#just realized that I spent 3 hours doing the jumping puzzle while chatting with my friends

[praise-joko]

The rhythmic clacking of my keyboard as I mindlessly run Winter Wonderland provides a nice ambient background noise to the group call, according to my friends who don't play GW2 but know exactly what I'm doing just by the sound.

[elvish-sky]

You are the One Person I could Never Hate {Legolas x Reader}

A.N: I may or may not have written most of this on my phone on a three-hour car ride, but it was a good way to pass the time. I really like this fic, I had a lot of fun writing it and it's my first request, so I hope you enjoy it!

Anon Request from Tumblr: hi! I was hoping you take requests cuz I do have one of you do! Could you please write a Legolas x reader fic with cuddles? Maybe some jealous Legolas at some point too? Anything you want tho really! Love your stuff, can't wait to see more <3

Word Count: 2,414

Pairing: Legolas x Reader

Summary: Legolas gets jealous of the time Y/N spends with Aragorn and Boromir.

Warnings: Jealousy, fluff, some angst, cuddles.

****

You are the One Person I could Never Hate

"Y/N, Aragorn, we're stopping!" came a shout from behind you. You and Aragorn turned to see Legolas beckoning towards you, with tired hobbits sprawled on the ground around him, and Sam starting a fire.

The two of you made your way back to the group and sat down, anticipating Sam's stew. Over the past weeks, you and Aragorn had grown close. To be fair, you had become close with everyone in the Fellowship in different ways. With Aragorn, it was a sort of quiet companionship. You shared a love of the wilderness, and he had been teaching you how to fight with a sword, compared to your two daggers. He had become a brother to you. The same was true with all the others in the Fellowship, except one. It felt different when you were with Legolas. There was something else there.

As Sam served the stew, you chatted with Boromir about herbs. You'd discovered that he had an interest in herbs and healing, rather unusual for a soldier of Gondor. The two of you often played a game while on the move that involved challenging the other's knowledge. You were currently discussing today's tally. "So that makes nineteen for Y/N and twenty-two for me!" said a smug Boromir. "No way!" you shot back. "I had twenty-three and you had twenty!" Aragorn jumped in, "Actually, as I recall, Y/N got the first eight and then proceeded to misidentify the next fifteen. Boromir got twelve." This declaration was met with nods from the rest, including Sam, who was, along with Aragorn, considered the expert. You rolled your eyes and shared a glance with Boromir, silently agreeing that you both had gotten more than Aragorn had said.

The night went on, and you began to grow tired. You glanced over the fire at Legolas, but he wouldn't meet your eyes. Feeling rather confused and even a little slighted, you got up, and with a yawn pronounced "I'm gonna go to sleep, goodnight everyone." With a chorus of goodnights coming from the group, you turned and walked over to your bedroll, laying down and drifting off as you watched the others begin to wander to bed.

You were shaken awake the next morning by the elf, and with a sharp "get up" he made his way over to wake up Gimli and then the hobbits. Confused by his abruptness, you got up and began to pack.

Once you started walking, you hurried to the front of the group, wanting to talk to Legolas. "Legolas- wait up!" The elf turned, saw it was you who had called out, and begrudgingly stopped. Once you caught up, you said, "I've noticed you've been a little out of sorts lately- is everything okay?" He replied with a curt "yes" and kept walking. You easily matched his pace and continued "you keep glaring at me, you won't talk to me, are you sure?" "I'm fine. Why don't you go talk to Aragorn or someone else you clearly seem to like more than me?" With that, he sped up, leaving you behind feeling more confused than ever, and even like you had done something wrong.

As the hobbits passed you, you sidled up to Aragorn. "What's wrong with Legolas?" you asked. "I think you might want to talk to him about it," Aragorn replied with a smirk.  "I tried that!" you shot back. "I think he might hate me. All he did was glare at me and say something about you and me." "I think that might explain something, and I've seen the way you look at him. Just try talking it out." Aragorn said. "Now, I'm just going to go speak with Legolas and clear up a few things. Why don't you catch up with the hobbits and see what in Middle-Earth Pippin is gesturing to Merry and Boromir about?" And in fact, once you caught up to them Pippin was giving some long-winded explanation of a planned prank on Gimli and Aragorn, which somehow included worms, water, and Boromir, who, it became clear, had had a hand in planning the whole thing. You decided to walk by yourself for a while, not wanting to be implicated once the crime was committed.

You walked on, Aragorn's words ringing through your head. ~"I've seen the way you look at him."~ You thought back over the time spent traveling with them all. You had found yourself admiring Legolas often, but you had brushed it off as the result of his elven looks. Now, though, you began to realize Aragorn knew you better than you knew yourself. He had taken better notice than you at how you blushed whenever Legolas touched you, even if it was just his hand on your arm as he stood up. What you didn't notice were the eyes of the elf upon you all the time, the way he would automatically move his body to shield yours at any sign of danger, and how whenever you spoke he would listen raptly, even if you were just composing more bawdy lyrics for Merry's newest drinking song. You hadn't noticed these things, but Aragorn had, and as you walked you went through your memories and began to notice them too.

That night at the campfire, Aragorn, the meddling moron, assigned you and Legolas to firewood duty. You followed him into the forest, slightly annoyed at Aragorn but knowing that you needed to talk with Legolas. Yet again lost in your thoughts, you crashed into something and fell over. Lying underneath you was Legolas, with a shocked expression on his face and dirt in his hair. "Y/N!" he exclaimed. "Watch where you're going!" "Sorry," you replied and rolled off him to offer him a hand up. He ignored it and sprung up without your help while saying, "Actually, Y/N, I need to talk to you." Confused, you replied, "You've been ignoring me for a week! What could you possibly have to say now?" Ashamed, he looked down. "Aragorn told me what you said to him earlier. He said you thought I hated you. I asked him to assign us to get firewood tonight so that I could talk to you about it." He continued, "I know I've been rather awful to you lately and I wanted to tell you why. I was jealous." You had been pacing around the small clearing you were in as he spoke, but at this, you stopped and turned to face him. "I was jealous of the way you seemed to gravitate towards Aragorn when we walked. I was jealous of how you bonded with Boromir and how easy and familiar you were with both of them. And I'm sorry I took it out on you. I understand if you are mad. I know you aren't even mine to be jealous about. I understand if you hate me now, for how horrible I've been to you. I was just trying to distance myself so that I stopped feeling for you."

Exasperated, you strode over to him, said "You are the one person I could never hate," and gently pressed your lips against his. He responded in kind, and you wrapped your legs around his waist as he turned and pressed your back against a tree. You paused to draw breath, and as you did said, "I love you." Legolas whispered back "I love you more," and kissed you again. You ran your hands through his hair as his hands roamed across your back, and deepened the kiss.

You sprang apart as shouts came from the area of the campsite. You quickly drew your daggers as Legolas notched an arrow to his bow, and together you ran through the trees. You burst back into the campsite to find Gimli and Aragorn wriggling on the ground while Merry, Pippin, Boromir, and a rather amused Gandalf looked on, and Frodo and Sam attempted to protect the fire from the splashing water. You and Legolas joined in the laughter as the two victims continued to pluck worms and dump water out of their bedrolls. Once they were satisfied that there were no more invaders in their bedding, they began to advance on the rest of you with extremely annoyed looks on their faces. Pippin's amusement was fading quickly and disappeared completely along with Merry's as they were grabbed and tossed into the nearby stream to the sounds of even more laughter. Climbing out, spluttering, they both pointed their fingers at Boromir. "Throw him in too!" said Merry, and Pippin backed him up with, "Yes, do! He helped up with the whole thing and even gathered the worms!" Boromir denied this with a vehement "No I did not!" but was tackled by two soaked hobbits. With a yell, the three of them rolled over the bank and splashed into the river.

Merry, Pippin, and Boromir sat shivering around the fire while you and everyone else puzzled over the problem that had now arisen. The three pranksters, upon getting out of the river, had rushed for their bedrolls to warm up, soaking them in the process. Now, there were five dry bedrolls for ten people. "I can give Boromir mine," you announced. "And Merry and Pippin can share with me and Frodo," Sam offered. "Gimli and I each have cloaks and other clothing we can use, so that settles it!" said Aragorn. "Wait, Y/N. Where are you going to sleep?" "I'm sure I can figure something out," you said with a sideways glance at Legolas, who, upon understanding your idea, blushed a deep beet red. "Aha!" exclaimed Aragorn. "I knew you'd work it out!" And with a wink and a "sleep well" followed by a whole lot of sniggering from him and Gimli, he made his way over to take the first watch.

Meanwhile, you and Legolas made your way over to his bedroll, ignoring the stares and smirks of everyone else. "Y/N" he whispered, "I'm not sure if us getting in bed together in front of everyone else is the best idea." "Agreed," you replied, "we'd be in for a whole world of teasing. How about I take one blanket and you take the other?" "That sounds good." So you each took a blanket and lay down a respectable foot away from the other. But you were too cold to sleep with one meager blanket on the hard forest floor.

You waited until you heard everyone else's breathing slow, signifying they were asleep, and then you rolled over to Legolas, poking him to wake him up. "Hey," you said softly, "can I sleep here?" "Of course," he replied, and lifted his blanket so you could crawl in. You grabbed the blanket he had given you earlier and placed it over the one already there to give you even more warmth. Legolas pulled you closer to him and you pressed up against him, his breath whispering in your ear. "This is nice," you said as his arm snaked across your waist, and you inhaled the smell of him. He always had the scent of a forest about him, and the smell of rain. You thought they were two of the most wonderful smells in Middle-Earth. You drifted off to sleep with Legolas' arm around you, his breath tickling your ear, and his body strong against your back.

You woke early the next morning with a yawn and tried to sit up and stretch. You let out a hiss of pain as you felt your hair catch on something, and looked around to see if anyone else had heard. They were all still asleep except the elf on the ground next to you, who had been awoken by your gasp. "Melleth nîn(my love), what is wrong?" he inquired with a concerned look. "It's my hair," you whispered, "it's caught on this god-forsaken root!" He sat up and gestured for you to adjust yourself so that you were sitting between his legs with your head on his chest. He began to comb his hands through your hair, working out the knots and untangling it from the root. As he worked, he began to softly sing an elvish lullaby to you. You'd never heard it before, but the words sounded beautiful and his voice was exquisite. You relaxed as the one you loved sang to you and worked the tangles from your hair. You were happy to have this moment of peace with him as you watched the sunrise over the mountains to the east.

You were shaken from this spell by the sounds of the rest of the Fellowship rising for the day. You sighed and rose, rolling up the bedding that the two of you had shared and packing everything up. Most of the rest of Fellowship barely spared a glance to you and Legolas other than to look happy for you, but you saw Aragorn give him a subtle fist bump.

As you started the day's walking again, Aragorn passed you, and with a smug look on his face whispered "I told you so," in your ear. You managed to punch him in the arm before he got out of reach and saw him gratifyingly wince.

The day went on as you hiked over mountains and into valleys, waiting until Gandalf called "halt!" to stop for lunch. You sprawled down onto a rock and took out an apple from your pack, one of the ones you had saved from Rivendell. As you ate, with Legolas sitting next to you, you gazed around at the rest of the group, reflecting on how ridiculously lucky it was that they were all such good people. Sure, you all had good and bad days, but you couldn't imagine attempting this journey with anyone else. They had begun to feel like family.

Legolas noticed the sappy look on your face and nudged you, asking "Y/N, what on Middle-Earth is that face for?" "Oh, nothing," you replied. "I'm just thinking." "What kind of thoughts?" he inquired. "The good kind." With that Gandalf decided that it was time to start moving again, and so you jumped up and offered a hand up to Legolas, not expecting him to take it. This time, however, he did, and he didn't let go for the rest of the day. Your hands swung, intertwined, between you as you walked. When the sun set it highlighted them and they glowed with the light of a thousand suns.

Everything tag: @entishramblings @itgetsatadhazy @boyruins

[enchanted-lightning-aes]

In the Afternoon Hour

[ID: Minimalist photo with autumn leaves above with the Lora orange text that reads “Enchant Presents: WIP #3 Tale” below  /finish ID]

A/N: I kinda had to write this short to get to know my latest WIP and characters more. So, here’s a nice story with banter, hints of poly and light angst. If somehow people become interested in this, tell me you want to be on the tag-list or something. IDK where this story’s going except yeah. . .

Here’s the first two stories of this posted here, x, x.

Note: this WIP is in the backburner atm.

Word Count: 1642

TW: food

***

Butterflies flap their colorful wings as they glide across the flowerbeds, flying along the current of the brisk wind. The squirrels chirps, running down the trees in a race for more food. The bright light of the sun bursts through the large clouds, letting most of the land be covered in sunshine. A chestnut horse runs across the meadow on it's path towards the obstacles.

On the stables, a young woman, with dark brown skin and black hair, climbs up the grey horse. Another woman of the same age watches with a languid interest. She's picking the berries out of the bowl, removing the excessive stems.

"Are you sure, you want to do this?" Aasiya asks, her voice muffled by her chewing. "You could read another book again, you know? Horse riding's far too tedious to spend time in the morning."

"And let my older sister best me again? Ha, I think not," Zonja replies, reaching for the reins. "I'm not gallant rider, but I studied enough about horse riding to understand the process. All I have to do is let the horse take the lead while trying to guide it."

"No, you have to work with the horse." Aasiya tilts her head to the side.

Zonja raises her brows. "Oh, really? How would you know that?"

Aasiya scoffs, swallowing the berry.

"Please, I spent enough time watching your brother trying to ride horses."

"Then trust me, when I tell you I have this under my control."

"Alright. I'm not going to be very happy, if you don't make it back in one piece."

Zonja huffs out dry laughter.

"We'll see about that."

