#it is wip wednesday my dudes

[psychmerchant]

the new season was tailor-made for me.

[avoskorm]

🌈 WIP Wednesday 🌈

Not waiting to be tagged lmao I actually have a WIP this time so I'm posting it lmao

I TAG: @chubritza @runawaydragons @robinyourcreator YOU 🫵

Emmrich jogged to the centre of the room under the great bell that dominated it, and pushed up his sleeves. "Be ready. The ritual to wake the bell will draw despair's attention."

"And anymore Venatori," Rook added. They sighed in irritation; they'd had just about enough of Venatori for one day.

"I'll need you to keep them occupied while I work." Magic wove around his fingers, like vibrant ribbons of green smoke. He breathed slowly, evenly as he waved his hands fluidly through the air, as if conducting an invisible orchestra.

"Hold that thought a second, Emmrich." Rook stopped him; Emmrich hesitated, confused, and let his magic dissipate. Rook turned to Jovus, and stared up at him expectantly. "Jovus?"

Jovus flicked his gaze between Rook and Emmrich, and muttered under his breath. "I don't suppose Bellara warned him?"

"Probably not."

Jovus let out a sound that couldn't decide if it was a sigh or a growl. He grumbled, after a moment's consternation. "Fine. Professor Volkarin," he said, addressing Emmrich directly. Emmrich glanced at Jovus in confused silence. "Despite what you are about to witness, please be assured that I am on your side."

[sentientcave]

WIP Wednesday - Impound

A little peek at that tow truck driver idea I was tossing around last week, for any interested parties

He shuffled through the papers deliberately. The sound of the cop’s rubber-soled boots squeaking impatiently on the dated linoleum floor was music to Simon’s ears. “Oh, of course. The squad car. Parked in a fire lane.” He tutted, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I got there before bylaw did. ‘S a big fine if they ticket you.”

They both knew that bylaw didn’t have the stones to ticket a cruiser. The fire department might, but they didn’t go around looking for trouble either. That was really more Simon’s area of expertise.

“You could have been impeding an investigation,” Price said, steely eyes narrowing.

Simon snorted. “At Ronnie’s? I fockin’ doubt it, unless you were investigatin’ how fresh the pastries were. Everyone knows that’s Laswell’s girl. Nobody’s stupid enough to cause trouble for ‘er.”

Price’s jaw was so tight that Simon was surprised his teeth didn’t start cracking under the pressure. He could almost hear the grind of enamel. “Fine. Just get the bloody gate open so I can leave.”

“Sure, no problem officer. Just a matter of the impound fees— Y’want me to bill the precinct directly, or are you gonna pay ‘em yourself?” He set the paperwork down on the desk top and fished the debit machine out of the top drawer suggestively. “Just need some I.D., if you don’t mind. Gotta keep things tidy on my end.”

Price snatched up the invoice. “One hundred and fifty dollars? Are you mad?”

“That’s the rate. Take it up with council if you’ve got a problem with it. You still gotta pay.”

Price was pretty near growling as he yanked out his wallet. Simon made a bit of a performance out of logging in the information on his I.D. on the slow computer, of punching in the total on the debit machine, and of checking everything to make sure it was in order. Price initialled the invoice where he was directed, pressing so hard it left a permanent indentation in the cheap veneer of the desk.

“Olright. You’re all set then,” Simon said at last, when he could drag his feet on the matter no more. He got out of his chair with a sigh, pleased to find that he stood a good three or four inches taller than Price, and walked out the side door without any further ceremony. Price was still standing in front of the desk, red-faced and angry. “Come on then.” Simon stopped just past the doorway, looking over his shoulder impatiently. “Haven’t got all day you know. Some of us have important work to do.”

He half expected Price’s head to explode.

Price stalked across the lot to his cruiser and threw himself into the driver’s seat while Simon went to open up the gate. The rev of the engine was the only warning Simon had to get out of the way before Price drove through it, cutting it a little too close for comfort. Simon raised his hand and wiggled his fingers in farewell, enjoying the glimpse of that furious blue glare in the mirrors before Price turned onto the road and sped off.

