#look i like zuzu as much as the next person

[aerynwrites]

Rain

Sebastian (SDV) x fem!Reader

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A/N: idk what this is y'all LMAOOO. i love it, it's cute, it's fluffy, and I am apparently in my emo boy phase because between this video game emo boy and the emo eepy bois of sleep token they all have me in a chokehold i swear to god. Anyways. hope you enjoy!

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: none.

Summary: You propose to Sebastian after waiting much longer than intended.

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You always knew you were an impatient person. It’s just in your nature. 

Which is…probably not a great quality to have as a farmer, considering how much waiting there is to do in this profession. Waiting for crops to grow. Waiting for animals to mature. Waiting for the kegs to ferment, waiting, waiting, waiting…

Well you didn’t want to wait for this. 

You knew very quickly into your relationship with Sebastian that you wanted him to be in your future. But you had taken things slow for once, that worry in the back of your mind that you didn’t want to hold him back. 

He always talked about wanting to go back to the city, to get out of Stardew valley…You almost pulled away when he had mentioned that to you. But then, not even a few weeks later you’d found him at the beach, rain pouring down from the sky and soaking him clean through from where he stood on the pier.  The rain was so loud he didn’t even hear you approach on the rickety wooden boards of the docks.

“You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful!” You call to him, shielding your eyes from the downpour with your hand. 

Sebastian turns to you then, dark hair plastered to the sides of his face as his brows raise in surprise at your appearance. But he smiles anyways, hands tucked into the pocket of his sweatshirt. 

“You’re one to talk,” he says as you move to stand beside him. “You’re out here, same as me. I’m surprised actually.” 

You look at him from the side of your eye. “Surprised?”

Sebastian shrugs, eyes turning back to watch the black storm clouds rolling over the ocean. 

“Most people don’t like the rain. They’d rather stay inside next to a warm fire or tucked into bed.”

You shift your weight slightly, the boards creaking beneath you. “But not you?”

He shakes his head. 

“No, I…I like the rain. It’s comforting, I guess,” he begins pausing for a long moment before continuing. 

“I get anxious around people,” he admits. “It’s why I spend so much time in my room or in this case, the rain.” He chuckles, the sound trailing off as he finally turns to look around you. 

“But I don’t feel that way around you.”

Warmth spreads across your cheeks at his words, a stark contrast to the chilling rain pelting your skin. 

“Sebastian..” You trail off as he waves his hand, a blush of his own tinting his cheeks as he turns to grab an umbrella he had laying at his feet. 

He pushes it open, shielding himself from the downpour before he motions to you. 

“Come on, there’s room enough for both of us.” 

You oblige immediately, scooting closer a few small steps at a time until your side is pressed into his own, a familiar arm snaking around your waist as you both huddle beneath the umbrella. 

“I feel safe with you too,” you say softly, the only acknowledgment he hears you being a small hum in his chest. 

That was months ago now. 

After that, you’d been brave enough to give him a bouquet, heart bursting with delight when he accepted the colorful flowers, warm lips gracing your cheek as he did so. And it wasn’t long after that when he took you on a ride on his bike just outside Zuzu city. 

When he revealed to you that he might not feel called to the city after all. When he chose you. 

You were certain then of your decision. 

But no matter how many times you checked the beach that following winter, the damn mariner was no where to be found. Days turned into weeks, which turned into months which started to drag by in agonizing torture for you. 

At least Sebastian seemed happy. 

You tried to stop by and see him as often as you could between your running around. And every time he was elated to see you as you were to see him. Sweet words falling from his lips before you both caught up talking about your days or talking about nothing at all. 

Impatience. 

It truly was the bane of your existence. 

Because as happy as you were with how things are, you want more. 

Which is what brought you here now, smile nearly splitting your cheeks in half as you gallop through the rain on your horse, the delicate shell pendant clinking softly in your pocket. 

It’s spring time now, and you almost broke your streak of checking the beach today because of the downpour happening. But something told you to go, a feeling so strong, it urged you from your cabin without so much as a raincoat and onto your horse to head to the beach. The rain almost stung as you raced down the familiar path, chest bursting with excitement as you spot the strange man stand beneath the protection of the trees on the beach. 

You dismount just a few feet from him, and he gives you a knowing look as you approach, saying not a word as you hand him his payment. He places the necklace in your hand gently, the blue shell practically sparkling, even in the dim light of this stormy day. 

It’s then that you speak, confusion tugging at your brow. 

“You said last time I wasn’t ready,” you say to him, recalling your previous attempt to buy the pedant. “Why now?”

The older man smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners. 

“It’s easy to tell when someone’s in love.” 

You’d turned and raced away without another word, only a wave goodbye to the mariner as your horse’s hooves dig deep into the sand as you depart. 

The rain soaks through you completely as you move through town, your excitement never fading even as you fail to find Sebastian in all his usual spots. Gus even gave you a worried look as you all but burst into the saloon, dripping onto his floor before turning and leaving without a words when you didn’t see your partner. 

You’re now leaving Robin’s place, not finding Sebastian there either, and deciding to go and check Sam’s when you see him trudging up the path in front of the community center. He’s not wearing a rain coat either, or carrying an umbrella, so he’s just as soaked as you are when you climb down from your horse and call out his name. 

“Seb!” 

He looks up at you then, and your suddenly brought back to that day on the docks all those months ago. His hair plastered to his face agin, water dripping down the tip of his nose and gathering on his lashes. 

And in this moment, you’ve never been more sure of a course of action in your life. 

He says your name in question as you approach, but cuts himself off as you launch yourself into his arms, laughter escaping your lips without control.

“What are you doing?” He asks, chuckles of his own slipping from his lips as he pulls away just enough to look at you. “Why are you out in the rain?” He smirks, “You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful.”

His words mimic your own, and your cheeks hurt from how hard you’re smiling.

“You’re one to talk,” you repeat, back to him. “You’re out here, same as me.”

He laughs at this, cheeks tinted pink once again, as he squeezes you in his arms. “You’re such a dork, you know that?”

“I do,” you say, reaching one hand down into your pocket, fingers brushing the smooth shell hidden there. “But I…I have a reason for being out here today, at least.”

Sebastian’s brows furrow at this, looking at you questioningly. “Looking to get away?” 

You shake your head, chuckling lightly. “The opposite actually. I was looking for you.” 

His lips quirk upwards slightly. “Me? What do you need?”

You reach up with your free hand, cradling his cheek as your other hand pulls the necklace from your pocket. “You. I’ve always just needed you,” you say softly, bringing the pendant up between you, unfurling your fingers to reveal it. “If you’ll have me.”

You watch the next few moments as if they were in slow motion. 

Sebastians eyes widen in surprise, the red tint on his cheeks getting even darker before the biggest smile you’ve ever seen on him splits his lips. 

And then he’s kissing you, lips warm against yours in the cool rain as his arms wrap around you and he’s spinning you through the air. You can’t stop the surprised yelp that slips past your lips at the unexpected moment, laughter quickly following as he slows to a stop and takes your face in his hands to kiss you one last time. 

“I accept,” he says softly, lips brushing your own. 

You smile wide, pulling away just enough to place the necklace over his head, watching at the crystal blue shell stands out against the black of his hoodie. 

And as you look back up to him, his smile small but loving as water continues to soak you both. 

You suddenly know that you love the rain too. 

[freakurodani]

even when the banishe d prince isnt even present somehow the story is about him!!!!! augh

[k-zuzu]

스트레이키즈

b.C, l.MH, k.SM, i.N 𖹭 gn!reader

my enemy.

synopsis: they eventually give in after years of hatred, rivalry, and built-up tension only to get caught by another member.

content: (seperate) bang chan, lee know, seungmin, i.n x gn!reader, enemies 2 what?, suggestive themes/smut 18+ (minors do not interact), making out, grinding, no genitalia or pronouns specified for the reader but you are the bottom and exhibit bottom behavior, sexual frustration, fingering/handjob in bang chan's, masturbation, penetration, bratty!reader, getting caught, mean dom!lee know, reader is called a 'pretty princess' in lee know's, hair pulling, edging, name calling in i.n's, traumatized skz witnesses, self explanatory, not proofread, lowercase intended.

zuzu's note: maybe this should be a series... i wrote them with a reader who can't get along with them (and vice versa) because... well, that's kind of how enemies work. part 2 here!

main masterlist.

channie.

you never liked chan. he wasn't at your pace — too hard working, too selfless, too self deprecating. you were annoyed by the fact that he never took care of himself, and so you avoided him regardless of how you shared the same friend group. you didn't like surrounding yourself with "negative" people like him.

chan on the other hand, didn't like you because he thought you were a rude person — you wouldn't say please, you wouldn't say thank you, you actively ignored him/pretended you didn't hear him even when he spoke to you. he didn't care if you were nice to him, he just didn't like rude people.

it wasn't known that you two were enemies — it was unspoken between you and chan, and nobody in the group took notice because you never really talked, and so, when you two were the only ones left to watch over the dorm while the rest went back to family homes or their own secret affairs, what bang chan didn't expect was to hear small moans emerging from your bedroom late at night.

you knew he wouldn't be asleep at this time. he never slept. he was always working on something with his headphones on and you were feeling really sexually frustrated at the time. you assumed for sure he wouldn't be able to hear you if you struggled a bit, but unlike you expected, he heard every bit of it, and as much as he hated it, it turned him on more than he'd like to admit.

you weren't getting anywhere with your efforts, and when you heard a knock on your door it this time of night, it could only have been one person and that ruined your entire mood. "what?" you groaned. not getting your hand out of your pants because you knew chan wouldn't just walk in and you might as well have continued what you were doing the moment he would walk away from your room.

"...so, i'm trying to work on something, but your... noises aren't exactly helping me concentrate."

you blushed and immediately withdrew your hand, immediately sitting up. you didn't know how to respond and it was silent for a good few seconds.

"s-so i would appreciate it if you... um... i- i don't know, lowered it... a bit... thanks."

with that, you heard his footsteps fade away and retreat into his own dorm next to yours. you let out the large sigh you had been holding in and wondered how you would ever go back to sleep at this rate. or how you'd ever be able to masturbate in peace again.

you didn't know why, or where you even got the courage to, but you found yourself knocking on chan's door just moments after what happened. sure, you were embarrassed but you only had little of your dignity left and might as well have lost it all when he opened the door with a small crack and curiously looked at your nervous form.

"would it be alright if you... h-helped me?" you asked with a soft voice, bang chan stared at you, expression unwavering. to clarify, you stumbled over your next words. "i have been struggling lately, and—"

bang chan grabbed your wrist and dragged you into his room, slamming the door behind you.

"and what do i get in return?" bang chan asked, voice gruff as he stared deeply into your eyes.

"...my silence for the next few weeks?" you attempted to make a deal.

"so i'll have to do this every time you're frustrated? just so i can work?" he clarified.

"does it sound like something you wanna do?"

"i guess we'll have to see first."

bang chan gently led your form to his bed, slamming you down and pinning you against the soft mattress, his hand rubbing down at your croch. you didn't know why but something about hating him up until this very moment was what turned you on most. without any more words, bang chan put his hand down your pyjamas the same way you had tried all night and continued to pleasure you better than you ever could have. if he hated you so much, why was he so good at making you feel loved?

"f-fuck, i'm so close." you whimpered, gripping onto the sheets beneath you as bang chan picked up his pace.

"yeah? you getting there, baby?" his hand never got tired. "d'you wanna do this all night?" why did he seem to enjoy pleasuring you like you enjoyed being pleasured? the mere thought brought you so close to your climax. "i could go all night, baby." he whispered in your ear, and with that, you pathetically came into your pants and on chan's big, rough hand.

you slowly turned your face to look at him, "i could go for a round 2—"

"hey, chan, i decided to come back early-" you both turned to see lee know who nonchalantly walked into the room, eyes glued to his phone as he set his bag down on the ground. chan quickly withdrew his hand from your pants, wiping it on his shirt as he stood up and walked around the side of the room while you sat up on the mattress, fixing your hair and looking at the oh-so-interesting floor. lee know looked up from his phone.

"oh, hi, y/n. what are you doing here?"

you nervously exchanged glances with chan and gulped before you could shrug and form a lie—

"oh my g- you guys fucked." lee know deadpanned, pointing at you, then chan, then you. "disgusting." he turned around and left the room. "chan's room reeks of sex now. this is totally going in the gc."

know.

it was easy to hate lee know. the moment you met him, you hated him in all sorts of ways — bad first impression, started off on the wrong foot, rubbed you off in the wrong way, and many more. you wanted to rip his guts out along with his cocky smirk, condescending voice, and dark gaze whenever he would make fun of you or judge literally anything you'd do.

lee know hated you because you were too pretty. you were too golden — everyone treated you like a princess and he hated it, he didn't think you deserved it. not that he was jealous or anything, he just believed you weren't worth all the effort and love the members gave you and assumed you were spoiled. your screaming matches were not uncommon in the dorms and lee know would always leave you stressed and pissed off to the point where you wanted to move out and he loved pushing you to that edge.

which is the exact reason you didn't know why he was pounding into you so good on the living room couch, your begs, moans, and mewls filling the silence of the dark, empty room.

"fuck," lee know cursed under his breath as he picked up his pace, you were clenching around his fat cock so good and after just a few thrusts, he was already so close to reaching his climax. "why are you so quiet now, hm? did the cat get your tongue?" he leaned in closer to put a soft kiss on your lips, prying them open and gently biting your tongue. "hm?" he pulled away.

it's that condescending 'hm' again that gets you. what used to irritate you so much turned you on right now even more.

"hngg...n.. pl- please..." you whimpered. "please, let me cum," you silently begged, voice being interrupted with each harsh thrust lee know pushed into you, you were getting closer and closer to cumming and you just wanted lee know to let you.

"oh, you're begging? that's so unexpected of a spoiled brat who always gets what they want." lee know abruptly pulled out and roughly grabbed your hair, pushing your head into the couch. "but you're not getting it tonight, understand?"

before you could form another response, another weak plead, a form had walked into the room and turned on the bright lights. "WOAAAAH, WHAT THE FUCK?!" bang chan screeched, you and lee know looked over to see him covering his eyes. "FOR GOD'S SAKE, PEOPLE, GET A ROOM." he sobbed and left the room in a rush. lee know chuckled a bit before getting off of you, zipping up, and walking back to his dorm.

"i guess we'll pick this up another time."

minnie.

you fucking hated kim seungmin. he was the bane of your existence and making fun of you was the entertainment of his. tripping you, judging your every major life decision and move, and overall making your life a living hell. today, you were at the dorm to rant to changbin about your recent breakup, and seungmin just had to be in the same room, making his coffee and listening on the conversation.

"you need to focus on yourself," changbin advised with a soft voice, gently rubbing your back as you gripped your hair in frustration. "i need to use the toilet real quick, be back." he left the room.

"what was it about you that's so unlovable?" seungmin suddenly inquired as he walked in the room leaning on the doorframe as he stirred his coffee. "is it because you're an asshole? or because you suck overall?... wait... oh, shittt." seungmin covered his mouth, standing up straight. "are you just straight up awful in bed?"

"dude, do you ever just shut the fuck up?" you slammed your hand on the table.

"if you ever need help to learn how to be better in bed, just know i'm right here to-"

"seungmin, i swear, leave the room right now before anything else happens. i'm not in the mood."

"y/n, no joke, i fuck." he placed his cup down on the table and sat in front of you, cross legged. "c'mon, what do you need help with?"

