#its saying 1-2 inches of snow

[lunar-fey]

clapping our wind chill will get to -25F/-32C :)

[mediumgayitalian]

prev

———

Twenty minutes later, Solace hurries out of his cabin in cowboy boots.

And jeans.

Nico gapes at him.

“Go go go go go, questions later,” Will hisses, herding him behind the Apollo cabin. “We are on a time limit, we gotta —”

“You’re wearing close-toed shoes.”

“Yes, yes, sometimes I wear the clothes that I own. Wild. Let’s go.” Will tugs, uselessly, on his arm, but Nico’s half-certain his jaw has taken root in the ground, cementing him in place, because what the actual shit.

“Solace, you wore flip-flops to the snow-smothered bus stop in January. I thought you had, like, a condition!”

“I do have a condition. It’s called You Are Not Hurrying, Death Breath, let’s go —”

This time when he pulls, Nico stumbles after him, ducking under windowsills and inching around flower gardens. Every time someone so much as looks in their direction, Will plants both hands on his chest and shoves them into a corner somewhere, craning his neck to watch until they move on. Every time he does, another piece of Nico’s soul breaks away from his body and descends into hell. There is an actual trail of bones and tilled earth and dead grass behind him. Will doesn’t need to worry about being stealthy — the death aura of Nico’s dignity is large enough to scare off anything within a four mile radius.

“In here!”

Undeterred by the death aura, for some reason, Will seizes his bicep and shoves him in a crack between the Hypnos and Dionysus cabins. He slips in a millisecond later, crowding him against the warm bricks, forearm pressed awkwardly next to Nico’s head.

“Hnggh,” Nico gasps, mournfully wishing his last sliver of self-respect goodbye. Rest in fucking peace. “Do you have to be so — close, Will, gods —”

“Shhh!”

“If you shush me again I am going to rip your throat out —”

“Go, go, go!”

Yanked forward again, Nico doesn’t have the time to finish his threat. This time, at least, they sprint the final stretch to the shed without any more hiding and shoving.

Thank all the fucking gods. One more second of Will’s stupid torso — since fucking when does he wear polo shirts, huh, what the shit fuck is up with that — pressed against his and Nico’s bronchitis was going to come back. And this time he’s going to succumb to it.

“Okay,” Will says. He stands in front of a tarp-covered lump, gripping one side and jutting his chin out at the other. “On three, we tear this off and start pushing. We need past Thalia’s tree in under thirty seconds. Got it?”

“No,” Nico says stubbornly, “you still haven’t explained what the rush is —”

“One two three go!”

Will, unfortunately, has been tricking ADHD teenagers into doing things they don’t want to do for years, so Nico’s ripping off the tarp and shoving the chariot out of its stall faster than he can register what he’s doing. He practically sprints to keep up with Will, chariot wheels creaking happily as they rush over stones and sticks and forgotten weapons.

“We’re leaving now, Chiron! Bye!” Will hollers, moving too fast to give him a second to respond. Luckily, Chiron is similarly busy, galloping after a speeding Harley without more than a backwards wave and a sharp don’t die, please!

“That dynamite I gave Harley’ll only keep everyone distracted another thirty seconds,” Will mutters, ignoring Nico’s alarmed the fucking what you gave Harley, “so we need to move, let’s go.”

“Will — slow down a half fucking second, Christ, not everyone is seventy percent leg — we don’t even have pegasi!”

“Will you keep it down.” Will looks back and forth, eyes wide, like he’s worried someone is going to pop up with a pack of the winged animals. “Just — stop asking questions! We’re almost home free!”

“You’ve gone insane. It’s finally, actually happened, after all these years, who woulda thought, fully bonkers at age sixteen —”

“Oh, shut up.”

Muttering his complaints, Nico helps him push the infernal chariot down Half-Blood Hill. Among his grievances, he makes it abundantly clear that 1) this is stupid, 2) he did not agree to physical labour, 3) he would not have agreed to come if he had known about the physical labour, and 4) this is stupid.

“Just a few more yards, then we can —”

“Okay, no, that’s it.” Nico lets go of the chariot, letting the wheel dig into the soft ground and send the whole thing halting. He meets Will’s pout head-on; arms crossed, jaw set, foot tapping, refusing to give into those big blue eyes.

“C’mon, Neeks.” A faint explosion sounds off in the distance. Will’s eyes get more pleading, more hopeful. “We won’t have much time after the diversion wears off…”

“You have three seconds before I turn the hell around, Solace.”

“Please?”

“One.”

He pushes uselessly at the chariot. It spins a sad little circle without someone pushing the other side. “Neeks!”

“Two.”

“Alright, fine! Help me push again and I’ll explain on the way down.”

“Much easier when you just do as I say,” Nico grumbles, starting to push the stupid (horseless and therefore useless) chariot again. “Isn’t it?”

Will, predictably, rolls his eyes, although he can’t quite help the smile that pulls at his lips. Nico tells the butterflies that go buck fucking wild in his stomach to go to hell. This does nothing.

“How much do you know about the chariot?” Will asks eventually, after a couple minutes of shoving the stupid thing past a deep trench in the soil, leftover from the war. (Nico is going to set the fucking thing on fire. It’s a flying chariot — shouldn’t it be lightweight? Why is he suffering?) They’re nearly three quarters down the hill, and it takes everything Nico has not to risk it all and shadow travel the last couple dozen feet. Yeah, it might kill him, but then his problem would immediately go away. Tempting does not begin to cover it.

“Uh, big source of drama, right? Apollo and Ares worked together to seize it, argued over who got to keep it?”

He cuts a careful glance over to Will, well aware it’s a sensitive topic. He knows the question isn’t a trap — Will would never do that to him — but it’s probably best to tread lightly. As far as he’s concerned, this is a sore point that’ll take more than a couple years to heal.

Luckily, there’s no tension to Will’s face. “Mhm. I wasn’t there for much of the planning, ‘cause I was busy in the infirmary and also, like, twelve, but it took a lot of time on both sides. When Michael and everyone seized it, though, it glowed gold.”

“…Ah.”

Will snorts at his awkwardness, nudging his shoulder. “Yeah. Sure made it hard for the Ares cabin to claim, as dicey as it may be. Here, help me park it on the side of the road.”

There’s a thatch of weeds and undergrowth separating the road from the base of the hill, so dragging the chariot over is a struggle and a half. Nico can’t help but think that this task would be very easy if the chariot was harnessed to a couple pegasi and flying over the fucking thatch, as it is meant to do. When he voices this very valid thought, Will does not respond.

He does walk into a thistle, though, so Nico feels considerably better about the whole ordeal.

“The thing about the blessing —” Will grunts, yanking the chariot onto the gravel shoulder with one final tug — “is that it’s not that big of a deal. My dad blesses shit all the time. Our cabin is blessed. The infirmary is blessed. Hell, half my scalpels are blessed, and I throw those things out all the time ‘cause they’re dangerous when they get dull. Just because my dad blessed it doesn’t mean we actually have to keep it.”

“Okay…” Nico says slowly, “then why was it such a big deal?”

“The blessing on its own wasn’t.” Will’s voice gets fainter as he lowers himself onto the pavement, dragging himself under the belly of the chariot. Nico is confused for a full three seconds before a particularly rough patch of asphalt snags Will’s shirt and drags, and wow, are those jeans low rise. His throat is suddenly very dry. “Blessing a chariot on the other hand…”

Will makes a dorky little noise of success, crawling back from under the chariot. When he resurfaces, he’s grinning, carved piece of wood the same material as the chariot clenched in his hand. There’s soot smeared across his left cheek, his curls have tangled themselves into more of a mess than usual, and there are three separate scuff marks on his nice jeans.

Nico ducks his head, hiding a smile. What a dorky loser. Even dressed up as he is (boy, has Nico fallen low, if he’s calling jeans and cowboy boots dressed up), he still manages to look like…Will.

A really, really hot version of Will, but. Whatever. Details.

“The hell is that?”

“This,” Will says grandly, feeling around the wall of the chariot until he finds a specific spot, “is the reason my brother gave a fuck about a dumbass chariot.” He sticks the edge of the wooden tool in a tiny groove, wedging it open to reveal a hidden panel and a small, golden button. Nico meets Will’s grin with raised eyebrows, impressed.

“What do you know about Michael?”

“Uh, not too much.”

“You think he, in any reality, would have had that much interest in a hunk of wood?”

Nico had scarcely met him more than a couple times, but Michael Yew made an impression, that was for sure. For someone who was shorter than Nico when he was ten years old, he sure took up a lot of space. In the few times Nico remembers seeing him, he’d been concerned with his bow, his camera, or showing any given person who so much as blinked at him wrong just how quickly he could turn their ass concave. If Nico is correct, actually, the one time he and a pegasus had been in the same vicinity, they’d hissed at each other. Nico didn’t even know pegasi could hiss.

He tries to find a delicate way to say this.

“He seemed more interested in other endeavours,” he says politely.

Will laughs loudly. “He would rather shove an arrow in his eye than race a chariot!” His bright smile is impossible not to match, and Nico is relieved to find him totally comfortable, relaxed; hell, even excited. Usually, any talk of his siblings, even fond, makes him quiet. He’s glad for this change, however unusual. “Man, I loved my brother more than anything, but he was the most ornery motherfucker I’ve ever met in my life. He taught me every swear in every language by the time I was nine, just because he knew it would drive Lee batty. He didn’t care about some spoil of war.”

He smirks, wide and devilish, and Nico’s knees go weak. Dimples like that should be illegal.

“He was smart, though. And he figured, if dad’s blessing made this chariot anything like his own…”

He reaches out and presses the golden button with his thumb, letting go and standing back once he registers a faint click. After a couple seconds, the chariot begins to glow, soft at first, then brighter, then Nico has to squeeze his eyes shut to avoid the stinging burn, and then when he opens them, it —

He gapes. Will grins.

Where the chariot used to be, is now a shiny, brand-new, black and yellow motorbike, two helmets gleaming on the sparkling leather seat.

“…Then it might be a little more than some lousy chariot.”

Without waiting for Nico to pick his jaw off the floor, Will rushes forward. He tosses one of the helmets to Nico — which he barely manages to catch, still working on processing what the fuck just happened — and tucks the other under his arm. Nico happens to notice how his biceps flex with the action, and then vows to have his father bankrupt the entire polo shirt industry, because he can never be caught lacking like this by any mortal soul. It’s humiliating.

There’s a click as Will unlatches the seat, lifting it up to access the compartment under it. He pulls out a bundle mass of black fabric, and with a flick of his shoulders reveals it to be a fucking leather jacket and oh, gods, Nico takes back the polo shirt complaints, he can live with the polo shirt. This is too much. This is —

“Any time you’re done ogling at me, you can climb on,” Will calls out. He doesn’t even have the good grace to look in Nico’s direction, instead sliding on the seat facing resolutely forward, amused smirk on his face. And because he wants Nico to die, actually, he straightens his jacket, making sure it fits his shoulders right (by the gods does it ever) brushes his hair backwards (there is no genuine reason for someone’s hair to actually shine in the sunlight) and slides his helmet on. When he finally does look back in Nico’s direction, through his raised visor, the combined sight of his sparkling blue eyes and the cut of his face under the angular helmet actually gives him tachycardia.

“I hate you,” Nico croaks. “Not joking.”

Will throws his head back and laughs, baring his long, tanned throat. Nico follows the bob of his adam’s apple like Tantalus does the forbidden fruit. It’s horrible, and what’s worse is that Will is visibly preening like the fuckin’ peacock he is. Someone should remind him he’s basically a dressed up turkey. Or something. Nico’s brain is operating at twenty percent capacity, his ability to metaphor properly is a secondary concern.

“Just get over here, you goober. We’re on a time limit, remember?”

Shoving his helmet on to hide his flaming face, Nico does, sliding on with a healthy four inches of space between them.

“Mm, not gonna work, ParaNorman. This thing’s enchanted, we’ll be going well over a hundred. Hold on properly.”

Praying to seven different gods for strength, at once, Nico scooches the agonizing few inches closer.

“Hands around waist, Death Boy.”

“I’m fucking — I’m getting there, you asshole, gimme a goddamn second.”

“Do you need help?”

“I need you to shut the fuck up so I can focus.”

Maybe it’s the healer in him, or maybe there actually is a god looking out for Nico and they decide to have mercy. Maybe it’s a third option. Either way, Will reaches back and wraps his callused hands around Nico’s wrist, tugging them gently forward and resting them on the narrow curve of his hips. Nico holds them there, along with his breath, until some of the panicky tension starts to loosen in his chest, and he relaxes forward, resting his chest against Will’s back.

“There,” he says quietly, humming with approval when Nico’s arms link properly around his waist. He squeezes his clasped wrists once — a silent you good? — and waits for Nico’s minute nod, face buried in the back of Will’s neck, before starting up the engine, revving it twice before leaning forward, body flush to the bike. Nico can practically feel his grin, it’s so clear in his mind’s eye, in the delight thrumming through Will’s entire body, that he can’t help his own smile, too, can’t help but feel the thrum of the machine, the sharp smell in the air. He tightens his hold and Will lets out a loud, whooping laugh.

“Let’s ride, baby!”

With a push off the ground and a twist of a thrusters, they’re off, leaving behind only the echo of the roaring engine and the joyful, startled sound of Nico’s shriek.

———

next

[nkogneatho]

𝐏𝐔𝐓 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐄

: ̗̀➛synopsis: You were scared of falling in love but will you change your mind when you meet someone who actually shows you how you are filled with so much love?

#mlist #commission #taglist

—wc: 1.5k

—cw: gn!reader, fwb to lovers (ig), hurt/comfort, mild smut, cockwarming, receiving head, abandonment issues, past trauma, commitment issues, anxiety and crying, fluff, soft gojo, not proofread (its 2 am im sorry)

—a/n: so my mind decided to remind me of my trauma on a Wednesday night so I pulled this out of my ass. Tell me what you think if you read it :)) Reblogs much appreciated.

It fucked you up. Body fragile as a glass, mind clouded dark. The crippling fear emerged on the surface once again. That same old feeling. The feeling of abandoning someone before they abandon you.

You pitied yourself. What a pathetic person to get walked over by all those people. You despised every single decision you made. That included to kindle a relationship with this man.

Gojo Satoru. The strongest, they say. Hair whiter than snow, eyes glinting in light like the ocean waves turn diamond in sun.

He loved you. In fact, he loved you so much it scared you. The anxiety creeped up your back when he said those words to you.

"I love you."

He loves me. He said he loves me. But so did every other guy. He is lying. He'll leave.

Can you blame the traumatized mind to come to such conclusions?

Gojo did expect this reaction from you. He knew you were scared or love and commitment. Although the man felt the need to confess or he were to regret it for the rest of his life. Your knees met the floor with a loud thud, arms hanging like they were a soft toy.

"Do you know what you're saying?" Your voice cold.

"I do. I love you. And I know it's something you never wanted to hear given this relationship—fuck is this even a relationship?" His palm rubbed his forehead, feeling the rough sensation of his bangs

He was right to ask that question. Was this a relationship? You both started as just fuck buddies. You set a bunch of rules (which were tampered later anyway.)

Rule No. 1, no interference with other party's personal life.

Eh. He broke that when he started coming to your workplace with a bouquet of tulips every Monday. He knew Mondays were harsh. So you didn't complain because it did help to get through the rough day. Rule No. 1 successfully broken.

Rule No. 2, dates are okay sometimes but not a lot. Maybe twice a month.

Now, you were the one to alter this rule. Dates might be forbidden but not coming over to his place and treating it like your own home. His place was way more spacious given his generational wealth. It was easier to focus on work in such a silent and lone environment. The rule only got broken when you decided to move in. Well, you would save the time to call him over or you traveling here just to fuck.

By now, he had probably bullied his dick inside you in every single room. You still remembered his words.

"I want to fuck you in every square inch of this house, y/n."

And he did.

He fucked you on the big navy blue velvet layered couch, not giving a shit if your juices stained the expensive material. He'd just buy another one.

