#like hello? that's Loudspeaker right there

[scarlet-bee]

[Plain text:

In the heart of the siege, even bread has become a dream. [bread emoji] [broken heart emoji]

[Video description: Two girls outside, sitting in front of a blue tarp. The girl on the left speaks to the camera in Arabic, with English subtitles. She says:

[Waves] "Hello." [She places her hand on her chest, then gestures to the girl next to her.] "My name is Iman and this is my sister Tulin. We in northern Gaza. But we live in famine." [She shakes her head] "We have no food. I hope you help us and donate to us I"

End video description.]

In Gaza,hunger is no longer just a feeling; it has become a constant companion, a heavy shadow that follows us at every moment. [dove emoji]

My family of 6 has been worn down by the merciless hunger, and searching for our daily sustenance has become a daily battle. Yesterday, desperation and need drove me to go out in search of a loaf of bread.

• Screams mixed with fear [loudspeaker emoji] [worried face emoji].

• Eyes burdened with pain [pleading face emoji] [broken heart emoji]

. Every step was a struggle against a tide of hunger and humiliation [dashing away emoji] [tornado emoji].

And in the end?

Help me bring daily food and save my innocent children from being deprived of food .

[ID: Iman and Tulin, inside a house. They are smiling at the camera, and holding plastic star shapes, which are lit up by yellow lights inside of them. The girl on the right is holding her star up to her face, looking through the star-shaped hole in it. Yellow string lights are hung up behind the girls. End ID.]

Help us by donating or sharing to save children and families from real famine.

(User cantsayidont):

Mohammed and Mona's vetted campaign is still frozen. As of 04:30 GMT on 22 December 2024, they are up to €9,481 / €30,000, but the campaign can't accept new donations now.

It doesn't look like @mohammedshehabtt or @monashehab3 has posted recently, so I don't know what their situation is now.

End plain text.]

In the heart of the siege, even bread has become a dream. 🍞💔

In Gaza,hunger is no longer just a feeling; it has become a constant companion, a heavy shadow that follows us at every moment.🕊️

My family of 6 has been worn down by the merciless hunger, and searching for our daily sustenance has become a daily battle. Yesterday, desperation and need drove me to go out in search of a loaf of bread. • Screams mixed with fear 📢😟. • Eyes burdened with pain 🥺💔 . Every step was a struggle against a tide of hunger and humiliation 💨🌪️. And in the end?

Help me bring daily food and save my innocent children from being deprived of food .

Help us by donating or sharing to save children and families from real famine.

[black-and-yellow]

[onakomiyaki]

Max is way too excited when he return to his motorhome, body still sticky with champangne, RedBull, rains and sweats. His race suit is tied nicely around his waist and his fire proof (that turn kinda seer from how wet he is) hugs his body perfectly.

Max had left everybody out, including Jos and Kelly and her family. He excuse himself and said that he need to call his mother and Victoria, which of course they can't argue with. Jos raised his eyebrow at him, but not questioning him, instead he was nodding his head and return his convo with Helmut Marko. And Kelly? Well, Kelly is Kelly. She insisted to join the call but Max said its his and his family time and that Kelly should go celebrate his win with her family. If Kelly was hurt by that comment, she doesn't show it. She just smile and return to Redbull crew and celebrating like he told her to do.

Upon arriving at his motorhome, Max start shedding his race suit, leaving him in his boxer short and his fireproof. He held his phone with his left hand as he sank down to the sofa. Max spread his arm as he rest his head on it, facing the ceiling of the motorhome as he enjoy the silence hugging him comfortably.

He close his eyes, finally letting his mask down and cried softly.

He won. In Brazil. From P17.

Max knew that if his father saw him sobbing like a kid he would scold him. Its not champion-like of him to show any vulnerable emotion. But he can't help it. Because he is not strong, not as strong as people think. He, infact, got very sensitive heart.

There is a whirr from the exhaust fan of the motorhome and some static noises from the mini fridge. The motorhome is not 100 percent sound proof, so he can still faintly hear the bustling commotion outside. Probably Alpine duo getting swarmed by the media, and Max is glad that he run away after finishing his media duty.

Max sigh a little as he change his position. He is now leaning down, elbows sat on his thigh as he open his phone. He removed all the media notification, swiping it left and right.

RedBull Racing Team post, swipe.

Team Redline post, swipe.

ESPN, swipe.

F1 Official, swipe.

Daniel Ricciardo, swi-

Max's thumb stopped, frozen in place as he saw Daniel's name. He sucked in some air that decided to left his lungs and clicked the message icon.

Daniel Ricciardo 5.52 p.m

Congratulations, Maxy! Amazing drive mate.

🥂

He hesitantly move his thumb to the calling button, letting his thumb hover on top of it. Max bite his lower lip before finally pressing it. He turn on the loudspeaker mode as he wait for the calls to connect.

He never knew that waiting a call to be connected can feel like eternity.

And when the call finally connect, Max eyes widen at the sight of time finally counting up.

"Hello? Daniel?"

"Hiya, Maxy. Congratulations mate! I didn't watch the race but I saw the post and immediately went and saw the reply. You're such a beast!"

"Ah, thank you, Daniel. It was a hard race. We fought well against McLaren and Ferrari today."

"No no no, YOU fought well against McLaren and Ferrari. And Alpine as well, shocker!"

Max let out a laugh as the person on the other end laughing at his own word. Indeed one thing Max wasn't expected is his fight with Esteban in Alpine. RB20 against A524 sounds like a good joke.

"We're fighting against Alpine now." Max whisper.

"Kinda tragic isn't it?"

"Yeah it does."

Daniel doesn't say anything and Max also went silent. Max can hear the rain out side, the water hitting his motorhome roof. The rain picking up again, he thought. Max also can hear the faint bustling background noises from Daniel's side. He knew Daniel went to watch Bills game, and from what he heard, Bills won the game as well.

"I wish you were here to celebrate with me, Daniel." He broke the silence.

Daniel doesn't answer, but Max can hear his soft chuckles. Max like to imagine that Daniel's chest would vibrate when he let out a chuckle like that. Max would love to feel that vibration on his palm. Max would love to feel Daniel close to him, a lot.

"Me too, Maxy."

"I miss you a lot, Daniel. I miss you. I miss us. I don't want this without you. Come back, please."

Max let out a choked sobs as he break down once again, holding his phone with two hands now as tears streaming down his face. Max closed his eyes as his shoulder tremble. All hell break loose.

"I'm tired of doing this alone.. I want to be with you, in America. Watching Bills, riding dirt bikes, go to parties. I want that. With you."

Max cried out, sobbing violently as the emotions finally caught up to him. The fact that he had to fight alone on the front with Alpine and his teammate is struggling with their sister team had taken a toll on him. This is so unfair for him. He deserve more than this. He deserve Daniel as his teammate.

"I'm tired Daniel.."

Daniel inhale sharply, sniffling a little. Max can hear the background noises slowly disappear. Daniel probably moved somewhere more privatelym

"I know baby, must be tiring. I tell you what, you can go to my farm on the break. We can enjoy some barbeque and talk about it, yeah?"

"Yeah?"

"Of course Maxy. For you."

Max nod his head, not aware that Daniel can't see anything. But he did it anyway.

"I would love to visit your farm, Daniel."

"Of course you do, you always want to visit my farm."

Max let out a chuckle at his comment. He can imagine Daniel's cheesy smile when he said that and that make Max happy. Much happier than few minutes ago. There is another silence between them when Max don't know what to talk again on the phone. He never like phone calls, he prefer talking in person because somehow the topics flowing in naturally when he talk in person. Or maybe because it is Daniel on the other side.

"Well, its settled. You and me, in my farm. Enjoying sunset and beers, riding dirtbikes around. Its a date then."

"You're an idiot."

"Oh but you love it, Maxy."

Max feel something flipped inside his stomach when Daniel change his tone. He can feel his body temperature rising and he close his thighs together involuntary.

"Well then Maxy, I will leave you to celebrate your win while I'm celebrating here."

"Okay Daniel. And thank you for the congratulation message."

"Anytime sweetcheeks. See you around."

The call ends and Max had to compose himself for a second. His phone vibrate, indicating a new message on his phone. He open his phone open and see another message from Daniel.

Daniel Ricciardo 6.24 p.m

You're not alone, Maxy. I will be here for you.

🦋💙

Max smile at the message.

I'm not alone after all.

[dreamingofep]

Sinned Awakening pt. 22 🩸

An AU Elvis fic

(Vampire!Elvis/Vampire Austin! Elvis × reader)

Character/Fandom: Elvis - Elvis (2022)

Prompt: Getting promoted to be Elvis full time housekeeper, you realize the man holds secrets beyond beliet and your undeniable attraction makes you tear the unknown. [Fem!Reader]

TW: Cussing, teasing, mentions of blood/gore!!!

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 3.6k

A/N: Hello everyone happy Sunday! I’m having a lot of fun writing about not one, but two vampires now�� Reader is a really challenging vampire so Elvis has his hands full with you🤭 Hope you like this little part. More to come shortly! Please comment, message, and reblog if you feel so inclined

A reminder, this is Vampire!Elvis so there is going to be mentions of blood/gore from here on out. If that's not your thing, sorry but it's needed for the story.

If you'd like to start from the beginning, start here or Ao3 I hope you enjoy and message and comment what you think.

One.

We’re one.

That word left you breathless and never thought it would be completely true. He made you his and you did the same. You feel like you’re on a cloud, floating aimlessly around him and this new world you had to discover. You continue to study every detail of him, some that you’ve never realized he had before. Like the way his sideburns curl at the ends by his ears. Or how his eyebrows had this fluffiness to them and perfectly framed his eyes. And the way his neck has this perfectly carved musculature to it that makes you want to lick all the way up to the part of his neck you bit before.

The feeling of his touch zaps you back to reality and you look back into his eyes. You’re still taken aback by the beautiful golden sparkling eyes that look back into yours. 

“How do you feel baby?” He coos. 

You had to pause and think about it. You weren’t accustomed to any of this and weren’t exactly sure what you should be feeling. 

“I think I’m okay, everything feels a little different but I feel perfectly fine so far,” you smile. 

“I know honey, you’ll need some getting used to it all but it���s okay. I’ll help you through it all,” he assures. 

Your thumb rubs against his smooth, flawless face. “How long was I….sleeping? I don’t know exactly what the right word is,” You ask. 

“Eight days. I-I-I don’t know why…I’ve never been so scared. I thought I did something wrong.” His voice trembles, pulling you tighter in his arms. 

You could feel this impending dread and anxiety in the pit of your stomach and consumed every ounce of your energy. But it wasn’t coming from you, you weren’t feeling like that at all. It was like being fed to you and amplified by a loudspeaker. 

You take a step back and look at him bewildered.

“What the hell was that?” You ask in shock.

“What was what?” He looks at you concerned.

“That feeling of impending doom, but I wasn’t the one creating that feeling. It was almost like it was being shown to me or something,” you stutter.

He puts his hands on your arms to calm you and he gives a small smirk at you.

“I think that’s just our bond. Our senses are heightened and attuned to one another more than ever now that we’re bonded. Remember how I told you I could feel your pain when Raphael took you? In some way, that was a small preview of what would happen to us after we were one. I didn’t know it would feel that intense to you I’m sorry about that,” he says sheepishly.

“No it’s okay, you don’t need to be sorry. It was just unexpected to feel an emotion that isn’t my own, you know?” You try to articulate.

“I get it, honey. I honestly am still trying to find more answers about what our new abilities hold,” he explains.

This was a world that even Elvis wasn’t accustomed to and that was a bit frightening. There was so much to discover.

“So you have no idea why I didn’t change right away?” You ask, rubbing circles with your thumb on his forearm, his skin feeling obsessional. The way it’s so soft and melted into yours without trying. You wanted to feel so much more of it. Starting with his back under this silk shirt he had on or feel those soft little hairs on his chest you loved so much. 

Jesus focus.

“No, I haven’t yet. None of the legends go into the details of what Chosen mates go through because they are so rare. God, I was so scared, I had no idea what had gone wrong or if this was completely normal.”

“I’m so sorry you had to deal with that alone honey. I can’t believe I changed like this.”

“I know, you changed very slowly. First, with your heart slowing to an immortal pace. It was strange, it didn’t have that normal symphonic sound that I was used to hearing so much. Then your scars on your body healed and started to be covered by this beautiful glowing skin,” he says dreamily, dragging his finger ever so slowly down your neck and along the top of your breast. Your body can’t help but arch into that touch that leaves your skin aflame. He takes a deep breath and recomposes himself.

“Then you were very still, with no signs that you’d be waking up from this hibernation any time soon. I was like a caged animal, pacing the room all day and night worried sick I somehow did something terribly wrong to you. I called some friends, vampires, if they had heard about anything like this happening when the change was occurring and every answer I got was the same. They’d never heard anything like this and didn’t know a bonded mate existed anymore. ”

“On the fourth day, I looked at myself in the mirror, ready to be faced by the monster who ruined his Chosen mate and isn’t waking up for whatever reason. For the last fourteen years, I have been used to staring at the red, glowing, soulless eyes that I have been cursed with for quite some time now. I was shocked by every fiber of my being when I saw these glowing youthful eyes stare back at me instead. I was in shock and didn’t know what was happening to me.”

“Sometimes, I tried to wake you, calling your name and have you open your eyes for me, but to my disappointment, you never did. But I could hear your heart flutter at the sound of my voice so I’d talk to you, coaxing you through this all hoping you’d wake up faster. It gave me hope that you were still in there and just needed the time to change. I’d caress your face, feeling how perfect your face felt in my hand.”

As he’s explaining this all, you feel the worry come off of him and it hits you like a tornado. You try to brace yourself for such emotions coming your way but it's almost impossible.

“And the strangest thing happened a few days after that…” he mumbles.

“What do you mean?” You prod.

You chuckle a bit before starting to speak again, “Well, I was changing, physically. I don’t know why but, I was changing into my twenty-four-year-old self without me even thinking about it. It just came so naturally to me because well, that is what I look like under all this in reality. But I’ve always controlled how I look, it doesn’t just get out of hand and I hardly need to think about staying that physical appearance.”

“So I was walking around here worried sick about you, trying to alter my appearance again so you wouldn’t be so startled when you woke up and not be able to recognize me from the last time you saw me,” he chuckles.

“Oh honey, that’s so strange… I really wonder why that is. But I wouldn’t have minded waking up to you like that. Nevertheless handsome, I could never forget this perfect face,” you quip.

He slyly smirks, “thanks little darlin’,” he says low, his eyes staring at your pink lips. He makes a small grumble in his chest as wraps his arms around you once more. “We’ll get some answers soon, let me just hold you.”

His warmth engulfs you and this sense of comfort and longing fills the pit of your stomach. You sigh into him, savoring every last feeling he’s giving you. 

“You’re so warm,” you sigh into his chest. He hums delighted, squeezing you tighter before looking down at you.

“We’re the same body temperature now,” he murmurs.

“Oh… I didn’t even think of that,” you say embarrassed. “How do I feel? Any different than the last?” You ask cheekily.

“Hmm… I haven’t gotten to touch ya, let me see,” he coos.

He carefully unties the robe and slips his hands along the curve of your back. You let out a stifled breath and look up at him longingly. His hands travel down further til he fills his hands with your ass and squeezes it firmly. You claw at his biceps and you can’t help but want more from his talented hands. You feel all this desire come flowing out of him and barreling toward you. You feel like it's suffocating you and yet you can’t get enough of it. His hands move back up your back and squeeze at your hips, pulling you closer to him.

“You feel more perfect than ever,” he says as he stares at your breasts. He drags one of his hands up your torso til he can cup your breast and roll your nipple in between his fingers. A spark of electricity runs through you and you moan. You press your face into the crook of his neck and groan in agony. That delicious-smelling scent fills your head once again and makes you feel intoxicated. You groan heavily as you look at him, “what’s that smell?” You ask.

He places his hand back on your hip and throws you a confused look.

“Your senses are overwhelmed right now honey, it could be a number of things. What does it smell like to you baby?” He asks.

“It’s warm and sweet, almost like honey. But savory and delectable, like I can just take a bite out of it and be pleased beyond my wildest dreams,” you try to explain. He tries to hide his pompous smirk but you catch it anyway.

“What? What is that look for?” You press.

“Umm well darlin’, I think that’s me you’re smelling. That’s how you smell to me at least, all sweet and decadent. Like I could feed from that heavenly nectar and feel alive again,” he says low and sultry. 

God yes, he makes you feel just like that without even trying. He runs a finger down your neck again and you see how much he wants you.

It’s not only him you’re attracted to, it’s the scent of his blood drawing you to him, this invisible bond attached to the lust for blood coursing through your veins. It all makes you feel for Elvis when you two first met. How he explained to you he thought you were beautiful and the scent of you only put him over the edge of wanting you. That’s how you felt at this moment. You already loved this man so much but now, what you would give for a taste of him. In a flash, this immense wave of hunger consumed you and you looked up at him frightened, unsure of what to do. Your throat started to burn and your mouth watered by just the mere idea of blood.

Especially Elvis’.

Your memory was very murky when you tried to remember how he tasted when you bit him to complete the change. You remember it not tasting very good at first, then it turned into something delicious. 

“Oh baby, it’s okay, calm down. Let's get you something to drink alright?” He assures you, closing your robe up again, and ties it shut. He takes your hand to lead you downstairs to the kitchen but you stop him in his tracks by pulling slightly on his arm. You were a little shocked so little force actually stopped him. It was going to take some time to realize you’re just as strong as Elvis now. He looks at you a little surprised too and tries to lure you further out of the room by taking a few steps away.

“I want yours, right now,” you command, barely recognizing your voice right now with how demanding you sound. He lets out an intrigued grumble and feel him like that idea very much.

“Not right now honey, you have zero control and I’m almost sure you’d try to suck me dry,” he quips smartly. “For the first time, I’m the one with the great control, and not you. We have blood in the kitchen, come on honey,” he coaxes.

Your blood boiled not getting your way. It was very irrational, yes, but this new lust for blood made you feel very differently than you ever have. Your throat continued to burn and you huffed at Elvis and reluctantly followed him down to the kitchen. There was no one here and you could hear the waves crash on the shore from below. The wind whirled through the palm tree leaves and you could hear people playing on the shore of the beach.

He lets go of your hand and goes to the refrigerator. The middle shelf was stacked with blood bags and Elvis grabbed one off the top. Something about the notion of drinking blood this way for the first time made you feel queasy. Maybe the human part of you was still inside of you holding on for dear life. 

You look up at Elvis with the bag in his hand and going to grab a glass out of the cabinet. 

“Okay, baby we can do this one of two ways. Either I can pour this in a glass for you or, you can learn how to use your fangs. Which one do you prefer?” He taunts. 

Your fangs. 

