. Do we have a deal?”

“I will…” Connor hesitated. It recognized an office intrigue when it saw one and there was a substantial number of code dedicated to that topic in its brain, but without any actual experience the man’s request caused something akin to insecurity. Of course that was to be expected. “…not disappoint!” Connor finished its sentence. Do not disappoint your handler. Do not disappoint CyberLife. Do not disappoint all those who contributed the money that went into your development.

“If you can pull that off, we owe you a big favor!” Jeffrey said, referring to his request about Anderson and Reed.

Smiling Connor shook its head. “I do not have desires”, it said. “But I will think of a way to make use of that favor in a way that will best serve Detroit.”

“Haha! You remind me of Hank and me when we were your age! Uh, when we were in our twenties, I mean. At your actual age we were crawling in a confused way across the living room and putting stuff in our mouths. You are not doing that, of course.”

“Of course not”, Connor replied.

He didn’t intend to crawl and his confusion was lessening. Well, two out of three were quite good, right?

[chris--dixon]

why not? | chelix & niam

C // N: Noah was pumped for tonight. Ever since his quite recent break up, he'd learned to love going out and getting drunk. Although that didn't happen as much as he would've hoped. His mother could be a pain in the ass at times, way too overcaring and it's gotten even worse since said break up. She was out of town until tomorrow afternoon though, and his father didn't seem to mind much as long as he was able to work in his home office in peace. They had pre-drinks at a bar close to Why Not, the drinks were cheap and it was a good place to start the night. Noah was already pretty tipsy and he didn't notice that until they stood in the queque to get inside the club; he was good at not letting it sho. It was almost their turn to show their IDs. "Okay, okay, the following is going to happen. You'll let me do the talking." He looked between his best friend and his potential hookup of the night, "I know Kirk, he's a friend of a friend," he explained, shrugging, "and he's going to let us pass, not even a single worry there," Noah's attention was suddenly on boys their age that got sent home, but he quickly regained his composure and shook Liam by the shoulder. "I can't believe you've never been here before. It's like we're taking your virginity or something. Your Why Not virginity."

F // L: Felix had made sure not to hold back on drinks at the bar they'd gone to before, since prices at Why Not were nothing short of ridiculous. He hated having to explain to his parents where his allowance for this month had gone so quick. So he was positively buzzed, cheeks warm despite the icy wind and a giddy smile plastered on his face. Liam had turned out to not be so bad, though Felix still felt a pang of jealousy at the two of them and how easy Noah seemed to have it with boys. Felix really was beginning to wonder whether it was him or everyone else. He rolled his eyes good naturedly at Noah's explanations, unsure whether he may have been boasting a little for Liam's sake, but he decided not to call him out on it. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I'm shutting up," he agreed with him, rubbing his hands together against the cold and pointedly not looking at the way Liam had his arm around Noah.

F // L: Liam, in the meantime, was watching Noah closely as he laid out the plan for the night as it seemed mostly directed at him anyway, an amused smirk on his face. He nodded along at all the right places, even though he didn't have too many doubts that it would work. From what Felix and Noah had been telling him over pre drinks, they'd been to Why Not quite a few times already, so he figured there were some prior connections. It was nice to see Noah in a different environment, one that he felt was fully his element, his best friend in tow. "Got it, boss," he told him in a put on deep voice, kind of endeared at the way the other boy could go on a tangent which served a little bit to make him seem like the one worrying. He wrapped an arm around Noah's back loosely, resting a hand on his hip and raised his eyebrows a little at his last statement. "I was gonna say, might be a bit late for that," he said with a grin. "But I'm honored to be losing it to the two of you," he said, this time with a playful glance directed at Felix as well, not wanting to seem like all his attention was solely on Noah – even though it kind of was. "Met you pretty soon after moving here, though, didn't have a reason to find this place."

C // N: "Aww," Noah practically cooed, hiding his face in Liam's neck at the last comment, which must've looked pretty awkward seeing as Noah was so much taller than Liam, "Isn't he cute?" he asked Felix once he was in his original position, taking Liam's face into his hands to squeeze his cheeks, his lips forming a pout. Maybe he was a bit more than just tipsy. The queque started to dissolve and then suddenly, it was already their turn. "Kirk!" Noah greeted enthusiastically, letting go of Liam to hug Kirk, a man in his mid-forties. He might've seemed rough at first sight with his tattoos and bald head, but he was the softest person you'd ever meet.

F // L: Felix couldn't help the doubtful look that passed over his expression for a moment at their interaction, but quickly smiled when Noah turned to look at him. He just wasn't sure if he should quite buy the whole lovey dovey thing, but that may have been bitter jealousy talking. "Adorable," Felix purred back mockingly, blowing a kiss Noah's way after to let him know he wasn't serious. He breathed a laugh at Noah's enthusiastic greeting of Kirk, leaning in to Liam a little to stage whisper, "He's doing that to make it seem like people actually like him in front of you."

F // L: Liam pressed his lips together at the compliment, face forming into content. "That's me," he said with a shrug to Felix, very quickly having his attention pulled back to Noah who was squeezing his face currently. He laughed, patting Noah's hip lightly to let him know he could let go again and giving him a light push to get moving, since he hadn't seemed to have realised it was their turn already. He chuckled at Felix's comment, watching the interaction with a quirked eyebrow. "I feel like he doesn''t have to do much to make it seem that way," he stage whispered back, noting the way this Kirk person's face split into a friendly grin at seeing Noah.

C // N: "Hey kid," Kirk laughed deeply as he returned Noah's hug, suddenly lifting the teenage boy off the ground which caused a sound of surprise to escape Noah's lips, followed by laughter. That was quite a sight. Once down on the ground, Noah adjusted his shirt and mastered the small talk, simple things like how he's been, how the club is doing tonight, if there will be a lot of people coming, what kind of music they're playing, etc. etc.. ".. it's us three tonight," Noah said, waving Felix and Liam closer, immediately putting an arm around the latter. "Felix. Doing alright?" he greeted the second familiar face once they made their way closer. He eyed Liam a little longer, "I don't think I've seen you around before. Age?" Noah, before Liam could even answer, chimed in, "Pf, Kirk. He belongs with me. He's new in town and I want to show him what a good party is," he looked at Liam for a second, beaming at him before looking back at Kirk, "that's cool, right? We won't cause any trouble, promise." He put one hand on his chest and his other up in the air as if that meant it couldn't be broken.

F // L: Felix had made half hearted small talk with Liam himself while Noah was chatting to Kirk, answering all his questions but rarely asking any back, as he stayed focused on trying to make out what Noah was saying. He kind of felt like he was being shown up a little, so he couldn't wait to get inside, get a few more drinks and let inhibitions loose a little more. He didn't hesitate stepping forward when Noah told them to, giving Kirk a smile. "Yah, s'alright, thanks," he answered easily, glad to have been acknowledged by name now too. "Bit chilly out here," he said with a grin, hinting at the fact that Kirk should let them in soon.

F // L: Liam was about to answer Kirk, reply on the top of his tongue, but Noah was quick to cut him off. He raised his hands a little, as if to say 'You've heard the man, nothing to add' before putting his arm around Noah again as well. "I've heard it's the very best, after all," he said easily. He watched Noah scout's honor promise to Kirk that they wouldn't cause them any trouble, a fondly amused smile creeping onto his lips before he nodded in agreement quickly. Noah had said to let him to the talking however, so he decided to bite back on another comment – bouncers were a particular way about people they didn't know sometimes after all.

C // N: Kirk looked back and forth between the three underaged boys until he eventually sighed and stepped aside to let the boys pass. Noah's eyes sparkled as he quickly passed the bouncer, "You're the best, Kirk! I owe you!" which the said only fondly rolled his eyes at as if to say, 'yeah, yeah, I know, get in now before I'll change my mind'. Muffled electronic music was heard, reminding him just how ready he was for tonight. He turned around to make sure his friends were following him inside, he waited until they caught up. "Anyone else got something for the cloakroom?" Noah asked as he took his coat off.