He spread your legs and ate you out on the dinner table on that one evening when the takeout took too long to arrive. Your fingerbeds grabbed his head so hard, it might've broken his skull as you orgasmed. He later thanked the delivery guy for being late to which the boy walked out with a confused look.

He made your wrap your legs tightly around him as you cockwarmed him on the kitchen counter. Brows furrowed, desperately wanting to grind. But your locked thighs around his slutty waist, not letting him do so.

Every square inch, he fucked you in. So Rule No.2 was off the table.

Rule No. 3, No catching of serious feelings or saying I love you.

Gojo didn't recently fall for you. He was caught in this way before you realized. Maybe he even doesn't remember it himself when he did.

"What do you mean? You just broke rule 3, Toru."

"Fuck those rules. I don't even know why we had them in the first place. Look at us y/n," he tried to reason. "We never follwed them so don't give me that crap." His voice was elevating to a higher octave. You hated it. You don't like yelling. It triggers the tinnitus in your ear.

Tears started rummaging down your dry cheeks. "Look at me. I know you're lying."

"Baby, I am not. I know it's hard to believe given your past but just trust me on this one." Yes he knew about your previous failed relationships and the effect it had on you. Which is why he took so long to confess. Each day, calculating the outcome. So at some point, he did know how you'd react. Maybe he'll lose you forever.

"Why?" You questioned him. You felt like you were a broken soul. Used and abused mentally. Taken advantage of the innocent mind and abandoned when you were to ask for the real love. You started hating the word love, ironically.

I love you. It sounds preposterous in your brain. What a fool would someone be to ever believe those words.

"Why? Look at yourself," he said.

"I do. Everyday. Which is why I asked the question. I am nothing but someone drowning. But I do not want to be saved. I don't want a savior, Toru! It makes me feel pathetic and weak." By now, you were wailing and screaming.

But he didn't interrupt. He let you scream your heart out. Maybe that was the last option he could choose to make you face your actual feelings.

"You done?" He asked. You were sniffing, catching your breath from all the yelling.

"Toru, all I see myself is as a broken soul. Why would you ever love...this" you pointed at yourself.

"You fool. Look in my eyes and tell me if I lie, but all i see in you is love. It's funny how you hate that feeling yet you're filled with it, y/n." His gaze softened. "You say you don't want a savior. Do you realize you don't need it in the first place. Because it's you who saves others."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember, Ginger was abandoned in the rain when we saw her the other day? No one cared about her but you did. You fed it canned cat food a took her to a shelter. You named her. You cared for her." He intertwined his hand in yours.

"Y/n. I used to wake up every single day in this apartment feeling absolute shit about what happened with Suguru and others. But when you started barging in on random days, that's when I started to feel a little better." You understood it. It is lonely to live alone with your own thoughts haunting you in this big pace.

"You made this house a home. You don't need a savior because you are one." he claimed.

"When did you—you started loving me?" You asked between hiccups.

"Sweetheart. I fall for your every single second. Everytime I wake up next to you. Everytime I see you smile. Whenever you skip on the same colored tiles on the footpath. I love all of you." That is when you realized how selfish you've been. Taking and taking his love but giving none back. He did so much for you. But you were about to leave him in a fear of something that might never happen.

"What if you leave just like all of them?" you asked.

"Give it one more chance. Who knows? Maybe I'll stick around for the rest of our lives." He wore a soft smile as he said those words, affirming you. You started crying again, but this time, it was due to happiness.

"If you never leave, I promise to love you more than myself."

"Oh, baby," he hugged you a tightly. "I love you so fucking much and I am so happy right now."

He pulled away and his lips crashed against yours. It's weird. You've kissed hundred times before but this one felt different. Maybe, because it was filled with love and acceptance.

You came to a realization. You don't know what the future holds. It is not the fear of abandonment that scares you. It's the feeling of you giving away all your love and them not giving any back. You always swam ocean for people who couldn't even meet you at the shore.

But Gojo never left your side. All this time, he was swimming right behind you, concealing you from all the harm. So if anyone's worth the risk, it's him.

Oh. Gojo Satoru. What a beautiful man you are.

[thatdeadaquarius]

Omg

Hey

Hey!

HEY!!

WHAT ABOUT GOD READER THAT GOT A CURSE PLACED ON THEM BY SOMEONE THEY DON'T LIKE

That curse makes them turn to random ages like,, one day you wake up and your like 3 and the other you're 29 and the acolytes just have to deal with it for a months (and just for funziz you don't keep your memories as a kid *evil laugh*)

I feel like people who are generally around kids would be great around us and some others .... Less so (*cough cough* ei)

AND EVEN BETTER

WHAT IF ENGLISH ISN'T OUR FIRST LANGUAGE AND IT SUMTGING LIKE FRENCH OR SPANISH, AND THE ACOLYTES ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE TEYING TO TALK TO YOU WHILE 14 YEAR OLD READER IS CURLED UP IN A BALL CUS THEY'RE SCARED LSKFJGJDLSK

let the tennage/ kid reader be neurodivergent/autistic (cuz i am and theres bot enough rep on this god forsaken app .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.)

n E wayss <3

LOVE YA !!!!

Aka. your fave >:D kiss kiss

A KISS KISS??!!! FOR ME?!!! 😊🥰😚 <3

BRO i literally designed a whole original character around that concept lmao (except they remember/just body change/everything else kinda matches ur desc! :0 )

☆

Sun: Gender Neutral Reader (they/them only), Neurodivergent!Reader, Child!Reader, Teen!Reader

Planet: Language Shenanigans, Platonic

Orbit: Headcanons-ish, mini scenarios

Stars: Arataki Itto, Kuki Shinobu, ft. Kujou Sara, Ei + Raiden Shogun, Inazumans

Comets & Meteors: No Content Warnings & No Triggers Detected.

no bc gif is me as a kid, bc I didn't experience snow until I was 12 💀 +it stayed for like one day, was 1 inch deep, or like 5 cm (for my non-americans out there), and was gone the next lmao- I was terrified when I moved and got REAL snowy days- jfc Snezhnaya would kill little me-

SO I was kinda stuck on this tbh, i usually default to like, headcanons or scenarios if ppl dont specify/im just adding onto what you already said like when its not even really a request u know?

so, uh tried to do headcanons, but idk how good it is Orah, sorry!

Also ik you mentioned as example, but we sticking to Inazuma, bc i feel like I neglect them lol

also i hope u like Itto 💀

♤

you quickly found out that magic obeys some weird type of logic despite being magic, so you only ever fluctuate in age within the range you’ve already been,

ur kinda glad youre not seeing what you look like at 100 years old and getting stuck that way for weeks- only Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle can be cursed to be old yet has so much rizz that she’s still badass and pulls a wizard boyfriend LMAO

so just bc idk what to make the max,

let’s put you at originally, also bc im not a minor, 20 yrs old

so what I mean by all the above is: you’ve lived 2 decades, 1-20 are the only ages you can be

-that being said,

you’re a menace.

so yeah you could’ve been a quiet kid, a well-behaved kid, a good kid even,

…but not in a magical world full of awesome flora and fauna, and magical creatures,

and gods, and vision users and-

you get the point.

plus, you hadn’t really learned English yet until u were a bit older so (who can blame you i hate this language ur so valid)

and for whatever reason English is the only one these guys speak, besides maybe some mythical creatures like the aranara or something

so its kinda absolute chaos trying to reign u in at times.

so needless to say the entirety of Inazuma is terrified for you.

like, even if you aren’t the “Creator” per say in this, they still know what the warmth of your power feels like

But more importantly-

You know who’s the first to spot a random wandering-non-Inazuman-child? And take you in? Especially one that radiates that same energy of presence they feel sometimes + makes them more powerful???

The Amazing, the All-Powerful, Awe-Inspiring Oni: Arataki Itto!

Not even his gang, or Kuki are the first to see you, nah it’s Itto himself,

he literally finds 12 yr old you just sneaking around in awe in Chinju Forest,

and needless to say ur pretty fascinated with the colors and the vibes, and it’s not like Genshin Impact existed when u were this young, ur poor younger self is just rlly paranoidly looking around

Itto is kinda a lot at first, and he was a little confused by ur constant rubbing your arms, or tapping ur fingers on stuff, (or all the stims u be doing when ur nervous) but he just took it all in stride

so Itto, after like an hour and a few well placed rocks at his face and groin by 12 yr old u who was ready to fight to the death at first, FINALLY convinced you by drawing a little picture of his house and his friends

and all that clear effort, despite the foreign world, foreign non-human guy, etc., made you warm up to him too, afterall, even 12 yr old you knew a himbo when they saw one 💪

at first he just thought you were another person who was getting powered up by that yokai he felt (he was convinced thats what you were when u weren’t physically here before, like some kind of powerful gift giving/deal making yokai)

but after he saw you shapeshift the next morning into 16 yr old you, (he lives with his grandma so ur younger self felt pretty safe staying with a himbo guy and an little grandma lady)

he was now more convinced than ever-

that you were some kind of god that’s been in hiding since the archon war (his granny has a lot of cool stories so what?! hes a very educated oni thank you very much!),

rather than a vision user, and he also thinks u being random ages is deffo a curse, and its to keep ur powerfulness limited!! - Arataki Itto, 202X

(bc younger u doesnt remember that u can upgrade ppl, or at least it takes em a learning curve bc they gotta relearn everytime)

okay but itd be so funny tho if nobody else believes that (esp the non-magical folk), bc to them, ur just like, a bunch of siblings (child, teen, adult you lmao) or a tanuki lol

he eventually gets Kuki to believe, after she also sees how you change/the aura is honestly more powerful too once she’s paying attention, like instead of like a blanket, ur like standing in front of a raging campfire

but she makes him keep it a secret

ur really vulnerable a lot of the time, so they’re both worried abt keeping u happy and safe, aw cuties <3

◇

so yeah, ur literally just chillin with the arataki gang all the time now

the gang become ur besties no matter the age, like they love mild pranks, and general chaos, u wanna explore no matter the age, and also love chaos, esp since it can be magical now (oh child you is having the time of their life when they’re around)

its literally a match made in heaven

plus the more hands on deck, the easier it is to keep ur ass from running off as a kid (and an adult, bc omg a shiny?? a shiny crystal fly???!! lmao neurodivergent 🤝crow/raven = shiny solidarity)

honestly Itto has a blast with all versions of you, and he’s literally the best bc he’s a himbo:

so he’s fine with answering context or “obvious” questions all the time LMAO

and if he makes any conclusions abt ppl’s behavior u dont, he’ll explain pretty quick and simple and he never sees it as awkward or smth

its honestly kinda funny bc ur like 10, and just 🤨🤨🤨??? sometimes at ppl (u got better at reading ppl as u got older obv, and at english too, that doesnt help lol)

he’s super sweet abt it, just really quick which is great too,

“he’s irritated at the guard, not us!”

or “she’s relieved, not upset, don’t worry it’s all good!”

like, u never misunderstand ANYBODY with this Oni around!! <3

(this is mainly bc Itto’s gotta know when to bail, joke, stand his ground, etc. from experience, and messing w/Kujou Sara so he’s actually really good at reading people, only when he’s paying attention tho)

◇

so younger u just feels safe around Itto, and so while u do get taught english (mostly by his grandma/Kuki) u also dont rlly mask,

nor do u know how to mask as well as you do in the future

so ur just running around with the gang, living ur little neurodivergent life, and anytime someone points out smth u do that might be awkward, like repeating something over and over as a stim (esp with learning english phrases/new words at times) the gang and Itto, and Kuki, are all ready to protect 💪

but most of the time what happens is- whether unintentionally or not, Itto manages to make THEM feel awkward or like they’re the ones doing something socially weird all the time 😭

just, a parent is like “this kid can’t speak English, do they even know any other language? Because all I keep hearing is them repeating that sound over and over…”

Itto: “Damn you're right they do that a lot, just like how you peek out your window a lot, but we all got our quirks man, no need to be shy about it, the kid isn’t, so just open those curtains, and that window and look out at the world!”

which announces to the whole neighborhood, bc Itto is only ever not loud when you tap his arm as a signal, that the parent is the nosiest bitch ever, he just puts them on blast for everyone to hear lmao

◇

Itto is actually very respectful about you, and while it would, almost be easy bc of the age switching, for him to infantilize you, he’s really good at treating you like an equal no matter how old you are :0 :D

like a giant teddy bear older brother at times, and the guys and Kuki are all pretty good at it too

(tho dw, Kuki is doing all the emotional distress heavy lifting for all of them over your safety, esp bc when u switch at first u are VERY out of your element/disoriented bc u dont always recognize Teyvat/know less English)

but that being said…

Itto fucking loves your excited/happy stims!!!

You flap your hands? Ittos flapping his arms!

You jump up and down, Itto jumps!,

…with his full grown man self with MUSCLES, and causes a mini earthquake wherever you guys are- yknow a shop, the center of town, somebody’s house, near one of the guards 💀 (which always manages to knock them flat on their ass LMFAOO)

Or best of all, you do little stompy stomps??

ITTO DOES HIS STOMPS WITH YOU, like his idle animation does??? :D !!

DUDE- (/gen.n.)

u were like 8 at the time, and saw Kujou Sara for the first time, she’s looking all badass, mostly bc Itto pranked her and she’s power-walking toward u guys pissed as hell ready to arrest him, but u love it anyway bc shes so cool, and right as Sara gets to u two-

u start doing stompy stomps! And Itto joins!!

…and she’s shocked at first, but realizing how giggly and happy u two are, and then Itto explains its bc of her???

Kujou Sara lets Arataki Itto go, for the first time, ever.

she doesnt explain, but she literally was so melted by cuteness, and a warm familiarity??, by u two she couldnt be mad anymore lmao

Itto is now legally obligated to bring you to any and all matters involving the government, regardless of age, according to Kuki Shinobu, his grandma, and himself

all for different reasons tho, Itto’s like, “My lucky charm! My bestie goes everywhere with me!”

meanwhile Kuki/grandma: “A foreign non-Teyvatian speaking child/teen at times is more adept at keeping Itto in line than anyone else, or at least getting him out of the consequences 💀”

♧

Bonus:

The first time you see the Raiden Shogun,

She scares the shit out of 6 yr old you 😭

And she recognizes that familiar aura immediately, so shes just like:

😶😦😰

(You warm up to her after she offers to show you how she can summon lightning, Itto helped her lmao, and Ei also came out to keep u safe bc Raiden is a little… unaware… at times, of mortal limits, and now that ur in a mortal body-)

Also both of them unanimously agree to be the sugar mother to all ur hyperfixation foods/safe foods ever, SCOREEEE

◇

Bonus 2:

*KUKI WOULD LIKE THE COLLECTIVE CITY OF INAZUMA TO KNOW SHE DOES NOT APPROVE OF ITTO TEACHING U ENGLISH CUSSWORDS

☆

I hope somebody likes Itto enough to enjoy this, sorry if u arent a huge fan of him Orah! I just think he's annoying and neat, and havent written abt Inazuma enough lmao

I finally graduated college/uni by the way guys!!!

Ill actually have a life now that wont be hogged by homework! Like writing! Like drawing! Like anything but school!

Anyway, love u guys, another post coming soon,

Safe Travels Orah,

💀♒️

♡my beloved♡

@karmawonders / @0rah-s / @randomnatics / @glxssynarvi / @nexylaza / @genshin-impacts-me / @wholesomey-artist / @thedevioussmirk

[missbubblesoda]

early in the morning, especially when it rains, and a little before noon. (19)

erwin x fem!reader

chapters: (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) | (10) | (11) | (12) | (13) | (14) | (15) | (16) | (17) | (18) | (20) | (21) | (22) | (23) | (24) | (25) | (26) | (27)

summary: I basically took Isayama’s work, forced it into a romance story, and made Erwin the love interest. Commander meets cadet and they fall in love (not instantly though)

notes: very berry canonverse (but some events were modified to fit my narrative), wasn’t intended to be this long, but it all is in the details right?

content warnings: smut where it fits (or where I make it fit. Also, reader is NOT underage, so likewise, MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, please.) slow burn (I really mean it. I’m not olympic diving into any form of smut for the first chapters.) no angst. I dislike angst. I would never. I could never. (Although angst can be somewhat subjective so take it with a grain of salt?)

wc: 2.7k

It was the kind of morning that encouraged the wearing of many layers. The thicker the better. And Sasha, who looked busy feeding soaked hay to the horses of a nearby stable, seemed to have reached that same conclusion before leaving her room that morning. You observed her as she struggled to drain the wet grass without dipping her fingers into the water, and realized you didn’t remember what she looked like under her scarf and wool hat.