Oh my God, how could you have forgotten you have fangs now? You couldn’t even begin to comprehend how to use them or even get them to descend. 

“Teach me how to use my fangs,” you say promptly. 

“Hmm, good girl,” he praises, “okay come here,” he says leading you to the table. He takes a seat on one of the chairs and has you stand in front of him. 

“You need to focus on your fangs and your fangs alone. Everyone is a little different but visualize them, picture your teeth becoming sharp and strong. Let that hunger you have drive them out,” he explains. 

You swallow and feel the thirst in your throat grow greater. You huff slightly in frustration and try to focus like he’s saying. You’ve never actually seen your fangs so it’s hard for you to visualize what they might look like. But you can only assume they look like Elvis’, long and sharp. 

You look at the blood bag in his hand and try to imagine how it’ll taste when you finally taste that blood. Your mouth waters just thinking about it and you think that’s a good sign your body is responding to it in a good way. 

“Breathe in through your nose, smell it. That helps a lot,” he says. 

You do just that and take a deep breath, trying to get the scent of the blood in your nose and get your newfound senses to work. You lick your lips and take more deep breaths, trying to pick up the scent. 

Warm and rich honey swirls in your head and you know what that smell is. 

You look up at him with hunger-filled eyes, grab onto his wrist, and try to pull him in but he anticipates the move. 

“I just smell you. Baby I want you,” you plead, every breath creating more hunger inside you. 

He smirks at you amused and shakes his head at you. 

“I know you do, but you don’t get to have mine just yet. You need to learn how to focus and use your senses properly,” he says smugly. 

You groan in protest, hating you're not getting your way. 

“Please, please let me honey. I’m starving,” you continue to plead. He presses his lips together to stop the laugh about to come out. 

“Is this how I sounded to you? So needy and hungry all the time? I’m so sorry darling to put you through that when you were human, that must have been awful to hear all the time,” he winks. 

“You fucking little tease,” you grumble, swallowing back the pain in your throat. 

“Oh come now honey, I’m just trying to help you. You need to focus or you’ll never get to drink my blood,” he pesters. 

You grumble, so annoyed with him and how he’s not letting you do what you want. You try to refocus on the bag and make your entire senses focus on what’s in there. You huff and groan at your thirst and take a deep breath in, closing your eyes to try and get your mind to focus on the bag. 

A delicious little whiff hits your nose that smells completely different from Elvis and you pop your eyes back to him. 

“I smell it,” you say hurriedly. 

“Good, now keep taking deep breaths and let your fangs descend. You can do it, honey,” he coaxes. 

You hiss as the burning in your throat worsens and the smell of the blood overwhelms you. You feel no change happening in your mouth and you’re beginning to get extremely frustrated. You were so hungry and this wasn’t easy like you thought. 

“Goddamn it this is impossible. I can’t do this. Just cut open the bag,” you growl at him.

Elvis lets out a small chuckle and sees how frustrated you’ve become. 

“Okay baby, seems like I need to give you a little more motivation hmm?” He smiles and brings his other wrist to his mouth. 

You watch as he nips at his skin and the whiff of his delectable scent consumes you and makes your eyes roll back. You watch as his blood slides down his arm in a small pebble. 

“Fucking hell are you kidding me?! You fucking tease! Please honey, please let me,” you beg, about to grab his wrist but he’s much quicker than you and pulls it away from you in time. You hate his crass behavior and growl, baring your teeth at him in anger. His mouth forms into a pleased smile watching you. 

“There’s my girl,” he whispers. Your brows furrow and don’t understand what he’s saying and are about to snap at him but your tongue grazes along your teeth. There you feel your razor-sharp fangs bared and ready to bite. You can’t help but be a little surprised by the feeling of them and look back at Elvis, then back to his arm. 

“Focus,” he snaps. “Focus on the bag,” he adds. 

You groan and shoot your eyes back at the bag in his hand and try your best to avoid looking at his blood rolling down his arm. 

You grab his hand with the bag in it and bring it closer to your face and can pinpoint the smell again. 

“Gently, take a bite on the bag. Not too harsh or you’ll make the bag burst open. I don’t want you to spill a drop,” he teases.  

You glare at him before looking back down and gently biting the bag. Your fangs are so sharp it didn’t take much pressure to make holes in it and the crimson fluid hit your tongue. You swallow it quickly and feel that burning in your throat reside slowly. It tasted good, not at all the same delectable smell Elvis had, but it would do. You start to squeeze the bag to let the blood flow quicker in your mouth and fill this hunger inside you. You can feel some of it dribble out of your mouth and onto your chin.

Shit. He’s not going to like that. 

But you were too hungry to care about the mess you’d make. You suck the last few drops out of the bag and do feel much better. Your throat wasn’t on fire anymore and you didn’t have this unquenchable thirst. But lord, Elvis’ blood still called out to you menacingly. 

You carefully take your teeth off the bag and look up at Elvis to see if he’d give you some of his. 

“How do you feel baby?” He asks quietly.  

“Better,” you say breathlessly, still eyeing his wrist. He looks down at his wrist too and looks back up at you with a glint of mischief in his eye. 

“Oh, you think you can have some of this now? Well, you didn’t exactly listen to my instructions,” he quips, motioning to your mouth and your chest. 

You look down and see you spilled more than you thought you did. You see a stream of it running down your chest and in between your breasts. 

You let out a frustrated sigh, “you’re no fun to make deals with!” You snap. 

“Too bad. You’ll learn to not make a mess eventually,” he teases, “as far as this mess, I’ll clean this up,” he says slowly. 

He pulls you in by your hips and makes you stand in between his legs. You hiss at his forceful touch, on absolute edge right now with his bleeding arm. He opens your robe slightly and looks up at you with a big grin on his face. In one long swipe, he licks the dribbling blood from your breasts to your chin. His tongue ignites something dangerous inside you and you groan in agony as every part of you feels hyper-sensitive. Your heart pounded away as he did this and made it all feel more erotic than he might have intended. You thought you liked his tongue before but nothing compares to how it feels now. You want so much more of him and it makes you feel insatiable.

He reaches your mouth and puts the most delicate kiss on your lips. You want to collapse in his arms as he grabs onto your hips tighter. You softly tug at his hair, moaning into his mouth, “more,” you whimper. 

He pulls away, “Still such a bad, bad girl. I don’t know how I’m going to handle all this newfound neediness,” he taunts. 

“Oh I’m sure you have a fucking list of things of how you’ll manage it,” you say annoyed, rolling your eyes at him. 

He chuckles softly, “Mhmm, you know me so well.”

•

•

•

Tagging: @powerofelvis @burninlovebutler

@neptuneismysister @velvetelvis @ccab @presleyenterprise @loving-elvis @theresalwaysep

@prompted-wordsmith@sillybookmarks @dkayfixates @ellie-24 @rktismylife-blog.@myradiaz@tacozebra051

@thatbanditqueen

@18|kpeters @flwrs4aust @emma181873

@austinswhitewolf@eliseinmemphis

@everythingelvispresley @chasingwildflowers @idontwanttoputanything@ohjustpeachy

@elvisalltheway101@austinsmutler@kingdomforapony.

@generoustreemystic @claire-elvisgirl

@ashtag6887 @burnthheparaphilia @richardslady121

@jaqueline19997

@returntopresley. @iloveelvis @rjmartin11@that-hotdog @louisejoy86 @misspresley @cattcb @annapresley8

@arrolyn1114@raginginkedslut@epthedream69

@mh777ep1938@50sexyshadesfashionista

@oldhOllywOod @hooked-on-elvis @livelovedilfs

[niki-phoria]

hello! i would like to ask whether you can write OT5 txt reaction to you attending their concert (separate story for each member) , while being an idol yourself! preferably its already an established relationship with them, and you’re a ‘hyung’ (he/him) to them ! tysm!!

-💚 anon

⋆｡°✩ txt reaction - their idol bf going to their concert

includes: older male reader (use of hyung), established relationship, tried my best to make these as different as possible while also keeping it an idol au, reactions are so hard to write but they're also usually my favs idk

a/n: thank you for requesting !! i hope you like it :))

male idol reader (he/him pronouns used)

requests open !! read my rules first

ENHYPEN VER

⋆｡°✩ soobin

(word count 375)

you find yourself brightly smiling up at the stage as the lights slowly come up once again to fully illuminate the boy’s. your eyes immediately find soobin as he stands near the edge of the stage, excitedly waving to moas in the crowd. his faux blonde locks frame his face perfectly. 

soobin turns on his heel after a few seconds to join the other boy’s in the center of the stage. the camera focuses on kai as they quickly do their group greeting and bow to the crowd before it switches to taehyun as he begins talking. 

“thank you all so much for coming today,” he smiles. “we are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to perform for you all.” 

you can see him glance down into the crowd at you with a quick nod before yeonjun begins speaking. “actually, before we continue on, we have a surprise for soobin.” 

you stifle a chuckle as your boyfriend perks up at the mention of his name. he turns to face yeonjun with a questioning glance. “me?” 

the cheers of the audience around you grow louder as the camera switches once again, this time showing you on the big screen. yeonjun simply nods before pointing behind him. your smile grows as you watch soobin slowly take in the sight before him. his eyes widen as he turns back to the crowd; this time he catches you almost immediately. 

“hyung?” you bring a hand up to wave, accidentally spurring the audience on even more. soobin’s cheeks flush a light pink as he smiles down at you. “hi jagi.” unable to answer him verbally, you raise your hands together to form a hand heart. soobin’s laugh plays through the loudspeakers before he replicates the action in your direction. 

“thank you for coming tonight,” he smiles. “i’ll see you backstage.” you dramatically blow a kiss up in his direction as kai chuckles. soobin repeats the action back to you before beomgyu interrupts. 

“stop being so cute,” he playfully whines. “we have a concert to finish.” 

despite his complaints, soobin winks down at you before fully turning his attention back to the crowd, though you don’t miss his occasional glances and smiles in your direction for the rest of the night.

⋆｡°✩ yeonjun

(word count 384)

you adjust the black mask concealing most of your face as you follow the crowd to your seat. the venue is a large building; rows of seats stretch as far as you can see, wrapping around a center stage in the middle. you tug the sleeves of yeonjun’s hoodie further over your hands as you play with the fabric to pass the time. 

“y/n?” the timid voice of a young girl next to you catches your attention. you turn to face her, smiling a little when she nervously steps closer. “my seat is right next to yours,” she murmurs. after a few moments of silence, she looks up at you. “are you here for yeonjun-oppa?” 

you nod. “it’s a surprise.” you kneel down to whisper to her when the boy’s walk onto the stage for the soundcheck. “can you keep the secret?” 

her smile grows when you step back. she nods eagerly before holding her hand out for a pinky promise. you link your fingers together momentarily before turning your attention to yeonjun. he’s wearing one of your hoodies and a pair of jeans. messy locks frame his face as he brings the mic up to his lips to sing his part of the chorus. 

kai is the first person to notice you. he smiles brightly, discreetly waving down at you. the girl next to you excitedly glances between you and kai. 

your eyes drift back to yeonjun as you patiently wait for him to see you. he wanders around the stage, waving down at the audience and effortlessly singing his lines of each song. his deep voice plays clearly over the loudspeakers. 

after a few minutes, yeonjun walks over to the right side of the stage where you’re standing. you watch as his eyes meet yours momentarily before he freezes. kai laughs as you smile brightly at him, tugging your mask down. 

“hyung!” you step closer to the barricade as he jumps down off of the stage to meet you. yeonjun doesn’t waste any time in wrapping his arms around you, nearly tackling you into a tight hug. you laugh as he clings to you, only pulling away enough to brush your hand against his cheek. 

“surprise,” you whisper. yeonjun’s smile grows before he reaches forwards, pulling you into a sweet kiss.

⋆｡°✩ beomgyu

(word count 311)

the cheers of the audience only grow louder as you trace the familiar hallways leading from backstage towards the main stage of the venue hall. you tug the sleeves of your jacket down further over your hands as you push open the doors where the audience is seated. 

it’s easy enough to slip past them towards the front of the barricade where you can fully see the stage. the big screens flash with a familiar opening sequence announcing the next group set to perform - tomorrow by together. 

your smile grows as the cheers from the audience become louder when the lights dim. the venue is illuminated by the glow from thousands of lightsticks as far as you can see. you watch as the silhouettes of five people filter onto the stage before they get into their positions. a few seconds later the lights come back up and the beginning few notes of “crown” begin to play over the loudspeakers. it’s an exhilarating feeling - watching the love of your life perform on stage for hundreds of thousands of people. 

beomgyu spots you in the crowd almost immediately. you watch as his smile grows from one of awe at the crowd surrounding them to one of love when his eyes meet yours. the camera switches from filming yeonjun to him as he winks down at you. you laugh as the audience around you begins screaming at the simple action, though both of you are aware that it was meant for you. 

the performance goes smoothly; the boy’s dance expertly and their vocals play clearly over the loudspeakers though you notice beomgyu continuously glancing your way. your attention remains fixated on him as soobin comes on the screen for the ending fairy when the song ends. you smile when he discreetly flashes a finger heart to the camera, winking down at you once again.

⋆｡°✩ taehyun

(word count 402)

“hello?” 

“hi hyung,” taehyun sighs over the phone. 

“hey jagi,” you smile. “how are you feeling?” 

“a little tired. we’re about to head on stage.”

you hope he can’t hear the growing excitement in your voice as you glance back over your shoulder at the growing amounts of people filtering into the concert hall. “you’ll do great tonight. just like you always do.” 

“thank you.” 

you furrow your eyebrows when a beat of silence passes over the line. “is everything okay?” 

“yeah, yeah,” he says. “it’s just… i miss you.” 

you bite back a sigh of your own as you move further away from the crowd around you. “i miss you too.” your heart nearly breaks when another moment of silence passes. “we’ll see each other soon, okay? i promise.” 

“okay. i love you.”

“i love you too.” 

you shove your phone back into your pocket as you turn your attention back to the stage. the lights slowly dim down to leave you in the darkness. a manager steps forwards, calling you over with a small gesture from her hand. 

you follow after her, ducking underneath the stage and making your way up the steps to stand at the edge. you can see taehyun clearly at the new angle. your breath hitches when you’re finally able to see him in person once again. 

the song ends before you know it has. the boy’s hold their ending position for a few seconds as the cheers from the audience grow even louder. they gather in a line in the center of the stage to briefly address the crowd before moving on to the next song. 

soobin glances over at you, giving you your cue - a quick nod. “as many of you know, our taehyun has been seeing y/n for almost a full year now.” you chuckle when he turns to look at him with a confused glance. “their anniversary is today, so, as a surprise…” 

the cheers from the crowd only continue to grow louder as you step out onto the stage to reveal yourself. taehyun stares at you in shock for a few seconds. you smile brightly, laughing when he runs at you, throwing himself onto your body and all but tackling you into a hug. 

“i missed you so much,” he whispers into your neck. 

you pat his back, pressing a small kiss against his cheek. “i missed you too, jagi.”

⋆｡°✩ huening kai

(word count 397) i'm so in love with him help

you can see the moment kai notices you immediately: his eyes light up with an unmistakable joy, jaw dropping slightly before his lips curl upwards into a familiar bright smile. yeonjun walks over next to him, patting his shoulder as he waves down at you. 

you return the gesture quickly before pressing your hands together in a hand heart towards kai. he laughs, smile somehow growing as he flashes one in return. you can hear the cheers of the audience grow louder around you, though his eyes never leave yours. 

the concert ends smoothly like it usually does. the boy’s continue waving towards the audience with bright smiles as they’re slowly lowered backstage and the audience slowly begins filtering out of the venue. 

you wait for the crowd to dissipate a little before slowly making your way down the steps towards the barricade. “hey y/n,” the guard greets you with a smile and some small talk as she leads you along. “it was good to see you,” she says.

“you too,” you call before entering the hallway that leads to the backstage area. 

kai immediately rushes to your side, quick to wrap his arms around you in a tight hug. “hyung!”

“hi jagi,” you chuckle, gently patting his back. kai leans his body weight against you, letting you support him. he’s still wearing his stage outfit and his hair is slightly disheveled from hours of vigorous performing. a mixture of the heat from the stage lights and the hours of dancing has culminated in exhaustion quickly setting into his body. “tired?” 

kai hums against you. “very.”

you press a kiss against his cheek, tightening your grip around him a little. “you were incredible up there,” you whisper. “your confidence has really improved.” 

“you think so?” kai pulls away just enough to look at you, though his arms remain wrapped around your body. with his face now visible you can see just how tired he is despite his makeup. 

you bring a hand up to brush against his cheek, gently stroking your thumb against his soft skin. “of course.” 

he smiles as he pulls you into a sweet kiss. his lips are slightly chapped, something you mentally note to remind him of later. your smiles grow when he pull away before wrapping an arm around your waist. “come on. the hyungs will be happy to see you.”

[lovehypegirl]

EPISODE 1

synopsis: the beginning of y/n's biggest kickoff role! paring: jujutsu kaisen actor au x y/n warnings: some cursing probably but either way, none notes: visuals are at the end of the episode and I recommend that you view them first

10:00 AM - NEW YORK CITY - THE PLAZA HOTEL (NEW YORK STATE, USA)

y/n sat on a chair in her hotel room at the Plaza Hotel in New York City

She had just finished up her MIUMIU photo shoot the previous day and was relaxing, enjoying her Belgian Waffle from room service, and watching a new episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians as her phone rang

She reached over to the chair next to her and checked the screen to see her manager calling

She paused the TV as she answered the call

"Hello?" she said, food still in her mouth

"y/n? Hello! How are you?" her manager - Kyube - asked

"I'm doing fine...enjoying the hotels room service while I can..what's up?"

"Have you checked your email yet?"

"Uhh which one? I have like 7 different accounts" she picked a strawberry from her plate

"The one where your audition results come through? Did you check it?"

"I mean I would if I could find my computer"

"Just do it on your phone"

"But I'm on call with you?"