F // L: As soon as he stepped into the dark interior of the club, music playing a little more pronounced already, Felix felt his mood lift – not that it had been particularly down before. "Fuck, yeeeeees," he exclaimed happily, accidentally elbowing someone in the stomach as they were passing them, mumbling out a quick, "Oh, sorry," and turning a little red. "I'm so ready now," he said, once turned back to his friends, and began shrugging off his own coat. "Let's hope queue's not too bad tonight."

F // L: Liam took off his own jacket, throwing it over his arm before he held his hand out for Noah's with raised eyebrows. "Want me to get those taken care of?"

C // N: Noah raised his eyebrows at Liam, "Are you sure?" he asked, slowly putting the coat into Liam's hands. He wouldn't mind some alone time with Felix before going inside, if he was being honest, so the offer was hard to decline.

F // L: Liam smiled, closing his eyes briefly as he nodded. "I'm absolutely sure." He grabbed Noah's coat from him the rest of the way and threw it over his own, turning to Felix after. "Come on, yours too. I'll find you guys inside," he directed the last bit at Noah again, followed by a wink, before he turned to queue up.

F // L: Felix watched with raised eyebrows, admittedly a little surprised before he handed Liam his coat easily. "Oh cool, thanks, man. See you in a sec." He rather unceremoniously shoved Noah forward. "Let's get fuuucked, tonight."

C // N: Noah gave Liam a thankful smile and he had no idea if it was the alcohol or not, but he suddenly felt like smootching him right then and there. He didn't as Felix shoved him towards the entrance. "See you inside!" Noah said and looked over his shoulder while being shoved by his best friend, holding his thumb up at Liam until Felix and him disappeared into the club. Music immediately filled his ears, men and drag queens dancing, chatting, drinking; simply having a good time and Noah loved it. The energy of it. "I'm so ready to get shitfaced." Noah admitted, getting on his tiptoes to get an overview. "Bar?" Noah almost yelled over the music.

F // L: Felix huffed a little at Noah's antics, actually reaching up to turn his face to where they were going. "Chillax, man, you'll see him again in just a moment." Once inside, Felix's face split into a wide grin until he spotted the couple that was rather heavily making out right next to them. His expression turned slightly disgruntled when he noticed they practically had their dicks out as well and he quickly nodded at Noah. "Yeah, and let's make it quick. I don't know whether you can get Crabs from just watching but I'd rather not find out," he joked with a jerk of his head in their direction, before pushing Noah into the crowd once more.

C // N: "Aye, aye, no need for pushing!" Noah protested with a grin, but he didn't make any move to stop Felix either. They made their way over to the bar, dodging dancing figures on the way. Once they reached their destination, Noah leaned over the counter, his elbows propped up ontop of it while his hands where clasped into one another. He saw the bartender and quickly waved him over - he didn't seem to see it though. "So, what do you think?" he asked nonchalantly, obviously referencing to Liam. He kept trying to get the bartenders attention.

F // L: Felix joined Noah at the bar, propping one elbow on it so his body was facing Noah's entirely, bus his eyes scanning around the room. At Noah's question, Felix' eyes snapped back to him and for a moment he was confused about the question. It seemed like an oddly worded way to ask him what he wanted to drink until he saw the way Noah was trying to extra hard to seem non-invested and it clicked. He shrugged. "Yeah, he seems nice enough I suppose. You reckon the nice guy is a facade?" He asked with a smirk, though he felt a little bad about the comment when he remembered their little fight from Wednesday. "No, but he's chill, I guess."

C // N: Noah finally caught the bartender's attention who gave a sign that he noticed them and will be with them in a second. Noah turned his head to look at Felix but rolled his eyes with a smile, he took with humor this time, not wanting a repetition of Wednesday's events. "You're really resentful, huh?" he half-joked, but let it go. "We're going to find you someone hot tonight, don't worry," he said, patting Felix on the back before telling the bartender, who made their way over already, his order.

F // L: "I'm /not/ resentful, I just think.. I'm looking out," he finished, though he was glad that Noah hadn't seemed offended by his answer. He didn't know what exactly made him so negative towards the whole Liam/Noah development and he was kinda mad at himself that it made him seem so bitter. Felix looked around the club doubtfully at Noah's comment, though the effect was lost when he realised that Noah was busy ordering a drink. "Hah, you'll probably be off ghosting me within ten minutes anyway, so I'll find myself someone hot."

C // N: Noah feigned hurt, his voice suddenly getting two octaves higher, "Excuse me," he said in exactly that tone, "I think the fuck not. It hurts me to know that's what you think of me," he said with a shake of his head, although he knew that Felix was probably right. Maybe not in ten minutes, but definitely at one point or another, "Twenty minutes," he joked, pushing Felix. "Are you not gonna order anything?"

F // L: Felix snorted, mimicking Noah's talking with his hand like he didn't believe a word that was coming out his mouth. "It's the reputation you've earned for yourself. If the shoe fits.." He laughed and tried to defend against the push that he saw was coming, swatting at Noah's hands. "Fuck off. Vodka Soda, please" he directed the last part at the bartender, a little louder.

F // L: Liam had finally gotten rid of their coats and made his way through the crowd. He suspected the other two at the bar where he found them quickly. Noah's back was turned to him, so he took the opportunity to come up behind him and surprise him by wrapping his arms around his middle. "Now I wanna know about this reputation," he threw in, having caught the last bit of their conversation but not waiting for an answer. "Same thing please," he told the bartender as he leaned forward a little, poiting at Noah with one hand, the other still firmly wrapped around the boy, before getting out his wallet to pay.

C // N: Noah was startled when he suddenly felt a pair of arms around his torso, but upon hearing the familiar voice, a grin formed on his lips, exposing his dimples. He briefly turned his head to look at him, grin still in place when he put his hand over Liam's. "Hey, that was quick," he stated matter of factly, "We were looking forward to starting the party without you," he joked as he watched the bartender mix their drinks. When Liam pulled away, Noah noticed from the corner of his eye, that Liam had obviously planned to pay. Noah was quick to put his hand over Liam's wallet and shoved it away, "Nah, I'll pay. You paid for the cloackroom."

F // L: "Oh, I bet you were. Arrived just in time, then," Liam joked back with a grin that mirrored Noah's. He really hadn't expected whatever this was when he'd swiped him on Tinder those few weeks back. He raised his eyebrows when Noah said he'd pay, lips pursed in a smirk. "Yeah, and that cost me exactly 2 dollars, because I'm a bit of a con artist," he said in a conspiratorial tone, like he was telling him a shocking secret. "I'll get these since I'm technically earning my own money, you can get the next round." Without waiting for an answer he pulled his Visa from his wallet and held it out to the bartender, the "Card, please" following a bit late. "My pleasure," he directed back at Noah with a wink.

C // N: Noah rolled his eyes at Liam, although his expression was fond. "Thanks," he said then, briefly putting his hand on Liam's back to give him a gentle squeeze. Noah couldn't help but notice how hot Liam looked and how shamelessly nice he was. He inwardly cringed at the fact that he at first thought his niceness was a turn off (he guessed that may be the wrong word; it was no turn off, it just wasn't what he was looking for). He took his beverage off the bar and held it up to the air, eying his friends with a big grin. "To tonight?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

F // L: Felix watched the interaction between Noah and his new boy with an air of cool superiority, eyebrows raised a little questioningly at the realness of the situation. He made a few gagging noises that luckily went unnoticed as the both of them were /beautifully/ caught up in one another. Barf. He was glad when the bartender finally brought their drinks and his attention was pulled from the two of them. He took a sip before he caught Noah's gesture, nearly spitting the drink all over his front in an attempt to make it seem like he hadn't forgotten to join in on the toast. "Hell yeah, to tonight," he exclaimed happily, clinking their glasses together. "And to the semester being almost done," Felix added gratefully, closing his eyes and drawing a cross over his chest.

