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ordinaryschmuck · 3 years ago

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What I Thought About "Hunting Palismans" From The Owl House

Salutations, random people on the internet who certainly won’t read this! I am an Ordinary Schmuck. I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

Today, I present to you reason #4,693 for why The Owl House is the best thing at the moment: It's the perfect balance of serialized storytelling with an episodic format. The story always moves forward with an exact order for how episodes should be watched, but each episode still functions as its own standalone tale. Having prior knowledge of what happened before adds more to the experience, but you can still watch whatever you want and still have an enjoyable time. Take "Hunting Palismans," for example. It adds so much more to the overarching narrative while slightly continuing other threads. But it's still something you can watch as is without remembering the past or wondering about the future.

However, to properly explain how requires spoilers. I wasn't kidding when I say that this episode adds so much, so you're going to want to be wary of that when you continue reading.

With that said, let's review, shall we?

WHAT I LIKED

Coven Heads Meeting: We already saw these fellow schmucks in the trailer, but that doesn't take away how cool they are! It's not explicitly stated which head belongs to which coven, but you can already tell who goes where just from their designs alone. And I love that. I love that just by showing us some excellent character designs, anybody with half a brain can already figure out the particular type of magic each Coven Head specializes in. It's a perfect example of the show-don't-tell level of storytelling that is always at its best through animation, and I'm all for it because of it.

What the Day of Unity is: Several fans, myself included, have already speculated that the Day of Unity was that Emperor Belos planned to combine the human world with the Boiling Isles and rule it all with an iron fist. That being said, figuring it out is one thing, but being told that it's true is a whole different level pants-s**ting horror that I AM NOT READY FOR! Even when it's going to happen, I can assure you that I will not be prepared to witness it ...and I am scared of when it does.

Belos Body Horror: ...Disney, I was already scared s**tless of this guy. I DO NOT NEED THIS!

That being said, seeing Belos do...whatever the f**k that was, helps explain further why he needs the magic in palismans. I always assumed because it's like fuel for a car, giving him the power he needs. Now, even though the answer is more apparent, there are still some questions to be had. Is he cursed, and the magic keeps it at bay like Eda's potions? Or did he experiment with the wrong type of magic, and the palismans keep him stable? Only the future can say for sure...and I'm also not prepared for the answers from that either.

Golden Guard is Belos’ Nephew: Gosh dangit, THE INTRO HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET, AND THIS EPISODE IS ALREADY GIVING SO MUCH!

But, yeah, the most powerful witch on the Isles is apparently Golden Boy's Grunkle Belos. That very knowledge is incredibly interesting to discuss while presenting possibilities for future narratives. I don't know about you, but I see the Golden Guard going down the path of Zuko, learning that the magic of friendship is worth much more than whatever power he gains from being Belos' nephew. And possibly earning his uncle's love seeing how he's the only family he has. It's a situation that's vastly different from Amity's because even when she defies her parents, she'll still have Edric and Emira at the end of the day. For Golden Guard, knowing that he lost a great family to wild magic, the inclination to go against Belos is a lot weaker due to him being all he has left.

Oh, and also, Belos' family getting wiped out because of wild magic. Yeah, not only does that give the best type of motivation for Belos' distaste for it, but it also explains the Golden Guard's hesitance to use it. He's inclined to so he can save his uncle, sure. It's only the fact that he knows what happens with wild magic that causes some resistance...Also, we're less than a minute in, and I'm already getting all of this from one discussion between two characters.

HOW IS THIS SHOW SO GOOD?!

Intro Changes: It's about time too. It seems weird that the crew waited to change Eda and King's designs in the intro this late in the game, but it also tells me that Amity dying her hair lavender is the last huge change this season will present. Otherwise, why change the intro at all if you were going to alter Luz, Willow, and Gus' designs anyway? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Luz Keeping the Echo Mouse as a Pet: The fact that she keeps the most important creature in the world to her as a pet...it's...it's adorable, alright? And as we established several times, I cannot hate adorable things.

Don't judge me!

Amity Staying Home: There are two plausible ways why Amity didn't go to school that day. Either she's getting punished for dying her hair or because she's trying to avoid Luz so they won't talk about the you-know-what. Either could work and seem understandable to Luz, thus explaining why she admits how "that makes sense." Although, there is something to discuss in how Luz is curious as to where Amity is. Judging from the tone of her voice, it's pretty clear that she wants to talk about the little peck on the cheek and maybe get some confirmation as to what it means. Because there is no going back from that. You can explain away saying or doing something stupid, but you cannot un-kiss a cheek. That is a point of no return, and if Amity really is avoiding Luz because of it, that means it's up to our favorite weirdo to make the first move. As for what that may entail...we'll just have to wait and see.

Frewin: We get two bits of information here for the price of one reveal here. Knowing that Frewin is a palisman is shocking enough, but the knowledge that Bump is partially blind and needs Frewin to see? That is an intriguing piece of intel that I would have never expected to get revealed. This is reason #5,279 for what makes The Owl House so good. Even when the show presents information you wouldn't guess, it's all so interesting anyways that you can't help but go along with it.

Adopting Palismans: First of all, love the fact that the Bat Queen makes a return to provide a solution to the palisman trees being rare and solving her own problem regarding the discarded palismans. It's a situation where everyone wins in a way that is so clever that I can't help but admire it.

Second, the idea of students choosing to adopt palismans instead is cute. I'd say it gives further insight into who these characters are in how they say what they want to be, but there's nothing really new added that fans couldn't figure out from the get go. But I will say that it's pretty cool to know that these characters have official staffs now. Speaking of which, if you're upset that their palismans don't match up with your headcanons...grow up.

This was a cute and smartly written scene that should not be bogged down by whiney fans who can't accept a series doing something different from what they expect.

Little Rascal: I’d take a bullet for this bird. That is all.

Luz Being Uncertain of her Future: A lot of fans offer several ideas of what the future could look like for Luz. Will she stay in the Boiling Isles? In Connecticut? Or will she go back and forth? We don't know, but one question we rarely brought up is what does Luz want? More specifically, what does she want to do? After everything Luz went through, the adventures she's gone on, and the lessons learned, what is something that Luz wants her future to be? That's an answer she doesn't really figure out, and I'm genuinely ok with that being a question that's tabled for another day. Most kids who ask that question themselves aren't always going to find an answer after a short amount of time and sometimes even need to spend their lives trying to figure it out. So having it be something Luz has to consider and probably find out in a future episode is the smarter option, as it allows time for it to simmer in her own mind and provides more insight into her character. As stated several times in this episode, she doesn't think things through, so it's nice that the writers finally allowed her some time to wonder what's next when the adventure is over.

Luz Having to Improvise Without Paper Glyphs: You want to know what my favorite Spider-Man moments are (this is relevant. Trust me). My favorite moments are when Spidey's web-shooters run out of fluid, and he's forced to improvise with that big brain of his to find a solution. That's sort of what happens with Luz in "Hunting Palismans." She didn't bring her glyphs with her (why would she), so she's forced to use the environment around her to make new ones. Plus, Luz also flexes her knowledge of the Boiling Isles by mixing her glyphs with a magical plant (which Willow certainly told her about) so that she and the Golden Guard could knock out Kikimora's dragon. It's yet another showcase of her intelligence that a lot of fans are too keen to overlook. Unfortunate to see, too, because looking at how well Luz can craft the perfect solutions by fighting smarter, not harder, is a fantastic add-on to her personality. I love characters who win through their wits rather than their raw powers, and I once again hope more people will catch onto that aspect of her too.

Golden Guard Whistling the Theme: Look, I love it when a show acknowledges its own theme song, ok? Leave me alone.

Luz and the Golden Guard: This is one of those dynamics you didn't know you wanted until you have it. And now that I have it, I DEMAND MORE!

Seriously, seeing these two interact off of each other was a ton of fun to watch. When Luz and GG are initially at each other's throats, their threats and mockery towards one another aren't out of spiteful anger between two mortal enemies. It's more like...two siblings who get on each other's nerves yet are supposed to deal with one another. It's equally adorable and hilarious, and yes, I absolutely loved that they're forced to work together in this episode because of it.

Although, while the entertainment value is fantastic, it also adds more proof of why Luz is the best character in the series. She spends one night with this guy, and that's more than what she needed to make a difference with him. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're buddies now, but Luz definitely sowed the seeds into his redemption. He's far from willing to join her side, but he still does something he rarely does with anyone else: He told her that his name is Hunter. And this is what Luz does. Through nearly every person she meets on the Boiling Isles, she always manages to change them for the better. It'll be a while before Hunter deflects from Belos, but if Amity proves anything, Luz has a way of sneaking into people's hearts. They just need to spend more time with one another, and I can't wait to see what happens next because of it.

Kikimora Wanting to Kill Hunter: This shows a lot about who Kikimora is, but it potentially proves just how dysfunctional the Emperor's Coven can be. If Kiki proves anything, the coven must be filled with people willing to backstab and cheat their way to get on Emperor Belos' good side. Just look at Lilith. She literally cursed her own sister just to get in and received all the rewards because of it. The Emperor's Coven may be the best choice for witches to do magic, but if you're surrounded by people you can't trust, then is it really worth it?

The Guards Not Knowing Who Hunter is: This helps add to how much of a big deal it is for Hunter to reveal his name to Luz. If people can't even recognize his face, there's a chance it means that he keeps his true identity a secret except for those in his inner circle.

And the coven guards brushing off his brand is more than believable to me. They may be aware that Belos' right hand is young, but teens will be teens. Anybody with enough artistic talent can fake a brand. So it isn't too far off for those two to think Hunter was just a kid pulling a prank.

Hunter is Powerless Without his Staff: Not much to say here. It's just some more neat insight into Hunter's character that makes me wonder if even Belos' magic is real magic.

But I will say this: The fact that Hunter comes from a lineage of powerless witches, well, who's to say that isn't because of a...certain ancestor?

(*Cough* Hunter is related to Philip *Cough*)

Hunter vs Kiki: A pretty well-animated fight scene that adds potential drama to the story for the future. Now that Kikimora knows that Hunter helped Luz escape with the palismans (albeit unwillingly), she may or may not hold that over his head when the time comes. Or, at the very least, decides to keep a closer eye on him whenever he makes a slip-up.

Eda and King Getting Luz her own Palisman Wood: These last two weeks have been severely lacking in the Eda and King department, but scenes like this more than make up for it. Those two have formed such a bond with Luz to the point where they would do the impossible if it meant she would feel better. It proves just how much of a family they all are and the lengths they would go for each other. After all, weirdos have to stick together.

Little Rascal going to Hunter: Hunter is right. That was surprising.

Given how much Little Rascal stuck by Luz, I was more than positive that she would be the one he chose. So seeing Little Rascal pick Hunter instead is a much nicer twist. There could be multiple reasons why, and I'm just going to leave that to the analyzers in this fandom to decide. Especially since the answer isn't really all that important.

So, instead, I'm going to go ahead and sit in the corner as I wOrRy AbOuT tHe DaY tHaT bElOs FiNdS lItTlE rAsCal!

IT'S GONNA HAPPEN! AND I SWEAR TO ALL THAT IS HOLY, IF THE WRITERS KILL HIM, I WILL NOT BE HAPPY!

WHAT I DISLIKED

First, there's...um...

Well, there was this...

Ok, as much as I liked--No, that turned out well anyways...

…

...

...I've got nothing.

I, honest to goodness, have no complaints about "Hunting Palismans" Not even the tiniest of nitpicks I would usually ignore due to how well-executed everything else was.

It's all written fantastically to the point where it's...perfect.

IN CONCLUSION

"Hunting Palismans" is an easy A+. It introduces even more plot threads, gives insight into characters, and despite being essential to the story, it still manages to be a fun episode all on its own. And, I'd go so far as to say that it's one of the best, if not the best, episodes in the series. There's nothing bad about it, and that surprises me. I rarely find nothing bad to say about any story, even the ones I enjoy greatly. I'm sure there are some flaws that others would be more than happy to point out, but why bother hunting for the imperfections when I could accept that, for once, an episode is simply perfect.

(And that’s six hits in a row...THAT STINKER IS GOING TO HAPPEN! It hasn’t happened yet, BUT IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN! I CAN FEEL IT!)

#the owl house #the owl house season 2 #the owl house reviews #luz noceda #the golden guard #hunter the owl house #emperor belos #what i thought about

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robininthelabyrinth · 4 years ago

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Toxicity - ao3

- part 3 -

It was not too long after Lan Wangji’s visit – a month or two, no more, and in the timescale of war that was very short indeed – that Lan Xichen finally returned to his side.

Nie Mingjue gathered his courage. “Did you speak with your uncle?” he asked, reaching out to take Lan Xichen’s hand in his.

“I did,” Lan Xichen said, and his eyes were bright as stars. “You want to marry me, Mingjue-xiong? You haven’t even kissed me.”

“I do. I do want to marry you,” Nie Mingjue said, taking the question seriously even though it had been made in jest. “I am not asking for your agreement right now, but I would not begin the process of courting you without making clear my intentions.”

Lan Xichen softened, smiling. “Righteous and unyielding, straightforward and upright,” he murmured and reached out with his free hand to tuck some of Nie Mingjue’s hair that had fallen loose back behind his ear. Nie Mingjue might be sick and tired of that particular phrase, but he would hear it a thousand times from Lan Xichen’s lips. “Oh, da-ge, you really are always the same.”

Nie Mingjue shivered a little at the familiar, intimate term of address. “May I kiss you?” he asked, and watched as Lan Xichen’s smile grew wider still.

“You may,” Lan Xichen said. “If I may kiss you as well.”

Nie Mingjue tried to find a way to tell Lan Xichen about his upcoming fate, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not when Lan Xichen smiled at him so happily. The most he could do was remind him that their love had an expiration date, that it was better to marry and be done with it.

Lan Xichen refused, though. He said that he enjoyed their courtship, that he wanted the entirety of the experience for them both: the memories made together, the anticipation, the joy, and that they would wed when the war was over, in full view of both their families.

Nie Mingjue wanted that more than anything, and so he agreed…although in some respects, in his heart, he considered them already wed.

He did not intentionally keep his new relationship with Xichen a secret from his men – if he had not been so determined to treat Lan Xichen as he ought to be treated, with respect and honor, and feared the threat of distraction in the midst of battle, he would have shouted out the news of their engagement in the middle of the war camp. And yet he was also by nature a private man, inclined to be possessive of the few joys he had, and so while he did not hide it, he also did not go out of his way to mention it. It was already common for him to spend time cloistered with his guests, no matter who they were; in that way, Lan Xichen’s visits were no different from the rest, except in that Nie Mingjue enjoyed them far more.

It was not until months later that his camp discovered that their leader was courting, and naturally they discovered it in the most awkward manner possible: news coming of an imminent surprise attack at dawn that required Nie Zonghui to rush over to alert his sect leader without warning and thus finding him curled up in his lover’s arms.

“Can I help?” Lan Xichen asked as Nie Mingjue prepared himself for war, glaring at Nie Zonghui’s wide grin – the man has a fondness for gossip, and there would be no stopping him. “With the battle?”

“You may do whatever you wish,” Nie Mingjue said, leaning down to steal a kiss. “I trust you completely in all things, and not least of all your excellent cultivation. The attack is two-pronged – would you go the western front, while I take the east? We can meet in the middle. Take as many of my Nie cultivators as you think you might need.”

“No need,” Lan Xichen said. “There are a number of Lan cultivators in your camp, and the western side of the camp is guarded by a mountain ridge – we can ambush them there with musical cultivation and drive them running straight into the camp without their swords.”

Nie Mingjue nodded. “Nie Zonghui, you take command of the camp and half our cultivators,” he instructed. “When the Wen sect comes running towards you in their confusion, cut them off.”

Nie Zonghui saluted, humor gone from his face – postponed, not forgotten – and the three of them left.

Nie Mingjue hoped only to repulse the attack, but it ended as a complete rout, total victory, through factors neither side could predict: it turned out that the western ridge was housing one of the dragons that sometimes passed through the cultivation world, a celestial dragon in blue and white, and it took offense to the Wen attack, demolishing their ranks with fang and claw and song-magic that deafened the ear.

(Nie Mingjue wondered briefly if it was the same celestial dragon that had cursed him all those years ago.)

In the end, there was very little more than clean-up left over, with Lan Xichen leading his Lan cultivators to drive the remaining Wen sect cultivators into the waiting arms of Nie Zonghui’s forces, and most of them surrendered at once rather than risk being sent back to face the dragon’s wrath. With that battle concluded and the western front secured, Nie Zonghui and Lan Xichen were able to rush to Nie Mingjue’s side, providing timely reinforcement, and the eastern front was won as well.

Lan Xichen was totally uninjured and barely even winded, but Nie Mingjue kissed him out of joy in seeing him well nonetheless, heedless of the blood and muck on him, and after that, of course, everyone knew.

“Go talk to Nie Huaisang,” Nie Mingjue told Lan Xichen after that, ignoring the way he raised his eyebrows. “There are things you need to know, things I’ve been dragging my feet about telling you…I’ve tried time and time again to say, and each time the words stick in my throat. But he knows. He knows, and he’ll be able to tell you.”

“I will go,” Lan Xichen said, although he looked a little puzzled. “Whatever it is, though, we’ll face it together.”

“We will,” Nie Mingjue agreed. “Now go, let my brother pester you about wedding plans. He has ideas.”

Laughing, Lan Xichen left, and Nie Mingjue turned back to the business of war: planning out battles, considering strategy, securing their supply lines, communicating with allies and spies alike.

The next missive he received from Meng Yao told him to go to Yangquan.

Meng Yao’s information had been excellent up to that point, and Nie Mingjue had no reason to doubt him. The maps he sent, along with information about the enemies’ movements, had helped Nie Mingjue win battles and minimize casualties, and he thought to himself that he would be forever indebted to his former deputy for the sacrifice he had made in going to obtain it, for surely Wen Ruohan would not be a kind master.

And yet, when he went to Yangquan with only a small party – any more, Meng Yao had warned, and he might be noticed, when the goal here was to strike quickly and retreat quicker – he found himself unexpectedly outnumbered, surrounded and overpowered: Wen Ruohan himself had come to inspect the site, and he had brought his strongest guards with him.

Nie Mingjue was taken prisoner.

Tied in chains and dragged to the Nightless City behind Wen Ruohan’s carriage, choking on dust and beaten like a dog by any Wen cultivator who passed by, Nie Mingjue’s only thought was that he would die before he went mad, and he found some small measure of relief in that.

He regretted it, of course – he regretted not marrying Lan Xichen, not insisting, though he knew war was no time for it; he regretted not having seen his brother more, though he knew the battlefield was no place for him. He regretted that his death was likely to be gruesome and painful, given Wen Ruohan’s usual proclivities, and that his loved ones would know that.

But at least, he comforted himself, he hadn’t gone insane, turning against all he held dear. That fate he had spent his whole life fearing, it seemed, would not be his.

With that thought in mind, he was able to go with some sense of peace to the throne room of the Nightless City, but when he got there everything seemed – not as he had expected.

Wen Ruohan was standing, for one thing, and he seemed almost nervous, looking Nie Mingjue over to confirm that he was still alive, muttering to himself that there weren’t too many marks, that he was still mostly intact, that he shouldn’t be too angry –

“He?” Nie Mingjue asked, entirely at a loss. He was chained and bound, on his knees in front of his enemy, the man who had killed his father and whose son he had killed in turn; the situation ought to be clear and yet he was more confused than ever. “Who are you talking about?”

“Me, I expect,” Meng Yao said, walking through the door arrogantly, as if the Fire Palace belonged to him instead of Wen Ruohan. “Ah, da-ge, as usual I seem to have underestimated you.”

Nie Mingjue blinked at him, surprised – Meng Yao had never used such an intimate term of address for him, though he would have permitted it if the other man had ever shown any interest.

Meng Yao saw his expression and laughed.

“Or perhaps not,” he said, and the smile on his face was pleasant as always, and yet there was cruelty in it. “So er-ge hasn’t told you yet, has he? No, of course, he wouldn’t; he’d think he was being noble, protecting you from your own past.”

“I don’t understand,” Nie Mingjue said, his eyes darting to Wen Ruohan – but that proud man was on his knees, willingly showing reverence, and to Meng Yao of all people. “Meng Yao –”

“Jin Guangyao, actually,” Meng Yao said. “‘Meng’ was my miserable mother’s surname, for all the good it did her…I did tell you that my bloodline was the Jin.”

“You were acknowledged? Jin Guangshan –”

Meng Yao laughed. “Oh, da-ge, da-ge, still so confused! You never did understand anything. I really don’t understand why er-ge was so desperate to bring you back – he slept for over a decade after putting your soul into your mother’s belly, did you know that? A decade! We may be ancient, but time is still precious, and he wasted so much of it on you...oh, you stupid fool. You still don’t understand, do you?”

Nie Mingjue didn’t understand anything.

“Perhaps a visual demonstration would be best,” Meng Yao – Jin Guangyao, apparently – said, and the air around him shimmered as if he were a mirage induced by heatstroke.

A moment later, there was no Meng Yao, no Jin Guangyao, no human standing there, but instead the massive coils of a yellow-bellied flood dragon draped themselves around the throne of the Wen sect.

Nie Mingjue stared up at him.

“Now do you see?” Jin Guangyao hissed at him, eyes glittering. “Do you know now, what you have cost me?”

“How – you’re…you’re a dragon!”

“And not just me,” Jin Guangyao said. “Your beloved Lan Xichen is, too: my beloved er-ge, my sworn brother, and yours, too. It was the three of us together – we were all brothers once, long ago, before you died…I never understood. Why does er-ge love you so much that he would hurt himself to retrieve your soul and give you new life? Enough to lower himself into the filth of humanity, to forget his former self, to learn to love you from the beginning as if you were a brand-new person – why? What’s so interesting about you? You’re the most boring person I’ve ever met. A righteous prig, and a fool.”

“You – Lan Xichen –” Nie Mingjue stuttered, still staring, disbelieving. “My parents – the curse –”

Jin Guangyao laughed.