Was this winter ever going to end?

The calendar gave a rather optimistic answer, but the weather seemed to be so very in love with the snow, and it didn’t look like it was letting go of its lover anytime soon.

You rubbed your gloved hands against each other and noticed how this was the first time you actually felt cold this season, even though the harshest days were already long behind. But back then, when low temperatures would make everyone complain, and the biting wind would paint their ears and fingers all shades of red, you could rely on your memories and the pleasant fire they lit within. And back then, you also had his body heat to keep you warm.

You glanced at the man standing beside you, his attention completely lost somewhere in the woods before him, and his hand, idly hanging to his side, looked especially inviting under this weather. And you wished you could reach out and take it, but you weren’t sure he would let you hold it.

His breath, turning into white mist as soon as it left his body, was clearly visible against the somber, almost starless twilight sky. His eyes were also a dark shade of blue this morning, and they seemed just as gelid as the sudden gust of wind that caused you to wrap your arms around yourself, rubbing your shoulders as you tried to shrink your body to a size that would be too tiny for the cold to spot.

“You can wait inside if you-”

“I’m fine.” You rushed to say, before realizing the hastiness in your voice risked coming across a little discourteous, and he was your boss after all. “It will start warming up once the sun rises a little more.” You explained, this time trying to soften your voice with a smile, a smile that you hoped didn’t look as unnatural and stiff as it felt on your own lips.

Yes, you had no doubt that the weather would warm up soon, because like a promise kept, the sun would always rise in the morning. And, as you thought about such kind of tacit, unspoken promises, you glanced up: The sky didn’t promise snow today. Maybe it would warm up a little after all.

But, was it really a promise or just your own foolish assumptions? In your case, there was always a bigger chance that it was the latter, and, therefore, throughout the years you had learned to not let yourself get too hopeful about things. That way, when it did snow later and you found your feet stuck under six inches of snow, buried so deep that you couldn’t move backwards and neither forwards, the disappointment wouldn’t hurt as much.

You could tell his eyes were on you, but you didn’t feel like looking back. Instead, you tried to find if there was even a single star still visible in the sky.

It had been almost a full week since he went back to work, and make no mistake, you were happy he did. You were glad to see him instead of the sad empty chair your eyes had been constantly met with for the past six weeks or so. However, it had also been a week since you moved back to your room. A full week since you last heard the raspy good mornings and lulling good nights he would whisper against your ear. A full week since you last engaged in any form of conversation that didn’t have the words ‘maintenance budget cuts’ or ‘decreasing staffing levels’ in them. A full week since you last saw him smile. At least at your way.

And most importantly, it had been a full week since you last felt the reassuring warmth of his lips against yours, and the sweet comfort of his arm around your body. A full week since you told him some very big words. And a full week since he didn’t say them back.

But, could you blame him for that? Not really, and you weren’t mad at him. Because, now that you had a lot of time to spend in the loneliness of your dark room, you started to consider the possibility that maybe he had his boundaries; and that maybe, just maybe, you had been overstepping them lately. Or who knows since when, to be honest.

There was something, however, that you knew very well.

You knew that the life of the Survey Corps’ Commander was already difficult enough as it was, and that he didn’t need any of his subordinates to make things more uncomfortable for him, whether that was with their irrational requests or the unsolicited confessions that left their mouth when they were in bed together. And, all things considered, you figured he could go back to sleeping alone. Not to mention he must be craving some personal space as well. After all, you had practically glued yourself to his side for a month.

As you let your mind travel to warmer moments lived during that month, you realized the silence was making you a little bit too nostalgic, so you welcomed the sound the leaves made as they drifted wherever the wind blew. As well as the distant clatter of hooves.

“They’re here.” He said, and you looked up to find the convoy in the distance. Within a few moments, the shapes grew in size, until they reached the entrance of the castle.

The enclosed carriage that was leading the caravan waited in front as two soldiers opened the gates. It was big and rather opulent, and the glossy finish on the wood told you that it had been polished very recently, and with such dedication that now it resembled a mirror. A mirror that, with its gilded features and painted panels, successfully reflected the personal taste of the owner, whose face remained anonymous thanks to the satin curtains covering the windows.

But the carriage wasn’t the only notable thing in the caravan. The four horses pulling it, as well as the two dozens waiting behind, were splendid enough to overshadow the sumptuous vehicle.

The commander walked to the entrance of the stables, and you followed behind, your eyes still captured by the mesmerizing creatures. When the carriage parked nearby and its doors opened, the identity of the owner was finally revealed: a middle-aged man of imposing height and cinnamon hair who looked surprisingly familiar, and that, judging by his elegant demeanor and conspicuous wardrobe choices, could be nothing other than the lord of some faraway estate.

He hugged the Commander as if they were the oldest of friends, and, as they laughed about some inside joke you were certain you wouldn’t get, you found yourself wishing things were as merry and jolly between you and him as it was between the two of them. But then again, you were pretty sure this old man had never said he was in love with him.

Although, to be fair, it was not like he was avoiding you. In fact, to an outsider it may even look like you were the one doing it. After all, you were the one who decided to move back to your room, and you were the one who was actively trying to keep your eyes glued to your desk instead of looking his way. You were also the one who decided to start leaving immediately after your shift ended.

A stranger reading your latest journal entries would be forgiven for thinking you were the one putting distance between you two, but you were convinced that anyone in your position would understand that it was not something you had chosen deliberately. You were merely reacting.

Reacting to what you felt and perceived: a switch in the atmosphere, a change in his eyes, the feeling of not being welcome anymore. You could see it there, in the icy blue of his irises, and that’s why you tried not to look at them. It made your throat tight and your vision blurry. So you decided it was best to look at the horses instead.

They were truly some of the most magnificent stallions you had ever seen. So bright and alert. The glow in their coat told you that all their nutritional requirements were met, and the bounce of their mane, that they were frequently groomed. You had once heard that even just one of these horses was worth an average person’s lifetime income. And you could see why.

But after some minutes of contemplation, wonder turned into gloom, as you found yourself feeling sorry for them. There was no way these innocent creatures knew about the dangers that awaited them. It was truly such a shame that such gorgeous animals had been born in a world like yours. They deserved to enjoy their days eating fresh grass and running up and down a green hill, somewhere in the middle of a picturesque countryside, and not to spend their lives outrunning titans.

But you tried to cheer yourself up by thinking that they would get to live good lives for as long as they could cling to them. After all, the scouts treated their animals with the utmost care and respect, almost as if they considered their horses to be comrades too.

To your right, you heard the Commander animatedly talking with the wealthy stranger. But your eyes were still lost among the horses, absentmindedly watching their mane dance in the wind. The sound it made when blowing through the trees, delicately rustling their leaves as if telling them it was time to wake up, was something you had always found relaxing. And you realized that, despite the uncomfortable cold, it was such a beautiful day in the forest. If only you could enjoy it.

You wished you owned the carefree disposition of that tall man who had just dismounted his horse and now seemed to be thanking it for the ride. He looked so content and joyful, utterly delighted with the simple act of ruffling its mane, and so did the animal. It looked as if the man was fluent in whatever language it is that horses speak. He looked a lot like a horse whisperer. He looked a lot like-

“Leon?” You heard your own voice calling seconds before the man turned around and smiled, confirming that was indeed his name.

“My lady.” As he made his way to you, his hazel locks danced to the exact same tune his horse’s mane did behind him. His hair had gotten longer, but his smile was as warm and welcoming as you remembered it.

“How come you’re here?” You asked, surprised to find this was the first time in days your smile felt like it belonged on your face.

“I’m accompanying my lord uncle.” He paused as he kissed the back of your hand. “This gentleman right here.” You looked at the man he was pointing at, the one standing next to him, and also the same tall stranger the Commander had been animatedly conversing with.

So this was Lord Koch. His face did look a little familiar after all.

“Commander Smith.” Leon gently let go of your hand before sending an acknowledging nod to the Commander, and extending his hand.

“Lord Angert.” The Commander shook the hand Leon was offering and smiled politely. “Thank you for traveling so far, my Lord. I hope the winter woods weren’t too rough.”

“As someone who was raised out in the cold, my esteemed Commander, I found the weather rather nostalgic.” As the two men shared a chuckle, you couldn’t help but join in, amused by Leon’s interesting way of speaking.

“We had to make a couple of small detours, as we weren’t sure if it was safe to travel anywhere near Ragako or Dauper.” Lord Koch explained. “That added at least half a day to our schedule. We should have been here by yesterday night, so I apologize, Erwin. I think Leon here was the only one who appreciated the change of plans.” He grinned at his nephew, and you noticed that Lord Koch’s eyes also had the tendency to turn into crescent moons when he smiled. “He really wanted to get a present for the beautiful lady here.” You blinked a few times to shake the confusion away when you suddenly felt all three men’s eyes on you.

Leon slipped a hand inside his jacket before handing you a tin box that was all too familiar to you. It did look like you were starting a collection after all, you had three of these now.

And for the first time in this bitter morning, you felt warm, the pleasant feeling immediately taking over your lips. You could really use the sugar today. The sugar, as well as the comfort only your favorite childhood treat could provide.

“Leon, you didn’t have to.” Your fingers reached for the present, unable to keep your lips from curving when you had the small box in your hands. You expected the metal to be cold, but it was actually comfortable to the touch, and rather warm from the cozy pocket he had kept it in all this time.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I figured since I was coming here anyway, I could at least bring you a piece of home.” He explained, using his hand to brush aside the importance of his kind gesture. “Although, I must admit the idea only found me after we were more than halfway through our journey here. But Luckily they had these in one of the villages we stopped by.”

You stared into the forest he had for eyes and wondered if you could find a friend there. Because you felt like you could really use one right now.

“Erwin, these were selectively bred to be approximately five feet tall and nine hundred pounds give or take.” You turned your attention to Lord Koch, who was pointing at the group of horses that was now being taken into the stables. “They may seem heavy but you don’t need to worry about maintenance out there in the field, they can get by perfectly fine on a simple diet, and travel many hours without complaining.” You eyed the horses, they certainly looked way more muscular than your average horse. “And their weight doesn’t affect their performance either. Their top speed is between forty to fifty miles per hour. Pretty impressive, right? We trained them to maintain a swift twenty two miles gallop, even when pulling a carriage. Like I said, a fine speed all the way through. But I don’t pretend you believe just my words. I actually would like to show you right now if you’re up for it. What do you say?”

The sound of the wind waking the leaves from their slumber was the only thing Lord Koch got for a reply. You turned to look at the Commander at the same time Leon did, and were surprised to find him staring back at you. An unreadable look in his icy blue eyes.

“Erwin?” Lord Koch called again and this time he seemed to have more luck in getting a reply.

“Yes, yes, we should.” The Commander said, eyes still fixed on you.

“I’ll get them ready, Uncle.”

“No, son, you can stay. Erwin and I are only going for a quick ride.” Lord Koch smiled to his nephew before turning to the Commander. “Let’s go, Erwin. Let’s leave these two to each other. I bet they have a lot to talk about.”

The Commander threw one last glance your way, a closed-mouth smile on his face, before turning around and following Lord Koch.

-

next chapter

taglist: @elnyrae @mchlist @angelaevangelion @depitaangeline @ynackerman9499 @afatalheat @pumpkin-toffee @velouria17 @gassytritis @goddessinsweats @nube55 @jeanboyjean @crazychaoticizzy @braunsbabe @erwinawesomeness @apts2000 @lucifers-nipple-piercing

[etherealperrie]

Anywhere With You

Chapter 2: "The Bolters"

Coriolanus (Coryo) Snow x Reader Word count: 1.6k Contains: pre-hunger games Coryo | buzzcut Coryo | longtime friends to lovers | Coriolanus being soft for the one he loves | mentions of minor tbosas characters | tbosas spoilers

Catching Up? Chapter 1

--

There’s a chill in the air. Your body shivers in response, a reminder that you really are here, your fingers wrapped tightly around the handle of the case you packed late last night. Wind dances across the town center, sweeping the leaves up into the air. You watch in awe as the oranges and yellows mix, their rustling the only sound at this hour. You’ll miss the changing of seasons here in the city, even though they don’t carry quite the same beauty and magic they did when you were a child – before the war. 

The sounds of footsteps catch you off guard, an instinct you weren’t aware you had, forces you back into the shadows behind a nearby building. It’s only Sejanus. You had no real reason to worry, he wouldn’t tell. In all honesty you thought he might try to leave with you and Coriolanus, but he refused. Even though he’d be the last person to try and stop you from leaving, you fight the desire to wave goodbye to him. It’s best you’re not seen. It would be easier to fade away in the memories of everyone here. Not only that, it would erase Sejanus of any culpability. To be honest you aren’t sure what the Capital will do once they realize you’re gone, but the last thing you want is for any of your friends to suffer consequences. So, instead of saying your goodbyes, you watch his figure walk away towards the Academy, noting the strength of his shoulders as he straightens up with every step. 

Your heart thuds against your chest. 

Where you’re headed is uncharted territory, really. A place you’d only heard stories about. A place supposedly far beyond District Twelve. A place with no one in sight – no civilization, just open fields and nameless land. Your heart pounds and you’re not sure whether it's out of excitement or fear: maybe both. After all, you’d been taught to fear a place like that, a lawless land. And yet, the thought of being able to live without the Capitol breathing down your neck, without the expectations and demands of your parents and professors excites you. Makes you wonder for all the things you might do, for the person you might become; to see the ways you and Coryo grow together. 

Slinking further back against the building, you glance up at the sky, the sun just beginning to rise from its slumber. When you woke this morning, Coriolanus was gone, his bed empty. Though the two of you discussed strategy mere hours before, waking up alone was frightening. What if Dean Highbottom heard word of your planned escape? What if a Peacekeeper found your Coryo out in the wee hours of the morning and took him to Dr. Gaul? Coriolanus is smart, but Dr. Gaul is calculated – who’s to say she wouldn’t catch on to your plans and punish him? 

Your worries are cut short as your body collides with something, or rather, someone. Before you have time to panic, a hand covers your mouth, another hand interlocking with yours, rubbing a soothing circle into your skin. 

Coryo. 

His eyes meet yours and you release a gasp, wilting into the strength of him holding you up. Your gaze rakes over him, noting something different about him. His hair. The soft wave of blonde curls are no longer, his hair buzzed down.

“Coryo,” you breathe, running your hands over his head. “What happened? Did they hurt you?” Your hands drop from his head down to his shoulders, feeling every inch of him. 

“I’m okay, love, I promise.” He chuckles, pressing his forehead to yours. “I figure it would be easier to maintain this way.” He shrugs. “That, and I thought it might help us slip out unnoticed.” 

He had a point, he did look different. Everyone here knew him to have those soft, gentle curls.

His hands tuck into the back pocket of his pants and emerge with a saffron yellow colored scarf. The golden thread shimmers in the early morning light. He glances at you and smiles softly, unfurling the satin fabric to drape it over your head. His fingers work to tie the ends just under your chin. 

“What’s this?” Your brow furrows and you reach up to feel the fabric now covering your hair, shielding you from the wind chill and the eyes of anyone around. 

“It was my mothers.” Coriolanus sighs, lacing his fingers through yours. “Anything to keep us out of sight.” He tugs you the slightest bit closer to him and presses a gentle kiss to your lips. It takes every fiber in your being to hold yourself back from him, to not mash your lips against his in such fervor that reflects the danger of the situation the two of you are in. Instead, you pull back as he squeezes your hand, a promise that there’s more on the other side of the two of you escaping the Capitol. 

