#like. yeah the alcoholism is bad. but they read together and go on boat rides and play tennis

[kalashtars]

the first time I read The Secret History I was about 14, and found main friend group altogether charming but stiff and sort of boring. Now, in college, I realize that the friend group pre-murder just does things that my current friend group does and/or I would love for us to do.

[derivativealigner]

Well I haven’t watched sp all the way through for about a decade now, so I thought it was time

Sometimes I wonder how accurate the fandom is when it comes to how we interpret the characters. Like, why is Stan a football star so often in fanfic and why’s Kyle always the smart one? So I thought I’d rewatch the show and make notes along the way to see where the source of all these interpretations is. I also wanted to see if I could get some fun info to analyze, but season 1 is pretty sparse in that regard so there’s not too much of that in this post, but I’ll make a post for all the other seasons too as I watch them

In summary, it’s established in season 1 already that Stan’s a star quarterback and an animal lover, Kyle’s an A+ student, and Kenny is poor and knows a lot about sex and doesn’t have many qualms about doing crazy shit. Cartman is a bit weird since he’s mostly just a naive brat in this season, but he and Kyle have a mildly antagonistic friendship already

I have all my notes under this cut. They include a bunch of small details and other observations. I also listed every Kenny death just because

Ike has freckles

Cartman says “Weak!” and “You guys” and “Seriously” a lot from the start, also “Kickass!” He doesn’t say weak or kickass much in the later seasons iirc

Stan says “Dude, this is pretty fucked up right here” three times in this season but they dropped that catchphrase pretty quickly

Bebe got named in episode 2

Stan’s been an animal lover since s01e03 Volcano since he won’t shoot a bunny or anything else. He does shoot Scuzzlebutt at the end though

Cartman’s a pathological liar but in a childish way

Randy got named in s01e03 Volcano (and it only got worse from there)

The mayor went to Princeton

South Park is next to Mt. Evanson

Kenny will literally drink gasoline

Stan’s a star quarterback in 3rd grade

Clyde’s voice is wrong as hell in S01E04 Big Gay Al’s Big Gay Boat Ride and he has a dog, Rex

Garrison says Kyle is an A+ kid

Shelly seriously abuses Stan, punching him, throwing him, maiming him with a lawnmower

Cartman had a pot-bellied pig called Fluffy

Cartman’s mom smokes crack and has sex with strange men

Dr. Mephesto is probably a Buddhist since he says “Thank Buddha” instead of “Thank God”

Clyde’s voice gets kind of fixed in S01E06

A guy called Mr. McCormick is killed in a protest, launched and splattered against a network building. He doesn’t look like Kenny’s dad though

Zombie Clyde attacks Bebe, rude

Wendy gave her costume contest prize (2 tons of candy) to hungry children in Nairobi

Cartman’s mom is on the cover of Crack Whore magazine. “Back do’ ho… Five on one action!” is the headline

Cartman genuinely cries at Kenny’s grave after the whole zombie thing but gets over it because of candy

Stan knows his mom’s credit card number and has no problem using it to adopt an Ethiopian child (the boys wanted a watch that came with the adoption, they weren’t doing it to be nice)

Cartman calls Stan a vas deference, Stan doesn’t know what that is so Kenny says “Dude, it’s a pipe for your peepee” (according to a transcript). Kenny sure knows male anatomy

Kyle sniffs Kenny after Cartman asks why poor people smell like sour milk and Garrison says “idk eric they just do”

Cartman thinks poor people should die and decrease the surplus population

When the boys get Starvin’ Marvin delivered to them, Cartman says “Hey mom, we found an Ethiopian, can we keep him?” and his mom says “Sure, hun.” She rarely says no to Cartman

Kenny’s dad is an alcoholic who drinks scotch according to Cartman. I mean, Mr. McCormick is seen drinking in multiple episodes and has a hat that says SCOTCH so it’s probably true

Kenny’s family says grace

Craig’s first appearance is S01E09. Also, S01E09 is the first time Kenny doesn’t die (Coincidence? I THINK yeah but it’s still fun)

Clyde got named in S01E10

Clyde and Bebe both spit on Pip’s face, friendship goals <3

Cartman and Kyle have their first fight at Cartman’s birthday party because Kyle didn’t give the right gift. Cartman slaps his face and  screams “I hate you! I want you to die! Die!” while on top of Kyle who’s not really fighting back

Satan throws a fight with Jesus after everyone except Satan bet that Jesus would lose, which leads to Satan winning everyone’s money. Mr. Garrison says “What a mean thing to do!” and Jimbo says “He is a jerk!” and I thought it was quite a laugh so I wrote it down

In S01E11 Tom’s Rhinoplasty Bebe and Wendy are sitting in the swings together and generally appear together throughout the episode, then Bebe gives Wendy a makeover so they’re bffs obviously <3

Craig first appears in the classroom, though not sitting down, in S01E11

Wendy’s not happy about Ms. Ellen taking Stan away from her, she says “Don’t fuck with me! Stay away from my man, bitch, or I’ll whoop your sorry ho ass back to last year!”

Kenny gives Ms. Ellen a scrumptious looking sausage as a valentine’s gift and giggles deviously. Wendy’s gift to Ms. Ellen is a dead animal

Even Kenny doesn’t know what a lesbian is

Wendy’s grandma died in S01E11

Wendy gets Ms. Ellen killed by hiring the Iraqi government (?) to put her in a rocket and shoot it into the sun, then she and Bebe have a pool party (very cool, they wear sunglasses 😎) and watch the rocket hit the sun

Cartman and Pip play a game of kicking each other in the nuts until someone falls. Cartman calls it “Roshambo”

Kenny has a sack of marbles

The boys aren’t fans of Barbra Streisand, but Stan is a fan of the Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (he’s not a quarterback anymore, he’s an American football executive and the president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the NFL according to wikipedia.)

Officer Barbrady is a fan of Fiona Apple (who was 20 at the time and had only one album released called Tidal)

Ned knows how to pilot a helicopter

Kyle’s mom is a fan of Streisand unlike literally everyone else, she even gets an autograph from Mecha Streisand

The boys are fans of Robert Smith, the lead singer of The Cure. Stan says “Robert Smith is the greatest person that ever lived!” and Kyle says “Disintegration is the best album ever!” and Cartman says “Robert Smith kicks ass!” and Kenny’s dead so he doesn’t get to have an opinion

Cartman has tea parties with his toys: Polly Prissypants, Clyde frog, Peter Panda, and a dragon called Rumpertumskin

Kyle wants to make fun of Cartman for the tea party but Stan stops him because he’s concerned that Cartman needs help

Craig is in front of the school counselor’s office in S01E13

A young miss Cartman drinks like a motherfucker at the 12th annual drunken barn dance where Cartman was supposedly conceived

Stan lets Cartman borrow his bike like a good friend

Garrison wanted to have a threesome with Chef and Cartman’s mom. I don’t know why I’m making a note of this but uh… yeah.

Cartman’s mom has had sex with everyone at this bar that Garrison’s drinking at, including principle Victoria, the mayor, Father Maxi, and Jesus (and maybe Kenny’s dad since he’s at the bar but the camera doesn’t pan to him when Garrison says they’ve all slept with Liane). Later Gerald Broflovski is a possible father to Eric, so he fucked her too. Also Mr. Mephesto and his friend Kevin, that little guy, are candidates along with a lot of other people, including the 1989 Denver Broncos (and Mr. Tenorman is included in that later)

Cartman doesn’t make fun of Kyle for being Jewish much at all in this season even though the Christmas episode is all about Kyle not celebrating

Clyde and Token appear very early on and Clyde has always been in the classroom (along with Bebe, Red, Kevin Stoley, Wendy, and Pip and uhh DogPoo too I think). Craig appears later in the season and Tweek’s not in season 1 at all, so Craig’s gang isn’t really a thing yet

And here’s a list of the ways Kenny died in this season. He dies in every episode except episode 9, and he dies twice in episodes 2 and 3. Altogether he dies 14 times

S01E01 Killed after alien shoots him, cows stampede over him, then cop runs him over which finally actually kills him

S01E02 Killed in a play by a falling teepee, then a second time shot by Garrison which sends him in the air and he gets impaled on a flagpole on the way down

S01E03 Killed by a volcano rock that burns him then rolls on him but he’s alive again in the end but gets shot by Ned’s gun that he drops and it accidentally goes off

S01E04 Gets his arms and head torn off in an American football game

S01E05 Stan’s clone punches Kenny into a microwave where he gets cooked alive

S01E06 Death touches Kenny

S01E07 Kenny gets crushed by a Russian space station and turns into a zombie because he gets Worcestershire sauce in his veins, then Kyle chainsaws zombie Kenny in half, then zombie Kenny rises from his grave and is crushed by a statue and a plane

S01E08 Kenny is killed by a bunch of turkeys. His eye gets plucked out. It’s dark blue

S01E10 After Kenny gets turned into a duck-billed platypus, Jimbo and Ned shoot him

S01E11 Ms. Ellen throws a sword through Kenny’s face

S01E12 While Mecha Streisand and a giant robot Leonard Maltin fight, Kenny plays with a tetherball and gets the rope wrapped around his neck and it strangles him

S01E13 Kenny gets stuck on a go kart and it drags him around but stops and he’s still alive! Too bad the go kart stops on train tracks and a train runs him over. Stan’s grandpa sends a video of the event to America’s Stupidest Home Videos and wins $10,000

If you read all that, first of all hello. I’m not new to the fandom even though this is the first thing I’ve posted on this tumblr blog. I’ve been writing a fanfic called Caffetamine though so I’m not a complete non-entity. Anyway, I’ll watch season 2 soon and post my notes on that too probably.

[ada-mike]

The Truth Always Comes Out - Digimon (Davis/Yolei)

Hey, guys, long time no see. Hope you’re all doing well, all things considered. I decided to dust off this blog and post a little FanFiction for a change! Fancy that. Why FanFiction for a fairly rare pair in a children’s cartoon from twenty years ago? Good question. I was honestly inspired by the work of a truly amazing writer @tanyatakaishi and their incredible story Innocent Games, whose sequel is currently in progress and definitely worth the read whether you’re into Digimon or not (but you should be into Digimon, i mean seriously?) But yeah, drop by and give Innocent Games a read, drop a comment and a kudo too while you’re at it. This short story I’m posting myself is so inspired by Innocent Games, it’s pretty safe to call it a FanFiction of a FanFiction, doesn’t really fit into any canon, and is just something I had rattling around my head that I needed to bang out. Please give it a read and let me know your thoughts! Stay safe, ya’ll.

- Mike

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In hindsight, he really should have known better. Yolei had always possessed an inquisitive streak to put it lightly (whether or not the matter being investigated was her business was rarely a concern) and she was typically about as adept at snooping things out as Davis was poor at hiding them.

And really, on his laptop of all places?

Davis, along with the rest of their friends, had spent his fair share of time around – as well as inside of – computers, but regardless, they were still Yolei's domain through and through, her expertise. And as his father had once told him many years ago, during a family trip to the supermarket where Davis had denied, despite being caught, that he'd tried to shoplift a pack of gum down the front of his shorts: The truth always comes out.

His thoughts were scattered though as they stumbled through the front door and into the blackness of the dorm he shared with Ken. Yolei was strung over his back like a long-legged, lilac-haired knapsack – having mounted him during the elevator ride, laughing, the liquor in her belly turning her playful.

The haze of alcohol still hung heavy in Davis’s mind too, enough so that his legs wobbled dangerously as he carried her through the blackness to where he approximated the futon was.

“Is Ken here?” Her breath was warm in his hair and the heat climbed up his neck to settle in the tips of his ears.

“Nah,” He said. “He’s with his parents this weekend.”

“Perfect.” She purred.

Davis picked up the pace, stumbling over a pair of soccer cleats in the dark. He spun in a circle, pulling a fresh laugh from Yolei, before depositing them both on the sagging futon cushion. Yolei sat pinned behind him, a little squished, but regardless it was the perfect position to plant sloppy kisses on his exposed neck. Davis squirmed, his heart racing.

“It doesn’t smell in here, does it?” He asked.

“Only a little.”

“It’s the trash, I bet. I haven’t taken it out since Monday.” He moved to rise, but she pulled him back into her lap, near growling:

“Leave it.”

“Mmm,” He hummed. “You like the funk, huh? It sets the mood for you?”

“You’re about to ruin the mood if you don’t shut it.”

“Such a way with words, love.”

Love.

That word. It was enough to diffuse squabble that had been sparking.

Davis sunk back into her and she wrapped her arms around him, feeling up and down his chest, then down his gut. He seized one of her hands and brought it to his mouth, kissing her sharp knuckles, the pads of her fingers, her wrist. It was surprisingly tender for him.

And it drove her absolutely wild.

Her free hand had just wrapped around the buckle of his belt, when the door to the bedroom creaked open.

“Davish?”

They both flinched as tiny feet pounded on the floor, leapt, then thudded lightly on the futon by their side. Yolei reached and flicked on the lamp switch by her head.

“DemiVeemon!” Davis was grinning at the sight of his partner, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I thought you’d still be sleeping, buddy.”

“I had a dream that we were on a boat! I wanted to tell you about it!” The in-training Digimon clambered onto Yolei’s knee. “Yolei, your face is so red you look like a tomato!”

“It’s hot.” She explained. And it was, the compounding moments of passion followed by DemiVeemon’s interruption had them both sweating slightly.

“Where’s Poromon?” The Digimon asked, unperturbed. Fresh from his nap, he was ready to play.

“Um- He’s spending the night in the Digital World.” She dug her nails into Davis’s side, causing him to wince in pain, the soft touches suddenly gone. “I kind of thought you’d be there too.”

“Nope!” Chirped DemiVeemon. “But we could all go now!”

“Tomorrow, buddy.” Davis brushed his hands over DemiVeemon’s ears. Even if a trip to the Digital World could be fit into their agenda, the phantom feeling of Yolei's hands on him was fresh and that very likely meant that standing up anytime would be a bad move. “But hey, you know, I think I still have some Udon in the fridge from yesterday. Ya hungry?”

“Yes!”

As DemiVeemon scampered away, Davis sighed and lifted himself out from between Yolei’s legs so he could sit beside her.

“Sorry about that,” He settled his arms on her shoulders, leaning close. “But where were we?”

“Davis, no.” She pushed him back. “I told you that I was taking Poromon to the Digital World so we could be alone tonight. Why didn’t you do the same?”

“I was going to. I just – I dunno, felt bad about dumping him there.” Davis rubbed his nose. The alcohol's buzz was fading from him now, much too fast for his liking. “He’ll be in a food coma in twenty minutes though, I guarantee it. Then we can get back to -”

“Hold on,” Her eyes sharpened into knives behind her glasses “You think I dumped Poromon in the Digital World?”

“No, I-”

“I did not dump him,” She continued, shifting further away on the cushion as she sat up straighter. “He’s helping out in Primary Village. I’ll be there to pick him up again tomorrow.”

“I know!” Davis felt a fresh wave of heat roll up his ears, annoyed that she was picking apart his words tonight of all nights. “I’m not trying to make you feel guilty.”

“I have no reason to feel guilty.” She folded her arms and sank back, eyes settling on the kitchen where DemiVeemon’s ears were casting shadows up the wall from the light of the open refrigerator. “He’s fine, just – dammit, Davis.” A heavy sigh billowed her lips, then: “You and I just got back together, what? Three days ago? And between school and everything, you and I haven’t had time… We needed a night like this.”

It was true. This most recent “break” of theirs had been a rough one and longer than any previous up to now. Almost an entire two months had passed where they barely spoke a single word to each other, only interacting when strictly necessary for Digimon matters, or the occasional late-night message over their D-Terminals.

Davis slumped back too.

“Tonight was a good night.” He said lamely.

She just nodded.

They sat in silence for a minute as DemiVeemon finished rummaging for food. He eventually waddled past them back to Davis’s bedroom, a warm bowl nearly as big as he was balanced on his head. All dreams of boats forgotten for the time being. Whether or not he had heard the beginning of their spat, Davis wasn’t sure. Regardless, he now wished his partner had stayed to break some of the tension that hung heavy in the room.

What he really wanted was another drink.

What he needed to do was apologize.

Instead, he lurched forward, propping himself on one arm as he reached over Yolei. She opened her mouth, ready to rebuke him again, until he reached past her and snatched the clunky laptop that sat on the end table.

It was five pounds heavier and just as many years outdated for anything Yolei would have considered satisfactory, but Davis had got it for a good price in a resale shop and desperately needed a computer for school. He grunted as he settled back in his seat and flipped open the lid, determined to find a way to break the awkward silence.

“Can I – um, play some music?”

He was already scrolling through his rather extensive music library, not waiting for an answer, but Yolei nodded anyways.

“Just no dub-step, please for the love of God.”

He chuckled and something in her chest unwound. He eventually settled on something, and with a double-click the room was filed with smooth guitar and steady drums. They listened, Davis nodding his head in beat and Yolei watching him.

“The speakers on that thing are awful.”

“Yeah.”

The song transitioned, adding more varied guitar and aggressive vocals.

“I haven’t heard this one before.”

“Ken showed it to me.”

“It’s good.”

“Yeah.”

As the song started to fade, Davis reached, without looking, and rubbed a line up and down Yolei’s thigh. She unfolded her arms, but before she could move further towards him, he was lifting the laptop from his lap and moving it into her’s. He stood up.

“Gotta take a piss.” He muttered, trudging towards the bathroom, tripping over the same pair of cleats as he went.

Yolei watched him leave, long nails tapping on the plastic laptop chassis. After the bathroom door closed and she heard him emptying his bladder into the toilet through the thin wall, she sighed and began flicking through his music.

She had gotten a little too defensive earlier and she knew it.

The truth was, she did feel a little guilty for parting ways with her Digimon, even if it was only for a night. Despite the lack of crises in the Digital World needing their intervention, it sometimes felt like she was shirking responsibility by turning more attention to other aspects of her life.  

But she was older. She was busy – they all were.

Breaking up with Davis a few months ago had been a mistake, a rash decision after a stupid fight.

Drawing a good night out by coming home with him and arguing tonight had been a mistake. The wounds from the breakup were still fairly fresh. They couldn’t exactly just pickup where they left off.

Hell, maybe getting back together had been the mistake.

She wasn’t even reading the list of songs anymore as she scrolled. Her ring finger tapped a little too quickly on the arrow keys and the music program locked up from overestimation. Grumbling, she tapped more—even though she knew better—and the window was suddenly minimized, and then she was confronted with the egregious mess of folders on Davis’s desktop.

What immediately caught her eye was the folder labeled ‘Sexy Sexy Sexy’, and with that, any thought of innocently returning Davis’s music library vanished up in smoke.

Eyebrow quirked, she clicked and opened the oddly-named folder without hesitation. Of course she knew that most every guy had that particular folder stashed away. Having it on the desktop was definitely bold though.

What she saw though almost made her guffaw, and she struggled to steel herself.

The folder contained pictures upon pictures of different styles of ramen, most likely purloined from some high-end bistro’s online menu, judging by the nearly indecent high quality and their tiny watermarks in the corner of each. Nearly every photo was accompanied with an adjacent text document, containing what Yolei astutely guessed were Davis’s attempts at parsing out the recipe by looks alone.

This ramen folder was probably more organized and cared for than the one he used for homework, and a quick visit back to the desktop and to a directory simply dubbed ‘hw’ confirmed this.

Yolei glanced at the bathroom door. Things inside had gone silent, but if history and the number of sliders he ate at the bar were reliable indicators, Davis would probably be preoccupied for a few more minutes. She had plenty of time.

Yolei cruised through the rest of his desktop in record time, finding nothing of note outside of a few folders containing game roms, a second folder of his own home-brewed ramen recipes, and much to her surprise: an alarming amount of digitized Shoujo manga, definitely pirated. She filed that away for teasing ammunition later.

Now, to find the really good stuff.

Her practiced fingers danced over the keyboard, running a shell command to search for recently accessed items. Buried in several sub-folders was one entry that caught her eye, a single folder with a timestamp indicating it was opened just an hour or so before he’d picked her up for their date earlier that evening.

The folder was named ‘yolei’.

A swirl of emotions flooded her as she opened the file with her namesake, and she found it was a dumping ground of yet more photographs.

Instead of gratuitous snapshots of food however, they all featured her.

Yolei immediately recognized a series of selfies she’d sent him herself – some as early as when they had first started their on-again/off-again relationship years ago. It had never occurred to her that Davis would be the type to save them anywhere but his phone. It was surprisingly sentimental of him.

An image of Davis lying in his bed, clicking through and lovingly studying a slideshow of her, sprung to mind and she felt a warm swell of affection for him. She had done something similar on occasion, when their respective university work had kept them apart for multiple days on end.

There were other styles of pictures too. As she scrolled further, she found photos they had taken together at her high school graduation ceremony, shots of them at a beach trip, and one from her recent birthday where he’d tried to wrestle her face into the cake. She couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

She came to a stop at one photo in particular, the image’s age betrayed by how grainy it’s quality was.

They couldn’t have been older than thirteen. Davis was round-faced and grinning in the middle, one arm slung over Ken to his left and the other over a mildly miffed Kari. T.K. stood on Kari’s other side (Yolei had forgotten about that silly hat he used to wear) and on the opposite edge stood Yolei herself, all spindly limbs and thick, round glasses—stained brilliant white from the flash of the camera.

Their Digimon partners stood huddled around their feet and Yolei felt a fresh pang when her eyes fell on Hawkmon.

She scrolled further, perhaps more quickly than necessary, but then came to a screeching halt.

“Bastard.” She hissed, an angry blush spreading across her cheeks.

“What?” Davis had somehow exited the bathroom and was halfway back to his seat. Yolei had been so engrossed in her recent discovery she hadn’t even heard him flush.

Without missing a beat, she twirled the laptop around and pointed the screen at him accusatory.

“What the hell is this?”

To his credit, Davis had learned since the gum smuggling attempt in his youth that it was best not to lie when he’d be caught.

“Oh,” His mouth formed a perfect O-shape. Now he was blushing too. “I can explain-”

“You better!” She rattled the laptop at him, the hinge wobbling dangerously. “I told you to delete these, Davis!”

It had been her one demand when they had broken up most recently. He had listed several himself, including the unconditional return of the multiple sweater-shirts she’d swiped from his dorm. She considered this a devastating blow, as they made the perfect sleeping shirts in her opinion. But to be fair, he actually needed them more than she did, his winter wardrobe being sparse as it was.

“I did delete them!” He shot back.

“Oh—that is so obviously not true.” She flipped the laptop back around so she could look at them again. The photos were definitely there, present and accounted for, completely not deleted. Her eyes were flashing as she glared back up at him. “Why did you keep these?!”

“Look, you specifically asked me to delete from my phone,” He explained. “And that’s what I did.”

“Oh, so you thought you could keep these on a technicality, huh?”

“We’re back together now so why does it matter?” He threw his hands in the air. “They’re not even that bad of pictures.”

“They’re disgusting.”

Davis chose not to argue with that. Certainly most of the photos could be construed as less-than appealing.

His laptop currently contained the only copies in existence of seventeen candid photos of Yolei, caught in various stages of sleep, sickness, and general foulness.

It had started as kind of sweet. On one of the nights she had slept over he’d woken first, and had snapped a quick picture of her face as she slept rather serenely, messy hair splayed over his pillow. When he’d showed her the picture later, he’d called her beautiful. She made a show of rolling her eyes, but smiled and blushed all the same.

For the second photo, he’d caught her while she was trying to subtly pick her nose.

It had kind of snowballed from there.

“Why were you even going through my laptop anyways?” He demanded in turn.

“I was looking for music.” Yolei turned her nose up matter-of-factly.

“In my pictures? Yeah, Right.”

“You’re missing the point.” She waved her hand as if his words were a fly buzzing by her ears. “This is a major breach of privacy.”

“Now that, you’re right about.” He stepped forward finally and reached for his laptop, but she pulled it to her chest.

“I mean my privacy, you jackass.”

“I took those, so they’re actually mine.”

“But they’re not pictures of you, are they?” She looked down, scrutinizing one of her in an unseemly, homemade guacamole facemask, filename: ‘she-hulk’. She had seen all these pictures before at one point or another, usually accompanied with some gentle ribbing at her expense, but seeing the collage now felt entirely different. “Davis, how could I ever trust you again? You promised me that you’d get rid of these.”

She was right of course, and that caused the words to sting all the more. Davis was near a hundred percent sober now, but his vision still blurred. Hot tears of shame, and a heaping dose of frustration, pricking his eyes. He fought and managed to keep his voice level, mostly:

“Yeah, well... how am I supposed to just go around like it’s nothing when you could be sniffing through my drawers every time I turn my back?”

She didn’t have an answer for that.

A half minute passed where neither said anything. The music from the laptop was still playing passively, shuffling through Davis’s library automatically and currently playing some upbeat video game OST Yolei didn’t recognize. Eventually he moved and sank down onto the futon with her again, a few inches of space between them, and both their eyes settled on the gallery of photos still on display on the glowing screen in Yolei’s arms.

Davis remembered telling his friends oh so recently that he and Yolei were back together. Tai and Izzy had exchanged a quick glance, a silent exchange of barely-contained, mild exasperation. He imaged them placing bets on how long he and Yolei would last this time and pictured money exchanging hands when he broke the news that they were surely once again parting ways-

“That was the most sick I’d ever been in my entire life.” Yolei muttered suddenly, indicating one of the pictures. “I literally thought I was dying.”

He chuckled despite himself.

“Your nose is so red there.”

“Yeah, the tissues from I-Mart were like sandpaper. They still are.”

“Red looks good on you though.” Their eyes met then, and Davis continued quickly, stammering slightly. “I mean, not many people can pull off crimson flight pants, but- um… you did.. for years.”