“I always planned to tell you before the end, you know, da-ge. I wanted you to know,” he said conversationally. “I wanted you to know it was your fault that your parents died. Lan Xichen, my er-ge…he kept your soul after it should have passed into the wheel of reincarnation, and when your human parents came to beg for a child, he gave you the body he thought you deserved, taking years off his own life to do it – and when he had slept, that was when I came in, gifting you with my poison, the only thing you ever deserved to get from me. I infused it in your mother and father both just to make sure it got to you; if it wasn’t for you, they might have lived long and happy lives. And they thanked me for it!”

Nie Mingjue felt numb. “You killed them to get to me? I wasn’t – I hadn’t even been born!”

“Your soul is still your soul, da-ge, no matter the quirks of personality you developed through your upbringing,” Jin Guangyao said dismissively. “If you weren’t, er-ge wouldn’t have fallen in love with you all over again, would he?”

Lan Xichen was the celestial dragon, Nie Mingjue thought, just as Jin Guangyao, who he had once thought was called Meng Yao, was the flood dragon. Except his parents had been deceived: there was no price for him to pay for his birth, for his strength and cultivation talent, for Lan Xichen had willingly shouldered that debt. Instead, the poison Jin Guangyao had claimed would help them minimize the cost, making him suffer only one year in eight, was actually the source of all his ills – without it, he might have not had to suffer at all.

“Your parents must have made your childhood a misery, training you up to be tough enough to live through your first tribulation,” Jin Guangyao said dreamily. “And then you must have lived the rest of your life in fear, fear and distance, allowing no one to be close to you – I knew you’d hate the idea of turning on everyone you loved most of all. You even tried to turn Xichen down! You’ll never know how much I laughed when he told me about it: he thought you meant that you expected your mortal life to be short, you know, or perhaps that it was an early death due to war that you feared.”

Anger came easily to Nie Mingjue, an old companion.

“Well, if your goal was to separate me from Xichen, you failed,” he said. “He’s agreed to marry me.”

Jin Guangyao’s smile turned into a scowl at once, and his tail lashed out, smashing the pillars and walls of the Fire Palace – no wonder Wen Ruohan was on his knees, shaking in terror; there was no way a human could fight a dragon of such strength.

“How dare you?” he hissed. “How dare you even think of tainting him once again?”

“How dare you?” Nie Mingjue shouted back, ignoring the look of panic on Wen Ruohan’s face. He had already accepted that his death would come to him here, today, a slow and gruesome demise before he’d ever reached thirty; Jin Guangyao could do nothing to him than he had not already anticipated happening at Wen Ruohan’s hands. “You claim to love Xichen, and yet by your own words you went behind his back to sabotage what he tried so hard to do! For all your talk about the filth of the human world, you’re the one who crawled through the muck, all lies and deceit, writhing in it like the pathetic worm that you are –”

Jin Guangyao smashed walls in his rage, and yet he calmed too quickly: that pleasant smile re-emerged on his face, and he reached out to catch Nie Mingjue’s head with his claws, the long, scaly claws sliding through his hair, closing around him to rest the tips on his face, pricking his flesh.

“Always so judgmental, da-ge,” he said. “Always so quick to look down on me for not living up to your expectations. Perhaps that’s the heart of you, the part of you that you keep in every life – you were just the same when you were the great azure dragon, the mightiest of us all even if er-ge was of nobler birth. And yet, even in that past life, your strength, your might, none of that helped you, did it?”

He brought his face close to Nie Mingjue’s, the dragon’s head the size of half his body, the longest of his fangs extending the length of his hand, from fingertip to the base of the palm, his long and serpentine tongue extending to lick at his cheek and lips in vile mockery of the kiss of brotherhood.

“Let me tell you a secret, da-ge,” he whispered into his ears, the latent poison on his breath making Nie Mingjue struggle to breathe even though Jin Guangyao wasn’t yet actively trying to hurt him. “In your last life? It was me who killed you then, too. I poured my poison into the song you got from er-ge, the one you so treasured. The more you played it, the more it would hurt you; the greater your love for him was, the quicker your death would come…you died within the year, da-ge, screaming in agony, blind and deaf, your powerful body rotting away beneath you, and you never knew why.”

“You’re disgusting,” Nie Mingjue said, and Jin Guangyao forced his head back, his sharp claws digging in enough to cause small rivulets of blood to start dripping down his face. “Are you jealous? Is that it? That he sees you as his brother and nothing more, even once I was dead? Or was it some other petty dispute that made you feel the need to smile to my face while stabbing me in the back, to persecute me not only in one lifetime, but the next?”

“Perhaps it’s only that I enjoy watching you suffer,” Jin Guangyao said, and his smile was as chillingly pleasant as it had been the entire time Nie Mingjue had known him, the same calm collected smile Meng Yao used to deal with everything. The same smile he’d given Nie Mingjue’s parents as he poisoned them, no doubt. “Did you think that you had escaped the fate I planned for you by coming here? It’s my poison that causes your agony, da-ge, your agony and your insanity, and I carry it with me everywhere – I’ll pour my poison into your belly until you lose your mind and turn into a mindless beast just like you’ve always feared.”

His smile widened.

“And then poor Meng Yao, who doesn’t know better, will rescue you and take you home. Home to your brother who will run to greet you, to your sect that will not want to fight back against you, to your lover who will have no choice but to put you down for your own good…I wonder how many of them you’ll take with you before er-ge has to eradicate you with his own hands? For good, this time.”

“Don’t pretend to care,” Nie Mingjue said, even as his heart froze in fear within his chest. His arms were chained to his side, the pressure of the massive claw around the back of his head irresistibly keeping him kneeling, keeping him from moving. “You miserable, pathetic little – son of a whore!”

It wasn’t one of the insults he generally favored, but for some reason it rose to his tongue now, and it seemed to strike true for Jin Guangyao in a way he wouldn’t have expected it to: he reared back his head a little, glaring down at him, but it was only another moment or two before his eyes narrowed and the pleasant smile returned.

“Good-bye, da-ge,” Jin Guangyao said. “Perhaps you’ll have better luck in your next life.”

And then he pressed his heavy head to Nie Mingjue’s, that long serpentine tongue forcing its way into Nie Mingjue’s mouth and down his throat, choking him on it, choking him on the fumes and acid that came with it, poisonous and searing the back of his throat, and then there was that familiar pain that he remembered from his eighth birthday, his sixteenth, his twenty fourth – the eight-year pain that he had feared ever since he knew what it meant, what it foretold.

Pointless pain. The grudge of another lifetime, carried over into this one, and for what?

For nothing.

#mdzs #nie mingjue #lan xichen #nielan #jin guangyao #my fic #my fics #toxicity

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perseabethj · 3 years ago

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i don't really have an explanation (iv.)

Percy didn’t let go of Annabeth’s hands once they entered in the apartment. It’s not that he thought she couldn’t defend herself if need be, but he didn’t fully trust his classmates -at least, not drunk. He hadn’t wanted to come to the party, but his friends had convinced him that, as part of the swim team, he couldn’t escape socializing forever. He was happy enough with his small circle of friends, but they had let him know that, while they were also happy being just the four of them, they wouldn’t mind surrounding themselves with the popular crowd every once in a while. Percy had felt a little bit guilty because of denying them that, and Annabeth had told him that going out once wouldn’t hurt. He had decided to trust her (he’d been doing that for years and that was the only reason as to why he was still alive), and thus had told Chris Parker, his team’s captain, that he would maybe show up at his party that weekend. It was Halloween, after all, and he felt a little bit silly staying at home during his senior year of high school. He knew high school parties could get a little bit wild, but the moment the door opened and music filled his ears, he was starting to regret his decision.

‘’I know that this is my first party and all that, but are guys supposed to walk around shirtless? Are they even pretending to wear a costume?’’ Annabeth asked to no one in particular, raising her eyebrows.

‘’We’re talking about the sport jocks,’’ Kayla reminded her with a pointed look, pulling at her cheerleader uniform; she'd never be caught dead with one of this seriously, but her sister had been a cheerleader years ago and Kayla wasn't about to spend forty dollars on a costume she would never wear again.

‘’Hey!’’ Percy exclaimed. These were his teammates, after all (he could also recognise some of the guys from the soccer team and some cheerleaders arounds, and he was pretty sure there were also some marching band kids, but he wasn’t about to point that out, since that would only support Kayla’s point).

‘’Don’t act all offended,’’ Annabeth told him, ‘’you spend half of your time at camp shirtless as well.’’

‘’I spend half of my time at camp at the beach, and the rest of my time I’m sweating my ass off because of you or Clarisse, so be thankful I’m wearing my shirt that half of the time and I don’t go to the dining pavilion naked.’’

‘’While most of Cabin 10 wouldn’t probably mind, Mr. D would turn you into a dolphin the moment he saw your naked butt.’’

‘’That he would,’’ Percy answered, laughing as he let go of her hand to wrap his arm around her shoulder. He leaned into her ear playfully and said, ‘’don’t tell anyone, but I miss the guy.’’

His friends looked at them as if they were crazy, but knew better than to question them.

‘’I need something to drink,’’ Matthew told the group. ‘’Do you want anything?’’

Percy and Annabeth shook their heads, choosing to wait before drinking anything at all (Percy also didn’t want to explain to his friends why he didn’t drink alcohol, and Annabeth knew that). Louis said something that sounded foreign to Percy -seriously, a vodka with a twist on the rocks? Couldn’t he simply say vodka? And did he really have to order it with a twist? He’d never understand rich kids-, and Matthew gave him a thumbs up, which was the only thing he could do with the foam cheer gloves he was wearing along with his baseball player costume.

‘’I’ll come with you,’’ Kayla said, looping her arm around his and dragging him across the hall.

Percy looked around the party, trying to decide what to do. He didn’t have to look at Annabeth to know she was doing the same thing, and he also knew she felt more uncomfortable than he did, since she knew nobody but him and his friends.

‘’I just wanted to let you know you made me lose a bet,’’ Louis suddenly said.

They looked questioningly at him and he pointed at them and their clothes.

‘’I had bet that you wouldn’t wear matching costumes,’’ he said. ‘’I didn’t take you for the kind of couple who does, even if you are all lovey-dovey. You both seem too mature for that.’’

‘’We didn’t plan it,’’ Annabeth told him. ‘’I mean, we both knew we’d be wearing this, but we didn’t really plan it. Percy didn’t know if he wanted to come until the last minute and we had no costumes at home, and we both suck at any kind of DIY. We had this at home from before.’’

‘’From before?’’ Louis asked, an eyebrow raised.

‘’We organised a Greek party at camp once,’’ Percy quickly said. ‘’We kept the clothes in case, and they have thankfully come in handy. An actual toga looks more dignified than a sheet, which was what my mum thought we’d be wearing when we told her about this.’’

‘’You have knifes from before?’’

Annabeth laughed and looked at the knife strapped to her arm. She had used the Mist to make sure her dagger stayed like one and Percy had complained that he couldn’t do that. She had then reminded him that walking around with a three-feet-long bronze sword wouldn’t be the wisest thing to do, considering that, if he were to hit somebody accidentally with it, everyone would know it wasn’t plastic when it simply moved through them, which was why he was weaponless.

‘’Who says it’s not a real knife?’’ Annabeth asked enigmatically.

Before Louis could say anything else, Annabeth pulled Percy forward with her and moved towards the dance floor. She could see Louis’s confused face as he walked to the kitchen to find the rest of the group and laughed lightly before wrapping her arms around Percy’s neck.

‘’You shouldn’t do that,’’ Percy told her, but he was definitely holding back a smile. ‘’His head is going to explode one day if you keep making those kinds of comments.’’

‘’It’s not my fault mortals are so easy to fool.’’

He finally smiled widely and brought her closer, his hands on her waist. Annabeth breathed a sigh of relief -between exams, monsters and the typical anxiousness that all demigods carried whenever they stepped onto the street, being at a party with her boyfriend and worrying about nothing at all was a godsend. She could feel Percy’s smile against her hair, since he was laying his cheek on her head, and she could also hear his heartbeat, her ear pressed against his chest. It didn’t matter to them that the song was definitely not a slow one, and so they swayed slowly to the rhythm of a song that definitely required more moving. Percy knew people were looking at them; not everyone knew he had a girlfriend, even if he wasn’t particularly secretive about it, and they made quite a striking pair in their white togas with golden details, golden tiaras and leather sandals.

‘’I love you,’’ he whispered, and Annabeth was amazed at the way he managed to make it sound romantic even in the middle of a techno song.

‘’I know,’’ she answered softly. ‘’I love you, too.’’

When the song finally ended, they separated; it’s not as if they had actually been paying attention to the music playing, but tuning out two loud songs and managing to dance for so long was too much for two people with ADHD.

‘’Shall we go to the kitchen to get some water?’’ Annabeth asked.

Percy nodded and threw his arm around her shoulder again, her arm automatically moving to wrap around his waist. It had made her uncomfortable at the beginning of the relationship how Percy always wanted to be touching her, since she didn’t fully understand why. She had always been the one to hold his hand when she was scared, and it had taken her a while to realise it was because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable and he never truly believed that she could like him back. Now that Percy knew she loved him just as much as he loved her, his body always found a way to make sure he was touching her; even during the hot summer nights they spent together after the Giant War, he had always managed to wrap his leg around hers or to lay his hand on top of her hip while he slept.

They were greeted by his tipsy friends when they reached the kitchen, who thankfully didn’t question it when Annabeth simply grabbed a bottle of water and Percy a can of coke. Percy was happy with his life at the moment; things might not have been perfect, but they were better than they had been in a long time. His friends liked his girlfriend, nobody was trying to kill him on the regular (he didn’t even care about random monsters anymore; no god or Titan going specifically after him? Are you kidding? A dream ), he was about to have a baby sister, and he hadn’t exploded his school yet. Looking around the group of people surrounding him, he felt a sense of normalcy that he had longed for for a while. Matthew was talking about a different girl he had fallen in love with - ‘’I’m telling you, man, she is the one’’ -, and Kayla was mocking him while Louis laughed quietly and Annabeth laughed with him. He pressed a kiss at the top of Annabeth’s head and brought her even closer, relishing the situation. Of course, good things never lasted forever.

‘’Hey, blondie!’’ John Robinson’s voice called. He tried to grab her arm, but Percy pushed her closer when he felt her slipping away. She didn’t move away from him, but did turn to face John with a steely look in her eyes.

She said nothing, simply arching an eyebrow and defying him to say anything else. Had he been sober, he would have probably walked away -at least, Percy hoped so, since the guy was an asshole, but not stupid-, but he was, very clearly, drunk.

‘’Mind your mouth, Robinson,’’ Percy threateningly said. He saw his friends straightening up from the periphery of his eye, aware that this could lead to something ugly.

‘’You know, blondie, you scared me pretty badly the other day at the meet,’’ he said, slurring his words, ‘’but it was so hot that I jerked off to it when I got home.’’

‘’That’s enough,’’ Percy exclaimed, moving forward and raising his fist before being pulled back by Annabeth.

‘’Stop it!’’ she yelled. She turned to look at him and put one hand on his chest, the other holding his hand and forcing him to look at her before she whispered, ‘’I can do this myself. Besides, you don’t want to be taken off the team.’’

She turned again to look at the laughing John, who was now making fun of Percy. They had attracted a crowd and people were anxiously whispering, both excited and afraid of a fight breaking out.

‘’Man, she must be really good in the bedroom for you to be so submissive.’’

‘’If you don’t shut up, you’ll be breathing through your mouth for the next six weeks,’’ she calmly said.

‘’Oh, come on, blondie, are you being tough because you know it turns me on?’’

He raised his hand to touch her hair, but Annabeth used her left hand to push his arm away and, then, raised her right fist and punched him in the nose. He fell backwards, holding his nose and screaming in pain. His voice was the only one in the kitchen; everyone had gone silent the moment he tried to touch her, expectant of what was about to happen.

‘’You bitch!’’

‘’Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, you big baby,’’ she said, not even holding her hand or caring about her knuckles. She bent down and smiled happily, patting his foot. ’’Be thankful I didn’t dislocate your shoulder, because that’s my speciality. You can ask Percy. It turns him on when I’m tough, too, but, unlike you, he actually gets to do something about it.’’

She stood up and searched for Percy’s hand blindly, who had already extended it to take hers before she was even up. There was still an angry look in his eyes, but there was a troublemaker smile that she adored adorning his face.

‘’Do you want to stay for another song, or should we go home?’’ She asked, ignoring the glances everyone was sending them.

‘’Home,’’ Percy said, smiling. ‘’Definitely home.’’

They started moving towards the door, people moving to let them pass. Just before they were out of the kitchen, Annabeth turned around and smiled sweetly at his friends.

‘’Are you coming?’’

Silently, they followed them, making a mental note not to bother Annabeth or Percy if they didn’t want to end up with a broken nose. Once they were out on the street, Annabeth broke out laughing, and Percy followed. Matthew, Kayla and Louis couldn’t help but laugh as well, and they knew they looked like a group of drunk teenagers, but they didn’t really care.

‘’That was even better than when you judo flipped me,’’ Percy said once he calmed down, using his finger to dry the tears off his face.

Annabeth laughed and elbowed him on the side before pressing her face against his chest. His arm was once again around her shoulders, and they looked just as happy as they had when they had first arrived at the party.

‘’What an uneventful night, though,’’ Annabeth said quite seriously, but with a soft smile on her face.

Percy hummed and nodded, and his friends couldn’t help but wonder what was an eventful night for them. They knew, however, not to ask anymore.

#percabeth fanfiction #percy jackson #percy #percabeth #annabeth chase #annabeth #i don't really have an explanation #my writing

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mayquita · 4 years ago

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Damn You For Making Me Love You (9/15) - Wonderwall

Thank you so so much, for your likes, reblogs, kudos and comments. It means the world to me.

Beta-Reader: Thank you so much, @ultraluckycatnd I couldn’t have asked for a better beta. Thank you for all your effort, your suggestions, your advice and for always being there when I needed you.

Special mention to @saraswans and @onceuponaprincessworld, thank you so much for your perpetual support and for believing in me and in the story. Thank you again to the moderators of the event, @captainswanbigbang for giving us this opportunity and making this possible. You all are the best :)

Summary: Emma Swan and Killian Jones are close friends and co-workers. And both are in love with each other. The problem? They keep their feelings secret not only to the other but also to the rest of their friends. When Elsa, Emma’s best friend and Liam, Killian’s brother and Emma’s boss find out, they decide to form an alliance and work as a team with a clear goal, to get Emma and Killian to take the next step in their relationship and confess their love for each other.

Rating: M

Word count: ~ 6200 (98k total in 15 chapters)

Ao3 / FFnet

About this chapter: New flashback with a new song included. This chapter also includes one of my favorite scenes so far. And… movie night may not go as expected…

Chapter 8: Wonderwall

Emma - Two years ago

It was strange for Emma to be reluctant to go to work, at least since she had begun her journey at The Kraken. There was a reasonable explanation for this occasion, though. She was upset with Killian.

She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was aware that it had been a stupid fight. One minute they were bickering about nonsense, as was their usual practice, and the next minute the quarrel had become heated, voices raised more than necessary, to the point that Emma had lost her patience. After showing her middle finger and muttering a fuck you, she had left the bar without even waiting to finish her shift.

Now less than twenty-four hours later, Emma still felt some anger running through her veins. Instead of a burning sensation, however, it was more like a warm flood with a persistent presence, which seemed to weaken as the hours progressed, but hadn’t disappeared altogether.

She certainly didn't enjoy being mad at Killian, since that only added more fuel to the fire swirling inside her. It was as if she couldn't help teasing him on a daily basis. But at the same time, she was afraid to push too hard, risking him getting tired of her or, worse, realize that she wasn't worth the effort. It wouldn't be the first time, would it? After all, they were just friends and coworkers.

The fact that neither Killian nor his brother had tried to contact her after the fight did not help calm her inner turmoil and even made her less inclined to go to the bar and face them.

But Emma wasn't a coward. She had dealt with worse. What was the worst that could happen? Being fired? Nah, she was too valuable for The Kraken. Losing Liam's trust? That would hurt, but after all, Liam hadn't even witnessed the argument, since he had appeared from the back room just as she left. Losing Killian's friendship? A shiver ran down her spine at that possibility. No, it was only a small quarrel that had gotten out of hand. She was going to enter the damn bar, find Killian, and they were both going to have a civilized conversation like the two adults they were, right?

Those were the thoughts that ran through her head when she finally gained enough courage to open the door and enter the premises. Any coherent thought vanished from her mind, though, when her eyes fell on Killian, who was — how could it be otherwise— in the middle of the stage, guitar in hand.

Whatever he was singing, he stopped at the moment their eyes met. Emma held her breath as her heart pounded hard against her ribcage. The moment her gaze drifted to his lips meeting a warm smile, she let out a sigh of relief.

When he began singing after giving her one last intense look with the ability to shake her inside, she realized that her fears had proved unfounded, that today wasn't going to be the day Killian got tired of her. She hoped that day would never come.

Today is gonna be the day That they're gonna throw it back to you By now you should've somehow Realized what you gotta do I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do, about you now

The remnants of her anger melted away as the lyrics of the song penetrated her system and traveled straight to her heart, adding another new crack to the almost impenetrable shell that protected it.

She remained there in the middle of the room, unable to take her eyes off him, while her lips moved on their own, a soft humming sliding between them while the two of them advanced in unison through the melody. A strong sense of deja-vu seized her, transporting her to that time two years ago, when they first met in a similar situation.

There are many things that I Would like to say to you but I don't know how Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me And after all, you're my wonderwall

My Wonderwall… She tried not to read much in the meaning of the lyrics, and convinced herself that the choice of the theme hadn't been planned, that he simply enjoyed Oasis and Wonderwall was one of his favorite songs. Still, that didn't stop a small spark of hope from lighting her heart. It was a dangerous feeling, she was aware of it, since that spark could either become a fire or weaken until she was surrounded by darkness again.

The last strums from the guitar brought her back to reality. She shook those thoughts away, remembering at that moment the possible reason for his improvised performance.