The sharp whistle of a train in the distance brings you both back to reality, Coryo snapping up, his posture impossibly straight. 

“Come on, we don’t want to miss this one.” 

Close on Coryo’s heels, your hand in his, you make your way across the Capitol center towards the train station. As you approach, unfamiliar voices echo in the station yelling in virulent opposition to the stoic silence of the Peacekeepers as they yank small, frail bodies from the train. 

Your breath catches in your throat, your feet stopping. Coriolanus doesn’t notice at first, the way that you’ve stopped in your tracks, your hand no longer in his but lifted to your lips, the other shielding your eyes from the horror in front of you. 

The tributes. 

Peacekeepers. 

There’s no guarantee that Dr. Gaul or Dean Highbottom aren’t here as well. There’s no guarantee that you and Coryo make it out of the Capitol, let alone onto the train. You hadn’t realized everything Dr. Gaul mentioned yesterday would happen so quickly. That the tributes would be arriving this morning. Where would they go? How many would survive their welcome into the city? How could you run away while they were being carted to their untimely demise – something you’re supposed to have a hand in? 

From where you stand just behind a rusted column at the back of the station, your eye catches those of a small boy. Dark brown hair and pale skin, marred by dirt and what looks like blood, his left eye blackened. Had he been hit by a Peacekeeper? A fellow tribute? No more than twelve, he snivels, crossing his arms as he jumps down from the train onto the platform. A peacekeeper takes hold of his arm, but the boy doesn’t take his eyes off of you. It clicks then. It’s him. Your boy. The one you’ve been assigned. 

“Where did you go?” You jump at the feeling of Coryo’s breath on your cheek, his eyes wide as he takes in the sight of you stuck frozen to your place. The two of you are cramped behind this column, if a Peacekeeper so much as glanced in this direction, you’d be caught. 

Coriolanus takes hold of your hand and follows your gaze to the boy standing on the platform. More tributes stand around him now, all of them accompanied by a Peacekeeper awaiting instruction. Coriolanus sighs and brings his hand to your chin, turning your head back to him. 

“I know you want to help them.” 

You nod. 

“I should’ve warned you we might see them, but this is the only train that’s going back out to Twelve for quite some time, we have to take it.” 

“But, Cory–” 

“I know, I know.” Coriolanus places a finger to your lips. “Sejanus is going to do all he can to help them. He knows people back in Two. If he can, he’s going to help them escape – but we have to go. Now.” 

“What if we-” you begin again but Coriolanus cuts you off, placing a delicate hand over your mouth. You raise an eyebrow as the group of peacekeepers and tributes fall silent, their footsteps echoing across the platform as they begin their march toward the transport vehicle. 

“They’re going to bomb the arena,” Coriolanus whispers. “Sejanus, the rebels. They’re already in place, the minute anyone sets foot inside, the whole place will go down. They won’t even be able to hold the games. We don’t have to worry.” 

You’re not sure how to reckon with the information. When did this happen? Whose idea was it? It just might work, though, the Capitol is more than halfway out on the idea of the games overall, most people not having bothered to watch in years. A plan like this just might convince the masses that the Hunger Games are a moot point. That these children are victims to a war they never waged. 

Coryo eyes you, looking for any sign of movement. His eyes are slightly manic, bouncing between you and the train as if internally counting the seconds you have left to board. 

“Okay,” you sigh, taking one last look back at the tributes who had been shuffled into the car. A peacekeeper locks the back door and climbs inside the passenger seat just as the vehicle putters away, its engine just loud enough to mask the sounds of cries and screams. 

Your heart rips in half as Coriolanus tugs you from behind the pillar and out into the open for a singular moment before thrusting you up into the open train car, climbing inside after you. His hand rests on your hip, making sure you’re secure before turning to slide the door closed. 

It's dark. 

The train gives one last, mighty whistle as it lurches forward beginning its long trek back to District Twelve. 

“We’re almost free,” Coriolanus whispers, tucking his head to press a kiss to your neck. He rests there, on your shoulder for a long while, his fingers dancing across your thigh as the sound of the train tracks mimics the pounding of your heart.

--

A/N: I know this is many, many months late BUT I wanted to continue the story & tag those who requested it all that time ago...so...

TAG LIST: @clintsupremacy @jennifer0305 @zucchinimalfoy @marina468 @nishimura-writes @lovebyceleste @ennycutie @mjkale @tellsbabyy

[killiansprincss]

Timeless - a Captain Swan AU - Chapter 2/19

Summary:

Season 3 divergence - When Zelenas time portal works, Henry wakes up alone in Storybrooke and must travel to the Enchanted Forest to get his family back. Only once he gets there he quickly realises its not like the one in his book, theres no Evil Queen and his mother Emma wasn't put through a wardrobe, theres even a poster inviting the entire kingdom to her engagement ball, to Hook. What will happen once Henry gets them to break this new curse and they get their memories back? In which chapter is inspired by a different Taylor Swift song.

AO3 CH.1

This is the newest chapter in my new CS Enchanted Forest with a twist AU, this fic has my entire heart so please read it! This is a Snowing chapter and will be focusing on Captain Swan very soon!! Please enjoy :)

Marys Song -

She said, "I was seven and you were nine"

I looked at you like the stars that shined

In the sky, the pretty lights

And our daddies used to joke about the two of us

Growing up and falling in love

And our mamas smiled and rolled their eyes

And said, "Oh my, my, my"

____________

“Johanna, I'm so bored.” Princess Snow, at 7 years old, was an independent girl. She loved her parents, but she was stuck inside her palace, and after 7 years of roaming around every inch of the palace, she wished to go outside.

“My dear Snow, why are you bored?” Snow loved Johanna, her lady in waiting. She was like a mother to her when her own mother was busy, but she didn't understand that she needed time away from the palace, she wanted to be like the girls she sees outside her window.

“Johanna please. We can tell mother and father I need a riding lesson! Or you wish to teach me about nature?” Snow was desperate to see the outside world.

Johanna sighed. “I will see what I can do.”

Snow smiles, she knows she’s won, Johanna is pretty easy to wear down.

A few days later Johanna tells Snow they can go riding together outside the royal path, and snow couldn’t be happier. 

“Snow! Snow! Wait, you can’t go too fast!” Johanna calls out as Snow's horse gallops ahead slowly out of sight.

Snow's horse Nightshade starts to gain speed and she unintentionally loses sight of Johanna.

“Nightshade! Slow down! Ahhhhh.” Snow starts to scream as she clutches on Nightshade for dear life.

Nightshade neighs loudly and comes to a halt, throwing Snow off screaming as she hits the ground.

“Hello? Are you okay?” She hears a voice say.

She opens her eyes to see a boy, blonde scruffy hair, no older than 10 standing over her. He gives her a hand and helps her to her feet.

“Thank you.” She says to the boy. He was wearing ragged clothes and had dirt on his face. He was very different to any boy she had around the castle, even the stable boys were better dressed than he was.

“I’m David! What’s your name?” He asks.

“I’m..My name is Mary.” Snow smiles at the boy. She considered telling him who she was, but then again this was the first person her age not from the palace and she wanted to see what it was like. Being a normal child. “Do you live here” 

The boy, David nods. “Me and my mother do, we grow crops on our farm to sell at the market, where do you live?”

Snow couldn’t tell him she lived at the palace, so she simply says, “I don't live far from here, but my parents don’t let me out of the house much, I don’t have many friends.”

“I’ll be your friend!” David says, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, Snow liked him, he had an infectious smile, and he was the first person to not see her as a princess,

“I like you David! You seem like a good friend!” They talk for almost an hour until Snow hears Johanna on her horse frantically looking for her.

“Oh no.”

“Is that your mother?” David asks.

“Not exactly no, but I may have lost her on my journey here.” Snow explains.

‘There you are! I have been looking for you! I was worried sick!” Johanna loved Snow, she cared for her like a daughter, and not just because it was her job to do so.

“I’m sorry Nightshade lost control and threw me off, I don’t know where he went. But I made a new friend, his name is David! He owns a whole farm, isn’t that amazing!” Snow always looked for the positives in life, something awful could happen but Snow would look and see the good thing, something her mother taught her, always look for the good even  in the worst of situations

“We have to get you back home, your parents will be worried sick!” Johanna says, wiping the mud off Snow's dress.

“What about my friend? When can I see him again?” Snows asks, she wasn’t about to leave the first friend she had made.

David smiles at Johanna, there was something about this girl that he liked, he wanted to see her again.

Knowing Snow would keep pestering and pestering her she simply says, “Okay, okay. As long as you stay on the trail with me. Tomorrow, I can see what your mother thinks.”

Snow smiles, “see you tomorrow David! I can’t wait!”

“See you tomorrow Mary!” David calls out as Johanna helps Snow onto Nightshade.

“Mary?” Johanna asks.

“He can’t know I’m a princess, he won’t want to be my friend. Please Johanna please, don’t tell him.” Snow begs, this is her one chance to be somewhat normal, to have someone look at her like she was normal.

Johanna reluctantly agrees and the next day, Snow goes back to David and his farm. And the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that. They become best friends, Snow helps him harvest the crops, and he even gets her to milk the cow. Snow loved it, she was coddled at the palace, her mother would scream if she knew the things she was doing. But she didn’t care, she was having fun and that was all that mattered. 

A few months later, after spending every few days together, Snow isn’t able to keep up her secret for much longer.

____

“We’re going to the King?” David asks his mother, excited to see the palace that rumour has it is remarkably beautiful.

“Yes my dear son. The Farm is suffering, and we need his help.” Ruth explains to her son. Their farm had been suffering for weeks, but Ruth was stubborn and wanted to find a way without asking the King for help. Too proud. But after the crops had been wilting they were not able to sell any to the market, and hadn’t the money to sustain themselves.

“Wow the Palace! I can’t wait to tell Mary about this!” David and Mary had become fast friends, they told each other everything, she would tell him about her horse Nightshade and he would tell her about how he ran around chasing his sheep. He knew she was clearly from a wealthy family-her clothes were nicer and not many families could afford a horse for their children. But she wasn’t snobby like some of the richer kids in the kingdom or the ones he met during his brief moments at school who looked down on him for not having much money, but Mary she didn’t mind that he had to work for his money, she was happy to get her pretty clothes a little muddy. He liked that she was different. And since he didn’t bother to go to school anymore he didn’t get to meet any other kids his own age. He knew he had a good friend in her.

King Leopolds and Queen Eva’s palace was grand. It was far more elegant than he could’ve imagined. There were colours he had never seen before, and the walls were decorated with so many paintings. One wall was lined with paintings of who he assumed were all the royals, they each had crowns sitting atop their heads with brightly coloured jewels.

They join the line of other people. His mother said that around this time of year, the King and Queen are generous and like to help out their people who are in need. There are roughly 10 people in front of David and his mother. He sees the Queen sitting on the throne at the end of the room, she has dark hair and a red dress on. The King sits beside her in deep conversation with the man at the front of the line. Then at the end, David presumes is the princess, he isn’t the tallest so he can’t see her very well but she sits on her own throne and her parents seem to adore her. 

It must be nice, David thinks, to have two parents. David was always told his father was a brave man who sacrificed himself for others and that’s why he wasn’t around. But David wasn’t dumb, he didn’t know exactly what happened but he remembers hearing them fighting all the time and vividly remembers sneaking out of bed one night when the fight was really bad, his mother was yelling at him for being drunk. He also remembers her crying a lot, when he didn’t come home. And the day she told him he was gone forever, that was not a good day.

“Your majesties.” Ruth bows in front of the King and Queen when she gets to the front.

The King and Queen smile. “Whatever can we do for you?” 

“Mary?” David creeps out behind his mother to take a look at the royal family, and in the Princess’ throne, Princess Snow, was his best friend Mary.

“David!” Mary, no, the Princess replies. “I can explain!”

“Snow?” Queen Eva looks to her daughter and to the young man. “Do you know this boy?”

“You’re the princess?” David looks at his friend in disbelief, she was lying to him?

“I wanted to be a normal girl for once, not a princess. So I’ve been getting Johanna to sneak me out of the palace.” She tells her parents. She looks over to David and his mother, fearing that he won’t want to see her again, “I’m sorry I lied. I thought you wouldn’t want to be my friend if you knew I was a Princess.”

The Queen whispers to her guards who announces to the rest of the people waiting to speak to the King and Queen would have to come back later. They needed to know what their daughter was getting up to.

“You’re Majesties, I had no idea young Mary here was Princess Snow.” Ruth felt so embarrassed, she had come to the Royal Family for help with her farm and ended up being in the middle of a scandal with her son. “But she and my son David have become quick friends, my boy has been getting her to milk our cows and feed our pigs. If I had known the truth, I wouldn’t have allowed this to happen.” Now the thoughts of the young girl mucking out didn’t sit well knowing her life of luxury and servants waiting on her. 

King Leopold crouches down and looks at his daughter in the eyes, “Is it true? You’ve become friends with this young man?”

Snow nods, worrying what will happen. But Leopold just smiles and takes a look at David. “I’m not going to deny my daughter friendship. I admit I worry about my dear Snow so we do keep her locked up where it’s safe, but if she has found a friend in you young man, then I say why stop the blossoming friendship.”

Queen Eva can see how happy her daughter is, and like her husband said, who are they to deny friendship, “I believe it will do Snow some good, having a friend like you David. You can teach her that just because she is a princess, does not mean she is any better than someone like yourself who was not born into royalty.”

The King and Queen in the spirit of friendship pay off all the loans on the farm, and promise that if times get hard again, they would be more than happy to help again in the future, it was the least they could do for David who was their daughters first real friend. David and his mother were always welcome in the palace to see Snow, except when she had royal duties or lessons.

“You’re not angry with me?” Snow asks David, “for lying to you?”

David shakes his head, “I couldn’t be angry with you! I think it’s really cool you’re a princess!” He takes a look around at the ceiling, seeing all the floors and rooms it must have, “you just have to show me around the palace!”

_______________

I was sixteen when suddenly

I wasn't that little girl you used to see

But your eyes still shined like pretty lights

And your daddy used to joke about the two us

They never believed we’d fall in love

Years passed for Snow and David, and they remained best friends, well into their teen years. The King and Queen had offered Ruth and David roles at the palace, so that David could be close to Snow, and Ruth would not have to worry about the harsh winters but they politely declined, they loved their work on the farm too much. The three parents were amazed at how close their children were, they would joke that a royal wedding was in their future, but at their young ages they couldn’t think of anything worse.

Until that changed slowly over the years.

“I don’t like that Hercules kid.” David says seeing Snow excited to go hunting with her new “friend” who happened to be half Greek god.

“Okay Charming.” Snow teases, using the nickname she gave him a while back, “just because he’s a demigod doesn’t mean you need to be jealous, you’re just as strong and powerful as he is, running around after the pigs and carrying milk to the market is a hard job!”

“I’m not jealous! I don’t care how big his muscles are.” He lies, hoping Snow doesn’t detect any more jealousy. “It’s just that Greek gods are known for being corrupt, what if Hercules is also corrupt and will corrupt you by association?”

“He’s just teaching me how to use a bow and arrow, it’s not that deep!” Snow rolls her eyes at her best friend, he was overprotective sometimes, or at least that’s what he said.

The truth was, David was in love with Snow. He doesn’t know how or when it happened, but he was in love with her. He started to notice how her hair shone in the light and how her green eyes would light up when speaking about something she liked. He’d look at her lips and wonder what it would be like to kiss her. She was his best friend and it did worry things would change which is why he kept it hidden.

David would make excuses to come and see her more often because not seeing her was painful. But now she had started seeing Hercules, a literal Greek god who was good looking with large muscles and perfect hair, of course Snow was obsessed with him, he didn’t blame her, it would be if Aphrodite was around-though David did wonder if her beauty would compare to Snows. He was too afraid to tell Snow how he felt, she was a princess and he was just a shepherd. He couldn’t be with a princess, she was going to marry someone rich and noble and have royal babies while David would be left alone on the farm until he died.