"I'll tell you then. The role you auditioned for in Jujutsu Kaisen?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"You got the part! You'll need to head to JFK immediately. Like today. I already bought your plane tickets and your flight is red-eye. I know it's ten in the morning but since you tend to wait until the last minute to pack but please do it now"

"Twin you can drop this all on me at once"

"I just did! You'll need to leave by 8 or 9 so start getting ready by one in the afternoon. Your flight will take you to San Francisco for a layover and then over the Pacific to Japan"

"Ooookay..so 17 hours?" y/n said as she yanked her pink suitcases out of the closet

"That's right! Oh, and I'll be meeting you at the gate at SFO when you land"

"Okay, thanks for letting me know" y/n placed her Hermes shopping bags on the bed and began to take the boxes out leaving them unopened and carefully placing them in her suitcases

9:00 PM - JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - NEW YORK CITY (NEW YORK STATE, USA)

y/n waited by her gate after making it through the nightmare of security and baggage check

She tugged on her sweatshirt and sweatpants combo each with the Yankee logo. Naturally, she choose the most comfortable outfit for a 17 hour flight

Lowering her Yankees cap down on her head to avoid getting noticed as she ate her donuts from Dunkin'

"Gate 34, now boarding. Repeat: Gate 34, now boarding. Please proceed to Gate 34 should it be your designated gate" the announcement came from the loudspeaker and y/n wiped her mouth and threw out any trash in the nearby trashcan and she picked up her travel bag and walked to the gate

"Any passengers now boarding first class line up at the checkpoint. Repeat: Any passengers now boarding first class please line up at the checkpoint"

y/n moved over to the checkpoint and handed the flight attendant her boarding pass

The woman's eyes widened slightly as she saw who's name was on the boarding pass and y/n smiled slightly albeit awkwardly

"I'm a huge fan!" the woman whispered as she let y/n onto the plane

y/n quickly found her spot in first class and tossed her bag down and sunk into the plush chair as people began to board the plane

Before she fell asleep, a Twitter notification hit her phone but she was too lazy to check it, opting to sleep instead

9:00 PM (WESTERN TIME) - SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - SAN FRANCISCO (CALIFORNIA, USA)

y/n yawened as she got off the plane and looked around for her manager

"She should be here..." y/n muttered under her breath "hmmm...ah! There she is"

Kyube was sitting to the side in the lounge area typing away at her computer which was covered in NewJeans and Twice stickers that y/n had given her

"Kyu!" y/n called out as she walked to her manager

Kyube looked up at the sound of the girls voice "y/n! Hi love, how are you?" Kyube stood up to hug the girl. y/n was shorter than Kyube...probably since Kyube never left the house without her heels

Her manager was very beautiful and a former actress, but a past accident didn't allow her to return to her career

"I'm good, how are you?" y/n looked up at Kyube

"I'm doing fine, honey. Are you hungry? Our flight for Japan leaves in about an hour and a half, would you like to go eat?"

"Yes please"

"Alright then"

10:30 PM (WESTERN TIME) - SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - SAN FRANCISCO (CALIFORNIA, USA)

"Gate 5 now boarding. Repeat: Gate 5 is now boarding. Please proceed to Gate 5 should it be your designated gate"

y/n looked up from her finished plate as the announcement

"There we go!" Kyube stood up and took their plates to the counter

"On your feet, y/n. Time to go"

"Any passengers now boarding first class line up at the checkpoint. Repeat: Any passengers now boarding first class please line up at the checkpoint"

y/n walked to the checkpoint with her manager and Kyube handed in their boarding passes

They made their way into first class and y/n practically lunged for the comfortable seat, ready to sleep again

She put her headphones on and scrolled through the artists that she followed on Spotify to find one to fall asleep to

NOW PLAYING: ICHIKO AOBA ON SHUFFLE

She kept her eyes on the leaving city as they began to fly over the Pacific ocean

2:30 PM (ASIA TIME) - HANEDA AIRPORT - HANEDAKUKO, OTA CITY, TOKYO METROPOLITAN PREFECTURE (JAPAN)

y/n woke up to someone gently patting her arm

"y/n? y/n the plane is landing...time to wake up" Kyube moved her hand to gently pat the girls hair

"mmmm..." y/n rubbed at her eyes as she slowly opened the window and squinted her eyes to adjust to the light

Below them, Japan was coming closer and closer to the plane as it began the descent

"What time is it?" she said groggily as the plane jolted from it's landing

"2:30 pm" Kyube said as the plane slowed to a stop and the post-flight announcement came onto the loudspeaker

"C'mon honey, time to go" Kyube held her hand out for y/n to take and y/n did so hauling herself to her feet

The duo walked out of the plane and into Haneda Airport

"Are you hungry? I want to get a coffee" Kyube said as they walked deeper into the airport

"Yeah can we go to Dunkin?" y/n looked up at her manager

"Sure, but we need to get our bags first"

"'Kay"

The duo went to the baggage claim carousels and y/n placed her hands on her knees staring intently at the suitcases went by. It was a little impossible to miss her pink suitcase among the darker colored suitcases but it never hurt to be careful

Once y/n's suitcases came down the carousel, she hauled them off albeit clumsy and helped Kyube get her suitcases which were way heaver and larger than y/n's

"What on Earth do you have in those?"

"Shoes"

"Good grief"

Once they got out of the baggage claim area, they made their way to the food court to buy coffee for Kyube and donuts for y/n

"Kyube pleeeeaaasseeee!!!! pleasepleasepleaseplease!"

"No, you are getting one donut and that's it. Donuts and Tanghulu isn't a meal. You want strawberries? We'll get you a fruit bowl, but no donuts and Tanghulu together"

"Please...? I promise I won't wander around unknown areas or talk to strangers again!"

"My words are final"

"Aww man. But I'll take you up on that fruit bowl"

Kyube and y/n sat at a table in the food court. Kyube was working on y/n's upcoming schedule for and y/n was posting her dumb shit on twitter

y/n placed her phone down as she poked a piece of cantaloupe with her fork and looked to the side but she spotted two familiar people a few tables away

"Hey...Kyube?"

"Yes?"

"Who're they? They look familiar" y/n pointed a thumb to the somewhat familiar duo

Kyube looked in the direction that y/n was pointing in and squinted her eyes from behind her sharp rectangular glasses (the bayonetta glasses)

"Thats Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru...you've been in a movie with Geto once, you were young though"

"Huh...are they filming Jujutsu Kaisen too?"

"I can't tell you that"

y/n picked up her phone to scroll through twitter again and decided to eat her donut in three bites. Her eyebrows furrowed as she saw a tweet from a familiar name

y/n snickered and looked over her shoulder at Gojo and Geto. The former had moved his sunglasses onto his forehead and was gaping at his phone

'pretend like you've got no idea' she mouthed to Geto who nodded

"y/n please do not cause problems" Kyube scolded

"Alright...y/n, we need to leave now to get to the hotel in time"

"Okay" y/n stood up and threw out the now empty cup that once held fruit and the bag from the donut

She followed Kyube out of the airport and passed the table that Gojo and Geto were out giving the duo a shit-eating grin

Gojo playfully stuck his toungue out at her and she returned the gesture in the same playful manner

"Come along y/n" Kyube beckoned the girl "Our car will be here shortly"

"Coming!"

TAGLIST

@moonmalice @lavender-hvze

VISUALS: PLAZA HOTEL ROOM

SUITCASE

KYUBE YAMAMOTO

© 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙃𝙔𝙋𝙀𝙂𝙄𝙍𝙇 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 | modification and translation of my works on any platforms are strictly prohibited

[strayflowersstarsandlove]

You put me back together, actually (leefelix)

You roll over on your other side, pressing your cheek into your pillow, sighing in frustration as another strong pang hits your lower abdomen and you momentarily break out in cold sweats from the pain. It's the fact that periods not only make your tummy feel like someone is straight up cutting your uterus from the inside out but also the sheer amount of pain that distributes evenly on your lower back and your hips for you. As if being in an almost constant state of discomfort and annoyance and quite literally loosing spoonfuls of blood wasn't enough of an experience in itself.

Fed up and tired, you decide to just give up on your failed attempt at a little afternoon nap and quietly pad into the kitchen to make yourself some hot chocolate. Cause hot chocolate fixes everything. Once you pulled out the milk carton and the chocolate mix, you start rummaging through your cupboards, looking for the little marshmallows packet you stashed somewhere in there. Except that you find none. And then you remember your boyfriend has the biggest sweet tooth and would probably eat sugar out the jar as a snack if he had no other options available.

You giggle to yourself for a second, immediately regretting it cause the mere vibration makes your tummy hurt, and then climb back upstairs, stopping at Felix's game room to knock softly on the white wooden door:"come iiin!!".

You step hesitantly just an inch inside the room and lean your head in the door frame, looking fondly over at the blonde head peeking from the professional black gaming chair Felix is sitting in, multicolored led lights reflecting on the white blonde tufts sticking in different directions, the white blue glare of one of his computer screen hitting him on one side and the multicolored ones emitting from his main one where he's playing some video game hitting his other side. And the marhsmellows. Sitting there next to his loudspeakers, all squished and fragrant in the little plastic sachet.

"Oh, hello!", Felix pauses his game and spins on his chair, turning to you, he removes his headphones from his head as he smiles warmly at you, "what are you doing all alone over there? Come here", he exclaims, stretching out his arms, inviting you in.

And you really don't make him ask you twice. You basically leap into his arms, letting him embrace you so tight, his hands pressing into your skin, squeezing your back and your sides and guiding you onto his lap, "did you have a nice nap, honey?", he asks then, and you frown, "couldn't sleep much. I got my period earlier this morning and I've been cramping ever since", you reply, holding onto your tense abdomen.

Felix pouts and ever so gently caresses your tummy, "I'm so sorry, is it really painful?", you shrug, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, "it's bearable. It's mostly just annoying. My back feels stiff and a bit achy, and my hips too and funnily enough that hurts more than my actual tummy", you smile a bittersweet smile and he nods sympathetic, his hands now palming down your sides, his inner massesuse instincts kicking in as soon as he senses your tender body.

And his touch feels so nice. Like so nice. You find yourself closing your eyes and relaxing into his chest as he draws you closer and starts rubbing your back gently, his fingers making fast work at loosening up all your knots with both a certain amount of forcefulness and gentleness that makes it hard for you not to moan in pleasure, just a little.

And he somehow notices your face muscles twitching and you biting down on the inside of your cheek to restrain yourself from emitting any sounds, he snickers quietly and plants a kiss on your cheek, "you don't have to hold back, my love, I like the sounds you make", he whispers in a low voice, his hands then moving down to your hips, palms spreading and pressing down warmly, your whole body feeling like soft clay being molded into shape.

And then he massages his fingers right into the knot at the base of your spine, and it's like a sudden epiphany as all of your back muscles click back into place, your hips buckle and your body instantly looses whatever residue resistance it ever held, all the build up tension and strength immediately leaving your limbs as you can't help a little "ah" escaping from your lips.

Felix smirks, he pats down your back gently, helping you straighten up again on his lap, "how the fuck did you do that? I feel like a whole new person, with a whole new back", you ask incredulous, not an ounce of pain left in your body, "I barely did anything, I just knew where to put a little more pressure", he says with a satisfied look on his face, "woah I came here for cuddles and marshmallows and I'm leaving a whole new person! I truly don't think my back will ever hurt again like ever ever".

Felix giggles in that loud, adorable way that makes him close one eye and squint the other while his smile lights up his whole face and he's so devastatingly beautiful you have the physical need to kiss him. You kiss his lips and then the tip of his nose and both of his cheeks, him giggling and making his cutest, typical noises all the while.

"You said you came here for marshmallows?", Felix asks after a little while, his plump, now very swollen lips still hovering yours, "oh… Yeah", you murmur, slowly recouping from the little haze, the flurry of kisses you two just shared still numbing your senses as you pull yourself up, "I was going to make hot chocolate with marshmallows on top as a comfort food cause I was achy and restless but I honestly completely forgot about it", you confess, "hahaha I love you", Felix laughs and hugs you, "did I really mess you up that much?", he asks chirpy, smiling so big and so warmly, his eyes shiny and happy as he holds you, "no, you put me back together, actually. Beautifully at that".

[whositmcwhatsit]

AN: I'm so sorry this has taken so long, but it wouldn't have appeared at all without the cheerleading, suggestions, alphaing and nudging of @thatbanditqueen. Basically, it's all her fault, send complaints her way. As always, all feedback is welcome, encouraged and enjoyed. Previous Chapter Chapter 10: All the Silly Girls

Chancy almost immediately regretted refusing Joe’s offer to get her a hotel room, even more so when she got to the desolate airport and found out that she had to wait six hours to get any flight in the general direction of home.

It was very early in the morning and the smattering of people littering the lounge had all had their faces painted with the same expression of watery annoyance. She couldn’t sit, feeling her chest tighten as all the shaken pieces of the night settled down on her, so instead, she walked laps around the airport until the little news kiosk opened and she could distract herself with gossip magazines.

Gradually, life seemed to awaken. She watched work-minded people in suits appear and families with cameras around their necks corralling over-excited kids.

At some point, music started playing over the speakers and she grimaced as she heard the opening notes to “Suspicious Minds.” He was everywhere!

Not long before the flight was due to start boarding, a page came over the loudspeaker, calling her to the information desk. She wasn’t completely surprised, and she steeled herself as she made her way to the desk. A disinterested woman gestured to the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey Chancy, that you?” Charlie sounded hungover, his voice hoarse and cracked. She wondered if he had been dragged out of bed to make the call.

“What’s up, Charlie?”

“Aw, nothin’ much, darlin’. I’m gonna go ahead and send someone down to pick you up, alright?”

Chancy pulled the receiver back and looked at it as though it was crazy since she couldn’t do the same to Charlie himself.

“I think that’d make catching my flight a lot more difficult, Charlie.”

“Look now, I know something went down last night and I don’t know what exactly happened, but you know how these things go, Chance. It’ll turn out everything is a big misunderstanding and everyone got all heated for no reason.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so, not this time.”

“Come on back, darlin’ and we’ll sort this out.”

Chancy sighed and ran her fingers through her limp, tangled hair. The idea of grabbing a shower and collapsing into a bed did sound enticing, but all the rest…

“Did he put you up to this?”

“Mmhmm, I guess so,” he answered vaguely.

“And he’s there right now listening?”

“Uh huh. So, I’m gonna send Dick to pick you up-“

“I can’t come back, Charlie,” Chancy interjected. “It’s not that I’m mad. Well… no, I am, but I’ve got to have some pride, you know? The tour’s nearly done anyhow and he can probably fly someone in for the last few dates.” She forced a little laugh. “I heard there’s a tall blonde that’s eager for the job. Look, I gotta go, they’re saying we’re boarding.” She hung up as her voice started to sound strangled, her throat tightened and tears prickled at the back of her eyes.

When would she learn? When would the hurting stop? With any other repetitive injury, callouses formed to protect you, but not when it was the heart. That relied on you being smart enough to not keep making the same mistake over and over.

Standing at the gate, waiting in line to board, she noticed an older lady giving her a curious look that faded into disapproval. She glanced down at herself, still teetering on white chunky heels and wearing her white silk gown. She looked like the personification of the morning after, used and rejected. Her head was pounding, her mouth tasted disgusting, and her insides felt even worse.

After take-off, she asked the stewardess for a blanket and tried to sleep it off, but she couldn’t turn off her brain. It kept returning to the early days, when her relationship with Elvis had still been sweet and tinted by the rosy glow of first love. 

Shivering in her dress under the thin, cheap airplane blanket, Chancy thought about the old days and wondered whether dating Elvis had ever been simple, or if it only seemed that way.

Early Fall 1955

It was just before nine when there was a knock on the door. Alicia was laying prone on the couch, feet wiggling in the air as she read one of Chancy’s magazines, and Chancy cleaned up the mess from girls’ night with Margie and Barb. The girls always came over on Tuesday evenings because Grandma was out late at church with the woman’s club, and this reprieve gave the girls time and space to gossip and make plans without whispering or provoking Grandma’s tutting and lectures on virtue.

Chancy snatched up Margie’s sweater from the table, smiling to herself at her friend’s forgetfulness, and opened the door. Her face dropped in surprise as, instead of Margie, there was a tall, beautiful man in a pink sports jacket leaning against the door jamb.

“Hey baby, you gonna let me in?”

Chancy gasped and snatched his arm, yanking him through the door. Elvis laughed as they stumbled into the hallway and he practically fell against her. They kissed without thinking, like it was the natural next step. Chancy thought her body was just trained that way by now.

“When did you get home?” she asked when they finally broke apart, then smacked his shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” He laughed again, impossibly delighted with himself.

“Only got back this morning, we drove all night. Ain’t my baby happy to see her guy?” He buried his face in her neck and inhaled, making her squirm.

“Of course I’m happy to see you!” She grabbed him by the neck and kissed him hungrily, loving the way he turned so pliant as soon as she took charge. When they broke apart, they stood back and just drank in each other with their eyes. Then the forelock of his hair fell down, still slightly curly from that experimental permanent a few weeks ago and his eyes were a little shiny with those little creases on his high cheekbones that betrayed his exhaustion.

“You look tired,” she observed, lifting her hand to meet his as he reached for her.

“You sound like Mama. I slept all day, I’m fine. Came over to see if you wanted to go for a drive?”

“I can’t, Grandma’s out at a church meeting and I gotta watch Alicia.” His eyebrows lifted and his stance changed completely as soon as he realised they were unsupervised.

“Oh, okay.” He tightened his fingers around hers and led her back into her own house. 

In the living room, Alicia was still deeply engrossed in her article on Jimmy Dean. Elvis turned to Chancy and put his finger to his lips and tiptoed over to the sofa like he was a character in a cartoon.

“What are you doing reading that, young lady?!” He snatched the magazine from her, and Alicia shrieked high and loud enough to rouse every dog in the city. This was, of course, hilarious to Elvis, who almost fell down, he was laughing so hard. Every time he managed to straighten himself up, he would look at Alicia’s indignant face and start himself off again.

Chancy snatched the magazine from him and smacked him across the back with it, inviting Alicia to come help her fetch some drinks and offering her a cookie to smooth her ruffled feathers.

“Aw, I’m sorry, Lil’un,” Elvis said, squeezing the nine-year-old into his side with his arm around her shoulders. “You know I was just fooling around. You ain’t sore, are ya? Not with your little old Elvis?” He pouted his luscious lips and Alicia relented, smiling around the cookie. “I knew you couldn’t stand to be mad at me for long, you’re just like your sister.” He winked at Chancy, who tried to roll her eyes but her pink cheeks and growing smile gave her away.

Back on the sofa, Chancy couldn’t help looking at him and grinning. It felt a little like Christmas having him home finally and all to herself. Almost.

“You know, some of the girls were talking about you at school the other day,” Alicia informed Elvis. “They were saying that you were the most and that you were gonna be more famous than Pat Boone. Then Frannie in my gym class said that you were dating her sister, but Kathy Jean said that you were dating her cousin.”

“Heck, no wonder I’m tired,” Elvis remarked. “And what d’you say to all that, honey?”

“Well, Chancy said I’m not allowed to talk about you two being steadies and that you’re gonna get married. She said it’s private.” Alicia pulled a face that showed exactly what she thought about that.

“Naw, you can set ‘em straight, honey, You tell ‘em I only have one sweetheart.” He dipped his head down to kiss Chancy’s cheek, nuzzling down to her neck with the tip of his nose. She could feel his arm tighten around her as he pulled her against him and she had to nudge him in the side with her elbow to get him to pull back. He sighed slightly and turned back at Alicia, who was looking at them with an expression of fascination.