When Zonja orders the horse to ride, they set out to the glades of the grassy fields. Aasiya pulls her mouth down then resumes to her snack. They're racing down the path leading to the stacks of hay. Oh dear. Even the prince tried avoiding running into any of them. The horse gallops on the stack of hay ahead as Zonja yelps. Aasiya winces. The Princess is not usually fond of riding horses, unless she wanted to try something different.

And today's that day to try something different.

After a round of jumping and crying out, Zonja returned to the stables. She pants, dropping the reins of the horse then wipes the sweat from her forehead.

Aasiya sets down the basket of books on the marble railing, waiting for her arrival. It's a good morning for riding. The clear weather provides a magnificent view for those, who wish to travel throughout the nation.

Few strands of Zonja's wavy dark curls falls out of her tied bun. She removes the helmet than fixes her hair once more. Aasiya wishes she could reach for them with her fingers and test it's softness. Whenever Zonja's hair was loose and tumbling down her shoulders, she often swoons.

Perhaps, it's an unladylike reaction but she can't contain it. Not when Zonja's true beauty is reflected in her actions and words.

Zonja dismounts from her horse, getting on the ground with a swift landing on her feet. She carries a grace that Aasiya rarely sees in the royal guests visiting the kingdom.

Being a lady-in-waiting and kitchen girl did wonders for her. Aasiya gets the cupcakes from the basket and takes off the wrapper.

As Zonja walks over to her, she turns her head from side to side.

"Where did everyone else go? Are we only the people here?" Zonja asks, sounding puzzled.

Aasiya shrugs, licking the cream off the cupcake, raising her brows at the princess. Zonja huffs a chuckle, shaking her head. It picks up her heart rate, which she wishes she can ignore and pretend it's not there.

What good will it do if she keeps feeling like this? And around the princess, it's pure non-sense because she didn't have the opportunity to ask for her hand. Besides, the princess is arranged to get married with the prince of the neighboring kingdom. It's unwise to court her now or else she'll be damned in the process.

"Good afternoon, your Highness and fair lady."

The two of them turn around to the quiet voice behind them. A young man, one with light brown skin and long black hair reaching his shoulders, bows to them. He's in a pale green embroidered tunic with riding boots.

Aasiya's stomach lurches then she forces herself to remain still.

It's Prince Lerenzo, the brother of Zonja's suitor. To be honest, she didn't understand how she's not immune to his worldly charms. While he's a prince with a spotless reputation, she still needs to maintain caution around him.

"A great morning to you too, your Highness," Aasiya replies, curtseying to him. "Although, you look rather dashing a little too early for the day. Not that I have a problem with it, of course."

The prince tucks his dark locks behind his ear and makes a silvery chuckle.

Zonja pulls a face. "Very funny, Aasiya. Ignore her, she's only being silly."

"Apologies accepted, Princess Zonja," the prince replies with all grace. He quirks a brow at her before flicking his attention back to the princess. "I'm rather not used to receiving compliments after presenting myself to the public. I'd say the gown does wonders for you, Lady Aasiya."

"Aww, pleasure's all mine." Aasiya bestows her best smile. She catches Zonja staring at her mouth until she looks back at the prince once more.

Something's lingering in the air and she can't name it. Something stiff and quiet and close to being dreadful. She doesn't understand it, she doesn't want to try either.

Oh, to be in the company of two royals would make anyone seethe with envy. Aasiya definitely didn't want to be cause for their anger. Especially since she's a girl from the countryside of the nation.

Her attention returns to the prince as he clears his throat.

"Care to join me for a cup of tea?" The prince asks, raising his brows. "I would be honored to have your company, your Highness. As well as the Lady Aasiya."

"Of course, Prince Lerenzo!" Aasiya jumps to her feet. "I'd be delighted to share some food during a cup of tea with you!"

The prince's lips curves into an inviting smile.

Something in that smile makes her chest leap with joy. How can not just one but two smiles make her feel like that? Things similar to that remain foreign to her.

"I suppose, I shall take a break after the brisk exercise," Zonja murmurs, bowing her head.

Aasiya and Zonja follows the prince as he leads them to the pavilion, where a table's set with tea and plates of desserts. Aasiya presses her stomach at the presence of pie. Hmm, someone must have prepared this ahead of lunch. While she spends so much of her time in the castle kitchen, she doesn't get the chance to eat as much as she wanted to. Only in Zonja's company, she's offered to eat in the dinner and breakfast. Other than that, she eats after her duties of the day were over.

The prince pulls two chairs back, letting them take a seat. He pours tea on the empty teacups, the minty scent wafting in the air. He takes a seat, briefly eying Zonja.

She remembers the prince staring at Zonja during the ball, where they invited royals from all over the world. Before they were properly introduced, she didn't know he's the cousin of Prince Mauro. They're displayed differences that surprised her. Unlike Prince Mauro who preferred the company of the general, Prince Lerenzo opts to be around the other members of the royal family. Especially with Zonja. She didn't know why, however, it's none of her concern.

Zonja's more than capable of taking care of herself.

With her graceful fingers, Zonja reaches for the teacup and stirs it with a spoon.

The prince picks up a teacup. "I take it your riding exercise went well?"

"No, it did not," Zonja admits with a tight grimace. "The horse didn't maintain it's speed, almost hurtling me on the grass! Can you believe that? If I had known it wasn't going to be easy to ride a horse, the first time."

"Oh, that's awful."

"Tell me about it. And to think, I'd squash my sister's record."

With a snort, Aasiya takes a sip of her tea. Usually, she's not very quiet and does participate in a conversation. However, now that's not the case. She's too busy, distracted by the taste of the tea and the warmth of the air surrounding them.

"The next time, you try to ride

Zonja nods curtly, focusing on her tea. The beam of sunlight shining on her dark eyes.

Now this is perfect, Aasiya thinks. The sky is golden like the ocean in the afternoon light and they were sharing a decent cup of tea. She revels in the domesticity of it all, wondering how she got to be here with the most delightful people she knows.

Aasiya's stomach sinks as a realization hits her. No, this can't happen at all. For her status prevents a future to happen between her, Zonja, and Lerenzo. A mere kitchen girl getting involved with not only one but two royals? It will cause a tizzy in the kingdom for sure. She can't do this to them. For she cares for them deeply in ways they can't know.

Despite that, she'll still steal chances to be with them with each one she gets. After all, she can't let the nation's rules stop her.

While the tea brews in the air, she stays seated with her companions. The glow of the afternoon shines on the other two people on table, smiling as they share an amiable chat about the day. Aasiya's certain to enjoy this moment after storing it in her mind's memories.

***

[suicidalcatz]

DOG DAYS ARE OVER : CHAP 6

Pairing : Jake Kiszka x Reader

Genre : College AU

Previous Parts : Prologue ; Chap 1 ; Chap 2 ; Chap 3 ; Chap 4 ; Chap 5

Masterlist : here

AN : Hullo ! As you start hanging out with Jake, Josh seems a little... upset about something. It’s up to you to discover what’s going on in his lil curly head. As always, I hope you’ll like it, I’m excited about the chapters to come because things will speed up a bit from now on. Thank you all for the love and support you’re amazing, please feel free to check my dialogue prompts list and/or tell me what you think of this part!

Chapter six : Jake ?!

By the time I was waiting for Jake in front of the school it was still pitch black outside. The wind was so cold against my skin that my face stung and I kept shivering, all alone near the smoking area. The week end flew by super fast, faster than I had imagined, and even if I had a great time with my family and friends I was so glad to be back. Jake and I texted a lot during those two days, sending each other funny pictures or random stuff, like him watching a movie with popcorn in the common room, and even a selfie with his guitar. That I of course saved and have looked at it numerous times already, smiling and daydreaming. His last text asked me if I could meet him here at 7:30 so we could print the flyers together before class started. A new shiver ran down my spine, and I looked at my phone. He was late and I began fearing that he might never come at all.

Students began gathering around school, all looking tired and carrying their portfolios, chatting quietly in small groups. I watched them pass next to me as I looked at the hour once more. It's when I lifted my gaze from my phone that I saw him walking towards me hurriedly, clothes looking disheleved and bed hair falling on his worned out visage.

- I'm sorry I overslept, he said quickly, did I make you wait ? You look frozen, I'm so sorry.

Showing a small smile, I tried to deny it and shake him off telling him it was okay but he interrupted me by rubbing my sides vigorously to warm me up, before taking my bare hands in his to do the same. An electric feel went through my body when his skin got in contact with mine, and I didn't dare to move an inch. Jake then took them to his lips to blow some hot air on them. I could feel the tip of my fingers tingle but it wasn't from the cold weather, but his mouth being so close to my skin, barely brushing it like a feather like kiss. My face was scorching hot when our eyes met, and he should've seen the shy yet embarrassed look on it because he let go of me, as if realizing that he maybe had gone too far even though he just wanted to be nice. Glancing sideways, his gaze avoided me and he cleared his throat before he spoke in an attempt to break the awkwardness of the moment.

- We should get going before class starts.

Quickly nodding, he went first and I followed him through the hallways before we found ourselves in front of the photocopier. We printed an awful lot of flyers, taking advantage of the teachers' absence to use a ton of paper we didn't pay for. It looked gorgeous, all those colorful flyers together, and Jake's pleased smile while gathering them was even better. Just by watching him I could tell he loved it, and it was so rewarding it was worth spending a few hours of the night making it for him. A relieved sigh escaped from my lips as I put my back against the wall.

- We made it.

- Are you kidding ? You made it. All I did was telling you it looked great and sending you ugly pics of Josh.

A light chuckle found its way through my throat and our eyes met.

- That's what I call good teamwork.

There was a fondness in his eyes I couldn't describe. Jake was a hard to read dude, or maybe he was genuinely that great and simple boy and I was the one trying to find what was the scam while really there was none at all. Collecting the rest of the flyers, he leaned on the copy machine with one elbow and turned to me, standing at the other end of it.

- Hey, are you free during 10am break ? We should give some of them before going to class together, since we share the same lecture.

My heart skipped a beat. His face looked unsure and the hesitant edge to his raspy voice made him sound way more attractive than it should be allowed. Why was he acting like I would possibly send him packing ? How could I when he looked like this ?

- Yeah, sure.

Giving away flyers in this damn weather was way more fun than expected, and Jake had played a huge part in this outcome. The brunette was always cracking jokes, nudging me playfully with his shoulder for no reason, or chatting passionately about music, movies, or the festival. He sounded so pumped it got me excited too, seeing him being this impatient about something.

To his suggestion, or more precisely his challenge, we both raced to the amphitheater, running like madmen in the corridors, nearly knocking people off in the process but we didn't care at all. It was exhilirating, running like that just for the hell of it. It sparked something within me, and a rush of adrenaline spun through my body. I didn't want to lose, but this jackass was fast, sometimes glancing behind his back to make sure I was keeping up with him. A silly grin had spread across my face the whole time and wouldn't leave me, not until we were in front of the amphitheater, both panting and chuckling, cheeks beat red. Jake held the door for me, motioning me to go in first. Shyly giggling, I obliged, looking after him and sharing a mischevious grin.

What made my face fall was Josh's confused look. I couldn't say he was upset but the way he stared at the two of us was unsettling, it told me something was wrong, but I didn't know what nor why. With an uneasy feeling, I sat at my usual spot next to Mandy.

- Hanging out with Jacob, are we ?

She wiggled her brows in a ridiculous fashion and I elbowed her playfully. Of course she wanted the gossips, and wouldn't let go until I revealed everything.

- He's amazing, I whispered, he's so sweet and fun to be around. You'd think he had some hidden flaws but so far he doesn't and it's giving me a hard time Mandy.

My head fell lightly on my arm, letting out a sigh as she patted my hair. Maybe hanging out with Jake wasn't a good idea. The more I knew of him, the more my crush grew. With a pretty face like that you would believe he at least was a jerk but the boy was charming in every way. How could I stop falling for someone so lovable ?

- You're doing great, replied Mandy. You guys spend alone time together, text each other, and you helping him with his flyers was the best idea you had this entire year. I think it's going real good.

- What if he doesn't like me ?

Raising my head to meet her eyes, she brushed a strand of hair out of my face and gave me a soft smile.

- He will.

 - But what if he-

- Then he's not the one sweetie.

It made my heart sink a little, thinking about Jake not being the right man for me. Because at this moment all I could see was him. Being with him was like being the only two humans on Earth.  He suddenly came into my life and took all this space, blocking my view from everything else but him. Every little thing he did got me on edge. My memory was full of the littlest details my brain noticed about him ; the way he put his hand on his hair, the different smiles he gave, the disconnected look he had when concentrating on what people were saying... It was hard, thinking of the possibilty that Jake might never fall for me.

Something light bumped the corner of my head before rolling on the table, making Mandy jump in the process.

- Fuck that scared me, she breathed while unfolding the paper ball.

As usual, Josh was looking at us, but for the first time he arbored that confused, slightly moody expression on his face I couldn't quite point out. Cheek on his fist, brows furrowed, he was staring at us, patiently waiting for a reply. Jesus Christ someone woke up in the wrong side of the bed this morning. Mandy patted me on the arm, a puzzled expression dispayed on her face.

- Uhh... I think this is for you ?

Mimicking her bafflement, I took the crumpled note in my hands and frowned. What the fuck was I supposed to reply ? On the paper, in big letters was only one word :

« Jake ?! »

What did that mean ? Glancing at Josh and raising my hands in confusion didn't help, since the boy shrugged and turned his back to me, ignoring me completely.

I met with Jake again during lunch to try and give the rest of the flyers away near the cafeteria. At least half of the students ate there so we both agreed it was a genius idea. We spent our time together running, calling out students, and handing out papers like we were selling the town's newspaper. One thing I learned while hanging out with Jake was that time flew by fast. So it was no wonder we came in late and exhausted to meet Josh and Mandy who had both already finished their lunch. And while my roomate winked at me, the other just looked downright pissed.