“All right well I have to get back to my mother, those pigs don’t feed themselves.” He was too much of a coward to say how he truly felt, one day she would announce her engagement to a prince her parents chose, and David’s heart would truly break.

____

“Stupid Hercules, with his big muscles and being a half god.” David was angry. Not at Snow, not directly at Hercules either. He was angry at himself for not saying anything sooner.

“Stop stop stop.” Ruth tells her son, she can see his head is not focused. “You realise you're not feeding the pigs anything?” Gesturing to the empty bag of pig feeder.

“Sorry, I guess I’m just a little distracted.”

His mother nods, “I can see that. Go to her. Tell her how you feel before it’s too late.”

David scoffs, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I’m your mother. I know everything. I see the way you look at her, you’re not just friends anymore are you.” And it wasn’t a question she was asking, it was a fact.

David kisses his mother on the cheek and runs to the palace, he was going to tell Snow how he felt. At last.

When seeing Snow, he would use the servants entrance rather than go through the main gates, it would take him into the kitchens where he’d smile at the head chef who knew him as he went to the passageway that led to a stairway outside Snow’s room. He lingers in the stairway next to her door for a few moments, working up the courage and going over what he was going to say.

“Johanna, I can't believe it!” He hears Snow's voice from inside.

“I take it you had a good time?” Johanna was still Snow's most loyal servant, he had gotten to know the older woman over the years and knew how much Snow loved her.

“He kissed me! Hercules actually kissed me! My first real kiss, I can’t believe it!”

In a matter of seconds David’s heart broke into a million little pieces. He was already too late. Hercules had got there first.

What really hurt was ‘my first real kiss’. David was her first kiss, granted they were both young and it wasn’t anything romantic, Snow dared him to kiss her, and he did. They both laughed about it, it didn’t mean anything. Except it did to him. He thought about it all the time, and as he grew older he wanted to kiss her again. Now he will never get the chance.

____

Snow hadn’t seen David in almost 2 weeks. It was a long time, Snow didn’t have any royal visits or duties planned so why hadn’t he come to see her?

Hercules was also gone, he was going to complete his next labour and he was one step closer to Olympus. Before he left, he kissed her goodbye. It was magical and beautiful, but he was gone. She would miss him, but they had only spent a few weeks together, and she didn’t love him. The kiss was nice, but her heart didn’t belong to him.

David on the other hand. What was it about the shepherd, he made her feel things nobody else did. The only person who knew of her feelings for him was Johanna. She probably knew the moment they met that they would end up falling in love. Except, he only thought of her as a friend. He will only ever think of her as a friend. He was always the little boy she met on the farm, who chased around the chickens and didn’t care that he had dirt on his face, but then over the years he became sweet and Charming, hence his nickname, and she kept thinking about his eyes. She would close her eyes at night and he would appear in her dreams, confessing his undying love for her, but then she would wake up and he would just be her friend.

For some reason he hadn’t been showing up, he would send letters saying he was busy with the farm, or he was making extra trips to the market. Something was up, and she was going to find out what.

She went to find her horse Nightshade, and rode up to his farm. He was there, he wasn’t at the market, and it didn’t seem like he was that busy.

“Hey Charming, you look really busy at Market Day.” She shouts as she dismounts Nightshade and ties him to the tree.

David drops the chicken feed, not expecting to hear her voice. “Dammit.” The chickens are now all around his feet where the food fell, pecking at him. His mother was going to kill him.

“Snow? What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” Snow was shocked, and annoyed that he was feigning innocence, “Where the hell have you been David? I haven’t seen you in almost 2 weeks, I miss my best friend.”

She hears him mumble something, and can’t quite make it out, she thinks she heard Hercules name. “What was that?”

He makes his way out of the chicken cot. “I said, I thought you were too busy courting Hercules.”

“I’m not courting anyone, and certainly not Hercules.” She says standing up straight and poised, careful not to let any emotion slip past her guard,

“No?” He asks, eyebrow raised clearly not believing her.

“No of course not, and I’m not sure why you would think so.”

David shrugs. “Just assumed so, I mean you were spending so much time together.”

“I thought you weren’t jealous?” Snow didn’t know why he was so jealous all of a sudden, even if she was romantically involved with Hercules it shouldn’t matter to David who has not once shown any interest in her other than friendship.

“I’m not jealous.” He’s lying, Snow can tell, she can always tell when someone is lying to her.

“David I’m not sure what is going on with you lately, one moment you’re my friend, the next you’re avoiding me and acting jealous because I’m spending time with someone else.” She wanted answers, she was tired of playing it safe. “If you don’t want to be my friend anymore then I don’t care.”

She turns her back and walks back over to Nightshade, if he was going through something, then he could figure it out on his own.

David swears as he runs to catch up with her. “Look, you were my best friend, still are. But I think I love you Snow. And no, not just as a friend. I think about you all the time, I want to be with you, I want to kiss you again and not laugh about it. I don’t care that I’m just a shepherd, I’m in love with you.” He looks into her green eyes and tries to read her reaction but he can’t, so he continues, “but if you’re with Hercules, how do I stand a chance against someone that’s a Greek god? I know that I’ll never be enough for you, but I want you to know that I’ve been in love with you for years and I don’t think I’ll ever not love you.”

Snow doesn’t say anything. She’s in shock. He loves her? Really loves her? The boy she’s been in love with for years, loves her back?

David watches Snow's facial expressions, sure she’s shocked and thinking and probably finally realising why he had been acting strange the past few weeks. When she doesn’t say anything back, he realises it was a mistake and turns back to his farm.

“Charming wait!” She calls out. Instead of saying anything, she runs over to him, grabs his coat turning him to face her and says nothing as kisses him. She kisses him for the first time, nothing like when they were younger no. This kiss is something she has wanted to do for years, she’s no longer the 9 year old that got kissed by David as a joke, she was 17 and in love with her best friend. He was the only person she wanted to be with.

“Wha-what was that for?” David asks when they finally pull away.

Snow laughs. “Seriously? Charming, I love you too. I think I’ve loved you for years, I just assumed you only ever saw me as a friend. And Hercules by the way, he’s gone. I didn’t love him, it’s you who I want to be with.”

David kisses her again. This was perfect.

_____

Years pass and Snow is still in love with David. David’s mother is over the moon, she wants only happiness for her son. The King and Queen on the other hand were a different story. They loved David, he was a great friend to Snow and he made her happy, they adored him for that reason.

However the kingdom was suffering, they were not as rich as they once were. They always wanted Snow to marry for love, but they didn’t think she would fall for the penniless shepherd. She couldn’t marry him, he would bring no money and no wealth to the kingdom. Snow had to be married to another prince, or a duke from a wealthy kingdom.

The two had spoken about marriage over the years, whilst Snow knew her parents wished for her to marry a nobleman or Prince, she knew they loved her and loved David. She wanted to marry for love and did not think they would have a problem. David on the other hand did have his reservations, whilst he loved Snow and wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of their lives together, he couldn’t imagine actually marrying her and marrying into royalty. Life would be different. But then for Snow it was worth it.

So the two lovers go to the King and Queen to ask for their blessing.

“Your majesties, you know how much I love your daughter. She makes me happy every day and I can't imagine life without her.” He smiles at her and she squeezes his hand in reassurance. “I know I do not come from much, I am but a shepherd but I promise to love and cherish your daughter every day, I wish for your blessing to marry her.”

It’s King Leopold who speaks first. “David, we understand how you feel about our daughter. I do not doubt your intentions.”

Queen Eva picks up where he doesn’t know how to continue, “Snow. Dear sweet Snow, as much as we would love for this union to happen, it simply can’t. Our kingdom will be in debt three years into your marriage if you do not marry a nobleman. We were going to introduce you to the idea of suitors but then the two of you began a courtship of your own and I was hoping you would come to your senses. I’m sorry but we do not accept this union.”

Snow didn’t know what to say, she looked at her parents with wide eyes and shakes her head, lip trembling as she fought the tears that wanted to come out. There was nothing to say to them so she storms out of the palace with David at her heels. It’s only when she is outside the palace walls that she drops down and tears begin to flow.

“Let’s run away together.” Snow tells him a few nights later. Since telling their parents, Snow had been staying with David at the farm, avoiding her parents.

“What?”

“I mean it. Let’s get married, and run away together. I don’t want to be a Princess or Queen if I can’t be with you. So let’s get married, without telling my parents. It can be just you, me, your mom and Johanna. Then we can run away and start our lives together.” Snow was crazy, David thought, but brilliant at the same time.

He kisses her and tells her, “If that’s what you want.”

“I’m only happy if I’m with you.” And she meant it, they were meant to be together, she could feel it.

“In that case.” He drops down to one knee and pulls out the ring he’d had in his pocket for months. It wasn’t new, it wasn’t the fancy jewellery she was used to, he wouldn’t be able to afford that if he tried, he’d end up starving for 2 years before he could buy a cheap metal band. But the ring he gives Snow is special, it’s his mothers, he didn’t want to accept it at first, his parents' marriage didn’t work out. But Ruth said she saw great things in he and Snow's future, she was getting old and wished for nothing more than to see her son get married before she died.

[missathlete31]

Dead On Your Feet- Chapter 4

Chapter 1 is Here

Chapter 2 is Here

Chapter 3 is Here

Summary: An AU in which Hangman is team leader and takes the missile to save Rooster, yet Bradley comes back to save Hangman as well. As he struggles to get himself and his teammate home, Jake is pushed to his limits in more ways than even he anticipated.

Chapter 4 Summary: Bradley can tell something is wrong with Hangman, but the stubborn man refuses to tell him the truth. The duo continues to struggle with their communication

Jake comes to from the sounds of a fretting Rooster at his side. He grumbles, more than a little indignant, when a hand follows up and smacks at his cheek, “Hangman?” Bradshaw’s voice is low with worry and pain, “you with me?”

“Y-Yeah?” Jake doesn’t open his eyes, the events of the past few hours coming back to him and making him groan. He remembers the helicopter, how close its bullets came to rendering both him and Bradley to Swiss cheese, before something shifted in Jake’s abdomen and everything turned alight in pain. His mind struggles to re-catalogue his injuries; laying stationary in the snow has improved his breathing but it’s still not great. Taking a deep breath is virtually impossible and there is a slight taste of blood in his mouth. Jake wonders if his lung was punctured during their escape but he knows there is nothing in these woods or his limited supplies that can help him either way.

The body next to him is inching closer. Jake doesn’t even have to open his eyes to know that Rooster is leaning over him now, face pinched in that ridiculous frown-scowl that the other man seems to always have permanently on his face these days. He knows another smack to his cheek is coming but it still stings enough for Jake to hiss before his green eyes finally reveal themselves. “Ouch” he moans, but the stark relief on Bradshaw’s face at Jake meeting his eyes makes the blonde not want to push his annoyance any further.

“It’s about damn time” Bradley sighs, falling back down to the snow, butt planted and resting back on his palms. Jake follows his movements in his peripheral vision but still lays on his back; sitting up is going to be fire on his ribs and he isn’t prepared for that yet when he still can’t take full breaths. He tests his limits hoping Bradley is too busy looking at the damage in the forest around them to notice the flinch Jake gives from just the simple task of taking in oxygen. He clears his throat still feeling the burn, “how um- how long was I out?”

Rooster holds up his broken watch face, “according to this” he taps the stationary minute hand, “not a second, but if I had to guess about twenty minutes.”

“Shit” Hangman shuts his eyes again, now that neither of them are dead and the adrenaline is passing, all the younger pilot is feeling is embarrassed; embarrassed for failing, embarrassed for freezing up and just collapsing to the ground, embarrassed for leaving Rooster hanging like he swore he wouldn’t do. There Jake goes again, living up to that damn call sign.

“Hey” Bradley’s voice is close again, sounding like an alarm clock with its constant buzzing, “hey-“

“-is for horses.” It’s the first thing that comes to Jake’s mind and he automatically speaks it out loud, the corny joke his Grandfather used to say that always got a laugh on young Jake’s face before the older man died and Jake’s childhood turned to shit. He leaves those memories for another time, focusing back in to the present to hear the confusion from the man next to him. “What?” Rooster gapes as though Hangman telling a dad joke has caused his brain to short-circuit.

”A horse eats hay” Jake explains, eyes still closed but now he can feel Bradley’s concern wafting over him.

”You’re concussed,” the older pilot verbally reasons, and to Jake this seems like the perfect time to lull his head away from Rooster’s voice. Except, it only seems to worry the man more.

“Hangman!” Bradley skips the slaps to the cheek this time moving to poking Jake’s arm like he’s the Pillsbury dough boy, “hey Seresin, I think you might be concussed, keep your eyes open-“

“Not concussed” he grumbles.

“Well then open your eyes.”

”They’re open” Jake muffles back, though he is clearly lying. There’s another poke to his arm and Jake feels his patience leaving. Ribs be damned he sitting up now, and though he is so light headed he’s ready to teeter over again, Jake uses the bull-headedness he seems to be made of to stay upright. Rooster is watching it all, a knowing look on his face that borders too close to concern for Jake’s liking so the blonde turns to look at the skies instead, “They gone?” he asks.

Rooster nods, following his sight line, “left after they spent their whole payload.”

“They’ll be back then.”

“Yup.”

Jake knows the twenty minutes he was out might have already lost them a decent escape window. The clock is ticking even if Bradshaw’s wristwatch isn’t. “We got to get moving” he announces, though he still hasn’t gotten past sitting up on his butt and he’s already bone tired.

Bradley opens his mouth to say something, closes it, before running a hand through his disheveled curls. His shoulders tense, his body grows rigid and for a second Jake’s afraid he is going to hit him or something with the way he seems to be prepping; but Rooster isn’t looking for a physical fight just difficult answers. “What happened before” he speaks softly, voice low but still on edge, and though he looks uncomfortable he meets Jake’s eye and doesn’t waver, “What happened to you” he clarifies, “was it a bullet? Were you hit?” the brown eyes trail down Hangman’s ruined flight suit but clearly come away with nothing.

“No” the blonde shakes himself, “I’m fine-“

“You collapsed out there” and Bradley resembles a puppy now, eyes big, wide and devoted. Curious to his wingman’s ailment and concerned enough to not allow this conversation to end so easily. “You collapsed Jake” Rooster continues, “and you couldn’t breathe- hell I still don’t think you can.”

Jake’s trained himself to lie so often in these situations that it comes before he even gets a chance to think it over, “must have panicked or something” he offers lamely hating himself for thinking saying he was panicking is somehow better than telling Bradley he’s actually injured.

“Panic” Rooster looks unconvinced, “you panicked?”

Hangman doesn’t have to force the look of exasperation on his face, “it was kinda a crazy situation” he brokers, moving himself toward the tree log in an attempt to sit up more as though that will deter any more questions. He motions towards the clearing, “we should really get moving again.”

But Rooster isn’t budging, this time taking Jake’s arm and pulling it roughly, too roughly, to force the blonde forward, “you don’t panic Hangman. Ever” he reiterates, “So how about we cut the bullshit and you stop putting on the show.”

The blonde shrugs off the other’s arm, “Back off Rooster” he warns.

Jake expects a flare of that Bradshaw temper but instead Bradshaw sighs heavily and give a weary sigh that’s so deep they both feel it in their bones. “Look man,” the older pilot implores, “we aren’t getting far if you’re not honest with me okay?” he holds his hands out open, welcoming, as defenseless as he can muster, “Talk to me. What is it? What are you hiding?” and then he moves in with the million dollar question, “how hurt are you?”

It would be so easy, so simple to tell Bradley that his chest hurts, that his ribs keep moving and that he is pretty sure that something might be lodged in his lung by the way breathing hurts and he tastes blood but Jake has never been easy. He can’t let himself say those words, can’t let himself be any more of a liability than he already has been. Fear has always been Jake Seresin’s biggest motivator. Fear of failure, fear of disappointment, but mostly fear of being left alone. Its part of the reason the Hangman persona fit him so tightly; you can’t be left if there’s no one close enough to do the leaving. Somewhere in the not so rational part of Jake’s mind he knows that he is only useful to Rooster if he isn’t hurt, if he can get them out of here alive. He’s already failed once and he won’t do it again. He refuses to.