“Are you really gonna be more famous than Pat Boone?”

“Well, I hope to.”

“Are you rich?”

“Hmm, not yet, but hope to be.”

“Will you move to Hollywood and live in a mansion with palm trees and a swimming pool?”

“Well, maybe I’ll get my own swimming pool right here, what d’ya say?” He gave Chancy a soft smile and she rested her arm on his leg, feeling the tense muscle of his thigh against her forearm as he jiggled it constantly. Even worn out he couldn’t stop moving.

“What about tennis courts?” Alicia continued.

“Wait a minute, are you a reporter?” he asked, squinting at her with playful suspicion. “What’s with all the questions?” 

Alicia shrugged and finished her drink, her eyes studying him intently. There was obviously more of an interrogation coming.

“Elvis, can I live with you guys when you marry my sister?”

Elvis grinned, his fingers twitching against Chancy’s shoulder. He adjusted his hand so that they were brushing her neck, his thumb tickling from her ear down to her shoulder and back again.

“Hey, I thought it was you and me getting married, Lil’un?! Wait, is this you breaking up with me? Wow, way to let a guy down easy!” His voice was high and playful as he reached over and tugged one of Alicia’s plaits.

“I’m only nine!” she returned, frowning at him like he was crazy. He tilted his head and nodded at this as though this was a serious consideration, though his eyes were glittering. “You’ll have to wait and I guess I can marry you next.”

Elvis threw his head back and roared with laughter, his breath hitching as he collapsed against Chancy. “Oh Lord, you got it all worked out, don’tcha!”

Chancy rolled her eyes at the two of them and pointedly told Alicia that it was time for bed.

“She’s a gas,” Elvis remarked, already twisting on the sofa and clasping Chancy’s face, kissing her softly and then harder like he was trying to check she was really there. Chancy didn’t answer, sliding her arms underneath his and pulling him in tighter. It was never enough, she could never hold him tight enough to keep him still and keep him with her, but she could also never stop trying.

“You know, I was dreaming about you earlier today, honey.” He pulled back and looked down at her, his eyes dark and heavy-lidded.

“No, you weren’t.” She could feel her cheeks throbbing and she shifted a little closer to him.

“Don’t tell me what I was or weren’t doing,” he retorted. “I’m telling you right now, I dreamed about you. I know it was you, baby.” 

“How?” she countered. “How’d you know it was me and not one of those pretty girls you met on the road?”

“’Cause I don’t dream about no girls on the road,” he muttered scornfully. He tugged her hand, almost pulling her face first into his chest. “Look at this here hand, this itty bitty hand was for sure in my dream.”

He leant down and kissed the first knuckle of her index finger and she inhaled sharply. She caught the sparkle in his eyes as he looked up at her through his brows and felt his lips stretch against her skin into a smirk. He kissed her finger on the next knuckle, his breath tickling her skin. She pressed her thighs together as he leaned in, his other hand gripping her hip through her skirt.

“What else,” she whispered.

“Hmm?”

“What else was in your dream?”

“Oh. Well… I don’t know if I should say.” Chancy blushed as he placed her hand on her lap and stretched his arm out, his calloused fingertips finding her ankle and dragging up her calf.

“You been good while I was gone?” he murmured. His finger slid in a swoop around her calf muscle, which tensed and twitched, and into the dip at the back of her knee. “Ain’t been doing nothing that’ll break my poor ole heart now, have you?” There was a hard backbone to his playful babyish tone that told her he wasn’t fooling around, supported by over a year of hard-won experience.

“Now Elvis you know what category they’re looking to vote me in the yearbook next year, don’t you?” she returned in the same tone. “It’s a new one. ‘Most likely to die an old maid waiting for Elvis Presley to marry her’. But let me tell you, there’s stiff competition.”

He gave a little laugh that sounded slightly sheepish. “Now, you know that ain’t true.”

“It is too true! I see those girls in the papers just like everybody else.”

“You know that’s all for publicity, baby, it’s all made up!” He was playing up his ‘aw shucks shy boy’ act, maybe too tired to remember that Chancy saw through it like a window pane.

“Yeah, I know I know,” she muttered, sounding unconvinced.

Elvis didn’t seem to realise that she was older now, a mature woman of seventeen, and she talked with the girls at school, who were dating boys off doing their duty in the service, or at college. They all talked about how boys were different, weaker and more helpless against their urges. A girl had to accept that a man’s eye may stray when he was away, it was natural, but it was important that he was true in the ways that mattered, in his heart. Her friend Margie had even brought in a dime store book about love gone awry from tawdry affairs.They had to keep it hidden because it had a picture of a woman in just her slip reclining against a desk with her suited boss looking like he was about to make an advance.

But Chancy didn’t need books. As a child, she had witnessed the pain it caused a woman when she had a man that wasn’t true to her. She had seen the bitterness that had sprung from her mother’s humiliation, the poison that fermented and seeped into every aspect of their lives. She had promised herself she would never end up like that.

“Come on now,” Elvis cajoled. He softly sang a few lines of Patti Page’s ‘Why Don’t You Believe Me’: “How else can I tell you, What more can I do, Why don't you believe me, I love only you.”

At the final sweet note, she smacked him in the chest, making him turn it into a wheezy groan.

“That ain’t fair!” she told him, half-seriously. “You know you win every time you do that!”

He laughed in a knowing way, before gritting his teeth and grabbing her by the biceps to give her a quick shake.

“You gotta believe me though, honey” he said in a flat voice, a jarring change of tone to his abrupt ‘attack’. “I ain’t dreaming of no other girls and certainly ain’t loving ‘em, nothing like that.” She felt him slide his fingers between hers and pull her closer for a kiss and she sank willingly. They barely heard the rattling of the door.

“I’m home! Whose car is that out front?”

By the time that Chancy’s grandma had shed her coat and purse and come into the living room, they were both standing up straight in the living room looking incredibly guilty. Chancy could almost feel the pressure of her grandmother’s eyes as she checked their clothes to ensure they didn’t look rumpled or hastily buttoned.

“Elvis, it’s good to see you, son. I didn’t know you were back.”

“It’s good to see you too, Grammy. Well, I- I just got back today, it was supposed to be something of a surprise you see. I didn’t let on to nobody that I was coming.” He awkwardly clasped his hands together at his groin, glanced down at himself and then hastily put them behind his back. 

Chancy bit down on a smile. The man could play to huge crowds but he still got nervous facing a tiny grey-haired lady.

“I bet your mother sure was pleased to see you. Give her my regards, won’t you?” There was a long pause as they registered the polite eviction notice.

“Oh, yes, ma’am.” He nodded with the entire top half of his body and turned to Chancy. “I-I guess I’ll be going then. It was nice to see you, ma’am.”

Chancy started to lead him to the front door, and as soon as they reached the hallway he sped up and pressed himself against her back, his large hand splayed against her belly. Chancy exhaled loudly.

“Is that your car out front, Elvis?” They broke apart as Grandma decided to accompany them to the front door.

“Yes, ma’am, that’s the love of my life right there.” Chancy glanced over her shoulder and shot him a playfully indignant look and he shrugged, his expression seemed to suggest that he had no control over what he was saying. “I mean, yes, it is.”

“Well, it’s very fine.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Both he and Chancy stood awkwardly on the doorstep,it looked as though Grandma was going to play spectator while they said goodbye, but after warning him to drive safely, she went back into the house.

Chancy tilted her head and gave him an apologetic look. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Baby, can’t you come for a drive?” he whispered, grabbing her hips and pulling like he was going to bundle her into the car no matter what she said. “It’s still early.”

“You know I want to, honey, but…”

He hurried forward and stepped up onto the doorjamb with her, crushing her mouth and her body against him.

“You’re going to drive me crazy, you know that. Just flat out insane.”

“You’re already certifiable,” she returned, linking her hands behind his neck and rumpling his upturned collar.

“Well, you know what a crazy person’d do?” He scooped her up and turned as if he was about to take off with her. “You’re so little I could hide you in the glove compartment. No one’d know.”

“I think that if you tried that Grandma would make sure you ended up locked in your own trunk.” He sighed, nodding in acknowledgement, and released her so that she was standing on her own two feet.

“One day, Cha Cha, one day…” He squeezed her cheeks, gritting his teeth as he looked at her squashed pout, before kissing it. She could feel the tension thrumming through him.

“I know,” she sighed. She gave him one last, sweet long kiss and fixed his collar. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”

He climbed into his car, still looking pouty and sad. It made her heart ache. “I love you, love you, love you. Really, I love you, baby.”

Chancy watched the pink and black Cadillac disappear down the street, smoothing the front of her skirt and trying to will down the frustration, hunger and sadness that were coursing through her. She reminded herself that she loved her grandmother and didn’t want to strangle her. Likewise her sister. She could wait until tomorrow. After all, they had forever.

The present

By the time Chancy finally saw her sister and niece at the arrival gate, she had spent the majority of the day on planes, waiting for planes, or getting on and off them. She forced herself to show a little enthusiasm as she came down the tunnel, ignoring the way that her shoes were rubbing the backs of her heels.

Alicia took one look at her and seemed to size up the situation even if she didn’t understand it. She grabbed Chancy’s bag from her and turned to lead her out. Four-year-old Faye was excited to see what present Auntie Chancy had brought back from her vacation and Chancy was quick to pull out the candy and teddy bear she had grabbed from the airport gift shop during her last layover.

In the car, Alicia finally gave in to her curiosity.

“You know, when I couldn’t get a hold of you the past couple of weeks I imagined some pretty wild things, but joining the Rockettes was not one of them.”

“Did it take you all the time from the gate to just now to think of that one?”

“Well, I was gonna go with Vegas showgirl, but I kinda wanted to say ‘Rockettes’.”

Chancy smiled in spite of herself. “Look, I’m sorry about not calling. It just got a little crazy on the road and I lost track of time.”

“Yeah, that’s what Elvis said.”

“What?”

“Elvis. He called me- When was it- the day before yesterday and I was so surprised I thought someone was pulling my leg at first. You know, in all the time I’ve known him I don’t think he’s ever called me personally.”

“What did he want?”

“Well, I’d been calling all over trying to reach you and no goddamn soul at any one of the hotels said they had a record of you having a room. I mean, they wouldn’t even confirm that Elvis was staying there. Lord, Grandma might have had one of her headaches if she’d heard the way I spoke to some of the receptionists on the phone.

“Anyway, out of the blue, Elvis called and he was teasing me like he always does, saying that I’d hassled the front desk so much that they’d told Joe he should call the FBI because I was a crazed stalker. And he knew it must be me because I’d been in love with him since I was seven years old.”

Even in the retelling, Alicia was absently touching her face and had two spots of colour on her cheeks.

“So that’s it, he called you because you upset the hotel?”

“Oh, no, so we caught up. Boy, I always forget how funny he can be. Then he says that Joe will give me the details of how to reach his room whenever I needed to. I said that was sweet of him and I was honoured and all, but I really needed the number of your room because I needed to speak to you.”

Chancy felt her stomach start to sink.

“Well then he couldn’t get me off the phone quick enough. He said he’d get you to call me and he hung up on me!”

So, he had known that she hadn’t told anyone about the two of them. She imagined that had not gone down well. She wondered how much that had fed into what he had done, but the truth was that trying to follow Elvis’ logic was like chasing a raindrop down a window.

“I was kidding about the Rockettes, but you’re okay, right?” Alicia shot her a sideways glance as she negotiated traffic. “You look-“

“Like I’ve been catching planes since the early hours of this morning? Yeah, I know. It was just one of those things, you know how it goes.”

It wasn’t the first time that Chancy and Elvis had fallen out. It was not even the first time that she had argued with him and caught the next flight home, but it felt different this time. It was different. And in the days afterwards, it felt like she was recovering, beaten up and healing, from a terrible accident or an operation.

It must have seemed that way to others too, because Grandma kept making her ambrosia salad and serving up extra portions of food at every meal, and Alicia gave her a free cut and blow dry which was usually reserved for first dates and birthdays. It made Chancy think she must seem really pitiful, but nobody actually said anything or pressed her for details, because that was not how things operated in her family.

“Tell the truth, Grandma, were you surprised?” Chancy asked as Alicia’s new boyfriend Cliff navigated around the potholes marking the unmade road to their house in the failing light. It was a week later, and Chancy had finally begun to feel somewhat normal again. At least physically.

Her grandmother gave a demure smile and replied, “Of course I was, it was a lovely surprise.”

Chancy had been dubious about the idea of a surprise birthday party when Alicia had suggested it. Celebrating someone living all the way to eighty by taking them to a strange place in the dark and yelling ‘Surprise’ at them unexpectedly seemed a recipe for disaster, but she had to concede Alicia’s point, the lady did deserve to be spoiled.

Organising the party had been a decent distraction for Chancy too, though not as taxing as she had hoped. She still had far too much time to think. Little by little, she came to view the time on tour as a strange waking dream, an answer to the ‘what-ifs’ and the daydreams that floated up on random, dreary days. It was proof that you could never go back. She tried to tell herself, as optimistically as she could manage, that it had been a conclusion added fifteen years after the fact. A fitting conclusion that reaffirmed that she had made the right choice leaving for once and for all.

And then she saw the fleet of Cadillacs in the dirt driveway in front of the old ranch house.

Well, shit, her brain supplied helpfully.

“What’s all this?” asked Grandma. “Not another surprise?”

“Uh, not just for you, Grandma,” Alicia replied, glancing curiously at Chancy, who was trying to sink down in her seat.

“There’s gotta be nearly fifty thousand dollars’ worth of cars out there,” Cliff marvelled, peering through his windshield. “Lord almighty, what is that?!”

“That is a Stutz Blackhawk,” Chancy informed him. “And the last thing I wanted to see today.”

“God, it’s a beauty!” Cliff barely put on the parking brake before he was out of the truck and circling the car.

Sonny was leaning against one of the Cadillacs smoking and he nodded at Chancy as she climbed out of the truck and turned to help Grandma down from the step.

“He ain’t gonna shoot me for looking, is he?” Cliff asked, pausing his circling as he noticed the shoulder holsters.

“Probably best not to try and find out,” Chancy replied, ducking her head to hide her smirk as Cliff’s panicked expression.

Opening the front door, they followed the noise to the kitchen where Elvis, his cousin Billy, Charlie and the whole contingent of Stanley boys were sitting at their kitchen table apparently drinking coffee with their housekeeper/tenant Ruth and her husband, Harold.

“Surprise,” Alicia trilled awkwardly under her breath, shrugging in answer to Chancy’s questioning look.

“Hey, there she is!” Elvis observed with playful exasperation like they were late to an appointment. “Happy birthday, Grammy!” He rose from his chair and circled the table to give Grandma a hug.

If Cliff had been astounded by the cash value of the automobiles parked outside, Chancy could only imagine his wonder at the amount of twenty-four karat gold standing in the kitchen.

 Always one to dress for an occasion, Elvis was wearing a cream suit with a blue silk shirt and a gold ring on every single finger, not to mention a twisted gold necklace that looked like a bolero tie and his usual ID bracelet. Just one of the rings on his fingers could have paid the property taxes and resurfaced their driveway with a new kitchen bought with the leftovers.

“Thank you, it’s lovely to see you, Elvis… and friends,” Grandma said pointedly, but Elvis was too busy kissing Alicia’s cheek and meeting little Faye to hear or respond to the polite prompt.

“By God, this family makes pretty girls, don’t it, Charlie?” he marvelled, glancing over his shoulder at Charlie, who was quick to pick up the cue and concur enthusiastically. Chancy was only surprised he didn’t do it in harmony.

She only had a second to panic when Elvis turned to her, wondering if he would skip her altogether or, worse, say something, before he smoothly pecked her cheek with his soft lips and withdrew, leaving her in a mist of confusion and his cologne.

“Now, Grammy, I got you a gift,” Elvis said in his serious ‘about to recite a psalm or overwhelm you with information about his latest fascination’ voice. “But I couldn’t get the guy to deliver it sooner than tomorrow. Something about unions and overtime. So, just so I didn’t show up empty-handed, you see the white Cadillac out front?” He adjusted his sunglasses and hung a keychain from his index finger, gently bringing up Grandma’s hand so that he could drop it into her palm. “It’s yours.”

Grandma put an overwhelmed hand on top of her head like she was actively trying to stop him from blowing her mind.

“Look here, Elvis, you can’t be throwing your money away on an old woman like me…” 

Elvis laughed, his face breaking into that dazzling, irrepressible expression that you couldn’t help but try to mirror, and squeezed her into his side.

“‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God’, you know that one, don’t you?” he murmured down to her ear.

“Matthew 19:24,” Grandma nodded solemnly. “Amen.”

“Besides, pretty lady like you needs a fancy car to go on all her dates in style.”

Chancy beamed as she watched her grandmother flush pink and regress about sixty years as she swatted at his arm.

“C’mon, Grandma, let’s go take a look at your new car,” Alicia suggested, sending Chancy a meaningful look. Though Chancy wasn’t sure what the meaning actually was.

Everyone followed and stood on the porch as the tiny old lady primly perched in the extravagant boat of a car. Somehow, Chancy found herself standing next to Elvis though she had been forcing herself not to look at him except when everyone else was. Which was most of the time, but it felt like a compromise.

“This is really nice of you,” she murmured. He didn’t say anything at first, smiling slightly as Alicia tried to enthusiastically strong-arm Grandma into turning over the engine.

“She deserves it,” he said softly. “And, well, she’s the reason you-“ He couldn’t seem to finish the thought, gesturing to her head to toe with a bejewelled hand.

The pressure grew the longer they stood there and Chancy’s thoughts started yammering louder and louder at the wall of her skull. She wondered if she should say something, try to explain maybe why she never told anyone about the two of them, apologise for running off (no), tell him that she missed him? She could ask him how the rest of the tour went, that seemed relatively innocuous, or was it..

Eventually, he grabbed her hand, shooting her a smile that had her questioning whether they had ever argued at all.

“C’mon, let’s go take the birthday girl for a ride in her new car.”

Not giving anyone the chance to make a choice, Elvis had Chancy and her grandmother crammed into the front seat beside him and Alicia and some of the guys piled in the back before he took off down the uneven drive, laughing uproariously as he turned a ten-thousand dollar car into a pretty effective fairground ride.

As they hit the highway, Chancy fretted over her grandmother’s ability to recover from shock for the second time that evening as Elvis had them going like he was trying to break a record.

“I think Grandma would like to celebrate another birthday next year, Elvis. I’m pretty sure we all would!” Chancy said nervously, watching the speed gauge creeping up relentlessly. He shot her a gleeful grin and lifted his eyebrows behind his sunglasses, making her wonder how much he could actually see out of those at night.