- Sorry we're late, said Jake catching his breath, but Van Gogh right here found the perfect spot, it was crazy, we gave so many flyers, shit I think we'll even have to print more of them.

Letting out a light chuckle, he put his arm behind my shoulder to give me a side hug, showing me proudly. I felt my cheeks beginning to heat at all the praise, a smile playing at the corner of my mouth. The euphoria filling the air around us didn't last long however, because Josh cut his brother to speak.

- You could've asked me for help.

Jake let go of me, losing his smile. Idly scratching his head, not really knowing what to reply to that.

- Didn't know you wanted to.

We all could tell by the sound of his voice he was sincere, and even apologetic, but Josh wasn't buying it, or at least he didn't wanted to. He seemed like someone who was seeking confrontation, and an uncomfortable tension began to rise between them. I stood next to Jake, awkwardly squirming and exchanging glances with Mandy who looked just as clueless as we did. Seemingly understanding my silent question, she shook her head in a discreet way just for me to see, telling me she didn't know what was up with Josh.

- Well then again, you didn't ask, came the cold reply.

In the corner of my eye I saw Jake's chest expand as he took a deep breath, probably trying his best to keep his calm. He was starting to get mad too, mostly for not knowing why his brother was such a bitch all of a sudden.

- Come with us next time if you want, Jake offered.

I could tell it was painful for him not to give in to annoyment but he managed to keep his cool and it made me proud somehow. Yet, talking to a wall was hard and their weird dispute had set an awkward silence between the four of us. That's why Jake decided to leave.

- I'm gonna get going, I forgot my lunch anyway.

It sounded like a lie but none of us dared to contradict nor prevent him from going. If only he had left without adding anything more... but he called my name on the stairs leading to the first floor.

- Text me when you're out of the workshop I'll wait for you.

He disappeared on the crowd of students right after I nodded and I just knew he fucked up by saying that.

- You guys exchanged numbers ?

Of course it was Josh. Mandy already knew. Facing him was hard, and made me feel ashamed for reasons I didn't even understand. Was that jealousy I was witnessing ? Because I was spending time with his brother ? Maybe I've been selfish and should've included him. It made me feel even worse when I answered his question.

- Yeah. We did.

Even if it didn't make things better at all, I at least owed him the truth. Since apparently Jake didn't tell him anything about us texting all week. Which was kind of a dick move, judging by how Josh looked hurt by it. I felt like I finally understood what was up with him and why he was throwing mini tantrums like this one. He probably was feeling left out. Nothing more.

But before I could reassure Josh and invite him over for a drink tonight, the school bell rang and he passed me by swiftly, gently pushing me out of his way. Fuck. I'll have to find a compromise to balance these relationships soon or else I'll end up losing both of them, and I couldn't afford that.

[snow-slayer]

A Bunch of Good Things from 2019

*I don’t do things consistently, so there’s chunks of time I just forgot to write. So the blank spaces are days where I could not recall the exact good things that happened.*

January 1: Started the year off right by hanging out with @nah-young, eating some delicious leftovers from New Year’s Eve and working on a puzzle. Also caught a shiny Delibird in Pokemon Go as the first catch of the year.  2: Had a headache at work, but went home to take care of myself. Dad and I talked for a long time about money and taxes without arguing. I have also discovered a future hobby I want to get into: 3D printing. 3: I cranked out four solid hours of studying. I’m going to ace the Auditing section of the CPA exam. I feel it in my bones (especially when I finally stood up and stretched). 4: My ‘other mom’ (one of my best friend’s mom) took me out for a belated Birthday lunch to our favorite Thai food place, and I enjoyed more mango sticky rice. It’s one of my new favorite desserts. 5: Did some epic New Year cleaning. Caught up on laundry, filed away my 2018 paperwork, and did some 2019 taxes. Finally on top of things! 6: A puzzle day! I connected a big piece of the sky to the side on the Lion King puzzle. I’ve still got a lot to go, but progress is being made. 7: As usual, I both surprised and pleased the teller at the bank when I moved some money from savings into my IRA. They wanted to know if it was for tax year 2018, but I could tell them last year was maxed out and it was for 2019. 8: Got to practice my training and supervising skills with @arrowhearts.  9: Spent the night at Lucy’s (she’s a cat). She’s the sweetest cat though, and was cuddling in my lap for so long! She even held my finger with her paw for like ten minutes. I love her. 10: It’s been forever, but I finally sat down and played some video games. I’m replaying Arkham Asylum again and really just exploring every nook and cranny I can find. 11: Might have started a new Francis story line ... Whoops :) 12: Helped Jane clear an apartment and acquired many new tools and art supplies to use. 13: Snow! It was snowing before bed, but I still woke up at 5 am to about 4 - 5 inches. Activated my dad gene and started shoveling at 5:30 am (sorry neighbors to the house I was dog sitting at). It’s so pretty out! 14: A quiet day, but I did some work for Jane and gamed some more. Can’t wait to start Arkham City when I get 100% on Arkham Asylum! 15: I took my coworker a basket of fun snacks from Lotte for her Birthday. She’s so excited to try them all! 16: Donated blood today and when I went to get dinner on the way home, I got a free salad! The entree was already free and I ordered a side salad. I pulled out my wallet to pay, but the coupon covered it, too!  17: Treated myself to breakfast on the way into preschool (my new volunteer place since the teacher I followed to several elementary schools is now at). Also ate some amazing home cooked food for lunch with @nah-young before going out for ice cream. 18: Did some very early spring cleaning to prep for my next yard sale and straighten up a bit. 19: Beat the storyline and finished gathering all of Riddler’s trophies in Arkham Asylum. I do still need to finish up the additional content for 100% completion. 20: Working with Jane to help clean out an apartment again and got stencils to use for my art (the ones with shapes of different sizes). I had wanted to get me a set, so I really lucked out. 21: Started reading a book for fun. Lol, I forgot that I can still read non-accounting things for fun. 22: Sent out 1099s at work. It’s always a dreaded part of the year, but it’s taken care of! 23: I started uploading my old Franmouche stories to AO3. I forgot that I’d written 185 pages of them. At least if someone else likes my rarepair, they have lots to read. No guarantees on the quality, but there is quantity. 24: Made fun penguin cutouts for the preschool class I volunteer at. Then studied for nine hours on campus. A busy, yet productive day. 25:  Finished watching all my lectures for the next portion of the CPA exam! So much auditing knowledge!!! 26: Panic alleviated. My check engine light had been on for a few days. Usually it’s just a gas cap issue so I was worried, but after readjusting the cap again (which usually fixes it) and an oil change, the light went out! 27: Played some Pokemon Go for four hours with @arrowhearts and Lyla. No Kyogre, but at least we each got a Groudon. Plus, the weather was beautiful for this time of year. 28: I found a dollar today while sweeping the parking lots with my dad! I’m gonna be riding this wave for a week. (Fun fact: my dad and I used to go bike riding on Sunday afternoons/evenings in the local parking garages and look for pennies. We’d always get bragging rights when we found a quarter or more. We still get excited and tell each other of the day’s finds when we find a few coins while we’re sweeping). 29: Had a bit of a headache, but managed to get through it so I could finish the workday. Then I get some well deserved rest. 30: Met up with @nah-young for some fries and ice cream! 31: My annual physical went well! Took care of a couple test we’ve been putting off, too, and they weren’t quite as bad as I thought they’d be.

February

1: I had such a productive day in the office, even for a Friday. Special thanks to @arrowhearts for helping me move all (24  years worth) of our files. 2: Started off the day a little rough and feeling low, but I decided to go up to campus, and I’m so glad I did. I was able to help a bunch of people get to their destination. Also hung out with @nah-young and @arrowhearts in a sketchy room. 3: Technically today (starting at 1 am). Had a great talk with @nah-young about a lot of things including our friendship. Successfully avoided the Super Bowl (which I heard sucked, so that was a good use of my time). 4: Had a really good conversation with my dad for almost an hour. We had some fights earlier in the year, but it was nice to be able to connect some. 5: It’ll be silly to look back on, but I thought I lost a reference letter for a scholarship applicant, but realized I could find it on our shared drive. Such a relief! 6: I tried Duck Donuts for the first time today. One of our board members brought me and a coworker a half dozen each. 7: Caught a Miltank in Pokemon Go! I thought I missed my chance, but there was a special running, so I got it. 8: Just heard we got a new boss at work, so it’ll be nice to be full staffed again. 9: Started working on a painting for @arrowhearts. It might be my first completed artwork of the year. 10: A lazy day, but I flipped through a book on home decorating. You know, to plan for my future house. 11: Officially started working for Jane’s business. We’ll see how it goes, but at least it’s an extra couple of hours per week. 12: Finished a dog sitting job, and I’m super thankful to be sleeping in my own bed again. 13: I gave Lucy, the sweetest cat ever, a piggyback ride and it was the cutest thing ever. I was on my knees and forearms trying to get Lucy to boop my nose when she just climbed on my back and sat down. I rose up on my knees and hands and she did the “i’m not so sure but I’m going to stay here” stand and let me crawl across the floor a while before finally jumping off. I love this cat. 14: Took the auditing section of the CPA exam. I feel much better about this one than I have about the other two. We’ll see on the 26th. 15: Such a busy day at the office! It was productive, but just a lot of work. 16: Even though I just too the other exam, I managed to get a lot of studying done. 17: Mamaw and I got to chat and work on the puzzle for a while. It was nice to hang out with her since I haven’t done son in quite a while. 18: We had some really good food at our investment club meeting today. Sheppard’s pie (like meat and mashed potatoes), salad, this great cracker dip (I have no other details other than feels like sharp cheddar finally shredded with a hint of spice in some sort of sauce). 19: Our new executive director started today. I think I made a pretty good first impression! 20: Started playing Arkham City again. We had a snow day and even my office closed, so I made the most of my day. 21: Lol and today I finished the main storyline of Arkham City. Accidentally, because I was doing side quests, but Batman got mad when I tried to go finish some before the last mission. 24: I am obsessed with Excel, but I figured out a formula so that it would total certain categories even if they weren’t in order. Plus I learned how to make a drop down menu (on two versions of Excel). Guess who’s budget looks beautiful! 25: I caught a Latias in Pokemon Go. Not having much luck with the water legendaries. I wonder if they don’t like me because we picked the grass starter. 26: I passed the Auditing section! (and instead of keeping it quiet, I made a point to tell some people). Then @nah-young and I went to dinner to celebrate our successes of the day and just have a nice chat. 27: Good news: I starved off a migraine that was starting on Feb 26. Maybe this new method will help them from getting bad. Just took an Aleve with some hot tea. 28: Went on a Pokemon run, and I found $20 blowing across the yard when I got home! A nice find for the year.

March 1: I’ve been really getting into “Ghost Story” by Peter Straub and had so much time to just sit and read while it rained. 2: I watched “Spiderman: Enter the Spiderverse” today. An epic movie and I highly recommend it! I also have several new costume ideas... 3: Officially started working on my Library Comic Con cosplay. There’s not much to show, but it was nice to start costuming again. 4: Hiked up to the nearby bubble tea. It was good! I got a mango green tea creama. Next time I know I have to mix it up before I start drinking it. 5: 6:   7: 8: 9: 10: Started replaying Castlevania IV. It’s been a while since I beat it, so hopefully I can still finish it! 11: I have proven myself an Excel deity. Well, at least Jane thinks though. She needed a spreadsheet for something and had some ideas so I whipped it out in five minutes flat with a bunch of formulas she didn’t even know were possible. I’m quite proud of it. 12: Lol, speaking of excel, I was geeking out over my budget with one of our board members. She was showing me how she built her itinerary in excel for her next trip and I got to show off my budget. 13: 14: 15: It was fake St. Patrick’s day at work, so I got to show off my green Riddler suit. Apart from being mistaken as dressing like a leprechaun a few times, I received a bunch of compliments on it. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of that suit jacket. 16: Tagged along with @nah-young to her grandfather’s birthday party and watched Bohemian Rhapsody. Apart from the timeline inaccuracies, I really enjoyed it! Look at that: two new movies in one month. 17: First big leaf job of the season. I guess the first major landscaping job. Dad helped out, so it made life easier. 18: Investment club meeting went well, and I ended up staying late to chat and help clean up, but it was enjoyable. Also had some great tiramisu from Trader Joe’s. 19: 20: 21: It was a downpour today, but I also made a 20 minute Costco run. Parking was great, the lines were short, and I managed to balance everything without a cart. Success! 22: Finally got around to doing invoices. It’s such a weight off my chest to take care of them. 23: I had the house to myself, so got ample studying done, played some pokemon, and treated myself to some bubble tea. Got myself a bunch of good pokes from Community day. 24: Another lovely day to sit and hang out with @nah-young. I always enjoy our hour long conversations just sitting in my car in her driveway. I also finished the lectures for the BEC portion of the CPA exam. 25: I found a gift card loaded with $30 today. It had been thrown into the dumpster, so a little gross, but it washed off nicely. 26: Ran up to the local library to turn in my books (look @arrowhearts, I did it the day before they were due and didn’t have to make a midnight run). I wasn’t going to check out more books since I already had some checked out from another library visit (I go to many branches due to my job and often check out a book or two, resulting in cycles of books due at different times), but I did anyway. I started reading Area X, too, and so far, I’m really enjoying it. 27: Our family’s accountants think I’m a bit weird because I was so excited to get my tax papers back even though I owed money. I was just like “cool!” to all the facts and things on my sheets, which is apparently not what they’re used to, but one of the new tax laws works in my favor as small business income is taxed at a lower rate or something. 28:  29: 30: I love Annihilation in the Area X series! I haven’t plowed through a book that fast in years. 31: I was catching up on my business spreadsheets and it turns out I had the most profitable March since I started my business :)

April 1: No April Fools jokes, which is always a huge plus. 2: 3: 4: Took the BEC section of the exam and then clocked in a bunch of hours for the Foundation. Jubilee is almost here!!! 5: 6: The Jubilee is over!!! What a relief! A lot of things went well, and I heard it was a lot of people’s favorite. Not sure what actually happened because I was stationed at check in/out all night, but hopefully the silent auction results are good. Huge shout out to @arrowhearts and @nah-young for getting me through the night! 7:A quiet morning of returning the Jubilee to the Foundation. Plus some other landscaping. 8: I know everyone at work is saying I should take time off, and I didn’t, but I’m actually feeling blessed that I have the physical and mental stamina to keep working on things. Plus, I need to catch up with post Jubilee stuff. 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19:  Got to talking with my art dealer for a long while and we exchanged headcannons and ideas. 20: Had a nice Pokemon run with @arrowhearts‘ dog. Plus, enough work to keep me out of trouble X) 21: A very busy Easter. I moved a huge mound of mulch. It was half the size of my car. Hopefully the home owner will like it. 22: 23: 24: 25: 26: 27: 28: 29: 30: 31: I’ve been feeling behind, but I finally knocked out a really important thing at work today. Got our annual applications in!