Her face had an unreadable quality to it, and it seemed as if she might respond with something, but then she turned away and began scrolling through his computer again. He noticed her eyes weren’t focused though and he didn’t have it in him to try and dissuade her from searching still. There was nothing else to find anyway.

“Why do you even have this folder?” She asked, eyes forward.

He debated with himself for a few seconds, then decided on the truth.

“I like… having photos. You know, of you.” He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “And when we broke up last time, and you told me to delete all those ugly pics of you, I did.” Yolei’s mouth opened to object, but he continued before she could interject. “I really did. I honestly just forgot that they were on my laptop with everything else too, and when I saw them later, I just… couldn’t get rid of them.” He stared at her profile, tracing with his eyes the lines of her cheek, the bump on her nose. “I really thought this last time was the real deal.”

“Me too.”

“Do you think we should break up again?”

“I don’t know.” Even though they weren’t quite touching, Yolei felt him stiffen by her side. She closed her eyes, and said her next words to the blackness of her eyelids. “I don’t want to.”

He breathed out, the air leaving him as if released from a balloon.

“God, me neither.”

She twisted on her seat, opening her eyes to meet his gaze.

“I’m sorry for looking through your laptop. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“It’s okay.” He responded quickly.

Yolei continued anyways.

“If I’m being honest too, I was looking to see what kind of porn you had saved on here.”

“What?” Davis balked. “Seriously? Why would you think I had… that stuff… on there? I don’t even…” He shook his head, the image of incredulity. “I don’t even watch that.” Yolei watched him steadily, a single brow raised. “What? I don’t!”

“Sure. We’ll talk about that some other time.” She was only half teasing.

The promise of ‘some other time’ bolstered his spirits quickly. He eyed his laptop in her hands, suddenly loathing the pathetic thing and how he’d used it to hide away the secret vestiges of what he had once thought would be all that remained of his and Yolei’s relationship. She had owned up to her transgressions.

What he needed to do was apologize.

Standing, he pulled the laptop from her slack grip before she could argue, and looking her dead in the eyes, gripped each half of the computer and snapped it in half along the hinge. The music died with a pitiful wheeze and splinters of plastic flew everywhere, a few bouncing off Yolei’s glasses to disappear into the fibers of the rug at her feet.

“Davis!”

“I shouldn’t have kept those pictures.” He discarded the broken halves of the computer, speaking passionately. “I want us to start over fresh, okay? I don’t want any dumb secrets or anything like that to cause any problems. I want you to trust me, because I trust you – I really do.” He swallowed hard. “I still love you, Yolei.”

Her eyes shone and laughter bubbled in her throat.

“But you computer-”

“I needed a new one anyways. You can help me pick one out!”

“Yeah, but,” She wiped her eyes clear. “What about all the other pictures? My graduation, the Digimon?”

“I still have those on my phone, no worries.”

“And your homework?”

“My homework?” It took a second for Davis’s brain to catch up. His eyes passed from one broken piece of the laptop to the other, then his hands rose to bury themselves in his hair. “Oh shit, shit. My mid-term paper is saved on there...”

Yolei wanted to laugh, she wanted to cry, but instead she reached out and pulled him to her. She gently unwound his fingers from his hair and twined them with hers. She kissed him and kept pulling until he was climbing onto the battered futon with her, then over her.

In the morning, she would take off the back panel of his broken computer and pull the hard drive. She’d help him recover his homework and maybe, just maybe, a couple of the more agreeable photos that she would allow him to keep.

For now though, he didn’t need any of the digital keepsakes. As far as either of them were concerned, any number of pictures paled in comparison to the real thing.

For now though, she held him close and breathed in his ear.

“I love you too.”

When DemiVeemon bounced back into the living area sometime later, he found the pair asleep and huddled under a blanket together on the futon. The small Digimon took in the mess on the floor, the couple’s mussed hair, their slow and steady breaths, chests rising as one. Of course, he had heard every word of their argument from Davis’s bedroom, but he was used to the ruckus by now and too preoccupied with his noodles to care. Anyways, no doubt there would be many such squabbles in the future for him to witness.

He decided to let them sleep for now and bounded to the kitchen in search of a mid-night snack. He would just have tell Davis about his dream some other time.

[amerie-wadia]

Painting JJ’s Nails

for the prompt “painting jj’s nails” by @maybanktho

this drabble somewhat follows canon pairings but you can read into my hints at mayward because i just can’t help myself. 

The Pogues had been out on the boat all day, mostly fishing but swimming a bit before the sunset and the water was still warmed from the heat of the day. It was the first true summer day they all got to spend together since John B and Sarah...well, since John B and Sarah came home. JJ was happy to give up the driver’s seat of the Pogue, too many weeks of just himself, Pope, and Kie riding in circles around the island desperate to find some place that didn’t remind them of John B. They never quite found that place.

Even with Sarah tossed into the bunch, it was the closest to normal JJ had felt in the past two months. Grief and loneliness had sent JJ into a spiral of isolation and cheap vodka. His head hurt, missing his buzz, and he had buried all his weed in the backyard so it didn’t tempt him. It still tempted him. He promised Pope he wouldn’t do that anymore.

It had gotten to be too much. Too much vodka too early in the mornings. Too many days of ditched work. Too many unanswered text messages. Kie had been livid with him. Pope had just been worried. Both were too hard to face, so JJ hid under his duvet and hung around Barry’s house more often that he’d ever admit too. Once he worked off the money he stole, he made enough to buy better vodka that got him drunk even faster.

JJ hasn’t taken a drink in five days.

To most people, five days doesn’t seem like many. To JJ, five days is a millennia.

Sarah and John B brought beer and JJ refused to make them stop when Pope told them JJ was trying to get clean. Kie has gotten mad again, but this time it was at John B. That didn’t sit right either so JJ chugged part of a gatorade and tossed his fishing line off the side of the boat to keep his hands occupied. As long as he didn’t smell it, it wasn’t too bad. Pope sat down next to him and started talking about hammerhead sharks.

Other than one uncomfortable moment, the day had been what JJ dreamt of for weeks. The air was warm and the breeze was glistening. Soft rock spilled out of Kie’s waterproof speaker as they drifted along the marshes, laughing and reminiscing about Kie’s Kook year and the summer before freshman year when they met Pope.

The sun set before they made it back to the Chateau, so it was dark and John B stumbled as the boat slammed into the shore, flailing around to find a thick enough tree root to anchor it to. Sarah pulled out her phone’s flashlight and shined it in his direction. Pope gave Kie a hand up and out of the boat. He offered one to JJ too, but JJ just rolled his eyes and hopped out of the boat, swinging an arm around Kie’s shoulder just to have her brush him off.

“Pizza?” Kie suggested as all five of them headed in through the porch and into the house.

“I can do pizza,” Sarah agreed.

“Hell yeah, then,” Pope chimed in.

John B scrambled through the top right kitchen drawer for the menu with the right phone number on it and then held it in Sarah’s direction as she called in their order.

“Don’t forget to ask for extra pepperoni,” JJ whispered midway through the call. Sarah just waved her hand at him as if she couldn’t believe that he thought she’d forget that.

“Wonderfull. Thank you so much,” she grinned, shutting off her phone and sticking the menu back in the drawer. “They said it will be about half an hour.”

“I should probably shower first,” Kie commented, studying the patches of dried sunscreen blobs on her arm.

“No,” John B whined. Let’s do something.”

“I feel so gross right now. You guys do something and in like ten minutes I’ll join you.”

“Fine,” John B huffed, looping his arm around Sarah’s shoulders as Kie headed into the bathroom and started up the shower. The sound of the shower water was comforting and JJ crawled into the corner of John B’s sofa so he could lean against the arm rest. Pope took the opposite end of his couch and John B and Sarah curled up on the loveseat.

“Shark tank?” Pope asked as he slowly flipped through the channels.

“Eh.”

“Friends?”

“Nah.”

“John B, what do you want to watch, then? Because there’s not much on other than the news.”

“Just give me that!” John B pressed, reaching out for the remote from Pope. Sarah used the moment to unwrap his arm from around her and she stood up. He was too engrossed in finding something to watch that he didn’t pay it much attention. JJ didn’t either, until she came back with two little glass bottles of nail polish.

One was turquoise and the other looked totally clear.

For some reason, JJ couldn’t help but watch.

She rested back up against John B but leaned over and rested her hands on the coffee table. Pope and John B continued to argue about the channel as Sarah began to coat her right hand’s nails in little blue strokes. The color was light and subtle and completely popped against her tan skin. Her strokes were precise and practiced, and none of the polish spilled out onto her skin or the wooden surface below. She finished one hand and began working on the next.

“What do you think?” she asked—surprisingly, looking directly at JJ.

“Looks great, babe,” John B answered as he flipped the channel again, barely glancing down to see the marvelous job she had done.

Her eyes didn’t stray from JJ’s. In fact, they widened in a bit of an offended gesture as if she was truly interested in JJ’s opinion on her manicure.

In all fairness, JJ did have an opinion on it.

“They look really, um, nice.”

“Want me to do yours?”

JJ choked on the air in his throat and Pope glanced over his way to assess the situation. JJ felt his cheeks flushing pink so he hit down on the inside of his jaw. Him? With painted nails. Pope’s eyes were warm and Sarah wasn’t laughing. Why wasn’t she laughing? It was a joke.

“What?”

“Do you want me to paint yours too? I have enough polish.”

JJ hasn’t been worried about the amount of polish Sarah had. He wasn’t worried about anything. Well, maybe he was a little bit worried about the weird urge to say yes.

“You can say no. I just thought it would be fun.”

JJ glanced over to John B, who was still completely focused on finding something to watch. Then he looked over to Pope, who just gave him a smile and then shifted his gaze back to the tv. Sarah was waiting for a response.

“I guess?”

“You can say no,” she commented again, hesitation lacing her voice.

“No, I mean yes. You can paint them.”

“Great! Do you like blue? I have other colors!” Her eyes were shimmering and JJ could tell why John B had fallen so hard for her. She bounced on the edge of her seat.

“Other colors?” he croaked, not understanding why his voice betrayed him.

“I only have a few here though. I think I have like a light pink and then a red. It’s dark though, like a wine red.”

That was too much description and JJ didn’t want to actually think about what he was doing.

“This one is fine,” he answered, pointing to the polish that she had already used.

“Easy enough,” she smiled, twisting the cap back off and slapping the coffee table lightly for JJ to put his hands down. He spread his fingers apart like he had seen her do. He looked to see if Pope orJohn B were watching but neither were, arguing yet again over which movie they were going to watch.

Sarah lifted up his right hand and her fingers were cold against his skin.

“Relax your hand,” Sarah instructed, holding up his thumb so the nail was pointed toward her. JJ tried to relax his hand but it only felt stiffer. After a few moments he found a sweet spot and Sarah grinned.

Once she began painting his nail it was too late to turn around.

He had expected to feel more of a weight or a tickle when the little brush floated across his nail but there was nothing other than the little stripe of blue polish. It was runny and it dropped to the creases of JJ’s nail beds and Sarah dug the corner of her own nail against it to prevent the color from seeping onto his skin. It chipped her own paint a bit but she was too preoccupied with moving along JJ’s hand.

It didn’t look as soft as it did on Sarah’s hands. His hands were too rough, too hairy—though it was bleach blond and JJ was the only person who actually ever noticed it—and there was bruising around his knuckles from when he’d gotten angry with Luke and punched a hole through his closet door.

It had only been a few days ago. The fight had been enormous and he’d gotten so drunk he genuinely thought he was going to die of alcohol poisoning. He was so drunk he couldn’t figure out how to answer his phone and let him know that John B and Sarah we’re home. He woke up the next morning to bloody knuckles, two broken ribs, and about thirty text messages from Kie and Pope. He’d promised to stop drinking that day, after he hacked up the entity of his stomach and dry heaved for about an hour. His head ached when John B pulled him into a hug.

“Don’t touch anything. Here, give me your other hand.”

JJ listened, setting his painted hand gently over his knee so his nails were out of harms way. Sarah picked up his other hand and began to paint.

“What the hell are you watching?” Kie’s voice asked suddenly. JJ flinched and Sarah gripped his hand hard to steady it after a brush of polish went across his index finger. Water droplets sprinkled lightly from her hair onto the couch beside JJ.

“Sorry.”

“Keep still.”

“What are you two doing?”

Her eyes felt hot on his own so he kept his gaze on his nails and shrugged. It was a rhetorical question—or at least Sarah and JJ took it that way.

“I can do yours too?” Sarah offered as she wiped off the excess polish from his finger and continued onto the next nail.

“Mine are already done. Maybe I’ll do my toes tonight.”

Girls painted their toes too?

“Ooh, good idea. I’ll do mine when I finish JJ’s.”

She had said it out loud. Obviously, JJ knew Kie could see it happening—knew everybody could see it happening—but it was still a bit uncomfortable to hear her say it out loud. And he couldn’t figure out why.

Because it looked really nice.

Sarah’s coat was smooth and even, no polish on his skin and it wasn’t too see through either. Her hand was steady and she carefully set JJ’s left hand down in the coffee table when she was finished.

“All done! You just need to let these dry for like twenty minutes,” she explained, twisting the cap back into place on the bottle.

Kie took a seat beside Pope and reached out for JJ’s hand.

“I wanna see!”

At first, JJ didn’t let his hands move—Sarah had said to keep still—but Kie was being gentle so he let his left hand fall before her and a big grin grew from the crown of her lips to her ears.

“They look amazing, Sarah.”

“Why thank you.”

Kie let his hand go and then Pope looked over to see the final result. JJ wiggles his fingers in Pope’s direction.

“Looks good.”

JJ refused to acknowledge the pink on his cheeks as the he continued to receive attention and praise for his turquoise nails. Sarah was talking to Kie about nail polish colors when John B finally settled on friends and finally looked over to see what all the fuss was about.

JJ was a bit more hesitant to show John B his nails—unsure as to why (probably because he idolized John B and if his friend said it looked stupid he would rip all his fingernails out).

“Cool.”

JJ’s shoulders dropped, tension easing from his spine.

“Sarah, remember that time you did those little flowers on your toes?”

“Yep.”

“That was sick.”

With his new found ease, JJ let himself admire the polish. It was beginning to dry but was still glistening and smooth. They looked absolutely perfect. And JJ kind of loved them.

He knew he would have to take it off before he went home that night. Luke would absolutely kill JJ if he saw the nail polish. But at least for a few hours JJ could enjoy the feeling of having his nails painted.

Maybe someday—if he could muster up the courage—he would ask Sarah to do it again.

[barrysjumpsuit]

blindsided - barry’s sister x rafe cameron (ch. 3)

part one, part two, masterlist

word count: 3.5k

warnings: cannabis use, cocaine use, physical and verbal abuse, underage drinking, anxiety/depression, mentions of sex, the whole nine yards tbh

synposis:  christy is a lifelong resident of the outer banks. after a series of hookups with rafe cameron, kook royalty, she’s smitten. what she doesn’t know is about what her boyfriend and brother are involved in behind her back

a/n: things are starting to get good... I’m super excited to write the rest of this! got some wild shit coming up. read this for SOFT RAFE. (side note, the necklace part is 100% a marie thing that i do and wear. i studied moon snail predation on clams so HMU if you wanna learn abt the ecology of the long island sound) (also in this house we stan naturdays)

----

Rafe had listened to Christy’s begging when she was saying she wanted to go to the Boneyard separately from Topper and Sarah. They slipped out before the others were done getting ready, but Christy still couldn’t bring herself to relax. 

Her boyfriend was on edge too. They were silent as they drove south, Rafe eventually pulling off the road as they reached the trailer. Barry’s bike was gone from where it usually sat, and Christy was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. 

Rafe followed her into the trailer. It was weird seeing Rafe Cameron, so well put together, in her shithole of a home. He knew better to comment on the state of things, and he looked visibly uncomfortable.

“Come on and help me,” Christy said, grabbing his hand and leading him down the hall to her bedroom. She unlocked the door and pulled him inside before closing it. “You know how to pack cigarette joints?” 

“Can’t be too hard,” he said. Christy pulled out a mason jar of bud from her last harvest, along with two paper plates she kept for this exact purpose. 

“We’ll do all of them,” she said. “I have a couple already made.” 

Christy sat down on the bed next to Rafe. Their knees touched, the jar between them. She busied herself grinding the nugs, picking out the stems while Rafe started emptying the cigarettes of their contents. 

“You know,” Rafe said suddenly, breaking the silence. “I’ve never smoked weed.” 

“Really?” Christy asked. She was genuinely surprised. “Y’know, they say it’s the gateway drug, and…” 

“Yeah, I went straight to the hard stuff,” Rafe said quietly. “It’s more of a… pogue thing.” 

“What, so we’re stereotyping drugs now? I’ve seen you drink Natty Light. That’s as pogue as alcohol gets.”

“Naturdays!” Rafe protested.

“As if that makes it any different.” Christy grinned and tapped the grinder to the paper plate that sat in Rafe’s lap. “You want to try?” 

Rafe nodded, and Christy looked up at him. There was something soft about him now, sitting in her bed in her shitty trailer. He hadn’t said anything about her living situation like he normally would. He hadn’t refused to help her. 

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Christy said quietly. He looked up at her, smiling softly. “We can wait until we’re there or until we leave. It’s up to you.” 

“What will it feel like?” he asked. 

“You really are clueless. We’ll wait until we’re away from the party, okay? This strain chills you the fuck out. It’s the only way I can sleep most nights.” 

“Really?” he asked. “I didn’t know that. You always seem to fall asleep pretty easily.” 

Christy bit her bottom lip before answering, focusing on twisting her grinder. “It’s because I feel comfortable with you.” 

Rafe’s hand was suddenly cupping her cheek. He had moved the plate and his in-progress work to the bedspread and was leaning forward, perched on his knees. “Christy…” he murmured, his lips tantalizingly close to hers. “Really? You mean that?” 

“Yes,” was all she could say. She could smell his breath, his deodorant, his cologne. 

“You mean the world to me,” Rafe purred, moving his hand so it rested on the nape of her skull. “I love you so much. I’m glad we found each other.” 

“Me too,” Christy whispered, and Rafe’s lips were on hers. They were gentle, patient, and tender. The kiss made her feel safe, reciprocating what she had just confessed to him. 

Normally, Christy had a tough exterior. She was closed and blunt. People knew her for that, and even Barry commented on it. She didn’t know why Rafe of all people unlocked her as if he had a key, melting her heart and opening her up. It was true: she usually smoked herself to sleep every night. If she didn’t she would toss and turn into the early hours of the morning, and by then she would give up and go for a run or boat ride. Whenever she spent the night with Rafe, tucked into his bed and in his arms, her brain stopped worrying. It stopped running through endless scenarios, and she slept. 

Rafe was the one to pull away. He smiled gently at her. Some of his hair fell over his eyes, so Christy reached up to tuck it back where it belonged. “I love you, Rafe Cameron.” 

“I love you too, Christy,” he murmured back, kissing her once more on the forehead before sitting back down on the bed and picking up the paper plate again. 

The two of them packed a cigarette carton full of joints in half an hour. Before they left, she pocketed her bowl, a couple baggies with nugs, and JJ’s five grams. 

“This is a cute picture,” Rafe said as Christy stowed the last of the bud underneath her bed. They had used half of it prepping for the kegger. She looked up to the picture frame he was holding. 

The photo was of her and Barry. They were younger – Christy was fifteen and Barry was nineteen – and on the boat. They were holding a fish, a huge striped bass they had hauled in on light tackle. A shadow was cast over a corner of the picture, and Christy’s heart twisted. 

“You okay?” Rafe asked, and she just nodded. “What is it?” 

“My mom took the picture,” Christy said quietly, taking the frame from him. “This was one of the last memories I have of her before she killed herself. Like a week later.” 

“Oh baby…” Rafe put an arm around her, kissing the top of her head, and she leaned into him before putting the picture frame back on her dresser, face down. 

“Let’s get out of here,” Christy suggested, and she gently pushed Rafe out of her bedroom. She turned and relocked the door before pocketing the keys and walking down the hall. 

“Look who we have here! Rafe Cameron!” 

Christy froze at Barry’s voice. Rafe’s hand tightened around hers, to a point where it was almost painful. Barry was sitting on the couch in front of the coffee table, and she could tell he just did a line.

“You just can’t stay away, can you, boy?” Barry said, standing and sauntering over to them. Christy tried to push Rafe behind her, but he refused to budge. “You fucking my sister again? We’re going to have words.” 

“Barry, stop it!” Christy put her hands on Barry’s chest and shoved him, but he barely moved. “We’re together, okay? We were just stopping by to get some weed to sell.” 

“You sure you don’t want anything else?” Barry asked, dangling a baggie of cocaine in front of Rafe’s face. Christy could tell he was bristling with anger and doing everything he could to restrain himself from swinging a fist. “Right here, Country Club. She’s got your name on it. I miss your business, you know.” 

“Barry that’s enough!” Christy yelled, shoving herself between the two of them. “Rafe, let’s go.” She tugged on his hand, but Rafe remained rooted to the dirty carpet of the living room. 

Rafe didn’t say anything. He and Barry stood, staring at each other, both of them seething with anger. 

“I don’t want your fucking blow,” he finally said, turning, and storming from the trailer. 

“You’ve got yourself a keeper there, Chris,” Barry said, swinging the baggie. “A real winner.” 

“Fuck you, Barry!” Rafe yelled from the other side of the screen door. 

“Go. Sell your weed and fuck your kook. Fuck your kook in his mansion, eat his food, sleep in his bed. And leave me here.” 

Barry’s words followed her from the trailer. Rafe grabbed her and they hurried to the truck, getting in and peeling out of the yard. 

Rafe was quiet, and Christy knew what that meant. He was pissed. Christy couldn’t help but press herself against the door, making herself small. 

He didn’t pay much attention to her until a whimper made its way out of her mouth. She closed her eyes at the sound, knowing that Rafe looked over to her. “Oh, baby…” he said quietly. A hand touched her shoulder and she flinched. 

Christy had seen Rafe angry before, plenty of times. He was the only person she had ever seen seriously take on her brother and make her fear for him. 

“Just… leave me alone, Rafe,” she muttered. 

“Christy, I’m… I’m sorry.” 

“Rafe, just be quiet, please.” She opened her eyes to look at him. He looked shocked, his mouth slightly open. Christy looked away before closing her eyes again.

She felt him pull the truck over to the side of the road. “Christy,” he said again, softer this time. “Hey. Come here.” 

Rafe pulled up the center console and slid across the seat so that he could wrap his arms around her. Christy curled into him, trying to hold back tears but failing as Rafe’s fingertips started making lazy circles on her back. 

She wasn’t sure what she was crying about. Barry’s words rattled her. The whole exchange did. She knew Barry’s words were true. Christy had left him when things got tough. But she knew she couldn’t totally blame herself. He wasn’t doing much to help his situation.

Rafe encountering Barry was something she didn’t want to happen. But it did, and it was bad, but not as bad as she thought it was. Maybe it was best for them to get their anger out before she was deeper in the relationship with Rafe, and before it was more of a secret. It was bound to happen at some point. 

“I’m good,” she said, making a slight peace with her thoughts. Christy unburied her head from Rafe’s chest, rubbing makeup all over his face as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I’m okay.” 

“You still want to go to that party?” Rafe asked, leaning his cheek on the top of her head. 

“No,” she replied. “But I at least have to stop by. I’m selling someone some weed. It won’t take long.” 

“Okay,” he said. Christy felt him press a tender kiss to the top of her head before sliding back over in the seat and pulling back onto the road. 

The sun was about to set. As soon as Rafe parked near the Boneyard, Christy hopped out of his truck. She walked through the grasses and onto the beach, knowing exactly where JJ would be. He was manning the keg with John B, the hose in one hand, a beer in the other. Christy shoved through the crowd, consisting of mostly tourons, and slid up next to JJ. 

“Follow me?” she asked, and he wordlessly handed the hose to John B. 

“Hey, Christy, you okay?” JJ asked suddenly. Christy kept walking, but JJ continued. “You don’t look too good, dude.” 

“Thanks for pointing that out,” she snapped at him. They were still too close to the crowd for her to feel comfortable doing a deal of anything larger than a couple blunts. 

“I’m serious. Hey.” JJ reached out, grabbing her arm so that she faced him. “Is everything okay?” 

She just sighed. “Want to smoke a joint with me?” 

JJ was visibly confused, but he didn’t protest. They sat on a piece of driftwood, and Christy pulled out one of the cigarette joints she and Rafe had rolled earlier. She lit it, taking a few hits, before passing it to JJ. She waited a few minutes before speaking the first words. 

“I don’t know what in the fuck I’m gonna do, JJ.” 

She was surprised the words rolled out of her mouth like they did. Maybe it was the weed, or maybe it was the walls crumbling in her brain, wanting to push her old life behind her. 

“Care to elaborate?” JJ asked beside her.

“I’m dating Rafe Cameron,” she stated, knowing that JJ could put the pieces together. 

“Oh,” he said, surprised, furrowing his brow. “I didn’t expect that.” Before Christy could say anything, JJ’s eyes stretched wide, and he looked at her. “Oh. Holy shit. Does your brother know?” 

“We had our first encounter with him about an hour ago,” Christy replied, taking the joint back from JJ. 

“I take it it didn’t go well?” he asked, and Christy shook her head. 

“Nope,” she said, smoke coming out of her mouth. “Barry’s not having much business. Hasn’t been good ever since Rafe ghosted him. He won’t move his own product, he needs people to buy from him in bulk, which no one will do because Rafe told everyone he’s a crazy motherfucker. Right now it’s just a few close friends he has.” 

“Agatha probably didn’t help, huh?” JJ asked, and Christy just shook her head. “If anyone can get through it, it’s you, Christy. You’re pogue through and through.” 