"it's not the sex-" you paused and started to think about it. "i...is it?" you tilted your head.

"come on," seungmin gestured for you to come to him, and subconsciously you found yourself doing so, crawling closer until you were in his lap. "what is it you need help with?" he repeated the earlier question, only this time he was softer, sweeter. unlike the seungmin you always knew.

you were nervous, so you just shook your head.

"use your words, baby." he whispered.

just as you were gonna respond to him, you felt his boner against yourself and you couldn't form a coherent thought. "i- i..." your voice was breathy and you tried to pry yourself off of him out of your anxiety, but his grip kept you in place. "i don't know..." you managed to say.

"can i kiss you?" he asked.

you nodded your head, and he gently connected your lips together in a silent bliss before deepening the kiss, he pulled away to mumble, "i'm gonna teach you a few things tonight." before smashing your lips back together. why is such an asshole so good at kissing? the whole situation turned you on to a point where you felt a little guilty, but you started slowly grinding on seungmin's hard-on, letting out small moans into his mouth.

"okay, y/n—" changbin walked into the room. "woah- woah," he rushed over and dragged you away from seungmin. "Y/N! I LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR TWO MINUTES AND YOU ALREADY TRY TO HOOK UP WITH YOUR ENEMY?!"

i.nnie

you and i.n constantly fought for the position of best maknae and it went from a harmless fight for the love of your seniors to a personal vendetta against one another. you would bicker over the pettiest stuff like getting the last of the juice or who gets to use the tv remote, but each argument would last from hours to days or even weeks before you find a new thing to be petty about and fight over.

today, what you were fighting over was different. the topic went from "who was the better kisser?" to "who was the best at having sex?"

"why? i've had many people tell me that i 'rock their world.' it's equal pleasure for both parties when i'm there, they don't have to fake it just as i don't." you argued.

"so what? words are words." i.n nonchalantly shrugged and disregarded your argument. "i bet you i can fake cumming if i fucked you." he blurted out.

"really? wanna bet?" you smirked, taking a step toward him. you could see him nervously gulp his saliva.

and that's how you ended up in his bed, with you sitting down on his fully hard cock. "shit." i.n whimpered. "i- i didn't know a- a slut like you could be so tight..." he held back his groan.

"awh... are you gonna cum already? i thought you could fake it..." you taunted as you bounced once on his dick.

"w-wait!" i.n leaned forward and grabbed your hips in place, looking down in between you and how you connected. "j-just wait." he whispered. you looked into each other's eyes for a moment before he used his strength to pull you off of him, he flipped you over and pushed his dick back inside you. "i wanna fuck you."

"hey— that wasn't the deal, i was supposed to be the one who-" i.n put his hand over your mouth and began pounding into you relentlessly, you wanted to interject but it felt too good.

"just tap me twice if you don't like it." he whispered and kept his hand over your mouth before slipping three of his fingers inside and playing with your tongue and saliva. the sound of skin slapping against skin filled the quiet room, i.n went faster and faster thrusting inside you. you whimpered against his fingers and he did his best to keep his moans quiet, only letting out occassional sighs and groans.

you could feel your high approaching and you could tell i.n was also reaching his with how his pace became inconsistent and a bit jittery. "sh...shit..." he whimpered as he came into you, and you were about to reach your climax as well when the door abruptly slammed open, causing i.n to stop his movement and you both snapped your heads toward the man standing in the frame — fucking seungmin.

"yo, hey, hEy, hEY, HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOiNG?!" his voice cracked as he processed the sight before him, pointing at the two of you i.n leaned over and grabbed a pillow next to your head.

"GET OUT!" he yelled, reaching for the sheets to cover you up.

"GET OFF OF EACH OTHER FIRST!" seungmin made no effort in covering his eyes (for his or your sake) or lowering his voice as he stared, wide-eyed at the sight.

"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"

[bubbles-lounge]

Their younger sibling

Summary: You were Jade and Floyd's younger sibling. They had been quite protective of you most, if not your entire life, and the only other person you knew was Azul. It annoyed you a lot as their protectiveness stop you from having friends but maybe this might be a turning point. Since your parents had a business problem/trip that would take awhile away from home and didnt want to leave you alone, your parents managed to get you into NRC(Probably through bribery) and now you were searching in Octavillne looking for your brothers or Azul.

A/n: Part 2. Sorry for not posting much been ill a lot for some reason and school(when I can actually go in). I hope you enjoy this small piece of writing I've done, have a nice day and remember to look after your beautiful self!

It had been around a year and a bit since you had seen either of your brothers or Azul, you were pretty excited to see them again. The headmaster had put you into Octavillene and now you were looking for them. Anyone you had asked about the location of your brothers or Azul they gave you a shocked or pity look. You knew that your brothers were scary to many people and the power Azul had but still, you hadn't expected people to find them scary enough to throw pity at people who wanted to find them.

You shrugged it off as you entered Octavillene, you wondered a bit before and met some pretty nice guys, their names being ace, deuce, yuu, jack, epel and sebek. They seemed relatively nice, maybe this may be fun for you and maybe you'll make some new friends! Or maybe it will take a dark turn and they'll become like your brothers, just romanticly. You entered a place called monstro lounge, you sat down and as you were doing something on your phone you felt someone pick you up you looked at the person to see Floyd!

"Little elver!! " Floyd hugged you tightly with one of his large smiles.

"Hey big brother! " You hugged him back just as tight (eel strength) reciprocating his large smile.

Floyd picked you up and spun you around excitedly. People were staring mainly at you and seemed shocked, not that you really paid attention to, you were too happy seeing your big brother again!

Jade came out to see why Floyd stop doing his work and to see what all the fuss was about. Jade goes towards Floyd spotting someone in his arms, as jade comes closer he recognizes the person to be you. Jade stops Floyd from spinning as you now regain your balance, Jade whispers something to Floyd as Floyd picks you up and takes you somewhere.

"Hey big brother!! " You look over Floyd's shoulder to Jade as you shoot him a smile of yours.

Jade gives you a small smile back before responding

"Hello elver. "

Floyd kicks open a door as someone makes a fuss over what Floyd did before questioning why a person was over his shoulder, Floyd puts me down onto a couch with a sudden yelp emitting from the persons throat. I look at the person.

"Hey, zuzu! "

You look at Azul using the name your brothers started calling him before you joined in on calling him it.

"Little elverrrr~, your still gonna call Azul, zuzu? " Floyd said with a over dramatic whiny voice as Jade chuckled before nodding in agreement. I simply shrug my shoulders as Azul clears his throat before saying

"(Name) what we you doing here? As far as the school goes you shouldn't be here? " All three of them look at you in curiosity at Azuls words now letting them realize the fact you shouldn't be here with all these other people

"Mum and dad are going on a long business trip or problem and they didn't want me staying back at home alone they found a way to let me stay at NRC while they were away! "

They all look at each other in shock that their parents didn't tell them before, they look at you as Floyd flops down next to you and wraps an arm around your shoulders.

"Hey little elver, you don't go talking to others but us mkay? They are a lot of bad people here at NRC. "

Jade and Azul nod in agreement as you look at them dumbfounded. The people you had met here so far seemed relatively nice though? You voiced your concerns to your brothers, Azul had to leave to go and sort out something out side and said he'd be back.

"But the people I've talked to so far seem quite nice.. Although one if them was rather loud they were still nice enough? "

You watch them carefully as they faces seemed shocked.

"Elver you talked to some of the others here, before you found us? "

You nodded as you swore your brothers faces looked unhappy maybe even sinister, but it was too quickly gone for you to be certain, you pretty sure though it happened... Right?

"Little elver, who were these people? "

Your brothers grins looked almost sinister as their face expression was unreadable,which was unusual from Floyd. You explained you had talked to the first year group, you explained how they seemed relatively nice. What you didn't mention was that you planned on talking to them again later after you'd talked to your brothers and Azul.

"Elver the people here aren't what they seem. Your better sticking to me and Floyd, we wouldn't want our little sibling getting hurt, now would we Floyd? "

"Of course not Jade~"

You shook your head at you siblings protectiveness,could it be called that anymore? Wasn't it more than that? as a octavillene student came in and said Azul requested their presence back in the lounge. He flashed you a pity look and left just as quick as he had arrived. Your siblings look annoyed at the thought of leaving you now they had you back in their grasp.

"Ne little elver don't leave the VIP area okay? Me and Jade will be back we just need to take care of some business. "

You nodded at them as they left. The momment you couldn't hear them you found another way out and slowly and stealthily made your way out the lounge. Sure you loved your brothers and you enjoyed seeing them and Azul again but you hadn't really had many friends your entire life and now was your chance as you searched for the first years you met earlier and the one you got their number off. Your think his name was yuu?

[kaitsawamura]

🪞 🔮 🍅 🧺 🍯 🌱 The Farmer & The Wizard

PART 1: IN WHICH YOU UNEXPECTEDLY GET THE DEED TO A FARM

❦ STATS ❦ | all other information on this fic including additional warnings can be found on the masterlist

chapter rating: e for everyone, complete fic has an 18+ MDNI rating

chapter warnings: mention of the death of an estranged grandparent (no details)

chapter tags: semi-canon divergent, red thread of fate

chapter word count: 3.2K

This chapter and the rest of this fic are part of this blog's contribution to Fics for Gaza.

❦ LINKS ❦

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My Dear Little Bug,

If you’re reading this, you must be in dire need of a change.

The same thing happened to me long ago. I’d lost sight of what mattered most in life… real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong.

I’ve enclosed the deed to that place… my pride and joy: Fox Hollow Farm. It’s located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It’s the perfect place to start your new life.

This was my most precious gift of all, and now it’s yours. I know you’ll honor the family name, Little Bug. Good luck.

Love, Grandpa

Honor the family name? What a load of bullshit. There was no family left to honor. You were an only child and your parents had stopped talking to your grandpa on your dad’s side so long ago, you didn’t have any memories of him. Except for a blurry one, so void of detail it was as if it was a dream or a dream of a dream. In that memory, you could recall the thrill of seeing autumn leaves blustering in a flurry across a gravel drive, the creak of an old door, the smell of dirt, coffee, and aftershave. A pair of strong warm arms. That’s about it.

Now, your parents were divorced and the three of you were estranged. You were a singular island floating in a lonely, tumultuous sea. Things had been stressful at work and in your personal life. That must be why you even considered checking your Grandpa’s place out. The southern coast… that was practically out in the boonies. Scratch that, it was in the middle of nowhere. Zuzu City was the closest big town and even that would be small by your adult standards. You didn’t know if you had the gumption to do what it would take to fix the place up.

Still, although you had no idea why your grandfather had chosen you to take over the place most important to him, it would be a welcome distraction. The words in his letter… you were, in fact, in dire need of a change. How this all came to be at the time you needed it most was beyond your understanding. It was better to leave some things to the unknown, even if you did feel a strange pull to this place you’d been to once as a very young child.

You read the letter a final time before glancing at the attached legal papers. Suddenly it seemed as if the space you’d so meticulously curated to be yours was a touch too sterile. The apartment on the expensive side of town. The new, reliable car. The dinner parties, the expensive alcohol. The shiny executive position to go with it. You’d worked hard for it but also had privilege that so many didn’t. You were grateful for it. Even so, you couldn’t ignore that something was missing.

Perhaps long days and even longer nights, clean air, and more sky than infrastructure were the puzzle pieces you hadn’t found yet.

❦ 2 WEEKS LATER ❦

Your apartment was turnkey on the market and already had three solid offers.

In the end, you decided on saving the expense of a rental car, but doing so meant the closest you could get to Stardew Valley was Zuzu City and from there, you had to take a bus. The whole thing felt spectacularly contrived, much to your chagrin. It was spring and while the city was filled with smog, the moment you hit the long highway out of Zuzu towards your new home it was as if the heavens parted to shine a light on your way. Not a single cloud remained in the sky. Well, maybe one little puff that looked way too much like a pastry waaaay out in the distance.

It was a two hour drive on a four lane highway that somehow turned into a two lane without you noticing. For a long while there was nothing but the music playing in your headphones and stretches of field so green and wide open, you could easily get lost in daydreaming. Rolling hills, green grass, and sometimes a fence. Clair de Lune played in your ears and with the surprisingly comfortable position you’d found leaning your head on the window, it didn’t take much for you to drift off.

The bus jolting to a stop is what wakes you on a sharp, snorting breath as your eyes snap open. For a moment, you’re disoriented, unaware of where you are or if you are, in fact, a real person. A headache has begun throbbing at the base of your neck and your mouth is dry. Late afternoon sun streams in the bus window and the driver, a little graying man in a smart blue uniform is standing over you.

“There you are, I was beginning to think I couldn’t wake you. We’ve reached the end of the line. I’ll give you a moment while I open the cargo hold. I have a schedule I have to keep to though!” He says it brightly, smiling as big as can be, the expression crinkling his eyes shut above his rosy cheeks. You nod as he turns and spryly makes his way down the middle of the bus and out the doors.

You do take a moment, but only a small one, to stare out the window. It’s a small bus station, barely even a station at all really. There’s a small awning under a tree that houses an automatic ticket printer. It seems both too modern and too ancient, a monolith, to be here in Stardew Valley. There’s a wooden bench and a cobbled pathway that looks as if at one time there was a lot of foot traffic that has since dwindled. In the distance a wooden fence, fallen into disrepair.

Still, you take a breath and even within the confines of the vehicle, you can taste the crisp freshness in the air. On top of that, there’s green everywhere. In the trees, in the grass, in the wildflowers. In the button-up shirt on the other little old man standing expectantly outside the bus looking in. He’s wearing a brown newsboy cap and overalls, with a golden yellow tie. That must be the mayor. Mayor… Lee? Lemony? Lewis? That’s it, Mayor Lewis.

The mayor had been good friends with your grandfather. He had said as much over the phone when he called to confirm you had gotten the letter and legal papers in the mail. Mail didn’t get lost in Stardew Valley, it was too small but he didn’t known how things worked in the big modern city. He had told you he would meet you to take you to your grandfather’s, well, your farm when you got into town. That was two weeks ago and if you were being completely honest with yourself, you had forgotten that little detail. It was just as well because your fancy cellphone with “unparalleled” service had one little tiny bar; no pulling up Maps here.

Uncertainty roiled in your gut, truly the first bit of apprehension you’d felt since you’d started this process. Maybe this was literally the most foolish thing you’d done in your life, more foolish than breaking into the public pool after hours with your friends your senior year of high school and getting caught by the cops. That had been your last hurrah the summer before you all went to college. Perhaps this was a last hurrah as well. Except, there was no scholarship money waiting in the mail for you this time around. This would be all on you and while you were comfortable with what you had access to for the ball to get rolling, it was different spending your own money than money given to you. Money given to you didn’t count, it wasn’t real.

There was no time like the present. You grabbed your carry on, the one you’d had since high school with the fraying handles and the faded One Direction key chain, and stepped out into the later afternoon. Lewis, who was rocking on his heels with his arms clasped behind him, loosed a beaming smile in your direction. You smiled back, determined to make the most of this first impression.

“Mayor Lewis?” You made it a question even though you were certain it was unnecessary. He nodded enthusiastically and you shook hands. The driver had unloaded your singular suitcase from the hold and gave a mock salute to the two of you as he stepped back in the bus. The doors closed with a wheeze and a loud click before the idling engine was idle no longer and the wheels began rolling the bus back out of town. The mayor broke the amicable silence first.