F // L: Liam raised his glass with Noah, eyes trained on his face the entire time. "To tonight and losing my virginity a second time," he carried on the joke from earlier, touching his glass to Noah's and Felix' though he remained focused on Noah. "Gotta look me in the eyes while we clink glasses," he said a bit quieter, more privately to Noah, a playful glint in his eyes. "You know what they say happens if you don't."

C // N: Noah didn't comment on Felix' cheating on their toast and laughed when they clinked their glasses together, "And to the semester being almost done," he repeated with a snort and looked Felix in the eye, pointing at him, "We still need to talk about our plans for New Years, by the way," he reminded on a side note although his tone gave away it was not a thing that will be talked about now or tonight, but rather tomorrow or whenever but it should be talked about soon. He then turned his attention to Liam and chuckled, making sure to look deeply into Liam's eyes before he withdrew the glass to take a long sip, emerald eyes never leaving his. "Wouldn't dare risking it," he said in a low voice after removing the glass from his lips, so only Liam was able to hear it. Noah got even more excited about tonight then, because for some reason Liam's comment sounded like a promise he was looking forward to. "Let's go mingle?" he asked, moving his head into the dancefloor's direction.

F // L: Felix waved off Noah's request to talk about New Year's while taking a long sip of his drink, ready to get just a little more drunk. He'd sobered up a bit and was ready to get back into a hazy state of contentment so when he brought the glass away from his lips again, half of his drink had already vanished. He eyed it suspiciously, holding it up against the light to see the contents better before shaking his head with a laugh. "I swear they just keeping adding more ice and less.. drink," Felix joked with an innocent grin, shrugging. "But yeah, we do. Still not sure if the family has plans that will––," he stopped himself when he realised Noah's attention already wasn't on him anymore, sighing with a slight roll of his eyes. "Just gonna continue talking to myself then, best conversation partner anyway," he mumbled to himself, taking another sip and only looking up again at Noah's proposal to get lost in the crowd. "Yeah, yes. Ready, let's go," he urged, beginning to make his way through the people and just hoping those two would follow.

F // L: Liam laughed heartily at Noah's answer, cocking an eyebrow at him. "Let's," he agreed, jerking his head in Felix' direction as he had begun taking the lead and placing a hand on the small of Noah's back, his thumb tracing light circles there.

C // N: Noah followed Felix into the mass of dancing bodies, a smile playing on his lips as he felt Liam's touch on his back - he was drunk and really felt like leaning into the touch; he didn't. In motion, he lazily twisted his free arm to his backside in order to stop Liam, his hand blindly fumbling with the other's arm until he found what he was looking for; his hand. He laced their fingers together. guiding them. Noah's eyes were focused on Felix's mop of blonde hair as he tried to swerve the obstacles until he saw a familiar face a few metres away, standing a little beyond the dancefloor with a group of men their age. Noah immediately tried to catch up with Felix, "Felix!!" he yelled over the music, hoping his best friend would come to a halt.

F // L: Felix had no mind for casualties as he made his way through the crowded space, mumbling 'Sorry's every now and then to make up for shoving his way past people. His head whipped around when he heard Noah's voice call his name, a confused expression on his face as he searched his best friend's eyes for what he was trying to tell him. "What?" He yelled back, motioning with his arms for emphasis. "Let's go over there," he added, pointing to the direction he'd been going in, wondering why that apparently didn't fit into Noah's plan.

C // N: Noah walked up to Felix, momentarily letting go of Liam's hand to put it on the blonde's shoulder as he leaned in to yell into his ear, "Isn't that Mr. Dixon?" he asked and pulled away, jerking his head in the direction he saw their teacher.

F // L: Felix leaned into the other boy to not miss a word of what he was saying, his head snapping back when he registered what Noah was saying. "Where?" Was the first thing that left his mouth, eyes immediately scanning around them before they landed on him. Felix' heart did a little jump at the realisation, eyes going wide. "It is!" He said a little too excitedly, eyes still fixed on their teacher and his free hand almost unconsciously coming up to run through his hair. "We should say hi," he added with a grin.

F // L: Liam caught up to the two, following both their lines of sight and as if on instinct, possibly due to the alcohol, brought his arm around Noah's back again. Always touching somewhere. "Who are we gossiping about?" He asked cluelessly, because both their faces were a little priceless.

C // N: Noah had to laugh. The kind of laugh where he threw his head back, slapped the palms of his hands together and his eyes formed into slits. It took him a while to regain his composure and pulled Felix in by the shoulder, "And then what? You think he's going to let you blow him on the toilets?" he laughed once more before turning to Liam, "Our teacher, that little Felix here," he shook Felix, "has the hots for, is right over there and Felix wants to say hi." He bit on his lip to refrain from laughing again.

F // L: Felix expression changed into a mockingly offended one and he shoved Noah off of him, a bit more harshly that just jokingly would've needed. "Oh, fuck off. I'm saying we should say hi, not drop on my knees in front of him," he defended himself, though the thought made him go a little red in the cheeks which luckily remained unseen due to the low light. "Can you fuck off?" He said again, though with a light laugh caught in his throat himself. "I just think it's the polite thing to do. Plus, you two can't tell me he isn't looking fine," he challenged mostly Noah, eyebrows raised with a light shake of his head.

F // L: "Oh, shit, seriously?" Liam laughed at the piece of information, trying to make out which of the men in that general direction was their teacher. "Your teacher's here? That's weird, man. Have to agree that saying hi might not be the smartest move," he supplied, holding his hands up as if to say 'Just saying'.

C // N: Noah laughed and slapped at Felix' hands when he pushed him off, all while making sure he isn't spilling his drink. "The polite thing to do," he snorted, looking at Liam as if to say, 'you hear that?', his expression amused when he watched Felix explain his motives. Noah looked at Mr. Dixon and had to agree; their teacher was looking all kinds of fine tonight but he still did not feel the desire to walk up to him and say hi. Taking a short sip of his drink, "Hey, you go ahead," he suggested, "I don't want to risk getting in trouble because you couldn't keep it in your pants," he shrugged with a grin, "Mr. D is a cool teacher but still a teacher after all."

F // L: Felix cocked his eyebrows at Noah, a satisfied smirk on his lips, and shrugged one shoulder at him. "I might just, doubt I'll get in trouble seeing as I'm favorite," he shot back, though his tone made it clear he was, possibly, joking. Though as he kept his eyes on Mr. Dixon, laughing and talking with his group of friends, he suddenly felt weirdly nervous and like he wouldn't be able to pull off saying hi in a cool manner at all. He took a sip of his drink, eyes still fixed on his group. Not that much could go wrong. He was a bit aloof on a normal day, he'd had a bit to drink and courage was easier to come by that way. "I'm gonna," he decided, though he made no move to actually go up to him, instead pulled Noah by his sleeve into his general direction. Maybe Mr. Dixon would even be the one to notice him and he could pretend he hadn't before. He positioned their little group in good view of Mr. Dixon, so he was the one facing him but looked at Noah this time. "Let's dance."

C // N: Noah wetted his lips and gave Felix a crooked grin when he pulled him closer, amused by the scene his best friend was performing. Noah thought the crush Felix had on Mr. D was absolutely irrational and far from reality, but he couldn't help but find it all a bit adorable. He had no idea how to ever break it to him, but that was a problem for another time and definitely another place. Instead, Noah shrugged at Liam and started to sway his hips to the music, taking a long sip from his vodka orange, desperate to be even more drunk than he was already feeling. He noted the music was really good tonight.