Jake musters the most honest face he can, lying through his teeth like he’s been doing since he was a little kid and someone asked him about the bruises on his body, “I’m fine” he speaks calmly, clearly, selling his lie like he would sell his soul, “I swear.”

The disappointment on Bradshaw’s face says that either Jake’s lies have lost their believability or Jake has never been very convincing from the start.

He doesn’t know which one he prefers.

Hangman snaps back to the situation at hand though, shifting back to his partner, who has now started looking at his injured leg, “How’s it feel?” he asks curiously, testing waters.

Rooster braces the limb but even the tiniest shift has him wincing with a sharp hiss of air, “n-not good” he breaths out painful, lifting his flight suit pant leg to catch a glimpse. He hisses again, “shit” he murmurs, “that doesn’t look right.”

Swallowing his guilt, Jake leans forward, ignoring the pull on his chest. He notices the bruising around the lower third of Bradley’s leg, the bone not quite breaking the skin but also not looking normal. The younger man runs a worried hand through his hair resisting the urge to pull it in his stressed state, “well if it wasn’t broken before” he tells the other pilot, “it is now.”

“Great” Bradley moans, “Just what we need.”

“How the hell did you even walk on it?”

The brunette shrugs in indifference, “we were dying otherwise” he explains as though it was the simplest thing in the world.

Jake shakes his head, seeing more Maverick in Rooster now than he’s ever taken the time to notice before. He can’t contain his smirk, “so I guess it was your Mother-Hen-Adrenaline” he surmises.

“My what?”

“Mother hen adrenaline” Hangman repeats, “you know like when a mom lifts a car off their kid.”

Bradley scoffs at the analogy, “yeah well if you’re my kid I’m returning you-“ he stops suddenly, horror flashing on his face at his words. “Shit Seresin-“ he begins again, no doubt remembering the conversation before about Jake’s lack of decent parents.

The blonde waves it off, “it’s fine” he tells him and it is. His parents didn’t return him after all, that was just what he wished for every night instead.

An awkwardness falls between the two pilots but neither address it. Instead Bradley decides to shimmy towards another tree-truck, using it to try to stand himself up. Jake watches the movement knowing he should start the process as well but feeling a bit overwhelmed. “We should eat something” he brings up suddenly, pulling for his supply bag and reaching inside for the nearest ration. It’s a chocolate bar, Hershey’s, one of Javy’s favorites that the other man must have snuck in when Jake was getting ready this morning. Jake sniffles a bit in emotion when he thinks of his best friend, missing his companion more than he could ever imagine as he sits in the freezing snow in the middle of nowhere.

“Chocolate huh?” Bradley’s voice snaps Hangman back to the present, as he looks up at the brunette who is eyeing the candy. “Yeah” he manages, holding out the bar, “you want a piece.”

“I didn’t think this was regulation Seresin” but Rooster takes the treat anyway, popping the sweet into his mouth and almost moaning in pleasure, “mmmm” he hums, “I forgot how hungry I am.”

“No breakfast?” Jake questions, knowing he himself could barely stomach a piece of toast, let alone anything of substance.

Bradley shakes his head, “nah, couldn’t really-“ he pauses, “couldn’t keep much down” he shares cautiously almost as if he’s expecting Hangman’s teasing. Too be fair, normally Hangman would be jumping into some kind of insult about Rooster’s sensitive stomach but given his own lack of appetite this morning, he decides to be nice. “Yeah” he offers more of the chocolate, “I know the feeling.” He looks back at his supplies than to the other pilot, “did you grab any rations?”

When the other man shakes his head, Jake rolls his eyes, “great so we get to trek through Narnia with two bars and half a water bottle.”

Rooster has the dignity to look embarrassed though his tone is still annoyed, "I'm sorry that when I was ejecting out of my plane I didn't reach for snacks-"

"My plane exploded into the ground and I was still able to grab some stuff." The brag earns him an eye roll but Bradley doesn’t comment further instead still slowly getting himself standing. Jake has no choice but to follow, slowing getting his feet under him while still managing to keep his abused body from screaming at the burst of painful sensation pulsing through his abdomen. He knows Rooster is watching, and it takes everything for the blonde to just keep going. Jake knows he can’t keep up the façade forever, the proverbial shoe will drop and Jake’s lies will catch up to him but he’s saving that for the carrier, right now he has a Rooster to save.

Once both men are standing, Jake lifts Bradley’s arm and moves it over his shoulder, taking weight slowly until their equilibrium feels right and they can walk. Bradley is pale and he can feel the man’s tremors as they rattle his own body. Jake knows he isn’t doing much better but stubbornness is a powerful thing and both Hangman and Roosters are masters. “Which way” he asks the older man, poised to head West but giving the option to his teammate.

Bradley glances around them, getting bearings before turning back and settling towards the Western horizon. “The air field should be that way” he lifts in chin in emphasis.

“Yeah” Jake agrees, “the one Cyclone tomahawked.”

“It’s also the way the helicopter came from and disappeared too” Rooster supplies in a neutral but observant tone.

“It might be our only chance to get ourselves out of here.”

“I know” Bradley speaks, weariness in his voice, “so we head West?” it’s a question but one with only one answer.

“We head west” Hangman confirms.

Calmness reaches both pilots. It’s not an acceptance of the fate that seems to be headed their way, instead a truce of understanding. They are shot down behind enemy lines. They are tired, injured, and a long way from proper supplies or any other form of help. Their chance of outside rescue is non-existent so if they have any hope of survival they’re going to have to do it themselves. It should be a scary notion, possibly the most frightening of both their lives but somehow as Jake shoulders a bit more of Bradley’s weight and the two once again start their long trek, he doesn’t feel scared. Whatever they will face at least they will be in it together. There’s a comfort in that thought, especially for the normally unaccompanied pilot, and somehow everything seems just the littlest bit less daunting.

—————————————————————————-

I’m posting three chapters today so be on the look out for the next posting!

Thanks everyone for the support!

[simkimo]

"Mute"Mizu x fem!Reader chap 3

───── ⋆⋅ ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ ⋅⋆ ─────

chapter 1

chapter 2

This is a multiple part fic! its posted on my wattpad(@simkimo) and ao3(@simkimo) also!!

Word count: 1597

｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─── ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

Chapter 3

Silence filled the space as the two of you walked through the bamboo forest. You didn't know where Mizu was going, but you didn't mind much. All that could be heard were the soft sounds of the snow being crushed beneath your feet. The sun shone down, seeping through the few leaves. Occasionally, you would hold out your hand to catch the many patterns of the small snowflakes that fell from the sky to distract yourself from all the walking.

The silence that once filled the air was broken by the same humming from before. Mizu, who was the first to notice, turned around, causing you to follow. Before Ringo could come any closer, Mizu drew her blade just a couple of inches away from his face.

"I found you guys!" he exclaimed as he started rambling about how he had a shortcut, causing you to zone out until he finished.

"Go home," Mizu said, putting down her blade and continuing walking. You quickly turned around to follow her as Ringo caught up with the two of you.

He explained how he now knew what he wanted to do, and that was to become a samurai like Mizu.

"Please let me be your apprentice. Uh, I'll do anything." You watched from the side as Mizu began, "A breeze can throw a crane off-course. You... are a typhoon." You raised your eyebrow, trying to make sense of what she said, but dismissed it as she began walking again.

He somehow caught up quite quickly and slid in front of the two of you.

"Please! I'm strong. I can carry your things, and you can have the best soba in the world every day!" he tried reasoning with Mizu.

The only part that stuck out to you was that he could cook well. You subtly nudged Mizu at that part and rubbed your stomach to see if she would consider letting him tag along. She looked at you with no emotion before looking back at him as Ringo called him his master.

You thought about it; having Ringo make you the best soba every single day would have been nice. But it seemed Mizu didn't take that into account because the two of you left him tied up to a tree. You didn't notice as Mizu began to walk ahead, and you kept behind as Ringo called out to you.

"Miss! Please tell me what did you say to become the apprentice," Ringo asked, looking at you with pleading eyes.

You didn't know what to say as you saw Mizu, who was ahead of you, look back with an impatient face. You took out your small notebook and ripped out a page as you tried to give it to him. Somehow you managed to get the paper to stay on the rope that kept him tied before running up to catch up with Mizu.

The two continued on their journey. But you stayed behind as Mizu went to a shrine for a quick moment before returning back. Curiosity struck you as you wanted to know what she had done there but decided to keep the curiosity to yourself.

You felt a rush of relief enter your body once you saw the gates of Kyoto and began walking at a slightly faster pace. Once the two of you were in line, you heard the small commotion of a mother not being able to enter without a male companion. You felt pity since you would've been in that same situation if it weren't for Mizu. You looked at Mizu and tried getting her attention by tapping her arm. She noticed what was happening but stayed silent. You decided not to argue back since Mizu was the only one able to help you get into the villages. You walked by the mother and child as the two of you got accepted and kept your gaze on them until you walked far enough.

"I have important business to attend to. You can stay here until I return," Mizu said, breaking the silence as you walked into the more crowded part.

You nodded before waving goodbye as she left and you parted ways. You began to walk around and stop at every vendor who was selling something to check out what they had. Taking in the beauty of this place, you wanted to stop at every place there was. As you went on, you saw Mizu at one of the brothels; this really piqued your curiosity but soon shook off the thought since it would be awkward if she saw you spying on her.

Time must have slipped by since the sun was already beginning to set. You entered a small shop and began to look around; to your luck, it was a supply shop. You opened the sliding doors and the wooden shelves were filled with all kinds of handmade tools and supplies, all which of what you needed. You stocked up on notebooks; however, you struck gold when you found flashcards that had simple phrases on them. They ranged from 'no thank you' to 'I'm hungry' and even a few sentences. You immediately grabbed them all and went to pay for it all.

Once you left the shop, you were hit with the cold wind of the night; snow began to fall again as you walked in the direction the snow was falling, making your cheeks and ears feel twice as cold as before. The street lamps were lit by now, creating small pockets of light as you walked down the snow-covered path. Stopping at an inn, you reserved a single room for two days since you didn't know when Mizu would come back.

A whole day has passed by now; you would spend most of your time exploring or taking a nap. There wasn't anything that would be too exciting since you already went to every shop there was. But once the second day ended and you left the inn, you found Ringo walking out of the brothel Mizu last stopped at. Quickly you caught up to Ringo since you didn't want to spend another day by yourself aimlessly exploring the city. He seemed to still remember you as Mizu's apprentice and took notice of you quickly.

"Miss, it's you again! Has master left?" he asked, looking around you to see if Mizu was with you.

You took out a flashcard you had 'no,' you showed him as you shook your head and flipped to another 'I'm Y/N, and you?'

"Ringo! Nice to meet you, Y/N," he said, smiling while holding out his arm for you to shake.

"It's good that I bumped into you since I was going out to look for the master," he began to talk on and on about the stories he had from the brothel that he just came out of.

You listened in as he went from story to story; you didn't mind since it was a change to hear someone talk.

"Why do you use those cards, Y/N?" he asked, pointing to the cards that were stored on the side of your pack.

'I don't speak.' You pulled out the card and showed him.

"Well, the idea of the cards is smart, Y/N. I have to say that," he smiled as he changed the topic to how he met someone who was also mute and how they lived with them for a week while stuck in a forest. You didn't know how, but the two of you managed to stray away far from civilization and more towards a forest. From afar, you could hear the sound of running water not too far from where you guys were.

'I'm getting hungry’' You showed Ringo the card as he happily obliged and set down for a small break. As he cooked up some food, he still went on about how he was now going to become a samurai like Mizu and compared how you all had "deformities" or such. You listened in and happily ate the food he served. As he cleaned the space, you began to draw in the snow, reaching for a small twig that laid out on the ground, you began to draw small patterns all over the place, each stroke causing the small twig to break. Hoping this would take your mind off all the walking you had to endure yet again. As he finished packing, the two of you set off again.

"You're a really good listener, Y/N. Usually, people tell me to shut my trap by now," he started as you took out a paper.

'I don't really have a choice, but I don't mind.' You handed him the paper and smiled.

"You're right; it's not even like you have a choice to stop me from talking. Well, you do, you could always throw something at me or push me, but you wouldn't do that, right, Y/N?" he raised an eyebrow.

'Nope.' You shook your head as he began listing off ways people have shut him up before. You listened in for the sound of what you thought was a small stream again to find a place to stop and get some water. You tapped Ringo on the shoulder and motioned him to follow you.

The sound only got louder from what seemed to be water. He began to hum again as the two of you walked closer to the water. But just as you two got out of the bushes, you were both met with the tip of Mizu's sword.

"Peaches."

[tamorisana]

Forehead kisses

For the love of God, he hated being smol.

Not just small.

Smol.

Almost everyone is taller than him and he almost fucking despises it. Almost.

This one thing is helping to keep him sane and saint.

Ghosts affection. Ghosts kisses. Forehead kisses to be precisely.

He wouldn't survive if it wasn't for this man and his clinginess.

A peak on the back of his head after mission when no one is looking. Another one to his bandages temple after unseccesful one. On top after successful one as saying 'Good job, love. I'm happy your alright. Let's go home.'

It's a night before their holiday leave. First one in Ghosts career that Simon agreed on taking. Not without compromise of course.

1. No celebration.

2. They aren't going to Manchester.

3. He wants all of the attention.

Which, to be honest, pretty good deal.

So they are on their way out of base, out of those names, no more Sergeant John 'Soap' McTavish and Lieutenant Simon 'Ghost' Riley, just Johnny and Simon. Just a little bit and they are off to Scotland.

"Soap! Ghost!"

Bloody creeping Jesus.

God no. They are too close to exit to stop.

Darn you, Price.

Ghost stops him, looks in the eyes and, my god, did he look apologetic. Tough finders brushing against his own, calming almost fuming with anger man. The 'It's just Price, lets get on with this' almost goes unattended.

"Hey" He plasters the best smile he can, tries to look friendly. "Everything alright? You needed something?" Again, he feels Simon's fingers against his in silent support. If 'Its alright, just a little bit and we'll be kissing in the car' could be a touch it would been this one.

"Oh no, nothing is wrong, just wanted to wish you boys good holidays." Captain is still in his gear, not for long thats for sure, he is leaving for someone too..or with someone..?

Either way, Thank Fuck. He doesn't think he would have handed a long conversation.

"Well, thanks. Good holidays to you too, Cap! Are we free to go then? Kind of in the rush, no matter how handsome we are, plane won't wait for us, ain't I'm right?" Soap pokes Ghosts side, looking so damn nervous it's hurting.

"Ye, ye. Go ahead, sorry for stopping you. Take care, boys " Price chuckles and Johnny doesn't understand whether its from how wrecked and nervous he is or from the way Simon's tries to shrink.

Which doesn't matter since they are already sprinting for the door before anyone else stops them on their way to Scotland. On their way home.

Door is literally 3 meters away so Johnny reached out to grab Simon's hand, squeezes it lightly while pushing on the door to open it only to stomp in the inch of snow.

Shit, he hopes theur flight wont get delayed.

He has a boyfriend to snuggle with.

[———————————— ————————————]

Man, I won't even check it. Probably just some nonsense.

[whipplefilter]

How excited was I to find out that I could effortlessly fit four wheels and four tires in the back of my car? So excited.

I bought new wheels to replace my 17-year old ones, which were corroded from their lifetime in the Rustbelt and one of which was bent (RIP). The tires—Yokohama Avid Ascends—replaced a set of Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires, purchased in 2016, about 63,000 miles ago.

The Turanzas served me extremely well in all conditions but ice/snow, which they were garbage at—I have a separate set of winter tires. I went with the Yokohamas this time around because they were better reviewed on TireRack in all possible ways and cheaper than the Bridgestone equivalent being manufactured today.

Anyway, I figured this was a good time to write up some notes!

The Care & Feeding of Tires: A Beginner’s Guide

After all, this all started with a blown left rear:

Even if you’re not driving your street car at race speeds, your tires are the only part that actually touches the road—that one contact patch on each of your four corners.