May 1: 2: 3: My gauntlets for my comic con costume look so cool! They’re a little stabby (there’s staples on the inside, although I should be able to tape it down for safety), but overall look cool for a first draft. 4: A long day, but I feel like I was really able to help my friend and her family, which is nice considering how much they do for me. 5: The event that happened wasn’t good, but I’ve been humbled as to how well our house was kept and motivated to try and become more organized. 6:  Dad and I were chatting today, and we could even touch on topics in a civil manner. It was quite nice!  7: Just found out I passed the BEC section of the CPA exam! I’m 75% CPA!!! And no cavities were found after my dentist appointment :) 8: Frantically working on my costume, but my head piece looks really good! 9: Mom even chipped in to help. We rigged up a steampunk mask I have (which doesn’t fit on my head right) so that I can actually wear it. 10: I’ve been fasting for Ramadan and I think my body and I are finally on the same page. It was a rough start this year, but I’m looking forward to focusing on being thankful for what I have and working on self discipline. 11: Library Comic Con! My costume is a bit rough, so no final pictures, but I have plans to make it better! 12: It was a busy Sunday. Lots of lawns, but thankfully the weather was cool. 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: Had a nice meeting with my boss. I keep feeling like I’m not on top of things or she’s disappointed, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Plus, she said I did great at the finance committee meeting, so that was nice. 18: Although I scared everyone I worked with all day, I was able to donate blood even though I had been fasting.  19: I saw the tiniest inch worm while I was pulling weeds today. It was more like a quarter inch worm and it was just trying so hard to climb up my arm when I found it. I also saw the first lightening bugs of the year. As a bug type Pokemon trainer, I’m quite pleased with all of this (less so with the mosquitoes though, as I got my first bite of the season). 20: I have found a nice way to keep cool at the property Dad and I work at. I’m allowed to douse my head, neck, and hat with the hose, and man does it feel good! 21: I received many compliments at the executive committee meeting for all my hard work on the budget, the Jubilee, and finance committee. 22: Caught up on reconciliations at work (finally). It’s been just a nightmare, but I’m happy they’re done. 23: Another me day. I’ve been taking Thursdays off and got to game for a bit but also accomplish a lot of laundry and studying. 24: Had a good meeting at work to discuss the future of the nonprofit I work at. Plus I finally made a phone call I didn’t want to make. 25: Went to a foam helmet making class with a coworker. I’m super excited to start trying out this style, and I think the sample we made in class can easily be used to make a helmet for Vile. Might have purchased a few things to go with it :) 26: Found a new drink that I love from Kung Fu Tea! Also got to rewatch Coco, which is always good. 27: Part of my afternoon spent working with Jane was changing her screen saver. It was set up for one photo of pictures, but some were so fuzzy, so we set up new pictures and I got to add my fuzzball to the reel. 28: I visited one of Jane’s friends to discuss dog sitting and we had such a nice conversation afterwards. 29: I found a four leave clover today while mowing lawns. It’s been years since I’ve found one, so that was exciting. 30: I plowed through about 6 hours of studying for the FAR portion of the CPA exam. Only two more lectures and then onto multiple choice! 31: Filled out a form at work (finally). Now I just have to hope my boss will sign it and have it notarized.

June 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: Took the (hopefully) last CPA exam. It was nice as I spoke to an elevator engineer before the exam and it helped to calm my nerves a bit.   7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: Wasn’t sure what day to put this on, but @nah-young and I hung out for hours just sitting and chatting on the cats’ back porch. 15: Successfully navigated into DC with the help of @arrowhearts (and had an interesting laugh about her being my son...? Oh well, at least we got to give the people sitting outside a show as we left the building with two rollie office chairs each). 16: Started working on my Halloween costume. I’ve abandoned the idea I originally had and will be switching to a different Mega Man X character (fun fact: it was a costume I originally intended to make before being introduced to Scaramouche back in 2017) 17: It was a scorcher, but had a slurpee for the first time in almost a year. I’m so thankful for the 7-11 within walking distance of where my dad and I work on Mondays. 18: I’ve officially passed the CPA exam! Now onto the next steps... 19: I have been struggling with telling people good news, but I did make an effort to inform some people about me passing the exam. 20: Told some more people about the CPA exam and just trying not to stress. I got celebratory milkshakes for my family after dinner. 21: My coworkers are so sweet. They brought me in a cake and we had a mini celebration. 22: 23: 24: 25: 26:Found a praying mantis while mowing. She kept standing where I wanted to mow, so I got to pick her up and put her somewhere safe (with lots of snacks for her!) 27: 28: 29: So glad I went to see Detective Pikachu with @nah-young and @arrowhearts! I really enjoyed it! 30: 31:

July 1: A new fiscal year! I did manage to get a good bit done on my latch hook. 2: A sudden thunderstorm took me off the weed pulling job early (i.e. a perfect opportunity to read). 3: It was quiet in the office. Too quiet ... yet super productive! I processed so many gifts and letters. 4: I don’t really celebrate, and spent a lot of it working, but played some pokemon in the rain. It was a warm day, so the cool rain felt so refreshing! 5: A jammed packed day with trashrooms, a bank run, and more pokemon quests! I completed another 15 and hatched a new pokemon. Plus I finished another book: Dr. Death. 6: A busy day, but I was able to finish everything so I can take the next day off completely (for once). Again, apologies to @arrowhearts  for dragging you out and getting caught in a downpour so I could get some bubble tea! 7: 8: 9: 10: Unboxed my unicycle! Not sure when I’ll ride, but it’s ready when I am. 11: 12: 13: 14: The vanity is back in my bathroom! Dad’s renovating it, and it’s been a slow process, but I finally have a sink! 15: 16: 17: 18: 19: 20: Spent a few hours working on cleaning the basement, and I’m finally seeing some of the fruits of my labor. 21: 22: 23: 24: Officially finished the Vile helmet! 25: Just started a new dog sitting job, and the house is right on top of a pokestop. Guess I’m going to have a full item bag again! 26: Finally got myself a memory stick for my PSP. I’m replaying the Maverick Hunter X game ... because I can! 27: Got three team rocket grunts in one day at the one stop. 28: Plowed through the Vile portion of Maverick Hunter X. Lol, I probably make it harder on myself since I only use my favorites, regardless of if they’re good against the boss. 29: Had a huge crab and shrimp dinner at Jane’s house. 30: Hung out and ate delicious homemade butter chicken with my best friend’s mom (she’s basically like my other mother). We laughed and chatted, showed off our latest projects, probably kept the neighbors up, and just had a good time until like 2 in the morning.  31: Welp, it wasn’t a raid day for armored Mewtwo, but @arrowhearts and I did defeat more Team Rocket Go grunts in the rain.

August 1: Chatted with @nah-young for a few hours and I’ve got a new place to eat on my radar! 2: I kept feeling like I was letting my boss down because I couldn’t answer her questions/didn’t understand, but she insisted I was handling myself well, and found the information she needed later. Plus, she’s very complimentary of my work and appreciates my transparency and work ethic, both of which I work hard on and value. 3: 4: 5: 6:   7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19: 20: 21: 22: 23: 24: 25: 26: 27: 28: 29: 30: 31:

September 1: 2: 3: It’s official! We’re having a Halloween party at work. If my new schedule turns out, I’ll be at work on that day and will show off a costume. Not sure if it will be the one I’m working on, but I can always recycle an old one. 4: 5: 6:   7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 15: I had such a good ripstik run. @nah-young and I practiced for a good while yesterday (and she did her first trick, too!). I guess it’s nice to see the fruits of our practice since we’ve been working off and on for about a month. 16: Had the investment club meeting at my house. I didn’t get to cook everything, but I picked the recipe and it turned out well! 17: I finished “Every Tool’s a Hammer” by Adam Savage (from Mythbusters) and I really recommend it. It’s such a great book for anyone who makes or creates. It’s a fun read and chocked full of helpful hints. 18: I decided to start reading the Naruto series. I’m enjoying it so far! Now I just have to wait for the next to volumes to be available from the library. 19: I started replaying Scooby Doo and the Cyber Chase. It’s amusing, although I’m a little rough. 20: 21: 22: 23: I’d been on the fence about taking a vacation early next year because I want to save up for a down payment, but after talking to my dad, I decided I’d do a little something. I still need to work out the plans (and make sure the people I want to visit are free), but I’m looking forward to it! 24: 25: 26: There’s a chance I might be going full time at my office job, so dad encouraged me to take the day off from trash rooms. I still got up early, but knocked out a bunch of chores, finished Scooby Doo and the Cyber Chase, finished a drawing, and cleaned in the basement a bit. 27: Lol, I just realized I have three cycles of books checked out again. I started reading The Wicked Years series. I’m trying to set aside time each night so I can read a chapter or two before bed. 28: I made the pattern for my gauntlets! I’m actually trying to do it the right way and making measurements, creating an accurate template, and just generally taking my time. 29: Part 2 of the gauntlets: They’re made! My template worked and I spent a couple of hours slowly forming and shaping them. I still need some practice on the gluing component, but at least they feel sturdy. 30: Started replaying DK 64 again. I really love this game. Besides Gauntlet Legends, it’s probably my favorite N64 game we own. 31: Got rained out at work, but managed to take it easy in the afternoon and just generally keep ahead with laundry.

October 1: Today officially marks the first day of working full time at my office job. They added ten hours a week, so now I’m working 4 days at 10 hours each. It’ll take a little adjusting. I’m happy for the extra hours! 2: I sent out invoices on time for once! 3: It was my fuzzball’s 16th Birthday today! Someone also brought in some really yummy snacks to work that were leftover from a meeting. I also managed to create templates for the leg gauntlets and cut them out of  foam. I’m just rolling with the motivation now, and would like to have Vile finished by Halloween (keep reading to find out if it was finished). 4: Really just having a good time playing DK 64. Knocked out Gloomy Galleon, so all that’s left are my favorite levels! 5: 6:   7: I have leg gauntlets formed. Lol, I guess I should look up the name... All that’s left is the chest plate and cape! 8: I lucked out! My coworker can’t go to a book signing even this weekend and asked me to get her book signed since I’m going. It was the perfect opportunity to get my hands on a copy of “Where the Crawdads Sing” which I wanted to read before this weekend. 9: Making some headway on the costume again! Arm and leg gauntlets have the plating and base coat of plastidip. 10: I finished “Where the Crawdads Sing” within 48 hours of having it my possession. That’s such a huge accomplishment to read something so quickly and eagerly! 11: I was plowing through my to do list at work. I knocked out 11 items. Woo! 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19: 20: 21: 22: 23: 24: 25: 26: 27: 28: 29: 30: My Halloween costume is finished *gasp* before Halloween! Barely, but it counts. 31: I won the most creative costume at work! Well, tied for first, but that’s cool.

November (whoops, I really forgot to write this month) 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6:   7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19: 20: 21: 22: 23: 24: 25: 26: 27: 28: 29: 30: 31:

December 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6:   7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: My coworker is back! She had been on extended leave for a while, but now she’s back. She bring such a positive and fun attitude to the workplace. 13: 14: I’m officially 25! I worked a few hours in the rain, but got a lot done (and saw Lucy, my favorite cat I cat sit). Instead of going to a steakhouse for dinner, which I’m not a fan of, we ended up going to somewhere I did enjoy. Overall, it was a nice and quiet celebration. 15: 16: 17: I finished the Naruto series today! It was a good series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Going to take a manga break to work on a few novels I have checked out and then  decide which series to start. 18:  19: A busy day again. Knocked out two leaf clients for the year and went to see three bands perform at a local music club. I stayed out way too late, but had a great time hanging with a friend, one of the performers, and the performer’s friend. 20: 21: 22: 23: 24: Hung out with my brother and grandmother. I crushed them in several games! 25: Went to my coworkers in the afternoon and dueled for the first time in quiet a while. They wiped the floor with me, but I had fun with my deck destruction deck. 26: 27: Ended up hanging out with Jane for a while and just chatting about everything. We’re seeing eye to eye on a lot of things, so it was nice.  28: Finished my leaf jobs for the year! Time to relax. 29: 30: 31: Welp, ended up being sick and missing out on the intended New Year plans. I guess I did start the year with a migraine, so here I am ending it with one. After I rested up, I did start playing my favorite video game. Plus, I frantically read “Hey, Kiddo!” before the end of the year

Notable stuff

Highlights: Passed the CPA exam Officially hired full time

Books read: “Ghost Stories” “Every Tool’s a Hammer” “Where the Crawdads Sing” “Wicked” Naruto series “Hey, Kiddo!”

Movies watched: Spiderman: Enter the Spiderverse Mary Poppins 2 The Princess and the Frog Pokemon Lucario

[ineffablecolors]

THE WIFE [3/?]