“You must be exhausted so I’ll walk you straight to the farm and leave you to get settled in! Can I help ya with any of your bags?” You were inclined to let him assist so you handed him your carry on and grabbed your rolling suitcase; a fine film of pollen already collected over its surface. Thank god you’d brought antihistamines. You had an annoying feeling that your allergies would be acting up.

“Uh, Mayor—” he held up a hand.

“Please, call me Lewis. Your grandpa and I were much too close for you to be calling me by a title instead of my Yoba-given name.” Yoba. You hadn’t heard or thought of that name in a very long time. So the mayor was at least somewhat religious, you decided to assume.

“Oh, yes, all right. Lewis it is then. Can I clarify, did you say walk?” Another huge smile broke out across his face, bringing crows feet and laugh lines prominently to the surface. It was humanizing in such a way that you already felt a pang of endearing familiarity towards him. He did remind you vaguely of your grandpa, or what you could remember of him.

“Yes! It’s really not far, just down this dirt road here. I took the liberty of assuming that you would want to stretch your legs a little after that long drive. Your grandpa rode his horse until the very end but I’m sure we could fix ya up with somebody’s old truck if you’d rather use that for transportation from now on.” Your eyebrows shot up your forehead. The mayor must have seen the look of confusion because he rambled on, “Magpie’s a sturdy little gelding, but if he’s too much for you to keep, I’m sure I could help you find him a good home.”

There was so much to consider. You had told Lewis that you planned on fixing the place up but you still hadn’t answered the question that lingered heavily on your mind about what came after that. Did you really plan on uprooting your whole life permanently? Crickets chirped in the hedges lining the pathway. The sun sparkled through the trees as it set in the west. The air smelled heavily of daffodils and lilac. Even without seeing the farm, you already felt a strange pull behind your ribcage, like a string was tied around your heart and was tugging. In what direction, you couldn’t quite tell.

It really didn’t take any time to reach the farm at all. You’d been so wrapped up in further conversation with Lewis that you hadn’t noticed it was a twenty minute walk and sure enough your stiff hips and back welcomed the light exercise. He reminded you that there were a couple chickens that had already been locked up in their coop for the day but as sunny weather was predicted, you’d want to let them out in their run the following morning. The main living structure, a small cabin with a single room and kitchenette, still had utilities running. There was a little toilet room inside as well and a small bathhouse out back for any of your bathing needs. If the pipes groaned when you turned the water on, well, it really wasn’t a problem but if any issues arose from it, he could recommend a handy man to you.

You passed the mailbox and took a mental note that it was one of the first things you’d be fixing; it was leaning so precariously on a rotten wooden post you were surprised it was still standing. When the little cabin came into view as the two of you opened and shut the entrance gate behind you, you felt a tightness begin to unravel in your body. There was an apricot tree hanging over the tiny covered patio. Frogs chirped in the distance from the creek that ran around the far edges of the property. The chicken coop sat close to a bend of that creek next to another west facing entrance. You could also see the overgrown mini forest of trees you had as well as an overabundance of grass and weeds and stone that would need to be cleared.

“Well, here it is, Fox Hollow Farm! I don’t want to overstay my welcome so you let me know if there’s anything you need but otherwise, I’ll let you get settled in for the night.” You assured him as long as there was hot water in that bathhouse and a made bed to collapse into, you think you’d make it through the night. “Good. Robin and I’ll check back in on ya tomorrow morning!” You couldn’t remember exactly who he’d said Robin was but if they were as welcoming as Lewis, it didn’t really matter.

After Lewis had unlocked the cabin and handed you the key, it was very apparent that you weren’t even in the mood for a shower. You waved at him as he left, exhaustion settling deep in your bones. The place smelled dusty already, even though it had only been vacant for three weeks. The wooden floor groaned beneath your feet, but only slightly, as you dropped your duffle bag to the ground and rolled your suitcase just inside the door. You walked to the sink, wiping a hand over the dirty window to look out back. There was a wooden structure with floor to ceiling glass windows making up its four walls. That must be the bathhouse. There was an old coffee maker on the bit of counter space and a singular wooden mug. It was expertly carved and worn down from years of use. You wondered absently if someone local had crafted it.

There was a little basket on the table that was pushed up along the southern wall of the house. You sighed in relief when you realized there was a bag of fresh ground coffee, a loaf of bread wrapped in a cloth, a few clean carrots, a block of hard cheese wrapped in beeswax, a stick of butter in the same fabric, an aged roll of salami, six chicken eggs, and a glass mason jar labeled “Fig Jam” in looping cursive. When you opened the fridge there was an even bigger jar full of milk. You had a sandwich on the drive but you couldn’t resist digging straight into the loaf of bread, cracking it open with your fingers and tearing a hunk off to stuff in your mouth.

The outer layer was perfectly crusty while the inside was fluffy and practically melted in your mouth. You couldn’t wait to eat some of it with the butter and jam and cheese and eggs for breakfast.

After a bit more exploring from which you discovered adequate cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink and a perfectly made bed with an old soft patchwork quilt, you slipped off your shoes and unpacked pajamas from your suitcase. Sliding into bed here somehow felt a thousand times better than it had in your apartment for months. You fluffed the pillows behind you and pulled out your laptop, choosing not to solve the bed conundrum the first night here. Unsurprisingly there was no internet and your phone was definitely not going to be a good hotspot whatsoever. It was apparent you weren’t going to get any work done.

It was so peculiar; you knew you had been here once but… you really had no memory of the place. You didn’t didn’t think you should feel a kinship to it like you were. There was a small wooden nightstand next to the bed and on it there was an old dog eared copy of The Wizard of Oz. Your own books wouldn’t be here until tomorrow or the day after so you decided to crack it open.

For Jack: We always did love this book, even when we were kids. I saw it the other day on a shelf in a little book store on my trip a few towns over. Hope you like it.

The note scribbled in the inside cover was signed “Lew”. As in Lewis? Your grandpa and Lewis really were old friends then. He must be taking this harder than you would have guessed. You would make sure to invite him over for coffee and offer your condolences. Yes, Jack was your grandfather but you didn’t really know him. The light on the nightstand didn’t provide much light but you flipped to the first page of the book and read:

"Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife."

No sooner had you read two pages than your eyes fluttered shut. You tried to keep them open but to no avail so you flipped the light back out and snuggled into the sheets, completely forgetting to turn the white noise on your phone. It had been a necessary portion of your sleep routine for years and years and years.

But tonight, you fell asleep without it, the song of the night filtering in the window you’d left open next to the bed.

Gojo Satoru woke from a deep slumber, sat upright, and squinted his eyes to look about his room. There was nothing out of place. His tower window was open; it always had to be when he slept, except for some days in autumn and for most of the winter season.

He strained to listen, thinking a nocturnal animal must have disturbed his sleep. Again, nothing amiss. He could hear the crickets and the frogs, and in the very far distance, the notes of a mockingbird’s song trilled to him over the cool spring air.

He laid back down, the moonlight shining in the window spilling over his bare chest and illuminating his white hair. If he just breathed slow enough to also slow the sudden rapid beating of his heart, he could go back to sleep. Meditation was something he did often so it didn’t take much. But he couldn’t stop the tugging sensation somewhere behind his ribcage. Strange.

Something had changed in Stardew Valley and he was going to find out what.

This work and its digital elements (credit for pixel art to ConcernedApe) are © Kait of @kaitsawamura 2020-PRESENT. I do not own any rights to Stardew Valley and any subsequent settings/characters, but this work is heavily inspired by that amazing game. Please do not alter or copy this work. Please do not repost this work to other platforms without my express permission.

[someloserjay]

Concerts and Tequila

!TW! Mention of alcohol and slight nsfw themes

Completely from Sebastian’s POV

Sebastian and his friends need to get to a concert a Zuzu city when same thinks of the only person he knows that can drive.

I’m terrible at descriptions bare with me please this is fully inspired by me and my friend going to a ‘set it off’ concert.

Sebastian’s POV

“Guys, did we think of how we’re getting there? Zuzu is massive. The hotel isn’t close to the place.” I pipe up. Planning to go see a concert with these two is terrible.

“Can we get a taxi or something?” Abigail asks

“It just sounds sketchy honestly.” I say everyone nods in an sort of agreement

“What about the [Y/N]? She used to live in Zuzu. She's gotta know how to drive? We could get her a ticket.” Sam proposes his eyes light up so much when he thought of the idea you’d think a light bulb appeared over him.

“Even if she did, no way she’d like the band.” I say trying to knock the idea down. She is a farmer, as much as i have a raging crush for her i know she wouldn’t be into this type of music.

“She actually does! I had to run by to pick up some gems I asked her to get. She has a poster of them and one of her pajama shirts is an old tour shirt. I think the poster is signed too.” Abigail says, trying to remember. “Have you two nerds not been inside her house?” She asks a massive laugh coming out.

“I’ve never been to the farm.” Sam admits

“Yeah, I haven't been over there since she moved in. I usually catch her outside the mines on her way back.”

“Wait a minute you said signed? She's been to a concert before, so she’d definitely be down to drive us! We gotta go ask.” Sam says getting excited and grabbing his coat. It’s towards the end of summer so the nights are getting chilly. So I stand and get my jacket. Abigail texts the farmer to find out she’s at her farm. Grabbing her jacket, we start on our way. The pathway is a lot neater, [Y/N] travels it so much she took a day to clean it up pushing the grass back and pulling some thorn bushes out of the way. I grab the small box out of my hoodie pocket and the walk being enough time to smoke. Plus going to [Y/N]’s this late is nerve racking. To say the least.

“You know that’s bad for you right?” Abigail says in a half joking half serious tone

“And you eat rocks.” I say as I light the cigarette. Sam laughs and she gives an annoyed yet defeated look and shrugs.

“Gems.” She says to correct me. Rock is rock. As we near the farm we hear faint music coming from the farm. It's not the band we all have tickets for but it is one of the headliners. We turned the corner to see the farmhouse, I haven't seen it since before mom added it to the farmer. It looks amazing. We turn to see the scene of [Y/N] pulling some weeds around her crops. When she hears us she perks up and waves, tossing the fibrous weeds into a box she has beside her porch. She set herself on the porch letting her legs dangle off.

“[Y/N] are you free next wednesday?” Abigail says in an overly enthusiastic tone. Jumping up beside her sitting beside her but with her legs crisscrossed while facing [Y/N].

“No sorry guys I’m going to the city next week for a thing i won’t be here.” Abigail's smile doesn’t fade too much.

“What are you gonna be doing? We just need someone to drive we’re going to Zuzu too.” Sam says. I finish my cigarette and go to toss it before [Y/N] stops me.

“I already had to clean a ton of old butts when I moved. I have a trash can inside in the kitchen.” She says as sweetly as humanly possible. I start inside and everyone follows me. [Y/N] goes in and grabs a glass of water.

“I’m actually going to see a concert.” She says turning her music off. The three start to put the piece of a puzzle in.

“[F/B/N]?!” Sam says, putting a hand on her shoulder. He’s normally touchy with people but this sent a small jolt into my heart.

“Yeah vip tickets. How’d you all know? Abby, did you rat out me liking them?” Abigail just nods like a dofus, she sighs.

“You got vip too?” I speak up.

“Yeah I have every time I’ve seen them.” She says gleaming. Yoba, her smile makes me melt.

“So can you drive us? We have two hotel rooms which means a free bed, come on please.” Sam asks

“Sure, I haven't booked my hotel yet. I have a rental car booked already. Do none of you know how to drive?” She asks, our excitement dies with that last question.

“We’ve never bothered to learn you can pretty much walk everywhere here in pelican town. Hey, even you sold your car when you moved here.” Abigail notes. She sold her car when she came down here? Is that how she bought her first sets of seeds, and why she’s so interested in my bike?

“I wasn’t trying to be mean, sorry guys of course I’ll drive just meet me at the bus station, the rental car spot is like right beside the bus stop in Zuzu.” She says it’s getting really late so we decide to head out for the night and let her go to bed.

— Wednesday—

This is the earliest I’ve been up in forever I think. I groan as i get up grabbing my phone to shut off the alarm. I grab my bag and start at the bus stop. I cut through [Y/N]’s farm. There’s a paper taped to her front door. I can’t help myself, I walk up to her door and read it. It’s a simple note thanking Perrie for coming by to check on her animals on his day off and some basic care instructions for them. I hurry off the bus stop where as usual I’m the last there. Abigail and [Y/N] are excitedly chatting back and forth beaming ear to ear. That damn smile. Sam’s hugging two cups of coffee from home. Without speaking he just hands me one and gives the most tired smile I’ve seen in a bit. A little bit later Pam shows up and we all board the bus.

A ride later we get there. We walk across the street to the rental car place and [Y/N] checks out the car. Abigail and Sam, who know about my crush on the farmer, let me have a front seat with her. Basterds. She puts the address for the hotel in and tells everyone to buckle up. I watch her every move. Before pulling out her hands and cord back to Abigail, annoyed I didn't say anything just watch. She picks “Like That” By ‘Sleep Token’ which isn’t a bad song. I enjoy it. But I really didn’t expect her to like it, I really need to change my expectations. She loved it, and knew it. Her singing along almost broke me and Abigail knew it.

“Oh shit the hotel is beside my old apartment building. I know where I’m going.” She laughs as she turns the car and starts to back out. It’s a smooth ride. Except for her and Abigail singing along to different songs she plays. When we get there she parks and we all rush in. Abigail and [Y/N] run into the bathroom to rush getting ready in the hotel room book for her and Abigail. Me and Sam set our stuff down and come back into their room sitting on the bed as we all chat. When she comes out of the bathroom to grab her phone I’m shocked I’m used to her in her overalls or jeans with her hair up to keep it out of her way. Her [Y/H/C] is down framing her face beautifully. Makeup, I’ve seen her with very light makeup on Fridays at the saloon, and light colored makeup at town events. But it’s dark, the lipstick, the eyes, it's something I would normally see from Abigail. She has a pair of shorts I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her wear before they aren’t covered in dirt though. The fish nets she’s wearing underneath are definitely borrowed from Abigail. It’s paired with a shirt from their last tour. Choker and earrings to add flair.

“You look great.” I say praying my voice didn’t crack as bad I think it did. Everyone laughs, I go along to feel less embarrassed. I always wondered what she’d look like dressed up like this, but seeing it. Yoba himself couldn’t stop the thoughts running through my head. We check the time, the vip stuff is about to start so we all pile back in the car and rush over Sam and Abigail get in the normal line and we pass through. [Y/N] and I are waiting in line and she is talking nonstop. She's excited I am too, I’m just shit at showing it. We get up front and go to them together. They sign her poster and vip tag mine too and she goes to take her photo with them and grabs my hand pulling me in.

“Memories!” She says as they flash the camera. We walk to the merch table and we each buy what we want and head to the stage. She goes right to the middle front to stand and wait for stuff to begin. She ties her shirt around her bag’s cross body strap.

“Can you hold this for one second?” She asks me while holding her bag out. She has her poster slightly hanging out of the top of it. I agree, taking it for a moment as she slips the new hoodie she had bought over her head.

“Look good?” She asks spinning. She looks amazing.

“You look great, sure you won’t get too hot in that?”

“If I do I’ll just take it off.” She says, grabbing her bag from me, slipping it back over her head. We make conversation as we wait the same and Abigail gets it a bit before everything starts and meets up with us. Me and Sam stand behind Abigail and [Y/N] since we’re taller and don’t want to block their views. Sam wiggles his eyebrows at me and I smack his shoulder mouthing ‘grow up’ at him.