"So, is this your way of asking me to make up?" Emma asked, trying to use a carefree tone.

"Is it working?" Somehow he managed to get his features to show an apologetic expression while keeping a playful gleam in his eyes as his lips drew an adorable pout, getting her heart to melt a little more in the process. He was too charming for his own good.

"Uhm. I'm not sure yet."

"Come on, Swan. It was just a tiny disagreement that maybe got a little out of hand, but..." He paused as he scratched behind his ear, his eyes cast down to the floor for a moment. "I don't like you being mad at me," he admitted, looking back at her.

She held his gaze, losing herself in the depth of the ocean in his eyes. Only when she realized that her lips remained sealed, she blinked, breaking the spell. "I don't like you being mad at me either." She shrugged, her lips curving in a half-smile.

"Well, I suppose that means you have already made peace. Can we go back to work now?" Liam's unexpected voice caused a startle in her. Emma's eyes followed the direction of the sound until she found her boss walking from the back room. She bit her lower lip feeling a little embarrassed since she hadn't even noticed Liam's presence — or rather his absence — until that moment. She cast a sidelong glance at Killian who responded by winking at her before leaving the stage.

Just as Emma turned in the direction of the bar, she felt Killian's presence right behind her. "By the way, I guess we have already found our make-up song, haven't we?" His warm breath caressed her ear for a moment before walking away without looking back.

The bastard was right. That might be the first time he used Wonderwall as a sort of apology, but it certainly wouldn't be the last. The song had found its place in their particular soundtrack, no doubt.

Emma - December 2019

The night had become torture but not the kind Emma was waiting for, much to her dismay. The new plan developed by Liam and Elsa seemed promising at first — It was a perfect excuse to spend time with Killian. Not that she needed any reason for it, honestly, but it was turning out to be a disaster, at least for her.

They had gathered in the Jones' apartment, Anna and Kristoff joining them to enjoy what they called a Movie Night. The night had started well, they all settled into the living room while they watched a movie. Killian at her side, his arm around Emma's shoulders, her hand on his thigh, close to his knee. The dim lighting, the good company, and the warm atmosphere made her feel comfortable. She didn't need anything else. Well, that wasn't true, but she couldn't ask for more given her situation.

Things had begun to change for the worse when, after finishing the movie they were watching, they decided to continue the Movie Night by starting a new activity, playing a game of charades to guess movies through mimicry.

Emma had never been a fan of this kind of game, first because she had grown up in an environment where family games were not usual for obvious reasons. In addition, she had always considered herself quite competitive, taking things very seriously even if she was playing with friends.

Still, she had made an effort at first. Emma couldn't deny that she felt a little over the edge lately. She wasn't sure of the reasons, but she suspected that perhaps the escalation of feelings swirling inside her had something to do with her frequent mood swings.

Since the week before, she had spent more time being angry than in a good mood. She didn't want to become a killjoy once again, so she had decided to give the game a chance.

At least Killian and Emma had ended up on the same team. That was a positive point, right? They formed a good team and since the game was inevitable, her competitive side wasn't going to accept anything less than victory. Kristoff was the third member of their team. Opposite them, Elsa, Liam, and Anna were the members of the rival team. Emma suspected that the distribution had been somehow rigged by Elsa and Liam, but she didn't really care as long as Killian was on her side.

Her good intentions lasted only a few minutes, though. The moment they started playing, she remembered the reason she had been reluctant at first. She hated this damn game. Liam and Elsa were really connected. Anna and Kristoff helped each other despite belonging to rival teams. On the contrary, there was no understanding between Emma and Killian.

"What's wrong with you? Can't you see my hands? It's a fucking shark!"

"What? Do you mean your joined hands as if you were praying? I have a vivid imagination, love... but that... that wasn't a bloody shark."

"Guys... it's just a game." Elsa, showing off her usual composure, addressed them in a calm voice. After taking a last sidelong glance at Killian, Emma pressed her lips together and let it pass, dropping onto the couch and keeping silent. The peace did not last long, though.

It was extremely frustrating. No matter what she tried, Killian almost never managed to figure out any of her movies. When it was Killian's turn to do the charades, Kristoff guessed the movie even before Emma had figured out what Killian was trying to express.

"Let yourself go, Swan. It's like you are restrained and don't let your body language express itself freely."

Emma's frustration was transforming into growing annoyance towards him to the point that she had to suppress the urge to punch him in the face. "Oh, of course, I'm the problem in all this, right?" she snapped, noticing how the anger began to run through her veins without her being able to do anything to stop it.

Deep down, she was aware that she was being irrational, that she was getting mad at her best friend for a stupid game. But her level of agitation in recent days was taking the reins lately by inciting her to act this way, pushing and challenging him. It was as if she was looking for a reaction from him, just itching for a fight.

"I didn't mean that, Swan."

"And what did you mean? Enlighten me, buddy," she challenged him with her arms crossed over her chest and her chin raised slightly.

"Forget it..."

Killian at this point was getting angry too. His frown and his clenched jaw gave him away, but that didn't stop her from keep insisting. "Wasn't I like an open book for you? Maybe it's you who has the problem; maybe it's you who doesn't understand me."

"Guys..." This time it was Liam being the one trying to keep the peace, but his brother raised a finger to cut him off before he advanced a couple of steps, almost invading Emma's personal space and stared at her with fire in his gaze.

"Do you think I don't understand you? I think it's rather that you're afraid to express yourself, to reveal too much. That's why this bloody game isn't working."

Killian's eyes bore into hers with such intensity that she felt as if a spell had fallen on her, making her unable to look away as a chill ran down her spine at the overwhelming sensation that Killian was not talking about the game anymore, but rather he was reading right into her very soul. Damn Bastard.

She blinked a few times to break the spell, but that didn't stop the fire in Killian's gaze from still threatening to burn her inside, so she felt the need to protect herself in some way, although she wasn't sure who was she protecting herself from — From him or from herself?

The bad thing was that the only resource she found — apart from running — was to behave like a spoiled girl. And that was precisely what she did. "Okay, since apparently I don't know how to play, you better go on without me," she mumbled, dropping into the armchair, crossing her arms over her chest.

"So you give up."

Killian's voice full of disappointment acted like an arrow piercing Emma's heart. She didn't even dare to look at him for fear of the expression she might find.

"Emma, come on. We're doing this to have fun. Who cares if we guess more or fewer movies?" Although Emma was grateful for Liam's conciliatory attempt, she was no longer in the mood.

Her boss wasn't the only one who tried to convince her to continue in the game. The two sisters also tried. Elsa crouched down to her level and addressed her in her usual calm tone as she gave her a meaningful look. Even Kristoff, who normally did not get involved in such situations, also tried to cheer her up. "We can always switch teams. What do you think about boys versus girls?"

She felt grateful, really, but all those attempts, far from helping her, were causing her mood to become bleaker as a sense of guilt settled in the pit of her stomach and old demons decided to pay her a visit in the form of a reminder that she really didn't deserve all of their attentions after her childish behavior. Still, she was tempted to reconsider and return to the game. She almost did it. But then Killian had to speak, throwing it all away.

"Don't even try. I already got tired of this game anyway."

Emma’s stomach twisted in regret. Seriously, what's wrong with me lately? Although she tried to avoid it, she couldn't resist the urge to cast a sidelong glance at Killian, who had also dropped into the armchair in front of her and wore a grim expression.

"Come on! Stop acting like kids. You two are infuriating." Liam's words did not surprise Emma, since it wasn't the first time he addressed them that way, although this time his voice showed more annoyance than on other occasions, where he normally used a rather amused tone.

Well done, Emma. You have managed to ruin the night for everyone. Her cheeks began to burn with a mixture of shame and regret, tears pricking at the back of her eyes so she had to blink a few times to keep them from falling.

"It's okay. It's a movie night, isn't it? We can continue watching a movie, right?" Emma was never as grateful to have a friend as Elsa as at that moment, always coming to her rescue without losing her composure. No doubt Elsa knew her well enough to know what she needed at all times. The lump formed in her throat prevented her from uttering any sound, so she merely gave Elsa a look of gratitude while she mouthed a silent thank you.

The desire to cry returned. There was no doubt that the spiral of mixed feelings was wreaking havoc on both her heart and her head, running wild inside and collapsing between the two until they made a mess of her, leaving her unable to keep them at bay. Still, she swallowed hard and nodded in approval as the corners of her lips moved upward in an attempt at a smile.

There were also sounds of approval from both Liam and Killian, but it seemed that Anna and Kristoff were going to take advantage of the situation to run away. After offering an apologetic expression, Anna said goodbye but not before commenting that since the night had been ruined it was better for them to go to bed soon as they would have to get up early the next day. It was a poor excuse, Emma was aware, but she didn't really blame her.

Unfortunately, the sudden absence of Anna and Kristoff did not magically cause the tension to fade. On the contrary, it made it more evident. Killian sat in front of her, his gaze wandering everywhere but her, while Liam had taken a seat on the large couch, his lips pressed together, and disappointment written all over his face. Emma also cast a sidelong glance at Elsa who, after letting out a heavy sigh, grabbed the TV remote and sat on the couch next to Liam.

"So I guess we're watching a comedy to liven up the atmosphere, right?"

During the next hour, they watched the movie in silence although the truth was that Emma was not paying attention at all. Her frustration was increasing as time passed while her mind was plagued with troubled thoughts that prevented her to concentrate on the plot of the movie. In addition, the fact that Elsa had chosen a romcom did not help to calm her inner turmoil, but rather the opposite.

Killian had also kept silent the entire time. His stormy expression had disappeared from his face, though. The few furtive glances she had dared to throw at him had allowed her to glimpse a guarded expression and dull eyes, with no trace of his usual vivacity.

A wave of fear seized Emma at the possibility of having ruined their friendship beyond repair. Still, a flame of hope warmed her heart. That flame became stronger every time she caught him throwing her a sidelong glance. The moment their eyes met, he looked away, but not before offering her the ghost of a smile. Or at least that was what she preferred to imagine in her attempt to keep that spark of hope burning.

A deep breath coming from the couch made Emma look in that direction. The ache in her heart eased a little at the sight she had in front of her eyes. Both Elsa and Liam had fallen asleep while watching the movie. But what touched her most was the position they had acquired. Liam had one of his arms around Elsa's shoulders, while she rested her head on his shoulder, her arm around his waist. Almost all her worries melted away as her lips moved on their own, drawing her first genuine smile of the night. It seemed that the night had not been a total disaster after all.

Just then, an unexpected murmur made that spark of hope grow more intense, a small wave of emotions rising in her chest. It was a barely audible hum, but Emma could identify that melody in any circumstance since that particular song had become part of the soundtrack of her—their— life. Her gaze turned to Killian once again who was humming Wonderwall, even though this time he didn't look away from the television. Emma could do nothing but use that offer of peace as the last impulse she needed to act like an adult and leave behind at least part of her fears and concerns. That's why she decided to get up and walk directly to Killian.

"I'm sorry," she muttered when she was close enough, her stomach clenched into knots in anticipation as she bit her lower lip, waiting anxiously for his reaction.

Killian did not respond immediately. He even stopped humming, keeping his eyes down, his torso tilted slightly forward, his elbows resting on his thighs as he pressed the fingers of his hands together in a thoughtful posture. Only when he finally looked up to meet her eyes was Emma able to let out the breath she had been holding.

"I'm sorry, too." A deep breath escaped between his lips as he kept his eyes fixed on Emma's. The spark of hope in her heart began to burn more intensely as she saw how Killian's eyes regained that glow she loved so much. When his lips curled into a soft smile, she couldn't help but smile back while suppressing a sigh of relief. "Come here," he offered, waving his hands toward her in a signal for her to approach. She, of course, obliged.

The moment she sat on Killian's lap and was wrapped in his protective arms, all her worries vanished. It was as if the swirl of feelings inside her had suddenly calmed down, giving way to a soft, warm breeze. Emma really hoped to be able to more effectively control her emotions to prevent this from happening again. But she would have time to worry about that later. Now all her attention was focused on the immensity of pleasant sensations that their current position meant for her.

No matter what others might think of seeing them act that way, she snuggled even more, burying her face into his chest in her desire to feel his solid, warm body pressed with hers. Killian, meanwhile, tightened his hug and placed a soft kiss on the crown of her head.

"I wonder what's going on in that head of yours lately, Swan," he muttered into her hair, not a hint of reproach in his voice, but rather a mixture of curiosity and concern. "It's as if the current chapter of your book was being written in a kind of invisible ink and, as much as I try, I can't figure you out."

A soft chuckle bubbled in the back of her throat. Continuing with the simile of the open book, Emma replied, unable to avoid a bittersweet touch in her words. "Maybe I'm going through a kind of writer's block and I just have a few blank pages in front of me that I don't know how to fill in."

Emma felt as Killian tensed slightly. Then, he touched her chin and pushed it gently, forcing her to raise her head and look him in the eye. "I'm not sure I like hearing that, love."

She shrugged before adding, "Look at it from this angle. A blank page implies an infinite world of possibilities, doesn't it? I just have to decide which way to go. And since you know how to read me so well, you could also help me decide, couldn't you?"

For some reason, Emma found this metaphorical conversation quite revealing. But far from frightening her, it only strengthened her feelings. Even so, Emma accompanied her words with a promising look through her eyelashes, trusting that somehow, Killian would capture their meaning.

"I'm here, for whatever you need, Emma." Her heart skipped a beat when her name slipped between his lips. She was so used to his endearments that whenever he addressed her by her own name, there was an instant effect on her. With his next words, the butterflies in her stomach began to flutter furiously. "But you are the only one who can decide how the next chapter of your life will develop."

I still don't know what I want to happen in the next chapter. I just know that I want you to be my co-star. In all the chapters of my life, if possible. She was so tempted to say those words out loud, to the point that they burned on the tip of her tongue. Especially when there was so much intensity —and hope— in his gaze. She was able to contain herself, though, but that didn't stop her from saving those words, because something told her that she might be able to use them in the future.

The only thing she was able to offer him at that moment was a look full of promises and a smile of gratitude, while her heart pounded hard against her chest. "What I do know is that I'm tired of fighting, so there will be no more fights in the next chapter, I promise."

"Good."

Unable to hold Killian's gaze any longer without doing something crazy like kissing him senseless, she buried her head again into his chest. Although she wasn't sure if it would help calm her emotions or otherwise shake them further.

She wasn't lying, she didn't want to spend more energy on absurd fights. She was the only one to blame, she was aware of it, but it was so hard to suppress her feelings that sometimes she acted that way as a kind of defense mechanism.

But she didn't need to behave defensively with Killian. She herself was her worst enemy; she and her fears, her indecisions, her demons from the past. It was with herself that she had to fight to tear down the barrier that prevented anyone from reaching her heart. She was willing to surrender and hand over the key to Killian, but she was aware that she still had to fight more battles until she reached that moment of surrender. At least her current position showed a step forward on that path, right?

"I can hear you thinking, Emma." Killian's soft voice brought her back to reality. Of course, he had figured that her thoughts had been rambling. It was a bit overwhelming that he knew her so well, despite their previous jokes about the open book thing and how bad they had played the stupid game. "Close your eyes and relax, love," he whispered, his voice having an instant effect on her which was increased by his next move. Killian's hand slid slowly under her shirt, his fingertips beginning to trace delicate patterns on her skin.

Emma's eyes closed instantly as she lifted her head slightly and rested it on his shoulder, her nose a few inches from his neck. The feeling of being curled up in his arms was so pleasant that she decided to get carried away by the sensations, parking all her worries at least for a while.

She felt unable to fight her body's reactions, so she simply gave up and allowed herself, for once, to express herself freely; at least with her body language. She didn't mind that the gentle brushing of his fingers on her skin caused a trail of goosebumps. She didn't mind that he noticed it either.

Emma noticed how her muscles relaxed and the tension began to leave her body, being replaced by something much more pleasurable but also more dangerous. Desire.

He was so warm and smelled so good that her whole body hummed, prompting her to do something, whatever it was, in order to prolong those sensations that surrounded her. Her heart pounded hard against her chest and a burning sensation traveled through her veins to her very core. She felt so intoxicated by his scent and her lips were so close to the skin of his neck that they began to tingle, craving to savor him. She had no choice but to act.

After letting out a soft exhale in anticipation of what was to come, she let her bold side take the reins so, after only a brief moment of hesitation, she finally —finally— pressed her lips to his skin just over his pulse point.

It was just a feather-soft touch but it had the ability to send electric shocks of pleasure up her spine. Emma also noticed how the movements of Killian's fingers on her skin slowed, while he let out a deep breath. She remained still for a few seconds while her heart threatened to get out of her ribcage. When his fingers began to move again as he tightened his embrace she let out the breath she had been holding.

Deep down, she was aware that she had started a dangerous game, but after so long suppressing her feelings, she deserved this brief moment of freedom. So, far from slowing her progress, she raised her hand to gently brush the other side of his neck, her fingers tangled in the locks of hair that grew at his nape's level, while her lips continued their tentative path over his skin.

Killian, meanwhile, did not remain inactive in this new level of intimacy. His hand began to move up on the side of her torso, pausing a few inches from the curve of her breast, causing a rush of heat to pool in her belly.

Although all the fibers of her being were screaming at her otherwise, Emma kept a certain lucidity, restraining herself in some way and keeping her kisses to just the brush of her lips on his skin, leaving an almost imperceptible wet trail over the length of his neck.

Even so, she was more lost in sensations than she thought, since she took a few seconds to realize that her actions were causing a reaction not quite subtle in Killian. The moment she noticed something hard pressing against the outside of her thigh while he let out a soft moan, she thought she might combust, her cheeks burning as her heart hammered in her chest.

Just when she was willing to take the next step and lift her head even more in search of a new target, an unexpected sound in the form of a loud snore brought her back to reality, breaking the lust spell she had fallen into and causing her to jump literally out of Killian's lap.

"Holy shit," she muttered as she put a hand to her chest, in an attempt to calm her racing heart. The realization not only of what had just happened but of the place where it had happened caused her stomach to tighten into knots, while a mixed feeling of embarrassment and regret threatened to crawl up into her throat. She forced herself to swallow hard, though, dragging that feeling away before it surfaced. She had done nothing wrong, she had simply got carried away by the situation.

Before Emma's eyes went to the couch to see if her friends were still sleeping, she cast a sidelong glance at Killian, catching how he discreetly adjusted his pants. To her great delight, he seemed a bit flustered, his cheeks and the tips of his ears colored a soft pink, his lips parted slightly. When he shook his head as if trying to get out of his trance, she couldn't help a wave of pride washing over her as her lips moved on their own, drawing a satisfied smile.

At least Elsa and Liam were still asleep, she (they) could treasure the brief intimate moment as something unique and, in some way, secret, despite the circumstances. Even so, all the desire that had been boiling under her skin had cooled, giving way to a lingering warm sensation. After casting one last look at Killian, who seemed to slowly return from his awed state, she grabbed her phone and took a couple of photos of the two sleeping lovebirds.

They would have to talk at some point. Emma suspected that what had just happened marked a point of no return in their relationship. From there they could only move forward, although she was still unsure as to what would be the right path to follow, especially since her fears had not yet completely abandoned her; she had simply changed her perspective.

In addition, a strange feeling of deja vu had settled in the pit of her stomach. She had already experienced that feeling on other occasions, precisely at the times when she had shared some intimate moment with Killian. It was as if her brain was trying to remember something, but that memory was so buried in the depths of her mind that she was unable to reach it.

Emma shook those thoughts away, she would have time to worry later. Still, she wanted to make sure everything was still alright between them. Although it was obvious that she wasn't going to return to her previous position, she felt the need to stay close to him so she did not hesitate to sit on the floor, just in front of his armchair while her eyes sought his gaze.

"When do you think your brother will decide to ask Elsa out?" she asked in a tone that she hoped was carefree enough.

Before answering, he cleared his throat and shook his head once more, before addressing her. "I'm not sure, love, especially considering that, according to your theory, they would already be dating in secret." Although he was smiling as if nothing had happened, Emma could detect that he was still affected, at least by the fact that there was a slight inflection in his voice and his pupils were still dilated.

After a considerable effort, she managed to take her eyes off him, forcing herself to turn her gaze back to the two lovebirds. "Do you think we should wake them up? They're so adorable curled up there..."

"Aye. I think it's better if we wake them up. Liam doesn't take very well to falling asleep on the couch. He usually wakes up even more grumpy than usual."

"Seriously? Now I want to see how he reacts when he realizes his current situation." Emma got up, but not before offering him a wide smirk. Killian responded with a quiet chuckle, causing her stomach to flutter. Gods! She was hopeless regarding the effect that man had on her.

Emma needed three attempts to wake Liam and Elsa as they were sound asleep. When they finally opened their eyes, they looked at her first with the same confused expression on their faces and then looked at each other. By the time they realized that they had fallen asleep hugging each other they jumped and tried to untangle their limbs. Emma pressed her lips together to suppress the laughter that bubbled in her throat caused not only by seeing their reaction, but by remembering that she had reacted exactly the same a few minutes earlier.

Elsa seemed quite disoriented and sleepy and Emma almost felt sorry for her, but Liam, always the gentleman, immediately focused on her to make sure she was alright.

"It's quite late, lass. You're staying for the night, aren't you? There's always a bedroom available for both of you." Liam offered, a hint of hope evident in his voice. Emma didn't miss that, although he had addressed the two of them, Liam's eyes had never turned away from Elsa.

"I don't know, I have to get up early tomorrow." Elsa's cheeks blushed as she looked away in Emma's direction as if she were seeking her approval. Emma nodded silently as she gave her a smile of encouragement. "I can't keep my eyes open, though. That movie was definitely not my best choice."

Emma and Killian exchanged a knowing glance while Emma arched an eyebrow in what she expected was an expression full of intention. Killian seemed to catch the hint and decided to take part in the conversation, but not before giving Emma a mischievous grin and winking at her, an act that had absolutely no effect on her.

"I'm sure there are sleeping clothes for you in the closet, love. One of the advantages of Emma falling asleep here most of the time."