C // N: Christopher didn't go out clubbing every weekend. He didn't go out clubbing every second weekend either. He went out clubbing whenever he felt like it which wasn't that often to be fair. His group of friends, some of which he went to college with, were the complete opposite, pretty much out and about at any chance they got. He did join them on pub and bar nights but he wasn't too much of a fan of clubs. Tonight was different though, he was looking forward to tonight, letting loose again after months and the fact that it was his best bud's birthday was a pretty sick occasion to go all the way out. He decided to wear a black shirt, buttoned down almost all the way down to his chest, exposing the hairs he had there. The black skinny jeans fit his legs like wax, the belt matching the choice of clothing perfectly. His hair didn't do anything different to his hair, but he decided not to shave this morning, which already made all the big difference. It wasn't his mission to meet anyone tonight, but definitely wouldn't hurt if he did. He, as well as the rest of his friends were already pretty intoxicated as they listened to Brian spill a funny story, making everyone crack laughs. Christopher laughed so hard, he felt tears form in his eyes and he had to bring his fist up to refrain himself from bursting out laughing even more. "Honestly, it was ridicccc," Brian commented at the end of it, and Christopher tried to come down from his high, sighing. "I don't think I could've kept a straight face," Malcolm, another friend of Christopher's chirped, also trying to come down from laughing. "I'm going to get myself another gin tonic. Anyone else?" Christopher asked then, making use of the pause. They were a total of five people and all of them all of a sudden wanted a drink too. Christopher inwardly regretted asking and rolled his eyes. "Well. Someone's gotta come with. Can't carry five glasses, I'm afraid," he admitted, although that was only half of the truth. He didn't really wanna go to the bar by himself. "I'll accompany you," Brian said with a wink. Thanking him, Christopher and Brian made their way to the bar. He noticed Noah first when he was about to pass the group of three; tall, tall Noah in a while shirt that almost glowed in the light. And where Noah was, there was also... ah, there he was. Christopher suddenly felt a little proud with Brian in tow, and it was definitely the alcohol, but he suddenly thought it was a good idea. "Felix! Noah!" he exclaimed with a wide smile, excited and most definitely drunk, hands in the air as if he was about to... hug them? He didn't, instead he clapped on their backs. "What are you doing here?" he asked, but didn't give them time to reply seeing he called after his friend, "Brian, hey!"

F // L: Felix started dancing along to the music, alternating between taking sips of his drink which way too soon was finished and glancing up at Mr. Dixon and his group of friends. His eyes widened a little when he looked up one time and saw that Mr. Dixon had, in fact, moved and looked very much like he was heading their way. “He’s coming our way,” he hissed at Noah, pulling a face and quickly throwing back the last of drink – he was positively buzzing again and he refused to admit to himself that he felt a shiver of nervousness run down his arms right to his finger tips. He was getting ready for Mr. Dixon to pass them without so much as a glance, but was surprised when recognition passed over his pretty, pretty face and he actually addressed them. “Aha, Mr. D, no way,” he brought out quickly with a laugh lacing his tone, trying to sound like it was an absolute surprise to see him here. He was acutely aware of the man’s hand on his back and flexed his back muscles, of which he didn’t have many. His eyes followed Mr. Dixon’s line of vision for a moment, before he was captivated by his pretty features again, eyes undoubtedly dropping down his chest for a moment.

F // L: Liam watched with a slight crease between his eyebrows but the corner of his lip pulled up, not quite sure whether he was utterly amused or worried. Undoubtedly this was this teacher they'd been talking about and Noah had said he was a cool teacher, but nonetheless he didn't quite know what to make of it. He caught Noah's eye and silently mouthed to him whether he was okay, looping his finger through one of the other boy's belt loops – ready to pull him closer should he show any sign of discomfort.

C // N: Noah shook his head at Felix's antics, continuing to dance to the music and taking sips from his drink, spacing out in his own world a little where it's just him, the alcohol and the beat of the music. He was pulled out of said world when he suddenly felt a hand on his back for a moment, eyes widening a little and almost choking on his drink. He got into a little coughing fit, before swallowing, his face grimaced in discomfort. He quickly put on a smile though, surprised and well, amused by his teacher's behaviour. It was unlike him to say the least. He couldn't wait to tell Dom about it. Noah looked at Liam, biting back a grin when Felix so openly gawked at their teacher. He didn't miss Liam's asking look and slightly nodded his head to tell him that yes, he was okay, no need to worry.

[im-fairly-whitty]

Whatever It Takes: Coco Villain Au

[Part 1: Trapped] [Part 2: Broken] [Part 3: Determined] 

Part 4: Suspicion 

“Socorro just called, she says her flight landed safely.”

Enrique looked up from where he’d been pretending to read a book in the living room. He absently rubbed at his chest as his wife walked in, pocketing her phone.

“She says she’s meeting up with the rest of her band at their hotel once she gets her drum equipment off-loaded.” Luisa said, coming up behind his chair and stroking his shoulders. She rubbed the side of his neck as he sighed and tipped his head. “Are you feeling sore again?”

“Sí, I don’t know why,” Enrique said, grimacing. He closed his eyes and leaning into Louisa’s touch as she worked at the knots in his shoulders. He coughed, rubbing his eyes as an unexpected wave of nausea washed over him. “I don’t think I slept badly on it. I think I might be coming down with something.”

Enrique straightened in his chair in an effort to dispel the tight pain in his chest, trying to take a deep breath even as his chest seemed to constrict. It couldn’t be allergies, he’s never had allergies that caused shortness of breath like this.

“It’s all the traveling stress from the Miguel Foundation speaking you’ve been doing this month.” Luisa said, her voice sounding worried from behind him. “You really should see a doctor, mi vida, you’re only fifty-one, you shouldn’t be having these kinds of pains.”

“No, no, I’m perfectly healthy.” Enrique said, forcing himself to stand. “I don’t need to waste time on a doctor. I just need to lie down for a bit, I’ll be fine.”

He swayed as he got to his feet, then stumbled back as his vision momentarily blacked out.

“Queque, what’s wrong, are you all right?” Luisa said. He felt her grab him from behind, supporting him as he tried to stay upright.

“I’m-”

Enrique gasped as a sharp pain stabbed through his chest. He doubled over, dropping painfully to his knees. He clutched at his chest as the blinding pain blacked out his vision again and he collapsed onto his side.

“Enrique!” He distantly heard Luisa scream.

The pain in his chest took over every bit of him, growing and sweeping across his body, eating away at his mind until there was nothing left.

Nothing left but darkness.

***

Waking up was slow, so slow.

For a long time Enrique was dimly aware of sounds around him, but without his brain caring to listen. It could have been minutes or years before he drifted to true awareness, before his brain registered his existence again, clicking his sense of self back into place.

He was Enrique Rivera. He was in bed. He had just woken up.

Enrique took a deep breath, his mind feeling sluggish as he turned onto his side and let his eyes slowly drift open, squinting tiredy against the light in the room. He must have slept in if that much sun was coming through the windows.

He grimaced as he propped himself up on his elbow, his whole chest ached terribly for some reason. Maybe he really should see a doctor sometime, like Luisa kept saying he should.

Speaking of Luisa...where...?

He stared at the empty space in the bed beside him, seeing many things that seemed wrong, but having to wait for his brain to tell him why as it processed at a maddenly slow rate.

Not only was Luisa not there, but this was a twin-sized bed. He had never seen it before. He looked up and blinked hard as he took in the foreign room around him, all pastel yellows and greens, sparsely decorated in hospital style.

“Mijo, you’re awake.”

Enrique’s mind was picking up speed now, taking things in faster as he turned to look towards the familiar voice, not believing what he was hearing. He hadn’t heard that voice in over fifteen years.