The first band comes out and the girls are excited they know most of the songs. Me and Sam are a bit clueless but the performance was top tier.

‘Now I'm going to ask a favor, you've been a great crowd tonight! When I say get down I want everyone to get down like this and when I say to start jumping!’ the singer squats as the song begins signaling the crowd to do the same. I see Abigail pull [Y/N] down with her, there's a shine of excitement in [Y/N]’s eyes. The beat starts to swell. I play along as well, letting myself bend at the knees. The singer jumped up and the crowd went wild jumping. I smile while watching Im recording most of their set since I don't know the lyrics as well. [Y/N] is in front of me. I can barely make it out but I heard it even Sam gives me a look to confirm her. She's screaming the lyrics along with the crowd, the quiet farmer they've all come to love, they've forgotten she lived here this was probably her favorite scene when she was here. She's screaming and jumping, very close to me should I mention. Even Abigail points it out. [Y/N] brushes up against me by accident. She apologized, before turning back and enjoying the rest of the song.

[Y/N] comes back with Abigail with some bottles of water for the four of us needing water before the main band comes out. I take a large sip of mine, before slipping it in my hoodie pocket we all chit chat. Making plans for after the concert that include a bottle of tequila and what I would usually call a stupid game. Never have I ever. Were grown, why Abigail and Sam would suggest it seems suspicious. [Y/N] seemed excited so I went along with everything. The concert went great. Our group's voices hoarse from screaming lyrics all night. We all piled back into the small SUV [Y/N] had rented. As we pull off I begin to wonder about her life here in Zuzu, she doesn't chat about it much. I'm pulled out of thought as we stop there's a small plaza in front of me. The faint glow of ‘ABC’ glows and lights the car up. Abigail and [Y/N] hop out to grab the liquor we had agreed to. Sam slaps my arm apparently I was staring.

“Ya’know Abby said [Y/N] gets pretty touchy when she drinks. And we all know how cocky you get.” Sam says, I turn towards him.

“You're not trying to suggest?” I fuss, blood rushing to my cheeks and the tips of my ears. Sam laughs.

“I mean when was the last time dude. The girl from the fall festival that came in from Zuzu. The long distance didn't work or something like that.” He's referring to a small hookup I had about a year ago.

“I'm just saying Seb, she's definitely into you, take the shot.” Sam says as he punches my arm repeatedly. The girls come back outside and get inside, [Y/N] handing the heavy black bag back to him. Pulling out the music still going just quieter so we can all chat. The elevator ride up to the room was uneventful. The girls go into the bathroom and take off their makeup and their hair down. Me and Sam get the red solo cups set for the game, pouring an equal amount of tequila in each. Yoba, why did they pick tequila? It tastes like hell. Me and Sam use the bathroom one at a time to get our pajamas practically the same. A plain T-shirt and sweatpants. The girls come in. Abigail in leggings and her T-shirt she just bought. [Y/N] in shorts and the hoodie she had bought earlier in the night. The shorts barely poke out under the hem of the hoodie. Abigail sits on the bed beside Sam, leaving [Y/N] to sit beside me.

“I’ll start.” Abigail exclaims

“Never have I ever fallen asleep in public.” She says looking at Sam who takes a drink. So does [Y/N].

“I fell asleep on the bus to work one morning. And an few times on the way home from the mines to late.” [Y/N] says laughing

“I passed out on the couch in the saloon a couple times.” Sam admits. The game goes on until it's just me and [Y/N].

“Never have I ever worked hungover?” I ask in a joking manner, to my surprise [Y/N] took the last sip of her drink laughing. Sam’s eyes go wide.

“Dude Jojo’s is so strict about that, how'd you get away with it?” He asks

“It was the stupid call center that expected us to look half dead anyway.” She says giggling. Her hand rested on my knee to support her own laughter. My hand works hard to resist the urge to hold it. I wish we had broken up the rooms differently.

“So then I win?” I say an smirk growing on my lips.

“Guess so, last one with anything left in their cup.” Sam says “Gotta finish it off.” Which then starts the rest of the group chanting ‘finish it.’ Until I tip the cup finishing what was left in my cup. I take [Y/N]’s empty cup stacking ours together. I set the cups aside on the nightstand when a weight hits my shoulder looking down I see [Y/N]’s head resting against my shoulder, her arms wrapped around mine. My smirk turns into an gentle smile. Abigail and Sam are giggling and smacking each other excitedly while whispering to each other.

“I’m going to go lay down in the other room y’all have fun.” Sam says over exaggerating a yawn before scurrying out of the room.

“I think I’ll go crash in there too you to have fun though.” Abigail says in sing song voice as she grabs the spare key from me for that room and hurries behind Sam. Now with me and [Y/N] alone I look down at her, I cup her chin with my hand. She hums as she looks up an goofy smile plastered on her face.

[promiscuouspomegranate]

If you're not busy can I request a yandere shane from stardew I really don't see that much of him😸

Midnight Martini

“A little oneshot with some rambles toward the end.”

Oneshot TWs: Drinking, Existential Thoughts, Shane is Depressed, You got Drugged lol, implied abduction.

Ramble TWs: Alcoholism, Depressive Thoughts, and Yandere Behaviors

(You’re the second person to request something.. so I simply have to entertain the anon. I hope you like it.. I was sleepy writing this 😪)

º

“Do you ever drink, Y / N or do you constantly keep up the happy farmer charade? I’m genuinely intrigued by your little persona,” Shane smirked and elbowed me, “What happens at this lake stays between us.”

I nervously gripped the martini I ordered earlier and quickly chugged it. It was dry and bitter and overpowered my mouth with gin. I covered it and felt a burn in my throat. Shane, instead of getting a water bottle for me, laughed as if comedy peaked at this very moment.

“You seriously have never drunk before? Fuck, I didn’t know I’d encounter someone like this ever,” He took a swig of his bottled beer and wiped his mouth, “It’s kinda sweet.”

“Shut up,” I nudged him and groaned, “I was always the damn designated driver at work events and high school parties fucking sucked.”

“Oh, you can curse too? It seems my world is coming to an end,” He chuckled and set his bottle down, “I get it, though. I didn’t start until.. well, until some time ago.”

“I don’t get how you enjoy this shit,” I glanced over and realized what I said, “No offense, of course!”

There was a moment of silence between us, and the moonlight rippled through the iridescent lake water. I moved in a little closer and grabbed an unopened bottle of cold beer. I used the dock to pop the cap off and took a sip.

“I don’t even like to drink, honestly,” He sighed, “I only like the feeling of being drunk. It’s the only way I feel happy, y’know? So much shit happened, and life continued. I wasn’t fucking ready to man up, so I drove to the closest gas station in ZuZu city and came him with a six-pack. I woke up the next morning with a throbbing pain in my head and vomit in a bucket, but not a single memory about the shit that happened to me. It’s.. it’s become a ruthless cycle.”

I took another sip and Shane grabbed his bottle. He gazed at my face and rubbed his stubble.

“Do you ever think this is it? All we have in life is a cycle of horrible feelings and emotions until we die? Yoba, I hope it’s not,” His voice sounded raw with emotion as he spoke, “I just wanna get better.”

“For what it’s worth,” I paused and thought about what to say. I set my bottle down and grabbed Shane’s hand, “You’re not alone, Shane. I don’t know what happened, and I would never expect you to tell me. I know what despair feels like, and you can’t help but think it all fucking sucks. That’s because it does. Everything is horrible, but.. but we have these ever so brief moments that make life worth living.”

He was silent and I decided to continue.

“When I first came here, I was depressed. I lost the only family member that genuinely cared about me and had no fucking money, friends, or food,” I laughed and looked at him, “Shane, I remember approaching you, and you told me to fuck off. I went home and started sobbing because I felt like shit. I could’ve wallowed in my misery, but then.. I wouldn’t be here with you.”

Reality seemed to blur with desire and I selfishly leaned in closer. I brushed my hand across his face and his eyes glowed in the darkness of the valley. He felt warm and my mind felt fuzzy.

“I want to be here with you,” I murmured.

“Fuck you,” He whispered back, “Fuck you for being so.. you. Damn it, you’re not supposed to be a flirty drunk. I’m supposed to be making a move on you.”

Our noses touched and I felt my heart racing with intoxication and want. I wanted this kiss to happen and I wanted it to be with Shane. I quickly pressed my lips against his and pulled his head closer to mine. He reciprocated my feelings and wrapped his arms around my body. After a moment, he pulled away.

“That was a long time coming,” I slurred my words and grabbed his face, “I want more Shane. ‘S not fair to kiss me then pull away so quickly.”

“Oh, I know sweetheart,” He calmly replied and kissed my forehead. He stood up and put our bottles back in the cooler, “I’m just concerned about how you feel right now.”

“I’m fine,” I stupidly smiled and bounced up. My head was pounding, and the ground felt like it was swirling, “Just.. just sleepy.”

“That’s good to hear; you’ll be out any second now. It’s past your bedtime, isn’t it,” He pulled me into his arms and muttered, “Just go to sleep. It’ll all be better in the morning. We’ll be together.”

.

That whole scene would take A LOT of gifts and bonding to happen. I’m sensing a major inferiority complex and, “Oh, if I talk to them, they’re just going to think I’m some stupid drunk who can’t take care of himself.”

I think something terrible happened in his life that spiraled into his alcoholic depression. His parents refused to accept him after discovering that he had nowhere else to go but Marnie’s ranch. He’s stuck in the past and refuses to move on from what happened. He feels horrible and desperately needs to feel something other than self-hate and sorrow.

When you first approach him, he’s too absorbed by his grief to realize that YOU WANT TO BE THERE FOR HIM (like.. you don’t bite.) He tries to close off any form of interaction and conversation. Why would he deserve to talk to someone when he’s terrible? He’s too afraid of his flaws to let anyone close.

Yet, you insist on hanging around like some incurable parasite. Shane feels startled when he finally realizes you want to be with him. Here’s this kind farmer who thinks that HE is worth something. He hasn’t felt proper affection in so long that his feelings spiral immediately. He finally has someone that makes him feel like he has self-worth and that he’s important.

He starts drinking less and talking to you more. As he sobers up more, his feelings are less intense but still linger. He wants you to himself and hates the thought of you falling for another bachelor. So, what better way than to take you late at night? Not like he could just ask you out himself.

Give this man counseling and a hug ⁉️⁉️⁉️

[hyacinths-in-a-storm-writes]

Day 9- Sick Day

(Azula x Ty Lee)

You can also read it here on ao3

A/N: I really like this one, I love anything where I can just write both healthy platonic and romantic relationships.

Azula watched calmly as Sokka collapsed to the floor in a tangle of limbs.

“I give up.” He sighed, readjusting himself to sit comfortably on the floor.

“I told you, just because you started lessons with Master Piandao doesn’t mean you can start competing with me. I’ve been training for my entire life, you started two months ago.” Azula sheathed her wooden sword, and sat down next to him.

“I know, I know. I just wanted to try it.” He put his hands up in surrender,

“But I bet you can’t handstand for as long as I can.” Before Azula could blink, Sokka was up on his hands. She had had to admit he was quick, even if his form was terrible. Azula stretched her legs out and flipped herself so that everything but Sokka was upside down. She stared at him, as sweat started to bead on his forehead, and he started to wobble on his hands. Eventually she watched him crumble to the floor for the second time today.

“My best friend is Ty Lee, Sokka. I’ve been in constant handstand completions since I was in kindergarten.” Azula scoffed,

“That’s the second time you’ve mentioned Ty Lee today.” Sokka pointed out, “Are you 100% sure you don’t have any feelings for her?”

“Sokka! I told you already that I don’t have a crush on her! Besides, you’re just taking away from the fact that I’m better than you.” Azula huffed as she deflected the question, was she really that bad at hiding her feelings?

Azula smugly lowered herself, but her arm gave a slight wobble and she crashed to the ground with a loud thump. She paused to stare at the ceiling, catching the breath that was knocked out of her lungs.

“Azula!” Sokka crouched down next to her, “What happened? Are you alright?”

“I’m… fine, I don’t know what just happened.” Azula sat up, temporarily stunned.

“I told you to take it easy.” he sighed,

“I just had a slight sore throat this morning Sokka! I’m fine! And even if I was sick, I still beat you” she brushed him off, while standing up unsteadily.

“Well we both have tests coming up, so why don’t we head home now, ok?” Sokka sighed, Azula merely nodded.

~

With a rare twist of fate, Sokka was right. Azula was curled in herself in bed, head pounding, and shivering. Zuko knocked on the door and Azula steeled herself to face her brother.

“What do you want, Zuzu?” she murmured, sounding like she had just woken up from a hundred-year slumber.

“Are you ok Azula? You haven’t even eaten dinner yet.” he asked, raising an eyebrow, or well his only eyebrow, at the sound of her voice.

“I wasn’t feeling very hungry, Zuzu.”

“You just came back from training, I would think you would be most hungry right now.” Zuko, maybe as a way to make up for his pre-teen angst years, or maybe as a way of distancing himself from Ozai as much as possible, became exactly the opposite of everything their “father” stood for, which is to say a decent human being. It was infuriating sometimes, as she couldn’t just say a mean thing, watch as red rose alongside her brother’s anger, and watch him stomp away, and further so, she didn’t want to do that. She didn’t want to be like Ozai anymore than Zuko did.

“Shockingly I’m not, can you let me get back to work now Zuzu? Or do you have any more gossip to share?”

“It’s not gossip- I’m just being a decent person who’s concerned for my sister. Besides I know you’re not working, you’ve been in bed all day.” Zuko protested,

“What if I’m just working on something in my bed?”

“Azula- we both know you’re not. Sokka told me you might be sick.” That snitch.

“He’s just bitter that I beat him today.” Azula paused to cough, trying to stifle it as much as possible.

“How does that have anything to do with your health? Whatever, look I’ll tell mom, she’ll set up a doctor’s appointment.” Zuko sighed.

“What? No! You know mom she’s going to be on the first flight back, and insist she drive me herself to the clinic.” After the divorce and eventual custody battle, Ursa took it upon herself to do a complete 180 and become the most overbearing mother possible. Though Azula couldn’t fault her that much, after the multiple times her father tried to take her back to the Caldera.

Though whatever her mother did was leagues better than living under Uncle Iroh’s roof. Zuko was allowed to do whatever he wanted, stay out as long as he wanted, go wherever he wanted, Azula was stuck under a watchful eye, stricter than even Ozai’s gaze. Iroh said that it was to help her, but if anything it drove her even more insane. Her schedule was to leave the house for school by 8:00 am, and come back by 3:00 pm, rinse and repeat. When her mother finally won the custody battle and came to pick them up, Azula, embarrassingly, ran into her arms crying, and begged her to take her away.

“Well, if you’re not going to do anything about it, then I feel I should warn you that Sokka also told Ty Lee that you were sick.” Speaking of the acrobat, Azula’s phone started buzzing. She sighed before she cleared her throat and picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Azula? Are you ok? What’s going on Sokka told me you were sick, have you been overworking yourself again?” She really was going to kill Sokka.

“I’m fine, don't worry, I just have a slight cold.” Azula reassured,

“I’m coming over in ten minutes.” Zuko raised his single eyebrow at Azula, and she shooed him away,

“Ty Lee- you really don’t have to, I’m fine. I’m just going to bed.”

“Azula, you are my dearest friend and my beloved girlfriend, and that’s why I know you are absolutely not going to take good care of yourself when you're sick.” Reluctantly Azula agreed that she was right, even if it didn’t make it any better.