The Wife || Ch 3 ~ 5.3 k || Ch 1 Ch2 || FF.NET&AO3 Summary: No one knows all that Emma has been through and certainly no one knows all that Killian has been through and being husband and wife doesn’t make them any less unknown to each other. And really, how can you help someone heal when you don’t even know how hurt they are? A/N: Do check the notes on chapter 1 Eternal thanks to @csmarchmadness - if it wasn’t for this event, I probably wouldn’t have gotten my ass in gear and sat down to actually write this thing that is now so beloved to me already. And to all the ladies in the Discord chat - you bring laughter and fanfiction into my life so you’re basically goddesses and I wanna keep you forever. Hope you all enjoy this and follow along for the rest of the journey cuz I have plansTM! :D

To her utter surprise a week is all it takes for Emma to become more or less attuned to the workings of the Jones household.

Much as she guessed the very first morning, catching Killian Jones in the midst of breaking his fast is near impossible. Every morning, by the time she makes her way down to breakfast, no matter how early she tries to rise, the table is set and waiting but any trace of the master of the house is already gone. Usually, he is just down the corridor in his study but occasionally he is already out of the house, meeting his brother for matters of business, by the time Emma – let alone Alice – takes her first sip of tea.

She notices that he makes a point of always sharing at least one meal with her and his daughter and, more often than even Alice seems to expect, he manages to make time to join them for a ride in the afternoon. Indeed, Emma tries not to let her fancy fly away from her and make her feel more important than she has a right to but she can’t help suspecting that it’s her own timidity and anxiety about riding that makes him lend his services to them, seeing as Alice is an extraordinarily accomplished rider.

Emma herself is moderately pleased with the progress she has made. In all honestly, she suspects it was more daring and youthful confidence that made her a somewhat decent rider when she was much younger rather than any proper form or natural talent. But, contrary to her own musings, both Killian and Alice assert that she appears to be a natural and, most of all, that she has managed to make Buttercup fall in love with her with merely a few words and touches, whereas Alice proclaims that Jolly will still be much happier dashing away on her own and Killian begrudgingly admits – at Peter’s ribbing and his daughter’s teasing – that it took months of time spent on his ass in the dirt for him to prove himself worthy of Roger. After a week of almost daily exercise atop her own mare, Emma feels her tailbone tingle with sympathy at the mere thought.

And yet, she has never felt more pleasantly exhausted in her life. The fresh air of the countryside all around them and the emotional and then simply physically taxation of getting back on a horse have taken their toll but she finds herself unwilling to refuse every time Alice appears in front of her with her riding clothes already on.

Perhaps this is the reason she has been unable to awake early enough to catch her husband in his morning routine but it does not serve to explain why she also has yet to see or hear him retire to bed. Aside from that very first night – that she thinks can hardly be named their “wedding night” – she has never seen Killian heading for his bedchambers.

What she has seen is that the library is not as often engaged as she first thought it might be and thus, Emma has already spent many an hour familiarizing herself with its collection and the numerous artefacts from the brothers’ travels. And still, late as she burns her candle in that room, she never manages to make it to the point when Jones – presumably – heads to bed himself. Ruby and Mrs Lucas have on a couple of occasions now asked if she needed anything and bid her goodnight before retiring to their rooms but heading to bed after her husband has proven as impossible as rising from it before him.

Finding and securing the company of his daughter is much easier and that when Alice doesn’t put some scheme of hers into action first. Emma thinks she might be on her way to unravelling another small mystery, that of Alice’s permanent residence away from her home. It takes but a day in the girl’s presence to realize that, charming as it might be, Storybrooke is much too small to contain her. Emma is rather puzzled why Alice does not go more into society here but she can perfectly perceive how the city might be calling to her after a few weeks in her family home.

A home which has proven rather favourable to Emma’s disposition despite the complete chance introduced into her life. So it is with an almost quiet resignation that Emma gasps awake long before dawn on a summer day a little over a week after her nuptials.

Her heart does its damnest to beat out of her chest and the sweat on her back makes her shiver under all the blankets but she regains control of most of her faculties almost immediately and proceeds to deepen her breathing the way she has learnt will help bring awareness of her surroundings and dissipate the dream faster. Her toes are ice-cold but her need to get up makes the bed resemble hot coals beneath her so she dresses quickly, aware that she will not be going back to sleep until night has arrived anew.

As it is, she is forced to take her candle with her, the sun not even peaking over the horizon yet as she makes her way down the stairs as silently as possible. It is only as she heads for the kitchen – her mind on a glass of warm milk – that she entertains the notion that anyone might already be awake.

“—and this girl now. What is the purpose of this?” Mrs Lucas’s voice is gruffer than usual, smudged with sleep and something else Emma cannot place through the door.

“You could be a bit kinder to her,” as for Killian’s voice, it is crisp and clear – he might as well have been awake for hours.

“And you can tell me why it is that you took her in. Lord knows, you probably haven’t told a soul. If any has asked.”

It is in that moment that she realizes herself the topic of their conversation. Perhaps, if it was more in her nature or even, if she stopped to truly consider, Emma might have lingered quietly outside a few minutes longer and gleaned some of that much coveted and hard to obtain knowledge of her husband’s private thoughts. But the sharp shove she gives the door is almost instinctive and has the immediate effect of silencing everyone on the other side.

She may have brought secrets into this house but she does not wish to accumulate new ones while here.

When she walks in, Mrs Lucas looks for all the world as if Emma has been stumbling into the kitchen at ungodly hours of the morning ever since she got here. Killian’s face, however – and Emma has quickly learnt that, for all the coldness and irreproachability that he tries to paint on it, it is a painfully expressive one – is caught somewhere between surprised guilt and uncomfortable suspicion.

But Emma’s state is still rumpled enough and her eyes not quite open enough to alarm anyone and make them believe she could have been eavesdropping.

“Well, there is certainly no need to be this early,” the cook mutters under her breath as she rolls up her sleeve and barely spares Emma a glance.

“Perhaps you should inform Ruby that the sun, as well as us, will be up before her soon enough,” Killian suggests in rebuff and Emma tries not to jump out of her way when the old woman stalks past her, grumbling under her breath that they all might as well not go to bed at all anymore.

“There was no need—“ she starts but Killian waves his hand in the air before he runs it over his face.

“She has been itching to either have it out with me or get out of this room for some moments now. Your appearance ruled rather in my favour.”

Emma nods and clasps her hands in front of her, now questioning her decision to run downstairs from her troubled thoughts. Normally, she uses any opportunity to take a peek at Jones’s inner workings but she questions her current ability for casual conversation, let alone something deeper.

“Were you looking for something?”

“Oh, I was just going to get a glass of milk.”

Killian snaps his fingers as if he should have guessed her reason for being here, already turning toward the stove and thankfully missing her slight jump at the sharp sound. Watching his back, Emma is frozen with indecision.

Far as her sleep-muddled mind planned, she would’ve found the kitchen still quiet and empty and made the drink herself. In the event of Ruby or Mrs Lucas being up already, she most certainly would’ve debated letting them get on with their work and sorting herself out. She did not account for Killian at all and her inexperience with gentlemen of his stature – let alone his manner, which seems rather singular to her – makes her uncertain of how she should proceed.

Certainly it is more befitting for her to take over any tasks in the kitchen rather than him? Yet, she does not feel herself ingrained into the household enough to take any such initiative. So instead she stays where she is and observes with interest the way he moves around the kitchen, operating predominantly with his real hand.

The missing limb seems to impair him extremely rarely when riding and, reading and writing being the other two activities in which she has mainly seen him engaged, Emma has given little thought to what she supposes is a battle wound.

Then he comes to a sudden halt and she straightens along with him, worried that he has somehow sensed, and does not appreciate, her pointed attention.

“Actually… would you like something a bit different?” Killian glances over his shoulder, his manner easy enough that Emma feels her shoulders relax as his lips quirk up the slightest amount. “I believe I already pointed out that a soldier salute is unnecessary.”

Emma frowns in confusion, her brain taking a moment to assimilate the words in the morning light that has barely appeared behind the white curtains, and then she shocks them both with a short burst of laughter. It’s a quick and slightly hysterical thing but with it she feels the last of her dark dreams disperse and drops almost theatrically in one of the hard kitchen chairs.

“Something different?”

“Mm, are you fond of hot chocolate?”

“I cannot answer that, seeing as I have never tried it.”

To his credit, a singular eyebrow expresses Killian’s disbelief before he turns back to his preparations.

“As I told your sister-in-law, sugar is one of my grandmother’s archenemies.”

“Which doesn’t say much about sugar at all with how many she must have.”

“Mrs Jones was equally witty and condemning. You must all have a frightfully low opinion of my family.”

“Rather that singular relation.”

“Well—“ she opens her mouth to say that, vile as the woman is, she constitutes the whole of Emma’s family, before she realizes that is technically no longer the case. “She did say you have a weakness for it.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Your sister-in-law. She said you also have a weakness for sugar.”

“Ah. Well, Elsa always likes to know where one’s strengths and weaknesses lie.”

“Then surely you must be flattered that is the only one she has found in you.”

“I can assure you that is not the case. But I do appreciate her choosing it as the one to expose on my wedding day. Now—“

He turns around with a pot in his hand and two cups, dangling by their handles from his little finger. Emma forces herself to remain seated, her hands in her lap and an expectant expression on her face.

Killian sets the cups down with a clatter and no saucers and starts pouring out a thick, dark liquid that makes her nose twitch with eagerness.

“A few centuries ago they used to stuff it full of spices but, as most good things, it’s best in its simplicity,” he nudges one cup toward Emma and takes his own, sitting across from her. “Though I will admit to a dash of cinnamon and vanilla.”

Emma takes the drink and gives it one more experimental sniff, despite the fact that the aroma has already made her mouth water with anticipation. She takes a small sip at first but that is enough – the warm liquid coasts her tongue in a way that simple milk could not have hoped to do – the taste and texture exquisitely rich, and then the flavours explode – teetering on the line between sweet and bitter, both smoothed and enhanced by the distinct kick of the cinnamon and the softness of the vanilla.

So focused on the sensations inside her mouth, she is quite unaware of what her face is doing, though Killian must not be because in the next second his laugh fills the gradually brightening kitchen. She would be rather offended, if it wasn’t for the fact that the sound is absolutely magnificent. That and he does seem – as is becoming usual – to delight in her reactions rather than mock them.

Emma takes another, more generous sip before she licks her lips and sets her cup down.

“Oh, you have made a believer out of me. Plain milk will never do again.”

“You should tell Mrs Lucas to increase her weekly purchase of the stuff then.”

“Me?” now she is very conscious of how her eyes widen with obvious dread of such an interaction.

“She does not actually bite,” Killian’s voice is reassuring but the glint in his eyes as he lifts his own cup to his mouth is anything but.

“With a bark like that I’m sure she does not need to.”

It’s more a snort than a laugh this time but Emma is much too distracted by the way his tongue flicks over his lips to clean them to mind.

In the golden morning light, now edging its way into every corner and crevice of the kitchen, with his jacket and waistcoat absent, his eyes flashing every once in awhile and his lips fitting themselves against the rim of his cup with obvious pleasure, Emma Jones rather likes her husband.

*****

Her knuckles pop a little as she tries to cover her yawn with the back of her hand.

“Why don’t you just go to bed?” Alice’s voice startles her – the girl has collected about a dozen cushions and pillows in front of the large fireplace in the library and is languidly making her way through The Odyssey and a pot of tea that Emma has refused to partake in. “You should know, tomorrow I will drag you out of doors, if I have to.”

Alice has certainly inherited her father’s cheek though not his preference for comfort of his own home. For it seems there is no greater offense to Miss Jones than remaining indoors on a “perfectly lovely summer day”. Indeed, on most days, Emma agrees with her with pleasure or at least without too much protest.

But the exceptionally early start of her day has left Emma both in good spirits and at the same time very reluctant to risk that pleasant, mellow feeling by quitting the house. So she showed some willfulness for the first time and postponed going to the seamstress from who they were to collect the last of her new wardrobe. Killian, receiving a substantial amount of correspondence before lunch, asked not to be bothered with such trifles and Emma hasn’t seen or heard him leave his study since. Alice was all too eager to exchange a trip to the shops for a long ride and was only temporary put out when Emma expressed her disinclination to join her.

So it is that she has spent most of her day learning the last details about the household from Ruby and going over the shopping lists – adding extra chocolate – with Mrs Lucas. Surprisingly the old woman displayed only her usual amount of annoyance in Emma’s presence and even accepted a suggestion or two she made (while declining another half a dozen, of course).

“You do not have to wait on me, I should be going to bed shortly,” Alice continues, breaking Emma out of her retrospection of her supposedly uneventful day. “And you certainly won’t be able to keep your eyes open long enough to see papa.”

“He was up early,” she replies before she can think to feign ignorance.

“He is always the first to light a candle in the mornings and the last to put it out in the evenings,” it is the first time she sees melancholy on Alice’s face, though, for a moment, something livelier and hopeful flashes through her eyes.

Emma frowns in thought – by her personal observations and calculations, it is simply impossible that Killian gets more than four or five hours of sleep.

They are silent long enough that Alice returns to her book and Emma watches the flames dancing in the fireplace – her own book abandoned on the little table beside her – and listens to the very stillness of the house. When the clock strikes 11, the fire is dangerously low and Emma is starting to feel a slight chill in the air. Alice leaves book, teacup and scattered furniture all as is and stretches her arms to the sides, declaring herself fit to go to bed. Her “goodnight” is rather pointed but her eyes are all softness and comfort and Emma stares after her for a minute or ten.

Then she jumps to her feet with a sudden burst of determination that she knows she must seize before it deserts her. A minute later she enters Killian’s study without knocking – Mrs Lucas would’ve probably dragged her out by the hair, if she had seen her.

“Why did you take me in?”