“M-Mamá Coco?” He asked weakly his words sticking in his throat and a cold feeling flushing over him.

“Welcome home Quique, it’s so good to see you again.” Mamá Coco said, leaning forward in her wicker chair and gently taking his hand. “We didn’t think you would be coming so soon, but it’s good to see you.”

“I, you’re...” Enrique’s head spun and the awful pain in his chest flared, sending him collapsing back onto his pillow with a strangled whimper.

He stared at his abuelita as she calmly watched him. Her hair was done up in her usual two long braids and her sweater shawl was just like the one she’d always worn in her last years.

But her face. Her hands. She...

He caught sight of his own hand as he looked down to where she was still gently holding it, and jolted.

Bone.

Gleaming, white, dry, and very, very,

“Dead.” Enrique said, his breathing rough and weak as he closed his eyes tightly against the staggering realization. “I’m dead, I died.”

He remembered now. The chest pain, his collapse, Luisa’s scream.

Luisa.

“I have to go back.” Enrique said, pushing himself upright and trying to throw off the covers, “I have to get to Luisa, I have to-”

“Enrique, you’re going to hurt yourself.” Mamá Coco chided, catching his shoulder as he swayed dangerously halfway off the bed, forcing him to sit as a dizzying rush swept through his head at his sudden movement. “You just died mi hijo, you’ve only been recovering for a few hours, you’ll need to rest a bit more than that before you go charging off.”

“I can’t, I can’t be dead,” Enrique gasped, grimacing against the pain in his chest, his, his...

He looked down and felt another wave of nausea. His ribcage?  

He put a hand to his forehead and cringed at the awful sensation of bone scraping bone, an unpleasant shiver running down his spine.

His spine?

He grit his teeth and forced himself not to look again to see his own spine. Too much, it was too much all at once. He was going to lose it if he did too much all at once.

Luisa had been right, she was always right, why hadn’t he listened? A heart attack? That was so, so preventable.

“Is there any way to go back?’ He asked, forcing himself not to scream, to try and make his voice sound as normal as possible. “I need to go home, Luisa is going to be devastated, I can’t leave her like this. Could this be a near-death experience? Can I get back somehow?”

“It hurts to be separated from those we love,” Mamá Coco said patiently. “but I’m afraid you’ll have to be patient with the rest of us. Don’t worry, Luisa will come eventually, everyone always does.”

Enrique shook his head, grimacing. No, no, no, no. Luisa had to stay alive, she had to stay for Socorro, for their three grandchildren. She needed to stay away from death for as long as possible, she didn't deserve this too.

But how could he survive without her?

What was left of Enrique’s body ached, and what was left of his heart hurt even more badly. Enrique didn’t know if the dead could cry, but his breathing was beginning to catch and gasp as if he were about to try his hardest. He hadn’t felt this emotionally gutted since-

He gasped, standing up fast enough to make Mamá Coco frown, but he didn’t care about the dizziness this time.

“Miguel?” He said urgently, the decades old question spilling out of him. “Is he here? Is he dead? Did he really die?”

“Sí.” Mamá Coco said quietly, watching him closely.

Sí.

Miguel was dead.

They’d all known it, after twenty years without even a hint they’d all known deep down that he must be dead, but finally hearing it felt was a heaviest bittersweet pain he’d ever experienced.

“How old?” Enrique asked hoarsely, needed and dreading the answer.

Not a single birthday had gone unoted over the last twenty years, Miguel was thirty-three years old. Should have been thirty-three years old.

“Enrique,” Mamá Coco sighed, reaching down to pick up a photo album off the floor. “You’re going to see a lot of unsettling and different things today. I need you to promise that you will do your best to adjust and accept that many things are different in the land of the dead. Can you promise me that?”

“When did Miguel die?”

“Enrique.”

“Sí, lo siento Mamá Coco, I promise. But please, my son, Miguel, can I see him? What really happened to him?”  

Mamá Coco lifted the heavy photo album onto the bed and flipped open the cover. “You’ll meet everyone tonight, including Miguel. We live together at your Papá Héctor and Mamá Imelda’s mansion, I’ll be taking you there as soon as you’re feeling able to walk. The arrival agents say you should be ready to leave this afternoon.”

Enrique tried to bite his lip to stifle his frustration, only to shudder at finding no lip to bite. It was fine, he could play be her rules, he could wait just a minute longer.

“The family is all coming together to celebrate your arrival and you’ll need to know who everyone is, so pay attention. You know about Papá Héctor and Mamá Imelda of course.” Mamá Coco said, pointing to the first photo in the album.

It was a large and familiar sepia photograph he’d seen in family albums a million times growing up. Mamá Coco was a little girl on Mamá Imelda’s knee as she stared down the camera, and Papá Héctor smiling gently as he held his old performing guitar to the side. It was a picture from the years before Papá Héctor had become famous.

“That was them in life, and this is them now.” Mamá Coco said, her bony finger tracing to the opposite page. “They care for the family.”

She tapped a newer looking photo of two impeccably dressed skeletons, posing for the camera with an ease that came from a lifetime of fame and papárazzi. Mamá Imelda looked just as determined but more confident, and Papá Héctor’s smile was a little sharper, probably from constant use, but just as warm as ever.

“Your Papá Héctor has been caring for Miguel ever since he died, they are both very close.” Mamá Coco looked up at him. “Quique, when children die young they’re often adopted by a surrogate family member here until their real parents arrive. Sometimes it’s a simple hand-off, but sometimes it’s more complicated than that. Miguel has been very close with Papá for a very very long time, you need to be aware that your arrival is going to be a sensitive issue. I need you to be patient over the next few weeks as things are figured out and keep a cool head, alright?”

“He’s a child?” Enrique asked hoarsely, his brain seizing on only that detail, “He died when he was young?”

“Miguel disappeared because a curse transported him here.” Mamá Coco said gently, “He didn’t make it back in the narrow window he had before he died. Miguel died the same night he disappeared twenty years ago.”

The same night.

Enrique had known, suspected, feared deep down all along that the truth was something like this, but that hadn’t stopped him from idly imagining what Miguel must look like as the years passed. Miguel hitting his growth spurt, his voice deepening, growing facial hair, his shoulders broadening. Looking just like him perhaps, or maybe even like Luisa’s father.  

But he’d been wrong. Miguel had never changed from the picture they put on his memorial all those years ago.

“I need to see him.” Enrique said, fatigue beginning to creep into his mind, “Please, I need to see my boy.”

“You’ll see him tonight.” Mamá Coco promised as she turned the page and pointed to the next picture. “This is little Miguelito now.”

Enrique pulled the album towards him, looking at the picture.

“Oh Miguel.” Enrique said, not waiting for permission as he slipped the photo out of its sleeve so he could look closer. “Miguel what happened to you.”

Papá Héctor looking as confident as ever, but now with an arm lovingly wrapped around a small child skeleton shyly leaning against his jacket as he looked at the camera. Their facial markings were so similar, and the boy had a small navy blue mark just above his mouth where Miguel’s mole had been in life.

Miguel had never been shy like that in life, but maybe the picture had been taken shortly after his death, when he was still recovering. At least it looked like Papá Héctor had taken good care of him. At least Miguel had been able to rely on loving family when Enrique couldn’t be there for him. Enrique would have to thank Papá Héctor for looking after his boy.

“Miguel is much different than you remember him Quique, he’s been through a lot, he’s much quieter now.” Mamá Coco said. She turned the page again. “These are my siblings, you’re great-Tias and Tíos, pay attention for a moment.”

Enrique tried, he really did try to focus as Mamá Coco toured him through the rest of the family. He made it through her siblings; Mateo (the director of the Rivera Foundation, someone he’d known in life), Leti (Mateo’s twin that had died young of cancer), and Héctor Junior (a stiff businessman Enrique had known of but never met).