“Ty Lee-”

“See you in a bit, Azula!” Ty Lee chirped, and hung up the phone. Azula sighed, burying her face into her pillow.

“Are you hungry now?” Zuko asked. Azula threw a pillow at him.

“No, I’m not. Get out, Zuko!”

~

“Azula, have you had dinner yet? What’s your temperature? When did you feel your first symptoms? Ty Lee was barely through the door, and already started peppering her with questions.

“No.” Azula murmured from the depths of her pillows,

“Well why not?” Ty Lee sighed,

“I wasn’t feeling hungry, or agreeable for that matter.” Azula groaned, Ty Lee sighed, and placed her hand on Azula’s forehead,

“You’re burning up 'Zula.”

“That would explain why it’s so cold.” Azula shivered, pulling the blankets closer around her.

“Do you need more blankets?” Ty Lee asked,

“No- I’ll survive.”Azula burrowed herself further under her blankets. Ty Lee sighed and shook her head disapprovingly. Azula was far too gone to care.

“Sokka almost found out.” she said after a long moment.

“About us?” Ty Lee asked after a beat, she lowered her voice, as if she was afraid to be heard.

“Yeah, about us. He says I talk about you too much.” Azula laughed, pretending like her heart didn’t ache everytime Ty Lee tried to hide their relationship.

“Mai said the same thing, she said she’d block me if I started another sentence with ‘The other day Azula and I-’.” Ty Lee giggled, but it was strained and dissipated quickly. Azula knew she was thinking about her family at that moment, and the repercussions that she might face being with Azula. She wasn’t the best at comforting people, but she opened her mouth to try before Ty Lee cut her off.

“I’m sorry for making you keep it a secret. I know subtly is not exactly your style.”

“Well it's not exactly your fault your family are homophobic dicks.” Azula mumbled,

“Still,” Ty Lee kissed her forehead, causing her heart to flutter, “I just felt like letting you know that I love you.”

“Hmm, you can do that after I feel better. Seriously Ty Lee, you're not going to help anyone if you are also sick.”

“Leave that for me to worry about. You just rest well.” Ty Lee said, running her hand through Azula’s hair. Feeling content and exhausted, Azula does just that

A/N: I hope you enjoyed, I'm slowly but surely going to finish this.

[moonferry]

fsioy chapter 18? that's amazing..

a jodi centric chapter??? yes please ??? i love u jodi.. literally no notes that's just it . i love jodi. its a bit of a shorter one tho so.. apologies.. so, as it looks now, chapter 19 will likely be an epilogue that wraps everything up and then chapter 20 will be something special~ (stay tuned ^_-)

warnings: mentions of a past death, mentions of giving up on dreams

summary: jodi is struggling with being a new mother. she calls on someone for help and takes a look at her priorities.

word count: 2404

other chapters: chapter master list

ao3 link: here

July 20XX – Zuzu City | The Neilson Household

It had been a few days since the couple brought their newborn home and the Neilson household had been quite eventful. Neither Jodi nor Kent managed to sleep more than a few hours at a time (thanks to one thing in particular) and this night was no different. 

A shrill wailing cut through the silence of the night and Jodi hastily opened her eyes. She reached a hand up and rubbed what little sleep she’d gotten from her eyes. 

Jodi glanced over at her husband, who currently had the blanket pulled tightly around him - his face buried deeply in the pillow and (despite the clamor in the next room) soft snores slipping past his lips. 

“Kent, honey?” Jodi called out, checking to see if her husband was truly asleep or if he was pretending. She leaned in closer before placing a gentle hand on Kent’s cheek. No response, not even his usual sleep talking or a mumble of acknowledgement. Kent didn’t even lean into Jodi’s palm. He was out cold. 

Jodi smiled down at him, her expression filling with love and adoration. She knew Kent often took the “night shift” - which meant he would get up frequently throughout the night to care for or check on Sam while letting Jodi continue to sleep - and appreciated how much he cared for her. Now, it was her turn to let him get some sleep. She smiled to herself once again before placing a soft kiss onto Kent’s forehead. Then, she carefully hoisted herself off of the bed and trudged towards Sam’s nursery. 

She approached the crib and peered downwards. Inside lay a small being - their son, Samson Christopher Neilson, though they often called him “Sam” for short - who was currently crying. She frowned and gently scooped Sam into her arms, leaning the small boy against her chest and carefully cradling his head. 

“Shh,” Jodi shushed as she gently swayed Sam side to side, trying to ease his crying. She looked down at her son, who was still inconsolable, and frowned. She spoke once more, her voice nice and calm, “It’s okay, Sam. Mama’s here.” 

Jodi carefully reassured her son, turning and cooing at him as she continued to rock him. However, nothing she did seemed to be working and Jodi was beginning to get a little distressed. Normally, in this scenario, Jodi would ask Misty for advice, however, Misty and Ruby had left for the weekend (for some sort of “special retreat”). 

She frowned, unsure of what to do. She had no experience with children, especially one who was only a few days old. She sighed, pacing around the room and desperately trying to soothe her son. She desperately needed help but it seemed like there was no one she could turn to. She just needed someone with motherly experience, but everyone she knew was busy. Well, maybe not everyone. 

Jodi pursed her lips together, thinking over her decision before nodding to herself. She approached the phone and dialed the all too familiar number. Eventually, she hung up the phone. Not too long after, a loud knock sounded from outside and Jodi opened it quickly - trying to keep from waking Kent. 

“Jodi!” The person exclaimed, her eyes wide and full of concern as she looked over the scene. She spoke once again, “I came as fast as I could. What’s wrong?” 

“Mother,” Jodi acknowledged. She motioned for her mother to enter the house and promptly closed the door behind Diana as she entered. Once the older woman was inside, Jodi burst into tears and extended the small bundle in her arms.

“I’ve tried everything, Mother,” Jodi pleaded through her tears, wailing alongside her infant son. She sniffled, looking down as Sam wriggled and kicked the blanket off his feet. She spoke once more, “But he won’t stop crying. I’m so lost.. I don’t know what to do. And.. and I didn’t know who else to call.” 

“Give him here, darling,” Diana instructed. Jodi sniffled once again, hesitating. She glanced at her mother - scanning her features for any malice or trickery. When she found nothing, Jodi gave a small nod and handed Sam to his grandmother. 

Diana carefully inspected Sam before leaning him over her shoulder and gently patting his back. The baby let out a loud, almost comedic burp. Then, the cries seemed to die down and Sam returned to making his happy, content coos. 

“Poor boy,” Diana spoke, her lips forming a thin line. She gently patted Sam’s back once more before rubbing her hand in small, smoothing circles. Diana turned back to Jodi and spoke one more, “He just needed to burp, that’s all.” 

“How did you know?” Jodi asked, the surprise clearly evident on her face. She looked at her mother, amazed.

Diana let out a small laugh, a smile spreading across her lips. 

“Jodi, I’ve raised four children,” Diana stated matter-of-factly. She spoke once more, her voice tender, “You learn to pick up on little hints like that.” 

“Really?” Jodi asked, her eyes shining with curiosity. Diana gave a small nod. The older woman motioned to the nearby couch. She and Jodi moved over and plopped down, Diana still holding Sam. 

“Let me teach you some.” 

Jodi listened intently as her mother explained all the simple tells a baby had and what they mean. Though, there appeared to be more than she anticipated. 

She started to tear up once more. Upon seeing this, Diana reacted rather unexpectedly. She reached over and wrapped Jodi into a hug. Jodi’s eyes widened in surprise, though she quickly hugged her mother back. The tears threatened to overflow at the unexpected contact. Diana had never been physically affectionate and it was quite rare something like this would occur. Jodi buried her face into her mother’s shoulder, simply allowing herself to be held. 

“You should take a break, Jodi,” Diana urged, carefully cradling the back of her daughter’s head. She gently tilted Jodi’s head up, causing her daughter to look at her. Diana’s expression softened and she added, “Leave him with me for a bit, dear. Go look at the stars.” 

“Oh, but, Mother..” Jodi began, looking at Sam with a concerned look. Her brows furrowed together and she looked back at her mother with a headshake, “I.. I can’t.” 

“Jodi,” Diana started, a small sigh slipping through her lips. She looked at her daughter and pursed her lips into a thin line. Diana added, “I understand why you’re apprehensive. I don’t have the best track record - and losing your father surely hasn’t helped - but I need you to trust me. Your boy will be alright with me. I raised three sons, after all..” 

Jodi swore her mother’s expression dropped as she said that last line. She knew the loss of both Danny and her father - plus the fact that Jodi moved out - meant Diana no longer had anyone to take care of her. Jodi couldn’t imagine how isolating that was - to be completely alone. To be left with a swirling, dark mass of emotions and loneliness. To have no one to turn to. She felt sympathy for her mother. 

Jodi bit down on her lip, thinking intently. Would this be a good idea? She knew her mother tended to get “set off” by the smallest things. What if Sam started crying again and Diana couldn’t handle it? What if she got angry at Sam for simply… being a baby? However, a small part of Jodi’s mind urged her to give her mother a chance. She knew that, deep down, her mother wasn’t a bad person - at least not intentionally. Jodi understood that sometimes external factors caused emotional responses. She also knew that her father’s health condition had caused her mother’s anxiety to worsen which - in turn - led to Diana’s emotional outbursts. But, now that the condition finally took her father, Jodi noticed Diana seemed less angry, in a way(or, at least she was more aware of her anger and was now doing something to combat it. Jodi even heard her mother mention seeing a therapist). She looked at Sam - at how quiet and content the small boy seemed - and then her mother. Jodi noticed how Diana’s eyes seemed to light up as she glanced down at Sam, as if her grandson was the greatest thing in the world. 

Jodi watched the two for a few seconds before nodding. It would be a good idea, she decided. Plus, she missed looking at the stars. She carefully pushed herself off the couch and walked towards a nearby window. As soon as she approached the window, Jodi instantly gazed out. She felt a hidden weight begin to carefully lift itself off of her chest. For the first time in days, Jodi felt like she could breathe. Jodi relished in these rare moments where she got time to herself - to be alone with her passions and thoughts. Though, these days, they seem to become more and more sparse. 

She loved her family, she did, but a part of her would always yearn for the freedom of youth. A part of her would always want to go back - to live the life she never got to. The life she’d never get to. But she’d swallow that part of herself. Bury it deep and try her hardest to keep it from showing. She couldn’t be selfish now, not when she had Sam and Kent to think about it.

She looked out the window, a small sigh slipping past her lips. Jodi momentarily put her responsibilities aside and allowed her to get lost in the vastness of space. That was one thing she liked about space. It was so vast and ever expanding. There was always room to breathe. There was nothing closing in on her and there were no expectations. She could just be free. She could be Jodi.

She watched as the stars swirled and moved with the night sky and frowned. If only she could do that, she thought to herself. She wasn’t sure what being a parent entailed and wished for something to sweep her away and explain everything to her. 

“Papa, how did you do it?” Jodi asked, staring off into the distance as the sky shimmered and rearranged once again. 

A small figure of Samson appeared in the distance - his face shining with adoration as he peered into Jodi’s life now. Of all his children, Jodi had always been the strongest. He knew that, if anyone could get through something as unexpected as this, it would be her. He just wished he could’ve told her that. 

Jodi watched the sky and felt tears prickle against the corner of her eyes. She asked again, her voice quiet, “How did you give up everything? Didn’t you regret it?” 

She sighed, resting her head against her palms, her elbows resting on the windowsill. She watched as the figure shook his head “no” and a small wave of guilt overtook her. Of course her father didn’t regret it. He’d always dreamed of having a big family and - despite Diana’s mental health and his own condition - he was overjoyed when Jodi’s oldest brother was born.

Jodi couldn’t help but feel that she was far too unprepared for the life she had been thrust into. It felt like two sides of her were fighting against themselves: one half that wished everything would slow down and let her experience the joys of living, and the other that was happy for the blessings Yoba had bestowed upon her and Kent. 

“What if I can’t do it?” Jodi asked. Her true emotions finally bubbling to the surface. She continued lamenting her worries to the ghost of her father - though she desperately wished she could hear his response - “What if I can’t be a good mother? What if Sam hates me? Or.. or worse, what if Kent has to go back to that… dreadful war. What if he doesn’t make it back that time?”

“I don’t know if I can do this alone,” Jodi admitted, gripping her cardigan tightly. Her words continued to flow out, “I’m so scared. I don’t want something to happen to him but.. I feel like something already has. He isn’t the same, Papa. He’s.. different. Whatever happened over there is affecting him more than he lets on and it worries me so much.” 

“Of course, I still love him. I’ll love him no matter what happens or how drastically he’s changed. Because that’s what you do, right? For the people you care about. You have to love them through everything. You have to love them even when it hurts. You have to love them when they hurt. You have to love them and you have to be okay with change, even if you desperately want things to stay the same. Because that’s what you do.” 

Jodi glanced over her shoulder, looking at Sam laying contently in Diana’s arms, before turning back towards the sky. A shaky breath slipped through her lips and she gulped, trying to steady herself. 

She spoke once more, “And then there’s Sam. He’s only a few days old and I can already tell I’m going to love him so much. He’s my everything, you know?” She sighed, her face falling once more, before adding, "I just hope I’m a good mother to him..” 

Samson’s figure shimmered once again, the stars flashing in encouragement. Jodi felt a small pang in her heart, followed by warmth. It was as if Samson was trying to send the encouragement where she needed it most, as if he was trying to remind her of what matters the most. She rested a hand over her chest, making a small clasped fist over her heart. She looked out at Samson and another sigh left her mouth. 

“I just hope you’d be proud of me, Papa,” Jodi whispered, feeling her heart grow heavy as the bright cluster of stars seemed to dim before disappearing entirely. 

Jodi took one final look at the stars above her, allowing the beauty of it all to seep in. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, she opened her eyes and turned around. As nice as the fantasy sounded, Jodi knew it was just that. A fantasy. This was her life now and she would be forever grateful for that. She walked away from the window - and with it, her dreams.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

He should tell her to go back to the kit-I mean, be more "supportive and empathetic" like the absolute doormat of a person they make Katara out to be in their fanfics.

Elaborate. Examples. I'm intrigued.

I mean it's pretty simple. For all their talk of "Zutara is the best because Zuko embraces Katara's 'dark' side and righteous fury", Zutarians cannot handle it when Katara is mad or even slightly annoyed at Zuko. They need to make her a doormat or pretend it's "only her trying to repress her feelings." And it's not even just in the fanfics either.

She's mad that he's using her mother's necklace to blackmail her, and then threatening to destroy it? Nah, she's turned on that he tied her to tree against her will and is "proposing" to her since the necklaces work as engagement rings (nevermind that even Katara herself doesn't know about that).

She left him to die in the North Pole? Whaaaaat? No, that can't be right. She was totally always kind and merciful to him, and not only willing to hear him out, but also just trusting that he had good reason to do what he did! It's all right there in the alternative version of the show that I watched!

She's lashing out at him for daring to expect her to cool with him like everyone else was, even though he stabbed her in the back in Ba Sing Se, leading to the death of her best friend, and then after she healed said best friend Zuko then sent an assassin after them? Nah, she's not angry at HIM, it's misplaced anger that she actually feels towards her mother's killer and is projecting onto poor Zuzu just 'cause he's from the Fire Nation (fuck the writers for that terrible narrative choice). In fact, she's only "mad" because he LEFT her, and she's confused because he's "like an ex she still has feelings for" (actual words I had to read with my own eyes).