He was right. Emma no longer needed to bring pajamas when she came to the apartment for one of their Netflix sessions. She had learned the lesson the day she fell asleep for the first time there.

"Let me accompany you then, Elsa." As he spoke, Liam stood up and held out his hand to her, which Elsa accepted, the corners of her lips raised slightly drawing a timid smile.

"Are you coming, Emma?"

"Nah." Emma waved her hand in front of her as she grabbed the TV remote and then settled on the couch. "Now that the couch and the remote are finally free, I think it's my turn to choose. What do you say, Jones, are you up for one last movie?"

"Does that mean you've already made up? How long have we been sleeping, lass?" Liam's exaggerated tone of surprise caused everyone to burst out laughing.

Emma still couldn't believe that the night had ended so well after that disastrous start. She could even notice it in the environment. The previous tension had given way to something less thick; a light, almost magical sensation, the air full of promises and possibilities flowing around the four friends.

For the first time in four years, Emma felt that perhaps it was time to confess her feelings and jump into the void. She was more certain than ever that Killian's arms would not only hold her but he would never let her fall. Now she only needed the determination that would allow her to take that decisive final step.

Wonderwall by Oasis

youtube

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think :)

We finally got a kiss, didn't we? Ok, it might not be the kiss that everyone was waiting for, but this story has been tagged as a slow burn for a reason, right? Anyway, no spoilers but we may not have to wait much longer for that to happen. After all, there are only a handful of chapters left to reach the end...

What to expect in the next chapter? We'll witness what happens the morning after the movie night. Also, the next chapter includes one of the scenes I enjoyed writing the most and... a new performance. Or maybe two...

#cs ff #captain swan #cs au #csrt #damn you for making me love you #cs au ff #captain swan rewrite a thon #mayquita writes #my cs writings

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subtlereferencetomyinterests · 4 years ago

Text

I’d Like to Stand By Him

Ao3, MasterPost

Relationships: Prinxiety!

Wow low-key a fanfic right-of-passage, I’m finally writing prinxiety! I do love it, it’s popular for a reason! Also I should probably do a masterpost but, we’ll cross that bridge soon enough,, this is based on the side tracks! I know that this has deffo been done before but I wanted to,,,, so yeah!

Warnings: cursing, mild hurt/comfort, fluffffffff.

Word count: 1,572

No one man could listen to this much indie pop on a daily basis; not without hurling, anyway. Virgil stared up at Roman’s velvet-colored ceiling with narrowed eyes as the final, agonizingly slow song on the playlist faded to silence, a tattered sketchbook laying forgotten on his chest. He took his headphones off and exited Spotify.

“Well?”

He sat up abruptly at Roman’s much-too-close voice. Virgil looked over to see his friend beaming, twirling his ornately-cased phone between his hands.

“Meh,” Anxiety pushed the other trait out of his bubble. Roman scoffed and placed a hand on his chest.

“Don’t ‘meh’ my favorite songs, you pop-punk party-pooper!”

“My playlist was more punk rock, but okay.”

“Whatever, those subgenres all sound the same anyway.”

Virgil very carefully placed his sketchbook on the ground and then very not-carefully shoved Roman’s shoulder. Roman gasped dramatically and shoved back. They met eyes with a glare, which they held for about 30 seconds before cracking up together. Their laughs were wildly dissimilar: a low chuckle against what should really be called a shriek.

Virgil let out a final amused huff and flopped back onto the bed. He nudged Roman with his shoe.

“Seriously, though. That was an excessive amount of sappy love songs.”

“You’re one to talk, Sally’s Song.”

“Oh please, Amy Lee and Tim Burton? Love song or not, it rocks.”

Roman hummed in agreement and fell back beside Virgil. There was a contemplative sort of quietness from the artistic side. Virgil turned his head to stare at him expectantly.

“I’ve never seen you think so hard in your life, Princey.”

Roman huffed and flipped onto his side.

“What’s it to you?”

He shrugged, a rather awkward motion in his current position.

“Just seemed like there was something on your mind, man. You can keep being all brooding and quiet if you want, but I should probably remind you that that’s my job.”

“It’s nothing, really, I was just... wondering.”

Virgil shifted to his side to look at Roman properly (and also to relieve the awful cramp developing at the base of his neck). He waited politely for the creative trait to continue, poking him in the shoulder when he didn’t.

“Wondering what, dude?”

“Do you think about anyone in particular when you listen to love songs?”

Dread crawled up Virgil’s spine.

“Do you?”

“Maybe.”

Oh, God. So that was what this was about. Virgil hadn’t deluded himself into thinking that Roman had feelings for him, but that didn’t mean he was ready to hear the side gush about who he did love. It stung, especially considering the times when Anxiety would look over at his friend, the two of them sitting in silence just to spend time together, and Roman would be looking back with cloudy eyes and a smile and he thought maybe- maybe.

Maybe what? Clearly, it was nothing. It had never been anything.

Much as he didn’t want to hear about it, a grim, curious little part of Virgil still wanted to know who all that mediocre music was dedicated to.

“Wow, Ro, now you’re shy? I know you; if you’ve got a thing for somebody, then it’s taking every ounce of your self-control not to literally sing a ballad about them right now.”

Roman flushed, breaking eye-contact with a chuckle. Virgil despised the part of him that wanted to kiss that stupid adorable look off his face. Ugh.

“I’ll tell you,” Creativity murmured after a pause, “if you tell me who your songs are about.”

Virgil rolled his eyes so hard that they should’ve fallen out of his head.

“First off- I never said that my music was about anyone. Secondly- are you serious?”

“We don’t have to, I just thought it could be fun.”

Wait, no, now he had to know who it was! Backtrack!

“Fine, whatever, I’ll tell you,” hah, as if, he was gonna lie through his teeth (and hopefully Janus would have the sense to mind his business and not check in). He’d get Roman’s sincere answer, and naturally he’d say something completely ridiculous to fuck with him, and then they’d laugh about his crush together. It might be enough to dull the ache that settled beneath his ribs.

Roman grinned- warm, bright, beaming- and sat up, clapping his hands together.

“I knew it! You are a big sap!”

Virgil pulled himself up to sit across from the fanciful side with an exasperated groan.

“Yeah, right. So, on three?”

Roman blinked in surprise and reddened a bit more. He cleared his throat, sitting up straighter (ha). He looked nervous, of all things.

“Right. Three,” he took a deep breath and settled his hands in his lap, “Two,” he met Virgil’s forced smirk with a soft smile, “One.”

They shouted in unison, Roman and Virgil respectively: “You!” “Your brother!”

The laugh died in Anxiety’s throat before it had even had the chance to form, his eyes widening. He looked up abruptly- obviously they’d both had the same idea to trick the other into an embarrassing admission. It was a joke, it had to be.

It wasn’t, Virgil’s heart only sinking as he saw the genuine shock and pain in Roman’s expression.

“Oh.”

“Wait- you- really?!”

Rather than answering, Creativity looked even more mortified and made to stand.

“Forget I said anything. I- I should just go. Good luck with Remus.”

Virgil caught his wrist.

“Okay,” he took a deep breath and tried to quell the absolute screaming that had overtaken his mind, “Okay. First off, this is your room, dude,” that was an easy start; stating the obvious. “Secondly, I don’t have a crush on your brother, it was just- it was a dumb joke. Third...” Alright, the hard part. At least Roman was listening now, looking a little less absolutely devastated. A little.

“Fuck, man, I- I really thought you were gonna say ‘Patton’, or something. I had no idea you, uh,” Virgil growled in frustration, “I thought you’d say somebody else, and when I said that, it would be so ridiculous and we would’ve laughed and I’d mess with you about your crush, but-”

“I’m sorry!” Roman howled, “It was stupid and I shouldn’t have said anything, okay?”

“No, that’s not what I meant! Look, it’s- I really like you, and-”

“Virgil, stop, you don’t have to do that. Just forget it, please.”

Fuck, how was he so bad at this? He couldn’t stand the thought of Roman believing that he didn’t love him back for another second, but he didn’t know what the hell to say to make him listen. Another noise of frustration rumbled low in his throat as he tried to fix this. Then it hit him, just how god-awful Roman was at listening; so he wouldn’t say anything. Not with words, anyway.

Virgil grabbed the sides of Roman’s face and pulled him abruptly forward, knocking their noses together before tilting his head and actually, finally kissing him. The creative side made a muffled exclamation at the clunky gesture of affection. It was barely a second before Virgil let him go and scooted back, both of their faces flaming red.

Anxiety’s eyes flicked across the room, occasionally hazarding a glance at Roman to gauge his reaction. After determining he’d stunned the other into silence, he managed to speak.

“It was about you.”

“What?”

“The song.”

“Oh, I’d forgotten about that.”

Virgil snorted. He looked up to find Roman watching him carefully, and smothered his laugh. There was a beat.

“You... Really?” Roman murmured. Anxiety scooched closer and bumped their shoulders together.

“I wouldn’t have kissed you if I didn’t mean it. You know that.”

Suddenly, Roman’s expression was consumed by a wide smile, and that was just not fair. Virgil couldn’t help smiling back (albeit without showing all of his damn teeth like a cartoon character).

The romantic trait hadn’t recovered from the initial hurt entirely, his motions stilted as he took Virgil’s hand in both of his, but the touch was no less reverent for it. His eyes shone with relief and affection and a million other things that were honestly a little overwhelming, but Virgil didn’t particularly mind right then.

“What’cha staring at, Ro?” he hoped the teasing tone made up for the fact that he not-so-subtly slid his unoccupied hand up to rest on Roman’s hip.

“Nothing, Virge.”

And they met each other in the middle, so much more delicate and sweet and slow than before. Roman released Virgil’s hand to hold his waist and press closer. Virgil hummed against his lips. There was nothing to prove this time; no hurry. Just them, and the mutual affection that had waited far too long to surface.

Wow, Virgil really had gone soft.

They pulled apart slowly, all quiet laughs and caring looks. It was at that moment Virgil realized that, due to his unwillingness to let himself fantasize about this beforehand, he had absolutely no fuckin’ clue what to do next. He pushed his hair out of his face and made a little distance between them.

“Uh- so- do you wanna, like- is this a thing now?” he cringed internally because holy fuck how was he so bad at this.

Roman just chuckled, his former distress now completely erased.

“You tell me, Emo.”

“I- yeah, we can- yeah.”

He laughed again, and Anxiety groaned in embarrassment.

“Shut up, Princey.”

Roman shoved him. He shoved back. Business as usual- well, almost, anyway.

@shrimp-crockpot

#prinxiety #roman #virgil #ts roman #ts virgil #sanders sides #ts #fanfiction #fanfic #my writing #sanders sides fanfiction #ts fanfic #hhhh btw i do love rem w/ virge but i needed to make fun of it for The Plot #but trust me i do ship that also #and u will hear about that at some point when i get around to writing that thing that i've had planned for like two weeks

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surveys-at-your-service · 4 years ago

Text

Survey #334

"i dreamed i was missing / you were so scared / but no one would listen, ‘cuz no one else cared”

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset has prettier colors, imo, but I enjoy the pastel nature of sunrises, too. Are you mentally ill? Oh brother. Are you physically ill? I don't have any serious physical health issues, no. Introvert or extrovert? I'm a very strong introvert. What do you think when you look at your body? That it's fucking disgusting. What have others said when they look at your body? When I was healthy, I was complimented every now and again. With the body I have now? I'm glad people keep their months shut. Do you have a particular song that you feel deeply? There's a good 'ole handful or two. Talk about a time in your life where you have felt most alive? It's weird, I'm not a city person at all, but possibly when I was walking the streets of Chicago with Sara and her dad one evening. There was just so much life, so many new sights, that it was impossible not to. Plus, I was at a very happy point in my life, so. I just enjoyed a lot. Are you confident wearing a bikini? FUCK NO. Have you ever been hurt physically or mentally by a family member? Mentally, obviously. Everyone has at some point. I've never been seriously physically hurt by family, but Mom did spank my sisters and me as kids if we did something wrong. Biggest lie you have told? I don't really know. I get really uncomfortable telling even minor lies, so making a big one would be excruciating. I'm not saying I've never said a biggie, I'm sure in 25 years of life I said something stupid at one point, I just don't remember it. Do you believe in the Illuminati? Nah; there's some compelling evidence, but I just think it's way too big of a secret to keep. Regrets in your life? Blaming the breakup entirely on Jason and saying just plain cruel things to him afterwards. Also sending an appallingly hateful letter to Dad to vent after the divorce. Flirting with my then-best friend's boyfriend at the time behind her back. Dating Tyler (it's a small one, but still a regret). There are others, those are just the only ones coming to me right now. Achievements in your life? Lots of academic success and awards (before college, anyway...), artistic accomplishments like having my work put in a museum, surviving a traumatic breakup, (mostly) recovering from massive depression... What did people say about you in school? Nothing, really. I was a quiet student who just did her work and tried hard. Is there something you have never told anyone? Yes. If you had two days to spend one million dollars how would you spend it? First, I'm paying off college debt. Then Mom gets a new car, followed by me getting new glasses and renewing my permit. I'm getting a good terrarium setup for Venus. Then, it's tattoo time, baby, haha. I can't really do the mental math on how much this all would cost, but those are the high-priority things I can think of. Describe your first kiss? Was it how you imagined? Jason and I were playfighting in bed, and he had me pinned. Our faces were close, and I decided to kiss him. It was a fairy tale moment, in my eyes. He looked so bashful for once (he's far from shy) but also really happy, and I was too. Growing up were you in a wealthy, average, or low income household? Low, I think. Or maybe average, when Dad was still around. Have you been raised by a solo parent? When I was around 17, my parents split, so kinda-sorta. Do you know both your parents? Thankfully, yes. Have you abused drugs or alcohol? No. Are you comfortable accepting compliments? Ehhhh, I really appreciate them and they can make my whole day, but I'm very awkward about it. I get shy. Are you comfortable giving compliments? Oh yes. I honestly love giving compliments; I know how happy they can make me, so why not share that with others? Is any mental illness hindering your life? Guess. (: Is any physical illness hindering your life? Well, it's not an "illness," but the muscles in my legs have severely atrophied from leading such a horribly sedentary lifestyle, and that has greatly affected my ability to work without the risk of just collapsing. Walking at all is painful. Are you preparing for an apocalypse? No. I'm not really one to worry about "prepping." If it happens, it happens, man. I'm not spending loads of money on a "maybe." Are you interested in cults? Not really, no. Are your parents good cooks? Mom is fine, but it's hard to really judge Dad's cooking since he barely ever did it, plus I haven't had his cooking in many, many years. I remember he was great at making breakfast, though. That was like a rare treat, him deciding to make breakfast for everyone. Have you ever been to a chiropractor? Did you like it? No. Do you know anyone who is an actor? No. Have your wisdom teeth come through yet? They never did. Have you ever used a public pay phone? No. Have you ever made an item of clothing? No. Have you taken someone's virginity? No. Is confidence cute? "Confidence, yes. But cockiness and arrogance, no. That’s a whole different area that’s definitely not cute." <<<< Nailed it. Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh? Doubt it. Are you one of those people who never drinks soda? No; rather, I drink too much of it. I'm trying really hard to lay off of it, and I drink nowhere near as much as I used to (when oddly enough, I was healthy and fit), but I'm still not comfortable drinking a can and a half a day. Listening to? "Castle of Glass" by Linkin Park. Kinda obsessed. Ever used a bow and arrow? No, but archery is cool. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? I don't think this has happened since my senior shot in HS. Take a vitamin daily? Daily, no, but I really should. I take a Vitamin D capsule every Sunday, though. Favorite Taylor Swift song? I only really like "Love Story" and "Picture to Burn." Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Yeah. Which are better: black or green olives? I don't like olives period, but I guess black. What’s your 3rd favourite animal? Huh, never thought of #3, just #1 and #2: meerkats and opossums. Maybe snakes? Do you like mushrooms? NO. NO NO NO. What dream do you remember most vividly? One I don't talk about. A childhood nickname? Mom called me "Twinkie" and still sometimes does. ;-; Does anyone in "real life" know that you take surveys? Would you be embarrassed if they found your blog? Just Sara. And yes, regarding some people. Who was the last person you blocked on social media? Did you have an argument that lead to that happening? I'm unsure, but probably. I don't tend to just like... randomly block people. What was the first social media account you remember signing up for? Are you still a member of that particular website, if it even still exists? Of course it was MySpace. It's still floating around somewhere in cyberspace. What website from your childhood/teen years do you wish still existed? I get nostalgic over the Animal Planet forums sometimes. Have you ever met up with anyone in real life that you first met via the internet? Did you get on as well as you thought you would? Yes, Sara. I felt like it would go just fine, but it went even better than I expected - I was oddly very comfortable around her and her family. Have you ever tried any of those meal replacement shakes? Are you a fan of things like that in general? Yeah; I tried many brands until I settled for Equate, surprisingly. Cheap does not equate to bad quality, my friends. We always have the chocolate ones in the house, and they're really not bad at all. Are you the kind of person to enjoy taking naps? I love me my daily nap, man. What's your favourite kind of cheese to have on a pizza? Idk, whatever cheese is normally used, lol. What's a hobby you loved when you were younger but no longer enjoy for whatever reason? I guess video editing. I can't say I'd no longer enjoy it at all, but now the idea sounds far more like a chore than fun. Is there a popular food/drink that you can't stand? What is it and why don't you like it? I could name five dozen, but here's just a few: coffee, pie, tea, fried chicken (or is that just a Southern thing to be obsessed with?), and... of course now that I'm asked this question, I'm blanking on the huge number I know exist. As for "why," that varies, but it's either just simply a taste or even a texture thing. How would your wedding boquet look like? I want a gothic-themed wedding, so imagine a mix of black and maroon roses... whew-wee. You’re at a bar, and you witness a man drugging some girl's drink. What do you do? No hesitation, I'm decking the motherfucker. Fuck my fear of men, he's getting knocked out, and I'm immediately alerting the staff, as well as of course the girl. Kids? How many? Why? Names? Boy or girl? Y'know, loads and loads of scaly and hairy ones. Got plenty of name ideas depending on what they are and how they look. The only baby whose gender matters to me is the tarantula because females live waaaay longer. Fuck them human babies, not for me. Are you an organ donor? Absolutely. I sure as hell ain't usin' 'em once I'm dead, so consider it my last act of selflessness. Whats the most you’ve ever lost gambling? I don't gamble. What is something you can never give up (that's not love or family)? My pebble from my "graduation" from my first partial hospitalization program. It's meant to symbolize how great pain and trials can file you into something beautiful. It was passed around group, everyone holding it in their hands as they wished me well and spoke their piece about me. I'm honestly just fighting back tears remembering it. Have you ever waited in line overnight for something? No, I'm way too impatient for that shit.. Do you think having an expensive phone is a good investment? Hm. I guess it depends on what you use it for. Have you ever witnessed a birth in person? A human birth, no fucking thank you. I've only ever seen pet cats give birth. Does anyone in your family smoke? My dad does, big time. He quit drinking, but never quite managed to stay away from cigarettes. Have you ever had a pet escape and run away? Seeing as I grew up with outdoor cats that we couldn't afford to fix, pretty much all of our tomcats left for roving once they came of a certain age. Do any of your exes know each other? Juan and Jason know each other, Jason and Girt know one another as well, and Sara and Girt have met. What’s an opinion you find impossible to take seriously? I simply cannot fathom the belief that "dinosaurs never existed." Explain the fucking fossils, like come the fuck on. It's absolute denial in the name of religion. What was the very first election you voted in? This one that just passed, actually. What is one random fact about you? I want like 20 tarantulas but Mom says no. :( Do you spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer? Fuck no, I will do anything to stay inside in summer. Do you wear band tees? if yes, which one is your favorite? I love band tees, yeah. My Ninja Sex Party shirt is the most comfortable, but comfort aside, it's hard to pick a favorite. Possibly my Otep one, 'cuz the design is dope. Do you ever re-arrange your room? No. What season do you want to get married in? Fall. What is the highest name-brand thing you own? Oh god, I don't own expensive brand stuff. I guess the only exclusion would be my Cloak shirt, but even that's not like, mad pricey. What color GameBoy did you have as a kid? Red. What was your favorite GameBoy game? Maybe that Catz game? Even though the music was the most fucking obnoxious meowing ever lmao. What was the last compliment you remember someone gave to you? Who was it? It was this guy in my PHP group; my therapist surprised the fuck out of me by sharing with everyone my most recent poem (I trust him a lot, and he urges me to send him my art, so I've done that twice), and I nearly fucking died from cardiac arrest. However, this Nick guy, who's a poetry major, told me it was better than stuff he reads in his Master's program. I almost cried. Have you ever personally been friends with a stripper or prostitute? No, not that I'm opposed though or anything. If you have tattoos, which one that you have was the most painful? The one on my inner forearm. Have you ever actually met and talked to someone who’s famous? No. When was the last time you got a parking ticket for anything at all? I never have. Do you have any pets who will bite anyone else out there, besides you? No; Roman won't even come close enough to a stranger TO bite, haha. It's funny, he's so goofy and you'd guess outgoing, but instead, he's terrified of people he doesn't recognize. What’s your favorite type of sushi? I don't eat sushi. What’s your favorite patriotic song? Don't have one. Have you ever read a book about a character in a psych ward? No, and I'd really prefer not to because it would just drag me back to dark times. Have you ever been in a mental hospital as a patient? ^ Have you ever had an ulcer? No. Do you like soy sauce? omfg no What’s your favorite store to browse around? Morph Market. @_@ It's a hub for reptiles for sale, and I have my days where I just browse the ball python morphs for like an hour or so, haha. What’s the name of the most recent baby a friend had? Christ, half my friends on Facebook are having babies, idr. I don't know who was the most recent. Do people normally say you’re a fast typer, or are you rather slow? I'm very fast. Have you ever been considered the "smartest person in school?" No; that was my friend Hannia. I'm pretty certain she would qualify as a genius. Her GPA was fucking incredible. Were you named after anyone famous or anyone on television? No.