“You don’t trust me, honey?” he asked. He shrugged. “You’re probably right, you should take over…” He lifted his hands off the wheel and there was a chorus of cries and pleas which only tickled him more, but at last he took control of the car again. Chancy closed her eyes and exhaled and she felt his warm hand grip her knee.

“Hey,” he murmured softly. “I got ya. You okay?” She nodded, earning herself a lopsided smile and his fingers rubbing the inside of her knee.

Back at the house, they all tumbled out of the car like sailors returning home after months at sea. The guys played this up a little because they knew that it amused Elvis, but Alicia and Grandma were genuine as they linked arms to walk to the porch.

Chancy watched them through the windshield as Elvis continued to grip her knee; not hard enough to force her to stay, but firm enough that she didn’t feel right pulling away.

“How long are you home?” she asked, watching him fiddling with the radio, catching snatches of songs before dismissing them and moving on.

“Couple of weeks. Then I got rehearsals in LA before Vegas.” He frowned as the airwaves were filled with the sound of electric guitars riffing and abruptly shut off the radio. “Goddamn caterwauling. Who in the hell is that?” She looked up in the direction of his irritated nod to see Cliff peering into the passenger window of the Stutz.

“Oh, that’s Alicia’s boyfriend. Although I think he may be considering leaving her for your car…”

“Boyfriend, but I thought she got married. I mean, the kid and everything.”

“Yeah, it didn’t work out. They got divorced last year.”

“Hmm, lot of that going around…” He considered his right hand around her knee, before tapping her a few times with his thumb. “Well, guess I better go check him out.”

“Oh no,” Chancy murmured, before hastily following Elvis out of the car. She passed the men as Elvis, backed up by a couple of his guys, approached Cliff, who immediately stumbled back with a look of awe on his face.

“Oh, Elvis, man, it’s an honour to meet you. I’ve been a fan since you started out, man, since I was a little kid!”

Chancy winced at that one and stood at the screen door to watch what happened next. Elvis was speaking too softly to be heard from the porch, but she saw Cliff straighten and look very serious, before nodding emphatically. Elvis nodded too and opened the door to his Stutz. Cliff went to lean forward, but stopped again and looked up at Elvis, who smiled one of his charming smiles and pulled the corners of his jacket back as he hooked his hands somewhere near his hips.

“What’s going on?” Alicia asked, opening the screen door.

“I’m pretty sure Elvis just threatened your boyfriend with his gun,” Chancy answered. “And now he’s letting him sit in his car.”

“Sounds about right,” Alicia nodded. “I should go… chaperone.”

Chancy went back into the house where Charlie and Billy were helping her grandmother uncover platters on the kitchen table and counters. Like a good hostess, she encouraged them to help themselves to the leftovers from the party before declaring that she had had enough excitement for one day and was going to retire to bed.

A few minutes later, Elvis came in and the kitchen suddenly became smaller and more dingy in comparison. At least in Chancy’s eyes; he, however, acted like he had lived there all his life, taking the plate that Billy handed him and eyeing up the food.

“Am I supposed to just serve this up with my hands, man?” he muttered, and Billy and Charlie started rooting through the drawers for cutlery.

“Make yourself at home, boys,” Chancy remarked, leaning against the sink.

“Looks like we have to. Didn’t Grammy teach you nothing about hospitality?” Elvis smirked, examining a mini slider pensively before taking a bite.

Chancy feigned outrage and whipped some dishwater and suds at him. He jumped out of the way, looking momentarily surprised before laughing.

“Careful now, woman,don’t make me shoot you,” he warned, his eyes twinkling as he patted the colt tucked into the front of his waistband.

“Is that how you threatened Cliff? Where is he, anyway?”

“Oh, he’s fine. He’s taking your sister for a drive.” Of course he was. “He’s a nice guy, we just had to discuss some things first.”

Chancy snorted and went to the refrigerator, unconsciously sliding into the role of hostess and passing out drinks to everyone. Elvis gave her a look when some of the boys took up her offer of beer and she was tempted to have one herself, just to remind him that he was in her house. Except she didn’t actually like beer and her petulance had its limits.

By that time, Alicia and Cliff had returned, giddy from their ride in the Stutz. Cliff was excitedly telling Elvis and the guys about the features like he was trying to sell them the car and while Elvis was grinning good naturedly, the boys were shooting each other sneering looks. Alicia caught that too, because she grabbed her boyfriend by the arm and thanked Elvis for letting them take the car for a spin.

Elvis shook his head as she dragged Cliff out of the room while he was still babbling about automatic headlights and gold-plated steering wheels.

“God, Lil'un is all grown up, it’s so weird, man. You remember when she was gaga for me?”

“Yeah, well, lots of us girls used to be silly like that,” Chancy returned, taking a sip of her coke. She watched as the barb landed, and he lowered his head, the muscle in his cheek flickering as he clenched his jaw.

“Yeah, used to be,” he echoed with an empty chuckle, lifting his eyebrows to the floor.

Charlie immediately forced an abrupt laugh and tried to lighten the mood with a joke like a desperate comedian losing his audience.

“No, cool it, man,” Elvis snapped, shooting him a dark look.

Chancy took a deep breath, looked around her poky kitchen, and drew confidence from the fact that she was home.

“Could I talk to you?” she asked, not recognising her own voice. Elvis glanced up like he wasn’t sure she was talking to him, before nodding. “We can go up to my room.”

As they walked to the stairs, she could hear the guys start murmuring and whispering in the kitchen like a sewing circle.

“Mind your step, some of these old boards are pretty creaky. Don’t wanna wake Grandma.”

“Well, if that ain’t a goddamn blast from the past,” he mumbled dryly. She snorted and tried to focus on what she was doing, growing increasingly aware that his eyes were probably on her ass. Not speaking made it worse, increasing the tension so that by the time they reached her bedroom door, her heart was pounding and her hands were sweating.

As soon as she turned on the light, she regretted her choice of venue, hurrying to snatch up discarded outfit choices for the party from her bed and chair.

“Don’t say a word!”

He lifted his hands in submission and just smirked, his apple cheekbones making a full appearance as he took off his sunglasses and looked around.

“You can take a seat,” she said, gesturing to the newly cleared chair as she perched on the edge of her bed. He promptly sat down next to her on the bed. The glint in his eye told her that he knew exactly what he was doing too. She stood up again and stepped across to her dresser, leaning back against it.

“I just wanted to talk to you because I didn’t like how we left it,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. “And we never talk about it, you know? We never-“

“Aw hell, what’s there to say, honey?” he asked, tapping his glasses against his knee like he was keeping the beat. “We were neither us firing on all cylinders. I weren’t myself, I just… weren’t myself. The goddamn tour, everything going on with Priscilla, every sonofabitch from Alaska to Florida tryin’ to either take me out or shake me down. It’s a goddamn mess.”

“Well, yeah,” she said hesitantly, “but-“

“And that chick… You know she went to the papers? Told ‘em she and I are engaged and that we’re getting married in October. I don’t know why she picked October. I tell ya, everyone’s got an angle.” He sighed, a huge exhale that lifted his shoulders and made him look like a sad little boy facing the music.

“You know the goddamn truth of it? The only girl that’s never run to the papers, never told no one that we were engaged or married or that I knocked her up by having a picture taken with her, was you.” He looked up at her through his brows, his thick lashes and open pouty mouth striking that perfect balance between pitiful and beautiful in a way that had her digging her nails into her arms to stop herself from reaching for him.

“Yeah, well, maybe I should’ve said a lot more to a lot of people,” she murmured.

“No, you know you don’t need to say it out loud for me to hear it, baby. You never have. Just think it real loud and I’ll get it.”

Chancy raised an eyebrow and tried to find some grit within herself as he approached her slowly, pretending to listen to her thoughts.

“Whoa, Cha-Cha, I-I didn’t know you knew those words!” he teased, winking. “Goddamn! Don’t think even I’ve heard some of ‘em before. Lord have mercy!” He took hold of her hands, waggling them loosely, before sliding his fingers between hers. “C’mon, baby, you know you can’t stay mad at me, just like I can’t stay mad at you.”

“I don’t know, I’m still pretty mad.” She would have preferred it if her voice had been a little less breathy.

He ducked down, giving her a full blast of his little boy’s pout, then bit his lip and leaned in. He kissed her, a soft touch of his lips against hers

“How about now?” he asked gently.

“Yes!” she insisted, but wrinkling her nose did nothing to negate the stupid smile on her face. He kissed her again, harder, tilting his head curiously.

“What about now?”

“You’re a jerk.”

“Uh oh, we seem to be going backwards, let me try-“ He scooped her up by the waist and caressed her lips with his, his tongue sliding in to meet hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew up to her tiptoes, pressing in as warmth flushed through her, need driving out anger, determination, and thought. She was just one of those silly girls again. Or always had been.  @ellie-24, @be-my-ally, @vintageshanny, @missmaywemeetagain, @from-memphis-with-love, @richardslady121, @dkayfixates, @c-rosenn, @fallinlovewithurlove, @notstefaniepresley, @heartbrake-hotel, @freudianslumber, @bbrtt777, @18lkpeters, @prompted-wordsmith. @literally-just-elvis-fics, @eliseinmemphis. @lookingforrainbows, @stylespresleyhearted, @amydarcimarie, @returntopresley, @savedrebelcreation, @lettersfromvenus

[pastafossa]

Tired of Floof flinging litter halfway across the world, so I decided I was going to get a really big plastic tote, cut a hole in it for entry, and then put the litter box in it - much higher sides to prevent Monsieur Floof's attempts to excavate down to the other side of the world from throwing litter everywhere.

But of course it's me, so it couldn't go smoothly.

Go to target. Plastic tub I wanted is sold out, none the right size.

Ok, but Home Depot has some the right size, and they're just across the street! Google says 1 hour till closing! Perfect!

Walk in.

"Hi, 1 minute until close." Shit.

Me: "I just need a big plastic storage bin." Home Depot guy: "Let's run, might make it." We run to the back with the tubs, and I already have my tape measurer out, appropriate length extended, I am ready to compete in the Olympic speed competition for measuring storage bins meant for cat shit.

Except NONE OF THE TUBS ARE THE RIGHT SIZE. I don't know where the bins I need are, but this ain't it.

"HELLO SHOPPERS, BRING YOUR GODDAMN SHIT UP BEFORE WE RELEASE THE WOLVES." -rough paraphrase over the loudspeaker

The lights passive-aggresively dim to just barely visible, like gtfo Bin Searching Karen.

I groan, heading back towards the front, because I will not be That Person. And in the front.

I pass.

tHE

GOD

DAMN

BINS

I

NEED

There is a moment, when I and the man I ran with lock eyes.

I point hopefully.

And he-

Shakes his head.

Quest failed.

[jellycrusher]

Fangirl pt. 6

INITIALLY POSTED ON MY FORMER PAGE: bts-teaspoonff

Genre: Romance, Fluff, Slow Burn, Idol A/U

Pairing: BTS OT7 x backupdancer!reader

Rating: PG

Summary: Y/N, being a huge fangirl, finally got her chance to work alongside her favorite idol group as a backup dancer. She gets to know each member personally and realizes that her feelings may be more than fangirl-idol attraction.

Word Count: 8.1K

Warnings: slight angst, minor character death, implied PTSD, panic attack

Taglist: @nochujeonjk @i-like-puppy-mg @miyochan@satotakeru14 @boba-tea1206​ @blimpintime​​ @kodzuskook​ @fangirl125reader​​ @xicanacorpse​​​​

PARTS:  masterlist... 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

You’re back at your apartment, staring blankly at the ceiling as you lay down on the floor of your living room trying to contemplate what just happened today. It was supposed to be a free day for you but so far, everything is so crazy. You shrill as you curl yourself into ball, rolling to the side, as you recall all the events that had happened today.

 From Hoseok attending your class then driving you back to BigHit, to standing in that recording booth listening to their voices as they mutter your name. What in the world did you do in your past life to receive all this happiness? 

 You pull your bag from the table above you to the floor where you’re laying down. You stare at the brand new purple phone inside your bag. Jiyong handed it out to you when you asked for a copy of the message. You did refuse it at first but when Jiyong mentioned Namjoon specifically told him that there’s absolutely no way he’ll let you refuse their gift. You raise the phone towards the ceiling as you flip it to closely examine the phone. You let your fingers brush on the small and subtle BTS logo on its backside.

 “What did I do to be this lucky?” You unlocked the phone for the first time and almost dropped the phone on your face, taken aback at the silly wallpaper that appeared out of the blue. It looks like Taehyung took the selfie, with him and Jin in the front while Hoseok, Jimin and Jungkook, in the middle row, were all adorably trying to push forward as if fighting for a bigger space in the selfie. RM and Yoongi were behind the other boys being so casual about it. You chuckle so loud looking at Yoongi in the selfie. It must have taken a lot of persuasion from the boys for him to join.

 You browse your phone to find the recorded message. After a few minutes, you finally found it saved as a widget on your menu screen. You click to play it on loudspeaker and pressed the phone on your chest as you anticipate to hear them once more.

 [All 00:01]                       

Hello y/n, we are BTS!

[Taehyung 00:04]           

Surprise! On behalf of our favorite sound engineer, Jiyong, we give you this one of a kind voice message from us, your favorite group in the world.

[Jin 00:14]                      

He told me he’s terrified of you when you’re angry…… What?…. Jiyong is telling the boys that I’m lying. Don’t believe what he says. Jiyong has a sister complex, guys.

[RM 00:25]                   

Hyung, don’t bully Jiyong unless you also want to give him an apology message

[Jin 00:31]                    

I’m just joking. Jiyong adores you. I can attest to that because he won’t stop bragging you to us even before you have worked here. I almost feel like I’m your close friend with how much he talks about you

[Yoongi 00:43]            

As expected, this message is now getting chaotic. Should we get to our main point?

[Jimin 00:49]              

Right! We actually suggested if Jiyong could instead give you a signed album but he admitted that you already have ALL our albums. Most of them being signed albums so I guess there’s no point in giving you an extra copy?

[Jungkook 01:05]      

So Taehyung, being a genius, asked us if we could record this message and sing a few parts of our songs just for you.

[J-hope 01:10]           

For our number one fan, we’ll sing for you right here. Every time you hear this, imagine that we’re singing in front of you.

[RM 01:17]                 

Enjoy our little gift! And can you please assure Jiyong that you’re not angry with him? He really looks like a terrified and sad little puppy

[Jin 01:29]                 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA look at Jiyong

A few more seconds, they started singing Butterfly. How many times have you played this song on repeat? You can’t even remember anymore. Listening to them sing it ‘live’ to you through this recorded message still gives off the same raw emotional performance compared from the studio version.

 Jiyong must have suggested them to sing Butterfly. You may have mentioned him once before that this song was significant to you but no one really knows the reason for it. At first, Jiyong thought that it’s just simply your favorite song from BTS but soon after, he realized that maybe you thought of your parents based on the message of the song.

 You didn’t try to explain anything to him even when he opened the topic of your parents. You just let him think that the reason why this song is significant for you is because, as stated in the song’s message, it expresses your fear of losing someone represented by a butterfly.

 It’s actually much deeper than that. You actually thought of yourself whenever you hear this song. Yes, both you and Jiyong lost your parents. However, you also lost a part of yourself after the accident. It took you years to recover yourself back from the trauma.

 It was late at night when your parents were driving, along with you as a passenger, back to the house. They argued for just a few seconds as you observe them quietly from the back seat, then an upcoming skidding truck blinded all of you with its glaring front lights. When you opened your eyes, you were already upside down hanging by the seatbelt. Smell of gas was eerily present as you see the front of the car totaled along with your parents, making you the only survivor. Silence in that dark tunnel was terrifying.

 Jiyong wasn’t in the car when it happened. Fortunately, he was staying back at home with your grandparents because he was sick that night.

 Both you and Jiyong quickly became the talk of the village. There has never been a horrific accident in the history of your town. A drunk driver collided with the car that your family had been in, killing everyone but you. High School Orphans and only your grandparents now to take care of you and your twin brother. You had to show a brave front for your brother. You may be twins but you acted the big sister role most of the time and had to constantly comfort Jiyong through the pain of losing your parents.

 However, the guilt of surviving alone and the horrifying image of your parents constantly fights your sanity. You had to be strong for Jiyong but as a young girl at that time, you did crave for a figure to not just comfort you but also help you get up.

 When you heard Butterfly years after the accident, you understood it very well. In the lyrics, there’s also a hint of trying to save someone before they do something they regret or something they won’t come back from. When you listen to the song, it felt like there’s two of you. The you who is trying very hard to hold on is singing the lyrics to the you who is on the verge of letting go.

 The lyrics can be interpreted as losing someone you love. It can be an ex-partner, friend, or loved one. For you, it was yourself. Losing yourself. That’s what you were afraid of and fought really hard to not make that happen.

 That’s the main reason you became their fan. The complexity of their lyrics always seems to pull the unspoken words from you.

 · ───────── ·⑦· ───────── ·

 “Here’s an orange juice from me!” Taehyung props down the cold drink in front of Jiyong and sits down on a chair beside him, eyes still glued on Jiyong like a puppy.

 “How about Pad Thai from your favorite Thai place?” Jimin joined them as he offers it and sits on the other side opposite to Taehyung.

 “I’m sure he’ll choose mine. Hamburg steak with cheese and additional sauce.” Jungkook stood behind Jiyong, towering him as he leans in and puts down the food in front of Jiyong.

 “I’m telling you guys I can’t give it to you. She’ll kill me for sure this time.” Jiyong whined as he kick his legs from frustration. He wants to accept the food bribery but he knows that if he give what the three adorable troublemakers are asking from him, an apology message from BTS won’t save him again from you.

 “You used our song for her cover. I guess we have a right to listen to it or even have a copy of it.” Taehyung pouts followed by adamant nods from Jimin and Jungkook.

 When you were with Jiyong in the small recording studio, the three of them were actually just outside the door along with Hoseok trying to eavesdrop waiting for a reaction from you. They were actually surprised when Jiyong suggested that you try to sing to their song just to let off steam. Jungkook and Taehyung can’t seem to stop snickering when they heard you two siblings teasing each other through the intercom because you insisted Jiyong not to hit the record button when you start singing. 

 When Jiyong asked you what songs you would like to sing, you declared to sing short covers to Promise, Still With You and Snow Flower, granting gasps from the three song owners sneaking outside. Taehyung actually choked a bit from his own saliva, not expecting you to sing his song.

 The four of them were all listening in as you were singing in the booth the whole time. Jungkook, Jimin and Taehyung were absorbed especially when it was their song that you’re singing. J-hope was also amazed and surprised. Not only you were one heck of a dancer but an amazing singer as well. Your talents could bring other idols that they know to shame.