And of course, as Fire Lady, she'd be sooooo much more easy going than that demaning bitch of a girlfriend Mai was. She'd never "force" Zuko to *checks notes* ask the servants for dessert. She'd also never be unreasonable enough to *checks notes again* get mad at him if he doesn't trust her and assume she's gonna cheat on him with a guy she explicitly told him she's fully indifferent towards.

No, no, instead, "Katara", would be always siding with him, even against the interest of her own family and tribe. She'd ditch her traditions and stop wearing blue. She'd be Zuko's gilfriend AND therapist - and she'll be a girlboss while at it, because she'll be Fire Lady and thus have power over people she feels no connection to.

All of that in gratitude to Zuko - after all, he saved her from her role as the Gaang's cinderella! She used to do everything by herself (which is why we ignore how TOPH was the first one to disrepect the rule of EVERYONE HAS TO CONTRIBUITE).

So yeah, Zutarians cannot handle Katara's character at all. They just want her to shut up and look pretty next to Zuko.

[drpoisonoaky]

Who let them drink?

As soon as she entered what was supposed to be a party at which she nicely declined the invitation, the explanations from Aang weren't necessary anymore.

“LOOK, EVERYONE! THAT’S MY GIRLFRIEND! LOOK AT HER. ARE YOU LOOKING?! LOOK. AT. HER,” yelled Katara as she climbed her like she was a tree. Having your drunked girlfriend shouting next to your ear isn’t a pleasant experience, but she has had a lot of worse experiences.

“How much has she drunk?”

“I lost the count a while ago.” Aang was trying to catch Sokka who was on the chandelier. Having in mind that they’re still in the royal palace and how high it was, Azula was kind of impressed.

"NO! MY GIRLFRIEND IS PRETTIER AND WAY NICER. LOOK AT HER," he exclaimed, pointing at a very drunk Suki sleeping on the floor.

“Good grief.”

“NO! MY GIRLFRIEND IS THE BEST. SHE ALWAYS HAS SOME KNIVES WITH HER. ALWAYS. YOU KNOW HOW USEFUL THAT IS” Looking at the scene Azula had forgotten about Mai’s knives. The last time Mai got drunk, Ty Lee almost lost an eye.

“They decided to mix something with something and it seems it was easy to drink but pretty strong”

As soon as Aang said that, Mai began to throw up through the window. “Well, at least we don’t need to worry about someone being hurt by her” Azula thought.

“Are you the only one who hasn’t had a drink?” As she pronounced that last word a very drunk Ty Lee revived from the floor next to Suki.

“WELL YOU ALL HAVE GORGEOUS GIRLFRIENDS BUT GUESS WHAT I MADE OUT WITH ALL OF THEM AT SOME POINT SO VICTORY IS ON ME.”

“Wait Katara too?” Azula did not want to be that person, but there’s something uncomfortable about your ex-girlfriend making out with your current girlfriend. “Maybe if I wasn’t dating either a good couple could have been born. I’m pretty sure someday someone would be in that situation.”

“I don’t know where Toph is, but yeah.” If, at that moment, you looked into his eyes you would see how those people right now were taking away years of his life.

“Azzzulaaa, why aren’t you paying attention to me?!” said Katara with her face buried in Azula’s neck.

“That’s a lot of Z’s and A’s for a single word.” said Azula while bringing back her attention to Katara “How much did this woman drink.”

“Don’t cry.” Katara unburied her face from Azula’s neck “How am I not going to cry like in your face?!”

“What about my face?”

Katara began to sob while she said “IT IS PERFECT. HOW ARE YOU EVEN REAL.”

“So I guess emotional drunk Katara is here.”

Suddenly Azula felt how someone had climbed up her body to perch on her shoulders. “Shhh. You also are perfect.” said Ty lee trying to not to fall having 0 balance.

But with that Katara’s change her demeanor and pretends to be serious and sober, only for a second.

“I am not making out with you so you can say you made out with every girl in this room Ty lee.”

“So Katara didn’t do it after all” though Azula with a little bit of relief that she never ever would recognize.

“I girl have to try.” As she said that Ty Lee was down on her feet and Katara face was back on Azula’s neck.

“Zzzzulaaaa she’s trying to get into my pants. But I don’t want her. I only want you into my pants because you are really good in-“ Without letting her end that sentence she decided it was enough.

“Avatar, I'm taking her and I’m sending some servants to help you because Ty Lee is 30 seconds away from throwing up. And then Zuzu will do it after her.”

Aang gave her a confused look but 30 seconds after there was a gross noise coming from Ty Lee

“Whao, do you know their vomit schedule?”

“I usually don’t drink either. And they don’t know how to drink. So I have to develop a plan to proceed every time they say “I have this bottle.””.

The first time she began planning, she was holding Zuko and Ty Lee at the same time while they emptied their stomachs. Also, she developed a sweet revenge plan to enact when they woke up hungover. It changed depending on what instrument was available in the palace. Or if she wanted to be extra evil, she-

“‘Zzzulaa”

“It seems we lost some z's and a's,” Azula said while she dropped her gaze to Katara’s.

“I love you.”

“Wait when did they reach drunk loveliness Katara…Oh shit.”

“WAIT THE BATHROOM IS NEA-“

Too late, it was Katara's turn. “The fucking vomit schedule.”

As Katara kept throwing up a victory shout resonates in the room. “I WON I WAS THE LAST PERSON STANDI-“ Sokka shouted. Then he pass out.

So everyone, except the former princess of the Fire Nation and the last airbender, was down. Thank Agni the Avatar state it's pretty useful to clean vomit.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

I Am Blackened Bones (Part 23)

Azula finds herself a spot on Appa’s saddle. Frankly she wants to sit where the Avatar sits, right upon the bison’s fluffy head. But the Avatar is worried that she will fall. He says that he would trust the other Azula more because she isn’t as fidgety.

You lack common sense and you act like a child, says her human counterpart, of course he doesn't  want you sitting next to him. You’ll jump off of the bison and get us both killed. She concludes. Unfairly, the spirit thinks.

Azula is particularly cranky today and the spirit is certain that it is because she is terrified. Azula gets moody when she becomes afraid. And so the spirit decides not to take her commentary too personally even though it is quite personal. 

“All set, Azula?” Katara asks. 

Azula’s heart gives a little leap. It usually does when the waterbender talks to her. She can’t explain it but she feels lighter, more fluttery when she talks to Katara than when she talks to anyone else. She thinks that it might be because Katara has done so many nice things for her. And her smile is warmer and more cheerful—prettier too—than everyone else’s. 

She has tried to ask human Azula what that means but human Azula only tells her that she is being ridiculous and should stop reading so much into things.

“Azula?”

Azula jumps. 

“Are you ready to take off? We’ve got a few more hours to fly.”

Azula nods. “I’m ready.” 

“Great!” There’s that smile. The one that makes Azula’s cheeks all warm. Azula returns that smile with one of her own. She hopes that her smile makes Katara feel fluttery and joyful. 

.oOo.

She knows that they are getting close when the spirit retreats into the dark place and she comes to the physical world. She is terribly tired of weathering all of the pain and discomforts on its behalf—not that it won’t feel the things that she does. Making this retreat has all the efficacy of hiding from the monsters under a blanket. Stupid creature that spirit is.

Today the spirit has left her in a more comfortable positon, unlike two days ago when she had re-emerged to dripping hair and soaked undergarments. Today she is propped up against Katara’s shoulder and looking up at the clouds. She sighs, she may as well enjoy the leisurely time while she has it.

“Are you doing okay?” Katara asks. 

“Well enough, I suppose.” Azula replies. This time even she can’t tell if she is being truthful or not. She has certainly seen worse days but her predicament still stands and it is constantly nagging at her even in moments of very relative comfort. She would, for once, just like to be truly content in life again…or possibly for the very first time. 

“Which Azula are you right now?” 

“The real one.” 

“Good!” Exclaims from his own little corner. “I was hoping to talk to you before we reach the Fire Nation.”

“What do you want to talk about, Zuzu?”

“What things are going to look like when you get home.”

“If I get home.” Azula mumbles. “It is perfectly possible that I will have to live out the rest of my days in the Earth Kingdom or one of the Water Tribes.” Without her firebending…

Her stomach sinks. She misses it terribly, misses how powerful it makes her feel. Misses how much stress it relieves to run through familiar routines. But she is so out of practice now. So much so that it might even be embarrassing to try to get back to it.

Now she is getting ahead of herself.

“Well if you get home there are going to be some changes…”

“There have already been plenty of those, Zuko.”

“You aren’t going to treat me like I’m beneath you. And you…”

“Have I been doing that recently?” She replies. 

“I…” He furrows his brows. “No. But…”

“Yes?” She quirks a brow. 

“Are you only treating me better because you’re in a pretty vulnerable position right now?”

A jolt of anxiety slices through her, leaving a fluttering sensation in her belly in its passing. She takes herself a subtle but drawn inhale. With her exhale some of the tickles subside. She hums, “possibly.” She hadn’t really put much thought into why she behaves the way that she does. Why she feels what she feels. Just that she has her behaviors and feelings and that there are some patterns to them. Patterns that have been disrupted by the spirit enough for them to become muddled. “I suppose that, that could be a part of it, yes.” She can’t place fondness for Zuko on the spirit’s emotions because the spirit seems to have a bigger distaste and mistrust for him than Azula herself. “Or maybe it’s because you’re the only one who seems to prefer the real me.” She looks from one face to the next. Sokka is rather shameless and open in that he knows that what she said is true, she supposes that she can respect him for his honesty. Toph, Katara, and, especially, Aang wear grimaces of varying intensities. Aang’s expression conveys the most guilt.

Azula shrugs. “It’s fine, I don’t really care.” 

But you do. The spirit informs her. It hurts a lot. I can feel it. You know it. I know it.

It both scares and comforts her that the spirit sometimes talks like her. 

“Do you want us to like you?” Toph asks. 

Azula furrows her brows and considers. “I haven’t decided yet.” She wants to be angry at them, but for what? With the exception of Sokka, none of them had particularly done her any wrong. They’d faced her in combat but she can’t say that any of it was truly personal. They had been on opposing sides and they’d done what they needed to do the same as she. 

And they have taken care of her. 

Taken care of her and treated her rather well, all things considered. 

“You don’t want to be alone anymore.” Katara says softly.

“I’m not alone. I have a highly agitating spirit to keep me company at all times.” But of course that isn’t the same as having several highly agitating friends to keep her company. She finds herself absently brushing her thumb over the polished spearhead in her pocket. “But I suppose that it would be nice to speak to someone who isn’t me now and then.” She has been alone for so, so long.

Zuko nods. “Yeah, it’s hard being alone.”

“You’ve always had uncle.” 

“Except for that one time that I made him really mad…and that other time when I outright pissed him off. He won’t admit that he was pissed but I could tell.” 

“When you took my side in the Crystal Catacombs?” She guesses. 

He nods. “I was alone then.”

“You had Mai. TyLee too.” And her. He had her. But she holds her tongue on that one, she doubts that he remembers. If he does remember, she doubts that he views her company and kinder words as genuine. “You were never alone, alone Zuzu. You would be worse off if you had been.” He would be like her. 

Her stomach is full of fluttermoths again, this time birthed by a sense of loss, loss over what she could have had. How things could have been.

“Yeah.” He agrees. “I guess so.”

And the conversation is through.

Through and ended with a lack of closure that she cannot quite place.

You thought that he was going to tell you that you wouldn’t be alone anymore. The spirit helpfully informs her. 

She unhelpfully tells it to keep itself quiet unless it wants  to come back to the forefront.

.oOo.

Azula begins complaining about an ache some fifteen minutes before the skyline comes into view. She says that it usually starts in her head or her stomach, precisely where she used to feel the energy from her fire chakra. Katara supposes that it only makes sense that her fire chakra flare.

And for it, Azula has taken to laying on her side, bunched in on herself, and tightly clutching her middle. Her grip only grows tighter as the skyline comes closer into view. And by the time that they can make it out clearly there are tears in her eyes and an occasional tremor throughout her body. Katara can’t decipher if the shudders are the product of pain or anticipation of pain to come. 

And the look on her face…Katara cringes. She has grown to hate that look. The torment that shows so unveiled upon her face in the crease of her brow and the gritting of her teeth. In the way that her fists clench ironclad and with the whites of her knuckles showing. 

“Can I…do you mind if I hold you?” Katara offers. The spirit loves her cuddles. She hadn’t been so sure about Azula until the woman dragged herself right into her lap. With the princess so close comes a new sense of knowing; a better ability to gauge her level of distress.

Proximity grants her the feeling of Azula’s trembles, the less violent shakes. It grants her the ability to hear Azula’s softer, shakier breaths. 

She wonders how the spirit is faring, tucked away into Azula’s mind. If Azula is scared then the poor thing is probably terrified. 

Azula gives a shaky hum of unrest and Katara holds her hand out. She almost regrets offering the princess her hand; that ironclad grip of hers threatens to shatter bone.

At least she isn’t screaming yet. 

Her screams are always so bone chilling.

“How are you holding up?” Zuko asks. 

Azula only shakes her head. 

That in itself is answer enough. 

She is doing just dreadful and growing worse with every inch of travel. 

And then they make it past the point that they’d turned back the last time.

“Please no.” Katara gets the sense that those whispered words were meant for Azula’s own ears rather than hers. “Please no.” She repeats. It becomes a steady mantra until finally the princess cries out. 

The first one is always the worst; it is startling and usually the loudest. 

Katara squeezes her closer. 

They push onwards. 

And Azula writhes in her arms. 

Her fingers clench and unclench. One hand squeezes Katara’s, the other grips at the loose fabric of Katara’s shirt. Her face is hot and red with strain and tension. Her cheek is pressed very firmly against Katara’s chest. 

Katara’s own heart hammers hard. 

She wishes that the princess would just pass out and spare herself the suffering. Katara thinks that she would have done so several minutes ago if it had been her. But Azula has a remarkable pain tolerance threshold, that or she is willfully stubborn like nobody else.

“We’re almost there.” Katara says.

“I can tell.” Azula forces. Katara has never heard such strain in her voice. 

“We don’t have to do this.” Zuko mentions.

Azula lifts a rather limp hand and waves the comment off. “We’re already so close.” She pauses for a muffled whimper. “I haven’t gone through this for nothing.”

That she can still think coherently, let alone speak is an impressive feat in itself. 

“I can try some waterbending.” Katara suggests. “But I don’t know how much it will help. Your injury isn’t physical. It isn’t even particularly mental. It comes from a plain of existence that waterbending can’t touch. It doesn’t stop Katara from trying when Azula grants her permission. 

.oOo,

She derives no sense of soothing from Katara’s waterbending. It can’t even take the edge off. It is cool on her forehead but she swears that instead of granting some of that coolness to her forehead, her forehead brings the water to a boil. 

And so she returns to gripping at her erupting head and the roaring bemoaning the furnace in her belly.

If she didn’t know any better, she’d say that the skin of her arms and legs is peeling away. 

Maybe there is some merit to that because Katara does move the water to stretch over her right forearm.

Agni, it hurts! It is killing her! 

Maybe she will die. 

Can this kill her?

She looks below, they are close enough now to the Royal Plaza that she can clearly make out the people below. 

They are having their mid-afternood firebending practice.

She cackles to herself.

The looks on Katara and Zuko’s faces are almost comical. Comical and depressing.

She knows for certain that the pain is driving her half mad when she glances over at Zuko and mumbles, “well it was nice flying with you, Zuzu, enjoy your walk home and good luck with Mai.” 

She sees his lips moving but they don’t make a sound. She wants to assume that he is saying goodbye and wishing her luck with her endeavors. He has a fuzzy little halo of darkness around his head and it is closing in quickly until it consumes him entirely. 

And then she is back in the dark place, laying across from the spirit who is sitting cross-legged and staring at her with a tilted head. “We’re together.” She comments, somehow it sounds more like a question, as though the creature is too dumb to see what is in front of it. 

“Yeah…we’re together.” Azula grumbles. 

She supposes that she would rather be alone with this chipper, off-kilter version of herself than out there with searing sensation. 

“We’re together.” Her spirit self remarks again.

She holds out her hand.

Azula is too exhausted to take it.

Maybe she’s the clueless one.

[carnistcervine]

Rituals

I came up with another Azula nightmare fic. :'D Well, "nightmare." *evil laugh*

~~~~

Azula woke up in her bed. She sat up, ignoring the persistent radiating ache in her lower back. She spotted a wheel chair sitting across from her, in it was her brother, Zuko. He was looking at her with a dull expression. He doesn't talk much nowadays. For a second, she's shocked to see him like that, but distantly, she remembers. The agni kai, right. She smirks a little, about to remark that she hit him in the chest, the Dum Dum, only to stop herself. The rules, right.

Rule number 1- Zuko is wheelchair bound, if it walks, it is not Zuko. Do not look it in the eyes, tell it to leave immediately. And leave, if it does not.

This Zuko is sitting in the wheelchair, looking at her. Azula slips on her robes and gets out of bed. She steps closer to him, trying to gauge the scent wafting off of him. It was vanilla.

Rule number 2- Zuko smells like cinnamon and burnt flesh, anything else is not him. If it smells wrong, dump It on the floor and leave it there.

Frowning, she grabbed the wheelchair and dumped it on the ground. It made a slight ‘oof’ as it hit the floor. She scoffed as she left her bed chamber, seeing Zuko sitting in his wheelchair outside her room. He smelled like cinnamon and burnt flesh. She grinned at him, pinching his cheek before wheeling him into the kitchen. He stares at her the whole time. There was no one in the palace, she had banished everyone. Even the royal physician, which was why Zuko couldn’t move anymore. When she reached the kitchen, there were some sweet rolls on a table, still steaming. She poked them with her sharpened nails.

Rule number 3- Check any food, make sure it is not rotting flesh.

Satisfied that it was food, she grabbed one and ate it. It wasn’t her first choice, but it was there. She fed the other one to Zuko. With some prodding, he ate it. That was another thing, he couldn’t move, so she had to feed him.

She sat down next to him, he stared at her. Going over the rules in her head, she knew what she’d have to do next. She didn’t want to, but she had to. She came up with those rules from personal experience, kept repeating them over and over in her head to make sure they stuck. Azula had tried to write them down, but nothing outside her own mind ever stuck. She got up, taking a breath and pushing Zuko along. It was time to check the garden.

As she walked, she spotted a figure in an orange robe along her peripheral. She kept going, ignoring it as it grinned at her.

Rule number 4- Don’t speak to the Air Nomads, they have nothing good to say.

Azula parked Zuko to the side as she walked up to the gardens. There were four graves, one for Mai, one for Ty Lee, one for that waterbender, and one for Mother. She didn't think about Iroh. Three were filled up with dirt. She sighed.

Rule number 5- Make sure to check the graves, sometimes they are empty.

Yes, certainly, it was traditional to cremate in the Fire Nation, but that brought her to the next rule.

Rule number 6- Cremation is useless.

She stomped back over to Zuko, forcing the memory of how she came to know that rule out of her mind. Zuzu looked at her as she pushed him along again. With the graves, the best she could hope for is to kick it back into it’s hole and hope it doesn’t get back out.

“Looks like mother’s having a stroll, Zuzu.” She croaked, her voice having gone unused for so long. Zuko didn’t respond, he never did. In fact, the only thing that let her know he was even still alive was his rasping breath.

She thought about what to do. Zuko was useless, the palace was empty, the Avatar… Well, she’d asked him for his help once before. A time when all of the graves had been empty and Zuko just kept walking everywhere. She’d managed to find the boy, locked away. He looked at her with that wide grin that all Air Nomads had now. When Azula demanded that he help her, he responded by clacking his teeth louder and louder until her ears bled. Which lead her to the next rule.

Rule number 7- The Avatar won’t help.

She could always try and send for Father… No, no she couldn’t. He left the Fire Nation in her hands, he trusted her to handle all of this. She couldn’t just betray the man’s trust like that. He believed in her, she just couldn’t show him he was wrong for doing so.

She rubbed her temples, trying to stem the headache that was forming. Azula took a deep breath, tapping her foot. Zuko was looking behind her.

“Tired of looking at me, Zuzu?”

No response.

“You know, I hit you in the chest, not the head, Dum Dum. I know you can hear me. I know you can talk.” Azula said, biting off an annoyance in her cracking voice.

Zuko just looked behind her, silent and expressionless as ever.

Azula sneered, finally having had enough. She called forth her brilliant blue fire to her palms. “Shall I make both sides of your face match, Zuzu?”

“Behind you.” Zuko croaked.

It was was far too late that Azula finally noticed the acrid smell of rot closing in behind her. She didn’t even get a chance to turn around before cold, clammy hands grasped onto her shoulders, her fire snuffing out immediately. Her arms fell to her sides, she gazed at her brother, wide-eyed. Zuko was now staring at her, the reflection of their rotted mother in his glassy eyes. Something wet clamped onto her head, an intense crushing pain and a loud crunch being all there was before everything cut out.

~x~

Azula awoke in her bed.

Rule number 8- Always pay attention to Zuko.

[olympusfarm]

You open the well-worn journal. the cardboard front-cover is severely faded. the yellowed pages protest as you open it up. the first page is blank but the second page is filled with cramped cursive handwriting.

Winter 20, Year Two

I really don't know what to put in here. I found this journal in my mailbox this morning, with no real explanation.

So I guess I'll start at the beginning.

I came to Stardew Valley almost two years ago now. I guess I would say my life back in Zuzu city was a comfortable one. After graduating college with a bachelors degree in botany, I got a job as a bartender at a club near my apartment. my apartment was small, but I liked it enough.

It always felt like something was missing, though. When my grandfather Uranos died and left the farm in my name, I decided it was worth a shot. I might as well use my bachelors degree for something.

Life here is good. I quickly became friends with Linus and Rasmodius. Linus has always been nice to me, and I know Rasmodius cares, even though he doesn't show it much. I don't often have time to visit them anymore, but I try to visit them when I have time.

The farm is doing well, and the community center is slowly getting restored. The fish tank and bulletin board have been giving me some trouble though. I've made it to the bottom of the mines and am trying to get to level 25 of skull caverns for Qi. My animals are doing well, I have two chickens named Helen and Hypnos, a duck named Hector, a cow named Helios, and a goat named Pan. I don't worry about money for the most part and I redecorated my cabin recently. I like how it looks.

Other than Rasmodius and Linus, I've been getting closer with some of the townspeople. Abigail is slowly becoming one of my best friends along with Alex, I've come to learn that George is not as mean as he makes himself out to be, Pam really cares about the town when she's not drunk, Emily is very caring and kind, Leah is super talented, Harvey is shy, but cares a lot about the well being of everyone, and Maru is probably the smartest person out of everyone in town.

Shane is the only one I have yet to figure out. Even though I give him tons of gifts and he seems to like them, he still acts so mean to me. He doesn't make any sense. I know there's a sweet side of him down there somewhere.

Regardless, I feel more at home here than I have ever felt.

I think I can really make a life for myself here.

-D.O.

You close the journal delicately and place it in the backpack you brought. You could read more, but it's getting dark and you should head back to Pierre's, where you've been staying for the time being. You'll read more later.

Next ->

[glazedsnail]

Fanbased Fiction Time

We're almost there peeps.

I've gotta say I've not written in 1st person in years (maybe since I was like 15 and writing Twilight derivative stuff cause that's all we were doing at the time). I'm not particularly enjoying it that much?! Like how am I supposed to know stuff? She's clearly as dumb as I am that's the blind leading the blind. She needs a bloody narrator.

(I get back to 3rd person in the next parts 👉👈Not a spoiler, unless?)

Anyway.

ShanexOCFarmer (♀️) 18+ / swear words/substance misuse/explicit/suicide ideation/mention of abuse

Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7

we're cute as heck omg

That's for illustration purposes only and it helps me recognises each parts/posts cause words are scary I need visuals. I have a vague idea of what Fern looks like and it's not that.

It's like I'm hiding a picture of my family while you read through the book at waterstones or something.

‘Fern, it’s Harvey. I’ll just check on your obs…. Oh for the love of…’

I lazily open my eyes, comfortably nestled in a warmth I don’t recognise, drooling on a green slowly snoring pillow.

‘Haa!’ I scream.

‘What the!’ Shane screams

Harvey very audibly sighs, rubbing his eyes under his glasses sitting on his displeased face.

‘So, all my talks about needing some rest, no, nothing fell in your ear Fern’

‘We did sleep.’

‘Are those your pants on the floor?’

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh. We’re two teenagers caught using our parents’ bed. Except dad is our age, we’re all in our thirties, and I’m recovering from blood loss.

‘I’ll let you…get decent. I’ll make some coffee.’

He swiftly disappears behind the curtain. We laugh awkwardly. 

‘Sorry I got you in trouble.’ Shane says, climbing down the bed to grab his discarded clothes.

‘Seems trouble got into me.’ I reply. ‘I could’ve slept forever in…’ I blush, awfully embarrassed ‘your arms’ I eventually say, twisting my fingers.

I don’t know why I’m so flustered. We’ve seen each other in far worse situations than this by now.

He sits back down on the bed, putting on his shoes. ‘Yeah I… I s’ppose it was nice having you in my arms.’

He’s embarrassed too.

The unsaid is heavily floating above our heads. I can tell it will fall on us like a storm.

I need to know about what he said to Marnie. I have to tell him about what Marnie  said. I want to be fully honest with him, and receive his honesty back.

What the fuck are we. What the hell can we be. Would “we” ever be a thing anyway. 

He puts his hand on mine. Thoughts are racing behind his eyes too. 

‘Fern’

‘How do you take your coffee again Fern?’

Harvey comes back in the room at such a predictable moment I’m amazed we’re not all getting cut by a Hallmark advert.

‘Uh. Just milk, thank you.’

He hands Shane a cup of black coffee, gives me mine, and sits down on the chair next to the bed.

‘So’ he starts. ‘I assume Emily was unavailable for deliveries last night.’ He opens the box resting on the bedside table and loudly tuts. ‘You’ve barely eaten anything! Even when I made sure to get your favourite. Fern, please. You need to take your health seriously. If you don’t want to take it from me as a doctor at least take it from me as a friend, alright?’

I nod.

‘I’m sorry, Harvey. I’ll take that home and have some rest.’

‘I’m afraid that’ll need to wait. You should be off to Zuzu city in a couple of hours. I sent all the details last night, they should be expecting you.’

I try to hide a sigh.I can barely afford the MRI let alone the trips to and back from a city I despise.

‘I can drive you there.’

We both turn to Shane who’s been silently sipping on his coffee. ‘That’s very thoughtful of you, Shane.’

I, however, am conflicted.

‘What about work?’

‘Ah who cares. It’s not like Morris can replace me anyway’ he snarkily laughs.

‘What about Marnie?’

‘What about Marnie?’ he asks back, puzzled.

She’s against the very idea of “us”, what if she learns that Shane ditched work to drive me to the city? Everything makes me lean towards her being right.

‘N-nothing.’ I say instead.

Uncomfortable silence falls on us three.

Harvey clears his throat.

‘Well, it’s settled then. I’ll take your observation before releasing you.’

Shane places his empty cup on the bedside table.

‘I can quickly run to your farm to feed the animals and grab you some clothes.’

I look up at him with wet eyes. The way he seems to care hurts me to no end knowing I will have to let him go.

He starts to lean towards me but quickly recovers, clears his throat, and leaves the room.

I’m fidgeting on my coffee cup.

‘So’ Harvey starts, doctor voice away ‘ Shane, heh?’

‘Y-yeah… Who would have thought.’

‘It doesn’t really come as a surprise to me. You have always been attracted to a little bit of challenge.’

‘What?’

‘Remember back in the city. I think it was just a few months before I left for Pelican Town actually. You were trying quite hard to get the attention of the weed girl from the floor above ours.’

‘Excuse you, she thought she could FIX ME.’ 

He laughs.

‘In any case, at that time you were both disasters.’

‘You can say that again.’ I sigh. ‘Do you think that’s what… draw me to Shane?’ 

‘Well, Fern, you know what they say.’ He takes his glasses off to remove a smudge.

‘Yeah, yeah. Misery loves company. I’ve heard that one. But it’s not.. It’s not the way I feel about him. I don’t want or need to wallow in our personal grief. I want to make him happy. To make us happy, in an ideal world.’

He puts back his clean glasses atop his nose.

‘What makes you think it’s different?’

‘Because I don’t… Because I’ll know to let him go if he can be happier without me. Which can just be the time.’

Harvey’s moustache slumps in a pout.

‘I’m sorry Fern. I obviously don’t know the true nature of your relationship. And I’ve not known Shane for that long but he seems to genuinely care. I’ve tried to get him to care about his health for months now!’

He laughs, his face contorted in a sympathetic grimace. 

‘Now, I really need that data before I can let you leave.’

‘Just waiting on your clothes then you’re ready to go.’ Says Harvey, folding his stethoscope back in his visit bag. I stand up from the bed, feeling a cold breeze on my bare back.

‘Was the hospital gown really necessary?’ I ask, backing against the white wall, leaning on it.

‘Do you want the doctor’s answer or the friend’s one?’

I shrug

‘Well’ he continues ‘you do know what happens to most people when they pass out.’ 

‘Oh.’

‘More details?’ 

‘No, you’re revolting, shut up!’

We laugh. It feels good and simple. I swallow with difficulty and take a deep breath. ‘Harvey, I, herm. Could you… could you please keep what happened this morning, Shane and I, between us?’

‘Doctor’s confidentiality.’ He says in a warm smile.

I extend my arms for a hug.

‘Thank you.’

We fail to hear the door as Shane appears and hands me a bundle of clothes.

‘There you go.’

I thank him fondly. Harvey leaves us and I start dressing up.

‘How are my hens?’

‘They’re fine.’

‘What about my sheep? The lamb’s called Yarnball. She must have been hiding from you, she’s a bit shy.’

‘Yeah, they’re fine too.’

‘Sorry for the state of my house. Probably dried blood everywhere, and some critters who thought they found a good place for the night.’

He only grumbles.

‘You ready? Car’s waiting.’

‘Shane, are you ok?’

‘I’m fine.’

He heads out without a word. I’m worried he got into a shouting match with Marnie. It’s already starting. I knew I couldn’t count on Shane’s fashion sense but I’m amazed at how he managed to bring the worst of my wardrobe. My own fault for owning those I suppose.

I lift my brown rigged velvet trousers and tuck the yellow checkered shirt in. I could slap myself, they actually work together. ‘Thank you Harvey, I’ll be expecting your bill in the mail.’

‘And I’ll be expecting your spotty payment’ he answers with a finger gun.

I hop on the passenger’s seat of the old truck Shane has running. He barely leaves me close the door that we’re off. I look at him. He’s focusing on the road, brows furiously furrowed, clenching his jaw, shaking his head every now and then as if in the middle of an argument. The wind from the open window plays with his messy hair.

‘Is that Marnie’s truck?’

No answers.

‘How’s Marnie? And Jas?’

‘Didn’t see ‘em’

‘Oh.’

I’m confused.

‘Shane, if it’s too much of a bother to drive me to the city I can find another way and… Shane for fuck’s sake that was a stop sign!’ 

He stays silent and I suddenly feel terribly uncomfortable. 

After a short while he pulls out a pack of cigarettes.

‘You smoke?’

He doesn’t answer, swiftly letting out his first drag, throwing the pack in the middle seat.

‘I’ll just help myself then. If you do mind, you’ll have to speak to me.’

He scoffs and hands me the lighter. Haven’t had a cigarette in years but, heh, it’s like riding a bike.

I wind down the window and watch the landscape blurily pass by, slowly enjoying the painful drags burning my throat. I quickly become dizzy. There was a time when smoking was my sole breakfast and I was energised for the day. The empty inhaled smoke screams in my bare belly. ‘Do you want to grab a bite in the city?’

‘You don’t need to pretend I’m pleasant company, Fern.’

‘Well right now we can’t say that you are.’ 

He laughs, flicks his cigarette butt and tries to blindly find the pack. I grab it before he can reach it.

‘What’s gotten into you Shane?’

‘Let’s just drive in silence, ok?’

I lean back on the seat, feet up the dashboard, slowly smoking, reverting back to a moody teenager. Well he’s the one acting like a jerk. If he didn’t speak to Marnie why did he come back in such a rotten state of mind? Did he lie to me? 

‘You really didn’t see Marnie at all?’

‘What’s with you and my aunt?’ He snaps

‘I’m trying to understand is all.’

‘There’s nothing to understand, nothing at all.’

‘Ok, I know this is a lie.’

I see him grasp the wheel firmly, his knuckles turning white. 

‘Shane I’m sorry but… I really don’t feel comfortable being in the car with you right now. If you don’t speak to me I’d rather you let me off…’

He takes a deep breath, and exhales between his teeth. 

‘I heard you.’ He starts.

‘When?’

‘No it’s stupid, forget about it.’

‘Shane, please…’

I slowly stumble across the truck bench, trying to reach him. I put my hand on his, on the gear. He quickly removes it and puts it on the wheel.

‘Fine. Be that way.’

I shuffle back on my seat.

After an eternity of silence we arrive in the city. I only stayed a couple of years in Zuzu city, in the midst of always moving all over the place. That’s where I lived in the same building as Harvey, back then. If we knew at the time we’d meet again in such a small place that is Pelican Town.  I’m grateful for the farm, which has been my only constant in life now. A good homestead to have.

I jump out of the truck and stretch before turning to Shane.

‘You know, if you want to drive back, I’m not stopping you. I’ll find my own way home.’

‘Yeah I’m sure you’d like that.’

‘Excuse me?

‘I heard you ask Harvey, no, beg him, to keep “us” a secret.’

My eyes open wide.

‘No, no that’s not what I meant at all. I just didn’t want Marnie to’

‘What’s your deal with my damn aunt? Maybe you should just leave us alone.’

I look down, not knowing what to say, probably at Shane’s relief, for once. Marnie’s words brewed in my head for hours, with each hour clarifying the mixture, making me see that, indeed, she was right. I’m heartbroken.

‘Maybe I should.’ I say in a whisper.

‘I hope I was a nice distraction from whatever’s happening in your twisted mind.’

‘I’m sorry.’ My voice is so low that I’m not even sure he can hear me. I remember wanting to tell him I love him, so many times. I should have. He keeps talking to me, gesturing slowly, obviously hurt. But all I can hear is a distant buzz.

[yesyourstalker]

Baja: hello?

Zuzu: hi Baja

Baja: Zuzu! Hey! Are you calling for the sheet music? I know they were supposed to release it this week so we can practice but I think they're just going to give it to us during the next meetup

Zuzu: I wonder that too last time they sent it through an email, but that's not why I called.

Baja: oh ok

Zuzu: You're not doing anything right now are you?

Baja: oh ...no at the moment.......

Zuzu: good. ..*sigh*.... Are you aware of ink lab studios entertainment?

Baja: Yeah I have their app, I'm subscribed to their newsletter. I enjoy their content

Zuzu: well that's good. I'm calling you because My agent informed me that they're actually looking for people to work in their music, media and entertainment. Specifically for a new TV and Internet segment

Baja: really?

Zuzu: Yes, they need someone who's able to write articles, blogs and conduct interviews and be a great host. I couldn't just let that go to some local nobody with a generic personality. Like nautical. ...ugh. it had to go to someone with passion and a great love for music and all I could have thought was you.

Baja: (blush).....oh heh.... well....thank you

Zuzu: well you're welcome sweetie...... you're going to have to go through 5 interviews, 3 groups and 2 one on one, they're going to need a full sheet of your diet regimen, what you eat in a day, what do you always eat, What do you stay away from, They're also going to need all of the brands that you wear and your go-to fashion choice. Oh! Also list all of the products you use, what deodorants, soaps and fin care you know....your skin routine and fin care routine.

Baja: uh-

Zuzu: they also need a list of your pant size, shirt size, shoe size, head size, and also need a swatch of your scale tone for makeup samples..... I'm forgetting something on second........... right! they also want some headshots, body shots and a full circle rotation I'll send you photographers info

Baja: uh wait I-

Zuzu: Yeah so they need all of that information printed and laminated within a week. When you get to the interview, it's preferred that you wear a black bodysuit with pants and black socks no shoes... The address is 429-88 on blackened bass bay avenue across from engler Street.... There you'll be a building called lantern studios. You'll know when you get there there's going to be tens of people there

Baja: ok uhhh let me write that down-

Zuzu: The first interview starts 2nd at 9:00 a.m. I believe in you! I know you'll get this job just tell them Zuzu sent you. They'll know what to do bye sweetie!!!!

Baja: wait! Uh ok.... 429-88 Black& Bass Bay avenue The 2nd at 9:00 a.m............ok........ I should have asked how much it paid...damn.

Mahi: who was that?

Baja: I think I just got a new job

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Photographer: All right. Beautiful Babe, you're beautiful. Let's do a turn. Yes!! yes I like that!.... all right now......Look at me in the eye and I want you to scowl at me.... Look at me like I'm garbage like I'm beneath you. Yes! beautiful exactly what I want amazing.....

Baja: excuse me?

Photographer: yes? Yes who are you?

Baja: uhh.... I put an appointment for some headshots and body shots your zuzu's photographer right

Photographer: you're the cute tetra zuzu's been on about? Baja!? Right

Baja: yes

Photographer: great! She certainly did not lie. You have a great face for this..... I need to stand over there and wait. Do you want to water?

Baja: h-

Photographer: GET THIS MAN A WATER!.... He's been standing here way too long. He's probably parched!! I can't have my muses dehydrated especially in this lighting!....... I can't have this pretty face covered wrinkles!!... My name is Mel by the way here's my card

Assistant: here's your water..... You're wearing the appropriate attire, t-shirt and jeans. Perfect..... Just give us an hour and we'll be ready for you

Baja: thank you

_______________________________________________

Mel: ok! Let's get started! Is this your first time professional photos done

Baja: besides school photos yeah

Mel: hehehe ohhhhh You're funny.... Let's start with the headshots. All right and a big smile. All right. Good now I want you to keep your eyebrows where they are lower your mouth. I want you to frown for me, tilt your head forward.. Chin down... All right to look at the camera...... look at the camera....no look at-perfect...[FLASH]

Baja: emm..

Mel:.... You have a very good jaw line... It's perfect for the profile. I need you to turn this way...yes... Yes..... Tilt your head up not tilt it down [FLASH]

Baja: how? How many?

Mel: SsSSSHHHH! I'm working!... Tilt your head back. Look at the camera. Open your mouth a little bit. I need to see the teeth.... Sharp and beautiful just as you expected..[FLASH]...... Now for the full body.....

Baja: hmmmm

Mel: Okay we need one straightforward. No posing nothing just stand still....... Relax your body......Your little tense........ Nice shoulders. [FLASH]... Good chest area.... What is your workout routine?

Baja: I usually just go jogging every morning. I- [FLASH]..eh...I also am in the military so I have to do drill training every other day

Mel: fascinating fascinating...... I'm going to need at least 10 more shots are take off your shirt

Baja: ok.....

Mel: perfect perfect.[FLASH].... I like the tattoo..... All right, so we're going to need a full rotation...[FLASH]... So tell me about yourself. What do you do for a living? [FLASH]

Baja: oh I work at a mall...[FLASH] emmm

Mel: ahh I used to work at a mall in the '90s I used to take family portraits there hm ... Turn for me.[FLASH].....sooo what about your home life have any siblings

Baja: too many hehehe

Mel:... Haha I was blessed with no siblings...... Turn for me.... Very nice..[FLASH]....so are you seeing anyone?..... What are you into? Huh? You got a girlfriend?

Baja: (blush) um...... No, I don't have a girlfriend..... I had a boyfriend though

Mel: oh... rooting for the home team love to see it!

Baja: oh I mean I don't.... I........yeah....... I guess....ehhh

_______________________________________________

Neta: we're still waiting for the SashiMori merchandise to arrive ......yes .....I'm still waiting for the CDs and vinyls to come in though...yes.... Colored vinyl??........ Well I guess I can wait a little while.... But I do need to ask about the T-shirt shipment coming in and also the belt shipment........ Next week okay.....

Baja: hey Neta?

Neta:um...

Baja: oh sorry

Neta: nah you're fine sit down........ Okay so I will be expecting it soon okay?.... All right. Thank you!..... Baja! It's been a while. What's going on? What's new? What's going on in your life?

Baja: I was offered a new job and I I need to type some stuff up and print it out and laminated.

Neta: you got a new job?! What's the job?! I thought you enjoyed being a manager at the rokenberg store?

Baja: I do ..... They have a new opening to host the show for ink lab studios music and entertainment and-

Neta: you're trying out for 'music at midnight!?' Baja thats amazing!!

Baja: oh yeah... You know about it?

Neta: yeah! my old agent from my squid squad days told me about it... wasn't interested... too old for that shit .... But I glad you're trying it out! How'd you learn about it

Baja: a friend from my community band gave me the information

Neta: Zuzu?

Baja: yeah zuzu

Neta: oh I love her she's so nice........ok let me just open up ink type..... alright so just type up your documents and just press up here for print and when you're done I'll laminate it for you.

Baja: alright. . Do you know where to get a bodysuit for modeling

[hour later]

Neta: ok it's all laminated 'Baja Genson, height 5'2 age 22.... Aquarius ohhhh look at these photos............. Freshwater fish deodorant??..... best finn friend shampoo and conditioner???'..... What is this?

Baja: ugh.... They just went on my personal information. I think it's for advertisement purposes

Neta: makes sense.... well I wish you luck on this journey.

_______________________________________________

Baja: hmm.........I guess this doesn't't look so ridiculous with the jeans on.....*sigh*.ok.....'hi my name is Baja Genson I'm 22 years old I'm from Riversville''...ok.....ok....ok

Mahi:....*eating*.... what are you doing?...heh. What are you wearing?

Baja: oh morning.... it's a Spandex body suit ... It's for a Job interview.... Sort of like an audition.... I'll be back in...... I'm not sure when I'll come back. All right, have my laminates, scale swatches, headshots, body shots....... I'll be back later

_______________________________________________

Baja:. .. 429-88..... This is the place.....

[chattering]

Baja: Tons of people are already here... I guess I just wait with them................

Assistent: All If you in this segment is going to be group 2!.... Take these buttons and wait until we call you!

Eel: hey you here for the audition right?

Baja: yeah you?

Eel: Yeah..... I just thought I'd try out just for the hell of it.

Koi fish: oh shut up ash.. I've seen you at three modeling, gigs and four auditions. It's getting desperate don't you think?

Eel: oh fuck lake It's not like you've gotten any of those gigs....... unlike me..... I have this hosting gig in the bag

Inkling: none of you ugos are actually going to get this job not with me around..

Ash: oh shut up

Lake: oh please newbie over here has a higher chance of getting this Job more than you Tammy

Baja:....................hi............

Tammy:ohhh you are new..... You're pretty cute too

Assistant: group 2 You're up next!! Find a seat. The interview starts in 3 minutes

Baja: *sigh* ok

_______________________________________________

Interviewer: hello you guys are in the first round of interviews for main host and co-host of our New show 'midnight music' going to ask you a span of four questions and depending on how you answer you will be going to the second round now. At the end of this interview we will be asking 10 people out of a group of 20 to move forward. That sounds great with everyone? Great? okay.... My name is Valerie. You can call me Val ..... Okay so before we start the questions we're going to have a small photo shoot so everyone look at the camera. Don't smile. Do your model face........ Great and one more perfect....ehhh.... Will the purple inkling

Inking: me?

Valerie: No. light purple. ..... yes you and the shrimp on the bottom left? Yes, you sweetie. You two can go.

Inkling: what?

Shrimp: but we didn't get a chance to do anything

Valerie: Yeah I'm sorry you just don't really match our brand so you're going to have to go. As a thank you for participating, you get a tumblr with the ink studio logo on it! Byyyye

Inkling: *crying*....

Shrimp: fuck you..

Valerie: mmmmmmmmmmm sorry...mmmm....ok..... Let's get started everyone. No pressure. No pressure at all..... To the first question is do you have any experience with the entertainment business

Inkling model: I have experience with toni kensa.... I walk the runway during his polka dot exhibition. I was his final mode and l'm one of the very few to dye my tentacle red instead of black or white.

Valerie: Red tent girly that's very rare. He must have really liked you...hehehe... whore

Koi fish: I was in several commercials modeling for The tackle box

Valerie: very impressive...

Octoling actress: I played little Bree in underground homestead

Valerie: I knew I recognized you! I know you probably get this a lot but can you do the line for me. You know the one

Octoling actress:...*sigh* ok.....you can't tell what to doooo!

Valerie: hahaha ...oh my cod I love it..... what about you? Do you have any you know background in entertainment

Baja: um......no.... actually.... This is..... First time I've ever done something like this

Valerie: oh mkay .......

[hour later]

Valerie: All right everyone so that concludes our first session..... Your names will be put in two different categories for host and co-host. If you see your name then you made it past. If you don't, well unfortunately that means that you weren't good enough.....So go home yeah hehehe

_______________________________________________

Baja:.....huff .....huff......ok ...

Text

Baja: I don't know if I passed the first round

Neta: what were the questions

Baja: it was just questions about experience and I couldn't answer any of them

Neta: it'll be ok if you don't get it you tried and that's good enough

Baja: ok that makes me feel a bit better

Neta: 👍🏾

Assistant: first round of interviews are done! The list is posted of those who pass. If you're not on the list, go home!

Baja: Baani, Basset, Badiha, Baja.......Baja.... That's me. I made it! I made it past the interview! .. I'm in... Host category

Tammy: Good for you..... I made it on the list as well I see..... I'm so sorry seems like you two didn't make it

Lake: We both made it. ..We're just in co-host

Ash: better than nothing

Valerie: Okay everyone. Looks like there's only 10 of you left as I expected. So round two interviews is going to be....... Next week..... We have all of we have all of your information in this portfolio along with your headshots... We will be going through all of it. The second interview is going to be next week... after the second interview we will boil it down to six people Good luck everyone!!!

_______________________________________________