#survey #surveys #questions #lyrics: ''leave out all the rest'' by linkin park

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razberryyum · 5 years ago

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Positive Things about Guardian as a series (spoilers)

So I’ve been pretty harsh about the production team behind Guardian (writers, directors, set designers, wardrobe, the crew…including the extras…basically anyone who are not Bai Yu, Zhu Yilong, the actors who played Old Chu, Little Guo and Zhu Hong, who are Jiang Ming Yang, Xin Peng and Gao Yu Er, respectively) and about the quality of the show as a whole when it doesn’t involve our main characters/leads, and I’ve actually been feeling bad about that now that the initial sense of shock has worn off a little. As a result, I woke up this morning and decided to make a list of all things that are GOOD about the show. Now, I am still hurting about how it ended and the things that went wrong which imho could have easily NOT (f.e. the 10,000 years dirt nap), but…BUT I will try my best NOT to let that negativity seep into this.

So here goes, in no particular order, the positive things about the show:

- the show even exists. I mean, really, God bless, especially considering where it’s made. How did that even happen?? Despite all my bitching, I still marvel (almost DAILY so far) at the fact that Guardian exists and I got to watch it cuz China could’ve easily never put it back online.

- the existence of Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan. But that’s pretty much a given. Especially since my life is forever changed because of them.

- every Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan scene together. That’s a given also. I would not be surprised if the writers literally used all their meager talent and energy on constructing those moments so that’s why they didn’t have much juice left for everything else. I mean, that’s a good thing, right? Kinda.

- they got Bai Yu and Zhu Yilong to play Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei. I really hope the two actors got compensated well for their performances, though somehow I doubt it, especially since, from what I understand ZYL (omg I just stupidly realized the acronym for his name is the same as Zhao Yunlan’s. Wtf that is so cute!) was still very slowly rising in the ranks. But hopefully their current popularity as a result of the show has made up for it.

- the score and songs. Bought the OST from iTunes like one or two episodes in, loved the score and themes. I even bought Bai Yu and Zhu Yilong’s duet “Time of Flight” a few times (different platforms, different devices) cuz I just wanted to contribute to them…even though…who knows if they even see a cent from it, and pretty sure my few measly dollars probably isn’t helping anything. Probably just makes me seem stupid and insane.

- the cute episode titles. Which I wasn’t even aware of until @avenuex123 pointed it out. Adorable.

- the censorship. Ok, censorship is never good imo, but in this singular case, perhaps because there were existing restrictions on the BL subject matter, the actors therefore were willing to sign on since they knew they didn’t have to do anything explicit (or maybe they would’ve been willing, this is just my own stupid assumption because of how Chinese society is…I say that as an Asian American with many…erm…”old-fashioned” friends and family members) AND they probably saw it as challenge to find creative ways to convey the nature of the characters while working within the confines of censorship laws. Although, this might be a case of me just trying to look on the bright side.

- the easter eggs. I agree with fellow Guardian fans who have pointed out that there was some love put into the making of this show, which is clearly exemplified in the small momentos scattered throughout the series.

- the time travel concept. Not that the delve into the past was done well because I did have problems with it, but I did really appreciate the fact that Zhao Yunlan was the one and only all along due to his being sucked up into the wormhole and spit back out 10,000 years in the past to meet Shen Wei for the first time. I thought it was a tremendously romantic idea…even if the general execution of the past left a lot to be desired. I promised that I wouldn’t be negative, but I still have to say that while love at first sight is a lovely notion, it was still a bit hard to swallow that SW would fall SOOOO head over heels with ZYL after just conversing with him for like a few hours, to the point that he would pine for him for 10,000 years (though it’s probably technically more like a few decades due to his dirt nap, but I’ll buy it felt like 10K years to him). I just wish ZYL spent more time in the past with SW, and actually @xparrot‘s fic (”Now Lie In It" on AO3) made me feel a LOT better about the whole thing since they successfully fixed the problem by awesomely separating each scene we saw into days and years. But I did like the time travel idea; it was cool, even though it’s different from the novel.

- the nature of the necklace. I really liked the candy wrapper core. Broke my heart into bits and pieces in a GOOD way. Really loved everything about it. I understand it’s different in the novel as well, but in the context of the changes done for the show, I thought that was a pretty brilliant move.

- the Da Qing and ZYL ownership scene in episode 35 with SW listening. Loved that scene and the multiple purposes it was serving: establishing Da Qing’s relationship with ZYL, giving voice to how SW was feeling about ZYL leaving, inspiring SW with the necklace idea, and then of course, the censorship workaround because it was like very homo while being nohomo at the same time.

- SW and ZYL’s wardrobe. Probably a given since the fact that I love them means I love everything about them, but, like, SW even looked good as the Black Cloak Envoy and ZYL as Kunlun and those outfits (and their hairstyles) could’ve gone wrong so easily…thank God no one thought it was a good idea to make them wear a stupid looking afro wig or feathers on their heads.

- Old Chu/Little Guo. They were adorable, my second OTP from the show, and I was seriously jealous of all the PDA they were getting away with.

- recurring characters. Even though some of their acting abilities were highly questionable, I did appreciate how certain characters introduced in the beginning of the show would pop up again later on. I’m sure a good part of that was to save on hiring more people, but I still thought it was neat. For example, I wasn’t too fond of the merit brush dude (cuz his story was dumb and draggy), but I did like how this innocuous store owner that was little more than a background character at the start eventually became one of the villains.

- Ye Zun. He’s so CUTE. I mean, ok, Zhu Yilong playing him helped, but just seriously, his character is so fucked up and misguided and emo and adorable that I just wanted to give him a big hug all the time. When that shitty cockatoo he calls “Boss”** started smacking him around, I wanted to reach into the screen and throttle that ugly POS. I wouldn’t even be surprised if that asshole more than physically abused Ye Zun. Anyway, I just felt bad for the little puppy. I wish we got to spend more time with him and that he got redeemed earlier so that he could enjoy some love and hugs before being led into the wormhole (or…wherever it was that his big bro was heading off with him…wait, would it be the wormhole? But they died, right? So technically it should be like the reincarnation hole?) **(btw, why “Boss”? Why not “Leader”? Are the head villains paying their henchmen to follow them? So weird that they call their leaders “boss” which would imply they’re being paid wages which I truly doubt is the case)

- Da Qing. He’s a cutie too. Really wish the kitty girl had lived so that he wouldn’t be all alone, now that ZYL is gone. I guess Tech boy Lin Jing is going to take care of him now?

- Zhu Hong. When she wasn’t inexplicably screaming her dialogue, I did like her…but a huge part of that is probably because I remember the actress from Yanxi Palace (she was playing a small villainous role but she did a good job) and I felt sorry for her. Putting the unrequited love aside, it must also be tough seeing ZYL now and yet knowing that’s not even the same guy she loves at all. Damn, that actually must be so unsettling for everyone who knew the old ZYL.

- the personality swap episode (ep 25). THAT was freaking adorable. Just wish it lasted longer and that eventually it affected SW and ZYL. Although, since they already eye-fuck each other like 99% of the time, what would be different? I guess SW would be a little looser…and ZYL would be a bit more sad and pining-er? (Btw, I literally never heard of the word “microexpressions” until Zhu Yilong entered my life). Omg, an image of them switching outfits just popped into my head. Oh shit, that would’ve been FUN to see. Dammit.

That’s all I could come up with for now…I’ll probably add more as I think of more things. Please feel free to contribute if you think of positive things I’ve left out. I might not agree but I’d still love to hear them.

#Guardian #Zhen hun #镇魂 #spoilers #Shen Wei #Zhao Yunlan #WeiLan #Shen Wei x Zhao Yunlan #Ye Zun #Chu/Guo #Chu Shu Zhi #Guo Changcheng #Da Qing #Zhu Hong #coping mechanism

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lovemesomesurveys · 5 years ago

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Do you have anyone you fully trust? Yes. I just don’t confide a lot to anyone for some reason. It’s not because I don’t trust them, I just... I have a hard time expressing myself and opening up. I know, shocking right? I ramble on and overshare on these surveys, but it’s not easy for me to do in person. I don’t like talking about myself (again, despite how it seems in these surveys) and having the attention on me. I don’t like burdening people with my problems. I also always feel like my problems are so insignificant and stupid that I feel no one wants to hear about. Which I know I could go to my mom with anything and tell her anything and she’d listen to me, but I still feel that way. I like that in these surveys I can just vent into the void. What kind of pants did you wear today? Leggings, duh. How old is your television? I don’t know how old the TV itself is, but I think I’ve had it for almost 4 years. Do you have a laptop or desktop? Laptop. When did you last talk on the phone with someone? Yesterday when my mom called me on her lunch break.

Are you currently sleepy? Of course I am. Have you ever deleted Facebook friends for a significant other? No. Have you ever had bad trust issues with someone? Yes. What accent do you think is the most attractive? Some southern and some British accents. Do you own any television series box sets? Yes. I have I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Have you ever been in a fight with your best friend? Yeah. When did you last receive a hug and who was it from? Yesterday from my mom. Do you take any advanced classes? I’m not taking any classes, I’m done with school. What is your lucky number? I don’t have a “lucky” number, but my favorite number is 8. Was the last movie you watched a horror film? No, the last movie I watched was Freaky Friday yesterday. I watched 2 really good and creepy shows yesterday, though: AHS 1984 and Two Sentence Horror Story. Do you own a lot of tee shirts? Yes. I love graphic Ts and I’ve got myself a pretty good collection going. Do you plan your outfits ahead of time? Only certain times like now cause I have a few Halloween shirts and sweatshirts, so I got those out. Have you ever spent the night in jail? No Would you say you’re a bad influence on others? Definitely don’t look to me as an example right now. Describe your favorite jacket? I love all my hoodies, sweatshirts, and peacoats. List one word to describe your significant other? Non-existent. Do you handle pain well? It’s something I’ve dealt with all my life. I used to be able to handle that and other health stuff better, but that’s changed these past few years. I’ve gotten so weak. :/ Have you ever been so nervous you threw up? No, but I’ve definitely felt sick. Where is your favorite place to go when you’re depressed? I spend most of my time in bed. Do you remember the first survey you took? No, that was like back in 2005, I think. I’m sure it was your basic survey, though i.e name, age, location, birthday, etc. I wish I could access my Myspace survey posts and my Xanga account (RIP Xanga). Oh man, the memories. How many friends do you have on Facebook? 100 and something. Have you ever watched fight videos for amusement? No. I don’t find that stuff amusing at all. In high school, were you in trouble a lot? No, I never got in trouble in school. Do you enjoy your hairstyle? No. I badly need to get it dyed, trimmed, and styled. Do you have long hair or short hair? Long. How much make up do you wear on a daily basis? I haven’t worn makeup in quite awhile. I don’t think I’ve worn any this year... What is your favorite television show? I have several. Do you have a leather jacket? I have 2 pleather ones. Do you think anyone dislikes you for no reason? I’m sure if anyone dislikes me they have good reason. Do you have any children? Noooo. Have you ever been interviewed on television before? Yes. Do you have weak upper body strength? Now I do. :/ I use to have really great upper body strength. I’m a paraplegic, so it’s all upper body for me and I used to be active when I was going to school and had a social life. These past few years due to health stuff, I’ve become quite inactive and spend majority of my time in bed. I lost the muscle mass I used to have.

What is the worst insult someone can call you? I don’t know, man. I put myself down enough. Do you write on your hands a lot? No. I used to sometimes when I was in high school. Are you good at sketching? Nope. I suck at drawing. Do you think hugs are awkward? They definitely can be, yeah. Depends who I’m hugging. Do you think facial hair is gross? I wouldn’t say it’s gross, but I personally don’t like a lot of facial hair. I like some scruff on a guy, but that’s it. Would you ever dye your hair an unnatural color? I’ve dyed it red for the past few years. What color was the last cup you drank from? It’s a clear glass with Disney characters and facts on it. Ever play Angry Birds? Nah, I never got into that. I remember when it seemed like everyone was playing that. That, and Farmland. Omg the game invites on Facebook used to get on my nerves until Facebook finally made the option to block those. Have you ever been to the zoo before? Yeah, several times. What instruments do you know how to play? I used to play some piano. I regret not taking it more seriously. I wish I had kept up with it. :/ The last time I played was over 10 years ago. How late did you stay up last night? I went to bed around like 230. How late do you plan on staying up tonight? It’s almost 230 now and I probably should try to sleep after this. Whose wall did you post on last? It was a birthday post for someone. Have you ever done hard drugs before? The only drug I’ve done is weed. Has anyone ever been weirdly obsessed with you? It kind of felt that way with my first boyfriend. Do you own a Snuggie? I do. What is your favorite band of all time? One of them will always be Linkin Park. Would you consider getting a tattoo any time soon? I’ve wanted one for several years, but I’m a big scardy cat. I can’t see myself actually getting one. Are you afraid someone might steal your identity someday? No. Are there any paintings on your wall? Speaking of which, what color are your walls painted? Yes, there’s a few. My walls are white. Do you have any talents that come naturally? I don’t feel like I have any talents. What is your favorite piece of jewelry? I have a few favorites. Is there a place you’d rather live right now? Yes. My family and I want to move. We’ve wanted to for a long time, but we just haven’t been able to yet, unfortunately. What movie did you last watch with someone? The live-action Aladdin with my mom and aunt a few weeks ago. Do you go out often? No. Are you afraid of airplane rides? Yes, but I’ve been wanting to travel via plane for awhile now. I’ve had this weird urge. I think probably because I’ve gone with my mom to drop off and pick up a family friend several times at the airport and just recently my dad did. It’s been 13 years since the last time I’ve flown and I’m like, okay it’s my turn to go somewhere now. How many times a day do you brush your teeth? Once. Do you consider yourself a sensitive person? I know I am. Is there anyone who is overly nice to you? Uhh I don’t know about overly nice. What do you think is the best smell in the world? I have a lot of favorite scents that I love. If you’re reading a book, what page are you currently on? I’m not. Do you think people are intimidated by you? Uh, no. Do you have a job you like? I don’t have a job. Have you ever lived with a roommate before? No. What song is your favorite right now? I have numerous favorite songs, but I don’t have a current particular favorite. Have you ever had a surprise at your doorstep? Well, like packages. Obviously I know what it is since I ordered it, but it’s still always exciting to get them. Ooh, but during Christmastime my family and I are all ordering stuff and the stuff they order for me is a surprise. Do you like candles? * Ehhhh. I like them more in theory <<< Lol, same. I love many candle scents and Bath & Body Works has a lot I like that smell good and look cute, but I don’t actually light any candles. I have like 4 in my room that I never light lol. Would you prefer internet or television? The internet if I could only have one since I could watch my shows online as well. What is something you lose often? My patience and temper. Well, I don’t get angry very often, but I get frustrated and irritated all the time. :/ Do you enter a lot of sweepstakes? No. It’s been a long time since I’ve entered anything. What is your favorite possession in your room? Everything. I have it because I want and love it. What will you be doing in the next ten minutes? I should try and sleep. How old is your oldest sibling? He’ll be 36 next month. Do you consider yourself physically active? Nope. I’ve explained this already. How many scarves do you own, if any at all? Zero. It doesn’t get cold enough to where I’d need a scarf. Plus, I don’t like things around my neck. As it is I’m always pulling down my shirt cause they ride up. Do you have any cuts or scratches as of now? Yes. Where did you last sleep? My bed. Do you have Netflix? Yeah. Are you colorblind? Nope. Do you know anyone personally who is colorblind? Not anymore, but like I said in a previous survey recently I had a science teacher in high school that was. Do you enjoy dancing? My “dancing” is just me bobbing my head along to the music and maybe moving my arms/hands a bit. Have you ever considered writing a novel? Yeah, actually. I used to like writing short stories when I was younger, and I thought about writing novels.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

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flyswhumpcenter · 6 years ago

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Bad Things Happen Bingo! The event where you send me I give myself self-indulgent requests according to this marvelous card!

For once my AO3-only notes are worth something, because they explain some stuff behind the creation of this oneshot and why this one came to fluition when my 2 other tries at it miserably failed to see the light of day.

Also, yeah, non-despair Saimatsu from me in 2019 was not something I expected to happen or be a thing, really. Speaking of which, Clocktower Vertigo’s second anniversary is around the corner, so I suppose I’m expected to produce a bit more Saimatsu content for May and June to celebrate that and Symphonie Cacophonie’s 2nd anniversary. Phew, I’m fucking old.

Trivial

Summary: That day, the first question his students asked was “what happened to you, sir?!”, but the first question Kaede asked was “will you be fine on your own, Shuichi?”.

Fandom: Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (Non-Despair AU) Ships: Saimatsu/Saiede (Kaede/Shuichi)

Wordcount: 1.4K words

Event hosted by @badthingshappenbingo

AO3 version available here.

That day, the first question his students asked was “what happened to you, sir?!”, but the first question Kaede asked was “will you be fine on your own, Shuichi?”. The former seemed more logical, but the second made him feel better for sure.

To be fair to his beloved first-year class, he wasn’t on crutches the last time they had seen him, right before the holidays. It’d obviously trouble people to see someone they knew suddenly have an unavailable leg and the burden it brought with it, including said crutches and the utter inability to climb tall flights of stairs like he’d usually do instead of facing himself with the absolute discomfort of using the lift with students he had somehow never seen in his professional life before (maybe he had seen them at the supermarket or in the streets, but then they weren’t students, they were teenagers or young adults living their lives as human beings).

It was a stupid story too, the kind of stuff you’d think only happened in cartoons and humoristic manga. He fully expected, coming back to work after the break and with his right ankle in a splint, to be ridiculed for injuring himself like that but, instead, the reception was far less comedic that he’d have ever seen it coming.

In the lounge, most (if not all) of his colleagues instantly noticed something was wrong, prompting them to ask him about his ankle and how it all unfolded. Shuichi, (as always…) overwhelmed by the sudden attention and caring looks he was getting from his workmates, could only let the story flow from his mind to the floor of the room, for a moment uncaring of how dumb he was going to look in the eyes of everyone.

“Well… I fell in the stairs when helping one of my neighbours. She’s a very nice old lady, so I couldn’t sit there and watch her struggle with her groceries. The lift of my building was under maintenance and she always shops for groceries on Thursdays, I just happened to be passing by to get my mail on the ground floor, nothing too drastic. Once I was done, I resumed my course and that’s where I tripped on an unmade shoelace, and… I twisted my ankle in the process.”

Most of his workmates didn’t verbally react, unless he counted the “oh no” reactions he got from his little story. Wishes of recovery still rained upon him, making him wonder if you really needed a dramatic reason to be injured and yet not only get googly eyes staring at whatever was suddenly wrong with your body. Compared to the reception he expected, he was almost glad to have that splint, now a sign that people cared about him. How had he first felt lonely in the teacher’s lounge? What a stupid question, on second thought.

But then one workmate in particular stepped up compared to everyone else, making herself stand out from the crowd as everyone was going back to their duties and other activities. One peculiarity in the midst of normal life resuming its course, in short. Facing him, arms crossed and worried expression on her face, Kaede Akamatsu asked:

“Will you be fine on your own, Shuichi?”

Calling her a “workmate” was reducing her to her professional relationship to him. Everybody in the lounge knew it (and some of them had encouraged it), these two were dating, having met in the room where they first made their dating status public. They didn’t live together, or she’d obviously not be asking him about that right now, but she had brought up the topic of moving together before he had even possibly thought of what it’d feel like to be the one initiating the romantic action (he was a slow one when it came to relationships).

They still liked to pretend like they were just close workmates or friends in the lounge as most people played along, faking surprise when they’d spot her giving him a kiss on the cheek before he’d go teach to his class or she’d do so with hers. It was all a question of habits, stupidly cheesy ones of that, but this was a routine he couldn’t get enough of. (One day, he’d be the one to kiss her in public, he swore).

Kaede’s concerned eyes (despite the fact she knew about it, he had called her when he had managed to make himself land in a clinic with an unusable ankle) prevented him from ever wanting to make her worry for him, yet he knew only the truth would satisfy her. It was a weird thing, considering she liked playing pretend, but once a serious matter came to the table, she’d be the first to drop her mask and throw away those other people involved had to hide their faces, intentions and knowledge. As such, there was only one way to answer: clumsy saying what he honestly felt like, in public.

“Well, huh… (He always started his hesitating sentences with “well”, it seemed). Obviously it’s not exactly going to be handy or anything like that, I think that’s obvious, but I think I’ll manage just fine for most things. I guess I just won’t be writing stuff on the board for a couple weeks, that’s all… (Then it dawned on him: there was one thing he truly absolutely couldn’t do on his own anymore). Though, I need to ask you about something, Kaede…”

Her eyes oddly shined, as if they started sparkling as soon as she learnt he had to confess to her. A weird thing to be excited about (or to even notice, good job there Shuichi…), but he’d do with it. At least, that meant she was listening, that she cared, and that was all he needed right this instant.

“What is it?” she asked him when she noticed he was looking on the side, avoiding eye contact as much as possible, and lowered his head.

“Would you… like to have lunch together for, like, the rest of the month? I… need someone for, huh… W-well, you know what I’m talking about… I could ask anyone, but… (His voice was nothing but an embellished whisper at that point). I really want us to spend more time together and…”

Before he could finish his sentence, she interrupted him by putting her hands on his shoulder, almost surprising him enough to drop his crutches (and plummet to the ground in a ridiculous fashion), her irises popping with light. Was it that exciting to have someone ask you to help them at the cafeteria? Or was it just a “Kaede thing”? If that was the latter, then, it worked because he sure was happy to have her and was lucky to be the one dating her, considering how much of a loser he tended to be socially speaking.

“Of course! I’d be glad to have lunch with you, Shuichi! Especially when you need help like you currently do!”

Her voice’s tone soon took a turn for something more serious while she approached her face from his, seeking a direct tête-à-tête. He expected it, he could have only seen it coming as soon as he spoke up about it, it’d happen once again: a scolding.

“Don’t be that ashamed to ask for help, Shuichi, seriously! We’re supposed to be intimate now that we’re dating, it’s not going to look weird if you ask me to eat with you at the cafeteria. Be more open, okay?”