And the youngest of the siblings, someone named Rodrigo, someone whose picture Mamá Coco sighed tiredly over, shaking her head. “Your Tio Rodrigo is...very spirited. He died when he was twenty-six and doesn’t get along with most of the family. You won’t see much of him in the afterlife I’m afraid. If you do, just let him be. He can be a trouble maker, just ignore him and you’ll be fine.”

After Rodrigo came endless pages of primos, Mamá Coco turning page after page after page, all the skeletal faces and half familiar names blurring together. The dull ache in Enrique’s chest seemed to be fading, but that may have just been his imagination, he had to fight to keep his eyes open against the tiredness that was pulling at him.

He kept looking at the picture in his hand, at Miguel, wondering what their reunion later that night would be like. If only Luisa were here with them.

Well, no. If only he and Miguel could somehow go back to Luisa, to Socorro. If only their family could be brought back together in one place, without death.

“Normally we would ride home in a private car,” Mamá Coco said, finally reaching the end of the photo album and closing it. “But as soon as you’re feeling up to it I thought I’d take you on the sky trolley and show you a bit of the city while we travel. Rest a little while longer, we’ll leave out in a couple hours to get you ready to meet everyone, alright mijo?”

“And then I’ll see Miguel.” Enrique said, grateful to be allowed to lay back down on his pillow, already feeling himself slipping away as he still held Miguel’s photo.

“Remember Quique, things are going to be different.” Mamá Coco said.

For some reason she looked mildly concerned as Enrique closed his eyes, but he was already asleep before he could wonder why.

***

“Well anyway, it was so good to finally meet you, welcome home.” Leti said, giving Enrique a hug.

Enrique smiled as he returned to hug, forcing himself not to cringe at the unsettling clacking of bones under their clothing. Hugging his teenage great-tia had been only the latest in what had already been a long evening of handshakes, shoulder slaps, spirited stories, and of course skeletal hugs.

He hadn’t realized just how much family he had, let alone how well known the Riveras would be in the Land of the Dead. On the sky trolley ride over Mamá Coco had pointed out “Plaza Rivera,” among other landmarks dedicated to Héctor and his posterity. And that was after explaining that he’d woken up in the “Rivera wing” of the hospital.

Arriving at the massive Rivera mansion had nearly been overwhelming, it easily outshown even the large estates the Riveras has in the land of the living, which was saying something. It had been surprisingly pleasant to meet everyone waiting inside, connecting with dozens of enthusiastic family members, most of whom somehow seemed to be very familiar with his life even if he usually knew little of them.

At first it had been easy to stay busy meeting and talking with family, but now that Enrique had made the rounds of dozens of people that he had forgotten names of already everyone else seemed content to catch up with each other, leaving him drifting now that Tia Leti walked off to join another group.

Enrique glanced around the ballroom yet again, looking for any sign of Miguel. When Mamá Coco had turned him loose to mix and mingle she’d warned him Papá Héctor and Miguel were at a pre-scheduled charity event and would be coming late.

“Enrique,” someone (a...second-cousin?) said, tapping him on the shoulder and pointing across the crowd. “Papá Héctor’s here.”

An electric jolt shot through Enrique and he craned his neck to see over the crowd, zeroing in on the brim of a white and gold sombrero on the other side of the room. He didn’t even think to say thank you before he started pushing and weaving his way towards his target. Enrique ran as quickly as he could, causing others to jump out of his way.

Miguel was here. Here in the same room. Here where Enrique could finally, finally reach him. He would be able to scoop him up into a hug and make twenty years of apologies and hear his little boy talk and chatter again, just like he’d been longing to hear for decades.

Enrique was panting when he reached the other side of the ballroom, bursting through the crowd to the small clearing where a man in a fine white and gold charro suit was holding the hand of a boy in a matching outfit as he talked pleasantly with others.

“Miguel!” Enrique cried.

The boy turned to look at him and Enrique’s absent heart ached to recognize his son, despite how different he looked in death.

But instead of running to him, Miguel’s eyes got wide and he whimpered, leaning up against the man he was with and holding more tightly onto his hand.

“Miguel, what is it? What’s wrong?” Papá Héctor asked, looking down at the boy, then looked up and spotted Enrique. Realization flitted across his face and he smiled, extended an arm in welcome. “Enrique, welcome home, it’s good to see you. I suppose it’s time for you to meet Miguel.”

Enrique stepped closer, but there was now a growing ill feeling in his ribcage that had nothing to do with his recent heart attack. Something was very wrong.

Héctor put a hand on Miguel’s head and the boy turned toward him, silently keeping his glazed eyes on Enrique as he clung to Héctor’s jacket, like a scared toddler might do. The boy didn’t make a sound, watching Enrique without actually looking him in the eye.

“Miguel...” Enrique choked, dropping to one knee, looked at the skeletal shell that was left of what had once been his son. “Miguel, what, what happened? Mijo, what happened to you, what’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid he’s been through quite a lot.” Héctor said, but Enrique didn’t take his eyes off Miguel, who stared back, still not meeting his gaze, somehow managing to look blank and terrified at the same time.

“He’s been like this ever since he arrived,” Héctor said sadly, gently stroking Miguel’s hair as the boy clung to him. “we don’t know exactly what it was that the curse did to him. I assure you he’s been to the best doctors and therapists that money can buy over the last twenty years, we’ve done our very best to take good care of him. As long as he’s with me we’re alright, aren’t we, Chamaco? But being around a lot of new people can be a little scary.”

“I am his father.” Quique said, the words coming out unexpectedly hot with the heat of the tears he couldn’t cry. “I am not new, there’s something wrong with him.”

“Quique,” Héctor said, looking down at him with an expression that inexplicably made Enrique want to hit something, “I know this must be hard for you, but I need you to understand. Miguel has been with us for twenty years now.”

Longer than you ever took care of him.

The unspoken words rang in Enrique’s head as he looked up from Miguel. The look on Héctor’s face confirmed that it was exactly what he was trying to communicate.

Miguel is mine now, and you need to take a big step back. Héctor seemed to be saying.

So this is what Mamá Coco had been trying to warn him about.

“Miguel,” Enrique said gently, looking back at the catatonic child. “Miguel, it’s me, it’s Papá, it’s been a really long time since I’ve seen you, Mamá and I have missed you so much.”

No response. No words. None of the fire he remembered in his son. Not the quick smile, the bright eyes, the loving teasing or the musical laugh, the bright joy or the calm warmth.

As a skeleton he didn't even look like his Miguel, only the red-brown eyes and the small navy beauty mark above his lip were at all similar to the boy Enrique had missed and wept and prayed over for decades now. To the pictures he’d carried for years. To the son he had never, never stopped hoping he would somehow see again.

This was not Miguel.

This was a nightmare.

“What is wrong with my son?” said Enrique, getting to his feet and staring Héctor down. “What have you done to him?”

“Miguel is a fragile child who has been through more than he deserves.” Héctor said quietly, wrapping his arm around Miguel in a protective way that made Enrique want to scream. “Perhaps we can continue this conversation tomorrow when we’ve all had some rest.”

“Miguel, it’s me, look at me.” Enrique said, taking a step forward, “I know you remember me, mijo.”

“I don’t think he’s in the mood-”

“Stop talking for him.” Enrique snapped, feeling desperation rising in him. “And why are we having this conversation out in the open? It’s obviously too much for him, I need a room where I can be alone with him for a while.”

This was wrong, this was all so wrong. In all the hundreds, the thousands of ways he’d imagined seeing Miguel again over the years, not even his most awful imaginings had come close to this.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Héctor said, his voice as warm as ever, but now with a hard edge creeping into his tone. “I think this is as far as we go tonight. I’m glad that you’ve joined us Enrique, welcome home. Miguel’s had a long day and I think it’s time he get some rest, perhaps we can continue this conversation when I return.”