 After you were done and left the recording studio, they all rushed inside to ask Jiyong if he did record it all. To their surprise, Jiyong recorded it all but of course, he did it without you knowing. Since then, the boys have been asking and bribing Jiyong to send them a copy of the music file.

 “I helped you by suggesting the personal recorded message. Can I have a copy of her cover please?” Taehyung pleaded with his doe eyes. Jiyong, now closely surrounded by the maknae line, contemplates whether the risk of being chopped to pieces by you is worth it.

 · ───────── ·⑦· ───────── ·

 Inside the practice room, every other dancer is busy dancing their butts off. You lean back on your hands spread behind you as you quietly observe your other fellow dancers practicing in front of the mirror. With the purple phone in your other hand, you gripped it tightly as you let your breathing slowly normalize just after finishing your solo dance practice. Sounds of stomping and shoe skidding on the floor echoed in the practice room as everyone pushed through the hectic schedule for the day.

 Tomorrow is the team’s MT or three day team-building event that’s got everyone in a tight schedule for today to, at least, finish any preparations that could be done and present the couple dance routines in front of BTS along with the choreographers.

 BTS and the main choreographers later entered the practice room and soon the dance routine presentation started. You’re last to present along with your dance partner, Taeyang, the couple dance routine you’ve finished. When it was finally your turn, Taeyang quickly stood and offered to help you up off the floor. You have danced in front of the boys and the choreographers countless of times but why does it still feel like you’re dancing to be evaluated and be listed off the team.

 The other boys quickly took notice of your newfound closeness with your dance partner and they weren’t entirely comfortable seeing you smile so sweetly at him. Hoseok were glaring at Taeyang’s hand as they landed snugly on your hips to turn you into place. The three younger members were sneaking stares like a hawk. 

 They all knew that one of them is gonna dance with you to this song eventually but seeing you be this touchy and close to another man ignited something in them. Unsure whether it was jealousy but they convinced themselves that it might just be the feeling of protectiveness since Jiyong had told them again and again to keep an eye out for you.

 Yoongi’s full attention today was not really on any dancers nor the dance routines. He knew the inevitable obvious choice, which is to give anyone from the dance line the solo dance spot. The only dance routines he gave his attention to, not caring entirely though, was the dance routine for a member with three or two dancers. He glanced at his other members and sees Jimin, Taehyung, Jungkook and Hoseok sitting up straight and anticipating you to start dancing with your male partner.

 The second the music started, the four members on the dance line were entirely absorbed on watching ahead. Without needing words, Yoongi knew that the four of them are hungrily vying for the solo dance part. What he didn’t know was that the four of them were only thinking of the opportunity to finally have a chance to share the stage with you. The way your male partner danced to the music along with you, to the tunes of Without Me by Halsey, had them hungry for the coveted spot. 

 Taeyang, your dance partner, carefully lands his hands on your hips and it travels down to your leg as you lean into him with your head back. Catching everyone’s eye at the intimate and almost sultry dance step, especially Yoongi. A few sneaky gulps occurred amongst them. You were completely engrossed in the music with movements completely fluid and expressions purely enchanting everyone. 

 You were naïve to the scorching gazes and unfamiliar desire from the 7 members. Yoongi along with Jin and RM were now determined to insert themselves in the competition amongst the group for the solo dance part. All of them quickly exchanged looks the moment you finished dancing and the music stopped. No words were spoken but all of them understood that each of them definitely wanted the opportunity to share the stage with you more than the coveted chance to dance solo.

 You held your water bottle tightly while you quench your thirst. You eye out to the side as the main choreographers were busy talking to each other and to some of the dancers. Taehyung, Hoseok, Jimin and Jungkook were also busy talking to their managers at the other side of the room.

 “I see that you’re putting our gift to good use.” You almost choke on your water at the sudden voice behind you.

 “Namjoon? Don’t scare me like that” You cough. Finishing his cup of water, he slowly walked to your side. You quickly notice Yoongi’s head popping out from Namjoon’s side. “Hello to you two.” Namjoon cheekily grins and Yoongi smiled with his lips closed.

 “He said you’re putting our gift to good use.” Yoongi slightly leans forward, whispering. You glanced at him and quickly looked at the purple phone you’re tightly holding in your other hand beside you.

 Quickly after realizing that the two of them were eyeing your phone, you stammer while you took a step closer. “You really didn’t have to give me this. I tried to refuse it but Jiyong told me that you insisted that I accept it. Also, your other gift was unexpected but thank you. I appreciate it.” You smile nervously at the two of them, hiding the fact that you don’t just appreciate the recorded message but it meant the world to you. Obviously, you won’t admit that.

 “We did thought of giving you a portable drive for the message but I remembered that I did ruin your phone so I suggested that to them. For that I’m sorry.” Namjoon rubs the back of his head.

 Yoongi tries to join in the conversation, placing his hand on Namjoon’s shoulder. “Have you tried exploring your phone? Checked the apps that we have pre-downloaded for you?” Your eyes widen at Yoongi’s sudden questions, followed by a shake of your head. “We did. You might want to check it out.”

 Both of them stare at you as you give them a dazed look. The hand beside you that has your phone slowly creeps its way up but the sudden presence of a hand halting your hand surprised you.

 “Um… Maybe check it later when you’re alone.” Yoongi faces the other way, hand still around your wrist. He thought that maybe by looking away, you won’t notice the faint tinge of pink on his cheeks as he recall what surprise he left for you in your phone. 

 He slowly released your hand, aware of the sudden contact with you and the presence of a crowd in the room. Your eyes still glued to him, you did notice his effort to hide his bashfulness. You try to hold in your giggle at how Yoongi suddenly looked so adorable and it made you much more curious to check your phone. You remind yourself to definitely check what’s up with your new phone the moment the practice session is done.

 By the time you realized your work for today is done, you search for the boys in the room but discovered that they might have left the room ahead of the choreographers and some staff. Most of the dancers were also eager to call it a day. Must be because of the Team MT tomorrow.

 As the youngest of the new female dance team, you have always offered to be the last to stay and clean up the practice room. It comes as a shock to you that your dance partner Taeyang offered to stay behind to help you tidy up the room. While you may have gotten a lot closer with him, interactions with him outside of dance practice is still a bit awkward. 

 You sneak in a glance from the other side of the room as he busies himself with turning off all the electronic equipments while you tidy up the corner from the other side of the practice room. To distract yourself from being antsy at the awkwardness between you, you take out your phone from pocket to try and check the apps that Yoongi mentioned.

 “Our dance a while ago was amazing.” Your voice got caught up in your throat when you suddenly heard his voice. He was still bending down, not looking at you, reaching for something behind the sound system. Almost instantly, you stood straight up at his compliment to hide the fact that you were glancing at him. Finally facing you, he says “Your moves were amazing. You really do transform when it’s time to perform just as the others say.”

 “Thank you. I’m still lacking but I hope I did good as your partner.” you say as you put your phone back in your pocket.

 Something about his gaze as he walks up to you made you avoid eye contact, bashful from the compliment. He slowly closes the distance between the two of you and you were so sure he was going to stop in front of you. You find yourself sighing when he just walked past you, to the water dispenser behind you. 

“And thank you for staying and helping me clean up today.” You weren’t sure why you were so suddenly aware at how awkward this is turning out. Taeyang have complimented you before during practices but somehow, the change of timbre in his voice slightly made you nervous and hyperaware of the fact that you’re alone with him.

 “Anytime, y/n.” You turn to him when you saw a smile slightly obstructed by the rim of the paper cup as he drink up a cup of water. “Too bad I’m just a stand-in for that solo dance.”

 You barely caught what your dance partner had just said so you thought to try and ask him to repeat then a sudden sound of the door opening startling both you and Taeyang, your phone almost slipping from your hands. Your breath catches and you smile so wide it could almost reach your ears as you recognize the figure slowly coming up to you. Despite not having really spent a lot of time with Jin, his presence is a huge relief to break the sense of awkwardness filling your chest. You find your shoulders relax as you see him greet you with a smile.

 Jin was also confused when he saw that you were alone with Taeyang in the room. He hides his discomfort at the sight but seeing how your face lit up when he came into the room, he let the thought pass and kept his face neutral despite wanting to grin at how adorable you looked when you smiled at him.

 “Jiyong asked me to get you.” Jin says, still glancing at Taeyang drinking his cup of water behind you. 

 “He could’ve just texted me. That lazy guy.” You hiss and then turned to Taeyang to bid goodbye.

 “See you tomorrow then?” Taeyang pats your head and turns to his bag. You excused yourself from Jin to run and get your bag from the far end of the room. By the time you walked back beside Jin, Taeyang have already left the room.

 “I didn’t know you and Taeyang were that close already.” Jin queries. He wants to press on further especially after seeing Taeyang comfortably touched your head but he doesn’t want you to think that he’s nosy. You and Jin were still acquaintances but with his closeness with Jiyong, you almost feel like a younger sister to him.

 “Can’t help it if we’re always practicing that solo dance routine almost everyday.” You explain. “But we haven’t really spent much time outside practice time. He’s just looking out for me since he’s kind of my dance mentor too.”

 I don’t think it’s just that, he thinks to himself. He saw the way Taeyang looked at you today. He knew all the male dancers well and Jin never saw that kind of gaze from Taeyang directed at anyone. Not that he has any problems with Taeyang probably having feelings for you, he just repeats to himself that he’s looking out for you.

 “So what does my lazy brother need from me to have asked you personally to come and get me?” You question him as you usher him out of the room while you turn off the lights and close the door.

 “Oh that. He didn’t actually.” You look at him, confused with brows furrowed. “I was the one who actually needed to get you and come with me. I only used Jiyong’s name because Taeyang was there.”

 “Come with you? To where?” Both you and Jin walked side by side along the hallway.

 “We’re having a game night at our dorm and the boys wanted to invite you.” Jin informs you, still looking ahead. He wasn’t aware that you stopped walking when you heard what he just said.

 “Wait, what, Me? Why me?” Jin heard your voice slightly go up and this made him turn quickly to his side, startling him to not see you beside him and rather, frozen a few feet behind him.

 “We invited Jiyong as well but he’ll be late. He said he’s caught up with work.” Jin beams at you warmly as he tries to calm you down.

 “Yeah but why me? I mean isn’t it too sudden for me to just barge in at your dorm?” You counter.

 Surely, this is a big jump from the warm gesture from the voice message and new phone. You’re happy that they have thought of you to come on their game night but isn’t their dorm their personal private space?

 “Jiyong has been a very good friend to us, almost like family and we all wanted to make an effort to get to know you as well. We usually invite him to the dorm whenever we can and I think he would be happy if you’ll be there too.” For a moment, Jin thought it would be a good idea to just use Jiyong’s name as an excuse to invite you because he knew that you would be uncomfortable if it was just them inviting you. In reality, his other members have already suggested to invite you even before he got the chance to suggest it to them.

 “I want to get to know all of you more as well. I’m just shocked that you all think the same way. Excuse me but I won’t deny anymore that I’ve been a huge fan for a long time. I’m sure you know that well by now.” You gripped the strap of your bag tightly and your nervous state didn’t go unnoticed by Jin. Your heart is racing a hundred beats a second at just hearing him invite you to their dorm.

 “I’m just glad that Jiyong’s twin sister is our fan and not an anti. It would’ve been hard for us to befriend you if that was the case.” He chuckles. Your heart is full at Jin’s effort to lighten up the mood.  “Come on. I’m going to buy food for the troublemakers at home. Yoongi will be cooking for us tonight but Taehyung and Jungkook texted me to get extras.” He pats your shoulder

 A little extra time to get to know them wouldn’t hurt. It could actually help you a lot with the solo dance routine. You wouldn’t want to perform badly just because you’re not comfortable and awkward with your partner. Thinking back when you first danced to the song with Taeyang, it just looked so wrong and you couldn’t convey the dance properly. It’s a blessing in disguise to get to be close to them this way but you wouldn’t refuse such a scrumptious offer.

 You were grateful for Jin’s effort to lift up your mood during the drive back to their dorm. Sometimes, you would tightly grip the seatbelt in front of your chest and fall quiet. He would suddenly pull out ridiculous puns that would bring out the most un-ladylike laugh from you. To distract yourself, you insisted to be the one to get off the car and pick up the order from a restaurant.

 Your breathing gets ragged and eyes unfocused the longer the drive went and the closer you get to the dorm. You think you might be sick with the way your stomach flips at the thought of 6 other people waiting for you.

 You froze behind Jin as he ring the doorbell. There’s still a chance for me to run, you thought but was interrupted when you hear unintelligible chatter from at least 2 people on the other side of the door.

 The door flew wide open and you were greeted by Taehyung and Jungkook. The two of them holding the doorknob with Taehyung slightly pinned beneath by Jungkook who seems to have jumped on his back. “You’re finally here!” Taehyung flashes his boxy grin at you.

 Your eyes wandered behind the two of them as Namjoon’s head popped up from the end of the short hallway visible from the doorway. He raised his hand to wave to you and you waved back.

 “Don’t crowd the lady and help me carry these to the kitchen.” Jin instructs them and instantly, Taehyung and Jungkook untangled themselves from each other and rushed to get the bags from Jin’s hands. You could almost hear Namjoon at the edge of the hallway teasingly smacking and scolding the two of them from overwhelming you when you arrived.

 Jin was caught by surprise when you try to hold in your chortle, shoulders shaking at the sight of those two being scolded. He stood against the door allowing you to go in ahead of him and when he saw you hesitate a bit, he hums and say with a grin “Don’t worry, those kids won’t bite.”

 You walked ahead further down the hallway, nervously treading every step. Finally, you get a clearer view of the inside of their dorm. Directly on your right, a huge glass chandelier adorns the ceiling complimenting the black and white interior of the spacious kitchen. A long wooden dining table in the middle. Across from the kitchen, an L-figure brown couch facing the huge flat screen occupies the living room. It feels weird seeing it upclose and personal after seeing glimpses of their dorm from online videos and their V-lives.

 Sound of plastic bags rustling coming from the kitchen caught your attention. Taehyung and Jungkook were rushing to take out all the contents from the bag, drooling at the sight of the takeout you and Jin ordered. Yoongi was busy chopping up something with his back facing away from everyone. You take in the scrumptious smell filling up the room and almost instantly, your stomach grumbled. 

 Jin walked past you to mingle with the two boys. You see the back of Namjoon’s head as he sits quietly on the couch with a book in his hand. Unable to stay put, you hover towards the kitchen. Observing everyone as you make your way closer to Yoongi.

 “Is there anything I can do to help?” You ask as you examine the boiling pot on the stove while Yoongi continues to chop up what seems to be ingredients for a stew. The quiet and busy member seems so docile-looking compared to the cool and stoic Yoongi you always encounter at work. Sometimes, it even confuses you with how he’s hot and cold towards you.

 “You’re our guest. It wouldn’t really look nice if we let you work for your food.” He continues to chop, head only slightly turning to your direction, eyeing you out from the corner of his eye.

 You roll up your sleeves, ignoring Yoongi. “I’ll help you out. It’s the least I can do for the free invitation and besides, my cooking skill is highly commendable.” You carefully snatch the knife away from his hands. Yoongi, unable to stop you, stepped aside and glanced at Jin. Both of them chuckling at your persistence.

 “I’ll take up on that offer but if our dinner turns out bad, I’m blaming you.” Yoongi teases.

 “I have magic hands. I doubt it’ll go bad. It might even turn out a lot better now that I’m helping you.” You counter, chopping the vegetables at a much quicker pace than Yoongi.

 Jin stares warmly at the two of you comically bantering while seated on the dining table. He had thought of reminding his younger members to do their best to make you comfortable but it surprises him to see you fitting in almost instantly. He smiles as you comfortably interact with Taehyung and Jungkook as they make their way to sneak in between you and Yoongi.

 Come dinner time, Yoongi excused himself from the kitchen to get something from his room, leaving you alone. Might as well help him to plate and serve the food so you wandered around the kitchen, checking the cabinets for plates.

 You don’t hear the footsteps entering the kitchen while you search the bottom cabinet. The member could only hear the sound of the plates clunking against each other and not aware of the person obstructed by the huge black kitchen counter.

 “Hyung, it smells good.” You hear a groggy voice behind the other side of the kitchen counter while you take out a plate. You stood up and sees an equally surprised Jimin. You could tell that he just woke up from a nap, judging by his bedhead. “Y/n? Why are you in the kitchen? Aren’t you our guest?” He rubbed his eyes and quickly searched for the missing presence of Yoongi.

 You were about to explain yourself but was interrupted by Yoongi, returning from his room as he answers for you. “More like she snatched my tools and insisted on helping me. She won’t budge.” He huffs as he takes his place back in the kitchen, helping you plate the food.

 Jimin, still sleepy, quietly offered his help. Taking away the filled-up plates from your hands. Yoongi asked him to call the other members for dinner. One after another, the members take up their space in the long table. Jin noticed you standing timidly at the side not knowing where to sit as everyone continues to sit down. He calls your attention and pulls out an empty chair beside him. You automatically walk up beside him and sat down, observing everyone.

 It didn’t take long before the dinner got a bit rowdy. It wasn’t difficult to warm up to them, the feeling of comfort almost feels so natural. Everyone was obviously famished from the practice a while ago so the food was almost devoured instantly just as dinner started. 

 The younger boys complimented the dinner non-stop and insisted that you regularly visit their Game Nights in exchange for your impressive culinary skill. Jungkook complained that whenever Jiyong would help in the kitchen, he could destroy whatever Yoongi would make. Yoongi attests to that but quickly protests and teased them for not appreciating his work in the kitchen.

 Jimin and Hoseok insisted that they clean up the table, escorting you to the couch. You see Jungkook setting up his PS4 on the tv across you. Namjoon stepped over the couch from behind you taking his place on your left and Jin sits down beside you on your right.

 “I guess we won’t keep you too late. You still have to pack for the MT tomorrow.” Jin turns to you, still observing you if you’re having a good time with them.

 “I’m sure you love the idea that you get to go back to your hometown even if it’s for work.” Namjoon reaches for a pillow beside him, hugging it.

 “Wait. Hometown?” your fingers froze just as you were fiddling with your phone.

 “Me and Jimin hyung were so excited when we heard that this year’s MT is in Busan. If I remember correctly, Jiyong hyung told us that his hometown is Busan, right?” Jungkook cheekily stood up with a cord in his hand. You could see the obvious grin plastered on his face as he searched for Jimin’s figure in the kitchen.

 You bite your lip as you nervously try your best to recall. Did you just forget about the MT entirely? You were sure that they announced the location for the MT earlier this morning. Maybe you were too nervous and occupied with the thought of having to present the dance routine in front of everyone that you completely forgot about the MT being in Busan.

 You sigh and rubbed your temples. Why would you even forget such an important detail like that? Just thinking about going back to Busan felt like an impending headache. There’s no way you could back out from the MT now. It’ll also look bad if you don’t join the dance team, it might send a message that you’re unsociable.