“Wha’ the hell was all that about?” Johnny asked, leaning out of the building, braced on the door handle, Roach a step behind him. “Ye pissin’ off the new police chief?”

“Yep.” Simon corralled the boys back into the office. “Fuckin’ hate cops.”

“Sure, but aren’t ye worried—”

“Not really. ‘F ‘e gets to be a problem I’ll talk to Laswell, get ‘er to put ‘er fuckin’ dog back on ‘is leash. Owes me a favour.” He snagged the singular tea out of the tray of paper cups and lifted it in thanks. “See you lads later. Goin’ home. When Kristen comes in to pick up ‘er shitbox waive the fees an’ tell ‘er not to park there again. Pretend you’re riskin’ your ass doin’ it, she’ll prob’ly give one of you muppets ‘er your number.”

Johnny and Roach looked at each other, and immediately launched into a game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would get to be the knight in dirty blue coveralls. Simon let the garage door bang shut behind him, and trudged across the dimly lit space to the back door. The acrid smell of weed smoke hung in the air, thin tendrils of it still drifting across the bars of sun coming through the back windows. Fucking muppets, smoking up while chief of police was steaming mad on the other side of the door. And they thought that Simon was the one who needed to be careful.

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Lovelies, I really am sorry, these blorbos still have me in a freaking chokehold...

Despite the chaos of the battle, something distinct caught Ganondorf’s attention. In a sea of red hair and brown skin paired with leather and steel, in a sea of armor and white banners, there was light gold, like the pale yellow chrysanthemums Orik had gifted to Hemisi.

Orik. Link.

Link was here.

Damn that child. He’d told him to stay away. He knew the boy hadn’t listened, but to have the audacity to fight where Ganondorf himself was…

Well, he had to admit the boy had far more gumption to him than he’d realized. It was no wonder Hemisi had fallen for him. Ganondorf caught the attention of his commander. “Bring Link to me. Alive.”

[hippolotamus]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday/WIP Wednesday

Thanks for the Tuesday tags @elvensorceress @loserdiaz @spotsandsocks @hoodie-buck @weewootruck @wikiangela @giddyupbuck @daffi-990 @tizniz @diazsdimples Tagging you back for WIP Wednesday and looking forward to all your works 💖

So don't be mad, OK? I'm posting another snippet of this. (Under the cut because it got long) That being said, it's going to be the last one for a while until I finish some other stuff. Aaaand it's written in a POV I'm not sure I'm gonna keep. With that in mind... enjoy???? Also everybody who's into this thank James for forcingmaking me flesh out more details and @watchyourbuck for threatening me (with love ofc).

no pressure tagging (lmk if you want added or removed) @stereopticons @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @disasterbuckdiaz @theotherbuckley @apothecarose @barbiediaz @buckaroosheart @buddierights @chaosandwolves @eowon @fortheloveofbuddie @gayedmundodiaz @giddyupbuck @heartshapedvows @honestlydarkprincess @indestructibleheart @jesuisici33 @ladydorian05 @lemonzestywrites @monsterrae1 @spaceprincessem @statueinthestone @steadfastsaturnsrings @the-likesofus @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @thewolvesof1998 @vanillahigh00 @watchyourbuck @wildlife4life @your-catfish-friend @epicbuddieficrecs @rmd-writes @welcometololaland @lizzie-bennetdarcy and anyone else who wants to 😘

Shit. This moment calls for a lot of different emotions, but that one is the most prominent. The glaring neon sign at the forefront of her brain as she registers the second pink line that’s becoming increasingly blurry. 

She brings a hand to her mouth, covering a silent exclamation. She wouldn’t have to. It’s not like there’s anybody around to hear. Just the secondhand furniture, personal items moved from her Mom’s place, and a few decorative things she bought to make the apartment more cozy. 

She sinks to the bed still clutching the plastic stick tightly between her fingers. Something about sitting there feels almost like she’s breaking the laws of a sacred space. Normally that would be right up her alley. Poking at the edges of societal norms just to see what she could get away with. But right now, perched on the edge of the mattress with a positive pregnancy test feels wrong. Even if it is the same place it happened. The place where her and Eddie first stumbled into something more than friendship together after too many drinks at the bar one night. Where they woke up the next morning and muddled through Did we just… and We could do it again. Where they kept landing until they had the guts to admit it was fun, but not what either of them really wanted. Because they both missed their best friend and enjoying each other without the expectations of romance. 