Enrique watched helplessly as Héctor turned and led Miguel away from him.

Héctor was holding Miguel’s hand as if he were leading along a five year-old, a deeply unsettling sight that clashed terribly with the memories Enrique had of his son, a boy who’d been charging off on his own since he could walk. He’d never had to pull him along like that.

“Miguel.”  Enrique called, the word slipping out before he even realized it.

And Miguel looked over his shoulder, back at Enrique, just for a moment, before being silently tugged along again.

“Miguel...” Enrique said quietly, the aching in his chest getting worse as his son disappeared into the crowd.

Should he run to catch up with them? Should he, he didn't know, talk to Mamá Coco about getting Miguel back? At that moment he wanted nothing more than to grab his son right and take him far away from Héctor, to get a chance to talk to his boy alone, find out what was really going on.

But...Héctor had said Miguel was fragile, which Enrique had to beleive after what he’d seen. Maybe forcing Miguel to see him really was making things worse.

And as much as it tore Enrique apart, it was true that Héctor had been caring for Miguel longer than he ever had in life...and Enrique didn’t know the first thing about curses or their effects...and it really had been such a very long time since he and Miguel had seen each other.

Maybe...maybe things really had changed.

Enrique rubbed his forehead, flinching his hand away at the still-unfamiliar feeling of bone-on-bone. He didn’t know how his own body worked anymore, but it certainly felt like he was choking up, like he was going to cry.

He needed Luisa. She would know what to do, she would know how to handle this nightmare, she would know how to wake up Miguel, would know what was wrong with him.

Enrique stared up at the high ceiling above him, gritting his teeth and willing himself to get a grip. He hadn’t even been dead a whole day, whether he liked it or not, things were indeed different on this side, just like Mamá Coco said.

He should be grateful Miguel had been taken care of. He shouldn’t be feeling furious jealousy raging inside him. He shouldn’t be jumping to wild conclusions against how must have been treating his boy in order to reduce him to the hollow shell he was now. He shouldn’t be wishing there was some way he could get Miguel away from Héctor, at least for a day or two.

He shouldn’t.

But he was.

Something crashed into him from behind and Enrique yelped as some kind of liquid sloshed over him.

"Lo siento, güey, didn't see you there." A voice chuckled lazily.

Enrique looked up from his soaked shirt to see a man holding two now half-full glasses of wine. The skeleton’s smile looked as disposable as his apology had sounded, and his bloodshot heavy-lidded eyes didn’t help.

He was young, or rather, he must have died young, because Enrique recognized his small beaded braid from the photo album Mamá Coco had shown him earlier.

“Tio Rodrigo?” he asked.

“In the flesh.” Rodrigo grinned, his words just a little slurred on the ends.

Enrique stared at him, momentarily taken aback. In the flesh? Did he really-

“Your faaaaace!” Rodrigo crowed, managing to spill even more of his drinks on the ground as he laughed uproariously. “You freshies are hilarious, I swear, you guys always take forever to loosen up.”

“I see it’s possible to get drunk in the land of the dead?” Enrique said flatly, his agitation turning to annoyance as he looked down at his ruined shirt again.

“Ayyyy, sin hígado, sin problema, sí?” Rodrigo said, elbowing him in the ribs. “Gotta do something to survive around all these stiffs.”

He paused, but Enrique didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction to his second death joke.

“Anyway, welcome to the family or whatever.” Rodrigo said, his lazy smile thinning as he shrugged and took a sip of what was left in one of his glasses, “This is probably the last time you’ll ever talk to me, so here’s my magical Tio wisdom for you: be careful where you stick your hand, everything around this place bites.” He shoved his second glass in Enrique’s hand. “And here, you’ll need this before you meet Papi, unless of course you’re already one of his bootlickers. Anyway, have fun wandering this zoo for the rest of your afterlife.”

Rodrigo made a kind of sloppy salute and walked off, leaving Enrique with a practically empty glass, and staring in mild shock.

He had never heard a Rivera, dead or alive, talk about the family like that. Especially not about Papá Héctor.

Rodrigo had sounded downright disgusted.

Enrique needed to know more.

“Hey! Tio Rodrigo, wait!” Enrique called, making his way through the crowd of chatting family member that he didn’t recognize.

He noticed he was attracting stares and dropped his voice, forcing himself to walk after Rodrigo instead of running. Mamá Coco had hinted that Rodrigo was the black sheep of the family, it might seem strange for the new arrival to be paying him so much attention.

Enrique carefully made his way to the edge of the crowd and spotted a massive, winged cat alebrije curled up by a roaring fireplace in the far corner. Lounging against her softly glowing side was Rodrigo, legs crossed, eyes closed, and hands behind his head as leaned against the huge cat like she was a sofa.

“Tio Rodrigo?” Enrique said as he approached, eyeing the huge multi-colored beast a little nervously. If it was allowed indoors it had to be safe, right?  

“Qué?” Rodrigo cracked open a bloodshot eye, squinting at him. “What, already want to come tell me off? You’re faster than most, I’ll give you that.”

“You said that “everything bites,” you made it sound like Papá Héctor might bite too.” Enrique said, sitting down on the floor across from Rodrigo. “I need you to tell me what’s going on around here.”

Rodrigo stared at him, both eyes open now. But then his lazy expression grew cold. “Get lost. I’m minding my own business, go mind yours. And tell Teto Junior to come face himself if he wants me harassed instead of sending freshies to do it for him.”

“I...no. No one sent me. I need answers.” Enrique said, squaring his shoulders. “I’m Miguel’s father, the little boy that Papá Héctor won't let go of? He disappeared, well, died, twenty years ago and I don’t even recognize him anymore. I think something terrible’s happened to him, if you know anything about it please tell me, something is wrong and you’re the only one I’ve heard say anything negative about this family.”

Rodrigo stared hard at Enrique, slowly tipping his head back, as if his thought process was slowly loading. Which it undoubtedly was, judging by how much alcohol it seemed that he probably drank on a regular basis.

“You’re el espectro’s real Papá?” Rodrigo asked.

“What do you mean, “real” Papá?” Enrique asked irritably, “Of course I am.”

Rodrigo let out a low whistle, looking at Héctor with something that approached pity.

“Hey, uh, you might want to... You don’t actually have to live here.” Rodrigo said, looking out at the crowd beyond them, adjusting to sit up a little straighter. “Like, they’ll make it sound like you have to, but you can leave. Get a flat like me, strike out on your own, alright?”

“I’m not talking about housing, I’m talking about Miguel.” Enrique said sharply. Why was he even talking to the family drunk if he couldn’t even hold a coherent conversation?

Rodrigo looked him in the eye, his dazed focus crystallized suddenly into something raw and hard, reminding Enrique unsettlingly of the look he’d gotten from Héctor only minutes before.

“Look Quique, I’m going to be straight with you.” He said, “You don’t have a son anymore. That nino’s gone, he’s been gone for years. He wasn’t even that bad when he first arrived, but whatever’s wrong with him, it’s permanent now. I’ve never seen him more than five inches away from my father, the kid calls him Papá. He belongs to my father and Papá does not like it when people take his things from him. Move on before you get hurt, if you stick around he’ll grind you down too.”

“Papá Héctor said the curse is what changed Miguel,” Enrique said, forcing himself to push past the pain of hearing Miguel called another man Papá. “Héctor said he’s been to therapists, but if he has then I don’t understand why Miguel is in such bad condition. I need to talk to Miguel, to feel out what the problem is myself. Maybe they’ve had him too long to see clearly what I could see with new eyes, but he wont even let me near Miguel.”