 Unaware that you turned pale and started heaving hard, the three men in the living room with you were now starkly aware of your sudden change of expression at the mention of the MT.

 “Noona, is there something wrong?” Jungkook asks with a worried voice, discarding the cord in his hands and swiftly knelt down in front of you. He tries to get a good look at you while you stare down at your knees, shoulders hunched forward.

 Your ears started ringing and you squeeze your fists as your chest started getting heavier each breathe you take. Namjoon slowly sat up straight as he sees Jin and Jungkook trying to call your attention. It was when Jin wrapped his hands around one of your clenched fists that you realize how close Jungkook is crouching in front of you, head bent to the side as he worriedly observes your face. Jin’s warm hands enveloping your small, cold and shivering hands. Namjoon frozen in his seat not knowing what to do to help you.

 “Um, can I excuse myself to the restroom please?” Your hands were starting to get clammy as you forced to compose yourself. You wish they could tell you the way to the restroom a lot faster as each passing second, it’s getting difficult to stay composed in front of them. Jin was the first to stand up from the couch and escorted you to the restroom, leaving Namjoon and Jungkook frozen in their seats.

 You quietly close the door of the restroom, making sure not to let Jin worry more. Once you were sure you heard his footsteps get away from the room you were in, you could barely hold yourself up before your legs buckle and you let yourself fall to the floor. Your weight propped against the door as you try to suck the chilled air into your lungs. Sharp successive breaths took over you, slowly making you feel pins and needles at the tips of your fingers. 

 The panic creeps up on you in bouts. Your fingers claw at your legs as you hug them tighter. Memories that you worked so hard to forget starts to resurface and replays in your mind, leaving you suffocated.

 For a moment, you picture yourself staying in the restroom for the rest of the night. You suddenly felt so alone in a space filled with 7 other people. Even the thought of standing up and getting back out takes up a lot of energy from your body.

 Your excitement for tomorrow now completely gone and replaced by dread of going back to your hometown. It’s been years and you’re not even sure if you can even handle going back there. It was only two years ago when you recovered from being haunted in your dreams by the memories of the accident. You don’t want to lose your progress since it took a lot of effort by yourself to get back up.

 It took only for you to hear boisterous laughter coming from the living room and somebody knocking on the door to remind you that you have no choice but to go back out. You reach for the edge of the sink to help yourself up. Like a newborn deer, you can’t really sustain your weight as your knees started shaking when you were standing properly. You take in one last deep breath before opening the door.

 You crack your eyes open, body heaving with effort to get enough oxygen in your lungs but you’re met with the soulful brown eyes of Yoongi, narrowed in concern. He doesn’t question you further as you step aside to give way for him to use the restroom. It took three steps out the restroom before your knees decided to give out. Yoongi rushed to catch you before you fell to the floor.

 You squeeze his arms around you that were holding you up before facing him. “You tell absolutely no one… I don’t want anyone to worry…” Breathing still ragged, you huff out every word to the best of your ability as you realize that you can’t hide your panic attack from Yoongi. You must look so bad to see Yoongi study your face with utmost care. “Yoongi please?… I’ll be fine. Don’t mind me… Just until my panic attack subsides.” He softly shush you as he sees your great effort to speak.

 Yoongi sighs before calmly looking back at the empty hallway and to the living room where everyone’s pretty much occupied. His eyes wandered back to your shivering hands and shaking knees. You’re in no shape to walk back to the living room much less stand on your own. Yoongi slowly wraps his hand on your back and behind your knees before lifting you off the floor.

 The scent coming from Yoongi’s body calms you as he cradles you in his arms. Your head felt like lead, finding its way on the crook of its neck. Before you even realize, you find yourself clinging to him as you fist your hands in his shirt. His skin is slowly getting hot against yours, and his breathing seems to have increased if you were only able to notice. His heartbeat against your ears was almost like a lullaby that greatly helped to calm you down.

 “You’re alright.” He coos as he starts to hear you sniffle. He quietly walked towards his bedroom, with you in his arms, to give you a place private enough away from the eyes of the other members. He slowly puts you down on his couch and when you were finally seated comfortably, he rushed to reach for a blanket at the edge of the bed.

 Your back felt damp, sweating all over and your fingers definitely feels asleep but clarity of your situation began creeping back. “Yo-Yoongi” You stammer as you realize that he chose to hide you in his bedroom.

 “Shh, don’t force yourself to speak. Take it easy. I’m here.” He fixed the blanket around you before crouching down to completely see your face. “Just keep breathing and it’ll go away. I’ve had my fair share of panic attacks so trust me when I say I’ll just be here until you say so. You’ll be fine.”

 You trust him as you find yourself focusing on your breathing. Once you find it easy to move your limbs with ease accompanied by a yawn, you know that the worst has passed. If it wasn’t for Yoongi, the situation could’ve escalated and would have made everyone unnecessarily worry about you.

 “Thank you.” You manage to speak out. “I feel silly that you caught me looking like that. Sorry.”

 Yoongi quietly hums, letting you speak further if you intend to while he reach for a glass of water on top of his side table beside the couch. He offers it and you take it with your hand still slightly shaking. He lets you drink first before he spoke up. “I overheard your conversation with the boys in the living room just before you went to the restroom. I was worried but I don’t know if you want anyone to check up on you. You were taking a lot longer than I expected so I knocked.”

 You prop your head in your hands, elbows leaning on your knees. “This is the first time someone has seen me like this. It just took me by surprise when Jungkook mentioned Busan. Next thing I know, all I could think about is to run out the door.”

 “I won’t force you to talk about it if it makes you uncomfortable. If you want to go home, I could just tell the boys to…” Your hand swiftly sprung out to land on Yoongi’s wrist.

 “I’m fine. Jungkook seems so happy when he showed me the games we’ll be playing. I’ll just take a moment then I’ll be back out.” You assure Yoongi with a heavy breath. He wanted to assure you that they’ll understand if you want to excuse yourself for the night but he kept quiet, trusting you that you’ll be fine.

 Not a second after, the doorbell rang to alert everyone in the dorm. Yoongi stood up from in front of you, eyes still glued on you as he saw you recognize the person on the front door just from the distinct way the doorbell was rung. “Don’t you dare tell my brother about this” You attempt to stand up, worried that Yoongi might tell Jiyong about your situation.

 “Don’t worry, I’ll keep this a secret between us. Just promise me that you’re fine before I leave you.” He assures you with his soft smile and gentle eyes as he opened the door and walking out.

 “I’m fine Yoongi. Thank you. I’ll just take a minute to fix myself up before I go back out.”

 “Take your time. I’ll try to come up with an excuse to keep them from looking for you. I’m sure Jungkook, Jin and Namjoon must be getting concerned by now.” He turns back to you before slowly closing the door.

 You find yourself collapsing against the couch, your breathing slowly going back to normal. You heaved and leaned forward to try and stand up once again. When you knew you were fully capable of making a few steps without stumbling or any of your knees giving out, you walked straight to a full size mirror beside the door to fix yourself up. You pity yourself for having been seen by Yoongi like this; your eyes and nose were bright red and a couple of hair strands stuck to your forehead due to the profuse sweat.

 To avoid anyone seeing you coming out of Yoongi’s bedroom in an effort to find you, you quickly and quietly walked out from the comfort of his room when you were sure you were devoid of signs that you were in utter distress just minutes ago. 

 Jungkook was about to run to find you but stopped when he saw you emerging back in the living room. Completely different from how you looked a while ago, he stares in confusion as you gleefully greet Jiyong who was now also present in the living room. Namjoon shares the same confusion as Jungkook. Yoongi was sitting down beside them and he saw the youngest member’s eyes following you as he tries to study your now seemingly normal expression.

 Taehyung runs up to you behind the couch where you and your brother stand, pulling your wrist to ask you to play one-on-one against him. You don’t refuse and you take up space beside him, seated on the carpet. Just before the game starts, you turn to look at Yoongi and found him gazing at you. You mouthed Thank youto him and he nods before you got back to play with Taehyung.

 Jin, Namjoon and Jungkook were wary when the topic about the MT came up again, you even catch Jungkook kicking Jimin’s feet to stop him from talking. When it was Jungkook’s turn to play again, you notice his eyes anxiously wander back to you from time to time. He must have been blaming himself for making you sad. 

 Like Jiyong knew what you needed to cheer up the youngest, he offered everyone ramyun as a late-night snack. Jungkook perked up at your brother’s offer while still glued to the screen and what looks like he’s winning against Taehyung. You quietly walked away from the living room to join your brother in the kitchen.

 For a while, Jiyong kept quiet as you both hover around the kitchen. Normally, he would shower you with affection, tease you and bug you but you silently wonder why he’s not doing any of those. Your suspicion is confirmed when he starts to rub his hand behind your back as you discard the noodles from each packet. Your gaze dipped to him as stood there silently while emptying the contents of the soup packet unto the boiling pot.

 “Noona, can I have that spicy ramen over there?” Jungkook asks, timidly walking over towards the both of you. You notice that he was standing slightly far from you, shoulders hunched and head down. His doe eyes still glistening as he subtly avoids meeting your eyes. 

Although you feel bad for him, the corner of your mouth quirked up at him looking so adorable despite him towering over you. He seems to be so intimidating at work especially when he’s so focused but if you could just ball him up right now in your hands, you would. 

You beckon him to come closer with your finger. When he was about an arms-length away from you, he opens his mouth to blurt out something. Before he even let out a sound, you pat his head, stopping him from talking any further.

“Thank you for worrying about me.” His eyes gleamed. “I’ll make you a whole bowl of ramyun of your choice. How does that sound?”

Jungkook jumps up and down in glee and he squeezed between you and Jiyong to reach for a packet of ramen. “Hyung, I like her better than you.” He sticks his tongue out then quickly dashes out of the kitchen before Jiyong could even counter.

You chortle. “You heard him. Apparently, they also request my presence every Game Night for my exquisite Culinary Expertise.”

“Well, I won’t argue about your cooking. Sooner or later, they’ll be bribing you for something. Those troublemakers.” Jiyong crinkles his nose, reminiscing all the times he spent with the boys where they’ll prank and tease him.

Yoongi sits back comfortably on the couch when he hears you regain your bright energy as you laugh and mingle with your brother in the kitchen. 

Next: pt. 7

[heksen-sabbat]

favorite and least favorite thing about corkscrew rules?

hello!! thank you so much for your ask ^^! so sorry for writing a lot

favourite thing: aside from the obvious 'it's cool that they made a game about a man who's functionally ftm transgender', my favourite thing is probably the environment. it's infamously not a game that feels complete, but there are lots of little things you can walk around and find. there's a single climbable tree in the game, a large frog hidden inside the prison; you can blow up the gas station or kick a hole in the prison bathroom. i like the delayed comedy of walking around, stopping at a piece of signage i can't read, and having to translate it to see what has been written right in front of my face. there's also a loudspeaker in the game that sometimes plays music unless you shoot it until it breaks, and pigeons which can shit on the street. and several more things i could list but this is long already. these are very insignificant things but i like realising that they're happening at all. it is not a game that no care went into. my favourite thing in the environment are the toxic bodies of water with aquatic plants

least favourite thing: this is very easy- some of the language and humour is upsetting. there are slurs in this game, and the overworld is also covered in memes which i cannot naturally understand the meaning of, but they seem very vulgar. because of the language barrier it's pretty impossible for me to tell the sociopolitical stance of the game or if it has one at all (e.g. whether it has genuine homophobic sentiment, or merely contains characters who are homophobic to an extent), and that can be worrying, but i don't believe in the idea of automatically endorsing or sharing the opinions of the media you engage with anyway. i like doing critical analysis ergo i have no problem upfront disagreeing with the stuff that made its way into this game, whatever it is

[deltamothsblog]

if deltamoth had tumblr

481 notes

🪨 the-pebbler-2 Follow

ranking another rock submission on my tier list. no u cant see it.

⚒️ welshstonecarver Follow

*looks at you* *looks at you* *looks at you* *looks a

🪨 the-pebbler-2 Follow

what the hell man

#where did he come from where did he go... #PREV SHUT THE FUCK UP LMAO #who is this guy. someone tell me. im going to fucking GET HIM.

481 notes

🔮 magicballmaster Follow

[ BALL UPDATE ]

Loading Plagues... Done! Loading Colors... Done! Loading Images [233 of 233]... Done!

Ball Update Completed.

#i'm going to inflict SOOO many plagues..,. #ball update

125 notes

💜 meepist Follow

me when there is food

in the fridge

but i don want it

#guh #im sooooooooo hungry #starving white woman

1,362 notes

🎆 what-month-is-it-bot Follow

happy March 2024!!!

🌙 sleepytime-pete Follow

#wuh

56 notes

🚑 post-lobotomy-arc Follow

everything seems okay so far i think the lobotomy was a success

🧠 braintumorgaming Follow

ouh..... brian hurt....

🚑 post-lobotomy-arc Follow

uh. are you okay

🧠 braintumorgaming Follow

tumer

#LITERALLY ME #reblog

1,362 notes

📁 appdata Follow

mmmmm minecraft/saves/coolworld7

💜 meepist Follow

STOP EATING MY SAVE DATA!!!!!!

📁 appdata Follow

nuh uhhh they so yummy

#what the FUCK >:(

135 notes

🍺 alcohol-dependency Follow

ouhhh.... im so thirty....

@magicballmaster, what should i do?

🔮 magicballmaster Follow

might i suggest a plague

🍺 alcohol-dependency Follow

i

am hopelessly dependent on alcohol but sure will do a plague.

#YIPPIEEEE!!!! #plaguepost

461 notes

■ wrongempireoffical Follow

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Hello, everyone!

It has come to our attention that one of our freelance demolition workers has accidentally blown up Venus.

As a reminder, if you catch any debris falling to earth, please do be sure to mail it to our P.O. box on east mars. This counts as part of your public service for the empire.

Goodbye!

🫡 propogandaman Follow

SIR YES SIR! TO MARS, SIR! OORAH!

■ wrongempireoffical Follow

@propogandaman, You are hereby sentenced to 500 decades of incarceration for public display of emotion. Our Galactic Police Force has been alerted to your presence and are rapidly approaching your location.

Please await your sentence. Have a nice day!!

🫡 propogandaman Follow

oh man im TOTALLY getting executed tonight.

472,341 notes

💜 meepist Follow

like eating like eating

like like like eating like eating glass

#bloc party

56 notes

🚀 amongusnationalanthem Follow

please raise your right hand for the pledge of amogus

i pledge alleigence to the flag of the united ships of amongus

against the impostor for which we stand

one spaceship, under jerma, moist critical with oxygen and hod dog for all

🚀 amongusnationalanthem Follow

and now, please rise for the among us national anthem.

🚀 amongusnationalanthem Follow

[over loudspeaker] ooo say can you sus

36 notes

🐝 hive-meister Follow

why dont my friends play lethal with me

🪨 the-pebbler-2 Follow

i think youve wiped the entire team with bees.

at least once.

every time we play.

🐝 hive-meister Follow

SHUT UO!!!

CURSE OF A THOUSAND BEES!!! GET HIME!!!!!! 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

🔮 magicballmaster Follow

should've been a plague...

1,458 notes

💜 meepist Follow

im soooooooo evil.

🟢 evil-meepist Follow

how evil.....

💜 meepist Follow

[holly-louisexox]

Ribcage X Andy Biersack- Part 23

Masterlist

"There's one thing you should know about me Delia Vincent, I don't date. Got no heart to break and emptiness is safe, keep it that way."

He was adamant in his choices…

…But then things changed.

"Hey, you've reached Delia Vincent. I'm sorry I can't take your call right now. Please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

"It's just going straight to voicemail now. Can they still track a phone if it's dead?" Andy asks in frustration looking up at Shevy and his bandmates.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they use the last known location." Jake replies trying to bring some hope to his lead singer.

It had been 2 days since the police officer had interviewed them all, and now all the group could do was sit around and wait. Wait for good news, an update, a miracle; that so far had never come.

"I'm such a fucking idiot!" Andy screams throwing his phone to the floor and cracking the screen, not that he cared. A cracked phone screen was easy to replace, but the woman he adored was not. "Delia is missing and it's all my fault."

"Andy, I know you're upset but you can't keep blaming yourself." Shevy shakes her head slightly. "I get it, I feel guilty too because I was right there, I should have been firmer about her leaving by herself, I should have just followed her but I didn't."

"But none of this would have happened if I wasn't such a dick!" Andy shouts slightly making Shevy flinch. "Shevy, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. If anything it's refreshing to see you show your emotions again." Shevy smiles before sitting down next to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders to try and bring him some form of comfort and lighten the mood a bit.

"To tell the truth, I thought Delia was attractive from the moment I met her." Andy sighs finally feeling himself wanting to open up to the group more. "Not just in the way of 'oh she's pretty' like I felt drawn to her and I didn't understand why, but I didn't want to allow these emotions, these feelings, to get into the mix. I thought if I fucked her if I slept with her, it would resolve the idea in my head. Instead, I only fucked my head further."

"Look, it's been a weird tour and we're facing an unexpected and difficult moment, I know, but we'll find her. We just have to try and stay positive." Lonny pipes up trying to bring some light into the conversation. Andy opening up was a big thing to all of them, whilst they were glad he was finally doing it they were now worried that he would do something reckless which was the last thing any of them wanted or needed.

"Unexpected? No, no we knew what was happening here in Seattle and I, like an idiot, let her walk away!" Andy's rant was soon cut off by Lonny's phone ringing.

"Withheld number?" Lonny questions before answering it and putting it on loudspeaker so the rest of the group could hear what the call was about. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mr Eagleton speaking?" The voice asks through the phone.

"Yes, it is." Lonny replies still feeling confused as to who could be calling

"This is Seattle Police calling, is now a good time to talk?" The voice asks on the other end.

"Now is fine, yes." Lonny gulps slightly, did have have an update? Good news? Bad news?

"I just wanted to give you an update to say that we have managed to track the location of Miss Vincent's phone." The voice explains making everyone gain a look of hope at finding their friend "We will be sending a group out tomorrow to locate the phone and search for Miss Vincent in the hopes that she is somewhere in the area."

"That's great!" Lonny smiles "Thank you for letting us know."

"Mr Eagleton, I do just want to prepare you and your friends in case the worst should happen, these situations do not often have a happy ending. I'm sorry son." The officer sighs slightly killing the mood of the room, that's when Andy's face completely changes and those same tears he's been letting loose for the last few days come pouring back down his face.

"Right... Right, yeah. Okay, thank you." Lonny's voice shakes slightly.

"If I have another update I will let you know. If you or your friends need any support during this difficult time please do not hesitate to give us a call and we can get you some help." The officer explains. "Have a good rest of the day."

"Yeah, you too, bye." Lonny gulps before ending the call.