“You don’t know me,” she said quietly, handing him the joint. Her eyelids were heavy and she pressed her palms into the smooth, soft surface of the driftwood. 

“I know enough. Anyone to have been through as much shit as you can get away from that situation. It takes one to know one, Christy.” 

She looked over at him. JJ was smiling softly, and she couldn’t help but smile back. 

“Here’s your weed,” she said, pulling the baggie out of her pocket. “Same strain you’re smoking now. You can finish the joint, too.” 

“Here’s your fifty,” JJ said, handing her two twenties and a ten. “Thanks for your business.” 

“And for yours,” she said, standing. JJ laughed as she had to catch her balance. 

“Hey Christy?” JJ called quietly as she turned to walk away. 

“Yeah, JJ?” 

“Let me know if you need anything, okay?” 

“You got it,” she said, turning away so JJ couldn’t see her smile. The two of them had always had a natural understanding of each other. It takes one to know one, as he said. It was true. 

Christy trudged up the beach and back into Rafe’s waiting truck. “You good?” he asked, and Christy nodded. 

“Let’s go get stoned.” 

---

Christy woke up before Rafe did. He was rolled towards her, an arm draped around her waist with his mouth slightly open. 

Rafe’s breath smelled of weed. She smiled to herself, remembering the events of the previous night. They had gone onto the Druthers, laying on the outside seats, and smoked. The strain Christy brought was her favorite indica. She usually smoked it before bed. It was the only thing that would shut her brain up. 

“This is nice,” Rafe said after a few hits. His eyes were soft under his hooded lids. “I like it. I feel good.” They were laying next to each other, feeling the boat rock gently beneath them. She was laying on his chest while Rafe gently threaded his fingers through her hair, occasionally scratching her scalp. 

Christy fell asleep like that. She only woke up once to Rafe carrying her down the dock; she murmured his name and tightened her grip as she felt him step onto the soft grass. He had to briefly put her down to open the door to the house, but he picked her up again and quietly ascended the stairs before pushing open his bedroom door and setting her down in his bed, sliding next to her and pulling the covers over them. 

That’s where they were now. Rafe Cameron’s bed. His grey pillowcases smelled like him, like cedar and seawater. It was an odd combination, but she liked it. 

Rafe had put her phone on the bed between them. The time read 5:32. Her shift started at 7, so Christy decided she could get away with a few more minutes of dozing. Her work apron was draped across a chair in Rafe’s room, and she could probably rewear the previous day’s clothes, which were piled on the floor next to it. 

Christy’s stomach rolled at two missed calls from Barry. He wasn’t a texter. He was a caller. Christy was a talker, hating phone communication and opting to talk to people face to face. She willed herself to push the thought of what he had to say until she would go home after her shift that afternoon. 

Rafe was still asleep by the time she left for work at 6:30. She kissed him gently before closing his bedroom door softly behind her and trying to leave the house undetected. 

On her walk to work, she smoked a cigarette, willing the brief high to wash away the thought of Barry, which lingered in the back of her head. Instead, she focused on the sound of the laughing gulls on the shore, and the rhythmic lapping of the waves as they reached the beach. The crunch of her shoes on the gravel shoulder of the road, of the sound of cars driving by her, of the voices greeting her as she passed houses. 

Work was busy with tourists, rebounding back to the island after the hurricane. The hotels had power again, and she talked to her guests about what they had been up to. She liked hearing their stories: what drew them to the OBX, where they came from, who they were. One young couple had just gotten engaged the day before. One table seated an older couple, travelling down the east coast from Connecticut looking for seashells, and asked her the best spots. 

“At low tide, the west side of the island is the best,” she suggested, topping off their coffees and putting another handful of prepackaged creamer on the table next to their mugs. “The sound makes it shallower, so there’s lots of critters living there. More intense wave action on the east side will wash some up but they’re usually pretty banged up.” 

“That’s a neat necklace,” the woman pointed out. Christy picked up the pendant, smiling. “Did you find that?” 

“This? Oh, thanks. I love it. My mom found it.” She couldn’t help but smile at the couple, and at the memory. She pulled it off to hand to the woman. “It’s from a moon snail. The hole is a drill hole, see how regular it is on the edges? Moon snails are predatory, they’ll drill into whatever they can. Usually clams and other snails. Even other moon snails. Like this one here.” Christy pointed out the perfectly rounded hole. 

“Did you find it here?” the man asked. 

“Nah I’ve found some here though. They’re everywhere. I found this one at Edisto Island near Charleston. You guys should definitely check it out, it’s the best shelling beach I’ve ever been to.” 

The couple tenderly looked at each other. “That’s where we got married,” the woman said. “Thirty five years ago. That’s one of our next stops.” 

“It’s a special place, that’s for sure,” Christy said, smiling. Mr. Carrera’s voice sounded through the restaurant, calling out her name. “Is there anything else I can get you two?” she asked. The couple shook their heads, and she turned to make her way to the counter. 

“I’ve got a big to go order just called in,” he said, scribbling on a notepad. “Can you and Kiara make sure everything makes it into the right containers for them, and then help load it up?” 

“Sure thing, Mr. C,” she replied. They were at an odd time of the day – they were still serving breakfast, but had just opened up orders for their lunch menu. Since it was a Sunday, the place was packed with brunchers, and her section was full, keeping her mind occupied. 

The shelling couple left her a hefty tip and a sweet note on the receipt. Maybe she would see them on her walk home at the beach she told them about. 

“JJ told me about you and Rafe,” Kiara said as they were packing to-go containers into plastic bags as the orders were finished. 

“You gonna warn me about him?” Christy asked flatly, almost disinterested. It sounded bitchy of her, but she knew Kiara cared about her. 

“Just… be careful.” Kiara replied quietly. “If you ever need a buffer or place to crash away from them… let me know. Okay?” 

Christy looked at Kiara, surprised. “Thanks, Kie,” she smiled. It was nice knowing there was someone looking out for her, even if they weren’t extremely close. 

The rest of her shift went by quickly and effortlessly, but as she closed out and began walking him, she was smacked in the face with reality. Barry would be waiting for her, without a doubt. She also realized she hadn’t gotten any texts from Rafe. It was two in the afternoon. Surely he would be awake and wanting to talk to her, right? 

Christy walked along the beach, her shoes shoved into her backpack. She saw their boat tied to their dock, the trailer just up the shore from it, and she started towards the trailer. Barry was laying on a couch outside. It was nasty – they usually just draped a tarp over it whenever it rained. 

After mentally preparing herself for this interaction all day, she was surprised to see Barry grinning at her, calling out to her giddily.

Christy could tell he wasn’t high, but sober. His mood plus his mental state didn’t make sense

Something had happened.

----

fun stuff to come in the next few chapters! shit’s about to hit the fan ;)

taglist (msg or ask for an add!)   @stargazingstarkey @letsgofullkook @ims0golden @ampanonyg @hoeforpankow @jjsmentalpolaroids @drewstarkey @obbx-tings @bricksatanakinswindow

[country-club]

Good Stuff - Rafe Cameron

Reader X Rafe Based on the song ‘Good Stuff’ by Griff Wordcount: 2.636 Summary: You and Rafe dated for a while and you just found out he got arrested. a/n italics are flashbacks and bold are the lyric. Warnings: mentions of drinking, drugs and sex in the slightest

Take it back to the start No, I can't tell you apart When we lost one another That's when I rediscover My memories in the clouds But no feet on the ground 'Cause I know I should forget you Why can't I just regret you?

Rafe just got arrested for shooting sheriff Peterkin. You couldn’t believe what you read. Rafe? Your Rafe? The Rafe you loved and cared for the past year. Though you had been broken up for almost a month now, you weren’t over him. Sarah had texted you the news. When you started hanging out with Rafe’s sister, Sarah, you came over to his house a lot. You always kind of liked Rafe, but never understood why. And though you have tried to ask about his day and chat, he always cut it short. Needless to say the two of you never actually had a conversation, until one night where Sarah had one drink too many. Sarah was with you at The Cut. The other Pogues had left a while ago, leaving you and Sarah for some girl-talk. It was fun and all until Sarah said she felt sick. You had too much to drink to drive and decided to call Rafe. You used Sarah’s phone and to your slightest surprise he answered quickly.

“What could you possibly want, Sarah? It’s almost 1.” He didn’t sound so happy.

“Hey Rafe, it’s y/n.”

“Oh, hey y/n. What’s up?” He asked.

“Well, I was wondering if you could come pick up Sarah. We’ve been drinking and she’s not feeling well.” It was quiet for a bit.

“Yeah I’ll be there in 10.” He finally said. Once he had arrived, Sarah had already thrown up some of the mixed drinks you had made her. Rafe pulled his car up and opened the window. “Hey sis, hey y/n.” He greeted you two. Sarah was completely out of it. You sat het down in the back.

“Hey Rafe. Thank you for picking up Sarah. Sorry if I woke you.”

“No problem. What did you give her?” You combed your hand through your hair.

“I- uh, we were messing around and she had asked me to mix her something, but I guess it was a bit too much.” You rambled. Feeling nervous because Rafe was talking to you, and a bit drunk seeing as you almost had as much alcohol in your body as Sarah by now.

“Alright, uh could you perhaps stay in the backseat with her? Don’t want to clean up any puke.” You nodded. It’s the least you could do after calling him at 1am to pick up his sister that you got drunk in the first place. The ride to their place was quiet. You made sure Sarah was alright and brought her to her room. You tucked her into bed and placed aspirin and water on her nightstand.

“Thanks again, Rafe. I don’t think I could’ve carried her this far on my own.” You smiled as you walked downstairs. Rafe was waiting on you, looking at his phone screen.

“So, what are your plans now?” he asked.

“Going home, sleeping out this hangover.”

“To The Cut?”

“Yes, home.”

“I could drop you off?” You thought about it for a second but agreed. Walking alone at this time wouldn’t be smart. Also, you don’t mind being around Rafe. You got into the front seat this time. Rafe put the radio on softly. The alcohol started kicking in harder. Your throat hurt and your legs started tingling. “Are you alright?” He looked over to you. You nodded and zapped trough the radio stations. Rafe’s hand brushing yours when moved the poke around.

The silence was killing you.

“You’re like really pretty, you know. Has anyone ever told you that?” Rafe was a bit shocked by your comment. He stayed quiet for a minute.

“You’re kinda pretty..for a pogue.” He replied.

“Now why do you have to say it like that. Just say I’m pretty, Rafe.”

“You’re pretty, Y/n.”

“Thank you.” You smiled proudly. And there was home. Rafe stopped the car and you reached for the door. Rafe decided to join and got out of the car as well. You walked up to your door and sat down on the porch. You tapped the ground next to you. Rafe looked around and sat down. “Why were you still awake?” You managed to ask.

“Just couldn’t sleep. You know those kinds of nights.” You nodded. You have had enough of sleepless nights in the past, and currently.

“I cuddle my pillow sometimes.” Rafe looked at you and burst out in laughter. You hushed him, pointing at your house. “Parents. But for real, it works. You seem kind of lonely, and when I’m lonely it works wonders.” Rafe put his hand on your shoulder.

“Maybe we should get you inside, y/n. Time for bed.” He stood up and offered you his hand, which you gracefully took. While standing up you tripped over air, leaning slightly against Rafe. “You could’ve just asked for a hug, you know.” You hit him playfully in the shoulder and opened your front door.

“Goodnight Rafe.”

“Goodnight, y/n.” Before closing your door you heard Rafe’s voice one more time. “How about you make one of those cocktails for me sometime?”

“I will.”

You had kept your promise. You had made so much cocktails for Rafe, some good, some really bad, but most of them alcoholic. In exchange for your mixing skills, you rarely had to cuddle your pillow at night. You take out your phone and open his Instagram page. He never posts, which means he never deletes a post once he finally posted something. There were about 5 pictures on here. The second to last one being your midsummers date. He looked handsome as ever. It was the first time the two of you were really out in the public, together, as a couple.

We were fighting fires every night when you met me And it's not fair at all

You were used to sneaking around with Rafe by now. You have been dating for a month, knowing that your friends wouldn’t be behind your choice. The Pogues barely got into fights with Rafe anymore. And though they thank Sarah for it, it feels like an accomplishment you achieved. The two of you had fought and argued a lot about him being an ass to your friends. You had told him you wouldn’t date him If he kept acting like this, so he promised to stop. And he kept his word. Today marks the day that Rafe hasn’t gotten in any fights with JJ, John B or Pope, for 3 weeks. It also marks 3 weeks of sobriety, at least of coke. Even before you started dating Rafe opened up about his use and you tried to help as much as you could. Mainly by distracting him.

So, today you decided to surprise him. You told him to come over to your boat. It wasn’t big, nor expensive. But you could drive with it and it was yours. You had lit fake candle lights and put little rose pedals around the deck, joined by a bottle of whiskey and snacks. As soon as Rafe arrived he saw the boat light up. He jogged over, only to see you, his princess, sitting between roses and pretend-candles, holding up the bottle of whiskey. Rafe got on the boat.

“Is this for me?” He asked shyly. You nodded.

“I’m incredibly proud of you baby and how much you changed the past month. In a good way.” He pulled you into a hug. You let go of him and looked in those beautiful blue eyes. Standing on your toes you pressed your lips against his.

“I love you, y/n.” Rafe said, making you crash into his lips again.

“I love you too, Rafe.” You let go of him, grabbing the bottle of whiskey. “So, what do you say?”

After a couple of drinks and the two of you messing around on the boat, you wanted to ask something. And, as if he could smell you wanted to, Rafe opened his mouth to ask you something.

“You first.”

“Alright, alright,” Rafe got up and sat down on one knee in front of you. “y/n y/l/n, do you want to go to midsummers with me?” You couldn’t help but laugh at his action.

“I thought we were-“

“I know, I know. But I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you as my girlfriend.” Rafe couldn’t stop himself from smiling after calling you his girlfriend.

“Okay, yeah sure, I’ll go with you.” No doubt.

“Now, what did you want to ask me?”

“I was going to ask if you were down for a swim..” Rafe nodded and got up. He offered you his hand and pulled you up as well. You tried not to yell at him when he threw you in the water. He jumped as well. The two of you playing around in the water before you wrapped your legs around his waist, and he held your back. You opened your arms wide. “I love you thiiiiiis much!” You exclaimed before wrapping your arms around the boy.

Why'd you leave me with the good stuff, babe And forget about the mess we made? Oh, I wish that my mouth didn't smile when I think of you But you left me with the good stuff, babe And I know that it's a crying shame It's a million times harder when I don't hate you

The latest picture he had posted was of you in his bed, wearing his shirt which was way too big on you. He loved it. He loved seeing you wear his clothes. Even more so if he could take it off.

It had been a crazy party at Topper’s. Both you and Rafe had some drinks, not too many though. You had spent the day with the Pogues and Rafe was very happy to see you at the party. You talked about your day before joining Topper and Kelce at a game of beer pong.

“Show ‘em how it’s done baby.” Rafe cheered you on.

It was around 1 when you gave in and went to the toilet. A new personal record, though you did arrive fashionably late. You made small talk with a girl waiting on her friend. Her friend came out and gave you a look. “You’re with Rafe right?” You nodded, really needing to go to the toilet. “I heard he’s pretty big, if you know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean.” Her friend tried to pull her away.

“So, is he any good?”

“That’s none of your business.” You tried not to get angry, feeling your blood boil. Why would anyone ask that? You get that she was probably a bit drunk and you didn’t quit understand why you were getting so protective over Rafe, but you were.

Her friend pulled her away and you finally went to the toilet. Once you got back outside and found Rafe sitting down, you put your arms around him, whispering in his ear. “Rumor has it, you’re packing.” You laughed. Rafe didn’t quite get it. You see, the two of you have been dating for almost 2 months, but with everything going on you decided to take it slow. Needless to say, you haven’t actually gone there with Rafe. You kissed his cheek. And his neck. You looked around to see nobody watching you and nibbled softly on his earlobe. “Wanna head to your place?” You asked. Rafe got up immediately and told Topper you were off. You were already making your way to Rafe’s place. Rafe running up behind you and picking you up. He carried you on his back the rest of the walk. Once you arrived at his house, you went straight to his room. You sat down on his bed and Rafe close the door.

“Have I told you how much I love you yet today?” He walked up to you and put his hands on your cheeks. You moved your face towards his, making your lips touch. He sat down next to you and you crawled on top of his lap, taking his shirt of and kissing him. He held you by your waist and started kissing you neck.

It was a beautiful night with a lot of cuddles and ‘I love you’s’. Oh, I try to rewind Every scene in my mind And for you, I've got tunnel vision And I've blocked out every collision And in another life, yeah Do me a favour and try To leave me broken and bitter So moving on's a little quicker

After 8 months of having a wonderful relationship with Rafe, things started to go south. Rafe was fighting with his dad, which led to him visiting Barry again. At the same time money was tight at home and you had to spend more days working. You not being able to see Rafe as much and him hiding his drug use from you, brought a lot of tension in your relationship.

You spend the evening with the Pogues at the beach, drinking. You had just got done with working and went straight to the beach. It was just Kie, Pope, John B, JJ and you tonight. You were playing some games and talked for a while.

“So, what’s up with Rafe, y/n?” JJ asked. You were unsure why and looked at him confused. Pope tried to hush JJ, but that didn’t stop him. “Your little boyfriend is acting up again.” He said. You only just realized both JJ and Pope were covered in little cuts and bruises.

“What happened?” You looked though your phone in your bag.

“We were just delivering some groceries and I guess he is done playing nice. It was fun while it lasted.” Pope added. You were speechless. You also had 5 missed calls from Rafe.

“I’m so sorry guys, he’s been getting in fights with his dad lately.” They didn’t blame you. Your conversation was cut short when you heard a car pull up. It was Rafe. You got up immediately. So did the other Pogues. “I got it guys.” You reassured them. You walked up to Rafe, who got out of his car.

“Baby, why have you been ignoring my calls? I was worried.” He pulled you into a hug. You were confused.

“I was at work Rafe. I just got off.”

“Right and you don’t even check your phone?” He seemed angry with you. You shook your head.

“No, Rafe, I was hanging out with the Pogues.” He started to laugh.

“Right those Pogues.” It was your turn to get angry.

“They are my friends Rafe.”

“I can’t believe you left me for them. I need you, y/n.”

“Rafe, I know things aren’t easy for you at home, but that’s no reason to hurt my friends.” Rafe started to realize his fuck up.

“Is this it then?”

“Only if you make me choose.” You would pick the Pogues over Rafe, even if it meant breaking your own heart. “Maybe it’s for the better if we stopped seeing each other. We’ve been fighting and I know you’re using again.” Your voice was quiet. Not wanting Rafe to throw a tantrum in front of your friends. You would miss him, but you needed a break. You needed to find yourself and get your own shit together.

“Goodbye, y/n.” Was all he said before getting into his car.

After your breakup you missed Rafe so badly. It hurt walking past the places you two kissed, you still haven’t been to Sarah’s place and you try to avoid Figure 8. You put your phone down, grabbed your pillow and let it all out.

[anxietycalling]

how i spent my summer vacation

Or, where the fuck have I been these literal years? (I can’t believe it’s been years.)

I feel like I need to, at some point, talk about everything that happened between now and the point where I dropped off the face of the earth. And, like, actually talk, not that thing I do where I make a joke out of everything. So... I’m doing this up front, so if anyone actually still follows my shitshow of a life, you know what you’re getting yourself into before it’s too late.

Okay. Where to start.

Um, obviously, after the 2016 election I gtfo’d the US. Because I couldn’t legally work in the US at that point, I had pretty much no savings and no money because every dollar I did get went to supporting me and Dash because of the absolute nightmare that happened there. I’m not... mad at her anymore, not quite - I recognize that a lot of actions on both sides were the result of severe, untreated trauma and mental illness, so it’s hard to look at either of us and say that someone was the villain there. It’s hard to recognize when you’re in survival mode that your actions are self-destructive. But, anyway, because of that, I had no choice other than to move in with my parents. Which many of you are aware is not the healthiest choice for me mentally or physically.

And, again, it’s not that my parents are bad people. They’re good people who are trying their best, but there are two factors that lead to me living with them being a terrible idea. 1) My mother has a lot of unprocessed intergenerational trauma due to mental illness that she is still dealing with, and 2) Neither of my parents have ever lived in an urban center, which lends itself to a specific mindset when it comes to dealing with mental illness and LGBTQ+ issues. Which is to say, it’s hard to have a regular dating or sex life when everyone knows your business while your parents are simultaneously trying to pretend you don’t have genitals that they’re uncomfortable with. Also, I didn’t have my license at the time because I let it expire before getting my permanent one, so I was pretty much at the mercy of whoever could drive me places. (I lived in cities before that, so not driving was never much of an issue. I am highly proficient in public transit.)

So living with my parents was this precarious balancing act of trying to do everything they wanted me to do, because they were letting me live there for free, and meeting the demands of my bosses (who immediately demoted me once they found out I wasn’t planning on living there forever), and trying to have a social life outside of my family. And, like, I had just come out of the closet, so I was also trying to date without my parents finding out, because, like? It gets exhausting trying to explain why you have a right to exist and love who you want to love and I tend to get defensive when I feel like I have to justify myself. But all that secrecy really wears on you. I think in the worst of it I was probably sleeping 3-5 hours a night between the anxiety, having to walk or wait for rides everywhere, and staying up late enough after my parents went to sleep to try to meet guys on dating apps. 

Dating apps when you live in a rural area are the worst. Not only is there a limited dating pool to begin with, it sucks when someone ghosts you and then re-signs up for the same dating app using a fake name and you catch them at it. I get it to some extent; people are afraid of being outed, even if on paper we’re one of the premier retirement destination for gay couples near Toronto. (Read: affluent, white, cis gay men.) It’s gotten better in the last couple of years, but... Yeah, there just was nothing for me there. 

Obviously I had to widen my perimeter for who I was willing to date, and that’s how I met Husband. Completely by accident. My phone provider was out one day, so I didn’t get any messages from anyone for almost 24 hours while I was figuring that out. His message to me was one of the ones that got pushed through when my phone service restored itself. (I still, to this day, don’t know why or how this happened.) And there was nothing there that was inherently like, “Hey, you’re going to date and then marry this guy,” other than the fact that he actually put effort into his message instead of sending “hey” over and over again to get a response. But he was funny, and he was charming, and we fell for each other really quickly. Pretty soon all my money (which, again, limited, because the awful ladies I worked for decided I wasn’t leadership material even though they gave me no training or direction, ever) was going to taking the train here pretty much every time I had a day off from work. And I was lying to my parents about it, because they decidedly do not like or approve of dating apps or internet friendships in general.

Something happens in relationships where one or both of you are chronically ill. There comes a sink-or-swim moment in the relationship where you either step up and deal with the shit that happens, or you realize you can’t handle the intensity or uncertainty of it, and you gtfo. And... obviously, I chose the first option. Pretty much immediately after my first visit (as in, I was still on the train) Husband calls me, because his doctors are afraid that he has cancer. I go home, work exactly one day and turn the fuck around and go back so we can meet with the hematologist and find out whether he has bone cancer, Jesus fuck. Thankfully, it turned out that he didn’t; it’s something that comes up a lot because he doesn’t have a spleen and that, apparently, makes it look like you’re dying a whole lot. We ended up moving in together a month later because living at my parents was making me suicidal, which isn’t the greatest love story of all time, I know, but I had wanted to move out anyway and living with him was a much better option than random roommates.

I didn’t talk to my mother for... a month and a half, after I moved out. She kept trying to contact my friends on Facebook one day and I was ready to freak out on her for being controlling or something. Turns out, my biological father died. At the time, I was calm. Like, I wasn’t surprised - he had nearly died of alcohol-induced cardiac failure before I moved to the US, and it’s not like he had done anything to make his situation better - but it turns out I was actually in shock, I guess. The whole situation was fucking terrible; not because he died but because it kind of cemented that my only value to his side of the family was being “the only granddaughter” and not that they gave a shit about me as a person. They misgendered me in his obituary; they spelled my brother’s girlfriend’s name wrong.

I think the worst part is that they tried to make his celebration of life thing about how great he was as a person, though. And, like, I’m sorry, but great people don’t molest their children, or their children’s girlfriend. They don’t have sex in front of their children with their children’s physical abuser. They don’t make their teenage child in charge of being the sober adult when they want to go drinking. They don’t let their partner physically abuse their child when that child tries to get them both help for their drinking. They don’t trap their kid on a boat for a week with a creepy adult male stranger and freak the fuck out when that child has their first anaphylactic reaction to a novel food 20 kilometers from land or the nearest hospital. They don’t call that child on their birthday every year to remind them what a woman they are and always will be when they were the first fucking parent I came out to. 

Actually, no - the worst part of him dying was that I had to deal with his hellbeast girlfriend afterward, because apparently there was money for me in an RESP that he had never cashed, but all that got me was a shady financial representative who repeatedly wanted my mother and me to break the law over it. Like, my mom got her lawyer involved and everything, and once the legal letterhead came out the financial dude dropped off the face of the earth, stopped answering my calls and I never got my thousand pity dollars. 

And, like, things were okay for a little while after that because Husband and I were close with our roommates up until the point where it became clear that one of them had severe, untreated borderline personality disorder. I’ve lived with someone with BPD before; I’ve lived with a hoarder before. I was not prepared for the level of hoarding that this woman could produce. Or just, like, generally weird and shitty behavior and refusal to seek treatment for her condition. We tried everything we could think of, but ultimately we had to have secret meetings outside our house with our other roommate (who was dating her at the time) to figure out what to do with her. The things we found out... I’ve never wanted to genuinely harm a person before. Because she had been r*ping our roommate for months, and convincing them we didn’t want to be their friend, and using all their money because she wouldn’t go to work or apply for welfare or do the bare minimum required to be a human being. We had to get her removed by the police (who I do not advise contacting unless there is genuinely no other options) and the police acted like it was a typical roommate squabble even though we had fucking proof. So, anyway, we had to contact hell roommate’s parents and sister, and do all the packing to get her shit out of our house.