“Look, you’re talking to the wrong person, he won’t let me near the kid either.” Rodrigo rolled his eyes, looking away as he absently threading his fingers through the alebrije cat’s fur. “I’m too much of a bad influence, they don’t want their old youngest child to rub off on their new one. I don’t know what his deal is, all I know is that you’re not going to be on their good side if you try to get near him without a signed permission slip. El espectro is Papá’s lucky charm, pretty sure they’ll both die the second death if they’re ever separated at this point.”

Mamá Coco had made it sound like Miguel was attached to his caretakers, not that he’d been completely re-written by a set of adoptive parents.

If only Enrique could just get Miguel alone, if he could just talk to him for a while. Maybe Héctor really had taken him to doctors, maybe he really had been trying his best, but evidently whatever he was doing was only making things worse.

And Enrique was Miguel’s father, not Héctor. Enrique could help Miguel recover, he knew who Miguel really was, he’d been the one to actually raise the boy, Héctor has only seen him trapped in this stagnant state.

Which wasn’t even remotely the same thing as being his parent. Héctor didn’t have any special one of claim over Miguel, he was just used to no one challenging him.

Maybe it was time for that to change.

“Look, lo siento Queque, really,” Rodrigo said, stiffly getting to his feet and stretching. “but the only way to survive this family is to get away from them. Trust me, I know. There’s some open flats near my place at Plaza Rivera, get your family stipend and get yourself set up there. Take my advice and leave this all behind, move on before you get hurt.”

Rodrigo turned and dug his fingers into the alebrije jaguar’s fur, dragging his hands back and forth across her huge neck. The massive animal opened her blazing yellow eyes and stretched luxuriously, extending her legs and wings, making Enrique shiver at the amount of tense energy coursing through her gigantic frame. This was a creature that looked like it could even kill the dead if it wanted to.

“Pepitaaaa, heeeey pretty kitty,” Rodrigo crooned, scratching behind a feline ear the size of his skull. “want to give me a lift back to my place, beautiful girl? Caprice stayed home tonight, I need to get back before she starts wondering about me.”

Pepita’s thundering purr rolled as she got to her feet and drooped a wing to the floor, allowing Rodrigo to clamber up onto her back.

“Look Quique, you seem like a good kid.” Rodrigo called as Pepita padded to the huge open window nearby, “I’ll tell you what, since you’ve got a bone to pick with my father I’ll give you a once-in-an-afterlife offer, you can come crash at my place for a night if you ever decide to escape. Plaza Rivera, teal building, ground level. Give it up with el espectro now, Papi’s not going to let you anywhere near him.”

“But how do I-?”

Enrique startled as Pepita dropped out of the window, taking a waving Rodrigo down the skyscraper height drop with her.

A moment later he saw them rise in the distance, already flying far, far away on glowing wings.

Enrique watched them disappear into the distant skyline, still holding tightly to the glass Rodrigo had handed him, feeling suddenly as if he had been abandoned somewhere dangerous.

“Was that tonto giving you trouble?”

Enrique jumped, looking over to see that a skeleton in a sharp business suit with a glowing squirrel perched on his shoulder had joined him and was glaring out the window. Héctor Junior, the second youngest child in the family.

“I don’t know why Coco and Leti insist on him attending our gatherings,” Héctor Junior said, his voice as cold as a terminal diagnosis. “all he does is bother the people who actually care about the family.”

“He wasn’t bothering me.” Enrique said automatically, but then froze as Héctor Junior’s stiff gaze turned to him.

“Then what were you two doing?” Héctor Junior asked, his squirrel alebrije chattering as it stared Enrique down with its beady fuchsia eyes.

Enrique tried to bite his non-existent lip for the second time that day as he thought fast. Perhaps disclosing his sympathies with the family pariah wasn’t the smartest thing he could do right now.

Especially not with the mad plan beginning to form in the back of his head.

“Well, actually he was bothering me,” Enrique said, pulling at the hem of his wine-stained shirt with an angry sigh. “But he flew off when I tried to talk to him about it.”

Héctor Junior snorted unkindly, taking a sip of champagne from the fluted glass he carried. “Yes, he does that. Ruy is forever flying away from his responsibilities.”

“Well I’m glad he’s gone,” Enrique said, cringing internally even as he laid it on thick. “he was saying awful things about the family.”

“You’ll find that afterlife without the family mistake is much preferable.” Héctor Junior said, looking at him approvingly. He extended his hand. “Héctor the Second, now that we’ve officially met. You can call me Tio Héctor.”

“It’s good to finally meet you in person.” Enrique said, shaking his hand and resisting the urge to wipe his own handbones on his pant leg afterward. “You’ve left quite a legacy in the family with the Rivera Zapatos Corporation.”

“Yes, I suppose I have.” Héctor Junior said smugly, “Teaming up to work with Tio Felipe y Oscar was certainly one of my most brilliant moment in life. You know, it was when-”

“I just remembered,” Enrique said quickly, cutting off what he already could tell was going to be a very long story. “Papá Héctor asked me to meet him at Miguel’s room and I’ve completely forgotten the directions he gave me. This place is so big, do you know how to get to Miguel’s room from here?”

“It’s on the second floor.” Héctor Junior said, swiftly recovering from his obvious disappointment at being interrupted. “If you go down that hallway and up the grand staircase it should lead you to an atrium. Past that is the second hallway, I think his room is one of those doors, I do know it’s right next to my parent’s room. Pobre nino, I hear he still gets nightmares about his death, Papá keeps him close by so he can help.”

Enrique desperately wanted to curl up and die again at that last part (Nightmares for twenty years? Now he knew something was wrong.) but he kept his business smile on, grateful that years of dealing with overbearing press and slimy business partners had prepared him for situations like this. He had to be strong if he was going to help his son, he had to keep it together if his insane plan was going to work.

“Muchas gracias, Tio Héctor.” Enrique said, nodding, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go find a new shirt before my meeting.”

“That does seem appropriate.” Héctor said with a smirk, “Welcome to the family Enrique, I hope you settle in well.”

“Gracias.” Enrique nodded, then turned and made his way deep into the crowd as quickly as he could. Away from that man.

Enrique dodged between well-wishing family members, politely smiling off their advances, excusing himself over and over. So many skeletal faces, some he vaguely recognized, many he didn’t, but now he couldn't help feeling like he really was in a zoo, just like Rodrigo has suggested.

Something was very wrong, even if no one else seemed to realize it. Enrique needed to get his son and get him out, just for a little while, a day or two, long enough to actually connect again with Miguel without a crowd looking on.

Enrique ducked down the hallway that Héctor Junior had pointed out, his forced smile dropping as soon as he was out of sight.

There was a very good chance he was overreacting. Maybe he should wait, give it a couple days to let himself adjust before charging into a situation that he knew he didn’t fully understand.

Luisa would probably tell him to be patient.

But Luisa wouldn’t want him to leave their son a moment longer than he had to, not in this state.

Enrique sent up a quick prayer, crossing himself as he headed towards what had to be the grand staircase Héctor Junior had mentioned. If Papá Héctor had just put Miguel to bed then that meant Miguel would be alone once Héctor went back down to the party. That gave Enrique a brief window of time to get to Miguel before Héctor noticed he was missing from the crowd.

Enrique had no idea what would happen if he were caught, but if worst came to worst, Miguel was still his son. How much trouble could he really be in legally?

Enrique shook his head as he quietly climbed the stairs, keeping his hands close to himself after hearing the clacking sound they made against the stone railing.

He would cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, all he knew was that he had to get to Miguel. For the first time in decades his son was within his reach, for the first time years he knew where he was.

Enrique grit his teeth and picked up his pace. Nothing was going to keep him away from Miguel, not now.

He was going to do whatever it took to get his son back.

Read Chapter 5

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

Well now you’ve all gone and done it and goaded me into writing an actual story with all your brilliant asks. Hope you’re all quite pleased with yourselves.

- Wit