“I beg your pardon?” Killian’s head shoots up – his eyes are bloodshot from staring at the tiny figures before him under the light of a single candle. There is a half-full tumbler of golden liquid beside him but the room smells of wax rather than alcohol and Emma soldiers on.

“I know Regina was looking for a buyer and I know she didn’t expect to get half as good a deal as this. On top of the expenses of a wife, I’d wager she requested a nice commission for facilitating it all—“

“You would wager what exactly?” his voice is harsher than she has ever heard it directed at her and his scowl tells her how little he appreciates her brashness in this moment.

But she does not wish to be so tempted by answers that next time she has the opportunity to eavesdrop on some conversation, she does betray him.

“Nothing. For I have nothing. Some would say that I have ever less than a common girl and I know Regina—“

“Blast Regina. You think she was looking for a buyer?” Killian doesn’t jump to his feet the way she did earlier but the motion is somehow so powerful and full of agitation that Emma takes an instinctive step back. “Aye, that she was. And she wasn’t selling you the nice way either – quiet and private. She was getting desperate and acting like it was a bloody auction!”

She knew, of course. She knew Regina never cared for her and would sell her to the highest bidder. Her own metaphor aligns perfectly with Killian’s. And yet, hearing it from someone else’s mouth, having it confirmed that her grandmother shamelessly put her on the market like a piece of meat, makes her vision start to swim.

Emma tries to swallow around the lump in her throat and feels the tips of her nails digging into the flesh of her palm. Killian’s sharp exhale makes her vision sharpen a little as she tries to focus on him again – he looks rather stricken and she almost opens her mouth to assure him that he hasn’t really told her anything she didn’t already suspect.

“Emma, I—“ he takes a step forward then halts, looking as if he expects her to back away, and takes the next two slower, keeping his eyes on hers. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to—“

“So why did you bid?”

“What?”

She raises her chin and holds his gaze.

“If she was putting me out there like an auction piece, why did you bid?”

Killian slowly tilts his head to the side and regards her in silence and Emma tries to count her breaths so she doesn’t miss any. Finally, he sighs and hangs his head and for the first time since she barged into his study Emma feels like she has stepped out of line.

And for what?

“I will answer that.”

She blinks in surprise.

“Tomorrow. Can we do this tomorrow morning? I—“ he waves almost helplessly toward his desk and gives her a beseeching look.

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

She nods.

“But after the sun has properly risen.”

His mouth ticks up hesitantly on one side and he nods as well.

“After the sun is firmly anchored in the sky.”

“And maybe with that chocolate drink.”

“That can be arranged as well.”

“Alright.”

“Alright.”

She nods once more and turns on her heel.

“Emma. I am sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”

She turns back and lifts her shoulders, her eyes straying from his.

“I shouldn’t have barged in here like that.”

“One offense does not excuse another.”

“Hmm. I like that.”

“It won’t happen again.”

“Alright. I am not— You are forgiven.”

She is not sure this is the proper thing to say, it comes out sounding much haughtier than she wanted it to, not at all the sentiment she was trying to convey. But the look on Killian’s face stops her from regretting her choice of words.

“Goodnight, Killian.”

“Goodnight.”

“Go to bed.”

His chuckle behind her is tired but not entirely mirthless.

*****

She makes her way down the stairs and hopes with all her might to find Jones in the kitchen again. The library, let alone his study, will certainly hold the stale feeling of late night confusion and overexposed emotions.

Truth be told, by now Emma almost regrets posing the question that has been foremost in her mind ever since she heard Mrs Lucas put it into words, if not ever since she learnt she was to marry Killian Jones. Fairly gained intelligence is all good and proper but she is not entirely sure she is prepared to receive this particular piece of it.

Finding Killian where she hoped to restores a smidge of her confidence but she is still very conscious of the fact that – were he to act like nothing happened, she will allow it. Alas, if the look on his face is any indication, if he entertained the coward’s path at all, he decided to turn away from it.

“The sun is up, as requested. Should we make use of it and take a walk?”

Emma blinks in surprise. She considered the sturdy walls and dark tones of the house more befitting the conversation before them but now feels immense relief at the thought of fresh air and an open space.

Killian pushes off the counter and hands her a cup of what she assumes is hot chocolate and Emma’s straining nerves relax a little when her hand wraps around the warm cup – this one is bigger than the one he served them in the day before, its rim is not curved and instead it has a lid that she supposes will keep the liquid warm longer. For a moment, she wonders if Killian puts this much thought into every single action, if that is why he requested a whole night before he answered a straight question. It sounds both endearing and exhausting.

He holds the backdoor for her and they slip from the kitchen, the air much crisper than she expected.

“Would you like me to fetch you a coat?”

She shakes her head, knowing she will regret it soon enough and clutching her cup tighter. Then she turns to face her husband and, in the direct sunlight, comes to wonder if he has been to bed at all. His shirt and waistcoat are different but his hair looks like it has met with his hand rather than a pillow, the lines around his eyes seem deeper, the shadow under them – likewise.

He has not taken a drink for himself and – whether for his benefit or hers she wastes no time to determine – Emma slips her free hand in the crook of his right elbow. Killian startles but settles soon enough that she decides the gesture has been deemed acceptable.

“I believe it is of no use to do things by halves. So I’ve decided to give you more information than you were probably searching for, in order to make myself quite clear.”

His voice is gruff but not unkind and her surprise at this pronouncement is genuine but not unpleasant.

“I believe Mrs Mills has been struggling to maintain appearances while her finances have been failing her.”

Emma suspected as much herself but doubts she is aware of the full extend of Regina’s presumed troubles.

“I do not wish to be crude but I… I also believe she took stock of her valuables and decided you were the one she was most willing to part with.”

“I assure you, Regina would consider it much too great a compliment rather than an offense of any sort that I am being listed among her valuables.”

Killian glances at her before quickly looking away. He seems somewhat taken aback by her blasé attitude toward her grandmother’s mistreatment but even more so by the intimacy walking arm in arm has brought. Emma is fully aware that this is the closest she has been to her husband – physically speaking, but her main focus at the present moment is how close he is about to allow her in another sense.

“Yes, well… I think her mounting frustrations made her rather careless and… desperation is never a good calling card when the object is an engagement. Perhaps it wasn’t like that at first but— Emma, I am not sure you quite understand how far removed from society I am personally and how rare it is for gossip to make its way to my ears.”

She feels the blazing heat in her cheeks despite the morning chill that has control over most of the rest of her body. It’s a long time that she has been parted with her grandmother’s good – or at least tolerant – opinion and, as for society, Emma never much cared what gossip may spread about her, seeing as most of it will be deserved and she cared little for the company of people willing to be swayed by it.

Yet the idea of what whisperings might have reached all the way to the inhabitants of the Jones household makes the knot in her stomach tighten even further now.

“I do not wish to… to interrupt but I fail to see how that has led us… here.”

Killian sighs and, likely unconsciously, tightens his arm around her own.

“For that I need to… I will have to go further back. What I meant for you to take from this is that, knowingly or not, your grandmother was destroying your reputation and any future aspirations with an alarming – frankly, almost impressive, speed.”

When she lifts the cup to her mouth, it shakes a little in her grasp and Emma tries to tell herself that if the answer to why Killian Jones brought her into his family is pity, it is not the worst answer she could have received.

“My previous wife did not hold our daughter in much higher esteem than your grandmother seems to hold you.”

The change of topic is so sudden that her neck pops a little when she twists in his direction. He glances at her – his smile is tight and dark and his steps almost cease for an instant before he resumes the brisk pace that has been keeping her from truly suffering the coldness that the sun is still working on chasing away.

“Of course, I do not pretend to know the nature of your relationship but at the very least you were allowed to remain in Mrs Mill’s presence. My wife did not allow Alice the same courtesy and send her away to school as soon as such a scheme was feasible. A-and she could carry it out without my knowledge.”

Emma bites her tongue against the barge of questions bubbling up from inside her. Why would any mother want to be parted from her child? She supposes her indignation might be finding some outlet through her eyes but Killian’s are firmly focused on the trees in the distance. She is glad for it because – even as most of her anger is directed toward a woman now in her grave, she cannot quite understand why Killian would submit to such an arrangement after it was made known to him.

“When Alice was old enough and confident enough in herself to express her wish to remain at home for longer periods of time – and received my full support of the idea – her mother adopted a new method of keeping her away.”

Killian watches their feet advancing slowly for a few seconds and Emma takes a fortifying breath.

“My daughter found herself in much the same position as you, only much earlier in her life and, sadly, there could be no question of whether her chances and reputation was being ruined on purpose or not.”

“How could she—“

Killian’s jaw tightens and Emma stops herself from finishing the question.

“I do not mean to present my conduct in a more altruistic light than it deserves, Emma. My brother and his wife were much engaged in the task of introducing me to as many ladies as a man who does not attend dances and dinners could possibly meet. And it was my hope – for whose fulfilment I do wish to express my gratitude to you – that my daughter’s age and temperament would not set the two of you at odds and that your introduction into the family will provide sufficient reason for her to remain here for some time.”

She has drawn and discarded a dozen conclusions in the span of the last quarter of an hour and for each question that has been answered in some form a dozen more have arisen, but if Emma is uncertain that she can receive any more information at present, she is quite certain that Killian cannot give any more with additional pain to himself.

And if there is one conclusion that she has drawn and put safely away as fact, it is that she does not wish to cause Killian Jones any pain.

“So how bad is it?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“How far did Regina go before you could get to her? How bad of a blow is it to be married to me?”

It is the first time since they stepped outside that Killian comes to a firm stop and she tries not to give in to the shiver and stab of pain when he lets go of her arm so he can face her.

“I am a man who has taken many blows in his life, Emma.”

The pointed motion with his wooden hand surprises her but not nearly as much as the warmth of the fingers that settle under her chin and gently urge it up.

“I can assure you, you’re not one of them.”

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Anonymous said: what's next for wine and whisky? 

This is the third chapter of this Ian and Rachel Modern AU!

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Wine and Whisky - Chapter 3

by @whiskynottea

Rachel stood in the middle of the distillery’s reception area with a frown on her face. She looked around the empty, quiet room and reached in her pocket for her phone. She read William’s text again. Tuesday, 10am, first tour at the Fraser distillery.

Her first day at work - or something close to that. After Mrs. FitzGibbons’ formal mail informing her she’d been hired - which she’d read three times to make sure she really got the job and then let out a celebratory scream -  her phone had pinged with a message from William, congratulating her and asking her to meet him at the distillery to show her around.

Now she was there, on time, and he was nowhere to be found. She started texting him but deleted the message - better wait for him for a few more minutes. The reception area was large but it gave her a warm feeling, similar to the one she’d had in the reception room before entering Jamie Fraser’s office. There were no framed pictures of the family here, hanging one next to the other in chronological order, but a large painting adorned the fireplace, one that seemed inspired by a group picture. There were more people than she could count, smiling in front of an estate that seemed at least three hundred years old.

Lallybroch, Rachel realized.

On the wall next to the painting was a beautiful collage with distillery pictures and newspaper snippets about the history of whisky. If Rachel hadn’t been absorbed in reading about the deep roots of whisky in Scotland’s life and economy, she would have heard the door open and then swing shut again.

“Oh! You’re here,” William said instead of a greeting, moving his sunglasses to the top of his head to reveal two slanted blue eyes shyly looking at her. “The coffee machine hasn’t arrived yet, so I went to the coffee shop on the corner, to buy us some coffee.” He flashed her a wide smile and gave her a paper cup. “It’s black, but I got extra sugar and milk, in case -”

“Black is fine,” Rachel said, smiling politely. “Thank you, William.”

He nodded, satisfied by her answer. “So what do you think?”

“The reception area looks nice! I like the bar in the back.” She pointed towards the side of the room with her paper cup, the bar still empty, but its dark wood stools inviting people for a whisky tasting.

“Da says the place doesn’t feel right, yet. He says the smell is wrong.”

Rachel frowned and sniffed twice, unable to detect the scent that might trouble Jamie Fraser.

“It smells of paint, new furniture, and new equipment,” William explained. “No barley, peat, or fermentation. It doesn’t smell like a distillery yet,” he winked at her and took a careful sip of his still very warm coffee.

“So everything is brand new here?” Rachel asked, tentatively trying hers.

“Aye, it is! Ready to see it?”

The distillery was impressive. The malting house very big, it’s floor patiently waiting to be covered with barley, to start the magical procedure of making whisky. Rachel listened to William intently while he explained how things would work, and tried to imagine herself working there, checking the process, seeing a plain crop transform into something complicated, enticing.

They were past the mashing room and heading to the washbacks used for wort fermentation when William’s phone rang. “Sorry,” he said with a grimace, “I have to take it.” William walked back towards the reception area with fast, wide strides, leaving Rachel alone.

Rachel walked up the remaining part of the corridor to get to the washbacks. She smiled when she saw the large wooden containers instead of the stainless steel ones she’d found on the internet. Fraser continued making his whisky the old way - she liked that. Rachel walked around the containers, thinking them filled with wort and yeast, the wood warm from fermentation, alcohol scenting the room. Biting her lip, she searched for a vantage point to check their washbacks’ depth - she’d read they could get almost twenty feet deep.

“Hi,” came a whisper in her ear, and Rachel jumped, a hand flying over her heart to calm its thunderous beating.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, breathing fast.

“Ye can just call me Ian,” the voice said, and she could hear the smile in his words. His hands took hold of her upper arms, keeping her stable.

“Ian,” she said turning around, and she couldn’t help but smile. Smiling seemed so easy when Ian was close. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes were closer to green today, and she wondered how she hadn’t noticed that in the bar. She had thought them a plain brown, back then, but she was mistaken.

“I came for supplies,” he shrugged. “Whisky for the bar. And you? What are you doing here?” he asked, although he knew exactly what Rachel was doing there. “Should I congratulate you?”