I will add that there were a few golden months right after hell roommate moved out. We got very close with remaining roommate, and it was nice, but then they started dating their current boyfriend and it just got... uncomfy for everyone somehow? They never outright said they were dating him, it was weird, one day they were like “Hey, I have a friend coming over!” and then he was just... there all the time? And they never told us they were dating? And, like, I’m happy for them, they’re great together and genuinely like each other, but it was weird. It was uncomfortable when we had to have the “We want to move out” conversation, too, because originally we had wanted to move to a bigger place with all of us, but ultimately we ended up keeping the apartment.

So that should have been fine, right? Especially since they moved in with one of Husband’s friends. Except that that friend turned out to be secretly awful and took advantage of everyone around them, and accused good roommate of being secretly racist and a bunch of other stuff that wasn’t true. (Trust me, good roommate would rather sever their left leg than do something that would hurt someone’s feelings.) And, like, I’m sorry, but you can’t use your master’s degree in social work to push around people who you know freeze during confrontations and have memory issues due to trauma, and then turn around and lead healing from trauma workshops. No. You’re a garbage human being who deserves to step on a thousand Lego. (Legos? Anyway.)

OH. Right. Before that, I had surgery. I had surgery and then pretty much the day we got home from that, the pandemic happened. At the beginning of it, good roommate and a woman who would later become one of our best friends came to stay with us because, again, horrific garbage pile of a human being in their house. Recovering from surgery took forever - I still don’t have feeling back 100% in my chest - but thankfully I was better enough by the time they moved to be somewhat helpful there. (They were incredibly smart and hired movers. We were pretty much there because we had just bought a car and could move breakable stuff.) 

Ugh. God. Sorry, I have to jump back to 2018 for a second, which is when I was diagnosed with OCD. Like, officially, I mean. It was probably pretty obvious to everyone who wasn’t me, but I always kind of thought that since I wasn’t on My Mom-level germophobic, there was no way I could have it. Uh! Turns out! Normal people don’t cry when a garbage bag that is clearly about to be taken outside touches the floor while they are putting their shoes on to take said garbage bag outside. So... I take pills now. And go to therapy. Which is very expensive. But, yeah, my symptoms were pretty fuckin’ bad then. And continued to be bad - like, bad enough that I had to quit my job in 2019 because my bosses weren’t taking it seriously enough or even listening to me. (It’s Mcdonald’s, it’s chill, they ruin or fire all their best employees.) 

Okay. Back to now. Pandemic! School! Suffering through all my pre-requisites so I can take actual interesting classes! Somewhere in there we started watching Twitch streams - I think it was because Husband found out Felicia Day streamed, and he loves her, and it kind of spiraled from there? But anyway, I somehow ended up part of this weird, delightful community that’s genuinely nice and non-trollish, and now I stream sometimes. Or attempt to stream. Or attempt to keep a regular schedule. It’s nice, though, to feel like there’s someone to hang out with when you pretty much can’t leave your house. There’s a sense of normality to being in a place at a specific time and seeing specific people. And Twitch has given me a lot of ideas on research topics I’d like to pursue in grad school. 

Like I said, it’s been a pretty mixed bag. There have been some really bad parts, but there’s a lot of good stuff that happened too. I just. I miss Old Me a lot, lately. I miss who I was before all the trauma. (I mean, obviously not all the trauma, because I don’t miss being a literal child, but like... 18-23 or so.) 

I think this might be the most I’ve written outside of a school context in actual years. Part of me keeps thinking about adding in APA formatting, but uh. You can’t really cite something when it’s just memories inside your own head. Anyway. I need to work on liking myself more, and working through some of the baggage that goes with trauma, and... I don’t know. It’s nice to have an outlet that’s not my husband or my cats. (Again, Husband is awesome, Husband is amazing, but we’re around each other 24/7 right now. I think he deserves a break sometimes.) 

So... Yep. Thanks, if you made it this far. I promise not all my posts are going to be like this. I just figured, if you were going to stick around, you probably deserved to know what happened while I was gone. 

[marvel-ousnesss]

The pirate and the witch (part four)

Pairing: Harry Hook x daughter of narissa!reader

Summary: Y/N, an orphan vk who was taken to auradon at a young age, returns to her old home by request of the crown prince. However, things tend to go south at the Isle of the Lost.

Warning: Mild cursing, use of alcohol, sword fighting (no super detailed descriptions)

Word count: 4460(ish)

A:/N: happy Christmas Eve eve!!!  Finally done with part four and turns out I ended up writing a plot that flows slower than intended (oops). I’m sorry for the wait but I’ve been sort of busy with holiday-related procrastination. Also…. I’m working on a request and a Bucky royal au which I’ll be posting soon. As always, lots and lots of love and thanks for reading ❤️ Pls tell me what you think.

(BTW… there’s a flashback at the end, it’s in italics.)

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE DISNEY DESCENDANTS CHARACTERS, THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN CHARACTERS NOR THE SANDERSON SISTERS. All credit goes to the creators, writers, and producers. Same with the HP charms, credit goes to J.K Rowling (for now, just present in the first parts).

part one        part two      part three      mobile masterlist

— Oi, lass, lass,— a familiar intone is heard when I open the window.

To my surprise, I spot Harry behind a trash container, with my cloak resting on his right shoulder.

When he sees my head peeking out of the second floor window, he pipes, — if you wanted to see me again, you should’ve just asked.

— Who says I wanted to see you, that was a hint for Gil to find.

He snickers at my words,— ya gaunnie come get yer manky cloak, or do I have to go up there?

—Shit, — I breathe — Just a second!

I close the window and look at Jay, who quirks a brow but doesn’t move from his spot on my desk. He began to explore my sketchbook app a few minutes ago, and seems to be completely immersed in it. Nevertheless, he puts the device down and chuckles, — This is you’re place, you know. Say the word and I’ll be out.

His words take me by surprise. Even if he’s been here for a few hours, I still can’t get completely used to the idea of such dangerous people, who are feared to death back home, being as decent and friendly as they have been during my stay here.

So, after a brief goodbye, he leaves and, after all of my Auradon-related stuff, I open the window once again.

— You already came all the way here, what’s a few steps up.

He’s about to make his way up the fire escape but, after a few steps toward it, he crosses his arms and says, — Yer right, I came to yer place, don’t I deserve a prize?

He’s such a flirt. After debating it with myself for a second, I make up my mind.

— Come here and get it, — I wink.

Without a second thought, he runs up the stairs outside the building and reaches my window in no time. What I’m I doing? No one was supposed to find out about this place, yet I’ve brought two vks here in just a day. I try to keep my cool as the pirate walks toward me, stopping about a foot away.

He smirks, —So, doll, ‘bout me prize.

I feel the heat in my cheeks when he takes a small step closer, placing a hand on the side of my waist.

—oh, right… that,——

Think fast, think fast….

I smile at him sweetly and kiss his right cheek, retrieving my cloak from his shoulder. — your welcome, — I smirk.

He laughs at my antics, — yer kidding? Don’t ya say that’s it! Glaickit of ya to think I’ll leave with just that.

—Who says you have to leave?— I utter the words while stepping back in order to sit on my bed.

His brows jump up and his ocean blue eyes shine with mischief and surprise. — What’d you suggest, doll.

— Staying here for a while but, now that I think of it, wouldn’t it be more fun to go out? The docks, maybe?

— Nah, depends on what you want to do. — his words keep coming out laced with an air of innuendo.

Not wanting to give up yet, I decide to play coy. — You know, the usual; take a walk, grab a bite, ‘keep the heid’, don’t you have to do rounds?

This time, it is a mix of mischief and excitement that floods him. — Yer right, can’t wait to see the faces of those wingnut vampires when ya scare the shit outta them!

— yeah… I’m thrilled.

Why did I suggest this, of all possible things to do? The question seems to be trapped in my mind. Ever since we left the apartment, Harry began to show a new side of himself, one that I had only seen in the papers I read beforehand.

He invited me to do his rounds with him, on the way to the docks and, needless to say, my magic resulted completely useless when it came to achieving the level of fear that Harry had in mind.

— Not so badass now? bastard, — he hisses, with a smirk on his face as his hook grabs some guy by the jacket. — whatcha gonna do?

The guy limits himself to whimper and let out some sort of cry. Given that the pirate has already grabbed everything that caught his eye, together with the designated amount of golden coins, the business there is dimmed as finished and we finally  begin walking to Ursula’s.

—So what ya think, see yourself doing this with me and the crew?— he asks.

—Not really, not one for all of the intimidating.

— Ain’t so sure ‘bout that, lassie. You’ve done pretty well for what I’ve seen. — it is kind of weird to hear such words coming from him; even more so when sincerity is all across his handsome features.

I snicker, — yeah, right; I can’t even get a fly to run away.

His chin lifts up and his chest comes forward subtly, — I’d help you with that, if you decided to join us. In fact, — he wiggles his brows with a smirk, — I’d train you.

— As tempting as that sounds, I’ll have to decline, Hook. Got better things to do:

I shouldn’t even think twice about declining but something about exploring my vk side a bit further than I’ve been able to doesn’t sound completely crazy. Maybe is the way he looks at me, or should I say through me, with his ocean eyes; or the way in which those same eyes shine when he’s about to wreak havoc? Don’t really know, and not sure if I really want to.

Guess I’ll just have to solve this problem in the way I do it best, ignoring my questions until they go away.

I begin to run and chant, — Race you to the docks!

….

Panting, I stop in front of Ursula’s and get inside. The place is packed with members of Uma’s crew, some of which seem to recognize me. They acknowledge me without hostility, still thankful for what I did for them the night of the party.

—Look, Uma, Y/N’s here! Bet she’s looking for Harry, — Beams Gil, the blond and tall guy who first broke the ice with me the night I met the crew.

Uma smirks and approaches me, — Look, witchy, not sure if you got the memo but one night stands are supposed to be just that, and last one night, nothing more.

— Thanks for the heads up, cap, but I’m actually here to grab a pint. — I sit down on a barstool.

— in that case, — she turns away, visibly relaxing, — Bonnie! A beer for bibbity bobbity bullshit over here!

When Uma is behind the bar again, Harry, who had been inside and contemplating the scene, approaches me.

— Sorry ‘bout that, Uma just knows me too well,— he ventures. — Ain’t good for the business to have every lady in the isle claiming to see me, now is it?

His cockiness is amusing as it is annoying. — Oh, of course — I ponder.— that would be completely tragic.

He chuckles at me and steals a sip from my still full beer. Honestly, I don’t even like beer that much; just ordered it to play the part. Go

— Yer different, though, — he claims, but I don’t believe a word.

— Do tell, why is that?

— You’re not as annoying. Actually, I kinda like having you ‘round, — he flirts.

— So you, Mr. use-‘em-‘n-dump-‘em, are claiming I’m special? — I gasp mockingly, — what an honor.

We both laugh a bit, share another sip of beer, and he continues.

He shrugs, — Yer also fast. Not enough, but fast; even if you were playing dirty.

—Oh, gods, aren’t you one to talk about that! — I accuse,— and, given the case that I did play dirty, how did I do it?

— Lookie here — he gesticulates, motioning himself. — Racing a hungover pirate ain’t fair, besides, I had too much clothes on.

I chuckle, part of me wishing I could wipe that smirk off his face. — You’re just a bad loser, I’m pretty sure you’re always hungover; and, as for your clothes, not sure how that’s related to me kicking your ass.

— How low do ya think of me, doll, ya think I’m a bad loser? — he fakes a gasp. — and, as for my clothes, —his tone is mocking, — can’t you just enjoy me charm and help me solve the problem? But, in case you wanted a serious answer for your question, nakedness makes me more aerodynamic.

— wouldn’t you like that, Captain cockiness.— my brow quirks up. — And seriously, aerodynamic? Yeah, right.

— Not as much as ya would, my little witch.

I scoff as my eyes drift over to the window. The day is warm despite the lack of sun, so I suggest, — I think I’m gonna go for a walk. Come with me?

…….

The sound of the waves crashing against the docks is one that I’ve loved my whole life, back home, my dad and I go for boat rides often. However, here there’s a bunch of noise that accompanies the punches of water against wood and stones. The market is busy as we walk, but most of the catches turn out to be dead fish and trash that arrives from Auradon.

— I still don’t believe you, you know? It’s impossible for you to fit the grip of your hook inside your mouth; besides, how can I believe you if your too chickened up to prove it,— my arms cross expectantly.

Since we got out of Ursula’s, Harry’s been telling me a bunch of stories of his and Gil’s drunken deeds, and I may have also revealed a few of mine and Chad’s own disventures. For the last five minutes, he’s been trying to convince me that he’s capable of putting the whole base of his hook inside his mouth, but refuses to show me.

— Lass, ya’ll have to take me word for it. I’m still a few bottles of scotch away from doing that again.

—pff,— I playfully shove him sideways. — Yeah, right.

He places the tip of his hook on his chin, pretending to think, — you know, shouldn’t have spilled so much, now ya have lots of dirt on me.

—What am i gonna use it for? You know what, never mind. — I proclaim, — You, Harry James Hook, just made the worst mistake of your life. Now I’ll overthrow you and Uma, and take over the lost revenge. Buahahaha!

He laughs at me and counters, — seriously lass, some of these things, I’ve never told anyone before.

—relax Hook, you can trust me, — I smile, with the sincerity I can muster.

— Oh, okay then.

After the short moment of vulnerability, we fall into a void of uncomfortable silence. We continue to walk along the brick street next to the sea, and my hands seem to find a permanent place inside the pockets of my jacket. Harry softly whistles a melody with his eyes locked down, but looks up and smiles as we reach a familiar ship.

His frame stiffs for a moment as he inquires — You sure I can trust ya?

I hesitate, — Yes, of course.

— Then come on, you’re meeting someone. — he grins.

The ship seems to be isolated from the rest, yet it is full of crew members that work and bounce from one side of the deck to the other.

When we enter their sight, they stop to stare at us and pull out their swords.

One of them speaks with a threatening and raspy voice, — Not outsiders in the Black Pearl, Hook.  

— Relax, Y/N ain’t gonna start beef, Barbossa. — Harry assures, — where’s Jack at?

— Sure hope she does cause some trouble, we could always use some tasty ladies here in this humble ship. — the malice in his expression makes me shiver, not to mention the wicked grin coming from the monkey on his shoulder, so I move slightly behind Harry.

At this point, it’s evident that the younger pirate’s patience is becoming thinner. — She’s not here for that, now where’s Jack?

Barbossa’s pounding laugh comes laced with his response, — His chambers, drinking. Good luck getting him outta there.

So, shielding me from the Wolfish looks sent by some crew members, Harry drags me to what I assume is the entrance of the captain’s quarters.

He knocks three times and a groan is heard on the other side, right before the breaking of a bottle and an incoherent train of curse words.

The door opens to reveal a tanned middle aged man sporting wild dreadlocks and a bored expression. However, his facade changes as soon as he registers that Harry was the one who dared interrupt him.

—Powder Monkey! What brings you to this old man’s ship?— his arm flies over Harry’s shoulder and he drags him inside.

I follow closely behind. My eyes scan the wooden floor and walls, the scattered pieces of green glass that I’m sure recently fell down, and a table full of unopened bottles, surrounded by five stools.

— Just thought I’d come ‘n greet, so you pack of salty dogs wouldn’t forget ‘bout me.

— Nah, wouldn’t forget ‘bout my favorite boot cleaner, — he smiles, showcasing a few golden teeth, — now would I?  

Harry’s only response is to laugh as he opens a bottle of rum, — Also, wanted you to meet a, uhh, an acquaintance. Jack, Y/N; Y/N, this is Jack.

Acquaintance, seriously?

He turns my way, smirking and stretching out a dusty hand, — Well, let me say, m’lady, any friend of Jimbo here is a friend of mine. —After we shake hands, he sits down on the table, grabbing yet one more bottle, — Now tell me, what stupidity have you done to cross ways with this wonky piece of sea garbage?

I’m about to start, but Harry interjects, — She can’t tell you nothing without a dram.

— Only got rum, Hookey, who do ya think yer talking to, Turner?— he scoffs.

— Rum it is, then.

Awkwardly, I state, — Actually, I’m good as it is, gentlemen.

— You don’t drink? — This time, Sparrow breaks into laughter,— got a princess in your hands, Harry. But m’lady, — he turns toward me,— we all drink here, ‘s the code.

I chuckle, — Fine, but just a few drinks.

…

Thank god I have my boots on, I think to myself as I look at the floor. A fit of giggles scale my lips, followed by an almost unperceivable hiccup. It’s been a few hours since we arrived at the Pearl, and we’ve been drinking nonstop. At the beginning, it was only Jack and the two of us, but then Gil ended up here, together with maestre Gibbs.

I told them how I met Harry, but that’s the only truth that I’ve spilled. After all, knowing where I’m from would be enough motivation for these men to make me walk the plank and straight into the kraken’s nest. From then on, I’ve been mostly listening.

— So, then I was like ‘proceed,’ but they noticed I wasn’t white so the one with the fancy wig went all ‘it’s Jack Sparrow, it’s Jack sparrow!’ and I was like ‘nub-uh, I’m justice Smith.’ — Jack speaks  between laughs, with exaggerated esticulations, as he takes another sip of some cheap wine; the rum ran out like an hour ago.

— You saved my ass that day, Jack, I remember it like it happened this very morning, — Gibbs patted his friend’s shoulder.

Gil chimes in, — like that time you saved us from the Huns, we wouldn’t have lasted two seconds without you and Anamaria.

— I haven’t heard that one yet, — I voice, utterly curious.

— Well, — Jack announces, then yawns. — you’ll have to hear it another time, Y/N/N. I've got some business, you know? Gotta sleep for a few years now.

Being the ship’s captain, and the two young pirates’ mentor, no one’s hesitant to comply. We get up and say goodbye, then make our way outside.

All three of us are still fairly drunk, so I decide to take this chance to see if I can get them to open up.

— I still haven’t heard the story of you guys and the Huns.

— ‘S a long one, lass. — states Harry, placing an arm around my shoulder, to which I respond by loosely grabbing his wrist with my right hand, as to keep his arms from moving.

— Well, we’ve got time! — I yowel.

— You’re gonna love it, Y/N. — As we walk, Gil begins to explain, taking a sip of the bottle we grabbed from the Pearl.— We were like seven when that happened?

----

Harry and Gil walked silently, as they kept an eye on Shan Yu’s men. It was Harry’s first official mission as part of his father’s crew, or it was gonna be, and he had called Gil and Uma for help and support. Sadly, the young sea witch had been grounded that very morning, so she couldn’t be there with the two boys. To say that they had absolutely no idea what they were doing was a complete understatement. They were clueless.

So, they did what seemed rational at the moment: follow the enemies and wait for the perfect moment to attack. Or… at least that’s what Gil had heard his father say when he talked about hunting.

—Shh!! — scolded Harry, — you’re gonna make them see us, Gil!

The blond boy muttered a quick ‘sorry,’ and continued walking, this time avoiding collisions.

— Harry, they’re getting into a warehouse, we should wait out here. — Gil intoned, chocolate eyes shining with fear.

Harry immediately countered and, on the contrary to his friend’s, his blue orbs were  flooded with pride and determination. —No, this is my chance to prove father that I can be a real pirate. If we make it, he will train me.

----

We continue walking through the very same road that we took earlier today (yesterday, as midnight passed a few hours ago). Harry’s arm remains placed around me and mine has now found its way around his middle.

As he speaks, I feel the soft vibrations of Harry’s voice and the alcohol that pleasantly poisoned his breath; — so, we decided to ambush the Huns right there.

— We decided? You manipulated me into going, — Gil points out, giggling.

Harry sighs and grumbles, — Anyway, the point is we went inside and here we are; so, continue talking Gil. Before sunrise, if you can.

----

The two boys literally crossed a door that had no way back. They hid behind a few boxes of what they supposed were ingredients for Dim Sum, and carefully watched as the Hun soldiers opened a chest full of gold that they had stolen from the Jolly Roger.

— There it is, — Harry whispered in awe.

— It’s a lot of gold, — Gil quavered.

Back then, they were convinced that no one was aware of their presence, but a certain pirate lord who had his eyes on the very same prize had seen them from the start.

— Isn’t that Hook’s boy? — asked Anamaria.

—Yup.

She continued to press on the topic, — shouldn’t we take him? He’d be useful against his father; we could get some money out of him.

—Nope.

— And why the hell not, Jack?

The captain sighed, as he adjusted his position on the ceiling bar, — Jim doesn’t pose a threat at the moment and nothing he has seems to be worth it these days, the boy’s useless.

The Huns continued to speak in hushed tones, reason why none of the intruding parties were able to register what was happening.

The kids didn’t even have time to move when they felt the cold metal of swords against the back of their necks. With their hands raised in defeat, they stood up and faced Shan Yu’s soldiers.

—Your father didn’t even have the balls to come here himself?

— Maybe we could send him your fingers? Or maybe even your left hand? That way you’d get matching hooks.

The grown men spoke as they advanced on the two boys, making them head toward the wall of the building. When they had them cornered, both Huns raised their swords and both boys shielded their heads with their arms; but no harm came their way.

Instead, they saw the Huns fighting two other people, whom Harry recognized as members of the enemy pirate crew, the tripulation of the Black Pearl.

— So that’s why you went after the kids —chortled the man. — Your technique is worse than your fashion sense, and that’s saying something.

Both boys giggled at his words.

The man’s combat was sparkled with humor and witty comments, while the woman fought silently and with a stern expression, only groaning every few hits. Both of them had impeccable technique, and they seemed to be dancing in perfect coordination.

After what had seemed to be hours, the Huns ended up dead.

— I can’t believe I agreed to come with you in the first place, — hissed the woman, cleaning her left boot with the end of her puffy white sleeve.

— Come one, don’t tell me it wasn’t fun!

She ignored her companion and approached the boys, who had been contemplating their interaction.

— Hey, — she smiled, — I’m Ana, and that idiot over there is captain Jack Sparrow.

Harry stepped forward, — I’m quartermaster Harry Hook, and this is my friend Gil.

—Quartermaster? Harry, your father doesn’t even let you near the crew.

Harry glared at his friend and decided to explain to the two strangers, — well, I’m not exactly a quartermaster… yet! — he assured. — but I’m gonna be one, when my dad decides to train me.

It was the man’s turn to speak, and his voice came tinted with venom. — You mean Jim sent you here without training? Not even I would do that.

— My dad doesn’t think I have what it takes to be a pirate. I was gonna bring him his treasure back and show him I do have it, but I guess you’re gonna take it, right?

‘Not the puppy eyes, not those; anything but the puppy eyes!’ Jack pleaded to himself, but he ended up looking at the boy and giving in.

He groaned, and then spoke up. — We’ll all go back to the Pearl. There, well split the gold and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two.

— Uma’s gonna love this, — grinned the boys in unison.

----

We arrived at the end of the road, so the three of us sat on the edge of the dock, feet dangling over the water.

— So, that’s basically it. — concludes Gil. — Jack taught us everything we know about being pirates. Then, he helped us get the Lost Revenge.

I take a drink, — And, you’re all still pretty close to him. That’s really cool.

Harry chuckles, — well, we kind of owe him everything we are.

I lift my head, which was resting on his shoulder, and glance at him. — That’s not true; he may have trained you, but I’m sure you all have become your own selves.

— Don’ be stupid, lass, he did it because it meant a future a alliance and an advantage, not because he has a teaching vocation.

I sigh, looking for adequate words to phrase what I want to say, — Then you guys owe him what you know about piracy, nothing more.

None of the two pirates said anything.

You know, — Gil sighed, — he’s been there for us more than our own parents. He even saved us from Hook’s crew once, when we were thirteen.

—Still, he did it because we’d signify power for him and not because he cared about us. — Harry takes a long swing of liquor.

I sigh, — Still, I think that, even if he didn’t care at the beginning, he’s fond of you guys now.

Harry’s about to object, but he thinks for a moment and mumbles, — he’s been around for quite a while, even for me sisters.

—I’m just pretty glad that we found him, — Gil hummed, — since I began training with him, my father has been going on about how proud he is that I’m big and strong, and how he hopes that I’ll get myself a nice lady.

— Funny, — Harry says with a tint of grief, — my dad stopped talking to me when the moment I stepped on the Pearl.

Once again, we fall into silence. I fall backwards and look at the cloudy sky, Gil and Harry soon follow and, once again, I find a spot right under the first mate’s arm.

— I’m kind of sleepy, guys.— Gil voices my thoughts, we should head back to the Revenge.

Without complaining, the three of us stand up and walk back to the ship. Instead of heading to their quarters, Harry and Gil lead me to a few hammocks that are placed on deck for those on night guard.

Harry takes off his boots and coat, sitting on one, —‘m sure Uma won’t mind if we use these for tonight.

—Yeah, no big deal, — Yawns Gil.

— Kay.

I’m already beginning to sober up, so sleep is beginning to hit me. Without a second thought, I lay down and wrap myself in my cloak. I drift off to sleep, and my head clears.

It only lasts a few hours, though. I wake up with nausea and my head pounding. Sitting up, decision which immediately regret, I look around for Harry and Gil but turns out I’m alone. I get up and rub my eyes, walking towards Frollo’s creperie, which is a few blocks away from Ursula’s.

I arrive and bark my order, like I’ve seen people do it around here. Then, with a huff, I sit down and quickly glance at my watch.

9:30 am… shit!