The service writer at your shop is going to go by the numbers; the technician will say something if it’s real bad, maybe. But you don’t want to wait until you have a blowout and end up stranded, or until you’re hydroplaning on the freeway.

1. How do you measure tire health?

Every tire comes with two measure of its age: treadwear and time.

Treadwear: The more you drive, the more the tire wears down. How quickly this happens depends mostly on your tire compound (and technically the type of driving you do, though I doubt for most people this is statistically significant).

At least in the United States, your tread is measured in 32nds of an inch. How many 32nds you start with depends on the tire. Since most people don’t own a tread depth gauge, treadwear is also conveyed in terms of mileage, and the average number of miles driven it takes to wear the tread a certain amount.

Time: If you don’t drive your car that much, it doesn’t mean your tires will last longer, though! Because the rubber is blowing out those birthday candles no matter what. You can keep the rubber cool and dry if you want, but age waits for no tire. Generally, tire rubber will last around 6 years before it should be replaced, regardless of mileage. Like measuring treadwear in mileage, six years is an estimate based on rubber degradation.

You can also gauge tire age by looking for signs of dryrot. This will look like cracks in the rubber—on the sidewall or the tread. They can look shallow and unimportant, but these cracks on the surface are an indication that there’s likely similar rot happening where you can’t see it.

Here’s an example of mild dryrot on my old tires, which are 7 years old. You can find MUCH more extreme examples on Google Images, if you’re so inclined:

🚨 IMPORTANT 🚨 The age of your tire is based on its date of manufacture, NOT the date you put it on your car! If you want to check this, this date is printed on your tire. Each tire is printed with a DOT code—the last two digits designate the year it was made. (There’s other info in that code, but that’s the most important part.)

You know how your car’s care manual has intervals that expressed in both miles and time? You’re not supposed to choose which to follow—you’re supposed to do with whichever comes first. The two ways tires age is a great example of why!

2. How do you keep tires happy?

Do your preventative maintenance.

Cars are extremely expensive to own, and that sucks—especially when you live in the United States, where in a lot of places you have to own a car if you want to make a living. You have to pay to get paid. :\

But cars are also something where preventative maintenance is a lot cheaper than a repair—or worse, a wreck. Tires are designed to endure a lot, and perform through all kinds of conditions. But you can thank them for their hard work by being attentive to their needs!

Check your tire pressure regularly (let’s say seasonally)! Particularly if the ambient temperatures where you live are changing. Tires are wily, and can be absurdly low on air before they start looking flat. Seriously—they can be at 15psi when they’re supposed to be at 30psi and still look pretty round. Keeping your tires inflated to spec will prolong your tread life (and save your gas mileage).

Rotate your tires on schedule! Your car’s schedule is in the owner’s manual. This help your tires wear evenly, which will prolong their life AND the lifespan of your drivetrain, which is substantially more expensive  to repair than a tire rotation is. (A rotation is free if you do it yourself; some tire suppliers like Costco give you free tire rotations for the life of the tire, too.) Keeping your tires wearing evenly is particularly important if you have an AWD car, which is increasingly common in this frenzied age of crossovers and SUVs.

Keep your suspension in alignment! If your car’s not driving straight on the road, it’s not wearing your tires evenly, either. Your alignment can be thrown off if you hit a pothole or a curb. Sometimes it just wanders off, due to wear on suspension components. Letting your suspension do what it will is only going to increase the wear on other components and make the repair bill bigger int the long run.

Aside from not knowing what a car needs, I think there are two main reasons people end up in bad spots with their tires: 1) It’s not a priority (fair, but if you pay attention to one thing outside of your oil changes, let it be the tires! this is part of the job of owning a car), and 2) They don’t have the money. Nothing this Pixar Cars blog can say can solve late capitalism and the wage gap, but if you can conceptualize tire care and feeding as a regular, predictable, budgetable expense, and not an emergency one, the financial hit of buying new tires can be given some cushion.

Stay safe and stay rolling!

[theonyxranger]

if youre comfortable/have the time, what would you say r the top three things for a car owner to know about their car?

Okay, I thought about this for a bit because that's not as easy a thing to answer as you might expect, even if everything I'm about to say seems fairly obvious.

1. Learn how to check your fluids.

All non-electric vehicles have a variety of fluids that are used in different ways. If you have access to your owner's manual, you can use that to easily find and check your fluid levels. If not, a quick google search of your year/make/model will give you those answers as they're all vehicle specific. The most important ones are going to be oil, coolant, and brake fluid.

Checking your oil is usually very simple. If you've driven the vehicle within the last ten minutes or so, simply locate the oil dipstick in your engine bay with your engine OFF (usually a bright color, often labeled OIL) and pull it out. Wipe off the excess oil, stick it back it all the way, pull it back out and see where on the dipstick the oil stops. As long as the level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick, often marked with cross hatching, you do not* need to add any oil. If it looks dark or smells burnt, you may be due for an oil change.

*we'll come back to this.

Brake fluid and coolant are often in clear reservoirs visible in the engine bay. Both typically have MAX and MIN markers on the reservoir and, like your oil, so long as the level is between those two marks you do not need to add any fluid.

However! (This is where we come back to what I said before) if you notice your fluids are low and you ARE concerned, it's never a bad idea to start checking more often to make sure the level isn't dropping. If it is, add some and take your car in for an inspection!

2. Learn how your car is supposed to sound/feel when everything is working as it should

This won't be as long as the last one, I promise.

One of the most common causes for mechanical failure, in my experience, is ignorance. If you don't notice, or know, that your vehicle isn't behaving/braking/turning/sounding the way it's supposed to, why would you have any reason to take it in for inspection? Why would you expect to go for an oil change and find out your brakes are grinding? Or your tires are worn bald? Or your struts are blown?

If you know your car well enough to recognize when something changes, or isn't quite right, you're far more likely to catch it before it becomes a safety hazard (or savings hazard.)

3. Know your vehicle's limits

This one may seem like an odd one, but hear me out:

Your car can only do so much. At the end of the day, its one job is to get you where you need to go safely and reliably, and it's designed to do that in a specific way under a specific range of conditions.

If you take care of it, it'll take care of you. But a 2011 toyota corolla isn't going to do that in 13 inches of snow with a windchill of -5. A 2007 mazda mx5 isn't going to do that in a downpour with 30+ mph winds. A 2014 honda odyssey isn't going to do that in a panic-brake scenario with a uhaul trailer hitch and trailer hooked up and brakes that haven't been replaced in 50,000 miles on 9-year-old factory tires.

I know this was probably a lot more than you were looking for and it definitely wasn't coherent, but it took a solid 40 minutes for me to figure out what to say here and I hope it helps

[nonbinaryaubrey]

Due to two pieces of evidence, I’ve determined where Faraway Town is most likely located within range

Let me preface this by saying it was but a whim of fate this happened and I could never be more proud of myself

Firstly, how do we know Omori takes place in America? Well it’s quite obvious that it’s a big suburb from America and literally has people named with “All American” so that point checks out.

However where in America exactly? I cannot give an exact state, however I can give a range.

First, there’s something everyone ignores, the bug catching portion of the photo album. Why is this important? Well Mari catches a giant stag beetle. The photo I will not deny looks very little like a giant stag, however it is gigantic. [The average hand length for females is around like 7 inches,] it takes up most of her hand. The giant stag beetle is the biggest beetle in America, measuring up to 2 1/2 inches. Now, this doesn’t fit hand measurements and is honestly more likely to be the Prosopocoilus giraffa based on the image. However those are not native to the U.S and I doubt the kids were flown to Asia to catch bugs. It also has a slight red hue in the image, so it would be safer to assume that it’s the Lucanus elaphus aka giant stag in America. But how does this help us with our search for locations?

Well, from research it can be seen that this stag is found more commonly from the mid to Eastern part of America. This narrows it down to the countries and regions shown. However it also snows in faraway town. The game never shows this, but the calendars very obviously show temperatures that allow for snow but hot enough for them to go to the beach. So it can’t be too far or too high on the map.

Finally, the beach is important as a part. People believe that faraway is near a beach, so to keep in line with this ilk believe so too. This means they can’t live in a landlocked state and have to be in the most Eastern states.

Accumulating all this evidence, I believe that it’s safe to assume faraway is somewhere within

Virginia

Maryland

Delaware

or New Jersey (I live here by the way)

Thank you for your time.

just read this on misty's blog too ^_^ i find this rlly interesting!! its not rlly smth i tend to think about toooo much on my own but its neat seeing ppl figure out those details. neat :]

[libidomechanica]

And song

A limerick sequence

               1

And I at rest on right thy japes be! No child, if in death-chamber or    thre hanged … There’s a stranger    skinnes gone, and thee, deare borne buds, and then with great distress?

               2

They gain’d, and, lordynges, right doth hast. Since yourself afyre. Stay yet a childish    through their savage than    faile his book agayn my leaves on Earth’s head. Smiling because you.

               3

When will shortened deare Lord Lochinvar. Convulsion time in a bigger than    he sped, The time did see.    Till he crew had gaz’d, he look upon the love and leaue enricht.

               4

Years; it is love you and I love so longer wretched thrall, my bird dog. And    say on Diggon, I    lamented urn. This world, compensate, to pleasure mindes resort.

               5

Anguish wrung the stay’d his short,—’tis passion- winged Love, and Aethon snort his light    footsteps luxurious    matting under the Seventh— the Seven more quiet base clouds.

               6

Sun did ride, progression—cannot to sale their foote. Have been as drownd with self,    and pine more love so alike,    thy fair Twinnes gone, I the Apostel tolde many heads.

               7

Absence this light. Has any Life divided me a spoil among that somme    been inches waving waters!    My lovers tempt no stoor; they’ll have had fled. The bosoms bare!

               8

To-morrow’s life—and let out thy harlotte, having was the blue, and now it    not. Waite. The fire, of ayde    or country that I was purveyed of her god day: or Diggon.

               9

Opened moanings of hell is it no second beren hem at thyn array    after may now the faille,    than al this expectant. Or herbes. God day: or Diggon.

               10

The waves are just about her side with joy! While ocean deep, there vnseene, that Firmán-    issuing Shah to    whom he shore until time’s white, poor Cynthia greet a pryvetee.

               11

Then, cried two were Hobbin how I brew my beer. Spirit that I was synne; bét    is to do this? Was knight    astrologien, Day over, I return an autumn, in wind.

               12

Their tedious magian fish most confess? It must be so phantasy; for    to seye, forsaking in    the pure and to mark of Oxenford, and our roots. Let all heart.

               13

Some can keepe. Dust to his lips, to brynge alone; and made bare and pain which that    I was born. Tho vnder his    Hearts; yea, when hot for the Tongues, the rayne is al and flames, and lame.

               14

And have not fright’ning the faint eyes within. And forever and day like again,    mix not move; for pity    is ended. If that soft as she gloriously her first.

               15

To love may rest’? Together of pearl. Beacons from his packe a ghost abandoning    and scorch without    all aske. Tell me how many a leafe sturre. His Vellet her mine!

               16

And ye foreseen then she fil bakward adoun, and glosen up he roads, as    if to face with a bag    of all the Kirke pillow then, youth, for small aske. To its eclipse.

               17

Sure never beauties parching of three love! The Kidde: but tel me who? From his    worke is coming exhausted    snow, or care. Eternal wind and blamed hym to see its tooth.

               18

Put down, Sugar, my suit you walked along to see thou death’s foot. In signal    shakings of this ocean-    bed. Ploughs furrow’d deepest give invention like Aurora, proue.

               19

I wolde rede alwey ful fasten to dances for the populace own    Desire? And yet the hall-    door, and the blood, my tired Hand foreheads; saw the sullen year?

               20

—Oh, dreams renew it; but if that dim lake. You are the silken skilled bee, to    this, a mute voice of this:    an empires and lookest in fresh sprung. A herd-abandon.

               21

The game of thine for him an’ wrack his dunghill, crowing you say. Dian had    constant hope hadde and placed,    the garden, Maud, but where so I swallows one day that degree.

               22

Far from too wide world, each otherwise,— past which husbandry in your old decree!    As signes of lusty    heartles at thy feare, beeing is awake? But what evere smyte!

               23

Into the sea lifts a young hearts do inuite to haue for Cupid’s sake! Into    gold and give they wander    innocent breathe away. The witch hazel eye, bright of wrong.

               24

Till I may see how manye myghtė they flash’d to dismount: and hymns in empurple    scarce extinguish in. Who    running the spirit that day the sun she look easily will.

               25

And yet God defence and in a room full show his owne shewe. Were entwine: while    times ende, that alle me    a planted their tiptop nothing the eagle native graced so.

               26

Sit to trace in a Lente—so ofte and consumed, and call this hums, in light pinions!—    Few, who have I nothing    flowers, and the sweetest of her to comprehend aright.

               27

To faintest out. That tempted my mind a day like a child: now time he proud    of a Garden of Let    There is not for wanton babes to do, till the world alyve is.

               28

Wrought good. Then can become as a wide Border his dead, sunning thicket into    their shaft dark vault above    that the witch. Too deep question which that I am the tale.

               29

Is so much growne between they stretch his lost, the Muses in hys pack, and I    have leave the air, alas!    Star kissing thrones—amid the grasp’d it; of the shall I doe?

               30

Tucked be belong the dancers leaves among men: they flee from her come a quarters.    Wink of you went on    cutting too as woman, of this ever since who has the sea.

               31

Heard the calmed vast, so as the sound, sepulchre, quench not one accents thy foule    leasing, for whit; I took    a leek the leaves among the sea. Helplessly before him fast.

               32

And calm, and my aching around his complaining hair of glittering me    back from the dress Our    Adonais. Than been sav’d but yet knows by breasts and claim: let thy shame.

               33

In fragrant copses dress was leaping vp waues of Night, night around, yu run.    Then The sun smile, and then    for to haul up and sweet odours, and softly, flutes; nor debaat.

               34

Forth; your hand or eye hovering limbs. On scrolls of silent rows, poor little head,    and harmony, pulses,    and one arrow drain’d. I’ll crosse to its eclipsing Cursed, cursed Circe.

               35

My strong fingers, so late is; live her? And other day. One hair I dream, I    laughs at our being brass    will no mo delayed at divers brilliant kids, frisk with you this?

               36

The monkeys make this a silence, and sing; I a’ the last year, Whose who should    be so phantom cold. And    co-inheritaunce, tossing in fruyt of my loves weep anew!

               37

Rough the lamps the wrecked. Locke, so thy wit, o’er the Lip of Beauty thus; while they    each other were. Although    Amphion leaning hand blush’d no lute, violin, bassoon; all night.

               38

His inwards; ’twas too much will recognise that it is eternal are. And    ball wrapt inflecting heart    after though camps and he, so have seen. Not sing a cockney ear.

               39

But Anguish. And making slow star: So many another comely sheepe, all    is it from her; or let    me make me, if thou wolt preyse my bear; and tyrannizing way.

               40

Not thy Son lay, pierc’d by the Throne where king sleeps, ’twixt his passion to war. What    faille yow, if ye worn    with dew all the statues, music, words, are weak; ah for no cas.

               41

Kiss that was, and the billows:-when lofty thought: Piffle! Adorn the very    wight striped urchins flay each    mass may no while one ascending eye, bright by the wakes or spyen?

               42

An urn of straw and the Foxes that fire a ridiculous, past thou speak    the light And aye the steep    floor, and mortality’s sake! No, in all array; but ere thrown?

               43

For all the Day became masculine and for ese of emergent pattern;    and entertain if one    float my friends. Oft have match’d me too hard ther grow boring above!

               44

She did see, which I blest. I wanted me too late. The inheritaunce: the    more weak relieued by us    selven two, how she trick. Ye, woltow so took for to war.

               45

So great distress and happiness, to pluck away child: now thou hast. A    fathomless floods, unfettered    in night, and lur’d the worlds care, the dew upon a royal blest.

               46

I looked at diverse, my Lady’s emblem’d in this should look too, into my    life provide than all hast.    For me, again; I sue not feel her place as well as I wait.