He sighed, relieved. This was going to be fine; he knew it. It was always fine, when Kaede was around. It’d always be fine.

“Thank you very much, Kaede…”

She took her hands off his shoulders, putting them on her hips instead.

“No need to thank me, (she gave him a thumbs-up), I’m always glad to help!”

She went silent for a minute, then looked back at him, a bit more unsure if he read her facial expressions correctly.

“You’re sure you’re going to be fine, right? I’d be glad to give you a hand… if you see what I mean…”

It was Shuichi’s time to lightly laugh.

“I think I’ll be alright as long as I’m careful, but you can tag along if you want to make sure I am. I was going to head to my classroom to prepare myself, so if you want, you can check up on me.”

Oh God, that was unnaturally smooth from him. How did he pull that off?

“I’d be more than happy to!”

“Then let’s go.”

They both left the lounge, with Kaede right behind him, happily humming to a pop song he didn’t quite recognize, with no worries in his mind and a feeling he couldn’t mess anything up.

It was crazy to see how much one person’s company could make him think differently.

#bad things happen bingo #dr #ndrv3 #saimatsu #saiede #au: non despair #otp: clair de lune #shuichi saihara #kaede akamatsu #light #fluff #sprain #sprained ankle #au #hurt comfort #bthb 1

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moonduskt · 4 years ago

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BOOK TWO: Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood

“Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood”

Author: Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova

Year: 2020

Publisher: Penguin Randomhouse

Note: Possible spoilers, for those who’s uncomfortable with them please read the novel first, okay? Thank you.

I have an endearing little problem in life. Amusing enough to make me chuckle and save it on my phone’s memory, yet also more than enough to annoy me to no end.

My juniors at uni like to call me a Boomer these days, or an old lady, whichever is best used in the moment; they cackle and giggle and tease me fondly. All of that because I consciously seldom myself from the madness of social media. That way, whenever they’re talking about something viral and the most important news of the day, or latest meme and high-charted funny song, I never, ever, understand any of them in full context. That is how they start with their old woman jokes.

So I, in my early twenty years of age, need to find a way to prove to them that I am not the old hag they accuse me of. A modern woman with impeccable taste, a futuristic and visionary one if possible. Hence, the moment I have a hold of Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova’s “Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood”, I read it as soon as possible like it is my only Bible to the future.

(No, I’m just half joking. I read the book because I love Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova, too, from the north pole to the south pole and back to the north pole again.)

As the title suggests, “Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood” is a guidebook, or a life-advice book, for the women (but not limited to men) to be the baddest modern woman out there, ready to tackle the society’s expectation successfully. Written in various methods, the book is divided into three important parts: beauty and style, homemaking, and relationships.

As you may guess, through the ‘Beauty and Style’ part, Trixie and Katya told us how to be dazzlingly beautiful from the physical realm until the inner self-love we all need in order to achieve it successfully. From the basics such as hair, makeup, heels, personal style, and personal hygiene, to the side-quests we need to be aware of like alcohol, drugs, and most importantly self love. Presented in an advice columns, a questionnaire, bullet points, and even a short essay of their own experience meticulously, we would be the shining, shimmering, and splendid pretty women (and men) ready to face the world by the time we turned the page for the second part of the book.

It turns out that being beautiful inside and outside simply isn’t enough to be a modern woman according to these two biological women. We need to be knowledgeable in our home affairs too, especially money concerned matters, because it is very expensive to survive in this world as a woman. Another important thing we need to be masterful of is our kingdom of digital platforms. How to put out the correct persona on the internet and manage it carefully to avoid any unwarranted problems because of the internet’s unforgiving harsh judgement, and most importantly how to take a rest from the madness of it for some time, the world that never sleeps.

I feel like I resonated through this chapter so much. I used to be a very active user of social media platforms, especially twitter. In my younger days, I was this utterly stupid, embarrassing clown who should’ve been banned from the community for existing alone. Then I realized how foolish I was, and some other reasons slipped in the middle of it that made me stop using any social media platforms other than WhatsApp and YouTube. It takes time to build the courage to take care of social media again, and I need to always stay alert in case I make the same mistakes as the past, too.

From the words of famous Barbie dolls collector Trixie Mattel, decorating your own home is an important thing to do, too, since it shows who you really are. Your own home is one part of you that other people don’t get to judge, a part of personality that should be barricaded from the harsh opinion of the outside world. Related to this theme was the decluttering part of having your own home. Sometimes we get too little too attached to the things we don’t actually need anymore.

Relationship is another condiment element of our life that we couldn’t not talk about, but don’t worry, because Trixie and Katya lightly guided us through the art of meeting new people and how to properly hooking up. After those cheery cherry on top advice, these women also gave us the ultimate how-to’s on breakups and friendship. I will write it in here because I think these two were the most important advice pieces from the third part:

One, Trixie said that the thing you need to do when you just broke up with someone is to not let yourself succumbing into the sadness to much, you have to be rational about the break-up too because parting ways with your ex is not the end of the world and there is still a lot of possibilities of love out there;

Two, in friendship, it is actually good not to be possessive of your friend. Just because you don’t spend your every waking time, every minute, every second of your life talking with them that it means bad. No, sometimes it’s healthy because both you and your friend do have your own life and need the space and time to breathe. It’s okay to stay away for awhile, and it’s okay to catch up.

About this book, I thank God in Heaven that there’s nothing I don’t like in this book. To be honest, I promise myself I will close this book as soon as I feel like I am being scolded for the poor choices I make my whole life. It is an important thing to note, because I have a personal vendetta against any kind of motivational or life advice’s materials, even if it is given in the form of magical words on a best-selling book or the alluring vocals in a heart-wrenching song. No particular reason for my hatred towards motivational bullshits, it’s just in my nature to reject any hopes that certain people are trying to inject into society.

“Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood” is an easy to read book, sometimes with self-deprecating jokes, humorous advice, or flippant statements that never fails to make me grinning from ear to ear. A lot of the advice given inside isn’t even that serious, I think, but when it is actually serious, it never makes me feel offended or anything. If there is any reaction extracted from me, is that I am seriously thinking and considering the point given by Trixie and/or Katya. Instead of telling me what to do with steps too demanding and expecting instant perfect results, like the other life-advice and motivational books out there, this book is giving me options with rational reasons behind it. This book urged me in a joking way, yet sternly, to do better. This books told me that it’s okay to fucked things up because human do fucking shits up most of the time, as long as we try to do better and actively trying to make amends about our messy past.

Isn’t that what life-advice books are supposed to be doing?

For some people claiming that they don’t really like to read books and are amateur writers, sure Trixie and Katya write a very excellent piece of book. It’s suspicious enough to make me think that they’re just bluffing about it. This book feels like it was written by veteran writers who write as their main job, and not a couple of drag queens who are busy touring and appearing on various YouTube channels with every other side jobs and business they currently own.

What an effortless read, this book is. It’s not that serious like more heavy-weight non-fictional or super engaging like the fictional one, I can sit it out for few hours and when I get back to it, “Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood” will welcome me with open arms to read it again like I never leave in the first place. Trixie and Katya choose to write it with such simple words for simple sentences, and my illiterate ass is so grateful for that. Yet behind the unassuming sentences and the never-ending jokes, hids all the brilliant tricks to make those paragraphs magnificent and elegant while the clown make-up is still on. The power only Trixie and Katya has, all of you (and me) should take note of it.

Last thing about their writing style, I need you to know that Trixie and Katya knocked me on the head and told me to read my dictionary more, since there were some words that I never knew existed in English. I have to say that I bought a very thick notebook since late June, intended to write all of the unfamiliar English words I come across inside the books I read, yet I haven’t done anything with it until now. This book is the proof that I need to do better. In a way, this book motivates me to be better just like Trixie and Katya.

(Whether I proceed with that motivational sentiment is another topic to talk about another time.)

What I also like from this book is that as much as it is a life-advice book, it is also a life-style magazine in very thick pages, perhaps a super super special edition one. “Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood” is very cute in interior design, despite the fierce red of the cover. Splashes of pinks and pastel blues, cute big quotation and tips column, and the photos! Lord in Heaven, the photos! I can’t stop looking at every picture for more than two minutes, happily observing every silly pose Trixie and Katya made, and little trinkets and wigs and the costumes they’re wearing on those shoots. I feel like I’m having a special photobook of the K-Pop artist that I like.

(No, I never bought a K-Pop album before, nor a K-Pop photobook, so I’m just talking out of my ass.)

I’m so happy that I have the chance to read this book until the last page, and I also feel grateful because this book is kind and takes care of me well. For someone who doesn’t like reading motivational or life-advice books like me, I can guarantee you that you will love and cherish this book so much, whether you like Trixie and Katya or not. They won’t judge your every inch of life, nor they will kick your asses for being you. I’m hoping that Trixie and Katya will write another book next time. Cheers to these two biological women!

#book review #book blog #review #books #trixie mattel #katya zamolodchikova #trixie and katya guide to modern womanhood

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toast-the-unknowing · 7 years ago

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lydia-st-james tagged me in a writing in review meme, which, man. That takes me back. I haven't done one of these in ages.

Main take-aways: 1. 2017 was the year of the long-ass fic titles, apparently. 2. It only took ten freaking years but I can mostly write romance without dying of embarrassment. Mostly. 3. Ten years has not been long enough to teach me how to start something and just finish it already before starting twenty more things. Seriously, there are so many stories that I started this year that I keep thinking ya'll have read already and then I remember that no one has read those because I haven't finished them yet. Oh well. Maybe 2018 will be a year of extraordinary personal growth and self-discipline. Spoiler alert: it won't be.

Anyway. These are the things that I've published so far this year.

Listed in chronological order of publication, with one exception:

new worlds for the weary, new lands for the living Okay, so, I don't know if anyone else thinks of any of their stories this way, but I have a very small handful of fics that are my heartsong fics. I don't think of them as being stories. I think of them as being thousands of words of meta and criticism and gushing and character love and, just, me, pouring my heart out over some aspect of canon that is important to me, and then maybe if I'm lucky, I trick people into reading it and thinking it's a story.

Yeah. This is one of those. I started this story before I had even finished Blue Lily, Lily Blue, which is not a thing I do. I always finish canon (to whatever extent canon exists at the time of my joining fandom) before I start writing. But I wanted so badly to write about Adam and Ronan and how I felt about their relationship that I couldn't wait.

This was something like a five month writing process all told, and I'm really happy with the end result. The moment where Ronan smears ink on Adam's face, in particular, I'm very proud of. I'm proud of that whole fight scene, really, but that moment is such a strong visual, and I'm not generally great at creating those.

don't think about how much it will hurt God, I still hate this title, but I do love this fic. It exists because I had been toying around with a canon-divergent AU that I quickly realized was going to take a shit-ton of work and not actually be that interesting. I ditched the AU, but there was one scene I liked enough that I didn't want to give up on it (Ronan trying to provoke Adam into punching him and then holding his hand while wondering wtf he's doing), and I realized it could pretty easily be made canon-compliant and given the legs to stand on its own.

I briefly considered tagging this as "preslash if you consider fighting and bad decisions to be flirting, which if you ship pynch, you probably do," and then I considered how poorly that would match the tone of this story. I am very happy with the tone of this story. It was hard to write, and I think it's hard to read, and it's a better story for it.

the more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind NO ONE ON EARTH READ THIS FIC BUT I DON'T GIVE A SHIT I LOVE IT. There are so many, many, many things in this fic that make me happy: -Clarke being an unholy mashup of my sister and talldecafcappuccino -"You thought that there was an intersection of sentimentality and camp that Miller wouldn't be interested in?" -Just, Murphy. All of Murphy. -The Inseparable, Indestructible Blake Siblings (which is when the Blake siblings are at their best, fuck you, canon) -"Do you ever worry that we're going to turn out to be warped people with unhealthy relationships/Honestly at this point I'm counting on it." -the whole scene where Raven friend-dumps Clarke -Monty taking "gas grass or ass" too seriously -Nate's stupid "you know what they say about those guys with Bigfoot" t-shirt (I would wear that t-shirt)

Like, I know why this story wasn't successful as an item of fan culture. And I acknowledge that there are weaknesses in the writing. But I still fucking love it.

so familiar, like an old bedtime song Ugh, this was called "came in quiet with the rain" right up until the very second I published it and then I changed my mind and I still regret it. Never second gues yourselves, kids. (Either way: "Raising Cain" is a good Adam/Ronan song.) I wrote about half of this on a whim and then shoved it in a corner waiting for inspiration for the longer story that I thought it was meant to be a part of. Then I was sitting around on Adam's birthday/my birthday weekend, a little tipsy in the middle of the day, and I decided, nah, this can be a standalone. I'm not kidding myself that it's great literature but I think it does what it sets out to do well.

The Fake Geek Boy Job This is a rare example, for me, of coming up with a title first and writing the story around it. So that was fun. I was so, so, so happy with the response to this fic. I've written case fic before, but I'm not good at heists, and I was really worried that the way I handle the heavier plot elements here – basically cutting around them and explaining all of the offstage action through snarky banter – was going to feel like cheating. Like, there's probably a version of this story that's 20k words longer and is twice as good, but it would have taken ten times as much work. It seems like people understood the plot as it stands and didn't feel robbed, and it was such a relief to hear that.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name IT IS THE PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE that there are only two fanfics on AO3 tagged with the relationship tag "Quark & Jake Sisko" and I wrote both of them. Though I fully admit that "Everybody Comes to Quark's" is the better story of the two. This one feels like the first half is from one story and the second half is from a different story and neither of those two stories is complete, per se. But love a lot of the individual lines, character moments, etc. Also, just, any times spend with my beloved ridiculous giraffe boy Jake is good time.

faith, hope, all that bullshit This is the best thing that I have ever written that is based on a typo. And...I don't really know how to talk about this fic beyond that. It took something like seven months of on-again-off-again work; I am super grateful to Pynch Week for giving me the kick in the pants to finish it. There were so many things that were challenging about this – I hated everything in life the entire time I was writing Matthew. Plus trying to write all the characters as being a little older and more mature and their relationships as having progressed. But it was worth it because there are so many moments in this fic that just are still living in my head, even though I've put the fic down.

I think my favorite scene of all is the Christmas Eve scene, partly because I love Declan and partly because I love the "fucking Cain ruined it for the rest of us" exchange. But from a craft point of view I'm proud of that scene a lot. The first scene is its own contained story with beginning/middle/end; the Christmas Eve scene is what makes the proposal scene the beginning of a longer story, and it happens without the POV character understanding that it's happening. I'm pretty happy with how that all turned out.

People really liked the wedding scene, which is gratifying and totally baffling. That scene was murder to write. I don't even want to plan my own wedding, now I got to make one up for someone else? Of course, I mean. I cheated, because I didn't actually write the reception. Maybe the lesson here is if I don't even want to write a scene then for sure no one would want to read it?

Word on the Street This is another one, like The Fake Geek Boy Job, where I think there's a version of the story that's twice as good and eight times as long and a hundred times more work to write; I'm satisfied with my version. Also, I think the longer version is much more serious, whereas this is a comedy and I am happy with it as a comedy. Adam maybe comes off a little poorly, in the way that comedy characters sometimes come off dickish/rude/sociopathic. But it makes me laugh and honestly if I make myself laugh I'm happy. (That's not to say I'm never going to write the epic tale of how Ronan becomes Greywaren – I know what the first line of it is – but it's a real low priority).

come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls OKAY I WROTE THIS IN LIKE LITERALLY TWO DAYS AND YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME. Even just writing something of this length usually takes weeks if not months between when I start it and when I finish it. This was like a dirty little fling, and as someone who never has dirty little flings either in life or in writing, that was a fun change of pace.

The Dragon's Nest Avatar: The Last Airbender is, in my eyes, basically a perfect television show, and it's a lot harder to write fic for something that you think is well-written/complete on its own, because where do you and your fanwriting fit in? As such, this was a challenge, but I'm pretty happy with it. Alchemicink, for whom this was written, mentioned being happy just from seeing the "intergenerational friendship" tag, and I gotta say I was happy just from getting to use that tag. And any day you get to write Toph stomping around yelling at people is a good day.

while we're on the subject, could we change the subject now So credit where credit is due: lydia-st-james gave me the prompts here and put up with my intermittent screeching as I was working on it. It took me a while to get it all done, but I wrote literally 13k words of this in the first four days, which is bonkers; I'm usually much more of a percolator in the early stages of writing. As such a lot of the outlining process is lost to the sands of time. I don't remember making an actual decision to set this in LA; I think my subconscious realized before I did that this was going to be a story about loneliness and depression, and, fairly or unfairly, I associate loneliness and depression with the city of Los Angeles. In any case, it gave me lots of opportunities to throw shade at LA and I'm always down for that, and I've loved hearing people respond to the specificity of the location.

It's funny to me that people are responding to this one so strongly because I don't generally groove on fake dating; I’ve never written it as a trope and I always find it hard to swallow as a reader. I wonder if there's something to be said for writing tropes one is somewhat critical of. Though I don't think, generally, it works out when people write a thing they actively hate. It's a theory I'm tinkering with, anyway.

#long-ass post #whoops #sorry?#millenial loves talking about herself: news at 11 #lydia-st-james #gpoy

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hfwtevents-blog · 8 years ago

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Event 1 - Friday, 9/23, DAY

Who: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, Karen McCormick, Wendy Testaburger, Bebe Stevens, Rebecca Miller, Craig Tucker, Clyde Donovan, Kevin Stoley, Jenny Simons, Heidi Turner NPCs: Principal Wells, Randy Marsh, Sheila Broflovski When: Friday, September 23, 3:30 PM; Event 1 Where: The school parking lot and bus What: The kids get ready for their trip to the aquarium.

Friday, September 23, 3:30 PM

Weather: 55°F, Partly cloudy

Scene: Parking lot, bus pick-up/drop-off section

Stan sighed heavily as he made his way to the bus, backpack crammed full of all he needed. He felt stupid for thinking this field trip could ever be fun, now that his dad had gotten wind of it. So much for any taste of independence. He just hoped Randy would forget, be late, and that the bus would leave without him. Fuck parent chaperones. Seriously.

He had walked back to school solo in an effort to ditch Randy, despite the fact that would have been easier to drive together.

Even though the school got some serious funding from Token’s family, they were still cheap enough to make them take a standard yellow school bus on the drive to Denver. Stan figured he’d probably never know the joys of a charter bus while living in South Park.

Considering the last bell rang at 2:15 PM, the parking lot was a ghost town, save for the bus and the field trip goers, who were gradually trickling in.

The Car ride to the school was hell. This trip was going to be hell. In fact Kyle was actually living in hell. That was it. His life was over and this was where he ended up. Of fucking course his mother would be on the field trip, and of course he would be stuck rooming with fucking stupid ass face craig and Kyle was going to murder him in his sleep --- Stan better learn how to hide a fucking body and fast because Kyle swear to God, or anything holy that he was going ----

At lease Stan would be miserable too. Randy was going to be there which would mean Stan would be just as pissy. Perfect. That would work just fine then. Kyle hoped out of the car the moment it was on the curb grabbing his bag from the truck. ' Where are you?' He was quick to Text Stan.

Karen was so excited it wasn't just her first trip, but her first school trip with Kenny. She was glad that Kenny was nice enough to cover her with some spending money so they could go together. Karen rocked back and forth on her heels, droning on about how excited she was to Kenny, as he carried their bags. "Do you think that the bus ride will be long? I hope its not! Do you thin we'll have really good food out there? Becca said she was there before and there was a really good steak house by the hotel. Do you think we can go Kenny?" She asked too exicted

Rebecca was excited for the trip, but also not so much. I mean yeah! She gets to be with Karen! That's the best part about this whole thing, only.. She didn't get to stay with Karen in the same room. Total Bummer. She didn't really even know the girls she was going to be roomed with anyway, which that makes it SO much better right? Nervousness trickling into her, she had to get her mind off of that. As she was drove there by her Mother she brought with her, her bag, a sketchbook, and two game systems to play on the bus ride there.

Getting to the school, she unbuckled told her mother Bye and she walked up to the curb. She was wearing a long sleeve pastel red shirt with a cute bat on it, a black skirt, and some really cute tights that adored little bats all around it. Her hair was up in ponytail, and she adored a little bat hair pin in her hair. Different from her usual confused for a goth look, but still her nonetheless. She looked about to see if Karen's showed up yet, oh man she really wanted to see Karen, even if it's been just a couple of hours. Who could live that long without seeing their Bestie?

Randy Marsh pulled his car up near the bus area, dressed a little nicely but not too much - he threw a jacket on over his usual blue workshirt, gray hair starting to tease by his temples, but otherwise, he looked good for his age. He couldn't help but be a little worried about Stan, since he hadn't come home that day, but he was sure the kid would be fine. He had a lot of faith in Stan's independence. He remembered when he was Stan's age - he barely saw his old man at all, if ever. Stan was probably fine.

Randy opened the car door and stepped out, pulling a canteen out of his jacket to get a quick drink. He really didn't want to overdo it on the trip but... he'd need a little stress relief here and there.He looked around and thought he saw some kids over the buses, grinning and waving over as he approached from the further reach of the parking lot.

Kevin Stoley had made it early, of course, and had been sitting around fiddling with his phone for a while, playing Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and trying to climb up the leaderboards. His squad was so boring - I mean, he loved all of the characters, sure, but he knew everybody had half of these characters. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself, or stick out like a sore thumb, but he wanted to be a little unique... oh, still talking about the game, for the record, he clarified to nobody in particular. He had Red's playlist all set up for the bus ride in the meantime. He was terrible with music, so of course he didn't recognize most of the music but he was curious what'd been picked.

In the meantime, he was a little thankful Bradley hadn't tagged along or something. He was one of his better friends, but he was glad he wouldn't have to worry about keeping him out of trouble. He was pleseantly surprised to see he'd be rooming with Kenny and Clyde, both people he felt pretty decent enough with. He hadn't known Kenny so well when they were younger, but he turned out to be as cool as could be expected and a solid friend. He didn't know Clyde as much personally, but Clyde seemed so chill that for once Kevin wasn't too anxious about being judged. Plus... Kevin liked aquariums, so all looked good.

Jenny had overslept and was kind of in a rush to make it to school on time to leave - she'd forgotten how exactly she'd been talked into this stupid trip. Probably a mistake, she figured. None of her closer friends would even be there - I mean, she wasn't disappointed to see Wendy'd be around, at least, someone relatively sane, but she still felt a little isolated. That wasn't exactly news though. She'd sooner expect some of those choir people, maybe that blonde chick with the nose-picking problem, to end up on something like this, but it wasn't her thing. As she spotted yellow buses over the horizon, she knew she was almost there. No use turning back now, right?

Wendy was at a conflict of morals.

Aquariums were fun--sure, aside from all the sweaty kids putting their sticky, filthy fingers against the glass and screaming at their parents to buy some grossly overpriced stuffed plush from the gift shop.

Okay, so maybe she didn't like aquariums that much. She liked the animals--but that's where her morals kicked in. She loved seeing the animals, but... she didn't like that they were contained. It was the ultimate conflict of first world problems. But it wasn't as if she could stage an elaborate marine heist--well, okay, she could. She was Wendy fucking Testaburger, after all. She just lacked the necessary resources and equipment.

So, reservations aside, she decided to come. A classic Destiny's Child song blared on the radio as she made the drive to school, Bebe in the passenger seat. It was a shame that they weren't rooming together, but it wasn't as if they could go a few hours without a text or a call. Everything would be fine. Jenny and Rebecca were nice girls, it'd be fun.

Rolling into the parking lot, she made sure to get a decent space where she and Bebe could ditch the first chance they got. Purse and bag in hand, Wendy climbed out, locking it securely behind her as Bebe got out of the passenger's side.

Bebe by her side, it was with a smile and a wave that Wendy walked forward, "Hey--Staniel! Need help with the bag?"

Sheila drove her and Kyle to the school, following all the rules of the road to a T. She didn’t know why her sweet bubela was so moody lately. Perhaps it was the college courses, but he needed to do well if he wanted to succeed and get into law school and follow in his father’s footsteps. She’d make sure Kyle stayed on the right path. At any rate, she hoped this trip would do Kyle good, and she also planned to keep all these kids in line, taking her responsibility as a chaperone seriously.

“Kyle! Not so fast!” she scolded as he hopped out and went to the drop-off area. “Just don’t go too far ahead! I’ll be right there,” she said in a patronizing way, like her son was five instead of seventeen.

She parked the car and got her overnight bag and small suitcase out of the trunk. She made her way up to the curb where Kyle was, high heels clicking as she walked. “Really, bubbe, you could’ve helped me with my bags. I didn’t raise you in a barn. And why are you using that phone? You know, all your little friends are right here. Really, you should take your eyes off of that screen for five minutes.”

Walking to the bus , Stan texted back. He was purposefully hanging back until more people showed. He cringed as he saw his father walking to the buses. So he really was coming. Great. He didn’t want to make small talk with his dad, so finding Kyle fast would be key. I see you be over in a sec , he added in a second text before pocketing his phone.

He jumped a little upon hearing Wendy ask if he needed help with his bag. He turned to face her and Bebe. “Uh, no. I’m good, dude. It’s just the one.” He tried not to feel emasculated by the question. He liked that Wendy wasn’t most girls. “How about you and Bebe? Want me to grab anything?” He figured hanging back with the girls would be fine, especially since he saw Kyle getting ear-banged by his mother. He wanted to save his friend, but he didn’t want an earful from Mrs. Broflovski either.

Stan was dead to Kyle. Honestly dead. He could see right in the fuckers face he was hanging back to not deal with his mother. Did Kyle blame him ? No. But he was going to rot in hell all the same. He read the message on the screen fuming. Fucking bastard. "Mom, Im not going to fall and die. Do you need help with your bags? "He asked though he was sure by the tone in his voice it was going to start a fight.

“You won’t if you’re careful and make sure your shoes are tied,” Sheila lectured, glancing down to make sure Kyle had in fact done so. She was mildly placated by his offer; she’d raised him to be a gentleman. “You take this one since it’s heavy.” She handed Kyle her overnight bag. “They better start loading the buses soon. I don’t know how long they expect us to wait out in the cold… And why are you so grouchy? You ate all of your knishes at dinner, so you can’t be hungry. This is supposed to be fun.”

Bebe had pretty much done one thing since she and Wendy had left her community college, check Instagram and Snapchat.

She honestly checked it so often because she had nothing better to do. She and Wendy had talked while driving, but she wasn't too interested. She was just surprised how her dad was able to even convince her boss to let her off this weekend from work. Sure it was Target, but Bebe had never missed a day of work since she started in June, so this was a bit odd to her.

Still, a weekend of not having to babysit was nice, she loved her little brother to bits, but reading all of his books every time she was over was too much... Someone should teach the kid to read soon before she loses her mind over Jack and the Beanstalk.

She made her way out of Wendy's car when they got to the school, checking her makeup in the camera of her phone before smiling softly. Looking pretty okay, despite not reapplying after gym today. She quickly got out her dufflebag with her clothes in before blinking as Wendy started to speak to Stan. I thought she was done with him... She smiled though, speaking to Wendy, "Hey! I'm gonna go put my backpack in my car, I'll be right back." She then started to briskly walk to her car, planning on just leaving her notebooks and binders in the car, but keeping the bag to carry on the trip at the museum.

Clyde had been taking his sweet time showing up, flirting up a few cheerleaders on his way, one of them being Heidi Turner who had zero interest in what the boy had to say. If anything he was delaying her.

He didn't care if the ice queen was brushing off his advances though and would just continue to talk to the other two girls that were there, talking up until they reached their destination. Heidi who had had enough, grabbed him away from the girls enough to cause him to stumble despite the huge height difference and dragged him towards the group. "I swear.. if I hear one more bad pick up line I'm going to lose it." She muttered under her breath, finally letting him go once they were all together.

Her sudden reaction didn't even upset him and instead he just laughed as he waved bye to the girls that walked away. His hands shoved in his pockets as he merged in with the group, pulling a single taco from his bag to eat while they waited to go. Was that all he had? Who knew.

Heidi, finally being separated from him, just made her way over to the girls so she wouldn't have to be around him alone anymore. The very idea of it giving her a headache. What was she supposed to do? She wasn't his baby sitter for christ sake!!

"So how long is the drive gonna take?" Clyde just asked to no one specifically, his eyes landing on the bus. This was most likely going to be the kid asking 'are we there yet' a million and one times.

"No worries--I'm fine," Wendy assured, and walked past, climbing onto the waiting bus. Always one to take initiative, she slung her bags into her chosen seat. Wouldn't want to be the poor sucker who got stuck with the last, worst possible choice.

"So," Wendy walked back out, tucking long, raven hair into a ponytail. She looked out at the other teens approaching, hopefully they'd be on the move soon. Turning her attention back to Stan, she grinned, "I heard your dad is chaperoning. You poor, innocent boy."

Stan glanced at Kyle, gulping. He was surprised he couldn’t see the steam coming out of his ears. He really didn’t want to go over there now. This could totally be his chance to get back together with Wendy. Kyle would be fine hanging with his mom for a little longer, right?

Hurrying after Wendy, he made his way onto the bus. He slid his bag on the seat across from her. Maybe they’d get to sit together. “Uh, yeah… It totally sucks ass. He better give me my space. You’re lucky to get the weekend away from your parents.”

“The drive should be approximately an hour and forty minutes, Mr. Donnovan,” Principal Wells answered Clyde. He was their high school principal. He rarely left his office, but he seemed to know all of their names—a benefit of small town living. The man always wore a suit. He was tall, bald, and of African American descent. Like Token’s family, he lived on the wealthy side of town.

“I suggest you get on the bus soon. Excuse me while I check in with our driver.”

The principal chatted with the driver, who opened up the luggage compartments under the bus for anyone who had bigger bags that wouldn’t fit under their seat.

Karen saw Rebecca the moment the girl came around the corner. Karen grinned, leaving Kenny mid sentence before she ran over to her friend. Of course that left Kenny to follow after her, which Karen was sure he would. They were going to sit together damn it! then maybe people would leave the two girls alone. "Hey!" Karen grinned looking at her friend. She always seemed to dress so cute, Karen was often jealous. "I like your hair. Are you excited? "

Kyle ground his teeth. He was too old for this and this was why he didnt want his mother on this stupid ass trip. Of course Ike wasn't even coming to deal with this shit with him. That pissed Kyle off more. He looked at Stan, shoving his own phone back into his pocket. "okay Ma. Im not hungry. " He said annoyed. Fuck he was going to fucking murder Craig and Stan. Who the fuck was going to help him hide the bodies? Fucking Kenny better be ready.

Kyle put his mother's bag where Mr. Wells put the other bags. Kyle kept his back with him, wanting to be able to use some of the items to keep him busy and as a way to force Stan to sit anywhere else. He stomped onto the bus. Not caring about the looks the bus driver gave him.

He sat as far in the back as he could, throwing his feet over the seat and placing his bag at the end. Fucking this trip was going to be a shit show.

"I am super excited!" She grinned at her friend, two little fangs were sticking out slightly. "And thanks! I spent some time on it. Mom was annoyed I was taking forever on it." She laughed slightly, rubbing the back of her neck.

Her eyes wandered a bit from her friend though. "Man, I kinda feel bad for that kid.. uhm.. I think his name is kyle? I don't know." She shrugged, her smiled slightly leaving her face. "Do we have to leave our bags down there.. I don't really feel safe with it down there. Do you think we have to Kare?" She asked, cautious about leaving her bag with the other bags. I mean she saw Kyle take his on, but what if that wasn't allowed?

Her nerves were attacking her then. To be honest she's only ever gone on a school bus once, and this was her first real field trip. Yeah she knew the area but that didn't make her at ease in any stretch of the imagination.

With that answer, Clyde hopped onto the bus, no arguments or complaints, he kept his carryon bag with him and just allowed the suitcase to be placed with the other suitcases. Once on he just plopped himself in a seat before looking around at all the people that were coming on this trip. His mind just wondering off. Who was going to be roomed together? Hopefully it was someone fun and not a buzzkill. God that would suck. Though he was pulled out of those thoughts when he saw Kyles mom. Fuck. There went any chances to pull good pranks. Well, unless he could get past her. But..that was easier said than done.

"Right. I'd be lucky to get a weekend with my parents," All three of the Testaburgers were busy people, with busy lives and busy schedules. It was a great event when the three all fell into an empty slot. But, whatever. Wendy was sure this weekend would still be great.

She observed Kyle as he stomped onto the bus, plopping into his seat with great frustration. No worries there. He seemed to be as chipper as usual.

Wendy climbed through the bus once more, picking up her purse and heading back to visit the curly-headed fuck, "Hey, Kyle, I get that your mom is sort of... eccentric, but why are you so pissed? Need some water or something?"

Karen shrugged when Rebecca mentioned her mom. She did like Mrs Miller. She was always so nice when she went over. "But you look cute your mom should understand that! " She said as she nudged her shoulder playfully. She looked over to where Becca was looking. "Yea, that's Kyle. He's Friends with Kenny. I think he's always kinda.... pissy? I dont know. I think he's got a period like all the time but he doesn't? He's nice though. " She said as she turned to Kenny. "Can you put my bag in the bus, I'll save us a seat"

She grabbed Rebecca's hand tugging her towards the bus "did you bring your DS so we can play animal crossing? "She asked curiously.

Kyle was surprised Wendy seemed to follow so quickly onto the bus. He however was still too pissy to be bothered. Much like a man with too much pride, Kyle was a man with too much pride. "Im not pissy and I dont need water. Thank you " He said at least trying to sound less like a dick to Wendy since she was trying to be nice. "I dont want to talk about my mom. I hate this trip already, and when the bus is moving fast enough. I'm bailing"

And when I feel like I can feel once again Let me stay awhile Soak it in awhile

A soft melody played through white earbuds. Craig sat on a concrete bumper in the parking lot, arms wrapped around his knees and eyes shut to the world.

If we can hold on we can fix what is wrong Buy a little time For this head of mine Haven for us

He got there early, probably due to the fact that he managed to get all he needed for his trip in less than ten minutes. In fact, the only luggage he brought with him was the single backpack strapped around his waist and shoulders. Light packer. As long as he has his toothbrush and underwear, he considered himself covered. For the most part.

While the trickles of chatter got louder and louder, he let out a sigh, mentally preparing himself. His face still hurt. Craig couldn’t decide if he preferred numbing cold or the dull ache of bruises. Looking up and scanning the forming crowd, he caught glimpse of Clyde heading into the bus. Thank god. Stan and Kyle teetered at the edge of his awareness, but he had two whole days to deal with them. Craig wanted to put that off for as long as possible.

He stood, stretching his legs, and took several long strides toward the bus and up the stairs. One backpack probably didn’t need to be tossed in with everyone else’s stuff. Craig slipped the straps off his shoulders and placed it in his lap as he sat next to Clyde. His attention remained straight ahead, though his did pop the earbud on Clyde’s side out.

“Hey.”

"I brought two DS' so we can both play." She grinned up at Karen, "And yeah my mom kinda is angry at me. She put me on this trip to get me out of the house. Kinda a dick move right?" She asked before getting tugged onto the bus. She was gonna make sure to stay with Karen, as much as she possibly could.

She was scared to meet the other girls she was going to room with, she was normally very shy around those she didn't quite know.

No it's not a dick move! We get to at least be together. I mean not with the rooms but thats okay" She said with a bit of a shrug. Karen hoped onto the bus. "Where do you want to sit? "She asked curiously so excited to be able to play with Rebecca. She was trying to save up for her own DS though it helped that Rebecca just got a new one. She'd only have to babysit for 40 years at this rate.

"Hey man." He smiled at Craig, already beginning to rummage through his own bag. "I got a couple tacos if you want one at all?" He offered, how long had they been there? An hour.. maybe? Who cares. He was starving. At least Craig was there now, the trip was going to be way less boring. "So any idea how the room assignments are gonna be at all? I mean, like who's all paired up with who?"

After finding the tacos, he pulled one out and held it out for Craig to take if he wanted it

"Don't be such a dick, Buttflosski," Wendy gave Kyle's shoulder a shove, "As if you'd actually do that. Your tuck and roll is all over the place."

Debbie Downer over here obviously wasn't going to be a beacon of happiness on this voyage. Not that Wendy was expecting much else. It was a week ago, after all, that he'd flooded her phone with a series of all-caps text messages outlining the details of his mother's chaperoning. She'd been mentally prepping for this trip ever since.

She flashed him a grin, taking out her phone, "Well, better head back before someone pushes my bag out of my seat. Text me if you need someone to hold you while you cry."

Kyle frowned a bit, he wanted to laugh because Wendy was such a dick in the best type of way. "No, I think i'll just jump, belly flop it might be better for my back "He said a bit sarcastically. She seemed to be a whirlwind as she almost turned on her heel to go back to her seat. Kyle grabbed her arm. "You can sit back here if you want. Im not going to ask you to hold me while I cry. That's a little too manly for me" He said sarcastically giving her the option..

As soon as Bebe had dropped off her supplies, she made a bee-line for the buses. After putting away her duffle bag, she climbed onto the bus trying to find Wendy's seat. She really just wanted someone to talk to while they were driving. "Hey Wendy! Where's your seat at?!" As soon as she found it, Bebe was gonna turn on her hot-spot and play some games on her computer, but only if no one(except Wendy) saw. She didn't want to be grouped in with the geeks, even though she basically was one in her private life.

Another conflict of interests. Wendy bit her lip, looking between Kyle and Bebe. Well, to be fair, Bebe and Wendy had spent basically the entire day together. She'd hardly seen Kyle this week. Which was a total bummer, because she'd already finished the stack of books he'd given her. It was amazing how much reading time you could find running between activities, or at stop lights, almost smashing into another car head on while it's driver cursed you out.

Not that it had happened. Wendy shoved her phone back into her pocket, "I'm gonna sit back here with Kyle, Beebs!" She called, shoving his bag over, "I think Heidi's open!"

Settling into the seat, she laid her legs over his, looking at him with a grin, "Kyle, that witchcraft book? Amazing! Like, you just know me!"

Kyle grinned as she took a seat set to him on the bus. He pushed his bag closer to him. He moved his feet to give her more room. He snorted. "Wendy, I would hope I know you by now. " He said as he winked at her playfully. "Was it really that good? It looked really nice so I was hoping you'd like it. I flipped through it, it seemed neat. Did you try any spells? "He teased a bit .

" Please ," Wendy snorted, giving him a dismissive wave of her hand, "I don't dabble in that shit. I just find it interesting, that's all. It's all a bunch of superstition and folktales stitched into truth."

Okay, so she'd had a few psychedelic experiences with Red--no drugs included, or needed. But that didn't change her logical way of thinking. At least, not too much, "Who are you rooming with?"

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Right. And are you sure you're not cooking people in pots when Im not looking ? The horror Wendy. What will I say when I talk about you on the news? " Kyle asked. Honestly, he could give a speech in 2 minutes flat he had that. No worries there, maybe Anderson Cooper would come into town.

"Fucking Stan and Craig" He said with a loud huff, being reminded of both of the people who he hated. Honestly. "How about you? Who did you end up with ?"

“I’m with Marsh and Broflovski,” Craig answered, not planning to elaborate any further. Instead he turned his attention to the taco, thick eyebrows quirking at the sight of it. Really, he shouldn’t be surprised. Sometimes Clyde reminded him of one of those soccer moms who always had snacks in her purse. Not that he'd mention that to him. Or maybe he would. After tacos. The sour cream and cheese loaded inside would come back with a vengeance down the road, but for now, yeah. He could eat.

Craig accepted wordlessly, unwrapping it from the paper. Tacos were definitely the only food he was willing to tilt his head to the side for. He opened his jaw as wide as he could, and managed to stuff a little more than half into his mouth in one bite. Cheeks rounded as he chewed, a dab of sour cream falling from his lips toward his chin. Craig’s face remained impassive, though he did lift his hand into a thumbs-up to indicate thanks. And enjoyment.

"Watch those smart ass remarks--or you'll be next," She teased, shoving her hands into the sleeves of her coat, "And who said you'll be talking? You're much better at just sitting back and looking fine."

She thought it over, who had she been roomed with, again? Most of her thoughts were shadowed with disappointment for not being roomed up with Bebe. Oh, yeah, "Jenny and Rebecca. They're nice girls, so, it'll be fine--and what's with the tone? You and Stan are super best friends ."

Wendy wouldn't comment on Craig. She liked him enough not to be one of the things that pushed Kyle towards beating his face in.

Kyle snorted as he looked at her. "Dude you dont scare me Wendy" He said before he shook his head utterly amused. "You're a push over" he said as he ignored the comment about looking fine. He wore socks and Sandals that said it all .

"Who the hell is Jenny? "He asked confused trying to put a name to a face. He shook his head not really careing all too much. "That's shitty do you even talk to them ? "He asked feeling a bit bad for Wendy. "We'll skip for dinner " He promised trying to at least sound a bit hopeful. He'd have to be careful at this rate.

Kyle mentioned nothing about Stan. "I dont have a tone. "He said, in a way that surely sounded as if he did.

Bebe pouted momentarily before moving to sit with Heidi. She just hoped Wendy would want to hang with her at the aquarium tomorrow. Shrugging, she moved to sit in a random seat, looking outside to spot Heidi still talking with some of the girls. She opened the window, calling out to her, "Heidi!! You wanna sit with me on the bus??" Normally, Bebe was about 20 decibels quieter, but she honestly gave zero fucks at the moment.

Wendy was going to bless Kyle by looking past that 'pushover' comment. Naturally, he wouldn't know Jenny. To be honest, Wendy didn't talk with Jenny nearly as much as she should have, or Rebecca, for that matter. She was a busy girl, but that was no excuse. Damn. She needed to catch up with these modern teens.

With a roll of her eyes, she twisted in the seat, placing a hand against his shoulder, "Kyle, you are my husband , and I would know that shit tone, anywhere. Anywhere . What's up with you and Stan?"

Kyle laughed at her. "Wendy. One day I'll get something past you. " He said as he shifted a bit, looking up to see who was currently on the bus. Thankfully not many people yet. Maybe this trip would never start? that would be amazing. A blessing from above.

"He's being a dick. I needed saving from my mom and he bails. Like what a prick. He couldnt fucking wave me over? Its bull shit. So he can enjoy Randy all weekend. Im not sharing a bed, so he and Craig can fight over one. Fuck him. " He said with a nasty ass huff.

Stan couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His conversation with Wendy had been cut short because she went to go sit with Kyle of all fucking people! He furrowed his brow in disgust and plopped down in the seat across from Bebe. So much for sitting together. He folded his arms across his chest, fuming. “Super best friend my ass,” he muttered under his breath. Hopefully, the bag in his seat would keep his dad from sitting by him. He glanced out the window, noticing his dad was still outside. Maybe he wouldn’t get on the bus at all.

He couldn’t stand to look at Wendy and Kyle, but he could still pick out every word of their conversation. Kyle was fine and Wendy’s husband. And Kyle said he was a dick. Great. Just fucking great.

Once her bags were taken care of, Sheila stepped onto the bus, standing tall at the front. Not too many children were on it yet, but it was already getting a little noisy from the chatter. She frowned when she noticed Wendy’s arm around Kyle. A nice girl, but she wasn’t like the Jewish girls from the temple. And stubborn, too. She would likely never convert. She’d have to have a talk with Kyle later.

“Alright, settle down, children!” she called, holding a clipboard. “We’ll be leaving in ten minutes.” She did a quick roll call on the bus to see who they had so far, getting Rebecca, Karen, Wendy, Kyle, Craig, Clyde, Bebe, and Stan. “Alright, only a few stragglers.” She filed out to go boss the lingering kids onto the boss.

Stan really wasn't even going to try and sit with him? Stanley wanted a war he could have one. "See. There he goes. He'll be pouty and make it my fault. Im not dealing with it. "He said under his breath angry as shit. He'd turn it around on Kyle call him fucking a liar. He had to be dating Wendy. Of course they couldnt be friends the horror. He fucking hated everyone. Where the fuck was his only friend Kenneth fucking McCormick. Because at this rate he was going to punch someone.

"My mother is going to be the death of me" He told Wendy after a moment. [4/17/17, 9:20:14 PM] \(๑･`▱´･๑)/ SAGE: Bebe blinked behind her as Stan sat down. She sighs looking at him, "Your best friend ditch you too?" As much as she would rather not talk to Stan, they were pretty similar. Both alcoholics and now their bffs had left them. "It's pretty shitty huh?" She moved to sit down, not wanting her ass to hang in the air for forever as she looked out the window.

"I like your mom. She's nice," And she always gave a hefty donation to Wendy's yearly breast cancer fundraiser. Couldn't knock on the woman when she did that. Pretty sure it was part of some unspoken contract. More dough, less woe.

Still, she couldn't help but be frustrated at Kyle's plight. A lady's work was never done, "You both are big fucking babies--hey, Stan!" Wendy called, sitting up in their seat, "Wanna sit back here with us? The seat across from us is open."

Kyle was going to need to hide 3 bodies. He was going to become a serial killer. The only question was did it look good on his college Resume? It showed that he was committed to an idea right? Fuck. He was going to have to figure out how to word that just right to get some extra kudos points. He'd have to ask Cartman to proof read that shit. This was be coming a mess.

"Wendy" He hissed loudly. He looked up though, Stan wouldn't take the bait. Why was Wendy trying. Kyle was going to loose it. "Don't you're going to make it fucking worse. "

Kevin filed on to the bus quietly, having been almost unnoticed from the corner where he'd been fiddling with his game. "Here." he told Mrs. Broflovski quietly, not wanting to attract too much attention to himself but also not wanting to get marked as absent, obviously. He had to find somewhere to sit next. Maybe there was an open seat? He didn't want to bug anybody.

Randy headed for the bus, having stopped for a bathroom break before talking to anybody, stopping just outside, "Hey guys, I miss anything important?" he asked with a grin, trying to look cool. He knew he was a Cool Dad, no matter what Stan or Shelley said... or Sharon... or Dad... or Jimbo... or Ned... well, he hadn't seen Shelly in a while, maybe she'd finally found the bright side of things. "Can I help with anything?" he offered enthusiastically. He hadn't spotted his son yet, but he was confident Stan was on the bus. He was a good kid, even if he was a grouch sometimes.

Jenny finally arrived on the sidewalk, catching her breath, "I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, did I miss anything?" she asked not long after Randy had said the same thing.

"Oh, uh, which one are you?" Randy asked.

Jenny shook her head with annoyance, "Look, it's Jenny Simons, okay? Jeez." It was good to know her absence was noticed... but then again, there were times it was better not to be noticed.

It had been a while since he'd seen Karen so excited for something that wasn't television or food related. He felt a warm sensation rest in his chest every time he would get a glimpse of the gleam in her eyes, and the sweet sound of he hyperactive voice. A wide smile would appear as she stumbled onto her words, asking him practically a hundred different questions that he probably didn't know the answer to. He open his mouth to eventually reply to her, but she was quickly distracted by the sight of her best friend. He'd simply chuckle and give a gentle shrug as he hauled their luggage closer.

He checked his cell for any notifications he had missed as his sister had caught up with her close friend. He wasn't listening much until he caught them talking about Kyle. Was he angry already? What-----Who set him off so quickly? They trip hasn't even started yet.. As they mentioned him, Ken would also notice the loud steps being taken as they approached the bus. ----That's Kyle. For sure. He finally set his phone away, as his sister set off towards their transpiration with Rebecca, he responded to her with a short lived smile and a nod. Heading his way to one of the bus managers to figure where their luggage would fit in the pile of others.

He was likely to be one of the last ones to get inside of the bus, with only one purple backpack around his shoulder. After some long lasting minutes dealing with the luggage situation, it had seemed Karen's pack was the only thing that couldn't make it in. That was a bit tedious as Kenny didn't really want to bring any luggage into the bus, but it wasn't the end of the world. He just wanted Karen to have the best possible time on this trip. So for once he was focusing on the details.

Just in time.

As he tried to make his way in, he stood right behind Jenny as she was blocking the way into the bus, standing there for about three seconds, he leaned closer and stated. "Hey, um, Jenny.. Would you mind?" He eyed her, similarly giving in and smiling as the interaction was a bit awkward. "I don't wanna be a that jackass but my sister is waiting for me inside." He added.

Stan glanced at Bebe before looking at the front of the seat in front of him. “ Really shitty. I don’t think there’s even a word to describe how shitty this feels.” He wanted to take a swig from the flask he kept concealed in his jacket pocket, but he knew he couldn’t risk it with this many people—not to mention Kyle’s mom snooping about.

He ignored Wendy when she called out to him. His anger was replaced with panic as he saw his dad outside the bus, getting way too close. Shit. He really was gonna come with them. Heart beating fast, his eyes zeroed in on Kevin Stoley as he walked onto the bus. “Dude, Kevin! Sit here!” Stan called out, waving his arm in the air to get the nerdy boy’s attention. He kept his backpack on the seat while he waited, though. Couldn’t be too careful.

Sheila barely kept herself from rolling her eyes at Randy. Sharon’s husband was nice, but honestly he could be very immature and spacy at times. Gerald would have been better, but she needed him at home with Ike. “We’re just getting the final roll call. Most of the children are accounted for.”

“You would’ve been missed, Miss Simons,” Prinicpal Wells said, nodding to her. “Get on the bus with the rest of your friends.” He watched as both Jenny and Kenny made their way to the bus door. Now the only straggler was Heidi Turner.

Sheila walked over to Heidi, assuming the girl probably was busy on her phone like Kyle. Honestly, kids didn’t know how to live without those things. It was a real problem—maybe one she’d have to have a town meeting about. “You need to get on the bus, dear. We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

"Huh? Oh, yeah, whatever." Jenny said, not dismissively so much as not troubled, moving out of the way so Kenny could get on the bus without much of a second thought, looking for her own space. Well, it'd be easier than the crowded morning bus, at least, right? She nodded to the Principal, "Thank you." She knew she was accounted for. She'd better get credit for this.

It was with a frown that Wendy sat back in her seat, folding her arms. A simple 'no thank you' would have sufficed, but, completely ignoring her? As if he didn't hear! They were getting along great, not even twenty minutes ago.

What a dick. Huffing, Wendy pulled out her cell phone to shoot him a text. She would not be ignored, "Okay, yeah, you're right. He's being a tool. Sorry, Kyle."

[3:58] Wendy to Stan: A simple 'no' would have been cool, too, you know. [3:58] Wendy to Stan: I really wanted to talk. [3:59] Wendy to Stan: Sit next to me at dinner??

Kyle rolled his eyes, and slumped further into the seat. It wasn't worth it. Kyle shrugged. "It's not your fault Wendy. I think I should be taking applications for a new best friend. "He said with a huff before he pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the time. "do you know how long this bus ride is? "

Karen didn't give Becca time to anwser before she plopped down in a seat in the middle of the bus. She waved over at Kenny when finally /finally/ made it onto the bus. She pointed to the seat across from her waiting for the other to come down the rows. She made herself comfortable giving Rebecca the window seat

When Rebecca sat down, she brough her knees up and put them against the back of the other seat, making herself rather comfortable. Her bag was on her lap and she reached in, grabbing the two ds', one was a light pink 3ds, the other a bright red 3ds xl. Both had a copy of Animal Crossing new leaf in it.

She smiled at Karen though while Karen was waving Kenny over. Man, she wished she was as enthusiastic as Karen, so much life in her. She wish she had that much hope in her eyes. Often Rebecca herself would look on the depressing side of things. She wasn't as optimistic as she wishes she was.

The smile on her face stayed until Karen would look back, and when that happened, She would blush and quickly look to the window. God, why was she embarrassed? They were Just Friends right?

"Hey Stan!" Kevin grinned and sat over by Stan, pleasantly surprised to see someone reach out to him. It was hard for him to pass it up when someone was reaching out. He liked feeling like people wanted to have him around, for lack of a better word. "How've you been?" he asked. He hadn't noticed Wendy or Kyle waving at him and didn't realize he was getting in the middle of something.

He nodded as he passed the shorter brunette. A part of him wondered if maybe Jenny was there with Lola. The blonde was slightly developing a sort of crush on the cheerleader, so seeing her on this trip would be a nice bonus. She was very nice to look at. He didn't put much further thought into it though as he was more preoccupied on where his sister sat. He stood at the beginning of the hallway, peering throughout the filled in seats. Heidi is with Bebe, Craig is not surprisingly sitting with Clyde, Stan is with--- Kevin? If that's the case then..

His glance fell upon the back of the bus, recognizing a bothered Kyle and Wendy. Uh oh. A long sigh come out as he passed down the row of seats. He gave Stan a nod, and Kevin a friendly pat as he passed them, gliding over to Karen as he slid her backpack off his shoulder. He squatted down and placed the bag onto Karen's lap. Looking up at her, he said, "Karen, here's your bag, it didn't fit with rest of our stuff. -- Listen, Kyle looks pretty upset, so I'm gonna go check up on him, I'll be back in a minute okay? After that, I'm all yours." He gave her sympathetic smile, quickly pinching her cheek and proceeding to head towards Kyle and Wendy's direction.

He pressed a hand against a near by seat, leering over the two of them, he scratched the back of his neck. "Everything okay?" He asked, waiting for any type of accepting gesture to let him sit by them.

Karen turned back at grinned wildly at Becca, grabbing the 3ds. "Thanks You're literally the best Beckie" She said as she turned on the handheld game. "Kenny is old as ever. He's going to be 90 when he sits down at this rate " She said playfully to Beckie. Her attention turing to Kenny the moment he walked over, however her smile fell and she kinda wanted to sulk. They weren't going to be next to each other in the hotel and her brother was already ditching her for his friends. "oh.. okay " She said as she faked a grin. "tell Kyle I said Hi! "

Kyle looked up from his phone to see the blonde. Jesus at least Kenny came through for Kyle. Good man. His only true best friend. "Yea, everything is fine. Sitting back here with us? " Kyle asked curiously, watching Kenny carefully.

"That's good." Randy noted, "I guess I'll supervise the ones already on the bus?" he asked as Sheila went off to find Heidi. With a shrug he walked up the bus, scanning the seats for his son. He was sure Stan would have fun - he remembered taking Stan to the aquarium for his birthday when he was in elementary school. It was pretty ruined, but... hey, I mean, they had fun up until the Japanese arrived, right? That was in Denver though. He wasn't sure if this place was as nice. Probably didn't have killer whales. Ah well. He hoped Stan had fun... and he hoped the food didn't suck. The better be sharks, too. Anyway, what? Oh right. Where's Stan?

"Hey dude." Kevin gave Kenny a quick acknowledgement as he passed, but simple enough to not obligate Kenny to stop and chat. He could tell Kenny was probably on his way to be by his sister and he was cool with that. Shame his sister couldn't tag along.

Stan felt his phone buzz in the front pocket of his jeans. He took it out and glanced at it for a moment, but he didn’t bother reading the messages when he noticed it was from Wendy. He clicked the lock button, making his screen go black. He tried to tune Kyle out, but Stan caught the bit about how he’d have to look for a new super best friend. What a fucking asshole. Like he was some awesome prince. Who talked to their best friend’s ex like that?

At the very least, Kevin accepted his invitation to sit with him, so he moved his backpack to the ground. He nodded back at Kenny as he passed, forcing a smile before focusing on Kevin again. “Shitty, but whatever. We’re going on vacation and at least I’m not sitting by my dad.” That was the only thing that could’ve made this trip worse. “How about you?”

He sunk lower in his seat upon seeing Randy get on the bus. He hoped his dad didn’t try to sit in front of him and Kevin. “Just sit in the front of the bus with the rest of the adults. For the love of god…” he muttered.

Once Sheila got Heidi on the bus and sitting next to Bebe, she turned her attention to Wells and Randy. “Alright, good. That’s everyone.” She bossed the bus driver to close the luggage compartments. She stepped onto the bus with Wells and Randy. Even though Randy said he’d supervise the kids on the bus, she didn’t trust him fully. “Alright! We’re just about to leave! Let me take a final roll call.” Couldn’t be too safe.

With everyone double checked in and the bus packed up, the doors shut. Sheila sat up front with Wells. Once everyone was seated, the bus driver departed the school parking lot and headed onto South Park’s main street, heading in the direction to go on the highway.

Jenny sat about as far back as possible, with little regard for how close she was to any of the other students, not thinking twice about her own habit of self-isolation by choice. Being the last one to find a seat had a per k- she had extra space for her bags. She got comfy and took out her phone. She had no idea what Kenny had been thinking - but funnily enough, they were on a similar wavelength. Jenny was disappointed that Lola hadn't been able to come along - but, whatever, right? She'd be fine without her best friend around. She didn't need anybody.

For a moment, it seemed like Stan's nightmares were gonna become a reality, as Randy approached him and Kevin. "Hey Stan! You excited about the aquarium?" he grinned for a moment, but before he could say anything more embarrassing than that, Sheila had gotten on to the bus and started talking, a signal to move back to his place, "Well, I gotta go sit upfront with all the boring adults, I guess. You found a friend anyway, right? You kids have fun." and he left Stan alone rather anti-climactically.

"Yeah, I see what you mean." Kevin nodded to Stan's reference to his father as Randy himself approached. He didn't get a chance to say anything to Dr. Marsh before he moved, "Sorry if you're feeling shitty, dude. I'm okay. Aquarium's probably the best kind of school trip we could hope for, right?" he said with a shrug.

Kenny look between the two of them for a second, until his attention fell onto Kyle as he was the first to speak up. He didn't say anything much further as he planted himself down next to Kyle. "For a moment, if you're down with that." He knew he couldn't stay there long, as he really did want to spend more time with Karen. ---Kyle was his friend though, and Kenny felt obliged to console his friends when they really need it.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but, did Stan do something dickish?" Ken was so used to seeing them together, especially when they're traveling, so when there was tension and distance, he knew there had to be some type of trouble in paradise.

Heidi was sitting in her seat now, typing away on her phone before she finally shoved it into her pocket. "God..why do people have to be so difficult. Or utter pigs for that matter. Boy's just can't take a hint." Of course she was referring to when boys flirt at random. She really just wanted to rant, but in the end she found her rant ending as she just sighed heavily. "So how are you Bebe? Anything interesting going on?" She questioned, brushing some of her dirty blond hair back behind from her face.

"I got a bunch.. there's an ice pack in my bag to make sure they don't go bad." Clyde said as he quickly scarfed down his taco, making sure not to leave a trace of it. As more people gathered into the bus, he just began digging through his bag again before letting it fall to the ground. "Well Shi-..Crap." He caught himself from swearing, knowing how Kyles mom felt about it. "I forgot it. Oh well, can live the week without it." He hummed half to himself, choosing not to specify what he had forgotten. It was just some pills that a doctor wanted him to take, but since they weren't there he assumed that it would just be better to not worry about it. Unless of course his dad noticed and made sure they were there. He'd ask an adult later.

Wendy was feeling rather put out. Her texts hung in empty silence, not even read.

She felt an ache that settled in her chest before she had the chance to stop it. Shit. She didn't need this right now. So what if Stan didn't want to speak to her, or pay any attention to her? If he was going to get pissed every time she so much as glanced at another guy, was it really worth it?

"Hey Kenny," Wendy gave him a smile, "It's just--totally stupid. I'm sure he'll get over whatever he's on by the time we get there."

Rebecca smiled lightly, patting Karen's shoulder. "He'll come back trust me." She reassured her friend. She's been around Karen long enough to know when she was faking her smiles or when she wasn't. She opened her red 3DS playing the game, She scooted a little bit closer to Karen without even thinking about it. "Aw man, Mitzy moved away. Dang it." Rebecca muttered upset. She liked the villager Mitzy.

Stan tensed as soon as Randy approached him and Kevin. The topic of the aquarium made him flashback to that horrible birthday at the Denver Aquarium where the Japanese killed all those poor dolphins. The Downtown Aquarium they were going to was in Denver, but at least it was different and carnage free. He avoided making eye contact with his dad and let out a sigh of relief when he decided to sit with the rest of the adults. “Oh, thank god, dude.”

He returned his attention to Kevin. “It’s like he wants to follow me everywhere. Pretty lame.” He glanced behind him, narrowing his eyes when he noticed how Kenny was sitting across from Kyle and Wendy. “Yeah, it’s kinda cool but sad on the other hand with those animals being in way too small of tanks.”

Finishing up the rest of his taco, Craig wiped his mouth with his fingers. Mmm. He glanced at Clyde, about to verbalize his appreciation, before his bag went spilling to the floor. Typical. Clyde had somewhat of a clumsy streak. Craig couldn’t blame him, though. He had his space cadet moments too.

After what felt like forever the bus finally got moving. Craig crossed his arms, turning in his seat to check on who actually showed up. Of course, Stan and Kyle were doing everything in their power to stir up some kind of drama, to which he only had one word.

Nope.

He didn’t care what was going on between them. He was not getting involved. Turning to face the front again, Craig tried to swallow down his growing dread. Maybe Clyde, Kenny, and Kevin would let him sleep in their room instead. If worse comes to worse, he could always just turn on a playlist and pretend to be a corpse.

Speaking of which.

“Dude, wake me up when we get there.”

Craig put his earbud back in and sank into the seat, eyes shutting.

"Yeah, I guess." Kevin shrugged, "I's a shame that they don't get enough money to do more for the animals." he shook his head, "Is there anything you're looking forward to seeing anyway?"

"It's 'cos most people are assholes and only care about making money. Well, maybe they'll all think to care a little goddamn bit when more of these animals become endangered," Stan said, sighing. He stopped himself from going on too much of a tangent. "I dunno... That exhibit where it's supposed to look like a shipwreck sounds cool. What about you?" He wanted to keep himself engaged and distracted from Wendy and Kyle.

"Oh wow, what do they have in there? Like, sharks or anything?" Kevin asked, intrigued by the idea. I mean, a shipwreck didn't sound too conservation-y, but it sounded like a cool frame for an exhibit at least.

"I dunno." Stan pulled out his phone to look it up again, frowning at seeing the three text notifications he knew were from Wendy. "Doesn't say what they have in there specifically, but the website shows this creepy fish." He held his phone in the middle so Kevin could take a gander.

"Oh wow," Kevin chuckled, "That thing looks cool. We'll have to see if we can catch what it's called when we're there. Looks super creepy."

Stan smiled a little. It felt good to hear someone laugh after that shitstorm with Kyle and Wendy. "For sure, dude. I bet you'll wanna write some nerd-o report on it and somehow relate it to Star Wars."

Kevin might've taken a little offense to that if he didn't know Stan well enough to know it wasn't meant in malice. He'd heard Stan was a bit of a Trekkie anyway. Through the grapevine "Haha, nahh.. I was thinking of writing a report on the seals or sea lions if they have any, seeing how much land space they have versus swimming space. Kinda boring but I found good sources for it."

Like Kevin said, the topic of the report sounded boring. And unnecessary. “Really? Is that like an AP English assignment or for extra credit?” In his English class, they weren’t making them do any assignments for going on the field trip, thankfully. Otherwise, he’d have to worry about taking notes. “Or you just doing it for the fun of it?”

"It's for extra credit in Zoology." Kevin replied, "I'm studying conservation programs for my projects and stuff since it's something not a lot of the other kids are doing?" he awkwardly tried to explain.

“Really?” Stan felt a little stupid he also had Zoology and didn’t remember that, though they were in different classes. Even though neither were officially AP, maybe Kevin’s class was the smart class. Or maybe people were more awake later in the day. “So, uh, you’re trying to stand out from the crowd?”

"Kind of. I mean, I was falling behind at the beginning, so I've been trying to bring my grade back up, and the teacher said if I did this I could substitute it for a paper I flunked last month?" Kevin explained, suggesting it was a little more unique of a situation. Not something Stan had to feel bad about missing. "I like to think I can be a good student, but I don't always hit the ground running." Now Kevin felt a little inadequate.

She didn't want to seem needy, but, she also wanted Stan to stop ignoring her. It stung her pride, and, besides, she'd done nothing to warrant this kind of treatment.

Wendy took out her phone again as Kyle and Kenny talked, shooting him a final attempt at conversation.

Wendy to Stan: Please talk to me. I don't want you to be mad at me for the whole trip. Wendy to Stan: : (

“Oh, shit, dude.” Stan hadn’t seen that one coming. He never thought Kevin Stoley would be the type to fall behind. Maybe he’d been stereotyping the boy. They’d always been present in each other’s lives, living in the same town and going to the same school, but they never had many in depth conversations, especially one-on-one. “You’ll get there. I suck at school, too, so don’t stress.”

"Yeah, I'm catching up... sometimes when I have a lot of stuff due in different classes, I guess I just kinda end up messing everything up." he admitted, "I'll be okay though, I just have to persevere." he nodded, and he swore he'd heard a notification sound from a phone, but he knew it wasn't his.

Bebe was understanding of Heidi's position, since she had actually went to cheer practice today something Bebe neglected in order to pack for the trip , she'd have to deal with any boy who teased the girls alone. "That's gotta suck..." she looked over at Stan, watching as he and Kevin talked. "Huh... I didn't know Stan and Kevin were even friends..." Muttering wasn't good... but if it was Heidi, it just helped her reputation with the girl.

"I've been fine, Mr Jones keeps letting that guy harass me, but otherwise I'm okay... Oh! Shawn was really sad that he isn't going to see me this weekend, so I'm gonna video chat him in our room, is that okay?" Okay, as much as she complained about her brother, she absolutely loved him.

#event 1 #south park rp #stan marsh #kyle broflovski #kenny mccormick #karen mccormick #wendy testaburger #bebe stevens #rebecca miller #craig tucker #clyde donovan #kevin stoley #jenny simons #heidi turner #log #hfwtrp

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