Tags: @criticizing-blogger​  @aspitefullittlebeing​  @treestarrrrrrrr​

[eddieeatsass]

ok but like a hanzier propsal fic please? i just need one in my life and im really going down cause i can't find any. ( also smut in it if you're feeling generous hehe )

I’m sorry it took longer than expected to get this to you, life got in the way! But I had so much fun writing this, thank you for the prompt.

Read On AO3

Richie and Mike were an anomaly. A peculiar match that shocked everyone as much as it shocked them themselves. They moved as a unit, despite being so vastly different in all other capacities. Their love is what stitched them together, made them immovable, a constant in everyone’s lives.

They’d gotten together at an early age, the pull between them impossible to ignore. While the rest of the Losers were exploring their hearts, Mike and Richie spent their nights curled up together in the fields at Mike’s farm, watching the stars and making wishes on the ones that shot by.

So, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when they got engaged. Everyone has seen it coming from a mile away. At 25, the pair had been together for nearly 9 years, a decade approaching at light speed to wrap up their adoration for each other in a pretty little bow.

They’d been talking about marriage since they were teenagers, young and naive to the realities of the world outside of high school. They’d thought they could get hitched as soon as they were out of school, settle down in a big house with three dogs, and call it a day. Unfortunately, life had other plans. Finances and secondary education snuck up on them quickly, pulling the wool off their eyes and exposing sensitive nerves to adult life. They adapted, but not without having to make some adjustments to their original plan. A big house became a small off-campus apartment, which they had to share with Stan and Bill just to make rent. Three dogs became one goldfish, which Richie adamantly insisted they name “Spot”. And getting married got put on the back burner, a dream for another time. A time when they weren’t buried in student loans, homework, and minimum wage jobs.

While it wasn’t a surprise to anyone that they got engaged, how they got engaged was a story in itself.

Mike had always been the level-headed part of the twosome, balancing out Richie’s grand imagination and impulsive nature. So, when he decided he wanted to propose, he had to start thinking like his boyfriend. A proposal to Richie couldn’t simply be “level-headed”, it had to match how wild and loud and full of life he was. Mike had mulled over ideas for weeks until he finally admitted he needed to recruit some help, so he went to the only other person who knew Richie as well as he did: Beverly Marsh.

Beverly was, of course, ecstatic to hear that Mike planned on proposing. But she also wasn’t shy to tell him how much his ideas sucked. A walk along the beach, a boat ride, a nature walk; they were all sweet gestures, but they weren’t as memorable as Mike wanted them to be.

Finally, after another week of discreetly texting one another, Beverly and Mike came up with a plan, and a month later he was putting it into action.

It was the 10th of July, the day that Richie had officially asked Mike to be his boyfriend all those years ago. Mike planned a weekend trip for them to visit Derry, catch up with their parents and see how much the town had changed since they’d left. Neither of them had enjoyed living there when they’d been kids but going back had a nostalgic draw that made it seem sentimental. It hadn’t been all bad; long days freckling under the sun at the Quarry, making Eddie squirm as they trudged through the mucky waters of the Barrens, muffled giggles into old books as they tried to hide from Ms. Sally’s shushing at the town’s library. And of course, it’s where they met each other. Where they fell in love.

They’d spent the earlier part of the day at the Tozier residence, visiting with Maggie and Went over brunch. Now, they were at the tail-end of dinner with the Hanlons. Will and Jessica were clearing the table when Jessica spoke up.

“Do you two have somewhere to stay tonight?”

“We were just going to grab a room at the motel down the road-” Richie began to say, before Jessica interrupted him with her tutting.

“Nonsense! Why spend money when you can stay here?”

Mike and Richie exchanged a bashful look, knowing that staying in Mike’s childhood room together with his parents right next door might not be… ideal.

Will chuckled, as if reading their minds. “We’re going out tonight, won’t be back ‘till tomorrow afternoon. We’re going swing dancing in Old Town! We’ll be staying with your aunt Mary overnight.”

Mike’s tense shoulders relaxed at the news that they’d have the house all to themselves for the night. It would make his plan go that much smoother.

Jessica brought out dessert, which Richie devoured in record time, and then they were heading out, leaving Richie and Mike to their own devices.

As Richie set off to shower, Mike checked his watch for the umpteenth time that evening, watching the time closely to make sure he followed his schedule down to the minute. Richie’s shower made them a smidge late, but Mike schooled his features to hide his worry so Richie wouldn’t suspect anything.

“Heya hot stuff.” Mike greeted Richie as he strolled out of the bathroom with steam billowing behind him. He had one towel loosely thrown around his hips and was ruffling up his hair with another. Mike got up from his perch on his bed and strolled towards Richie, meeting him in the middle of the room. He grabbed Richie by the hips and pulled him in for a soft kiss.

“Mmm, hi.” Richie whispered against Mike’s lips, a smile curling under the attention.

With a second kiss to Richie’s forehead, Mike pulled himself away.

“So, I was thinking maybe we could walk out to the field and do some stargazing, you know, like we used to.” The suggestion was casual, but Mike’s heart was beating fast. His plan depended on Richie saying yes.

“Yeah sure babe.” Richie responded as he pulled a t-shirt over his wet mop of hair and reached for his boxers. “Just let me get a little more appropriately dressed.” He winked before hopping ungracefully as he pulled on his boxers, tripping slightly but recovering with a charming smile.

Mike’s pulse relaxed immediately, his anxiety being replaced with fondness for this goofy, maladjusted boy he was soon going to propose to.

It took a few more minutes before they were off, hands clasped together as they wandered out into the seemingly never-ending field of the Hanlon’s farm. The night was beautiful, the sky completely devoid of clouds and shining bright with the dim light of the stars.

They walked for a few minutes until the house behind them became part of a separate world, and that’s when Richie saw it.

“Michael!” Richie gasped, as he spotted what was in the distance. They were walking towards a patch of grass covered with a large blanket, surrounded by four lit tiki torches.

Mike couldn’t hold back the grin that split across his face, seeing Richie’s excitement got his own going.

Richie let go of Mike’s hand to sprint the rest of the way to the set-up. When he got there, he noticed there was an abundance of pillows as well as two picnic baskets set aside. Laying down was like resting on a bed of clouds, and he instantly felt all the stress of life evaporating away under the stars.

Mike finally caught up and sat down beside Richie. He looked down at him and couldn’t help but reach a hand out and pet the hair back from Richie’s forehead, letting his fingers linger on his cheek.

“Happy 9 years, my love.” He whispered.

Richie’s eyes flicked their attention to Mike, so much adoration and passion present in those blue pearls.

“Happy 9 years, Mikey.” Richie responded, lifting his hand up to Mikes and lacing their fingers together. He swiftly broke the moment by tugging on Mike’s arm and pulling him down on top of him.

Richie laughed as Mike tried not to crush Richie beneath him as he toppled over. He was still giggling as he brought their lips together, his hands already wandering down the front of Mike’s chest.

Mike had to fight to get his mind and body to comply to the plan he had set up. As much as he wanted to get lost in Richie’s arms, he couldn’t. Not yet, at least.

So, ignoring Richie’s complaintive whine, Mike rolled off him and towards the baskets he had set aside.

“I don’t want our food to get cold.” Mike used as an excuse. From the basket he procured a tray of chocolate covered strawberries, as well as two champagne flutes along with non-alcoholic champagne. Neither of them really drank, and besides, he wanted to be as lucid as possible for what was about to happen.

He passed the plate off to Richie who grabbed it eagerly, tearing the saran wrap off unceremoniously and beginning his search for the perfect strawberry. Mike poured them both some champagne, taking the time to check his watch again. Eight minutes until the big moment. He took a deep breath before putting the champagne aside and turning back to Richie.

“I found the best one.” Richie exclaimed happily, holding up the biggest strawberry in the pile. It was coated nearly perfectly in chocolate, save for the green stem Richie was holding it by.

“C’mere.” Richie beckoned, setting the tray beside him and scooting closer to Mike.

Mike complied, snuggling close to Richie and handing him one of the flutes.

Richie brought the strawberry up to Mike’s lips, beginning to trace them slowly with the fruit. Richie’s mouth was set tight, but Mike could tell he was trying to hold back laughter.

“Richie this doesn’t-”

“Shhhh.” Richie used the strawberry to quiet him, pressing it more firmly against his lips.

“Let me seduce you.” Richie said in a low attempt at a sultry voice.

Now Mike was also trying not to laugh, his cheeks pulled up into rosy apples as Richie continued his ministrations. Chocolate was melting against Mike’s mouth, giving him the appearance of wearing lipstick. That’s when Richie finally cracked, pulled his hand back and laughing audibly at the mess on Mike’s face.

Mike laughed along, resisting the urge to wipe his mouth right away. Instead, as he’d expected, Richie leaned in after he’d composed himself, and licked the chocolate clean. He finished by pecking Mike innocently before pulling back and finally properly feeding the strawberry to his poor boyfriend.

They continued like that for the next few minutes, laughing and talking, eating the strawberries faster than they probably should and washing down the sweetness with glorified carbonated juice.

Mike got so caught up in the moment that he almost forgot what he was there for, until the loud boom reminded him.

“Fireworks, really? The 4th of July was six days ago!” Richie complained with no real fever. Richie loved fireworks, loved the bright colors and loud noises, loved getting lost in whatever story his brain decided they were telling.

“Let’s watch.” Mike encouraged, taking Richie’s nearly empty flute from him and setting both of theirs back into the picnic basket.

When Mike turned back around, Richie was already laying on his back, his hands folded eagerly on his stomach as his eyes searched the sky for the next show.

Mike lowered himself down beside him, taking a second to memorize the look on Richie’s face at that exact moment.

Another firework exploded above them, accompanied by a quicker burst of a few more. Mike’s gaze stayed on Richie’s face, his hand reaching into his pocket to finger the little ring box he’d been carrying around all day.

Three more fireworks. Richie’s eyes were lit up both with the reflection of the lights, and with that wonder that Mike fell in love with.

Another one.

Then a succession of smaller ones.

And then...

Richie’s eyes were meeting Mike’s, wide and questioning.

Richie’s mouth gaped, words seeming to fail him for the first time in his life.

Above them, the fireworks were quickly disappearing, the fiery words “Richie, Will You Marry Me?” fading into the night’s sky.

“So?” Mike took a deep breath, rolling over on to his side to fully face Richie. His hand pulled the small box out from its confines and he held it up to Richie, popping it open to reveal a delicate gold band.

“What do you say?” Mike’s voice wavered as he waited for a sigh.

“What the fuck.” Richie blurted out, before he started sobbing.

Mike faltered quickly, letting the ring box drop as he prioritized pulling Richie close to his chest.

“Baby, baby I’m so sorry. Please don’t cry, I’m sorry I-”

A vibration against his chest cut him off. He had to pull away slightly so he could decipher Richie’s words.

“You ruined my plan.” Richie blubbered out again, his tears now juxtaposed by a huge smile that he was trying to disguise as a pout. Mike felt his composure relax. Richie continued without being prompted. “I was going t-to propose next w-weekend.” Richie explained between splutters.

It was Mike’s turn to be speechless now.

“But of course, Mike Hanlon, always the romantic, has to do it on our fucking anniversary.” Richie’s tears were slowing down now, his usual demeanor coming back. “Now I’ll have to see if I can get my deposit back on the horse.”

“Horse…?”

“And I’ll have to call the bakery and cancel the cake order, hopefully the band will be able to find another gig on such short notice, Eddie and Bill are definitely going to have to return their costumes, and-”

“Baby, honey, slow down.” Mike’s gentle hands were cupping Richie’s face, forcing him to meet his gaze.

Richie stopped immediately, closing his eyes and forcing himself to take a deep breath. When his eyes re-opened, they were teary again. “Can I at least say it?”

Mike’s heart felt like it would burst, his love for Richie so palpable in that moment.

“Of course.”

Richie cleared his throat and wiped his eyes as he stood up. He dramatically shook his limbs out one by one, cracking his neck side to side, and then turned back around to face Mike.

“Michael Hanlon. Michael the bicycle. Love of my life. Hopefully one day, bearer of my children. My best friend. My compadre. My-”

“Richie.” Mike cut him off with a laugh.

“Right, right. Sorry. Mike…” Richie got down on one knee, taking Mike’s hand between his own. “Will you marry me?”

Mike’s grin could have rivalled the sun. “Yes. Yesyesyes yes.” Mike rushed out.

“AND THERE WE HAVE IT FOLKS,” Richie let go of Mike’s hand and swiveled on his knees as if to address an invisible audience. He lifted both his hands in triumph. “DERRY’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORS ARE OFFICIALLY OFF THE MARKET FOR GOOD.”

Mike rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around Richie’s torso and pulling him backwards. Richie came crashing down with an eruption of laughter, mixing along with Mike’s own. Mike didn’t waste any time beginning to pepper kisses down Richie’s neck, using his position to pull Richie flush against his chest.

Things heated up quickly. Kisses became more passionate, clothes were shed, and soon the two were left naked under the stars, the kindness of July keeping them warm and the flickering from the tiki torches lighting their hands’ paths. It wasn’t long before Richie was aching for more.

“Mikey…” Richie canted his hips upwards, ushering Mike’s hand, which was gripped around his cock, to move faster.

“Hold on baby, I’ve got you.” Mike twisted his body around uncomfortably to reach for the second picnic basket he’d packed. He opened it up with his free hand, his busy one never ceasing its job, and grabbed for the bottle of lube he’d packed.

The familiar sound of the cap popping open made Richie’s cock twitch.

“Oh my god, you really think of everything, don’t you.” Richie said excitedly.

“One of us has to.” Mike winked.

Richie spread his legs eagerly before Mike even had the chance to pour lube on to his fingers. The anticipation on Richie’s face egged him to move faster, his own eagerness becoming evident.

As Mike poured out a generous amount of the slick liquid into his hand, Richie grabbed one of the extra pillows and tucked it under his lower back, propping himself up on display. Mike nearly salivated at the view, never quite having gotten used to seeing Richie spread out, no matter how many times they did this.

Mike brought his lubricated hand up to Richie’s hole, circling a finger around the puckered muscle, teasing Richie before slipping his digit inside smoothly.

They’d fooled around only a few hours ago, stopping on the side of the road on their drive to Mike’s farm and squeezing into the back seat. Mike had fucked Richie until he’d cried, fingers desperately grabbing at the seats around him for some kind of leverage to ground himself. Richie came all over his shirt, causing them to have to dig their suitcases out of the trunk and wrestle out a clean one for him to change into.

Richie was still deliciously stretched from their afternoon activities, letting Mike slip in a second finger after only a few moments.

“You’re so beautiful like this, laid out bare for me…” Mike praised Richie who was breathing heavily beneath him.

Richie didn’t answer, just pushed his hips towards Mike to get his fingers as deep as possible. Mike found Richie’s prostate and stroked it lightly, eliciting a gorgeous moan.

“You can be as loud as you want.” Mike said, rubbing Richie’s prostate a little harder. “No one will hear you out here.”

It came out as a promise, assurance that he’d get Richie to the point where he couldn’t stay silent even if he tried. It sent goosebumps down Richie’s body.

A third finger was added, the stretch familiar and gentle. Richie felt warm, both from Mike’s body heat and desire kindling inside. They continued like that for a few more minutes, Mike pumping his hand steadily, teasing Richie’s prostate every time he thrust upwards. It was tantalizing.

“Please, Mikey…” Richie pleaded when it finally got to be too much. Mike pulled his hand away, watching Richie’s hole flutter around nothing. It was so pretty he took a moment to lean down and kiss it. Richie gasped at the unexpected contact, grinding his hips down against Mike’s face. Mike indulged him, kissing it with dirty flicks of his tongue. When he pulled away his face shone with lube.

“I could spend all night eating you out,” Mike stated, grabbing the lube and squirting a little extra into his hand. “but right now, I’d rather do this.” He rubbed the excess lube across his cock, coating it generously before lining himself up with Richie’s hole. He wasted no time before pushing in, shivering as the tightness enveloped him.

“Fuuuuuck-” Richie groaned wantonly.

Mike bottomed out, shifting his gaze from where they were connected and following the planes of Richie’s torso until their eyes met. Richie had his lower lip tucked between his teeth, as if trying to hold himself back, but upon meeting Mike’s gaze he let it drop.

“I can’t wait to be your husband.” Richie said sincerely.

“Me neither.” Mike smile tenderly. “But I am glad I get to show you off as my fiancé for a while.”

They both laughed, the movement jostling Mike inside Richie and reminding them of their current situation.

Mike pulled out slowly before easing himself back in at the same pace. He kept that rhythm as he continued.

“Everyone’s going to be jealous I get to marry the most affectionate, effervescent, passionate man in the whole world.”

“I’m the one who’s lucky,” Richie panted out between slow thrusts. “Getting to marry the most open-minded, kind-hearted, and hottest guy in town.”

Mike let out a burst of laughter, letting his head drop to Richie’s chest as a blush rose to his cheeks.

“I’m farthest from the hottest. That would be-”

“You’re right, it’s definitely Bill.” Richie interrupted with a breathless giggle.

Mike drew his head back and gasped dramatically.

“I was going to say you but…” Mike pretended to contemplate it. “Yeah, Denbrough could get it.”

They shared a smile. Mike loved Richie's ability to make any moment playful, even moments when Mike was buried to the hilt within him. This charismatic man, with the imagination of a child and the whimsy to match.

Mike picked up his pace, spurred on by his adoration, set on making Richie feel as good as he possibly could. The mewls he got in response were encouraging, so he continued swiveling his hips and propelling himself deeper with every thrust.

“That feel good, baby?” Mike purred into Richie’s ear, nipping his earlobe before descending to his neck.

A litany of curses was all Richie could manage in response, feeling himself climbing towards his peak.

Soon, curses were being split up by warning attempts. “Mike- fuckfuckfuck- I’m almost- holy shit yes don’t stop- I’m going to- jesus fucking christ-”

Mike knew that he was hitting the perfect spot. He didn’t dare move, no matter how much his arms were quivering, or his legs threatened to give out. He pumped forward once, twice, three times, and then the empty field was being filled with a throaty scream.

Richie’s fingernails left crescent moons where they dug into Mike’s arms, holding on for his dear life as he felt the waves of pleasure nearly drown him.

The feeling of Richie clenching around his cock did him in. As Mike joined Richie in his climax, he forced himself to keep his eyes open, never wanting to miss a moment of watching Richie come undone. He was so beautiful; pale skin, tinted pink from exertion and nearly transparent under the moonlight, thickly rimmed glasses sitting askew on his face, cum spread across his chest and pooling into his bellybutton. He looked so fragile, so small underneath Mike’s hold. Vulnerable in a way only Mike would ever see him.

Eventually they both regained their composure along with their breath. Mike pulled out of Richie slowly, watching as his own fluid follow him out of the tight confine, leaking onto Richie’s thighs and the pillow below him. Mike wanted to clean it up, dive in with his mouth and get Richie to cum all over again, but he knew there would be time to do that later.

They did, after-all, have forever ahead of them.

[candycutter13]

Building Up My Virgin Boy: Romance otome game Walkthrough

My games and invi IDs More CGS here (or #cgcandy) More walkthroughs here (or #walkthroughcandy)  ********************************

In Progress: I will update the post as I go (as of 04/01/18)

*old name of the app: Building Up My Dream Boy_Japan dating simulation developed by: SEPTENI CROSSGATE

General idea of the game:

Tsukasa Morimoto, aka your dream boy, changes his appearance and personality every time you level up by filling up the green meter below the “Feeling” percentage. This meter fills up by clicking on the speech bubbles that appear around the chibi Tsukasa. The Feeling percentage decreases over time. Going on dates will raise his Feeling percentage (max 100%), which in turn, raise the amount of points you get per click of the speech bubbles. The higher your Feeling percentage is, the faster you will fill up the meter, level up, and progress in Tsukasa’s story.

*Don’t be surprised when you exit the app and open it only to find that your Feeling percentage has decreased to 0%. No worries there. You can raise it back up by going on dates and continue filling up the green meter (which, by the way, does not decrease).

**tip: pulling down your notification bar will instantly refresh the speech bubbles. (picked up from Tiffany Nguyen’s youtube video)

Choices:

There are 2 types of choices.

Story mode - cut-scenes that automatically appear when you fill up the green bar. Choices affect which Tsukasa you unlock and the overall progress of your story.

Date mode - “Talk to Tsukasa” cut-scenes. Choices will increase or decrease your Feeling percentage. Still looking into whether or not it affects the overall progress of your story.

Date mode:

Dates include choices that will either increase or decrease your Feeling percentage. Generally, each date will have 3 sets of choices, which means you can raise your Feeling percentage by up to 45 per date or lose 15 points max. Choosing the excellent choice would lead you to the next set of choices, while choosing the good or the bad choice would end the date, bringing you back to the home screen.

Excellent choices: +15 feeling points; will lead to the next set of choices Good choices: +10 feeling points; end date Bad choices: -5 to 15 feeling points (varies) ; end date

*Dates occur at random order per story level and may repeat until you fill up the meter and move on to the next level.

Story mode:

Story mode is partially voiced for the most part. Date mode has some voice acting.

Story 1-19 are the story mode cut-scenes. Story 31-52 I’m assuming are the log-in bonus cut-scenes. As of now, I have received Story 31-36 of which I am sure of. Story 20-30, then, may be the special cut scenes feature found on each character’s profile (as there are 11 Tsukasa’s in total). They are locked, along with special voices feature as of the moment.

Story No.0 - Beautiful University Life? (Tutorial Date)

0.1 Let’s go to the patio (Excellent)  0.2 Let’s go to the park  0.3 Let’s go to the cafe

*tutorial choices have no effect on the story

Story No.1 - First Girlfriend (Boring Tsukasa)

1.1 I will change you (leads to Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa)  1.2 I will help you change yourself (leads to Story 3/Shy Tsukasa)

Date #1

Can i come close to you? (Excellent)  I want you to protect me (bad)  I want you to hug me

I don’t like packed train (bad)  I like riding on train (Excellent)  What are you doing on the train? (good)

I’m getting bored  I like spending time like this (Excellent)  I‘m getting tired

Date #2

Just watch him silently (good)  Whisper something (bad)  Try to poke his cheek (Excellent)

What are you reading? (Excellent)  Let’s review for the next class! (good)  Can I do mischief?

I think our teacher is very cool (bad) I don’t understand the lecture (Excellent)  Let’s just skip the class!

Date #3

My room is more messy (bad)  Yeah, it’s kind of messy (good)  I think your room is super clean (Excellent)

I want to cook for you (good)  Can I sit down? (bad) This souvenir is for you (Excellent)

Let’s watch TV! Let’s watch a movie! Let’s listen to some music? (good)

Date #4

The patio (Excellent)  The school cafeteria (good)  The cafe around school (bad)

Where do you usually eat lunch? (Excellent)  It’s a hassle to eat lunch  I don’t mind if we don’t eat

What is your favorite food? (Excellent)  What food do you not like?  What do you wanna eat right now?

Date #5

You don’t like going to the park?  Do you like parks? (Excellent)  Do you want to go different?

Do you want me to buy a drink? (Excellent)  Can you buy a drink for me?  Do you want to eat? (good)

Let’s go down the slide  Let’s ride the swings (Excellent)  Let’s climb the jungle gym

Date #6

Take care of child at the school? (Excellent)  Tutor at the cram school?  Work at a convenience store?

What d’you wanna do in the future? (good)  Are you going to look for a job?  What’s your dream? (Excellent)

Can we be arm-in-arm?  Can I hold your hand? (Excellent)  Can you hug me?

Date #7

Can you help me? (Excellent) I want you to keep looking at me Could you please teach me? (good)

You seem like nerd of study You seem like you like studying (good) You look like you are smart

I  I  I

Story No.2 - The Movement of Tsukasa 1 (Goofy Tsukasa)

*from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will change you”

2.1 Nevermind (leads to Story 4/Egoistic Tsukasa)  2.2 Well, I thought you would change (leads to Story 5/Aristocratic Tsukasa)

Date #1

I want to ride the merry-go-round! (good)  Let’s ride a roller coaster! (Excellent)  What about waiting for the parade?

Wow… it’s too crowded here  I’m having so much fun! (Excellent)  I’m getting tired

Let’s go to the cafe!  I’m not tired yet  Let’s go to the souvenir shop (Excellent)

Date #2

I want to go to the hot spring!  I want to go to the amusement park (Excellent)  What about skiing?

I can’t wait to ride the coaster! (Excellent)  I can’t wait to see the parade!  I don’t like waiting in line

I’ll make lunch for you (Excellent)  I’ll look for a coupon  I’ll bring some snacks

Date #3

I’ll buy dinner for you  I’ll kiss you  I’ll go out with you (Excellent)

Are you free today? (bad)  What about your seminar? (Excellent)  Do you have work today?

Where do you want to go? (good)  Let’s go shopping?  You want to see the movie, right? (Excellent)

Date #4

I’m getting tired  Let’s listen to music! (Excellent)  Do you want me to drive?

Do you want some hot tea?  Do you want me to buy a Coke?  Do you want some coffee? (Excellent)

Are we almost there?  How much longer does it take?  If we’re together, its fun (Excellent)

Date #5

Are you sure? (Excellent)  Of course! (good)  Hmm… well…

I’m a little bit nervous (good)  Let’s watch something  I’m getting excited (Excellent)

Go to the convenience store  Do you want to buy any alcohol?  Can I go to the grocery store? (Excellent)

Date #6

I had a fun time with you (good)  Thank you for taking me home (Excellent)  I’m so sleepy

Do you want to swing by? (good)  See you tomorrow (bad)  I don’t want to go back home (Excellent)

I  I  I

Date #7

Can you buy beer for me?  I want to eat popcorn (Excellent)  I’m good. Thank you.