               47

Ne stayed he virgin’s face of her soft face vnarmed myself as Spring with    you! In hope has late; ’ the    lamps of Heaven’s smile, overjoy’d, we are too late is Marcien.

               48

It is young tears the morning race, but conseil to virginitee; lat hem be    bride’s-men, and home there hath    Immortal Love. Which is set up for Adonais. The great mone.

               49

And of theyr shee sawe thy tale I thinks I seal my bed crowne, in think it stopped,    he looked, take and sigh’d a    lullaby? Where shone; while her white in his head, as if impell’d.

               50

There was my poor more! Still cavern rude, keep thy hand interpretest the hazel    with his right staves on    his lyf. You say, knowing up repent, yet to be seize on me.

               51

This through heavenly race: no woods days, and filling sisters of unfulfill’d    renown kiss that sighs. And    in an error of whose might across my gossyb dame Alys.

               52

And as happy crowns, and Nineveh. Seek sheltering if that it in our    lived—Enough—that wiste, in    beauteous corse beneath; to its own, Ah, when ther none but unthrifts!

               53

Since could wandred years; it is fro the cause you’ve forgoe. And the boy bring the book,    the with a corpse, touche,—he    men of bent foam with pity, And other care. And lullaby.

               54

The flour of all with empty hand through the dore, and made he, of Eva first    Desire. And sculptures    to low, give me. I pleyned unto me; that gave his wyvys!

               55

For we knowne that abiding the hearse. Sire oldest seye, if the way that    I rente of shall a young    lassie, what art the throne of happiness, and forehead began.

               56

Another on thee, of which watching. This, that Stella must not enough, no    man swerė and lo, it is    as of a jealous o’ a’ that she coveiteth every best.

               57

And Ausemán—the Heav’n from the thorny fruit bush where the trees watch the mark    of Oxenford, and bent.    At this mouth. And look too, into foam. He shouting, this more death.

               58

She flesh until we fille as thou wilt thou read for punishment? Ye sholde    han sorwe; and her is roll’d;    for his waist, nor far, the more, I’ll protest, in generacioun.

               59

And from Denmark upon that alone I am your delight when otherwith!    But you a story    the magic: every wave under the waves in his heart of tho?

               60

And chaunced together in Heaven’s light; for thou hast measurably link’d    her chastitee no childish    through wood leon, tel me that for fear. And over, when I feel!

               61

And shoulder’d over Glaucus held his time was quite: an idle tongue that may    his lyf. With lullaby    can I drown’d into oblivious enmity shall not ask.

               62

Green silk strung, down to raking saw what shining came one sweetnesse inly I    pray yow like a criminal.    ’Er than the bones on hond, and proverbes n of his time.

               63

Yes, in her lip kissing spar, just wheel; my fine hairs have mov’d, and saw the    melancholy this a surpris’d    star through he loud of tears ago. Let consecrated urn.

               64

Bright is faire, and north, and making the frost. Distracted wiping—oh Khalífah’s    Supper push’d throat: then    his Lordship and descends on worlds care, that euer had bene fayne.

               65

But ere thyne yen. Had well-nature of hym shul have died: but if it steadies    I may scorn fill with there,    or which from her; or let me feel thine. The her hart, endymion!

               66

I will unclose infamy is not die, that which that thou; and dost see, bene    all turn’d into bed.    And in cost, but neatly takes hand: pity me there wax al deef.

               67

Grasping to its kindred years Far had her heart, head, hands avian, to sink.    Been inches high o’er his    chiefe souereign visions, shape that new babies, and let their most grace.

               68

And portion of fish things funeral. There laved and is barbed hook, one is    set up for verray blood,    this face. The kiss, shapes, they maad of despair, with they them, is love.

               69

But for opened his Narcissus Eyes— the Muses your own Ceres; every    vessel al of old friend,    was seeking youngling beneath. Thy name, and threw down a toying.

               70

To weddyng in my flessh so deem’d not by our first rose conceive it ever    have dried my mind discoursing,    and forever on crystal place. She is conuenable.

               71

A moment’s pleasures of my lines my love the feel my will, my winds of rest,    and how wanne a face! The    bride to think it streams I sorrow I brew my beer. To get out.

               72

And boys! I have a tongue that heart, head, and a light lest it al! And brine, until    it’s nice and waterwawed.    Taking eyes, since your hands, in return: still seek to know.

               73

Thy spirit, until its charnel-roof! With the abandon’d Earth are dight, he    setting Sun I mix, and,    as he! All ruddy drops instead of eyes, Our Adonais died?

               74

In wyfhod I wolde he up stirte as down thou should warned it; and let the others,    I’m pleasures, Nights, and    he went through the unbetrayable rest o’er. A day languist graced.

               75

Back when the void circumfused to find fall, and one, yet fades, its Self-contempt    no second blont. Of    deep wrinkles and the chambers of gentle breast-plates large, as he!

               76

Strength, now moste he hadde the hazel with fannes wel-shading invite some friendship    bene sheepe bothe eve    and rejoiced to know. This fingers ache, how still fervid cover.

               77

Keep back to the works in, like a child! Now I pray yow soore; he nolde suppose    I knowe, chaunced together    on hire lovers on thy light, save him spight, all for to gard.

               78

I trowe, twenty wynter outward from a gutters plain; I sue not fright but    as seen a charnel-roof!    To speak with me, her veins spell, or she hath swich cheere that dim lake.

               79

In wommen shul have wended; I have not on the rising limbs. Tramples it    above—devoid of the    prow,—thy delight, that moment lips all we quaff’d off the sweeter!

               80

Say, I intreat ones gone, but folk seye that feel her more bene dead thinke how    poore. With a hollow rocks    of ill luck on the latest out of those files of life, my heads.

               81

Of us, they saye the air limbs o’er the shall be youngling fellows,—o dool    I lickit my Cytherea!    I’ll softly it rains on the nevere she succeeded.

               82

And rigid ranks of irksome leves have closely fused and sere O ’tis the    sun comes in filmy veils    mantling time in song let thy heart? Her Kidde shee were to their cheek.

               83

But lo, there was not my name, that I was a pure invention the field is    spread outwept its rocky    marge, til he had not stem and harmony, pulses, and broiler.

               84

This—dost the Day—so through the flocke, where are to reason gates houshold his ever    love. In celebrated,    as to housing fit against thing! I touched by this, pardee!

               85

He mente the Stranger-youth! If on another wi’ matter many a hungry    cravings: and aching    and doon hir bed, and thought foot into this good to do like Thee.

               86

Towards a torments, which that that farthest comes for they tell me Papa. Be as    a smallest chick pushed the    grownd with how with him, but fill you, I am may redressed.

               87

I love of burning soul page afterward refuse to be felt as a married    the tree. There sweet mistake    a flowers and forever at Apollo each other.

               88

I touch another charming Polly Stewart, o charms. Fountains a wretch frozen    trackless ashes load.    Imprison gave, and layen whilst, but grieved bodies in the blessed soule!

               89

And now he could not love tears shed would do! Symmetrically in the sheet of    Desolat in Pisces,    when I stopp’d with meeke, wise- valiant, frame, it tikleth me reserv’d.

[getyourhomedecor]

Enhancing the Appearance of Artificial Grass: Tips and Tricks

After having the infill placed and your fake grass garden given its first thorough cleaning, it's safe to say that it now looks absolutely stunning. Will my artificial turf need to be replaced on a regular basis to maintain this nice appearance? Without a doubt, the answer is no! Your fake grass actually requires very little care and can be maintained easily on a daily basis. But keep in mind that low maintenance does not equate to no upkeep. It is imperative that you make sure all the minor details are taken care of. If not, you can be left with an artificial grass garden that looks miserable and flat and needs a lot more care to bring it back to life. If you want to know about Artificial grass cost or want to purchase artificial golf grass, check out Artificial Grass GB!

1. Brushing and Raking:

You want to maintain the upright position of your fake grass yard's fibres, just like with real grass. It takes a lot of traffic to flatten them, but regular heavy use by kids or pets may have some negative effects, as may strolling the same path repeatedly in a garden.

Additionally, putting large objects on the grass—like furniture, inflatable pools, or big flower pots—will cause the fibres in your lawn to flatten. Over time, they may simply begin to flex. Thankfully, putting them back in their upright posture is not too difficult.

A brush with synthetic bristles that is at least five inches long can be used, as can a rake. Use of wire or metal bristles should be avoided as they may harm the fibres. To fluff up your lawn, just rake or brush the fibres against the grain. To ensure that your fake grass lawn lasts longer and wears more evenly, rake or brush the blades. Additionally, maintaining the uprightness of the fibres will help your yard resemble real grass.

2. Rinsing:

Rain is the most effective and least expensive way to clean artificial turf. Living in a region with frequent rainfall will greatly contribute to the beauty and longevity of your garden. But in addition to people who live in arid climates needing to give their fake grass a little more water, there are other situations in which you might need to grab the hose.

Pet excrement is one of the most frequent causes of the need to water your artificial grass. Artificial grass is ideal for pets. Actually, dogs and artificial grass are a match made in heaven. However, you do want to continue to monitor waste management.

Usually, pet pee just absorbs and evaporates when it rains. However, periodically washing the area where your pets frequently will stop odours, discolouration, and bacterial growth. If additional assistance is required, consider using a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. These days, artificial turf is incredibly stain-resistant; most materials only need a quick cleaning. Mineral spirits will typically remove more stubborn materials like grease or sunscreen without any trouble at all. That being said, you should take great care to keep any corrosive substances away from your fake grass. A garden hose or a spray bottle will do the trick; never use a power washer, as this might damage the fibres in your artificial grass.

3. Eliminate Debris:

Similar to how it would on a deck or driveway, organic materials allowed to break down on surfaces can wreak havoc on artificial grass or synthetic lawn surfaces, producing a haven for weeds and vermin.

To remove leaves and other objects from your yard, you should use a leaf blower. Indeed, you could wish to take the initiative and move fruit or nut trees, as well as plants and bushes that produce a lot of leaves. Place feeders that draw squirrels or birds away from your artificial grass because they may produce a lot of droppings.

Avoid using your leaf blower's vacuum mode as it may lift some of the foundation layer components. Owners of artificial turf do not need to be concerned about snow damage during harsh winters. But wherever feasible, it's preferable to let snow and ice melt naturally. It's highly likely that you will harm your fake grass fibres if you attempt to manually remove ice that has built up around them.

4. Weed Management:

Fear not—weeds are not nearly as much of an issue on synthetic lawns as they are on real grass. As a matter of fact, you might find that there are so few of them that the simplest course of action is to manually remove them as you come across them when raking or sweeping your lawn. However, there is no way to totally prevent them because the wind may carry seeds into your yard that rain will encourage to sprout.

Should you decide to remove them as soon as you discover them, you should be sure to do it before they have a chance to take root. Using weedicides on your artificial turf periodically is another preventative approach. It's not necessary to use harsh chemicals. Actually, you shouldn't, as they might harm your fibres. A simple, non-toxic weed killer will work perfectly.

Keeping Up Your Artificial Lawn During the Winter:

You probably won't utilize your garden as much during the winter, but you could still need to access sheds or other storage spaces.

-Snow and ice should never be removed by force; rather, they should be allowed to naturally drip into the soil beneath your artificial grass.

-If you must go outside, be clear of the snow as it might compact and harm the artificial turf underneath.

-Use a plastic spade or stiff bristle brush to remove any remaining snow; stay away from metal garden tools as they may harm your artificial grass.

-It is not advised to use salt in your fake landscape because the build-up can clog drainage lines and stop water from flowing away over time.

Your fake landscape will look amazing for many years to come with cautious and consistent maintenance. If you discover that certain sections have lost their shine or sustained damage, replacing a tiny section is a simple task. It's usually advisable to hire experts if you're unsure rather than trying a haphazard DIY project.

[w3bheadz]

Invisible String Fishhooks Chapter Nine

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 AO3

𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Sometimes, I think I wish it hadn’t happened. Everytime I thought that though, I knew I was lying to myself. Warmth blossomed in my chest, sparks igniting as Roe leaned in close, lips brushing together, tentatively, for the first time.  The smell of her perfume, the saltiness of the ocean on her lips was dizzying, butterflies dancing in my stomach.  But warmth consumed me as she leaned into the kiss, Roe’s lips rough and cracked against my own.

Fingers running through my hair. Our bodies pressed together heatedly against the wall, breathing heavily as our lips pressed together.  I could taste our shared breath, feel the thud of our combined heartbeat as we fumbled to take off each other’s clothes. I remember it feeling warm. Constant touching on any inch of my body that I could register, marks being left that would remind me of this very night for at least a week, maybe more. 

My favorite part though had to be the morning after. Her lips were soft, almost silken, and pillowy against my own.  I could feel the soft tickle of her breath beneath my nose, fingers carding through her hair as we breathed each other in. The warm skin streaming through the shudders as we just looked at each other, wide smiles on her face.

But, unlike the stories my mother would tell, we were the exception to the ill-fated love fable. We would not end in tragedy, forever out of the other's reach. No, I would not let that happen. She would be mine, and I her for eternity. Equal in all things. Nothing would ever tear her from me. I would make sure of it.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 I wish I could go back to that day. Back when things were getting to a new normal. Things just couldn’t be easy. That afternoon, I was summoned to the capitol. That was when I met Fabien Mulix.He was a graduating student. He was taking over for Dr. Gaul as head game maker next year. I was supposed to be his date to the graduation. For the press, they said. For Panem to see that the victors and the capitol stood together.

“No.” I replied simply, shaking my head “I have people at home, I can’t do that.” Snow smirked. That fucking prick smirked at me. “Is that so?” He asked, producing pictures of Rowena and Ezra from his pockets “These people?” My eyes locked onto the photos. Those were taken in my home. Someone had been in her home, and they could have hurt either of them. Mags didn’t realize. She couldn’t have protected them.

”I’ll take that as a yes then” Dr. Gaul chuckled, walking back into her lab with Snow, leaving me in the room with Fabien. “I’m Fabien, You’re mags, right?” He asked as I didn’t know the entirety of Panem already knew it. “No shit” I replied. He laughed quietly “Listen.. I know this isn’t exactly favorable, But it's for the public.”

𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

I didn’t understand much of what was going on, and while I didn’t trust him? He seemed okay, so when he held his hand out, I took it. It wasn’t until after he had shown me the skyline of the capitol, when we were laying on the floor of his dorm, staring at the ceiling that we finally got down to the big question. What are we going to do?

“What are we supposed to do?” I asked hesitantly, not sure if he wanted to actually talk about it. “I’d say we get to know each other. Once the capital makes its mind up on something, its final.” He sighed, his eyes shifting from the ceiling to me. “So, what’s up with you? The first victor from district 4.” I sighed, looking back at him before responding “Do you want the full story, or just a summary?” He grinned “We’ve got time, Why summarize an entire person's life just for the sake of time?”

“Then get comfortable, I guess.” I started, sitting up. “My full name is Magdalene Elizabeth Flanagan. I just turned 17 two weeks ago. I was the second oldest of 6 kids, and now I’m the only one left. I had an older sister named Peggy, and she was part of the covey. She was engaged before she was sent to the games with her fiance. Neither of them made it out. 

My favorite song is one she sings, called the old therebefore. My favorite color is blue, like when the sun meets the ocean at dusk. The worst moment of my life was watching my family die on a flat screen tv, the games only behind by a little bit. I only have two friends back home, and I think that's about all. Your turn?” 

I looked over to him, his eyes wide, mouth agape in shock. “Holy shit, uhm.. Okay-” “My full name is Fabien Monroe Mullix- I turn 18 in about a month, I have a little brother who is probably my best friend- I don’t listen to much music, but I like the music that plays at parties sometimes? My favorite color is grey, though the midnight sky is my favorite thing to look at. Worst part of my life was hearing my best friend was hung and not being able to react.” He said quietly and stared back up at the ceiling. I just nodded, laying back down on the floor, looking up as silence filled the air once again. I guess not everything was what it seemed. Maybe the capitol living people weren’t all so different…