Not to mention the Evan of it all. Shannon had seen it coming from a mile away. From the first week her and Eddie met him at the Brass Bell and kept managing to run into him as he settled into town. 

A few people, one or two of her girlfriends included, whispered about Eddie and Evan getting together so quickly after the “breakup”. Some, thinking they were being supportive, came to her bitching about how rotten the situation was and that she deserved better. How dare he leave her for someone he barely knows? Honestly, it gave her a great deal of satisfaction watching them go pale when she casually mentioned she not only didn’t mind, but had pushed Eddie towards him. 

It was already obvious that her and Eddie weren’t heading for anything serious. And, as his self proclaimed platonic soulmate who knows him better than he knows himself, she felt it was only a matter of time anyway. Why delay the inevitable?

She looks at the two lines again. How is she going to tell him? He’s the happiest she’s seen him in a long time. Maybe ever. Without question, he’s going to feel that overwhelming sense of loyalty and responsibility. The same fiercely protective instinct he has for Sophia and Adriana. Shannon can already see him devoting himself to this– Fuck, she can’t even think the word to herself. But he’ll throw himself into caring for her and break Evan’s heart. She can’t let him do that. Not when she doesn’t even know if she wants to move forward with everything. 

Shannon sits up a little taller, wiping away the remaining dampness from her eyes and cheeks, and makes a decision. She walks the test to the closest trash can, ties up the mostly empty bag, and drops it down the building’s garbage chute. 

When she returns to her apartment, she navigates to the last picture Eddie texted of him and Evan. They look… blissful. Content. He and Evan have their arms wrapped around each other while Evan presses a kiss to Eddie’s cheek. His skin is flushed and rosy, making him look almost bashful. 

She can’t tell him. It’s as simple as that. Eddie hasn’t said anything, but he doesn’t have to. She knows that look. He’s in love. Even though it’ll be ages until he allows himself to admit it and say the words out loud, that doesn’t make it any less true. 

There’s still time, she thinks. Time for her to get a checkup, to gather facts, to evaluate what she wants to do. Time to let Eddie be in love and hope he forgives her for not saying anything.

[butterbabyflapjack]

WIP w h e n e v e r

Thanks for the tag @gaeadene! I could just wait for Wednesday, but if anyone's expecting patience from me you're expecting far too much 💗 I might cut this part from Twisted ch.7 so wanted to share it before it possibly hits the bin

His eyes remained voids, lingering darkness that lacked for everything and nothing, that longed for everything and nothing, demanded it.

Everything and nothing. That’s what the man before you appeared in want of. What the monster inside him seemed to crave.

Everything and nothing. How to give such a thing, such an impossible thing – never, and all at once?

No matter what vulnerable layers you peeled back, what you reached inside to dislodge, to rend apart, to bleed forth for him – no matter what you gave, you were beginning to fear it would be too much and never enough.

Perhaps that’s why he asked it. The impossible, the incomprehensible, the reprehensible. To stir whatever madness in its wake. To bask in it; his playground, his home, his stage.

Tagging anyone who wants to share what they're working on! pls tag me so I can have a peek! 💗

[yeetthatkolibri]

that tall girl

[bi-buckrights]

WIP Wednesday

Thanks for the tags y'all, loved your snippets (as always) 💕 @loserdiaz @heartshapedvows @@hoodie-buck @honestlydarkprincess @eddiebabygirldiaz @spaceprincessem @wildlife4life @spotsandsocks

Here is a little snippet of a silly little fic I started last night (which is the most writing I've done in a month 🙃) pls validate me because my brain has been broken since I posted my last fic

First of all, Eddie never even wanted to download the damn dating app. The only reason his account even exists is because two hefty glasses of wine at Hen and Karen’s had lowered his inhibitions just enough that he rolled his eyes and handed his phone over to them to get them to shut up about getting him back out there. Secondly, the guy staring back at him on his screen is definitely not the type of guy that Eddie would swipe right on, even if he were remotely interested in dating someone from this app. But he’s had a few more glasses of wine since they set up his profile, and the guy is fucking hot. “Oh shit,” he says by accident when the guy’s profile shows up. The words escape his lips before he can stop them, taken aback by the perfectly chiseled abs on his screen, a sheen of sweat glimmering on his skin. Hen looks up from her phone, eyebrows raised. “No one has pulled that reaction from you yet.” Before he can respond, Eddie feels his mouth drop open as he scrolls through the guy’s profile. Ex-stripper turned med student. Willing to trade lap dances for a nice message. Here for a rotation. Hen and Karen crowd beside him to get a glimpse at his phone and immediately burst out laughing. Eddie blames the wine for the blush he feels creeping up his neck.

Tagging @hippolotamus @rogerzsteven @monsterrae1 @prettyboybuckley @giddyupbuck @disasterbuckdiaz @thewolvesof1998 @eowon

[remuswriting]

wip wednesday

intense slow burn friends to lovers oikawa fic in my drafts please save me

[foxymacchiato]

It is wipwednesday my dudes🩷

I'm halfway through InkTober and here's a sneak peak at one of the characters I'm drawing~ {doing it a little early is the best way I can do it so I can manage my job and other projects 😅}

[forabeatofadrum]

El WooWoo! I have finished Persona 4 Golden (mom holy fuck-) so I have something to share again. Thank you @artsyunderstudy, @bookish-bogwitch and @that-disabled-princess for tagging me and @martsonmars, @wellbelesbian, @whatevertheweather for the Sunday tags.

I just got home from a local Pride event. It was a lot of fun, especially the part where I hit a homophobe with a protest sign. Everybody clapped.

First off, I have revised my submission for the @klainefanzine2025. There's one part I'm stuck on, so I might ask one of the beta's to help me out here. Tenses in the English language are wack, you know? (Although... Dutch isn't much better.) (Sexy fokschaap, anyone?)

AND! I DID WRITING! LJUBILI SE! As I keep saying, I am stuck and I think I will remain stuck. I last published chapter 9 and my head is still :p when it comes to chapter 10, 11 and 12, but I just finished chapter 13! 🥳

Have some of that for this fine Wednesday:

The doorbell rings. Cooper jumps up. “My package!” he runs off towards the door, and Quinn and Blaine share a look. It’s probably Denise. They’ve told their families that Quinn’s “friend” is joining them, but Cooper must’ve forgotten that in his excitement. And they’re right. Cooper returns without a package, but with Denise in tow. Ideally, Denise would’ve come to the Anderson house with Blaine and Quinn, but she had an appointment. “Dee!” Quinn says and also gets up. She introduces Denise as her friend. Judy already knows Denise a little bit, but Blaine’s parents have no idea who she is. If their families think it’s weird that Denise is here, they don’t show. In fact, Cooper seems very excited to her again. He immediately shakes her hand, puts on a dazzling smile, and asks her all kinds of questions about herself. Blaine and Quinn share another look, although this time they’re amused. Blaine’s brother is flirting with Quinn’s girlfriend right in front of their noses.

Lil reminder: Cooper met Denise at the airport!

And now, the weather: @quizasvivamos @coffeegleek @caramelcoffeeaddict @raenestee @tectonicduck @nightimedreamersworld @urban-sith @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @confused-bi-queer @special-bc-ur-part-of-it @larkral @cutestkilla ​ @facewithoutheart ​ @shrekgogurt @rockitmans @bitbybitwrites @shame-is-a-wasted-emotion @esilher @kurtsascot @blackberrysummerblog @nightimedreamersghost @ivelovedhimthroughworse @thnxforknowingme

[psychmerchant]

[avoskorm]

Got tagged by @runawaydragons for a 🌈 WIP Wednesday 🌈

It's officially Wednesday for like the next thirty minutes so whatever lmao

I was hoping to get this finished today but eh.

If you see this consider yourself tagged. Or not. I'm not your boss. Do whatever you want forever.

***********

"Damn it, Rook, there's no time!"

The group watched helplessly as Neve and Lucanis sprinted away to the Crossroads' docks, desperately trying to reach their cities before any real damage could happen. What if they were already too late?

Rook shook their head quickly. No, don't think like that, we can do something.

Harding broke the silence that followed, chewing on her lip uncertainly. "So where are we going? We can't just stay here."

There wasn't a good answer here. Dragons attacking, both Treviso and Minrathous? At the same time? It couldn't have been a coincidence. And both options were bad: either meant leaving someone -- potentially to die.

Rook sighed, pacing frantically. "I don't like it, but we're going with Lucanis. Treviso needs help. Minrathous at least has walls."

"That'll really help against a fucking dragon," Jovus snorted. "I'm going to Minrathous. I owe Neve." He braced himself for an argument; Minrathous wasn't his home, but it was all he had. He had to help somehow.

Instead, Rook accepted it. "Fair enough. Davrin, Harding, with me. Bellara, you go with Jovus and see what you can do to help Neve." It was something, at least.

"Right," Bellara nodded, determined.

The group wished each other luck, then split up, heading towards their respective docks.

Bellara and Jovus waited for the Caretaker's gondola in grim silence, and it wasn't long before it materialised at the end of the dock. Jovus nodded at the Caretaker as he stepped aboard; Bellara followed close behind with a quick "thank you" as they both took a seat. The gondola sprang to life and drifted swiftly to its destination, across a sea of endless void.

"If you can trust me, I can get us there faster," Jovus said, frankly. "With luck we can even catch Neve before she gets to the eluvian."

"Really? How?" Bellara asked.

"Once the Caretaker drops us off, I'll turn, and you can get on my back--" Jovus began explaining his idea.

"You want me to ride you?" Bellara interrupted, eyebrow raised.

"For the love of every god, I am begging you not to say it like that," Jovus said, exasperated. "But for the sake of argument, yes. I can run faster, and I'm bigger so I can carry you."

[drgnflyteabox]

Wip Wednesday a little Price x Nik thing I've been thinking about for a while (yeah I'm supposed to be doing my class readings 😵‍💫)

Surprise below 🤭 (some feminization play)

[solavonn]

Quick sketch of Professor Regulus Black to destress from finals (it kinda worked)

[inafieldofdaisies]

WIP Wednesday | Tagged by @vampireninjabunnies-blog and @simplegenius042 ❤️

John's POV, folks. Time for him to be going through things again. And remember Calahan's little love notes for him? Yeah, those finally make an appearance.

At one of the breaks inbetween Confessions, Wyatt finally delivered  the notes Calahan had been leaving for John. The man placed the neat stack on his desk and gave him another wary look as he muttered, "I still would advise you to not read them, brother." Wyatt resumed his position next to the door, his posture becoming tense when John said nothing and picked up the notes, wearing another neutral expression. Inwardly he prepared himself for the worst while his eyes scanned over the first colorful piece of paper that lay on top. "You can go, Wyatt. I wouldn't be needing your assistance.", he briefly shifted his gaze over to the man just in time to notice him sneaking a worried look his way. "Uh…", he stammered in response, seeming torn at the idea of being dismissed so suddenly. "Do I need to repeat myself?" "No. No.", Wyatt retorted quickly and left the office in a haste. The second the door shut behind him, John's attention returned to the notes, inevitable bewilderment swooping in as flicked through them. "My brother considers this manchild WORTHY. Believes if he joins us, the Project would be stronger. And Sabrina… has feelings for him? Him?", the words slipped out before he could stop them. His anger was mixed with amusement at how utterly ridiculous the Sinner's insults were. He had no doubt Hartley believed he was being witty and would manage to get under John's skin just like he always tried to make him lose his temper anytime he would call him.

I guess your face proves that even GOD makes mistakes sometimes. With love, Cal

John scoffed at the pathetic jab, "Envy. Is that your sin?"

No matter how many billboards you put around in declaration of your love, the only way you'll ever get laid is if you crawl up a chicken's ass and wait. It's Hartley, bitch

His fingers rubbed at his forehead in attempts to ease the headache that was slowly forming, "Yeah, Deputy. You see my issue… is different."

Roses are red, violets are blue, God made me pretty, what the hell happened to YOU? Do I even need to sign this one, fucker?

"Kindergarten. It's where you belong.", John uttered out before he took another sip of coffee.

Your whiny voice must have been getting on everyone's nerves in court so much, that the only job you could land as a lawyer ended up being with your brother's shitty cult. YES, it's me again, your biggest nightmare. ;)

"You're nowhere close to even resembling a nightmare of mine, Deputy. Me, on other hand… I can become yours, if you keep fighting against God's plan for you."

Have you not noticed your little sign leading to your home almost looks like it's spelling "SEX" from certain angles? Didn't think of the letter placement too much, did ya, Johnny? I can get rid of them for you, free of charge. - Hartley & Co, "We set fires anywhere we go."

John placed his cup back on the desk with more force than necessary, "It absolutely does not spell that." The Sinner's threats of destruction and pyromaniac tendencies didn't surprise him one bit, especially after Hartley's most recent drunken transgression a couple of months prior where he had tried to spell "No" on his lawn by setting it ablaze. Back then John could have used the offence to push Whitehorse to fire the hotheaded deputy, if it hadn't been for Joseph insisting he overlook the issue, he would have done just that. Gotten rid of Hartley once and for all, and enjoyed every bit of it as he watched the Sinner face the same laws he loved to enforce on his men.

John shook off the bitter memory of the missed opportunity at making the Deputy someone else's problem, biting back a dark smirk as he picked up the radio receiver, "Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Leaving notes for me, I see? You know, all these childish threats only prove one thing…", John paused, "how untamed the sin is within you. But don't worry, soon, you will be free of it. All you have to do is say YES." Seconds ticked by without any response from Hartley, which wasn't really unusual if Hudson wasn't brought up into the conversation. When no curses or threads came through, John placed the receiver down and finished his coffee while telling himself he wasn't bothered by what he had read. That Wyatt was completely wrong to worry about his reaction. This is a waste of time. Nothing else. Idiotic, frivolous claims. He threw the notes into the trashcan and left his office, headed back to the Reconciliation room, where another Sinner was waiting for a Confession. As he strode past his men and eventually came face to face with Wyatt, who was standing guard out front, he promised himself he wasn't going to let Hartley's childish insults derail his work. Yet irritation lurked in his mind. At the fact Joseph almost idolized the Sinner. That Sabrina valued him more than her own safety and freedom. That he hadn't even bothered to respond to his radio call.

An hour into the confession, John's head was already pounding from barely getting any sleep in the recent days combined with all the screaming he was currently being subjected to. All the signs of a lingering headache were by then present, and he had just another hindrance to add to his list of things that were testing his endurance and ability to remain calm. The man in his chair was finally beginning to open up, his voice so hoarse, he had no choice but to whisper out his sins. "I-I, I looked at her once. Patty. I know I shouldn't have.", Daniel Wallace said meekly. John raised an eyebrow at the poor excuse, sensing his lie from a mile away, "Now, you sure all you did was look, Daniel?", "Fine. Once. It happened once." "Just once?" Wallace groaned in pain as John pursed his lips and tapped his injured leg, compelling him to grit out, "No." "Well, I'm listening. Details, Daniel. Determining your sin requires details. And, it would be in your best interest to reconsider lying to me." A familiar look of hatred fell over the man's face, "Joseph makes ya listen to our sex stories now? You that desperate? That your only way of gettin' some?" It wasn't Wallace's voice that John heard at that moment or who he imagined was sitting in his chair. No. The frail tone was out of a sudden sounding arrogant, stronger, resembling Hartley's. Instead of Daniel's dark brown eyes, a set of baby blues were staring back at him full of pride and untamable fire. Pretending Calahan Hartley was in his place was easy enough, only further enabled by Daniel's fair hair and the way his head was hanging down and concealing his face.

Before he could stop himself, his hand drove the knife back into his leg, making him release another scream that only worsened the wretched headache further. "Details. I won't repeat myself again." And sure, I don't have better things to do than listen to your pathetic love life, Daniel. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.", sweat formed on his forehead as John pulled out the knife and a fresh stream of blood oozed out, "We met behind her shop. I drove to the motel-" It was that exact moment Wyatt chose to open the door, ending the man's shaky string of words and halting the agonizing progress he had finally made. My patience is being tested a lot today. John couldn't tolerate any obstructions, not when the Sinner was close to passing out, his pain tolerance shockingly low for someone of his size and muscle. He turned sharply, rotating the knife in his hands while trying to hold onto his remaining self-control, "No interrupting Confessions, Wyatt." "I-I know the rules, brother. But uh-", the worried look in his eyes gave John a pause. "Get to the point, Wyatt." "The Father is in your office. He wants to see you… now." On the inside, John felt fear creeping in, it was crystal clear why his brother was there, that he had come for answers he had been trying to get with each ignored phone call. John didn't let any of it show on his face when he turned to the Sinner, offering him a carefully crafted smile as he said, "Well, look at that, it's your lucky day. We have to reschedule." He spun around, not bothering to spare another glance at the man that was now quietly sobbing as he stormed to the door. "Take him back to his cell.", he instructed Wyatt when he passed by him.

On the way back to his office, John felt like a little kid being summoned by the principal for misbehaving. His mind was running in circles, going over the possible outcomes, and the realization that one wrong move could cost him greatly. He knew all it would take was one badly chosen word, and he could lose Sabrina. The first thing to greet him as he came into the room was Joseph sitting in none other but his chair. It was one of the rare occasions where his brother had bothered to put on a shirt, even paired it with a black vest over it. "Hello, brother.", Joseph said in his usual calm tone, giving John a subtle smile as he pointed to one of the seats across from him, "Sit down." He couldn't help but wonder if this is exactly what Wyatt was experiencing that same morning and any other time he would mimic Joseph's current demeanor when discipling his men. Is this how you felt, too, Deputy? Like I was about to decide your fate for you? Like you were teetering on the edge, unsure if things would end badly? "How are you, Joseph?", he asked, keeping his voice just as even and refusing to allow his composure to slip even for a second. Too much relied on him keeping his act together. As he sat down Joseph's perceptive gaze zeroed in on him through his yellow-tinted sunglasses.

"Thanks to God's will, I'm good, brother. Question is why are you always unavailable for my calls?" "I'm not. I've been waiting for your call all day today, actually." "I was going to call, but then decided to come in person. You know I would rather do things face to face anyway.", his brother's eyes shifted behind John for a second, before focusing on to his face again. He nodded, waiting for the questions Joseph was undeniably going to ask next, he was preparing himself for them and the idea he would have to lie. For the composed yet firm way the Father try to get out a confession out of him. "What did you learn about the girl?" A lot, but not enough. Not nearly enough for you to take her away from me so soon. "There's nothing of concern there, brother." Joseph's gaze narrowed as he searched his face, "Are you certain, John?" "There's nothing to be worried about, Joseph." He sounded like Sabrina when she refused to admit she wasn't okay and John could only hope he was doing a better job at convincing his inquirer about being truthful. And in a way he was telling the truth, he was indeed ensuring Sabrina's visions were no danger to the Project. "How certain are you, brother?", Joseph got up from the chair, coming to stand next to John as he leaned against the desk, keeping his gaze trained forward towards the back of the room. "I'd go as far as to say she's worthy of Atonement. Just like all the others."

His blue eyes hardened and John fought the urge to spin around and find out what had captured his brother's attention, "If she's proving to be difficult, you can always hand her over to Jacob-" You might as well ask me to admit failure, brother. You expect me to hand Sabrina to Jacob, knowing what happens within the walls of St. Francis? No. You see, I'm kind of attached to her free will. "I have everything under control here, Joseph. Always have. The Deputy is my task, not Jacob's." "Do you?", his brother reached a hand out, taking hold of John's shoulder as he loomed over, "There's something you're not telling me." "There's nothing to tell, brother." Now I really do sound like Sabrina. His brother nodded, "Alright, John. There comes the time when all kept secrets become too much to bear and the only way for you to not be torn apart by them, is to open up, you know that. It's when you would come to me, like you've always done." John bit his tongue, deep down knowing he would most likely crawl back to him in hope he'd find a way to silence his urges, but also that he couldn't allow it to happen like it had before. Not with what that would mean for Sabrina and Savannah.

Just when the weight of the silence began to feel like too much to bear, Joseph spoke up again, "And what about the Deputy?" "He's been evading my people, but nothing of actual concern, it's only a matter of time before he's captured, Joseph." "Good. It's God's Will that he reaches Atonement. You cannot fail, John." "I won't, brother, you know I won't." Joseph nodded, patting John on the shoulder and heading for the door. Suddenly, he turned, concern swooping into John's system at the look on his face, "The girl… I would like to be present when the time for her Cleansing comes." She'd never agree to a Cleansing. Let alone one you'd be overlooking. "Of course, Joseph." "I need you to be vigilant, brother. I fear something is coming. That you, Jacob… that you're in danger." "What kind of danger? Did God warn you about something?", the words left him before he could think better of it. "No. It's my own feeling. Strong enough that I've sent Mercy to keep an eye on Jacob. Do I need to do the same for you, John?" Mercy was the latest woman his brother had taken keen interest in. He insisted she was someone he considered worthy of being a new Faith, that it was the reason he was keeping her around even now that the Reaping had started and despite the fact their sister was excelling as a Herald in the Henbane. Joseph had indirectly accused him of keeping secrets, yet John couldn't help but think his brother was harboring some of his own. He hadn't missed the way the Father would sometimes look at Mercedes Sibley. Couldn't forget how a few months after her acceptance into the Project he had shown up at the ranch's doorstep in the middle of the night, face twisted in desperation with a look in his eyes that told John something must have gone terribly wrong. The second he had entered his home, Joseph had made him tattoo 'lust' on his abdomen and even to this day still refused to elaborate on the sin's origin.

John shook off the concerns that had appeared at the mention of Mercedes, focing a smile his brother's way, "Absolutely not. I'm shocked Jacob has even agreed for Mercy to stay in the Whitetails." Where the Father had basically made her a part of their family, Jacob tended to turn completely hostile anytime she would even attempt to speak to him. Eventually they had all learned to accept his soaring mood and continuous snarling as something that would never change, that he simply refused to deal with someone as joyous as Mercedes. Joseph pursed his lips, "He knows I only want what's best for all of you. That if I've send Mercy there, it's where she needs to be. Where God wants her to be." "Yes, Joseph.", was all John could muster while on the inside he questioned if it was God or Joseph who had decided to keep Mercedes away from the Compound out of a sudden. "I will leave you to it then. Remember what I said, John." "Of course. Goodbye, brother." Just as the door closed behind him, Mathias' voice came through from the radio on his desk and pierced the tense silence. "Boss. We have a problem. Over." It wasn't lost on him that had it been one minute sooner, Joseph would have heard the call. John felt as if God was helping him at that moment after all, maybe was even on his side despite the wretched urges that plagued him when it came to Sabrina. Perhaps they were in fact a test, but he imagined the Father would insist that wasn't the case, that the only way to keep them at bay would be through granting other people release from their sins and letting Jacob take over his task.

Still, he also feared his brother's presence could have been a distraction: that he was testing him, that maybe he knew about Sabrina's relocation and had sent men for her while he was away from the ranch. Every part of him hoped that wasn't the reason for the troublesome call. John sat down in his own chair, picking up the receiver and feeling uneasy of the news Bennett could deliver, "I'm listening, Mathias." "The Sinner's gone. She has left the ranch."

Tagging @direwombat @clicheantagonist @josephseedismyfather @socially-awkward-skeleton @adelaidedrubman @thesingularityseries @detectivelokis @nightbloodbix @aceghosts @madparadoxum @chazz-anova @theelderhazelnut @purplehairsecretlair @dumbassdep @shegetsburned @poisonedtruth @cassietrn @voidika @harmonyowl @v0idbuggy @strangefable @schoute @jacobsneed @strafethesesinners @g0dspeeed @trench-rot @nightwingshero @josephslittledeputy @euryalex @florbelles @neonneurons and anyone with something to share ❤️