I prefer salt and caramel flavor (Excellent)  I prefer cilantro flavor  I prefer salt and butter

Can I hold your hand (Excellent)  Look at me and not the movie  I’m getting sleepy

Story No.3 - The Movement of Tsukasa 2 (Shy Tsukasa)

*from story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will help you change yourself”

3.1 Keep silent (leads to Story 6/Tsundere Tsukasa)  3.2 Make a lie (leads to Story 7/Mysterious Tsukasa)

Date #1

Can you give me a piggyback ride? (bad)  I can’t climb up anymore  I’m good. I actually feel good (Excellent)

The air is so fresh! (good)  I want to climb back down (Excellent)  I want to drink juice (bad)

Let’s go back  I will try (Excellent)  Let’s run up the mountain

Date #2

I hope you like it (bad)  You don’t like homemade food?  Are you glad? (Excellent)

Do you want to eat now?  Let’s take a walk (Excellent)  Do you want to ride a boat?

Let’s just relax (Excellent)  Let’s have fun!  Let’s just have a little fun

Date #3

Do you need any help?  May I look at you? (good)  I go back so as not to disturb

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #4

I can’t get it  I think so (Excellent)  You like this dusty smell?

I like quiet (Excellent)  I like noise  I like it more smaller better

Let’s go back home  Let’s stay here until night (Excellent)  Can I take a nap here?

Date #5

I’ve never been to a club  Yeah, I go clubbing frequently  Just one time with my friend (Excellent)

We were just dancing  I chatted with my friends (Excellent)  We drank

You can just try  Let’s not go there  I don’t like club parties either (Excellent)

Date #6

I  I  I

I  I  I 

I  I  I

Date #7

I  I  I

I  I  I

I  I  I

Story No.4 - The  Bullying President (Egoistic Tsukasa)

from Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa: choose ”Nevermind”

no choices here

Date #1

Yes, I love it (good) It’s okay I’m sure there is a better one

I I I

I I I

Date #2

That’s a secret (Excellent) Yes, I love you more! Yeah, so-so

Can I open the window Let’s drink something (bad) I’ll cook something (good)

I want to move too (bad) Can I stay here tonight? (good) I need to go back home

Date #3

You better appreciate me! You’re welcome No, it’s your talent (Excellent)

Let’s go to the office cafeteria! (bad) I wanna see the president’s room (good) Can you do the office tour?

I I I

Date #4

Did your work not go well? (good) Do you want to go home? Oh, by the way, today --- (Excellent)

Do you take a bath everyday? I know a good medicine (Excellent) You need to keep going!

Are you kidding me? (Excellent) Sure (good) I’m a little bit firm (bad)

Date #5

Stress? (Excellent) I know I don’t think so

Do you walk often? (good) Do you like nature? (Excellent) Don’t you feel tired?

Do you want to walk more? Do you want to come here again? (Excellent) Do you want to go back home?

Date #6

Sorry, room is kind of cramped Sorry for the mess (Excellent) Sorry, my roon is not very sexy (bad)

Do you want to have coffee? (Excellent) Do you want to have tea? (good) Do you want to have water? (bad)

Do you want to watch TV? Do you want me to clean your ear? (Excellent) Let’s play a game

Date #7

I know It’s okay! (Excellent) Let’s try to put on toy ears?

Let’s ride a roller coaster Let’s go to a haunted house (good) Let’s ride a merry-go-round

I I I

Story No.5 - The Sweet Prince (Aristocratic Tsukasa)

*from Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa: chose “Well, I thought you would change“

no choices here

Date #1

Do you want to have a dog?  Do you want to have a cat? (Excellent)  Need to take care of yourself

What about fish? (good)  What about a hamster? (bad)  What about a rabbit?

I  I  I

Date #2

It was okay (bad)  It was so good! (good)  It didn’t match the season

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #3

Yeah I’m angry now  No, I don’t get upset at all (Excellent)  It can’t be helped

Can we have tea? (Excellent)  Let’s eat cake! (good)  Let’s leave here soon

You look so tired (good)  I’m relieved you look fine (Excellent)  I think you have some stress

Date #4

I’m a little bit nervous (Excellent)  Are you sure that I can be here?  This chair is so uncomfortable

I know  Thank you  I missed you (Excellent)

Do you want me to do something?  Do you want to have tea?  To give you a massage? (good)

Date #5

It’s okay  Yeah, I had so much fun (Excellent)  already forgotten about college

Let’s go to the school cafeteria (Excellent)  Let’s go to the classroom  Let’s see our professor

Memory of the past is beautiful (good)  I wanna go back my college life  I want to do it all over again

Date #6

Blow a kiss  Wave your hand (Excellent)  Stick out your tongue

I look like a model!  Why did you ignore me?  Great job, Tsukasa! (Excellent)

Can I watch you until you finish? (Excellent)  Can I go back home?  Do you need any help?

Date #7

I was worried to be separated (good)  I wanted to stay home  I’m getting a little bit tired

I  I  I

I  I  I

Story No.6 - You Are Not Straightforward (Tsundere Tsukasa)

*from Story 3/Shy Tsukasa: chose “keep silent”

no choices here

Date #1

I can’t deal with that crowd  I’m sorry  It’s been several years (Excellent)

What will we do today? (Excellent)  I will treat you today  How’s it going?

Thank you for inviting me  I’m glad to see you (Excellent)  I want to go home

Date #2

I was thinking about something (Excellent)  Well, nevermind  I thought I was hungry

I want to eat something yummy  Maybe… a bag?  You’re love is all I want (Excellent)

I want a necklace (Excellent)  I want new shoes  I want a ring

Date #3

Don’t scare me! (good)  I thought you were a groper! (bad)  Why are you here? (Excellent)

So, what’s up then?  Did we plan to meet today?  Do you want to come in? (good)

I  I  I

Date #4

Do I look good? (bad)  Do I dress too fancy? (Excellent)  Do you love me more?

Can you escort me?  Let’s hold hands  Can I walk arm in arm with you? (Excellent)

Like this is sometimes good, too  I wanna listen to you the piano (Excellent)  I want you to take me here again

Date #5

Did I disturb you?  Thank you for inviting me!  You’re piano playing was amazing! (Excellent)

You’re so talented! (Excellent)  Don’t you get nervous? (good)  I’m jealous of can play a piano

I’ll cheer for you! (bad)  Good luck tomorrow! (Excellent)  I’ll be there to watch you (good)

Date #6

Take a photo in the photo booth (Excellent)  Play a music game (bad)  Play a claw crane game

Do you want to move on?  Let’s take a rest for a bit (good)  Let’s play another game!

I  I  I

Date #7

Thank you (good)  I’m sorry If I gave you my cold  I want you to get some medicine

I  I  I

I  I  I

Story No.7 - He is mysterious… (Mysterious Tsukasa)

*from Story 3/Shy Tsukasa: chose “make a lie”

no choices here

Date #1

I’m reading a dramatic novel  A popular vampire series (Excellent)  A history novel

Wha are you reading?  What kind of books do you like?  Do you have any recommendations? (Excellent)

Do you like writing novels?  Have you ever written a novel? (Excellent)  I want to write a novel

Date #2

Do you mean they are cute?  Do you mean you want to have one?  I know. They are so innocent (Excellent)

Do you like children?  Do you want to have a family? (Excellent)  Do you think about marriage?

I like children too  I want to have a family  I don’t want to get married yet (Excellent)

Date #3

Do you want to drink water?  Rest for a bit at the park  Do you want to drink turmeric? (good)

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #4

I didn’t know you’ve been sick (Excellent)  It is cruel of you to ignore!  Come here. I’ll hug you

Did you go to the hospital?  Do you want me to buy something? (bad)  I will take care of you (good)

I  I  I

Date #5

want me to do the driving? (bad)  Please calm down (good)  You can do it!

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #6

Let’s have fun! (bad)  I’m sorry that I took you here  Do you want to go back home?

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #7

I  I  I

I  I  I

I  I  I

Story No.8 - Are you jealous? (Egoistic Tsukasa)

*from story 4 (no choices)

8.1 I don’t like it (leads to Story 12/Egoistic Tsukasa End) 8.2 I think praise is a good thing (leads to Story 13/Playboy Tsukasa End)

Date #1

To get a fountain drink To get a parfait To get a salisbury cheese steak (Excellent)

Family restaurant is comfortable (Excellent) Family restaurant is fun (bad) It is for poor people

Let’s stay here for a while (good) Let’s leave soon after we eat (bad) Let’s have fun (Excellent)

Date #2

It is so hard to take care of (Excellent) You’ll get bored soon I love that idea

You can try that (Excellent) I’ll help you (good) You should not do that

To start with freshwater fish? (good) To start with saltwater fish? (Excellent) To have jellyfish? (bad)

Date #3

It’s kind of too plain (Excellent) I think it’s good You look better on brighter (good)

I think that’s fine! I think you look great! (Excellent) You look so refined

I’m good I bought mine last time I’ve been saving money (Excellent)

Date #4

Of course (Excellent) Well, not so much Worry about you so can’t sleep

Noodle with lots of vegetables (Excellent) I’ll cook rich beef tongue stew Quiche with flesh vegetables

I can carry it because not heavy (Excellent) Can you carry me too? (bad) Thank you (good)

Date #5

No, thank you (Excellent) Yes, please! Try to run away

Anyway, let’s start playing it (good) Can you explain the rules? (Excellent) Can you show me how to do it? (bad)

I’m getting bored It’s difficult... It’s kind of fun (Excellent)

Date #6

Do you want to play again? (Excellent) I won that game by a fluke You let me in that last game

Say “Cheer up!”  (Excellent) Say “There, there” Say nothing

Please don’t be in a bad mood I’ll buy juice for you (good) Give me a break

Date #7

What do you mean’? Take a bath separately, right? (good) Will you skip your bath tonight?

I I I

I I I

Story No.9 - Fantastic date! (Aristocratic Tsukasa)

*from story 5 (no choices)

9.1 Because I feel so embarrassed  9.2 You too, Tsukasa? (leads to Story 15/Clever Tsukasa End)

Date #1

Yeah!  Let’s take together (Excellent)  I want to take your picture

What kind of flower do you like?  I wanna put flowers in my house (good)  I want to grow some flowers

I  I  I

Date #2

What about love? (Excellent)  Is this about me?  Do you have other people you love?

When you will have a child?  About when we get married? (Excellent)  When we are going to break up?

My heart starts pounding (Excellent)  Marriage is too soon for me  I wish I could marry now

Date #3

Sorry about the mess (Excellent)  I know my room is so small  So you want to go outside?

Do you want to watch TV?  I’ll cook for you (Excellent)  You can relax (good)

I feel like we are newlyweds (Excellent)  I dreamed about like this  I want you to cook

Date #4

Please calm down (Excellent)  I’m okay  I think you misunderstood

Thank you for coming  Sorry, I didn’t explain enough (Excellent)  I feel strong because of you

I curse myself  It’s my fault (good)  It really bothers me

Date #5

Why?  Do you want to go to another? (good)  I do like buffets though

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #6

This shortcake is the best  This pudding is so good  This Japanese sweet is amazing (bad)

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #7

I  I  I

I  I  I

I  I  I

Story No.10 - Thank you for your concern (Tsundere Tsukasa)

*from story 6 (no choices)

10.1 Wont you have cake? (leads to Story 16/Tsundere Tsukasa End)  10.2 I‘m glad you remember what I said

Date #1

It’s so romantic (Excellent)  It has mood  The sound system would be great

Why did I agree to play here? (good)  I thought you denied the offer  Do you like this church? (Excellent)

I’m glad that I came here (Excellent)  I want to have my wedding here  Can you play the pipe organ

Date #2

Are you allergic to cats? (bad)  Do you not feel good?  Are you angry? (Excellent)

I’m sorry…  Did something bad happen to you? (good)  You don’t like animals?

I  I  I

Date #3

Do you want to feel sentimental?  What do you want to do today? (Excellent)  Do you want to go fishing?

There is a seafood restaurant!  Let’s collect some shells  Soak your feet in the ocean (Excellent)

I want to live on the seashore  I like nobody’s beach  Let’s come here in the summer (Excellent)

Date #4

Because I feel so comfortable (good)  I’m sorry (bad)  I stayed up late last night

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #5

You smirked  Why are you laughing?  Do you like it? (Excellent)

You’re mean!  How?! (good)  I don’t look like a sea lion! (Excellent)

Thank you (good)  I prefer land animals  Say nothing (Excellent)

Date #6

I’ll get a tie for you (Excellent)  I’ll get a globe for you  I’ll get a belt for you

The red one  The blue one (Excellent)  The pink one

Which one do you want? (bad)  I’ll choose one that I like (Excellent) You can choose whatever you want (good)

Date #7

I  I  I

I  I  I

I  I  I

Story No.11 - The smell of crush (Mysterious Tsukasa)

*from story 6 (no choices)

11.1 What happened to you? (leads to Story 18/Mysterious Tsukasa End)  11.2 You sound like a poet

Date #1

Is that garlic? (bad)  Is that Chinese chive?  Is that cilantro?

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #2

You are an indecisive person  I know, I can’t decide too (Excellent)  There is too much on the menu (good)

Do you want me to choose yours?  Do you want to have the same? (good)  Haven’t you decided yet?

I  I  I

Date #3

You don’t want to go? (bad)  What’s wrong?  Do you have any problems?

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #4

I know you’re a night person… (good)  It’s not good for your health  Going outside is refreshing

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #5

I  I  I

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #6

I  I  I

I  I  I

I  I  I

Date #7

I  I  I

I  I  I 

I  I  I

Story No.12 - I want you to be mine (Egoistic Tsukasa)

Egoistic Tsukasa End

*from Story 8/Egoistic Tsukasa: chose “I don’t like it”

Get: Egoistic Tsukasa CG

Story No.13 - At the romantic spot (Playboy Tsukasa)

Playboy Tsukasa End

*from Story 8/Egoistic Tsukasa: chose “I think praise is a good thing”

Get: Playboy Tsukasa CG

Story No.14 - x (x Tsukasa)

x Tsukasa End

*from Story 9/Aristocratic Tsukasa: chose” Because I feel so embarrassed ”

Get: x Tsukasa CG

Story No.15 - At this important memorial place (Clever Tsukasa)

Clever Tsukasa End

*from Story 9/Aristocratic Tsukasa: chose “You too, Tsukasa?”

Get: Clever Tsukasa CG

Story No.16 - The Lovely Millefeuille (Tsundere Tsukasa)

Tsundere Tsukasa End

*from Story 10/Tsundere Tsukasa: chose “Wont you have cake?”

Get: Tsundere Tsukasa CG

Story No.17 - x (x Tsukasa)

x Tsukasa End

*from Story 10/Tsundere Tsukasa: chose”I’m glad you remember what I said”

Get: x Tsukasa CG

Story No.18 - Tsukasa’s true colours (Mysterious Tsukasa)

Mysterious Tsukasa End

*from Story 11/TMysterious Tsukasa: chose “What happened to you?”

Get: Mysterious Tsukasa CG

Story No.19 - x (x Tsukasa)

x Tsukasa End

*from Story 11/Mysterious Tsukasa: chose”You sound like a poet”

Get: x Tsukasa CG

The different types of Tsukasa + CGs:

*planning to move this to a separate post once I have more content to put

No. 1 - Boring Tsukasa

The boy who sits at the back of your class in college a virgin; you are his first girlfriend favorite food: sweets; interested in crepes; loves cream puffs doesn’t eat much; skips lunch a lot lives alone; doesn’t have a TV likes reading novels likes the relaxing atmosphere in parks prefers quiet places (patio) over crowded places (cafeteria), but likes riding the traim has smooth skin has no dream yet; currently babysits as a part time job likes having his hand held

tip: do not rush him in the relationship be considerate of his dislikes and match his pace

No. 2 - Goofy Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will change you”

“My class starts several hours later. I just wanted to meet you” “I don’t care. I just want to be with you” “I will try to make you happier”

”I don’t care. I just want to be with you” kind of sociable likes to stick close to MC (at class and at home) but gets shy loves the amusement park and roller coasters; thinks the merry go round is awkward likes it when you know his likes and remember his schedule wants you to cook for him prefers coffee over hot tea and coke wants matching items with you still loves sweets; loves salt and caramel flavored popcorn

tip: do not initiate, let him make decisions do not be hesitant towards him, but do not be too forward either loves spending time with you so never say you’re tired or bored

No. 3 - Shy Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: choose “i can help you change”

“I will try to be more reliable for you” “I’m okay. I can do anything for you, because I love you”

likes hiking, but doesn’t think he has enough stamina to piggyback ride you likes gardening prefers relaxation over fun likes the atmosphere and the smell of the library; thinks its comfortable likes quiet places but also likes the silent noise in the library likes reading/finishing books doesn’t like clubbing or club parties

tip: has his own pace, do not force him to have fun don’t be too dependent or clingy

No. 4 - Egoistic Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will change you”; from Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa: choose ”Nevermind”; from Story 8/Egoistic Tsukasa: choose “ I don’t like it”

“You shit [sic] here because I want to feel you” “I know I’m very talented. But it’s impossible to succeed this way with just talent alone. I am successful because you are with me...” “I think I can tolerate stress. But I do feel stress because I can’t meet you everyday.” “I don’t want to take medicine. I prefer keeping you next to me. You are my best body pillow.” “You think I’m kidding? I need to show you how serious I am.” “I cant stand it when you talk about other men ... Nope, I don’t like it. I’m the only one on the plant that you can praise.” ”I’m sorry that I sound childish. But I’m so serious about you. That’s why.” ”It’s my also my fault you were thinking about other men, even if they are from your work... so, I need to make [you] love me more.” “I need your food to help me recover ” “Because it’s boring if we take a bath separately. Or you don’t want to?

a businessman sounds tsundere interested in photobooths; "knowing fads is part of my business” makes sexual innuendos, but not fond of MC doing the same walking (working out) relieves his stress because he doesn’t get to walk much likes talking casually with the MC appreciates it when the MC shows concern for his health doesn’t like medicine likes keeping the MC physically close/next to him likes the MC’s room to not be girly to fend off suitors “I am bored with coffee;” likes Japanese green tea likes nature knows he sounds childish when he’s jealous over MC talking about her male boss always eats out, so appreciates simple food (noodles with vegetables and salisbury cheese steak) family restaurants feel like a theme park to him wants to an aquarium in his house as a hobby does not take jokes very well likes doing things by himself (building an aquarium) plays darts sulks when he loses (darts) but doesn’t want to be left alone

tips: don’t flatter him for expensive gifts but for his talent show concern for his health keep him grounded; do not encourage flamboyant habits or actions do not instigate sexual innuendos or react in kind

“You’ve made me what I am. I only have you. Please stay with me forever ... Well, I can’t forgive you if you reject me.”

No. 5 - Playboy Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will change you”; from Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa: choose ”Nevermind”; from Story 8/Egoistic Tsukasa: choose “ I think praise is a good thing”

“You trust me ... so, you don’t mind where I take you and whatever I do to you, right?” “You don’t need to hide it. Your face says everything” “I think these kind of surprises should be memories that last forever” “You may not believe if I tell you something serious...”

a romantic will reserve an entire rooftop garden as a present along with an engagement ring

“I love you more than the world--No! I love you more than the universe ... I don’t need to hear you’re answer. Because you face says... everything.”

No. 6 - Aristocratic Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will change you”; from Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa: choose ”Well, I thought you would change”; from Story 9/Aristocratic Tsukasa: choose “x”

”Thank you for the meal. You are the best sweets for me… just kidding” ”My college life wouldn’t be perfect if I never met you” “It’s impossible to not be fine when I’m with you” “I’m you’re boyfriend so you don’t need to feel embarrassed … but actually, I feel my heart pounding”

a patisserie prefers honest critique on his cooking over flattery prefers a full meal over sweets; not fond of Japanese sweets (rice cake) wants to cook together with the MC likes buffets but not fond of it because he can’t decide what to eat; doesn’t like walking over to get the food bolder than before: in flirting, both in action and words loves animals; prefers them fluffy loves both cats and dogs, prefer cats a bit more but does not like the hassle of having to walk a dog or taking or fast breeding hamsters thinks tropical fish are beautiful likes fortune-telling likes plants/gardening

tips: do not flatter him when you can give constructive criticism (e.g. his cooking) always be lovey-dovey (cook for him, marriage)

No. 7 - Clever Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: chose “I will change you”; from Story 2/Goofy Tsukasa: choose ”Well, I thought you would change”; from Story 9/Aristocratic Tsukasa: choose “You too, Tsukasa?”

*current playthrough route did not pass through any date

“You are my treasure!” “Something special id about to happen. So, I reserved this stage.” “You made me what I am today, when I was in hard times... you were always there for me”

stage performer (???)

“Can I hug you? I want to calm down. Well, I’ll hug you even if you say no. Even if you want me to, I will never let you go.”

No. 8 - Tsundere Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: choose “i can help you change”; from Story 3/Shy Tsukasa: choose “keep silent”; from Story 10/Tsundere Tsukasa: choose ”Won’t you have cake?”

“Anyway, just eat more and… let me see that happy face again” “That sea lion looks like you … You should be glad I said it in a positive way” “This is a present for me right? So you need to choose for me” “I always give yummy food to you”

pianist quick to blush buys the MC cake but never eats with her  not usually fond of amusement arcades, but will go and play thinks the MC is charming like sea lions plans to marry the MC, but acts like he’s unromantic; will drop by the MC’s house at night just to see her wants the MC to be more assertive likes to tease the MC; prefers her sulking over retorting gets jealous of a cat over MC affections and attention doesn’t seem to be fond of the sticky feeling after swimming

tips: just ignore his snarky remarks and be direct about affections do not be passive; assert what you like (giving and receiving gifts)

“You are so clumsy and silly… so, I need to take care of you. So you are mine for now, okay?”

No. 9 - x Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: choose “i can help you change”; from Story 3/Shy Tsukasa: choose “keep silent”; from Story 10/Tsundere Tsukasa: choose ” Im glad you remember what I said”

“” “” “” “”

x x x

No. 10 - Mysterious Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: choose “i can help you change”; from Story 3/Shy Tsukasa: choose “make a lie”; from Story 11/Mysterious Tsukasa: choose ”What happened to you?”

“have you ever forgotten that you are even human?” “maybe because 70% of the human body is composed of water that’s why I feel like I’m part of the water” “I can’t let my girl drive. I’ll take responsibility and do the driving” “Whenever I smell you, I want to hug you like this”

asks a lot of weird or philosophical questions but still wants the MC to understand him likes mystery books has tried to write a novel (about a love story with MC) ”i like children”; their being innocent doesn’t drink often lives in the Church (???) gentlemanly; won’t let the MC drive for him always available whenever MC asks to go out keen sense of smell has a bit of a perverted streak makes a lot of elusive comments that are characteristic of vampires (doesn’t like garlic and turmeric; being a night person)

tips: do not pick choices that vampires do not like (e.g. garlic and turmeric) do not be too independent (driving) or overindulgent (when he’s sick)

“When I was looking at you in the theater, I felt like I wanted you … You don’t like me anymore?”

No.11  - x Tsukasa

from Story 1/Boring Tsukasa: choose “i can help you change”; from Story 3/Shy Tsukasa: choose “make a lie”; from Story 11/Mysterious Tsukasa: choose ”You sound like a poet”

“” “”  “” “”

x x x

[ghostsinthewoods]

Chapter 9: 21

"I've had kind of a full plate," Mae said. "I think it's pretty understandable that I forgot about it."

"Mae, people don't generally forget their own birthdays," Bea pointed out. "You're, like, 60 years too young to forget stuff like that."

Mae was sitting on the edge of Bea's bed while her best available friend sat at the head. Some sort of hardware catalogue was open in Mae's lap. It didn't look like a very exciting read. Mae remembered Casey used to have a bunch of gun catalogues that were really neat. Guns were cooler than screwdrivers.

The two had met up after Bea got off from work. It was a day or two after Mae and Germ's trip to the mines, and Mae had filled all of her friends in on what had happened. Mae had expected that to be the main topic of conversation, and it had been for a while.

However, after Mae had dinner with Bea and her dad, the topic of Mae's birthday plans eventually came up. It was only after a moment of silence that Mae realized she'd completely forgotten she was turning 21.

"It's no big deal," Mae said, but she was lying. How could she have forgotten her own birthday? Back in high school, she would have been counting down the days to her birthday and hassling her parents about parties. Had birthdays stopped being a big deal? When had that happened?

A 21st birthday was important, too. It was, like, the last big milestone. After you turned 21, you didn't have anything to look forward to except the age where you started getting senior discounts.

Not that Mae thought she was going to be much of a drinker. Probably. After all, the last time she had alcohol, it had turned out pretty disastrous. She'd puked right in front of Cole.

Where were the odds that Cole would be involved in two puke-related mishaps? That guy was just a magnet for puke misfortune.

"Did you not want to do anything this year?" Bea asked. "Or did you actually completely forget?

"I think we both know the answer to that, Beebee," Mae said. She sighed, falling back onto the bed. "My last birthday was such a nonthing, I guess I kind of forgot about this one."

Bea raised a brow. "What happened on your last birthday?" She said it slowly and cautiously. Bea knew that Mae's breakdown at college was still a sensitive subject. Mae might have been over college, but she wasn't over what had happened.

"Parents called. Didn't answer," Mae said. "Gregg sent an email. Didn't respond. My roommate was out doing some gorilla theater thing—"

"Guerrilla theater," Bea corrected.

Mae looked up at Bea from her laying position. The whole world was upside down. Weird. Why you upside down, Beatrice? That's not how gravity works, dummy.

"That's what I said. Gorilla theater. Like gorilla soldiers."

Bea frowned. "I can't tell if you're mispronouncing this, or if you think guerrilla soldiers are actual gorillas with guns."

That threw Mae off. She sat up and turned towards Bea, confused. "Aren't they?"