The whole group just continued to sit in silence in the hotel room they were in whilst looking at one another. Soon enough, all attention was drawn to Andy as they watched him stand up from his chair.

"This is bullshit! Why the hell are they waiting until tomorrow? If they wait until tomorrow it could be too late, it's almost like they don't want to bring her back safe." Andy kicks off as he kicks his already broken phone in a random direction of the room. Suddenly, something clicked in Andy and the anger that filled his facial features melted away to show a much more tired and vulnerable version of himself. "What if they know it's too late? What if... What if they're preparing to... to bring back her body?" Andy starts stuttering and shaking at the mere thought of what he had just said. 

"Andy, Delia's smart. I'm sure she'll find a way to survive this monster." Jake stands up to place a hand on Andy's shoulder, this kind gesture instantly pushed away by Andy who has anger filling his facial features again.

"You don't know that though Jake! No one knows what this person is capable of, hell we don't even know if it's a man or a woman the news has only guessed. Regardless they've already killed, what's to stop them doing the same to Delia?" Andy rants feeling his fists clench into balls as his nails dig into his flesh forming half-cresent moons in their wake. "I know I've been trying to quit, but fuck this shit, I need a smoke." 

Scrambling to pick up his broken phone from the floor, he's glad to see that despite the cracked screen it still springs to life at the press of a button. Shoving it into his jacket pocket he's then storming out of the room leaving the group to look behind him.

CC had seen many true crime documentaries in his life, but he never thought he would be caught up in the middle of one. Like the police officer said, these situations rarely have a happy ending. That triggered him to speak up for the first time in a while.

"What are we going to do if things do turn sour?" He asks.

"CC, don't talk like that." Jinxx pipes up whacking the drummer around the back of the head.

"But I'm just saying, what if it does? Look how Andy handled the divorce with Juliet, it's been years and he's only just come back to his senses because of Delia. If we lose Delia, this is going to destroy him more than it already is. I don't know how we could bring him back from that, he'll go completely off the rails." CC worries.

"I think, should that happen, we just need to make sure we're there for him; more than we have been already." Lonny explains "But until we have a closing answer we just need to try and be as positive as we can about the situation as hope that Delia is found safe."

"Yeah, I agree." Shevy nods "Jake's right, Delia's smart, I'm sure she'll be able to figure something out, she always does. We just need to remember though that the Delia that comes back to us might not be the same."

"God, yeah, I dread to think what this creep could have done to her already, she must be terrified." Jake continues "I hope we all know this isn't going to be easy for anyone. Whatever we're all feeling, Andy is probably feeling 100 times worse. Delia is also going to need a lot of emotional support when the police find her. It's probably going to be a rough few months."

"Well, doesn't look like we'll be touring again anytime soon." Jinxx jokes trying to lighten the vibe that surrounds the room.

"Dude." CC rolls his eyes before taking revenge and whacking him around the head.

"Just trying to lighten the mood." Jinxx puts his hands up in surrender.

They all knew this was going to be rough regardless of the outcome.  Everyone was just praying that Delia would be found safe and soon. The sooner all of this was over the sooner it would just become another bad memory.

[psychospore]

Little Miss Mischief

A/N: just a quick one I made while doing laundry as I was inspired with Cam and Mitch locking Lily in the car in Modern Family as I was watching it on YouTube shorts.

OoO

Y/N: Hey kiddo, Uncle Thor's visiting today to pick you up and daddy and go to the park.

Kiddo: What about you, mummy?

Y/N: I'll be visiting mummy's friends at the Avengers tower

Kiddo: Can I come?

Y/N: Next time, sweet pea. Your uncle misses you so much and your dad is going to be there with you

Kiddo pouts and frowns at the thought of being away from you but you kissed her chubby cheeks and she giggles at your gesture

Y/N: I'm sure you'll enjoy your outing for today

Thor loudly announces his arrival upon entering through your front door

Thor: Hello family! Uncle Thor is here!

Y/N: hello, Thor. How have you been these days?

Thor: hero stuff here and there.. easy peasy..

He looks at the kid and kneels at her level. Opening his arms in a welcoming hug

Thor: Kiddo! My favorite niece! Come give Uncle Thor a big hug!

He boomed as your kid ran up to him for a hug.

Kiddo: UNCLE THOOOR!

Loki: Is my pretty princess ready to go?

Kiddo: yes, daddy

She beams in response, still in Thor's arms.

As you guide them out of the house, Loki gave you a quick peck as Thor and your kid were already alighting the car.

Y/N: you all take care, alright. Call me if anything happens

Loki: do not fret, my love. You have two gods to watch over a kid, our kid.

Y/N: a demigod for a kid.. daughter of the god of mischief too I might add

You corrected. Loki looked at you, cupping one of your cheeks, assuring that everything is under control.

Loki: I will have utmost care for our baby girl. What could go wrong?

Thor: Loki, are you going or are you planning on making baby #2 right now?

You glared at Thor with his head popping out of the driver's seat.

Y/N: Thor! Language, you have a kid there with you

Thor mumbles incoherently popping his head back inside.

Y/N: go now, and have fun

You smiled as Loki leaves to go to the car.

oOo

Thor, Loki and Kiddo arrived at the Park. Thor checking to make sure to have the car keys inside the pocket of his jacket before going out. Loki was a mess though, fumbling to bring the large baby bag he packed earlier. Pretty sure Loki could have just magicked everything to make his life easier but maybe it's because of the fatherhood feeling that he wants to make an effort.

Thor proceeds to go to Loki's side of the car to check if he needs help. Loki just closed his side of the door when he instructed Thor to help the kid get out of the car.

As Thor was about to open the door, the car beeped and he realized that it was locked. They haven't locked the car yet, he fumbled to take the keys out but realized it was not in his pocket.

Both of the gods were mortified, seeing the car keys in the kid's hand. Loki dropped whatever he was holding and started panicking, along with Thor. Thor was signalling the kid to press the little unlock button while Loki was circling the car like a hawk to see if there was anyway they could get into it.

The kid was unaffected by the chaos happening outside, as she was giggling to herself while playing with the keys.

Thor: Should we smash the windows, brother?

A panicked stricken Thor asks

Loki: No, no, no! She might get hurt with the shards flying around. Should we call y/n?

Thor: it's literally been less than 15 minutes! I don't think she will be thrilled to know how we messed up.

Loki: I suppose you have way more better idea?

Thor: I suppose not, brother. Let's just call y/n then.

Thor looked defeated. Loki smashed his phone to call you and you heartily laughed as his voice shook telling you what happened.

Y/N: *over the phone, on loudspeaker* I see that my little miss mischief there has caused trouble as soon as she got the chance.

Thor: just help us out, dear sister, please.

Y/N: alright alright, I'm sorry. I just found it a bit hilarious that you both ACTUALLY forgot you can use your seidr to open the door.

Thor and Loki looked at each other in disbelief as Loki after you both finished speaking over the phone.

Loki: I can't believe I'd end up as stupid as you brother.

Loki jokingly declares.

Thor: but you have to admit, you have quite a mischievous daughter, brother. The god of mischief getting out mischief-ed by his own young daughter.

Loki rolls his eyes but in his mind, he was quite proud of the feat his baby girl pulled out today. The kid is indeed his daughter.

Loki: let's just get her out there so we could enjoy the park.

Loki magically opens the door to find his lovely daughter grinning at him like she did not cause panic to the two gods. Thor took the keys and made sure it was with him. The rest of the day was rather tame, Thor, Loki and the kid enjoying a fun bonding moment together.

[stedes-incredible-library]

Hi! Same anon asking for fave lists, I’d love to hear from all the mods!

Hello! Here are some of our favourites in no particular order (mind the tags and also check the pairings!)

stuck in second gear by tediousdelusion [E], 69k nice

“I want a divorce.” Izzy’s said the words more times than once in the past eighteen years of marriage, but he means them this time. More than he ever has before, anyway. At the prow of the very expensive and very unnecessary boat parked in the driveway, Edward - Izzy’s idiot (soon-to-be-ex) husband - sighs and rolls his eyes. “Come on, Iz!” Ed shouts. He’s wearing a stupid fucking captain’s hat and has one foot propped against the rail. “The boat is an investment! And it’ll be fun.” Or, how Izzy Hands saves his marriage (and gains a boyfriend) by getting a divorce.

would you worship gravity by bitethehands [E], 60k

At precisely the seven-and-a-half hour mark, Izzy prepares the cabin for landing. Ed’s crackly voice buzzes over the loudspeaker with the announcement. He’s not thinking specifically of Finance Consultant Guy, nor of anything bar the inevitable banality of deboarding, so it genuinely catches him off-guard when a hand closes over his wrist. “Apologies for being forward, but what are you doing after this?” - Izzy is a flight attendant. Edward is a pilot. Stede is the first-class passenger who won’t stop chasing after them both.

piña coladas by faeeebaeee [E], WIP

The 80s are in full swing, and the golden decade of Nintendo Gameboys’ and Sony Walkmans’ has never looked better. In the neon jungle, Stede Bonnet, a young salaryman, meets enigmatic mechanic apprentice Edward Teach, and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship via fax machine, page beepers and gifts in the mail.

~Mod N

What Kind of Pirate Has a Friend? by @thetardigrape [E], 31k pre-canon

A story of Edward Teach and Jack Rackham, the two youngest pirates in Captain Hornigold's crew. Friendship, fucking, and fighting. Maybe some fuckery.

The Body Knows by @veeagainsttheday [M], 21k canon adjacent, magical realism, spooky vibes

Stede Bonnet thought he was finally free by faking his own death with a fuckery and leaving everything to his widow and children. He was wrong.

The World Beyond by @veeagainsttheday [E], 43k Alternate Universe

The Colorado River runs dry and sparks thirty years of Water Wars. Blackbeard is the most legendary water pirate in the desert; the Gentleman Pirate broke his heart. Now Stede is searching for the love of his life and Ed is planning his retirement. Unfortunately the remaining Cinco Gallos are still looking for Jim and the cults might be right about the biggest conspiracy theory of the last three decades...

~Mod A (I have a wildly hard time picking favorites of anything. What I've done here is pare down a selection of favorite authors, then shuffled through those for fics that truly haven't left me alone since I read them, then spun that down until I had the three that had the fewest hits. All three are by authors whose entire fandom catalogue I would recommend.)

tastes so sweet it hurts a little by florence_after_midnight [E], 8.3k

“Suits you,” Izzy says, hoping Ed hears the reverence in his voice. “You think?” Ed says, in a playful tone that makes it clear she’s not looking for reassurance but shamelessly fishing for compliments. Fair, Izzy thinks, she deserves all the praise in the world. He’s never been good with words, so he tries to put it all into the simple act of touching her. You’re the most beautiful woman in the fucking world, says the finger tracing the floral pattern of the lace. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, says his thumb running up her sternum. I’d gladly worship at your feet all day, says his left hand finding hers, lacing their fingers together and squeezing tight. or: The one where Ed buys lingerie and Izzy loses his mind about it.

take the pain, take the pleasure by @shatteredhourglass [E], 10k

“If I didn’t know better,” Ed says, hand tracing down Jack’s arm slowly, deceptively gentle, “I’d think you were fucking around with my things, Jack.” In which Ed and Izzy collectively menace the men who choose to get involved with them. Or, five times someone wasn't allowed to fuck Izzy Hands' pussy, and one time they were

everybody's got their limits (nobody's found mine) by @oopshidaisyy [E], 16k

After 153 days, killing Stede Bonnet had begun to lose its appeal. (Or: Izzy gets stuck in a time loop.)

~Mod 🐁

[riahlynn101]

"Of Heartaches and Headaches" (12).

Special thanks to Halogenrobtics (Or Yeagle on AO3) for helping me figure out some crucial plot points, as well as editing my writing!

Chapter Twelve

--

“Welcome to Salt Lake City News at 10 and thank you for joining us. For those just tuning in, we’ve been covering the disappearance of a child from the Little Friends Daycare center in Sunnyvale, Utah. For more on the story, we go to-”

Click.

A man looks blankly at the (now) dark TV screen in front of him. Tears run down his cheeks, and he chokes on his sobs. He’d recorded that broadcast a year ago. Nothing had come of it. Just a few thoughts and prayers on Facebook that amounted to absolutely nothing. 

He is.... alone. 

-x-x-x-

Vanessa mutters to herself, filling out an incident report. A wily kid got it into their tiny, underdeveloped brain to climb the statue of Freddy. They fell, but thankfully they hadn’t gotten very far up before their grip slipped. Unfortunately, the kid still wound up with a concussion and Vanessa had gotten an earful from their mother. 

Incident reports are the least fun part of her job. They take way too much time, and they’re just thrown away within the week. 

She scribbles down the necessary information. Pushing down with much more pressure than required. 

Her pencil-her last pencil-snaps. 

“Agh!” She shouts, frustration creeping in. 

Behind her the door to one of the many security offices slowly creaked open. 

Vanessa swivels towards the door. “Hello,” she calls out. “Anyone there?”

No one answers her. 

She shivers, some primal part of her brain telling her to shut and lock the door. Goosebumps form on her skin. 

“Hello!?” 

Again, no one responds. Even the annoyingly catchy pop songs that play on repeat over the loudspeakers have stopped playing. 

Reluctantly, Vanessa stands up.

Slowly, inch by inch, she creeps towards the door. Her only weapon is a clipboard, which she raises above her head. With each passing second, her anticipation grows. 

The door creeps open….

“Vanessa, hi- what are you doing!?” Her manager, thankfully one of the better ones, looks between Vanessa and the clipboard. “Are you okay? You don’t look well.”

Vanessa drops her arms. “Sorry, Muriel…I…. think I might have that bug that’s been going around.”

“Oh, no, that sucks. Well, no sense in keeping you when you don’t feel good. Take the rest of the day off.”

“Are you-”

Muriel shakes her head. “Don’t worry about us. The pizza plex will remain standing while you’re gone. Just promise to get some rest, alright?”

Mutely, Vanessa nods. 

-x-x-x-

The library in Hurricane is the least visited place in Hurricane. It sits on the edge of town. Some say it was built long before the town was established. Others tell of the many horrors that occurred within its walls; of ghosts that appear and disappear right before patrons’ eyes. Not that that makes much sense, but it doesn’t stop elementary schoolers with overactive imaginations from circulating the same rumors Luis heard way back when he was in school.

He unbuckles Gregory from his car seat. “This shouldn’t take more than five minutes,” Luis tells him. 

The inside smells the exact same as he last remembers it, like an old house that has been left to sit for decades on end - mildewy. The shelves are covered in a layer of dust, and only the librarian who looks up at them from her desk tells Luis that the library hasn’t been abandoned yet. 

If he remembers right, the library had a kiddy corner. Somewhere the adults could drop their children off with kid-friendly material to keep them entertained. His abuela used to take him here all the time as a kid, because the only other form of family-fun entertainment came in the form of Faz-Ent. (And his abuela and extended family could come up with a whole host of reasons why stepping foot in that place was inviting trouble.)

He found the corner and set Gregory down. “I’ll be right over there,” he told him, pointing to the display machine on the other side of the library. “Just have to research a couple things, and then we can go get ice cream. How’s that sound?”

Gregory gave him a thumbs up. 

“Cool.” Luis ruffles his hair. “Thanks, bud.”

It turned out using the newspaper display machine is a lot harder than his abuela made it look. After fiddling with it for a few minutes more, he did the walk of shame up to the librarian’s desk. 

“Excuse me, miss,” he started, “can you please help me with the newspaper machine?”

“The microform machine has been out of commission for the last decade.”

“Oh,” Luis says, unable to keep the disappointment out of his voice. “I apologize for bothering you.”

The librarian sighed. “Lucky for you, I happen to keep a record of all major in-town events dating back since the early 1900s.” She looked at him over her glasses. “At least I hope you’re looking for a major event, otherwise you might be out of luck.”

“Yes…I mean yes, I’m fairly certain what I’m looking for would constitute a major event.”

Ten minutes later, Luis found himself at a table surrounded by newspapers, some older than he himself and others only months old. From here, he could see and hear Gregory- who was having the time of his life, eyes widening with every picture book. 

He smiles, sorting through all the dates. 

Hurricane Elementary Millage Passes: What Does This Mean for the Future of Our Children?

(September 17th, 2019).

Local Hurricane Resident Wins the Jackpot! 

(November 1st, 2021).

Grand Opening of a Brand-New Restaurant! 

(January 4th, 2020).

His smile drops, reading the next headline.

Local Woman Found Dead!

(December 17th, 2019).

…and the next….

New Killer On the Prowl? 

(December 30th, 2019).

….and the next…

Two More Local Children Go Missing.

(February 10th, 2020).

Behavioral Therapists Advised Not to Practice in Hurricane!

(March 4th, 2020).

Is This the Work Of the Same Killer From the 80s? 

(April 6th, 2020).

Luis eyes a different pile, one that looks older. Pulling the pile over to him, he sets the papers out in front of him. 

Grand Opening! Fredbear’s Family Diner: Come One, Come All!

(May 4th, 1979).

He feels his stomach drop upon seeing the next few headlines.

Local Girl, Three, is Still Missing!

(November 3rd, 1980).

Boy, 8, Nearly Dies After Tragic Accident at Fredbear’s Family Diner.

(October 6th, 1983).

Five Children Missing!

(June 27th, 1984).

He recognized his uncle’s smiling face on the latter newspaper’s front page. Shaking his head to rid himself of any oncoming negative thoughts, Luis turned in his seat to look at the librarian.

“Miss, is it alright if I check all these out? I need to feed my son dinner, and-”

“Sure thing. Just make sure to bring them back in one piece….or else.”

He chuckled nervously. “Of…of course.”

Once Gregory and the boxes of newspapers had been secured in the backseat, Luis slid into the driver’s seat. He sighed, trying to put the headlines out of his mind. 

He promised himself he wouldn’t bring up the past. That this was all water under the bridge for them. 

“Ice cream…?” Gregory asks, eyeing the colorful pages of the book Luis checked out for him. 

Luis hums, straightening up. “Yeah, of course, bud. Do you want-”

His phone buzzes in the cupholder. “Hold that thought.” He pressed the answer button. “Hello?”

“Luis, hi! I got sent home-”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I was wondering if I could come over for a little bit? I haven’t seen Gregory all day, and….” Vanessa trails off.

“No, yeah, that’s fine. I’m picking up some ice cream, and then I’ll be right there.”

They mutter a series of goodbyes before finally hanging up. He looked back at Gregory. “Hey, guess what?”

Gregory looks up from his book.

“‘Ness is going to meet us back at the house earlier than expected.”

He bounces in his seat, eyes lighting up. “Yay!”

“But first we have to get ice cream.” He turns back around, buckling his seatbelt. “How does ice cream sundaes sound?”