“I guess you should!” she said, grinning broadly. She suddenly felt self-conscious, and she fidgeted with a lock of her hair, before tucking it behind her ear.

“Congratulations, then, Ms. Hunter,” he said and bowed with a flourish. “It is a total delight to have you with us.”

She hadn’t expected such a formal response and wondered if he was being sarcastic. Maybe he didn’t care that she was hired. Deciding to reply in the safest way, she bowed back at him, and said, “The pleasure is all mine, Mr. -” She didn’t know his last name.

“Murray. Ian Fraser Murray,” he helped, the corner of his lips curling up.

“Mr. Murray,” she continued her sentence.

“So, what do you think?” Ian asked her, pointing around. “Pretty cool, ha?”

“Pretty cool,” she laughed at his rapid vocabulary change. “Will you work here, too?” The question was out before she’d realized it, and she bit her lip hard, hoping that her tone didn’t show the hope in her voice.

“Ah no, lass. Just at the bar. Someone has to sell the product, aye?”

“I guess so,” she agreed.

They kept silent for a moment, just looking at each other, enfolded in the quietness of the room. Rachel felt her heart beating hard against her ribcage, but her breaths were slow, calm. She breathed in the wood’s scent and the fresh and peppery smell coming from Ian, and she barely kept herself from inhaling deeply to take more of him in. Ian looked at her with a faint smile on his lips and opened his mouth as if to say something -

“I’m back!” William said, coming through the doorway behind Rachel, and then a barely audible, “Oh.”

“Morning, Willie,” Ian said, adjusting his hair in a bun, and Rachel involuntarily fixed her eyes on his biceps, the lines of his tattoo straining with the motion.

When William came to stand next to Rachel, he told Ian that the whisky he came for was in a white box behind the bar at the reception. Ian dropped his hands in his jeans’ pockets, in a way that said he knew that already.

He chatted briefly with William about the delivery and an upcoming event at the bar, and then turned to leave with a goodbye. When he was at the door, he stopped and looked back, his gaze fixed on Rachel just for a millisecond, enough to make her doubt she saw him looking at her altogether.

“So,” William tried to get her attention back. “Our washbacks.”

It took them more than an hour to finish the tour, and even though Rachel was focused on William and the distillery, for a good fifteen minutes she couldn’t get rid of the lingering question that flashed at the back of her mind.

What was Ian doing at the fermentation room when it was obvious that the whisky he came to pick up was at the reception?

Unable to find a convincing answer and unwilling to let herself hope, Rachel focused her attention on the tour.

She didn’t want to leave the stillhouse, the shiny copper pot stills reminding her of musical instruments waiting for someone to give them life, to start the music. They went back to the reception area, sat in the comfortable leather couch and spent another hour talking about esters and their fruity notes, aldehydes and their vanilla-like scent. Rachel was excited. Her coffee was long gone, and the energy boost she felt had nothing to do with the caffeine consumption. She wanted to start working as soon as possible, to be a part of the team that would produce some of the most extraordinary whisky.

“This is Lallybroch,” William confirmed her previous guess, when he saw her gaze fall on the painting over the fireplace. “My sister is an artist, this is her work,” he added with a proud smile.

“Impressive! And these are the distillery’s employees?” she asked and rose to stand in front of the painting, to find the faces she already knew among the strangers. Jamie Fraser was in the middle, his arm around the waist of the same brown-haired woman she’d seen in the pictures in his office. The painting was amazing, the details so close to life that it looked like an edited picture. Next to Fraser on the other side stood a tall, beautiful woman with long red hair, holding hands with a dark, bearded man, with the sweetest smile. William stood next to the woman with the curly hair, his hair a bit shorter, his shoulders squared like his dad’s. Ian -

“No,” William replied, interrupting her thoughts. “This is just family. My aunt Jenny, Da’s sister, has five children and some of them have already children of their own, so you can imagine…”

“And you all work for the distillery?”

“The distillery or the bar. Not all of us, though. My mam is a doctor,” he said and chuckled, hurrying up to continue when he saw Rachel’s puzzled look. “But one could say that she works for the distillery, too. She’s our honorary taster. And da’s inspiration, as he says himself,” he continued, rolling his eyes.

Rachel chuckled and turned to look at the picture again. A big, happy family. A moment later, she spotted Ian. He stood next to the short woman with the black hair Rachel had seen in the pictures in Fraser’s office. He was thinner, the tattooed hand scratching a huge dog’s ear. He seemed different, his hair held loose on the nape of his neck, his smile strained.  

“Excuse me?” she said when she realized William was talking to her. “I got distracted.” She shook her head, as if to push the thoughts away, and turned to find William’s blue eyes looking intently on her. Lost in her daydreaming, she half expected to find Ian’s hazel ones.

“I was saying,” William smiled patiently, “That we have an event at the bar on Friday about underestimated blended whiskies. This year we’ll release our first blended whiskies, and we want to promote the idea of something affordable, yet with a great quality. You should come.”

“Of course I will,” she said, not sure if her first thought was to show Jamie Fraser that his decision to hire her was the right one, or to see Ian again.

If William had taken a few more minutes on the phone, Ian might have invited her himself. Maybe this was what he wanted to say before getting interrupted…

Rachel smiled at William who smiled back at her, and reached for her purse. It was time to go. The tour had answered a lot of her questions about the distillery, and had opened much more about Ian.

But Friday was close, and she’d see him again.

Continue to Chapter 4.

[juminsmysticmc]

𝐹𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 - 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓉 5

𝒵𝑒𝓃 𝓍 𝑀𝒸 Genre: Fluff/ Happy End Find here:  Part 1// Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4

So guys! I’m sorry that i couldn’t post this last chapter yesterday but i had a sleepover with my cousin. I had to go to church today in another city and so it was much better to stay at her house. So...YES THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER! SORRY FOR THIS SHITTY END BUT PLEASE ENJOY IT!

Zen has entered the chat

Yoosung: My flat isn’t that small! 707: Ohhh our little Yoosung wants to invite us! Jaehee: Yoosung, grow up and understand. YOU HAVE TO LEARN. We can’t celebrate Christmas at your apartment.  Zen: What's up? 707: The little boy wants to invite us for Christmas Eve because we couldn‘t  throw a party like last year .... Jaehee: But it's too small and he has to learn. 707: WOW Jaehee, how are you writing today? Jaehee: XD Yoosung: Oh gosh.... Jumin: At my place? Zen: NEVER. Your ugly cat ... my babies .... Jumin: (-.- ;;) 707: Then at Zen‘s place! Zen: My fiancé could give birth to triplets any time. AND I SHOULD ORGANIZE A CHRISTMAS PARTY A FEW DAYS BEFORE SHE GIVES BIRTH?! Yoosung: Seven you are so stupid. Jaehee: We could come on the 23rd and help you. I can clean, you can decorate the apartment, Mc won‘t sit still anyway so she can manage everything, Mr. Han can order the food, Seven the drinks and snacks, and Yoosung a dessert. Jumin: Good idea Assistant Kang. Jaehee: XD 707: DR Pepper! Zen: No. Just coke, water, wine, soft drinks ... 707: T.T ..... O K A Y But only for my Mc !! I will buy some cat sleeping bags for the babies! Zen: WHAT? Jumin: Luciel, good idea. Mc entered the chat Mc: Why is Zen so shocked? Yoosung: Seven just said that you were his property and he wants to buy cat sleeping bags for the children. Mc: Seven ... 707: Oh-oh Mc: That's such a cute idea !!!! 707: (: D) I know! Mc: So we will organize a Christmas party? Can Zen’s parents come too? I invited them and his brother and I can’t take it back right now... Yoosung: Sure! 707: Okay - Jaehee: All right. Jumin: Well then I will order more food. Zen: Mc has to eat now! Goodbye! Zen left the chat Mc: You heard the man. See you!! Jumin: Bye we will go too. Jaehee: You all heard the boss. Yoosung: I'll search dessert!  707: I have to work! :( Mc left the chat

"How are my sweethearts?" "All right, my back is just aching! Hahah.'', you laughed happily. The birth date was the 29th December. "Are you sure we can celebrate a party?" Zen asked, kissing your forehead. He loved you so much. ,,Yup !!! I believe that your children will wait for a long time until they will come! '' ,,Hey! If they are calm and sweet, you say, that they are your children. But when they move too much or they are just 'lazy' you say, that they are mine! "Zen teased you.  "Hahaha, come on. I'm not that bad, Zenny! "Zen looked at you with big eyes. You used to call him Zenny but you didn’t say it a lot these days. He kissed you. You lost your balance laid now on your back. You hugged him tightly and pressed his head to your chest. He kissed your breast: "Do you know how much I love you, Mc?" "Yes, Zenny. I'm pregnant thanks to you“ you giggled. "Hahaha that's right." He stroked your stomach over and over again until you fell asleep below his gentle strokes. "Good night babe.'', he covered you with a blanket. "Damn, I wanted to let her eat ..." he thought out loud. However, your sleep was more important to him, which is why he let you sleep. 

In the evening you woke up. He ordered Chinese food and the door bell woke you up. You ate together and then watched a Christmas movie, Zen at least. You fell asleep after half an hour.

,,ZEN!“ "MC is everything okay?!" Zen yelled as he ran to you in the morning.  It was the 23rd of December and the RFA was about to arrive soon. "We don’t have any presents!" You cried. How could you forget that? You even forgot Zen! "I don’t need a gift. If you stay healthy, I‘m happy!" "Nice, what about Jumin ?! Or Yoosung and Jaehee? What about Seven! I thought he never went out for Christmas and now that he comes for once, we don’t have anything for him! Your parents ... .No they will hate me !!!“ you cried even louder. "Alright, alright.", He helped you up and got you warm and cozy clothes. No stress. He had to remember that. "I'll help you to change your clothes, then I'll change myself and we can go, okay?" "Yes!", you nodded. You and Zen went to a shopping center and walked through the shop with a lot of presents. Zen spent quite a lot of money. ,,Zenny! Now we can go and buy a Christmas tree!“, you smiled. "Not too tall, okay Zenny?"  "Anything you want, my princess." You chuckled. He took your hand, he was afraid that you could stumble over one of the branches. You soon found the perfect tree. Two men helped Zen because they saw that you were pregnant and of course they couldn’t let Zen carry the tree on his own. While Zen paid, you were already in the car. "Ohwwww!" A pain traversed your abdomen. When Zen came back, you just pretended that everything was fine. You went home and arrived in time, the RFA just arrived  ,,Guys. Help me. Yoosung take the presents, Seven we the tree and you, Han... do whatever you want. '' ,,Hey ....’’ ''Come on, Mc, let's go inside. You look pale. Are you all right?“, Jaehee asked. She still had flashbacks about how you collapsed and how Zen sat by your side after hearing that there might be difficulties while giving birth. Everyone cried except Jumin. He just said: "Well then that's exactly what shouldn’t happen.'' That’s why he paid the pregnancy courses and registered you in a very good hospital. ,,Good. I just have back ache ... ''  Jaehee had read somewhere that back pains could be a sign for contractions. She was about to tell you but you already left. 

"What do you want to drink?" You asked with a smile.  "Ufff ....'', you gasped in the kitchen as none looked. You were in such a pain. Were that already the contractions?  But they were too early! You soon felt better and so you took a few glasses, water, a coce and a can of Dr Pepper on a tablet.  You sat down on the couche because you had to gasp for a while. You had such a difficulty to breath. You then remembered the thing the doctor told you. The kids could come earlier.  ,,Zen!" you called him calmly. Everyone was in the house now.  ,,Yes?" He asked back, trying to set the tree. "Mhhh.....'' "What are you thinking about, Mc? ", Yoosung asked you with a puzzled face.   "Oh, nothing. I just think I'm going in labor.'' Everyone looked at you and Zen was at your side in no time.   "Has your amniotic membrane burst?!"  "Not yet." you said quietly.  "Let’s go with Jumin's car to a hospital!" Seven shouted enthusiastically and jumped.  Zen helped you to get into to the car.  After half an hour later you started screaming, "Breathe! Don’t forget to breathe!“, Yoosung shouted.  The pain was gone and you realized how hard it was to breathe properly. "Everything will be fine, babe."

You got a VIP room and everything became a bit calmer. Jaehee and Zen were in the room with you and the other members were waiting outside. "Hee-huu-hee! AHHHHHH!“ you were screaming again, five hour passed and still, nothing was happening.  But now you had to cough violently "Heeeee!", you hit Zen with your little fists. "What's going on? Mc what’s wrong?! ", he asked worriedly but you couldn’t answer. You just hit him and gasped ,,Breath, Mc! ", Jaehee ordered who had noticed your problem.  You just shook your head and became red. Zen was scared. But he knew that you were the one who was scared the most. You cried and couldn’t still breath.  You couldn’t leave Zen alone. You wanted to meet your children.  You had to do it, but you couldn’t breathe.  ,,HELP! WE NEED HELP!’’  Zen shouted.  "We have to get in there!"  "We can’t! There is a lady into there, Yoosung!"  ,,It’s okay, Jumin! Yoosung let’s go!'' The guys heard your screams. When they entered the VIP room they noticed Jaehee pressing the help button non-stop.  "I'll get the doctors!", Jumin screamed and ran out.  Seven searched some relaxing melodies you loved.  ,,Zen! You have to stay calm otherwise she won’t calm down!’’, Yoosung yelled at Zen.  He already felt like a doctor and tried to help.  Your favorite melody came from Seven's computer and Zen took your hand and kissed it.  ,,You’re going to be a mother. You can’t panic now. You have to breathe properly. You have to think about you and your children now. So babe, breathe with me, Hehe-Huu.Hehe-Huu.'', Zen had the hope that, despite his trembling voice, he could calm you.  He appreciated Yoosung's words and realized that he was the man and had to protect his family.  No doctor in the world could help you except he and his friends. He was so thankful to the RFA. They helped you out and protected you. They were your family.

You finally managed to breathe normally. But you were still screaming like crazy. 

The doctors came in and send everyone except Zen out. "

It can start now. Please stand behind your wife. Is the tub good enough?"

,,GO TO HELL! WHO CARES ABOUT THAT?! AHHHHHH!!! HEHE-HUU, HEHE-HUU, HEHE-HUU'', you were somehow acting crazy and Zen was horrified. 

,,Good. Just push as hard as you can." The doctor ordered calmly and politely. He sounded nice and sympathetic. He probably had to go through this often. The midwife now stood between the doctor and next to you. She told you what to do „Push! Push, you can do it! ’’ you took all your strength and pushed. Zen didn’t know where you took all that power from. 

,,You’re great, Babe’’ Zen kissed the sweaty forehead of yours. That somehow gave you more strength and you pushed again. 

 ,,A boy! The first one is a boy!!’’, the nurse called and the doctor picked him up.  She cut the umbilical cord and brushed the little boy ,,Now the placenta, Mc!“ The midwife cried, and after a big push it was outside. The nurse handed Zen his son ,,A big brother, huh? Look, babe, you did it'' Zen was crying. You looked at your son. 

,,There are two more treasures coming." you told him while you touched your son's hand. You wanted to take him in your arms but the next woe came and you had to push. 

,,Wait! The umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck!'' The doctor shouted and everyone stopped tho breath. You and your first born baby began to cry ,,Whaaaa! Zen my baby! Zen my child!! Whaaaa baby don’t let us down! Do something! Save it DAMN!" Zen trembled and the nurse took the screaming child out of his arms. He was born at 8:55 pm and had brown hair. He looked like Zen. 

,,Now you can keep pushing!", You were a little bit weaker. ,,Zen ... I ... don’t want-anymore! I can’t do it!"  You started to cough. He took your face between his hands ,,You are going to be a mother. Think about your children."

,,A boy! It's a boy again! " It was already 8:59 pm. This baby had white hair but resembled you. You gasped. Everything was aching and you just wanted to sleep. 

,,Look babe! Only one more time and then you too can take them! Another baby and then we'll know if it's a him or a her! '' He was so happy and you forced yourself to push again. 

,,Good! Two more times!’’ You finally wanted hug your children. 

„A Girl! it's a girl!"At 9:00 pm, you had finally given birth to your last child. Zen cried and kissed you, his queen. He had a princess now, after all. Zen wanted to show you the children and to hug you, but he was sent out. The only thing he heard was ,,Quickly! She’s losing too much blood! She can’t breathe! We have to do something!" Zen stood there with his crying daughter in front of the door. The other two babies were still in the room with you. The RFA and his family noticed him. They looked happy and worried at the same time. 

,,A girl!" Zen's mother looked over his shoulder and cried. 

,,Don’t worry. Your mother won’t die. She can do it. She survived a shot. She managed to avoid a crazy hacke. She won’t die here.''

 'Mothers don’t die because of their children, but for them.‘

Your words echoed in his ears and he realized that he had no strength hold his daughter. His mother took the baby and looked at it. She looked so cute. She was blond for some reason. None was blond.

,,Haha, she looks like Mc’s mother. I saw a picture. A beautiful woman. The other two are ... boys ... one looks like me, the oldest one ... a-and the other one looks-like his ... ..mother ... .''Zen was now sitting on the floor and his brother was sitting next to him. Everyone listened to Zen. His father had his granddaughter in his arms so that his mother could comfort him ,,You're not like everyone else, are you? You have managed to become famous on your own. You saved her from a bomb, according to your friend. Now you have to stay strong. Don’t lose your hopes. Don’t do it for you but for the children.’’ Two nurses came with the boys and handled him the second boy ,,This one had a few problems. The umbilical cord was tied around his neck. But now he's here.’’ Yoosung took the first born boy and Zen’s mother paid attention that he did everything right. ,,What's their name?" Yoosung asked Zen. 

,,I don’t know yet. We had a few names that we liked. We'll see what mom says after she's okay, right?"Zen smiled at his daughter, who was lying in Seven's arms ,,I became an uncle !" he cried. Everyone giggled. Jumin took her in his arms. He had expected Zen to say something but he stayed quiet ,,Well, my girl? Not only your father is protecting you but also a rich idiot man, a LOLOL addicted vet and a hacker who will hack your phone in the future to see if you're chatting with boys.'' Everyone laughed at Zen’s speech ,,And there it is another uncle who will teach you everything you need to know and a grandpa who will tell you old stories. Besides, you have a wonderful grandma who will tell you everything about boys and an aunt who will always help you. But until then, you can walk around the flat with your mom as a princess and cuddle with me!’’

Zen’s tears came back.

,,And boys. Don’t dare to say that you want to have a cat. You can go to the rich idiot. If you want to do any bad jokes, go to Sven. And if you want, you can just annoy Yoosung" 

,,Hey!’’ Yoosung laughed at his comment ,,And don’t drive Jaehee crazy just because you will look much better than me. Or your grandma. And if I'm not at home, you have to protect your ... mom ...'' Zen still cried after he talked to his three children. He blushed a bit but this were just his real feelings. He couldn’t do anything about that.

,,Excuse me.’’ Everyone looked at the crying midwife ,,She...." Everyone was waiting. It was certainly a misunderstanding "...did it.“, the midwife finished her sentence. Three weeks later you were at home on the couch with Zen. While Zen carried his youngest daughter, you had your two boys in your arms. 

,,And, tell me, Mc. How is it to be a mother ?’’, The reporter asked you.  

,,The hardest job of my life. Zen is too sensitive."

,,Hey!" he acted as if he was hurt by your words.

,,Hahaha really? An example for the fans!'' 

,,Mhhhh…No male fan is allowed to take pictures of the children. He bought a bigger bed so we could sleep together in a bed...'' the reporter laughed as Zen blushed. After the Reporter went away, he came over to you after he brought the children to bed. He kissed you ,,I love you. Did I already say thank you?" 

,,Emm you say it every day…!’’

,,Hahah hey! I was so scared to lose you, Mc"

,,I know. When I woke up, you kissed me and sobbed in my chest and said we should marry immediately."Zen blushed ,,You are so special to me, Mc. I couldn’t live without you. Everyone always says that you only fall in love with someone once in a lifetime but I fall in love with you every time I look at you...’’ ,,Zen, you are my hero! I love you so much! Hug me!’’ 

THE END

[survivorfillory]

Lily’s Jury Question

Congrats to you both, but I’m not here for pleasantries. I’m here to get down to it. I’m currently undecided in my vote. I will take how you answer my questions very seriously.

Maynor- 1.  “I had overall good standing that i was given the CODE 4-0-6 for that advantage”

So you mean Colin and myself put in the work for you to get handed an idol, just so you could play that idol on dean and ensure Colin went home? You didn’t get an idol because of your “good standing”. You got an idol because myself and Colin trusted you. More of a statement but feel free to respond.

2. Just say I didn’t go out when I did and instead Nicole left. How would that have impacted the game? How long would I have lasted with you lying straight to my face?

3. Why did you take Jess to the end over Dani?

4. When you were deciding who would be at F2 with you, did you count how many votes you thought you would get at FTC? Did you expect to get mine with how you played the game?

5. You can respond to this if you choose but be careful. I guess I just thought we had more trust then what I’m realizing. I didn’t know you were essentially in a premade F3. I thought you were the kind of person who wanted to play hard and didn’t just rely on who they already knew. Good job getting control of dean and making it as far as you did. But saying that I was your second closest ally to Dani in my ROP didn’t leave me feeling good and def doesn’t earn my respect or vote.

Jess- 1. What move was most essential in your premerge game? Be specific. 2. What move was most essential in your merge game? Be specific. 3. I was shocked and disappointed that you decided to not participate in one of the final challenges in the game. I have a tough time voting for someone who doesn’t really compete to their best ability. How am I supposed to vote for you when less effort was put forth in challenges?

BONUS QUESTION CAUSE WHY NOT: This season had some of the most dramatic twists yet all the jurors were bored and most anticipated the ending as it occurred. What could you have done differently to make this season more exciting/unpredictable?

Thanks for taking the time to respond to all my questions and I’m interested to see who takes the win. Byeeeeee

Hey Lily! Let’s get down to business!

1. So pre-merge for myself was not a walk in a park at all. The most essential move I made has a couple of layers to it and is technically two essential moves so I hope you don’t mind!

So, in order to explain this move, I have to provide you with a little backstory. Keaton was someone who I mistakenly trusted with a little too much info early on. Because of that, I had to clean up the mess Keaton caused between myself, Nicole, and Dennis. In order to do this, I used the Julia vote to gain back trust or at least to appear less threatening with my “numbers”. Although, Julia was someone who I was working with at the time on BOTH of my tribes, I knew I had to sacrifice her in order to further myself in the game after Hurricane Kwaton struck for both Dennis/Nicole to at least entertain the thought of me not wanting to murder them for a round... I was one of two swing votes that round.

Speaking of Keaton, the second essential move to this all way laying down the ground work to Keaton’s demise. I know I can’t 100% claim this move on my own because I had no vote in the say. HOWEVER, I believe I got the ball rolling and provided the framework on getting out someone who wasn’t good for my game. I did so by using the One World twist to branch out to your tribe. I exposed Keaton’s plan to take out Dean to Dean, (That’s 1 number), I let both Dani and Maynor (2 and 3) know Keaton was not to be trusted, that he was throwing out info/challenges, and that he gave me the FAMOUS Kelley Wentworth answer... WHICH I told my tribe just for added measures so it'd leak into yours possibly.

2. I’ve never been much of a “Flashy” player so a lot of my essential moves occurred more subtly because I didn’t draw too much attention to myself.

However, the most PIVOTAL move I believe I made in the game was creating the “Narwhals” (yes that was the real name, yes I know it’s lame) alliance.  I initiated it, gathered everyone together, and I do believe it was my social game and my individual relationships to each member of it (Maynor, Dani, Dean) which was the glue that kept us together for as long as it did. This alliance allowed me to do so many different things in this game such as take out big targets while remaining one myself, play the middle, and have 3 people willing to take me to the end despite being a threat and in a “duo” (That's kind of a move on it's on..). Additionally, my threat level was something that was talked about throughout the season and seen in "Touchy Subjects" where I was labelled: “Who do you trust the most”, “who do you talk to the most”, and most IMPORTANTLY “Who would you like to win this game”.

3. I understand your disappointment, I was also incredibly disappointed in myself for not getting the challenge done. I tried my hardest and did the challenge for over 3 hours (yikes) and I knew at that point someone or everyone would have beaten me. Rather than spend any more time doing the challenge, I decided it’d be best to get right to work ensuring I wasn’t going to be targeted at tribal. I also believed I could potentially use this to my advantage to decrease my “competition threat” target that had been a focal point of the arguments prior to tribal the day before. However, there are no excuses for giving up and my decision to not complete the puzzle was not taken lightly and I’m still disappointed to this day about it. Additionally, I gave my all in every challenge in this game and I hope that was reflected in the 3 immunities I won, and the two I came close in.

BONUS QUESTION CAUSE WHY NOT:

For my own personal game, I wouldn’t have changed a thing (as boring as that sounds) because every move I personally made was essential to my success and my path to getting to the end.

However, IF I had to do something different to spice things up, I think I would have flipped my vote onto Dani. That way I wouldn’t have been seen in a “duo” anymore, and the power probably would have shifted because Dean would have also jumped ship and it would have been less predictable. It would have been a m-e-s-s but it'd at least be less predictable!

Hope I answered your questions okay!

Lily-

1. I didnt say it right but yeah. Meant to say that i was able to make strong bonds with people which got me trust which helped with the code. Because if we didnt have that bond you guys wouldnt have given it to me. (The vote was for nicole to go when the idol was played. Not Colin.)

2. If you have said, i would have stuck with you and colin because I did want to play the game with you guys. Every word i said about us going to the end was true. It would have been hard to vote Dani and Jess out but would have because i meant it. But u cant say i was the only lying to you. You also lied to me by telling Dennis about the real clownies alliance without telling me. We both were playing our own games and we both had relationships with people in the game that we felt could help us. You cant get mad at me for trying to keep those connections in good standing cuz you were doing the same. Im not the only one who lied.

3. In the end of my thought process i felt me and Jess played similair games that the jury could go either way. Is it a risk yeah for sure. That was one part of my thought but also i spent the whole game with them that i decided to talk to both and Dani decided to sacrifice her game so Jess n I could be in f2. (She did it for other reasons but doesnt have to do with this game). I respect Dani a lot that I honared her wish. 

4. To be honest. No. I was just more genuinely happy that I made it to the end of the game for a theme that I really loved. This is only my 3rd time being here and I have learned that you should never expect to have anyone vote to win. Would I like to receive your vote? Yes 100% but it’s your vote and your decision which in the end I would ultimitly have to respect. 

5. I dont know if saying anything would help you believe me or not. It’s always going to come down if you believe what im saying and its just not something im just saying to get your vote. I trusted you a lot. The phrasing in rop wasnt how i felt. It was crazy how much I trusted you in the game. I know it sounds fake but im being truthful that i had equal trust to u colin dani n jess. I kept having the idol from them until I used it to save Dean. Indid that because i was also lyoal to you guys and it was our idol. Yeah its true that me Jess and Dani were working together. There was the idea of us being f3 in the beginning but it was just more of it would be really awesome if we could do it. The thing that made us solidify truly was when we felt Dennis and Nicole were coming for us 

5. I didnt mean to disrespect you in the rop if I did I truly didnt mean it. Im sorry of I did. Once again its your vote and Ill respect whichever way you vote.

6. For everyone to be in the same time zone. There were people who were from outside the us which affect the time they were on. The time zones also have an affect with activeness. People being busy with their real lifes and not being really allowed to be much on. Having more convo and people being in the main chat would have made the season more exciting.