The blank look Bea gave to Mae didn't really answer her question. Beatrice sighed, bringing her hand to her face to rub at the bridge of her… snout? Was it called a snout? Mae was going to call it a snout.

"Mae, I'm too tired from work to explain this to you," she said. "Do you want to do anything for your birthday or not?"

Mae thought about it, and gave a shrug. "I mean, I do want to do something. It's just, without Pastabilities, I don't know what I'd want to do. Big Sal made some of my best birthdays."

Taco Buck was great, but it couldn't replace the pizza memories in Mae's heart.

Bea flipped absent-mindedly through the hardware catalogue. "So, what," she said, "you just want to eat pizza for your birthday?"

Mae frowned. "I can eat pizza any day, Beatrice. I want to have fun. I wanna party. We should all get together and do something, like go to Vegas, or steal a boat, or something."

"I mean, there's a club out in Hunwick," Bea said. "It's a little bit of a drive, but not too bad. We could all head out there some time this weekened."

"This weekend?" Mae asked. "Bea, my birthday isn't on the weekend."

"No," Bea said, speaking slowly again, "but we all have work, Mae. Everything opens late on Sunday. If we go out on Saturday, we can stay out later."

"Having a birthday party when it's not actually your birthday seems… perverse," Mae mused.

"It's a perverse world, Maeday," Bea sighed. "If the club idea doesn't sound good, I'm sure your parents will help you come up with something."

Mae didn't really need to think about it. The club idea sounded good. It would be fun to go to a club that didn't have Jackie or Andy Cullen at it. Plus, Mae had never been at a club with Gregg before. He'd probably try to dance. That'd be hilarious.

"Bea, this is a good idea, and you're a smart cookie," Mae said happily. "Let's spend my birthday clubbing. At a club. The birthday club."

On Mae's actual birthday, she and her parents enjoyed a nice dinner at Taco Buck, and then cake at home. A birthday at Taco Buck was nice, but it wasn't the same without Big Sal coming over and wishing her a happy birthday.

Mae wondered what Big Sal was up to now that Pastabilities was gone. She hoped he was doing okay. She hoped he still made pizzas.

When Mae had told her parents about the plan to go to a club with her friends, they'd been cool with it. She was an adult, after all, and they told she didn't need their permission. When parents said something like that, though, it sounded like she totally did.

They were probably worried about her. Mae was 21, and she was going to be at a place where alcohol happened. But Mae was confident that she wouldn't indulge.

Ugh. 'Indulge' sounded pretentious. Whatever.

Eventually, the big day came. Well, the big day after the big day. Also, it was night time, so it really wasn't a big day. More like a big evening.

Whatever.

The sky was turning a dark orange by the time they were on the way to Hunwick. Mae and Bea sat in the front seats, while Gregg, Angus, and Germ had been crammed into the back.

The drive to Hunwick only took an hour, but Mae felt herself feeling antsy less than fifteen minutes into the trip. For some reason, this whole thing felt really adult. Mae wasn't sure why. It was just going to be the five of them hanging out and pretending to dance.

Maybe they'd get ice cream afterwards. Who knew?

In the back seat, a conversation was brewing.

"No, dude, it's like a donut," Gregg explained emphatically. "But it's, like, a long tube that's been sprinkled with sugar. The ones we got at that Mexican place had, like, fruit inside of them."

"I know what a churro is," Germ said. "You don't have to tell me what a churro is, Gregg."

"Yeah, okay, so it's like fried dough," Gregg continued. "You can, like, drizzle chocolate on them, and they're crunchy… God, they're just perfect, dude."

"Why do you keep doing this?" Germ asked. "Stop telling me about churros."

Mae, for one, was very interested in learning more about churros. That being said, Gregg had been describing them for the last five minutes. It was making Mae hungry. She hoped they had churros at this club. Did they serve food at clubs?

That was a dumb question. What kind of place didn't serve food?

"If you don't stop talking about churros, Gregg, I am seriously going to make you ride in the trunk," Bea said testily. Annoyed Mom Friend.

"If you do that, I'm riding with him," Angus said. Protective Dad Friend.

Mae looked into the rearview mirror and watched as Gregg leaned against Angus, laughing appreciatively. Looking at them like this made Mae feel even guiltier about how she felt. They were so happy. They had a future out in Bright Harbor, but Mae couldn't stop feeling all… conflicted and shit.

Mae's gaze shifted towards the reflection of the backseat's other occupant. She saw Germ, sitting behind the driver's seat, staring straight at the mirror. It was like he was staring into her eyes.

Mae might have bonded a little with Germ, but he was still a weird, creepy man.

Then again, having a friend who was weird and creepy was cool. Did he have to keep staring, though?

Wait. Was he actually staring? Mae realized that, with Germ's big, unblinking eyes, it kind of looked like he was always staring at something. Mae found herself feeling sorry for Germ. She could sympathize with someone else who had nightmare eyes.

In the backseat, the topic of conversation had moved on from churros to crepes.

Mae was pretty big on parties, and on fun in general. One would expect that would mean she had a bit more experience with clubs, but that wasn't the case. Possum Springs was in the middle of nowhere, so most of the parties Mae had been to were house parties and bonfire get-togethers. Really, the only club Mae had been to was the weird basement that Jackie held her parties in.

The club in Hunwick, which was inexplicably called the Beaver's Rook, wasn't a basement. It was an actual brick building, with walls and everything. What's more, instead of a creepy set of stairs that lead into a cellar filled with dorks and social mistakes, there was a door. Hell, there was even a line. Not a long line, but a line nonetheless.

"How's this place even stay open?" Mae asked Bea while they waited in line. Beebee just shrugged.

"I mean, there's an agricultural college a few towns over," Bea said. "Farm kids probably come here every so often."

"Wouldn't they go to a club somewhere closer?" Mae asked. "Also, why is this place called the Beaver's Rook?"

"Beavers don't even have rooks," Angus pointed out.

"This whole place is a mystery!" Mae said, throwing her hands into the air.

After a few minutes, they were at the front of the line. Mae watched in confusion as the big, beefy guy at the front pressed a stamp onto the back of Bea's hand before letting her in. When it was Mae's turn, the bouncer looked at her expectantly.

"Photo ID?" He asked.

Mae looked at him as if she'd been asked something in a foreign language. Photo ID? Mae didn't even carry a wallet. She didn't think she carried a photo ID. She didn't really have much use for one. Everyone in Possum Springs knew who she was. More or less.

"Why do you need an ID?" Mae asked. "I'm 21."

"I'm not gonna believe that unless I see an ID," the bouncer said. "You look, like, 16."

Mae wanted to say something witty in retort. Something like, '16 my ass!' or 'Your face is 16!' But she decided against it. Having an outburst around a dude whose job was to literally throw people out of buildings sounded like a bad idea. Instead, Mae reached into her pockets and began fishing around.

Taco Buck receipt, pretzel crumbs, Donut Wolf receipt, bass pick she never used, some sort of dust bunny, library card, belt buckle, weird toy alligator, journal and pen…

Aha! Mae felt the stiff, laminated edges of what she'd been looking for. With a triumphant flourish, she whipped out the college ID she'd gotten at school. The flashbulb had gone off at the worst time, and Mae's eyes made her look like a hell demon, but there was no denying it was her.

The bouncer took the ID and inspected it for a second. He returned it to Mae with a nod. "Okay, go on ahead. Happy birthday."

"Oh. Thanks," Mae said as she stuffed the ID back into her weird, big pockets. Smiling to herself, Mae went ahead on into the club.

She was immediately caught off-guard.

The lighting and mood of the club was very similar to the one Mae and Bea usually went to. A small, circular bar loaded with brightly colored drinks of all sorts sat in the middle of what was probably supposed to be the dancefloor. At the back of the club was a stage. Rather than a DJ, it looked like some rockabilly band was setting up.

Almost everyone else was dressed in camo, or flannel, or was wearing a trucker cap. Country décor hung on the walls. The thought crossed Mae's mind that this was probably what the inside of Casey's head had looked like. Country Trash Proud, he'd called himself.

Bea was standing off to Mae's side while the rest of the gang filed in. "This place was… different the last time I came here," she said.

"When were you here before?" Mae asked. While the band was setting up, a country song about someone's dead dog started playing. Music like this always made Mae think of her uncle's pickup truck.

Mae's uncle wasn't even that into country music. His pickup truck was just very, very country.

"Like, eight months ago? I think?" Bea said. "The Turner twins were having a birthday. Do you remember them?"

"I mean, they were the only twins in Possum Springs, Bea," Mae pointed out. Aside from that, Mae didn't know much about Doug and Dana Turner. She remembered Doug had tried to grow a mustache once. It hadn't gone well.

"Oh, man," Gregg said as he joined them. "This place reminds me of the Tex-Mex place my cousin owned before that drug bust."

"Why did you decide to celebrate Mae's birthday at a honky-tonk?" Angus asked.

"It wasn't like this last time!" Bea shouted out. "It was, like, all ravey and shit!"

"This place makes my skin feel weird," Germ said.

With that, everyone had said something in the conversation. Mae was proud of her friends for all talking.

"Well, it's not so bad," Mae said cheerfully. "I mean, we're all pretty country, right? Possum Springs is kind of country."

"Possum Springs is, like, the sad kind of country," Angus said. "This is the happy kind of country. Only the happy kind of country has rockabilly music."

"Shit, Cap'n, we've gotta dance to that suff," Gregg said happily. Angus just chuckled in response. Mae couldn't really picture Angus dancing. Or Gregg dancing, for that matter. Only Mae and Bea had the moves.

The five made their way to the bar in the center of the club. A tall, familiar-looking man in a trucker cap stood behind the counter. "Welcome to Beaver's Roost," the man said.

It took Mae a moment to place his face, since it had been a month or two since she'd seen him. Eventually, though, she recognized him as the world's worst conversationalist. "Hey," she said. "You're Buck, right? We met a while ago."

"I'm Buck," Buck said. "I work here on Tuesdays nights."

"It's Saturday," Mae pointed out. This didn't seem to faze Buck, as he simply walked to the other side of the bar to begin fixing drinks. With a shrug, Mae hopped up onto one of the bar stools. Bea and Germ soon joined her, while Gregg and Angus stood behind them. There weren't enough stools for the gang, sadly.

Bea opened her mouth to speak, and Mae instantly knew that she was about to kick into full Mom Friend mode. "Now, Mae," Bea said, "if you drink anything tonight, take it easy. Make sure you get food and water."

Mae let loose a long, tired moan as she rolled her eyes. "Bea, I wasn't even planning on drinking," she said. "Seriously. Anyway, after the last time, I'm sure I'd be able to handle myself. I learn from my experiences."

"Do you, though?" Bea asked.

"She'll be fine, dude," Gregg said, slapping Bea on the back. "She's gonna have four of us watching out for her."

"I didn't agree to this," Germ said. "Let the girl live her life."

Once again, Mae had no idea if Germ was joking or not. That seemed to happen a lot with the little guy. Dude needed to work on his delivery. Dude needed to work on a lot of things.

Bea just sighed. Mae got the feeling that, even with four chaperones, Bea was still worried. Mae kind of got that. She was a real handful. So long as she didn't drink, though, Mae would be completely fine. And what kind of situation could possibly arise that would drive Mae to drink?

The music playing from the speakers began to die down, and the sound of mic feedback filled the air. On stage, the lead singer for the rockabilly band was speaking into his microphone. Mae couldn't make out anything he was saying. After a few seconds of the band's garbled intro, music filled the air.

"Oh god. Oh god," Gregg said. His arms began flailing at his sides as he got into the groove of things. "Dude! Dude dude dude dude dude! Cap'n, come on, let's go!" Gregg reached out and took hold of Angus's hand. Mae almost expected Angus to refuse, but the big guy simply laughed and followed Gregg out onto the dancefloor.

Watching them out there, Mae realized she had been completely correct: neither of them could dance. Poor nerds.

Mae's attention was pulled away from her best friends' gyrations by Buck, the inexplicable bartender. "Can I get you guys anything?" He asked.

Bea looked down at the indistinct, black ink stain that had been pressed on the back of her hand. When Mae looked to her left, she saw that Germ had a similar symbol. It must have been some mark for lame kids who couldn't drink, so that the bartenders knew to laugh at them.

"I'll just have a Fiascola," Bea sighed.

"Smoothie," Germ said. That got him a few odd looks.

"Like, are you asking for a smoothie, or just saying smoothie?" Buck asked.

Germ shrugged. "Whatever," he said.

Buck followed suit, and shrugged as well. "Whatever," he said.

Mae's turn. It came down to this. Mae knew that ordering a beer or something was probably a bad idea. On the other hand, she was 21 now. She probably had to get used to booze, otherwise all of the other adults would think she was lame. Still, was the gross taste of beer really worth it?

Then again, there were other drinks. There was, like, cocktails, and vodka, or whatever. One of those was bound to taste good, right? Not all alcohol tasted nasty, right? Right! Mae could try something new! She was an adult! She wasn't some kid!

"What alcohol tastes the most like soda?" Mae asked, trying her best to sound sophisticated.

"Uh… I could make a cocktail with cola in it," Buck said.

Mae smiled, nodding confidently. "Alright. Okay, good. I'll take a medium one of those, please." A medium was probably a safe bet, right?

As Buck went off to prepare their drinks, Bea shot Mae another Mom Friend look. "You literally just said you weren't planning on drinking," she said.

Mae shrugged. "We both know I'm not great at planning stuff out, Beebee. I live in the moment. I'm a wild card." She paused, her confidence fading slightly. "Besides, I figured I should at least try something."

"Well, you'd better not drink too much," Bea said with a sigh. "I'm paying for this, but I'm not made of money."

After only a few minutes, the drinks arrived. While Gregg and Angus attempted to shake what their assorted mothers gave them, Buck set out three glasses go Germ, Mae, and Bea. They were all the same sized glass. Had Mae not gotten a medium? Mae suspected she hadn't gotten a medium.

Also, instead of a smoothie, Germ had just been given a little plastic bottle of milk. He didn't seem to mind.

As the band shifted into a slower song and Gregg and Angus returned to the group, Mae pulled the cocktail over to her. It looked like a soda. It kind of smelled like a soda. But, apparently, it had, like, beer in it. Or something. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

"Man, we're both awful dancers!" Gregg exclaimed happily. Mae normally would have made some sort of snappy remark, but instead she was focusing on that there cocktail. She placed her lips on the straw and began to drink.

"Honestly, Bug, I don't think anyone can blame us," Angus said. "Neither of us knew what we were doing."

"Oh, shit," Gregg said.

Mae didn't know what he was saying 'shit' about. The cold mixture of booze and cola entered Mae's mouth. Almost immediately, Mae Borowski realized she'd made an awful mistake. The cola didn't make the alcohol taste better. If anything, this mixture was just ruining the delicious soda! Mae felt an almost irresistible urge to spit the cocktail out.

"Mae, are you okay?" Gregg asked. Mae didn't respond. For some reason, she was still holding the mouthful of cocktail in her mouth. Why hadn't she swallowed it yet? "Dude, your face is red. Don't worry, he didn't see you."

What? Who didn't see her? What was Gregg talking about?

Mae's eyes were beginning to water as she lifted her head, her focus shifting to the opposite end of the bar. Buck was standing in the way, blocking her from seeing whoever it was Gregg was talking about. Then, Buck moved, clearing the path.

And Mae swallowed her mouthful of cocktail in a sharp, nervous gulp.

[captainignatiuspigheart]

I’m now three days into a mostly well-earned week off and have no real knowledge of what came before… We’ve been trying to do more things, or at least more things that involve the outside world. It’s been a fortnight of new firsts. I’ve finally been into Nottingham city centre for the first time since mid-March. It was very strange to wheel back in – I only visited for an eye test – and see what seemed like millions of people. In retrospect it was probably the equivalent of a disappointing Tuesday morning. I went back in a week later to pick up my new glasses  and it was certainly a lot busier. I cycled around for a bit, and there’s just nothing there I need any more. My desire to wander round a shop is at a new low (unless it’s a charity shop, bookshop, or LEGO shop. And there were none of those available), and I find it hard to imagine that changing much. I guess I’m not gonna be the shot in the arm our economy needs… We’ve also finally been to a pub, for a spot of birthday lunch with my mum. It was great to see her, because it has been ages, but the weirdness of being back in the Victoria was overwhelming. Not just having to wait to be seated, and leaving my name and phone number, but its gaping emptiness. We were the only people dining inside on a Saturday lunchtime, except for the group that briefly ate directly behind us (there was so much other space!) and perhaps fifteen people in the beer garden. I didn’t feel unsafe, just a little weirded out with thinking “what’s the point of this place?” I imagine some of this feeling will fade as these places become normal again with more activities being arranged in them. 

Oh yeah, and I’ve been swimming! My beloved Lenton Centre is open again, and I am delighted. I’m not a huge fan of evening swims, since I’m normally well into wind-down and the sleeping drugs are kicking in, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity. They’ve done what they can for safety: super-wide swimming lanes, restricted numbers, widely spaced changing rooms, and (alas) no showers. Mind you, can you be safer than when immersed in a giant tank of coronavirus-murdering chlorinated water? I did the full hour, taxing muscles which have been utterly forgotten for four months. The next day I felt like I’d been crudely hewn from wood. It was a joy to be in water again. So much so that I’m getting up before midday on my birthday to do it again! Plus, we’re going to the cinema this week – The Empire Strikes Back is available on my birthday, and that’s the kind of normal I can’t resist. I’m even contemplating a trip to a real live LEGO store this week, though I may not if I don’t have my AFOL flag added to my card for the VIP day next Saturday. Who knows! It’s not like I’m short of LEGO at home…

LEGO: Merging Hidden Side Sets

I’ve been really happy with LEGO’s Hidden Side line, even though I’ve little interest in its augmented reality play features – the sets are just really cool! I was very taken with the Shrimp Shack Attack and Wrecked Shrimp Boat, which were both a delight to build with nifty techniques and great colour scheme. They seemed to have that same nice subdued sand-green/blue vibe as the stunning LEGO Ideas Old Fishing Store, so why not combine them… Originally, I wasn’t going to change very much at all. I wanted to retain the fantastic shrimp shack sign and the generally grungy vibe of the shrimp shack, plus the whole shrimp boat. As you can see, it did get a little more complicated. I ended up curving the shack round so it could fit in a corner of the baseplate and leave room for the boat, but it didn’t leave enough room, so… the boat became part of the shack, and into a nice little cafe. Making a floor I could tile around the three sections of the restaurant was challenging, but I like how it turned out. Inevitably, including the boat meant taking it apart and rebuilding the underside with different elements. There’s an awful lot of junk under the pier which was a nice chance to use my many crates and lobsters. I had a little fun making an ice-cream stand too, with a rather nice LEGO Friends sticker. I’ve hidden many things in the build and intensely enjoyed its construction. I reckon it looks pretty sweet next to the Old Fishing Store too. Hurray.

Watching: Snowpiercer

I expected to have a lot to say about this TV show, but I… don’t. It’s a good, more detailed, and fuller version of the movie that came out a few years ago, but it doesn’t really add anything. It’s equally bonkers – the conceit being that a super-train 1001 cars long that continuously circles the ice-choked globe – but has more detail, like seeing more of the engineering and a slightly better sense of this ten mile-long train as an environment. The story is much the same too (I guess that’s not surprising), it’s one of social revolution as the tailies (the “freeloaders” who jumped on the train without a billion-dollar ticket) seek to escape their appalling conditions and democratise the train by uniting with third class (who keep the train going – wait, that might be second class… doesn’t really matter) against the total wanker rich class who live in luxury in first. It’s fun, violent, fast-paced, and has many things to make you shake your head at the excesses of the wealthy. Jennifer Connelly is excellent, as is Daveed Diggs in the two (mostly) opposing leads, and the rest of the cast is well chosen. It works! I assume we’ll watch season two, even though we got confused about whether we’d actually finished season one.

Reading: Djinn City by Saad Z Hossain

I’ve continued to struggle with reading, and I think this was a change in pace that really worked for me. Djinn City has a familiar setup: Indelbed is a sad lonely kid living with his alcoholic father, who discovers that his dad’s actually a magician deeply involved with the djinn we’ve shared our world with for millennia. He only finds this out when his dad ends up in a coma and he’s kidnapped by bad guys and dumped in a magical oubliette filled with horrifying flesh-eating dragons and an utterly sociopathic djinn who kinda befriends him… This is profoundly weird reading, both funny and very grim at the same time. There are lovely splashes of Bangladeshi society alongside the wildly arrogant and powerful djinn cultures, against the really awful things that happen to Indelbed (experimented on and then burned alive…), and the fantastical worlds and creations of the djinn themselves. Super-dark, full of intrigue and deep dark conspiracies, there is a huge amount to love and get into here. I am… perplexed that this isn’t book one of a series (or isn’t yet) as the ending feels an awful lot like it needs to continue. Read it, even if there isn’t a book two!

We Are What We Overcome

We met up again for our last fortnightly webchat. Much sadface for me as this has been one my anchoring events through lockdown. However, it’s quite a time commitment for those of us with exciting new jobs, so we talked about how we feel about the future. Not just our post-COVID future, but how we look forward in general. It turns out we somewhat suck at it. I’ve always been bad at imagining the future – I just can’t see myself in it. Still, interesting to ponder on, and I found it both thought-provoking and reassuring to hear the others’ attitudes. We’re planning to meet up in person late in August and get back on track with the regular podcast. Speaking of which, I keep forgetting to mention that new episodes are going quite regularly. Check ’em all out here: https://anchor.fm/we-are-what-we-overcome. 

Workstuff

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, especially running up to a week off (to continue being at home, without work to do…). Much finalising of cover art, preparing books for print, for very soon our first books will be published! September sees the first two – Wrath of N’kai and Tales from the Crucible: A KeyForge Anthology, but we sorted those out months ago, before the whole pandemic thing flipped the world upside down. It’s October I’ve been working on, and will hit November’s books the second I return! In the last week we’ve finally been able to show off the first two Marvel novel covers we’ve been working on: Domino: Strays and The Head of Mimir – check ’em out at Marvel.com. Full credit to the wonderful Joey Hi-Fi and Grant Griffin for the two covers. 

We followed that up with a little chat about how they came together on Facebook Live:

Watching: Preacher, season three

I’m not sure I know how to summarise Preacher. Ex-man of the cloth / career criminal Jesse has the voice of God (the power to command anyone to do anything) but dark super-Catholic religious corporation, Grail, wants that power so they can invest it in the actual descendent of Jesus – a heavily inbred idiot. In this exciting season of insane and hilariously grim adventures, Jesse and his best friend, the vampire Cassidy, bring the recently killed Tulip to Angelville, the hell hole where he grew up because his grandmother can save people’s lives, by eating their souls… It’s a very over the top show, with great fight scenes, lots of swearing, blasphemy and gore. All the good stuff. I’ve given up trying to understand what’s really going on and am just here for the ride. The return to Angelville explains a great deal of why Jesse is such a mess, while Cassidy’s adventures in New Orleans both delightfully mock The Vampire Letsat etc and subvert it. A lot of what I like is the largely British cast having an absolute whale of a time. Also, Hitler working at Subway and using that to restart the third reich is kinda special…

MissImp: Making Monologues Work for You with Jon Nguyen

We still can’t do proper in-person drop-ins and it looks like there won’t be much in the way of live shows this year, so we’re continuing with our video series inviting great improv humans to share their brilliance with us. These are now fortnightly so we can do a live online Gorilla Burger on alternate weeks! Jon is splendid.

  Last Week: Preacher, Snowpiercer, Djinn City, LEGO Hidden Side, Aconyte Books, “leaving the house”, LEGO building, more MissImp improv and y’know the usual ramblings. #TV #books #LEGO #podcast @aconytebooks @missimp_notts https://wp.me/pbprdx-8HZ I’m now three days into a mostly well-earned week off and have no real knowledge of what came before… We’ve been trying to 

[littlethoughtsandfeelings]

The Bachelor Australia 2017 Recap – Episode 2

Loving the quirky music for the opening. It fits perfectly to introducing us to the girls who are CASUALLY sitting around the house CASUALLY chatting. We have a recap from some Talking Heads (still no idea who is who) of the Dress-gate situation from last night. Apparently this is a very DRAMATIC and IMPORTANT thing, and we must never forget it.

In true form, Osher materialises from nothing delivering a date card, which he reveals is for a single date, and (surprise, surprise) everyone wants it.

SOMEONE (honestly they all look the same) opens the date card. The clue reads, “I felt a spark immediately. Let me see your wild side.” It’s nice that this card is definitely hand-written by Matty J with a quill as he gazes over the sunset, and not by some unpaid intern with coffee burns on their wrist.

Elora the fire twirler gets the date, and cue our Villain Number 2, Jennifer, being pissed.

Right, we’re wasting no time – we’re on the date already. Elora walks across the sand littered with a million seagulls, and it’s nice of the producers to work with Mother Nature in providing a rainbow for today’s date. (Side note: Remember those awful sponsorships that were in last year’s show? What if tonight’s episode just had a “Brought to you by… Mother Nature!” segment?)

Elora’s voiceover says that, “Finding the right love is the key to a good life”, and I just groaned so hard.

Matty and Elora greet each other with what can only be described as the preparation of a cartwheel, with both arms directly in the air, unmoving. They board a boat, which is not being used as a mode of transport as one might expect, but instead, IS THE ACTUAL DATE. Can you imagine if they just got in a car and sat in it? This is the equivalent of that. But on water. And with seasickness.

Matty, clearly on a sobriety streak, offers Elora orange juice, making up some bullshit thing about how it’s bad luck to cheers without alcohol. Elora quickly turns this into a positive, saying they should make it good luck instead. Nice one.

The two discuss Elora’s entrance (REMEMBER HOW CRAZYYYYY AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED IT WAS?!?!?!) and it’s very boring and just to fill in everyone who didn’t watch last night’s episode.

Elora asks Matty how old he is, which, honestly Elora, there’s a level between stalking his Instagram every day for six months and this. You should have done some RESEARCH, girl. But then it’s revealed that SHE SPEAKS FRENCH AND IS SO EXOTIC AND GORGEOUS, and I forgive her.

Mother Nature does even better than the rainbow and bloody throws dolphins into the mix, and Matty and Elora watch them.

This. Is. A. Riveting. Date.

They both change into their swimwear and Matty J manages to sneak both a boob graze and an unblinking ass check-out in the space of a minute, so I’m guessing he’s pretty keen. They’re literally all over each other in the water, which is to be expected.

Back at the mansion, the girls bitch about Elora in completely useless ruminations and speculations which is such easy time-filler for the show. I’m not buying this anymore – it’s just so boringgggg.

Villain Number 1 and Villain Number 2 are conversing. They look like they’re in some kind of friendship group, which surprises me, given “friendship” falls right at the bottom of their list of priorities between “selflessness” and “generosity”.

Jennifer (Villain Number 1) admits that she will have to “destroy” Elora. This confirms my suspicion that Jennifer thinks she’s in a video game, which totally explains her one-dimensional BIG BADDIE personality.

Back at the boat (which still seems like it’s the whole date) Matty and Elora flirt with each other, which basically consists of them fake giggling and touching each other. They take pictures with a polaroid camera (for some reason), and I’m guessing she gets to keep these and put them under her pillow so she can kiss them before going to sleep each night.

STOP EVERYTHING. SHE GOT A FOREHEAD KISS. HE GAVE HER A FOREHEAD KISS. THEY’RE CUDDLING. GAME OVER. SHE HAS WON.

Just kidding, but I can attest that there is no greater sign of affection than a forehead kiss. 

Back at the mansion, Evil McEvilson has a new date card. It’s a group date, and the clue is about the first time they fell in love and blah blah blah we all know that it’s the cheerleading date so let’s just get this over with. 

Cobie, Elizabeth, Sian, Laura, Florence, Tara, Simone, Natalie, Leah, and Jennifer herself are all on this date. And don’t worry, I don’t know who half of them are, either. Are we sure they’re not just sneaking new girls in just to mess with us?

Jennifer’s self-described “posse” (not kidding, she actually said that) is together on the group date, and Jen says they’re going to get more time with Matty than all the other girls. This suggests to me some kind of group work going on, which although it will be a first for this show, honestly isn’t the worst idea. (I mean, it’s hardly a chocolate bath).

Back on the date and WAIT GUYS I TOTALLY SPOKE TOO SOON! The date consists of a boat ride, AND sitting on a couch in a different location (which I’m not entirely confident isn’t just below the boat deck).

Elora and Matty J cuddle on the SEXYTIME COUCH and gaze into each other’s eyes. They say they LIKE each other, but it isn’t the L word we’re all looking for.

They talk for what seems like is ten hours about what the other one is thinking. “Tell me what you’re thinking”, “Haha you tell me what you’re thinking”, “Haha stahp!” 

My face is deadpan.  

Then Elora’s talking head says they have “intense chemistry” and she could feel “her whole body heating up”. Now we’re talking! We might need to give them some space so we can finally see something happen on this show.

Unfortunately, before we can get to the action, Matty J’s talking head says he doesn’t want to rush things with Elora. It’s funny how the producers try and find some deep reasoning for each action (or non-action) Matty takes. Maybe he just didn’t feel like kissing her. Is that so crazy?!

And then, Elora asks about She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: Georgia. Finally, we might get some real drama instead of the contrived dramahhh! Hang on, I forgot what show I was watching. Apparently Matty saying he wants the best for Georgia is the most amazing thing a guy has ever said, and Elora fawns over it for about five minutes in a talking head.

So she hasn’t been in love since her first boyfriend, and she loves travelling. Man, they’re really trying to push this exotic gypsy/nomad vibe aren’t they? And, almost like I predicted it, Matty’s talking head says he wants to settle down, and he’s worried Elora has the wanderlust bug.

Matty says there’s a spark, and the date is pretty much over. (Side note: Is it just me being grumpy, or is this season soooooo boring so far?)

Oh wait, he offers her a rose, and I’m back in. She accepts it, and they have a cheek kiss and a quick hug.

Elora says she forgot about the rose and for once, my cynical heart believes her. Her talking head says it’s “getting scary really fast”, which is normally my reaction to all theme park rides, so you could say we have a lot in common.

Back at the mansion, the girls are CASUALLY sitting around CASUALLY talking about how long Elora has been gone. By total coincidence, Elora walks in! The girls ask if she kissed him, and she very cleverly doesn’t answer. Elora explains to the ladies that she might not reveal everything that happens between her and Matty J, and to mind their own gosh darn business. Seriously though, fair play to her. It’s always seemed weird and kind of masochistic to me to want to know what the other girls did with the guy you’re interested in.

The self-described “clique” Jennifer is a part of grill Elora and won’t let her answer properly, and honestly I’m having such flashbacks to high school. The “Evil Squad” (as I’m now dubbing it) keeping asking Elora if it felt REAL. Seriously? Like their dates would be any more real in this constructed TELEVISION SHOW.

And then Simone steps in to defend Elora from the meanies. YEAH SIMONE! I don’t even know who you are, but you’re on my radar now!

Oh, we’re on the group date now. Again with the smooth transitions.

Osher reveals they’re recreating a photoshoot for none other than Woman’s Day, and the girls are ermehgerd! So! Totally! Excited! It’s almost like they didn’t do this for the past ten years in a row!

But, there is a twist, because this is a new season of The Bachelor, and they’re going to take some RISKS! Kidding, it’s an 80s themed photoshoot. (You know in Aladdin where at the end Genie is working for Jafar and he has the little flag, and he’s like, “Jafar, Jafar he’s our man…” and he looks so bored? That’s me right now. Also, spoiler alert, I guess, if 25 years counts for nothing.) (Side note: I looked at the release date to make this joke work, and OH MY GOD! I’M THE SAME AGE AS ALADDIN! HOW HAVE I NEVER NOTICED THIS BEFORE?!)

Anyway, back to the show where they’re splitting up the girls into smaller, more manageable groups. Florence and Jennifer are paired together to recreate an awkward first date. Florence calls Jen “Jess” and it is hands down the best moment of the season so far. Cobie, Simone, and Tara are cheerleading, and Laura, Elizabeth, Natalie, and Sian are recreating a school formal (Prom, for those in the USofA).

And like it couldn’t have been written, Leah will be on her own, to recreate a possible first kiss. Leah immediately says she’s going for it, and I’m not sure if she meant to say this aloud or not. But to be honest, it doesn’t seem like there’s much Leah doesn’t say aloud. Osher, always the wingman, asks Matty J if he would be ok with that. YEAH, HAS ANYONE ASKED WHAT MATTY J WANTS? WHAT IF HE DIDN’T WANT TO BE IN A HOUSE WITH A BUNCH OF SINGLE, HORNY WOMEN? STOP FORGETTING ABOUT HIS WANTS AND NEEDS! (Don’t worry, MRAs – I’ve got your back. Imagine the winking, kissing emoji here for added sarcasm).

Guys, wasn’t I just talking about terrible product placement?! The girls are just CASUALLY getting their hair and makeup done, and lo and behold, someone just HAPPENS to be perfectly holding a packet of Extra chewing gum with the label facing perfectly towards the camera! How coincidental! 

Right, now the girls get their costumes. Evil Squad make fun of everyone’s outfits, and right now I love the producers for telling Jennifer to do that, because the next cut of her in her fully covered lifeguard’s outfit is the absolute best. Maybe she pissed one of them off and this was her punishment. Nah, just kidding. I’ve seen Unreal, I know how this works. (But only the first season so no spoilers please k thanks byeeee).

Florence is in a red bikini because reasons. Jennifer is mean to her and Florence’s talking head calls her a “Jewish banana”, which might be mildly anti-Semite so let’s just move right along. 

Jennifer is totally third-wheeling this photoshoot, and it’s nice to see her get her comeuppance, until…

She takes off her lifeguard top and jumps in the pool. Her talking head says, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner”, which OUTRAGES ME. It doesn’t make sense in the film, and it doesn’t make sense in this context, not least because they were in an open space outside.

Anyway, there is suitable outrage from the girls, as if this moment wasn’t scripted at all. Then Florence gets sideswiped and becomes the third wheel to Jennifer and Matty’s bike (is that where this saying comes from? A bike? Nothing else has two wheels…).

Jennifer makes sure to press her boobs right up against Matty’s bare chest, and the photoshoot is over. Um. Question: Is anyone going to tell her she’s got a massive wedgie?

Apparently not as we’re on to the girls’ school dance. It’s so tacky and so 80s and it’s amazing. Those costumes look so fun and they’re basically just dancing around. All the girls look like they’re having a great time, there’s no competition, and it’s lovely.

So naturally, it lasts two seconds. Enter, Evil Squad with their snide commentary. Laura seems lovely, who was she again? (Oh, my notes say she was the jewellery designer. Right). Anyway, Matty seems to notice her too, saying she stood out, and apparently this is all the praise she’s getting.

Jennifer says that Laura is a big threat in the competition. Sian is apparently in the Evil Squad too, but she’s on the photoshoot currently happening, so she needs to gets Matty’s attention away from Laura. With Jen yelling from the sidelines, “Go for it, baby girl! That’s my girl!” (Is she confused? Does she think she is this woman’s mother?), Sian does “the worm”. It’s weird.

There’s an ad break there and we come back to arguably the most sexist thing ever on this show, by having a cheerleading photoshoot. The worst part is that they’ve tricked the girls into thinking this is enjoyable. The girls have even made up a chant about how great Matty is, as if he needed his ego stroked more. Simone (in the group with Cobie (helium) and Tara (smiley face tattoo)) takes the opportunity to talk to Matty. Apparently she loves running. Not in love, hopefully, but marathon running. This is the only piece of information we have about her, as she was one of the montage girls, which is actually kind of sad because she seems pretty nice.

Cobie is so sweet in her talking head, and obviously doesn’t take the bait from the producers that she should say how annoyed she was at Simone, instead saying, “I was more than happy for Simone to chat with him.” Awwwww!

Evil Squad turn up again (sigh. I’m really over this already), and for some reason, they irrationally hate Simone. Matty’s appreciating the effort Simone’s taking in getting to know him. Well if that wasn’t a gentle letdown, I don’t know what is.

Now for the Leah and Matty photoshoot, where they will be recreating a first kiss moment, on a Harley, at night. Matty says she looks like a “smoking hot Olivia Newton John”, and I don’t know, to me she’s more of early-days Taylor Swift cut-out.

I’m only going to say this once: Leah, stop trying to be the new Laurina. You’ll never be the new Laurina. It’s like they’ve watched the attention people like Laurina and Keira got and actually TRY to be the villain.

This is awful. None of her talking heads sound genuine at all. She is literally reading from a teleprompter, I’m sure of it.

Obviously, Leah’s all over Matty in the photoshoot, and obviously, the girls are pissed, even her other Evil Squad members, which is ironic.

She gives him a kiss on the cheek, and Matty is looking like he wished the ground would swallow him up. Leah says she’s glad the girls are looking, because she wanted them to see it and wanted a reaction. Yes, it was DEFINITELY her idea.

Oh god, she went in for a kiss, and he turned away. He apologies, and says he didn’t think it would be appropriate in front of the other girls. YES! GO MATTY! KEEP THAT CLASS! And that marks the end of the photoshoot.

The next day (or month, or year… I actually have no idea how much time passes here), Matty arrives for a surprise visit at the house, and conveniently the girls are all gathered in the same room. HE HAS BROUGHT THEM MUFFINS, which is amazing and I won’t hear any word to the contrary.

The girls all admit that they are starving, because as we know, they survive on alcohol and each other’s tears. 

MATTY HAS COME TO ASK LISA TO A GAME OF TENNIS. LISA! ONE OF OUR FAVOURITES! YESSSSSS! (Remember she played tennis for 12 years so this is a very thoughtful idea).

There’s a tennis court at the house so I’m not sure why they’re leaving in the car, but hey, I guess it’s more impressive than just hopping the back fence.

There’s some joke about putting the roof down on the convertible, and Lisa doesn’t care about her hair because she’s totally low maintenance. Matty asks if she likes to wear makeup, she says no, and he says she’s saying all the right things.

Honestly, I hate this conversation so much for so many reasons. Firstly, she’s totally playing the Cool Girl (I mean, have they READ Gone Girl?!). It also implies that girls who like to wear makeup are too high maintenance and therefore not girlfriend material. It also implies that you have to fit a certain mould in order for guys to like you. This is just so awful and dangerous and I seriously hope there are no young girls watching this. 

Anyway, they get to the tennis court which was supposed to be on the property which means it’s a) not on the property and we were lied to, or b) on the property so we just had ten minutes of driving for no reason. They change into their tennis whites, and Matty can’t even get a serve over the net. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I can’t get a serve in either, so you know, glass houses.

Then, Matty wants her to help with his serve. They do a reverse pool-cue-helping thing that you’ve seen in thousands of movies, and because of this one-on-one coaching, he totally gets it in. The ball, I mean. To the square.

Matty’s talking head says he’s still got the moves. Um, do you mate? You only got one serve in.

And now for the other disgusting moment of the episode, Matty wants to place a bet: If he wins, he gets a kiss on the cheek, and if Lisa wins, Matty will give her strawberries, cream, and Pimms later on. Honestly this is so disgusting and I can’t even make a joke about it. Implying that a kiss from a woman is a reward to win/women trading their sexuality/entitlement of physical contact with a woman. I mean, there’s just so many directions to take it. I think what bothers me the most about this show is not the blatant misogyny, it’s the more casual stuff like this. I’m getting upset now, so I’ll just move on.

The editors have their work cut out for them trying to cut together shots to make it look like Matty and Lisa actually played a game of tennis.

Lisa wins, but Matty asks if he still gets the kiss, which honestly Matty, do you not get how bets work? She obliges him and gives him one. Sigh.

He takes her to the strawberries and cream (but there was no mention of Pimms…), which totally wasn’t planned and he will go to fix together right now.

Back from the ad break, they’re both suddenly in their swimsuits and she pushes him into the pool. I’m confused. Where is this pool? Is it at the mansion? Wouldn’t the other girls be there? Is it at his place? That would be a big deal though, him taking her back to his place. I’m worried this is just a random pool in the middle of nowhere and the fact that they aren’t explaining it is giving me major anxiety.

I’m also worried Lisa might be falling into the cool-girl-friendship zone, rather than the cool-girl-girlfriend zone. Look, it’s a fine line.

Now they’re just smothering cream all over each other’s face and it’s very flirtatious and seems like another sex ritual.

There’s some discussion about why Lisa applied to the show. Matty says they’re on the same page of looking for a partner, as opposed to all the other applicants of The Bachelor. He offers her a rose, she accepts, and it’s another cheek kiss. Is anyone else getting major Sam Frost vibes from her? Like, Sam Frost in The Bachelor vibes?

Matty says he has to cut the date short because they have a cocktail party to go to, almost convincing me that these episodes happen in real time.

Cocktail Party Time!!!

The two enter together, and it’s night time now (I have so many questions about this. Did she get ready at his place? How much time has passed? How did she get her dress? Did they arrive together? Did he bus over from his place? Did they get an Uber? Why does she need to bring her rose?)

Oh wait, it looks like the girls are eating red lollies, so that balances out the diet with the champagne.

Jennifer ironically says that Elora is very jealous, and that she thinks Elora thinks Matty is her boyfriend. Ha.

Elora says it’s hard to see that she isn’t the only one with a rose. Um. Does she know how this competition works? I mean, she didn’t even know how old he was. Did she just stumble onto this set one day and the producers convinced her to stay?

Whilst Matty is chatting away with Florence, the Evil Squad (which I think at this point is made up of Leah, Jennifer, and Sian), try to grill Elora. Simone stands up for her again (yeah, go Simone!).

Jen describes Leah as her “little drama queen”, yet again exhibiting that narcissistic trait that everyone is an extension of herself. Why does she own everyone?

Anyway, Elora steals Matty for a chat, which we all know is not the best thing to do if you’ve already got a rose. But it’s ok guys, chill; Elora doesn’t even know how this show works.

Matty says he loves the date, and Elora says she did too. This. Is. Ground-breaking. Television.

Jennifer says that it’s time to take Elora down a notch, and says Matty is her boyfriend. Looks like Elora isn’t the only one who doesn’t understand this show. Just a reminder that Jen is saying Elora is the one who think she’s the only one in this competition. Yep. Uh huh.

Look, the producers have done well here. She’s a total bitch to Elora and Simone, clearly trying to tear their friendship apart. Elora comes out and says she doesn’t think Jennifer is very nice. Jennifer says, “That’s interesting”, which is as much an admission of guilt as we’re going to get. She says she’s not sure why she’s getting targeted. Quote: “I haven’t said a bad word about either of you”, which is total high school bullying where you can’t actually tell a teacher because nothing has technically been said but the subtext and body language and giggling behind your back says everything but it can’t be commented on and I SWEAR I’M NOT PROJECTING.

Elora says she thinks there is a dark side to Jennifer and Jennifer takes a predictable amount of offence with this. Not sure if she’s an actual narcissist or just playing one for the sake of the show. Look, I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt: she’s a great actress.

Simone (standing up for Elora again) says she doesn’t like Leah. Elora says the mean girls are trying to tear them apart “because they’re bitches”. Look, if I’m picking sides, I’m on whatever side Simone’s on, but FFS this is ridiculous. 

We come back from the ad break straight to the rose ceremony. SEAMLESS. TRANSITIONS. (At this point I’m not sure if it’s the show that’s pissing me off, or if I’ve just become a cranky old woman).

Just one going home tonight, thanks Osher, and we pan over Natalie and SEE! SHE’S JUST GEORGIA IN A WIG. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BIG PENULTIMATE EPISODE REVEAL, GUYS!

COBIE GETS PICKED. SIMONE GETS PICKED. MICHELLE GETS PICKED. LISA HAS ALREADY BEEN PICKED. Right, we’re good.  

Jennifer gets picked because the producers have her on a thirteen episode contract or something, and everyone knows to get good ratings you need strong villains and lots of manufactured dramahhh. (Side note: What I would KILL to know how many are his picks, and how many are the producers’). 

We’re down to Villain Number 1, Leah, and Laura-Ann (who my notes say was another montage girl).

Predictable fake concern from Leah as she says she’s worried she got “carried away” on the group date. Yes, Leah, it was definitely you getting “carried away” on the group date which made him think he couldn’t have a future with you, not your ridiculous behaviour (which, to be fair, he didn’t get to see. Unless they have secret cameras? TELL ME THE SECRETS!)

We’re not fooled, and Laura-Ann goes. She seems nice. She also seems like she deserves a hell of a lot better than to be called Montage Girl.  

God these episodes are long.

 Next Episode: Another boat ride. Jesus. Is this what guys think girls like? Some sort of medieval festival for… reasons. And it looks like Leah’s openly admitted to emotionally manipulating Matty, because what is a good dating show without some emotional manipulation.

[1bytheway]

Ukraine

We decided to visit Kiev once again after being there month ago, but we missed this city so much. We were unemployed after quitting my job for our Ukraine - Russia car trip, and Kate didn’t have much freelance jobs at this time, so we were totally broke. We didn’t think too much… let’s hitchhike there!

This was our very first time of traveling this way, we didn’t even know how fast  we could get there, but we assumed we can reach Kiev from our hometown without finding a place to sleep on the way, and having a tent, we even didn’t have one in our home, and common, carrying a tent for 800 km road?

-you wave

-no, you wave

-let’s wave together

-don’t I like stupid?

-you do!

-you wave..

So here we are - second car stopped. Driver took us  about 100 km to the southern Poland. Road to the border was very quick, we didn’t even wait more than 15 minutes for people to stop. Young women with baby on the front seat, old couple asking hundreds of questions;  young couple smoking cheap cigarettes inside the car, farmer who  after long pause for thinking suddenly asked with with steamy-upset voice “so someone has to work for your trip.. ya old folks?!”

Last guy dropped us quite far to the border, in the center of the Chełm city, so we had like 25 km to the Berdeszycze crossing point.  Suddenly we spotted an Ukrainian plates, so we asked the couple sitting inside the car if they’re going in the same direction, and if the can take us as well:

-да

We passed the border with polish guys, actually a hardcore football fans, who made the road to Ukraine and again few times a week because of trading Ukrainian cheap clothes, watches, cigarettes, and other stuff. They backhand the officers every time they go there to avoid being checked on the way back, and to avoid long queues (about 5 €). The said it’s “tradition”.

Already in Ukraine we catched our first car very quickly, they dropped us also very quickly, maybe after about 20 km. Kate put out her board and typed Kiev, shortly after that truck driver stopped, he speaked perfectly in Polish, and he was going directly to the capital, awesome!

His name was Sasha, he is working as a truck driver for hella long time, and he have enough of this. His cabin was really hustled up, with countless toys, led lights, figures, and pennants. Sasha didn't put out cigarettes out of his mouth, he said that his friends are working in europe now, but he’s too old for this shit.

I fell asleep, and suddenly Sasha’s voice woke me up telling Kate that his boss changed his unload place, somewhere 40 km to Kiev. It was very late, maybe 2 am. Kate started to panic a little, but Sasha calmed her down very fast saying that he will try to find someone on cb-radio, or we will just sleep with him in the cabin. His first call met with quickly response, and another truck was waiting for us after Sasha stopped.

He dropped us under the bridge, where we could go on the road heading to Vasylkiv, where our friends Igor, and Ksenia live. We catched another car very easily and we arrived at their place about 4 am waking up Igor, who semiconscious opened us the door.

So yeah, we made the road without stopping, and sleeping in the forest!

Next day I talked to the Cat-b model agency (sometimes I’m a fashion, and portrait photographer) to shoot some faces. They are one of my favorite agencies because of having very natural, eastern-europe/post-soviet looking models. Marija, the owner of the agency agreed. I met very cool people; Sasha, Tanya, Yana, Vladislav, Anton, Kate, stylist Mia, who brought her boyfriend Dima, and friends - Max, Pasha, and tattooer, also named Dima. They showed me a place which is a birthplace of graffiti in Kiev. They meet there to paint, and buy new sprays, because there is also a hidden shop. I will remember what Pasha told to me:

"We livin' the poor life, but a happy life. When we need cash, the cash find us".

If you look closer to Ukrainian young society, his words totally describe them. You can see their crazy outfits, where the clothes come from the biggest europe vintage markets. You can see how bad this city wants to live despites of post-maidan, government problems, goin’ on warfare in Donbass.

Alt-fashion with names like Masha Reva, Anton Belinskiy, Sasha Kanevski, Frolov , music, with one of the biggest bring-illegal-raves-back fest CXEMA, and art scene is very expansive in Ukraine.

You can also find there fancy restaurants, and expensive estates in the contrast of old Ladas everywhere, and poority on the streets.

The main reason that attract us to this country are relicts of the pasts, which they still function very well there. Sheet tickets with manual ticket-puncher in tramways, old little yellow marshrutka buses, where everyone passes themselves money to buy a ticket from a driver, babushkas on every street selling everything from flowers to eggs, chickens and fish. All this things can only visualize me how my parents lived in Poland during communism. Even I remember some of this thing in Poland when I was little. Ukraine changes very slowly.

After spending wonderful time in Kiev we decided move forward to Odessa, which is situated at the Black Sea. Our first driver was older man driving half old as him VW Golf I. This car had broken all gauges, so we didn't even know how fast we are going but we felt like 140km/h. Our driver was crazy one, overtook everyone, and turning the machine like it he was sailing a boat. We stopped for a 2 minutes at the gas station, he bought us ice creams, and water. It was really nice of him.

Our next guy was another truck driver who took us straight to the Odessa. He wrote us a map where we should find a bus, and how long we need to ride to our next hosts place.

His name was Mitja. I read one negative comment on his Couchsurfing profile, quote: “Mitja is a very specific person. Rules in my house does not exist, but after 4 days hosting I wanted to write them. And although there were funny moments, but Mitja felt himself so free in my home, that even decided to use my personal towel.” I thought it was funny as hell, especially the towel part. Anyway, we felt in Mitja’s house as free as he felt in her host place!

We had a nice talk, made some polish food, and the next day get up early for a very long walk with him. He showed as almost whole city. Odessa is a great place for vaccation, very green, warm, with beautiful architecture, and sea side.

We didn’t stay long there, after two nights, we moved further. On the road to Lviv, we met guy named Anatoliy. All that time we’ve been in Ukraine I tried to learn as much language as I could. I started to talk with our driver, and don’t know it was possible but we understood each other almost perfectly. After few hours of journey and many, many words he enjoyed talking with me and Kate so much said that he will not leave us on the street because of the heavy raining, and late hours. He dialed the number, and we heard him talking to his wife about bringing guests to house, and told her to put kartoshki on fire. He live in Ivano-Frankivsk, so we made a little more kilometers. When we arrived his wife and two daughters welcomed us so warm, with a big smiles on their faces, tons of questions, and table with a dinner for like 10 people. This was incredible. Anatoliy also brought his finest selfmade alcohol, which was one of the most strong I ever tried, burning my throat like a hell gates.

They were so excited, they wanted to take us to the Karpaty mountains next day, but unfortunately heavy raining didn't stop, and he left us on the street to continue are way to Lviv.

In Lviv we met there Iulia, she showed us few places in the city, told few stories, and we could speak polish with here because she is learning polish language now. City looks very similar to Poland, and also you can hear Poles everywhere.

We can’t wait seeing Ukraine 3rd time in this year, while going through as our longer journey begin!

Here’s the little sneak peak: